Abstract: A turbo decoder system utilizing a MAP decoding algorithm has a predetermined number of turbo decoder modules for decoding segments of a turbo code component code word in parallel, thereby expanding the block-length and data rate capability of the turbo decoder. Upon completion of any half iteration of the MAP decoding algorithm, the a posteriori bit probability estimates are provided to an interleave/de-interleave-and-convert-data function block wherein they are re-ordered, segmented, used to modify the original received data samples, and provided back to the respective turbo decoder modules as input data samples for the systematic bits. Decoding continues in this manner until a predetermined number of half iterations is performed, and data decisions are made on the final a posteriori estimates.

Abstract: Solid blends of rubbery polymers and amorphous or crystalline polymers, said blends being free-flowing at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature or crystalline melting temperature of the amorphous or crystalline polymer, are prepared by intimate mixing procedures. In general, said mixing conditions include high shear conditions sufficient to convert polymer A to dispersed particles coated with polymer B and produce a free-flowing powder blend.

Abstract: An in-line particulate detector comprises a housing having an inner flow portion. The housing Is disposed between adjacent portions of pipeline to permit a fuel flow from a fuel source through the inner flow portion to a fuel consumer. A light source is positioned within the housing for emitting a light beam within the inner flow portion. A first photodetector is positioned within the housing to detect the full strength of the light beam. A second photodetector is positioned within the housing to detect low, baseline levels of the light beam. Circuitry is coupled to first and second photodetectors to monitor the ratio of light intensities. When a fuel containing particulates is introduced, the light beam is scattered and the intensity measured by the second photodetector will increase and the intensity measured by the first photodetector will decrease.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing component includes a quartz body characterized by silicon oxide filled micro cracks. The component is utilized as a processing component in a semiconductor furnace system. The quartz body is prepared by cleaning the component to remove a build up silicon layer and to expose micro cracks in the surface of the component and to etch the micro cracks into trenches. A silicon layer is applied onto the processing component body and at least a portion of the silicon is oxidized to silica to fill the trenches in the surface of the component body.

Abstract: A method of producing a chemical reaction is provided. In the practice of one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a reaction vessel and reactants; placing at least one of the reactants in the reaction vessel; and allowing the reaction to proceed for a time interval. A volume increment of at least one of the reactants is withdrawn from the reaction vessel, and a volume increment of at least one of the reactants is added to the reaction vessel. The volume increment withdrawal/addition is repeated after successive time intervals until the reaction reaches a substantially steady state. In various alternative embodiments, the volume increment withdrawal can take place before, after, or contemporaneously with the volume increment addition.

Abstract: A superconducting machine includes a superconductive device and a vacuum enclosure containing and thermally insulating the superconductive device. A cold-trap is configured to condense gases generated within the vacuum enclosure, and a coolant circulation system is adapted to force flow of a cryogen to and from the superconductive device and the cold-trap. A cryogenic cooling system is configured to cool the cryogen in the coolant circulation system upstream of the superconductive device. A vacuum retention method, for a high-temperature superconductive HTS device, includes applying vacuum to the HTS device to thermally insulate the HTS device, condensing gases generated around the HTS device using a cold-trap, flowing a cryogen to and from the HTS device, and flowing the cryogen to and from the cold-trap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method comprising contacting at least one diaryl carbonate with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are polyhydropolyborates in combination with tetraalkylammonium or tetraalkylphosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The transesterification catalysts employed according to the method of the present invention provide polycarbonates having reduced levels of Fries rearrangement product relative to conventionally employed catalysts such as sodium hydroxide in combination with tetramethylammonium hydroxide co-catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group 11 metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.

Abstract: Oxydiphthalic anhydrides such as 4-oxydiphthalic anhydride are prepared by the reaction of a halophthalic anhydride with an alkali metal carbonate such as potassium carbonate. The reaction proceeds in the presence of a hexaalkylguaninium halide or &agr;,&ohgr;-bis(pentaalkylguanidinium)alkane halide as a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A method for in-situ eddy current inspection of at least one coated component includes applying a drive pulse at a measurement position on an outer surface of the coated component, while the coated component is installed in an operational environment of the coated component. The coated component includes a base metal and a coating disposed on the base metal. The method further includes receiving a response signal from the coated component, comparing the response signal with a reference signal to obtain a compared signal, analyzing the compared signal for crack detection, and determining whether a crack near the measurement position has penetrated into the base metal, if the presence of the crack in the coating is indicated.

Abstract: A photodiode detector array includes a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material having a first doped layer on a first surface of a first conductivity type and an array of photodiodes having respective doped regions on a second surface of an opposite conductivity type. Electrical contacts on the second surface respectively contact the doped regions and convey electrical signal therefrom. Conductors extend from the electrical contacts to convey the electrical signals to output terminals of the array. A scintillator is optically coupled to the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material at the first surface thereof and can be pixelated, with individual scintillator elements aligned with and corresponding to the doped regions of the photodiode. The photodiode detector array can be mounted to a rigid printed wiring board or to a flat bottom wall surface of the scintillator.

