Abstract: A three-dimensional image of flowing fluid or moving tissue using velocity or power Doppler data is displayed by using an ultrasound scanner that collects velocity or power data in a cine memory to form a volume of pixel data. Average or median pixel values are projected on an image plane by casting rays through the data volume. As the ray passes through each scan plane, a data value is assigned to the ray at that point. At each scan plane, the assigned pixel data value is tested to see if it exceeds a noise threshold. For a given ray, pixel data values above the detection threshold are accumulated until a pixel data value falls below the detection threshold. A minimum number of pixel data values exceeding the threshold are required for each ray before the average of the accumulated values is processed and/or the median value is selected. When all pixels along a given ray have been tested, the projection is complete and the average or median projection is then displayed.

Abstract: In performing for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of an object from any angle relative to the plane of acquisition, a human body is scanned to acquire multiple images forming a data volume. The system computer generates a multiplicity of reformatted slices through the data volume and parallel to the imaging plane. For each projected pixel, a ray is cast through the reformatted slices onto the imaging plane. For each pixel along the ray, the accumulated intensity is calculated as a function of the pixel and opacity values for the pixel being processed, the accumulated intensity calculated at the preceding pixel the remaining opacity for the subsequent pixels. The final accumulated intensity for each ray is obtained when the remaining opacity reaches a predetermined minimum. The accumulated intensities for all cast rays form the projected image.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displaying three-dimensional images of ultrasound data having improved segmentation. This is accomplished by harmonic imaging. There are two types of harmonic imaging: (1) imaging of harmonics returned from contrast agents injected into the fluid; and (2) naturally occurring harmonics, generally referred to as "tissue harmonics". An ultrasound transducer array is controlled to transmit a beam formed by ultrasound pulses having a transmit center frequency and focused at a desired sample volume containing contrast agents. In the receive mode, the receiver forms the echoes returned at a multiple or sub-multiple of the transmit center frequency into a beam-summed receive signal. This process is repeated for each sample volume in each one of a multiplicity of scan planes. After filtering out the undesired frequencies in the receive signal, i.e.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for selecting damper values in a refrigerator. Performance parameters indicating a desired fresh food temperature and desired freezer temperature are obtained for a plurality of control settings. A fresh food temperature variance limit and a freezer temperature variance limit are also obtained. A transfer function for the refrigerator representing performance of the refrigerator at each of said plurality of control settings is determined. A plurality of damper values are determined to minimize deviation from the desired fresh food temperature and the desired freezer temperature for each of said plurality of control settings.

Abstract: A communication method reduces both the asset energy requirements and communication channel occupancy in a reduced order GPS asset tracking system. The asset is provided with an indication of its position so as to allow detection of substantial movement of the asset at the asset. Reduced order GPS data derived at the asset, such as a railcar, is compressed to allow for shorter railcar data transmission times. This, in turn, reduces both the transmitter energy requirements and communication-channel occupancy, while allowing substantial railcar position changes to be conveniently detected at the railcar. This capability can be used to save further substantial railcar energy by, for example, reporting to the central station less frequently when the railcar position is unchanging.

Abstract: An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet having first and second spaced-apart superconductive coil assemblies each including a toroidal-shaped coil housing containing a superconductive main coil at least partially immersed in a cryogenic fluid such as liquid helium. A generally-non-permanently-magnetized ferromagnetic ring is associated with each coil assembly, being generally coaxially aligned with the associated coil assembly and being spaced radially inward and radially apart from the associated coil assembly's superconductive main coil. The ferromagnetic rings overcome the gross magnetic field distortions in the imaging volume of the superconductive main coils (created by the open space between the magnet's superconductive coil assemblies) to produce a magnetic field of high uniformity within the imaging volume.

Abstract: An enhanced split cooling system for a turbocharger and an engine includes an oil cooler, a three-way valve assembly and a four-way valve assembly for controlling the flow of coolant, and radiators and subcoolers, for controlling coolant temperature. The valve assemblies are independently controllable to direct coolant through an oil cooler and a turbocharger intercooler either directly from the engine if the oil cooler and intercooler require heating or from the radiators and subcoolers if the oil cooler and intercooler require cooling. Depending upon the engine operating temperature, the valve assemblies can be configured to establish at least three different coolant processing modes.

Abstract: A system for spread spectrum power line communications employs a harmonic modulation (HM) transmitter coupled to the power line for transmitting message bits to an HM receiver. The spread spectrum accommodates a plurality of HM transmitters simultaneously occupying the same bandwidth. The spectrum of HM, in a frequency range above 60 Hz but below the maximum frequency that will carry through a distribution transformer, is ideal in combating carrier synchronous noise since it can be interleaved with the noise harmonics and therefore be effectively spectrally disjoint with the synchronous noise process spectrum.

Abstract: A combustor assembly comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged fuel nozzles, which fuel nozzles have a first end coupled to a combustion chamber and a second end attached to an endcover. The plurality of fuel nozzles define a central region therebetween. A baffle is disposed within the central region. The baffle has an upstream base portion adjacent the endcover and a contoured downstream portion having a width that is smaller with respect to a width of the upstream base portion so as to transition a recirculating flow into a downstream flow to minimize flashback occurrences within the central region.

Abstract: One or more flexible magnetic Resonance (MR) receive coils are constructed of a flexible material and connected to a flexible base to produce a module. Each module has the coils overlapping by a predetermined amount to minimize coupling between the coils. The modules may be connected by attachment means placed at predefined locations to cause overlap of adjacent coils such that the coupling is minimized. Balanced-unbalanced ("baluns") may be used to couple each receive coil to its lead cable connecting it to the MR imaging electronics. The baluns effectively isolate the coils from the cables and each other to optimize signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal.

