Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating a BGA package. Specifically, a BGA package is encapsulated after the balls are attached to the package. The backside of the package having the balls disposed thereon may be completely covered by the encapsulant. The encapsulant is disposed in direct contact about a portion of the balls. A liner is provided to facilitate the formation of an unencapsulated portion of each ball. The unencapsulated portion may be used to couple the package to a system.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an array of ultra-small pores for use in chalcogenide memory cells. A layer of a first material is applied onto a substrate. A portion of the layer of the first material is then removed to define an upper surface with vertical surfaces extending therefrom to a lower surface in the first layer of the first material. A fixed layer of a second material is then applied onto the vertical surfaces of the first layer of the first material. The fixed layer of the second material has a first thickness. A second layer of the first material is then applied onto the fixed layer of the second material. The fixed layer of the second material is then removed to define an array of pores in the first material layers. The pores thus defined have minimum lateral dimensions ranging from approximately 50 to 500 Angstroms and cross sectional areas greater than or equal to the first thickness of the second layer squared.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a phased array coil assembly and a signal processing circuit. The phased array coil assembly includes a plurality of coils coextensively covering a predetermined area. Each of the plurality of coils comprises a different number of loops over the predetermined area and divides the predetermined area into at least three contiguous regions arranged linearly along the predetermined area. The signal processing circuit is coupled to the phased array coil assembly for receiving a plurality of magnetic resonance signals detected by the plurality of coils. The signal processing circuit is configured to localize the plurality of magnetic resonance signals originating in at least one of the contiguous regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the laminate performance of the solder balls in a BGA package. Specifically, the ball pads on the substrate are configured to increase the shear force necessary to cause delamination of the solder balls. Conductive traces extending planarly from the pads and arranged in specified configurations will increase the shear strength of the pad.

Abstract: Image data is compressed by decomposing the image data into a plurality of resolutions or sized by wavelet decomposition, followed by compression of the resulting data sets. Adaptive Huffman code compression is optimized for compressing the data sets, predictive errors for a low frequency band and the wavelet transformed values for high frequency bands. The image data is thus compressed losslessly and in multiple resolutions such that desired resolution images can be reconstructed and transmitted in accordance with available-bandwidth and viewing capabilities.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting a hot rail car surface comprises: an infrared sensor for acquiring an infrared signal from a rail car surface of a rail car and transducing the infrared signal into an electrical signal; a rank filter for filtering the electrical signal to produce a filtered array; a first peak detector for detecting a maximum filtered value of the filtered array; and a first comparator for comparing the maximum filtered value to a detection threshold to produce a filtered alarm signal.

Abstract: A system and method capture a comprehensive biometric profile, (e.g., height, build, and appearance) through non-intrusive identification and tracking throughout a site.

Abstract: An image data compression technique is disclosed in which image data compression is based at least partially upon information encoded in a descriptive portion of an image data file. The descriptive portion may be a header appended to image data. In medical diagnostic applications the descriptive data may include DICOM compliant data specifying imaging modality, anatomy or other features viewable in the reconstructed images, image matrix size, and so forth. Based upon the descriptive data, the image data files are analyzed and optimal compression algorithms are identified and selected. The image data files are then compressed in accordance with the selected algorithms. The algorithms may include appropriate compression code tables, desired lengths of subregions into which the image data stream is divided for compression, predictor algorithms used to determine relative entropy levels within the image data, and so forth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a work piece. The system comprising an applicator adapted to travel over a portion of the work piece. The system being operable to heat the work piece and/or apply a coating onto the work piece as the applicator travels over the work piece. The system may comprise an induction heating system to heat the work piece. The system may be adapted to apply a variety of coatings, such as a liquid coating and a dry powder coating. The applicator being operable to heat the work piece prior to applying the coating or heating the work piece after the coating has been applied. The applicator may also be adapted to apply heat to heat shrink a coating material onto the work piece.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fitting a rotor enclosure over at least one assembly of field windings mounted on a rotor core, said method comprising the steps: applying a force to elastically reduce a circumference of the at least one assembly of field windings mounted on the rotor core, where the reduction in circumference is greater than a circumference reduction due to just eliminating clearances between adjacent end-turns of windings; generating a clearance between the field windings and the rotor enclosure due to the application of the force; axially sliding the rotor enclosure over the at least one assembly of field windings while the circumference is reduced, and releasing the force to allow the circumference of the at least one assembly of field windings to expand and cause the enclosure to tightly fit on the at least one assembly of field windings.