Abstract: A method for graphical visualization of a measured magnetic field on an imaging volume of a MRI magnet includes providing data values measured at selected points of the measured magnetic field, converting each of the data values to a visualizable value based on where the data value lies within a predetermined range of data values and thus within a range of visualizable values corresponding to the range of data values, and plotting each visualizable value corresponding to each data value at a position on a grid corresponding to the position of the selected point of the measured magnetic field such that the visualizable values once plotted on the grid provide a graphical visualization of the condition of the measured magnetic field.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing article is characterized by extended useful life. The article is used in a semiconductor furnace system, particularly in a low pressure chemical vapor deposition furnace for prolonged periods without requiring cleaning to remove build-up film. The semiconductor processing article is a quartz body characterized by a surface roughness having a first component with an average deviation from a first mean surface of about 2.5 to 50 microns, and a second component with an average deviation from a second mean surface of about 0.25 to 5 microns.

Abstract: A method for preparing an organosilicon composition from an olefin and a silicon hydride with a hydrosilation catalyst PtL2X2, in an amount less than 1 ppm based on the weight of the product composition, is disclosed. The method is particularly useful in lowering the cost, coloration, and stability of the product, particularly when an oxirane-containing olefin is used in the hydrosilation. In this method no inhibitor is needed to prevent the undesired polymerization of oxiranes in the reaction, and no purification of the product is required after removal of volatile components, including solvent.

Abstract: Carbon-nitrogen nanofibers are prepared by contacting a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen and a carbon-nitrogen compound such as pyridine with a cobalt-iron catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 500-1000° C. The nanofibers are characterized by a structure in which layers emanate from a core catalyst particle and are parallel to each other but not parallel to the length axis of the nanofibers.

Abstract: An axial flux machine comprises: a soft magnetic composite stator extension positioned in parallel with a rotor disk and having slots; soft magnetic composite pole pieces attached to the stator extension and facing a permanent magnet on the rotor disk, each comprising a protrusion situated within a respective one of the slots, each protrusion shaped so as to facilitate orientation of the respective pole piece with respect to the stator extension; electrical coils, each wrapped around a respective one of the pole pieces. In another embodiment the soft magnetic composite pole pieces each comprise a base portion around with the electrical coils are wound and a trapezoidal shield portion a plurality of heights with a first height in a first region being longer than a second height in a second region, the second region being closer to a pole-to-pole gap than the first region.

Abstract: Cerium-doped alkaline-earth hafnium oxide scintillator compositions have at least one alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, and combinations thereof. The scintillator compositions can be formed into a shape having porosity less than about 0.05 percent for improved transparency. The alkaline earth metal can be partially substituted with divalent and/or trivalent ions other than cerium. Hafnium can be partially substituted with divalent, trivalent, and/or tetravalent ions. The scintillators are characterized by high light output, short decay time, and high radiation stopping power. The scintillators can be used as detector elements in PET systems.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode containing a first electrode, a second electrode, at least one organic light emitting layer, and a ceramic output coupler is provided. The index of refraction of the output coupler is matched to that of the adjacent layer of the device. The ceramic output coupler may be a ceramic substrate with a dimpled light emitting surface which reduces Fresnel and critical angle optical losses.

Abstract: A multi-pole electric machine rotor assembly includes a rotor forging including a rotor body having poles 13 with pole faces and a winding module including a plurality of field windings positioned adjacent the pole faces and winding insulators disposed between each successive pair of the field windings, respectively. A winding block, disposed in engagement with the winding module, is shaped to be shifted to a final position relative to the winding module when the rotor assembly rotates at about its rated speed to thereby compress the winding module. Either the winding block or the winding module can be displaced by centrifugal forces during rotation. In the final position, the winding block is locked by friction in a position to maintain compression in the winding module. The winding block serves to provide a pre-stress in the field windings to keep the field windings tight over the design range of spin speeds, thereby controlling winding position and reducing alternating radial movement.

Abstract: An inspection and sorting system for part repair includes at least one sensor for inspecting a part. The sensor is configured to obtain inspection data for the part. A comparison module is configured to receive the inspection data, to generate a repair profile for the part using the inspection data, and to compare the repair profile with a baseline to arrive at a repair recommendation for the part. A method includes inspecting a part with at least one sensor to obtain preliminary inspection data for the part. The method further includes generating a preliminary repair profile from the preliminary inspection data, comparing the preliminary repair profile with a baseline, and arriving at a repair recommendation for the part based on the comparison.