Abstract: A brush seal, which may be used in gas or steam turbine rotor applications, includes a packet of bristles attached to a seal housing. A seal member is slideably-attached to the seal housing, has a planar first surface portion parallel to, and slideably in contact with, a first surface of the seal housing, and has a planar second surface portion which is parallel to, and slideably in contact with, a first side of the bristle packet. A mechanical spring is positioned in compression between the seal housing and the seal member.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet includes a cryogenic vessel enclosing superconductive coils, a thermal shield enclosing the cryogenic vessel, a vacuum enclosure enclosing the thermal shield, a tube suspension assembly having a plurality of tubes located between respective ones of the cryogenic vessel, thermal shield and vacuum enclosure and axially overlapped and interconnected with the cryogenic vessel, thermal shield and vacuum enclosure and the tubes forming bonded joints with one another, and a plurality of locking clip arrangements attached to and having portions at least partially overlapping the bonded joints of the tubes of the suspension assembly so as to reinforce and strengthen the bonded joints.

Abstract: A patterned sample is analyzed by traversing a light spot across the sample and analyzing detected color at several sites to spatially resolve the pattern. A pattern analyzer includes a holder for supporting the sample which is illuminated by projecting the light spot onto the sample. A color sensor receives light reflected by the sample at the light spot and analyzes color of the sample at the spot. The spot is traversed across the sample surface to obtain a plurality of color readings across the surface to spatially resolve the pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonically imaging flow directly in B mode employs a sequence of pulses transmitted to a transmit focal position, with the backscattered signals from this sequence being filtered to remove echoes from stationary or slow-moving reflectors along the transmit path. The resulting flow signals are superimposed on a conventional B-mode vector and displayed. A B-mode flow image is formed by repeating this procedure for multiple transmit focal positions across the region of interest. The filtering is performed in slow time (along transmit firings) using a high-pass "wall" filter (e.g., an FIR filter) with harmonic image feed-through and optionally B-mode (fundamental) feed-through. The resulting B-mode flow image has low clutter from stationary or slow-moving tissue or vessel walls, high resolution, high frame rate and flow sensitivity in all directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing blend segregation in a mixture comprises a light transmissive window disposed within a feed connection between a hopper and an extruder for example, a light source for emitting a light beam, and a light sensor to perform spectrum analysis of any incident light supplied thereto. An illumination assembly has a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end optically coupled to the light transmissive window to illuminate a portion of the internal path provided by the feed connection. At least one detection assembly is provided, having a first end disposed adjacent to the light transmissive window so as to detect the reflection from any illuminated polymer blend passing therethrough. The light sensor collects the diffuse reflecting light from the polymer blend and transforms the diffuse reflecting light into tri-color signals, reflection curves or the like, for comparison with other diffuse reflecting light so as to determine if a particular blend is segregating.

Abstract: A dewpoint sensor comprises a pressure vessel having an entry port, an exit port, and a temperature controlled plate. A quartz crystal resonator is housed within the pressure vessel and disposed in intimate contact with the temperature controlled plate. A temperature sensor is disposed to generate signals representative of the quartz crystal resonator temperature. Circuitry is coupled to the quartz crystal resonator and the temperature sensor, which circuitry is configured to control the temperature of the quartz crystal resonator, to measure the frequency of the quartz crystal resonator and to monitor the temperature signals and the frequency of the quartz crystal resonator when exposed to a flow between the entry port and the exit port so as to calculate a dewpoint value of the flow.

Abstract: A low emissions combustor includes a premixer for premixing liquid fuel and compressed air for achieving low NOx emissions without water or steam injection. The premixer includes a centerbody disposed in a shroud defining an annular flow channel extending between an inlet and outlet of the shroud. A plurality of fuel injection orifices are spaced circumferentially around the centerbody with each having an outlet being substantially flush with an outer surface of the centerbody. The fuel injection orifices inject liquid fuel into the flow channel wherein it is atomized by compressed air channeled through the shroud inlet. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel injection orifices are inclined at an acute angle for injection the fuel toward the shroud inlet to increase differential mixing velocity with the compressed air.

Abstract: Data for high-frame-rate high-resolution (i.e., low f-number) ultrasonic imaging are acquired by a technique that involves transmitting multiple physically separated beams simultaneously and acquiring imaging data for more than one scan line during receive. Spatial apodization is used to influence the transmit beamformation and to form two controlled and focused spatially separate beams with a single firing of the transducer array elements and without use of additional timing electronics.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging of biological tissue using higher-order nonlinear signal components an ultrasound line is acquired at different excitation levels. The acquisition is repeated I times with identical beamforming parameters, but varying excitation level. All of the transmitted waveforms are nonlinearly distorted, but the degree of distortion depends on the excitation level, making it possible to extract individual nonlinear signal components by properly combining the received echo signals. A pre-computed estimation matrix, dependent on the order of an estimation model and the excitation levels, is stored in computer memory and used to compute the nonlinear components of interest. The real-time calculations reduce to a linear combination of the received echo signals. A further reduction in computational load can be achieved if one is interested in only the n-th-order nonlinear component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a spread spectrum communication system of the "transmitted reference" type provides both multipath and interference protection with little complexity. Need for a local reference is avoided by transmitting a reference that the receiver can use to perform despreading. In general, the transmitted reference system sends both a message signal and a reference signal to the receiver. The message signal contains the information to be communicated, which has been spread through multiplication with a wide band "spreading waveform". The reference signal consists of the spreading waveform itself which the receiver call use to despread the message signal and recover the information.