Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a boosting rectifier and feeder motor drive circuit are provided. The circuit may be used to produce a regulated DC supply voltage from a variable input AC line voltage, chop the DC supply voltage and deliver a pulse width modulated motor voltage to a wire feed motor in the wire drive assembly. One embodiment relates to elimination of undesirable wire feeder inconsistencies due to motor loading conditions, distance between the primary power source and the wire feeder, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the circuit may contain power factor correction circuitry, which may reduce the size of circuit components due to increased efficiency. Current paths through the circuit during the positive and negative half cycles of the AC input voltage are provided. Exemplary controller logic that may be used to control the operation of the boosting rectifier and feeder motor drive circuit is provided.

Abstract: The present techniques provide multi-layer plastic structures and methods for making such. The multi-layer plastic structures include an inner surface made from a polyolefin resin, and resistant to environmental stress cracking, and an outer surface that includes a styrenic copolymer. The outer surface has a kinetic coefficient of friction with itself of 0.42 and a static coefficient of friction with itself of 0.44.

Abstract: The techniques provide a system and a method of producing polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) polymer. The PPS polymer is produced by reacting a sulfur source and a dihaloaromatic compound in the presence of a polar organic compound in a polymerization mixture in a polymerization vessel. The PPS polymer is washed with a base to lower the oligomer content of the PPS polymer and thus the off-gassing during processing.

Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a fuel nozzle tip retainer that includes a structural member having a geometry that blocks a tip insert from moving axially downstream of a fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling an operating mode of a plasma torch includes a plasma torch that is connected to a power source and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically determine a desired operating mode of the plasma torch and deliver a power signal to the plasma torch based on the desired operating mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment a transition section for a turbine engine is provided that includes one or more components constructed of a ceramic matrix composite. The transition section may fluidly connect a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine within the gas turbine engine. The transition section may include a transition duct and a variable area turbine nozzle. One or both of the transition duct and the variable area turbine nozzle may be constructed of the ceramic matrix composite.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for canceling shunted light. The method includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation at tissue of interest and generating a signal representative of detected electromagnetic radiation. A portion of the generated signal representing shunted light is canceled from the generated signal and the remaining portion of the generated signal is used to compute physiological parameters.

Abstract: A spray-gun line-connecting device is provided for the connection of a plurality of lines between a robotic arm and a spray device. The spray-gun line-connecting device may provide a plurality of cylindrical connection joints at an interface between mating surfaces. For example, the lines may include enlarged cylindrical heads, which fit within cylindrical receptacles in a first mating surface. A second mating surface may extend over the first mating surface, and include passages aligned with the lines.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for the detection and correction of defective pixels in an image sensor. In accordance with one embodiment, a static defect table storing the locations of known static defects is provided, and the location of a current pixel is compared to the static defect table. If the location of the current pixel is found in the static defect table, the current pixel is identified as a static defect and is corrected using the value of the previous pixel of the same color. If the current pixel is not identified as a static defect, a dynamic defect detection process includes comparing pixel-to-pixel gradients between the current pixel a set of neighboring pixels against a dynamic defect threshold. If a dynamic defect is detected, a replacement value for correcting the dynamic defect may be determined by interpolating the value of two neighboring pixels on opposite sides of the current pixel in a direction exhibiting the smallest gradient.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a hat-based or headband sensor assembly may provide an output to indicate when a patient's body temperature changes. The sensor assembly may include sensors and other features to alert healthcare providers when a temperature is outside of a desired range. The sensor assembly may include a medical sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor, and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A service pack, in certain embodiments, includes an engine, a variable displacement pump coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to control displacement of the variable displacement pump in response to a load condition associated with the engine. A method of managing power of an engine-driven system, in certain embodiments, includes sensing a load associated with an engine coupled to a variable displacement pump. The method also includes adjusting pump displacement of the variable displacement pump in response to the sensed load and one or more limits associated with the engine.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for variable width data input to a pattern-recognition processor. A variable width data input method may include receiving bytes over a data bus having a first width and receiving one or more signals indicating the validity of each of the one or more bytes. The valid bytes may be sequentially provided to a pattern-recognition processor in an 8-bit wide data stream. In an embodiment, a system may include one or more address lines configured to provide the one or more signals indicating the validity of the bytes transferred over the data bus. The system may include a buffer and control logic to sequentially process the valid bytes.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for improving the response time of displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The method includes receiving a target picture frame and comparing it to a current picture frame. If the comparison shows that a display may be unable to transition from a current pixel intensity level to a target pixel intensity level within a specified time period, then the pixels that correspond to those current pixel intensities that may not be reach target pixel intensities may be overdriven. This overdriving of one or more pixels may allow the pixel to reach the target pixel intensity within the specified time period.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling the reading of optical data from a master disk in a holographic replication system. Imperfections in the master disk or movement of the disk during a recording process may cause source beams to deviate from target data tracks. In some embodiments, a detector system is used to determine the focus and alignment of the source beams on the master disk, as well as the tilt and rotation of the disk with respect to the holographic replication system. The detector system may detect deviations in the intensity distribution of the reflections of the source beams and generate an error signal corresponding to focusing, tracking, tilt, and/or rotational errors. Servo-mechanical devices may actuate optical components to compensate for such errors.

Abstract: Methods and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a graphical user interface (GUI) with one or more graphical elements that may be moved by a user to confirm or decline a payment transaction using a selected payment instrument. For example, a user may drag the graphical element to a confirmation position via a touch screen of the electronic device. In another example, a motion sensing device, such as an accelerometer, may sense movement of the electronic device and move the graphical element in response to the motion. Upon confirmation, payment information for the payment transaction may be transmitted to a merchant or payment recipient. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a sensor system for detecting bronchial tissular water content including at least a sensor, a connector, and a monitor. The sensor generates a signal, which may be carried by the connector to the monitor, which generates an output corresponding to the signal. The disclosure additionally provides a sensor for detecting bronchial or tracheal tissular water content including at least a signal generator. The sensor may also include at least a segment of a connector. The disclosure also provides a method of measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content by inserting a sensor into an airway of a subject, such as a human, until it becomes lodged in a bronchus or the trachea, then measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content using the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for managing a plurality of lockers proximate a theme park attraction, the system having an electronically actuated lock disposed on the plurality of lockers, a guest identifier carriable on the guests person, the identifier usable as an electronic key configured to lock and unlock the lock, an egress sensor positioned at an exit of the theme park attraction and a processor in communication with the lock and the egress sensor and configured to unlock the lock subsequent to being signaled by the egress sensor. A method for using and managing a plurality of lockers is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.

Abstract: The present techniques provide techniques for outputting counter-propagating parallel light waves to pre-record a holographic data disk. The parallel light waves are transmitted through a holographic system via a fiber optic bundle including a plurality of polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fibers. Each of the PM optical fibers in the fiber optic bundle may have one or more of a different wavelength, a different coherence length, and a different polarization orientation to reduce crosstalk in the disk. Furthermore, the fiber optic bundle array is rotated to produce interference spots indicative of micro-holograms according to the data track pitch of the holographic disk over which the fiber optic bundle is outputting the light waves.