Abstract: A system and methods for calibrating a memory device are provided. More specifically, a technique for internally generating a test pattern within a memory device and driving the test pattern to a memory controller for synchronization and calibration is provided. An internal test pattern may be generated along the write bus within a memory device, employing elements already present for high speed memory devices. The test data may be looped back from the write bus to the read bus and transmitted to the memory controller for calibration. The loop back function may be implemented without accessing the memory array.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for a system and method for combined production of power and hydrogen utilizing the heat from a first working fluid heated by a geothermal energy source using a steam generator and an electrolyzer designed to receive the steam produced by the steam generator for the production of hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly operable to secure a porous disc within a welding torch. The nozzle assembly comprises a front nozzle member and a rear nozzle member. The front nozzle member is securable to the rear nozzle member. The porous disc is captured between the front nozzle member and the rear nozzle member when the front nozzle member is secured to the rear nozzle member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detector array for an imaging system, the method comprising providing a pixelated scintillator having a plurality of lost molded pixels comprising a scintillator material adapted to detect radiation.

Abstract: A technique is provided for collaboratively processing and/or analyzing a set of image data. The technique provides for the initiation of a collaborative session by an application server. One or more collaborative workstations may join the collaborative session, providing common access to an image data set and to tools for processing and/or viewing the image data set. Operators at the collaborative workstations and/or the application server may thereby simultaneously access, process, and/or analyze the image data set. Communication between the operators via the network supporting the collaborative session may also be provided.

Abstract: An ac-ac power converter system is provided for supplying power to an electrical load. The ac-ac power converter system provides an output voltage having variable amplitude and/or frequency. The ac-ac power converter system includes a boost inductor for applying a discontinuous current to an ac-ac power converter. The ac-ac power converter includes a rectifier circuit comprising of a first set of gate controllable active switches for converting an input ac power to a dc power and an inverter circuit comprising of a second set of gate controllable active switches for converting the dc power to an output ac power. In addition, the ac-ac power converter system includes a switch for switching between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for various non-invasive medical and non-medical imaging. The imaging system includes a tunable X-ray source for emitting X-rays having a substantially monoenergetic spectrum and an energy discriminating detector for generating a detector output signal in response to the X-rays incident on the energy discriminating detector. The imaging system also includes a system controller comprising an X-ray controller for operating the tunable X-ray source and data acquisition circuitry for acquiring the detector output signal from the energy discriminating detector.

Abstract: A flexible circuit interposer includes a flexible circuit substrate which allows in-situ probing of an attached device during, for example, circuit debugging, assembly qualification, and the like. A first set of pads (and optionally a fourth set of pads) is configured in a predetermined pattern on the bottom surface of a flexible substrate. Similarly, a second set of pads is configured in substantially the same pattern on the top surface of the flexible substrate, wherein the pads in the second set of pads is electrically continuous with a pad in the first set of pads. A third set of pads is configured in substantially the same pattern on the top surface of the flexible substrate. One or more conductive traces are formed to connect one or more pads in the third set of pads with one or more pads in the first or the second set of pads.

Abstract: Power balancing techniques for a synchronous power generation system are provided. One exemplary method for balancing power in a synchronous generator system includes determining an output power characteristic of a synchronous generator driven by a prime mover and comparing the characteristic to a value derived from the output power of a plurality of synchronous generators. The method also includes providing a correction signal to the synchronous generator to modify the output power produced by that generator. A synchronous power generation system having a plurality of synchronous generators driven by a common prime mover is also provided.