Abstract: A technique for scheduling planned maintenance of equipment, such as medical imaging systems, permits selection of time-based or usage-based scheduling. If usage-based scheduling is selected, operational data collected from the systems serves as the basis for computing a maintenance schedule along with reference usage values for parameters indicative of use. Reference may be made to norms for similar equipment, and the schedule may be adapted accordingly. Trends in usage, increasing or decreasing, may be accommodated by comparison of the usage determinations over time, and schedules may be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A structure for attaching together or sealing a space between a first component and a second component that have different rates or amounts of dimensional change upon being exposed to temperatures other than ambient temperature. The structure comprises a first attachment structure associated with the first component that slidably engages a second attachment structure associated with the second component, thereby allowing for an independent floating movement of the second component relative to the first component. The structure can comprise split rings, laminar rings, or multiple split rings.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an arm which is constructed to hold a wafer, is mounted on a rotational device to provide a user with the means of inspecting a wafer in any position without having to physically touch the wafer or move the wafer to another inspection station. The arm provides rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the wafer, as well as rotation about an axis run which is perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and extends through the axial center of the wafer.

Abstract: A catalyst slurry for a polymerization reactor can be prepared in a mixing tank and the catalyst slurry fed to one or more storage tanks. The storage tanks can include agitators so that the catalyst slurry is maintained at an essentially homogeneous solids-to-liquid ratio. From the storage tank(s), the catalyst slurry can be pumped to the polymerization reactor along a fluid passage having a flow meter. The flow of the catalyst slurry can be continuous and/or adjusted based on a measured parameter. The catalyst slurry may be continuously and reliability fed to the polymerization reactor.

Abstract: An assembly of an internally threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating externally threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion and a standoff portion. The washer portion is angled relative to the standoff portion. The angle of the washer portion to the standoff portion may be varied to change the effective length of the standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the internally threaded fastener to retain the fastener in the assembly. The stemmed washer may include a skirt that is plastically deformed to capture the fastener. The fastener may include a skirt which similarly plastically to mate with a retaining lip on the stemmed washer. The fastener and washer may be secured in the assembly to permit relative rotation of the fastener with respect to the washer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for baking a film onto a substrate. A film, such as a layer of photoresist, is disposed on a first surface of a substrate while a second surface is exposed to a liquid bath. The liquid bath is maintained at a pre-selected temperature. Exposure of the substrate to the liquid bath allows the film on the opposite surface to bake. The liquid bath is then re-circulated to maintain a constant and uniform temperature gradient across the substrate.

Abstract: A zero power standby mode in a memory device used in a system, such as a battery powered hand held device. By disconnecting the internal power supply bus on the memory device from the external power supply during standby mode, the junction leakage and gate induced drain leakage can be eliminated to achieve a true zero-power standby mode. A p-channel field effect transistor (FET) may be used to gate the external power supply such that the internal power supply bus on the memory device may be disconnected from the external power supply.

Abstract: A method for performing failure mode and effects analysis throughout the product life cycle. The method comprises receiving incident data from a requestor. The incident data includes a requestor product and a requestor fault mode. A shared failure mode and effects analysis database is accessed and searched for an existing entry that includes the incident data. The contents of the existing entry are transmitted to the requestor in response to locating an existing entry.

Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises a slide shaft having one end provided with a discharging valve and a diaphragm, a cam plate in press-contact with the other end of the slide shaft to cause reciprocating movement of the slide shaft, a shaft of a motor for rotating the cam plate and a bearing casing for holding a bearing which supports the motor shaft in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the cam plate is provided at its one side surface with a recess for receiving the bearing and provided at its other side surface with a cam surface.