Abstract: A laser peening apparatus and method for peening a workpiece utilizing a laser beam is described. The system includes a foil aligned with a surface of the workpiece to be peened and lasing the aligned foil surface. The foil absorbs energy from the beam and a portion of the foil vaporizes, which creates a hot plasma within the foil. The plasma creates a shock wave which passes through the foil and peens the workpiece surface.

Abstract: Noise reduction is provided in a rotary compressor by selecting the location of the opening of the discharge port so as to minimize the transmission of noise by the discharge compressed gasses. In particular, the discharge port opening is located in the middle (i.e., in an axial direction) of the cylinder wall of the rotary compressor corresponding to a node in a first thickness mode standing wave. This corresponds to 1/4 wavelength relative to the thickness mode standing wave from the end plate. Additionally, the opening is located 1/4 wavelength from the corner or edge at which the sliding vane is positioned, this ensuring that the opening is at a node in a first cylindrical mode standing wave set up in the compression chamber. The discharge port includes a passage extending through the cylindrical wall and a passage extending through the end plate.

Abstract: An X-shaped body has four slots for receiving optical fibers. A first pair of opposing slots are parallel so the fiber delivered high power laser beams can be used to solder components having leads, while a second pair of slots are at a right angles so the laser beams can be used to solder chip components. Screws and springs are in the slots to adjust the spacing and angle of the fibers of a pair with respect to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for multiplexing a coherent high power CW laser beam has a mirror mounted on a galvanometer to interrupt the laser beam and another mirror mounted on another galvanometer to deflect the laser beam to a selected pair of optical fibers. The other mirror is moved only when the laser beam is interrupted to avoid fiber damage. Yet another mirror mounted on a galvanometer can be used to provide a greater number of addressable fibers. A method of multiplexing comprises interrupting a laser beam, deflecting it, changing its direction only when interrupted, focussing it, and transmitting it through the optical fibers.

Abstract: Flaw uniform density location and size for flaws smaller than the beam diameter of an ultrasound beam are determined by measurement of return echos of ultrasound. The return echos are transformed to Fourier space and are normalized to take away any dependence upon factors other than the flaw in the object under test. The Fourier space representation of the return echo after normalization is dependent on a flaw characteristic function. The flaw characteristic function is repeatedly transformed between object space and Fourier space in order to eliminate or minimize errors in the flaw characteristic function. In frequency or Fourier space, the flaw characteristic function is reset to take into account the known Fourier components derived from the return echo waveforms, whereas the object space flaw characteristic function is corrected to take into account the fact that the flaw characteristic function has only two values, 0 and 1.

Abstract: A computer software architecture and operating method for an expert system that performs rule-based reasoning as well as a quantitative analysis, based on information provided by the user during a user session, and provides an expert system recommendation embodying the results of the quantitative analysis are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the expert system includes the important optional feature of modifying its reasoning process upon finding the quantitative analysis results unacceptable in comparison to predetermined acceptance criteria.

Abstract: A distributed processing system comprising an array of elements each including a plurality of communication ports on which to send or receive data signals is disclosed. Each element further includes means, under program control, for transposing predetermined ones of the received data signals prior to selection of one data signal for processing. By performing data signal transposition in selected elements in the array, data signal propagation through the array can be arbitrarily controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for broadcasting a data word from a row of broadcasting processing elements of a two-dimensional parallel processing system along the columns thereof to other rows of receiving elements in the system is disclosed. The parallel processing system is of the SIMD type, each such element being connected to at least communicate bits to the element adjacent thereto in its column. The sequence of instructions applied to the processing elements is effective to cause the efficient broadcast of the data word, with each processing element turning off upon receiving the complete data word in a shift register therein.

Abstract: A method, for practice on a computer, for interpreting two-dimensional images of three-dimensional scenes is disclosed. Descriptive labels are assigned to the vertex, edge and face elements of the image. A process of constraint satisfaction and propagation is carried out between image elements that are linked together with the effect of pruning away locally inconsistent labels at each element. The remaining labels assigned to the image elements are both locally and globally consistent.

Abstract: An improved side panel adapted for use in a kitchen range is provided which has improved thermal and structural properties. The improved construction of the side panel provides a channel member attached to an inner surface of the panel and extending from a lower rear portion of the panel and range to an upper front corner of the panel and range. The channel member provides an air passageway which concentrates a buoyancy driven convective flow of air from the lower part of the range onto the upper front corner of the panel, where a localized area of high temperatures is commonly found. A crossmember attached to the inner surface of the panel is also provided, which extends from the lower front portion of the panel to the channel member and from the channel member to the upper rear portion of the panel, the crossmember abutting the sides of the channel member, the channel member and the crossmember providing structural reinforcement to the side panel permitting use of a thinner gauge steel for the side panel.

Abstract: A solder bridge between leads of a microelectronic circuit is removed by projecting a laser beam onto the solder bridge with sufficient power to cause the solder forming the bridge to melt and to flow onto a wicking tool placed into contact with the solder bridge. The wicking tool is removed during the heating to remove the solder and debridge the leads. Microelectronic leads having a width of the order of 4 mils and a pitch of the order of 8 mils may be debridged easily using the invention.

Abstract: A shot peening arrangement uses a magnetic densitometer adjacent the nozzle outlet of a shot peening gun. The magnetic densitometer generates a signal representative of the mass of shot within the coil. The signal is used in combination with the mass flow rate, which may be determined by a conventional shot flow meter, in order to generate a signal representative of the average shot velocity. Additionally, the signal representative of the mass of shot within the coil is supplied to circuitry which detects conditions suggestive of a clog or other malfunction in the system. The circuitry is used to generate an alarm and to turn off power to various components so as to halt the shot peening operation upon improper conditions occurring.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling digital circuit elements to enable verification of circuit design by formal proofs using a computerized theorem proving system, is disclosed.