Abstract: The present technique provides a method for controlling an electron beam (e-beam) in an X-ray tube. The method comprises emitting electrons from an electron source to form the e-beam, accelerating the e-beam from a cathode through an aperture in a plate, focusing and steering the e-beam from the aperture through a plurality of field generating plates, and accelerating the e-beam from the plurality of the field generating plates to a target. Also provided are X-ray tubes and computed tomography systems.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling a superconductive rotor coil. The system comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to the superconductive rotor coil. The rotatable shaft may comprise an axial passageway extending through the rotatable shaft and a first passageway extending through a wall of the rotatable shaft to the axial passageway. The axial passageway and the first passageway are operable to convey a cryogenic fluid to the superconductive rotor coil through the wall of the rotatable shaft. A cryogenic transfer coupling may be provided to supply cryogenic fluid to the first passageway.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is a method for entering data into a computer. The method includes anchoring an electrical cord connecting a peripheral input device to the computer, positioning the peripheral input device, and retracting slack in the electrical cord as the peripheral input device is positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a substrate having a top surface, at least one optical data transport medium coupled to the substrate, one or more lens devices coupled to the substrate, and one or more reflective devices coupled to the substrate. The one or more lens devices and the one or more reflective devices are at least partially passively aligned with the at least one optical transport medium by use of one or more pins.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the use of spectroscopic probes, such as Raman probes, within the conduits of a polyolefin production system. The Raman probe or other spectroscopic probes may be used to obtain spectroscopic measurements of the contents of the conduits. The spectroscopic measurements may be processed and analyzed to determine the composition of the conduit contents. In addition, the spectroscopic measurements may be used in conjunction with correlations or other statistical models to determine one or more properties of interest of a constituent of the conduit contents. One or more processes upstream and/or downstream of the conduit may be adjusted in response to the determined composition or composition properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.

Abstract: A low-voltage transmit/receive switch that acts to protect sensitive low-voltage electronics from high-voltage pulse signals used to drive an ultrasonic transducer. The low-voltage transmit/receive switch comprises a series resistor and a parallel MOSFET pair. The parallel MOSFETs are low-voltage devices. The low-voltage transmit/receive switch is placed between the output of a high-voltage pulser and the input of a receive pre-amplifier. If dual high- and low-voltage pulsers are used, then the low-voltage pulser is connected so that it is also protected from the high-voltage pulse signals by the low-voltage transmit/receive switch. In an alternative embodiment, the low-voltage pulser and the receive pre-amplifier are protected from the high-voltage pulse signals by a high-voltage transmit/receive switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for reducing halide-based contamination within deposited titanium-based thin films. Halide adsorbing materials are utilized within the deposition chamber to remove halides, such as chlorine and chlorides, during the deposition process so that contamination of the titanium-based film is minimized. A method for regenerating the halide adsorbing material is also provided.

Abstract: A scanning architecture that makes it possible to update only those ultrasonic transducer subelements of a mosaic transducer array that change from view to view. The configuration of the switch matrix is fully programmable. The switch matrix includes access switches that connect subelements to bus lines and matrix switches that connect subelements to subelements. Each subelement has a unit switch cell associated therewith, each unit switch cell comprising at least one access switch, at least one matrix switch, and addressing and control logic. Optionally, each unit switch cell also includes latches for storing the future switch states of the switches to be programmed. The switches themselves have memory for storing their current switch states.

Abstract: A method for multi-modality registration using virtual cursors including receiving a two-dimensional image dataset for an object at a first position and receiving a three-dimensional image dataset for the object at the first position. The three-dimensional image dataset includes a plurality of image slices. The two-dimensional image dataset is registered with the three-dimensional image dataset without taking into account a magnification factor. A user cursor position for a location in the two-dimensional image dataset is received. A slice of interest in the three-dimensional image dataset is received. The slice of interest is selected from the plurality of image slices in the three-dimensional image dataset. A shadow cursor position for a location in the three dimensional dataset is calculated. The shadow cursor position corresponds to the user cursor position and the calculating includes a correction for the magnification factor corresponding to the shadow cursor position for the slice of interest.

Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for improving atomization in a spray coating device by internally mixing and breaking up a desired coating fluid prior to atomization. In one embodiment, a flow barrier is disposed in the spray coating device downstream of an internal fluid valve and upstream of a fluid exit. The flow barrier may have a plurality of passages configured to direct fluid streams to create a fluid swirling and rotating motion around a central axis of a central flow path to facilitate fluid mixing and breakup. The plurality of passages may direct the fluid streams toward a surface, and may be angled substantially toward one another or diverging from one another. Embodiments of the spray coating device may further include an atomization mechanism adapted to facilitate formation of a spray of the fluid flowing from the fluid exit. The resulting spray coating has refined characteristics, such as reduced mottling.