Abstract: A system for measuring turbine bucket temperature in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of optical detectors, such as a pyrometer and a spectrometer, and an optical switch for selectively directing radiation from turbine engine sight glass to any one of the optical detectors along a common line of sight. The optical switch preferably includes first and second blocks, with the optical detectors being disposed in the second block. A rotor is mounted between the first and second blocks for rotation about a rotational axis, and a fiber optic cable is provided having a first end located on the rotational axis and a second end offset from the rotational axis. Rotation of the rotor selectively positions the second end of the fiber optic cable adjacent to any one of the optical detectors.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of a Group VIII B metal source; an effective amount of a bromide composition; an effective amount of an activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising a lead source and a copper source; and an effective amount of a base.

Abstract: A light source comprises an organic light emitting device which emits radiation having a first spectrum and a phosphor layer which absorbs a portion of the light emitted by the organic light emitting layer and which emits light having a second spectrum. The phosphor layer typically absorbs less than all of the light emitted by the organic light emitting layer and typically covers the entire organic light emitting device. The light emitted by the organic light emitting layer is mixed with the light emitted by the phosphor layer to produce light having a third spectrum. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide advantages over known devices. For example, because a phosphor layer is provided, the light emitted from the organic light emitting device is scattered, which provides improved uniformity in light output over the area of the light source. Also, because most phosphors are relatively stable over time, the light source has good color stability over time.

Abstract: A method and catalyst composition for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. The present invention provides a method 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 halide-free carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a first inorganic co-catalyst comprising at least one Group 14 metal source, an effective amount of a salt co-catalyst, and optionally an effective amount of a second inorganic co-catalyst selected from the group consisting of a Group 4 metal source, a Group 7 metal source, a Group 11 metal source, and a lanthanide element source, and optionally an effective amount of a base.

Abstract: A light emitting device (LED) package comprises: a thermally conductive layer; an electrically insulating layer having openings extending therethrough; LEDs situated within the openings of the electrically insulating layer and including contact pads; and electrically conductive strips attached to the contact pads and the electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: A method for optical part shape measurement of a bare metal part to determine acceptability of the manufactured part. A variable level light source illuminates the part which is mounted on positioning equipment that allows the part to be moved from one position to another. Localized variations in light level are first determined and are compared with a reflectivity model of the part to determine optimization of the setup. Light level and viewing orientation of the part are adjusted to optimize the quality of test data obtained. Data quality is reviewed to ascertain a confidence factor for each location on the part's surface. Using both the reflectivity model and quality test results, data acquired for specified areas of the part is either accepted or rejected. Light level and part orientation are changed based upon how a reflectivity map of the part changes with each adjustment. New and acceptable data are now acquired for those areas of the part where data was previously discarded.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer implemented tool for analyzing the brittleness of a system with respect to at least one system performance measure. The tool comprises a statistical analyzer configured to receive at least one operating parameter input, o, and to provide at least one performance function output, f. The performance function output f provides an indication of system performance as a function of system operating parameter input o. A brittleness analyzer is coupled to the performance function output and is configured to provide a brittleness output based upon the performance function output f.

Abstract: A reduced access field inspection system includes a multimodality endoscopic assembly. Circuitry is coupled to the multimodality endoscopic assembly for generating signals associated with the multimodality endoscopic assembly. A communications link links the circuitry to a remote center of excellence for providing maintenance information.

Abstract: A turbine blade comprises an external pressure side plate comprising a plurality of external pressure ribs, an internal pressure side plate comprising a plurality of internal pressure ribs, and a plurality of pressure flow redirection areas. The external pressure side plate is disposed over the internal pressure side plate to form a pressure side double wall. The external pressure ribs are disposed at a first angle with respect to a blade span reference line and the internal pressure ribs are disposed at a second angle with respect to the blade span reference line to form the pressure flow redirection areas. The pressure side double wall is configured to pass a coolant through the pressure side double wall. A fabrication method aligns the external pressure side plate and the internal pressure side plate to form the pressure flow redirection areas between the external pressure side plate and the internal pressure side plate.

Abstract: Method for producing multiple chemical reactions and for rapid screening of chemicals, catalysts, process conditions and the like is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an array of reactor vessels and reactants; loading each reactor vessel with at least one reactant; and allowing the reactions to proceed for a predetermined time interval. A volume increment is withdrawn from each reactor vessel and a volume increment of at least one reactant is added to each reactor vessel in the array. The steps of volume increment withdrawal and addition are repeated after successive time intervals until the reactions reach a substantially steady state. The loading, withdrawal, and addition steps are performed by liquid or solid handling robots. In one embodiment, the volume increment withdrawal occurs before, after, or contemporaneously with the volume increment addition.

Abstract: A method of data acquisition and reconstruction for use with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprises partially traversing k-space in a plurality of segments, computing sub-images for each of the segments, and incrementally reconstructing a plurality of intermediate and final images on-the-fly. The partial k-space traversing reduces data acquisition time and the incremental reconstruction reduces acquisition-to-visualization latency.

Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.

Abstract: A method is described for the simultaneous preparation of 4-bromophenols and p-benzoquinones, intermediates useful in the preparation of hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls respectively. Hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls are useful monomers for the preparation of a variety of polymers. In one example phenol is reacted with in the presence of HBr, a catalytic amount of cupric bromide and a stoichiometric excess of oxygen under relatively mild conditions to provide a mixture of the phenol, 4-bromophenol, and 1,4-benzoquinone. Phenol conversion was 54 percent and selectivities for bromophenol and benzoquinone were 23% and 37% respectively. Limiting the amount of HBr present in the reaction mixture was shown to control the amount of benzoquinone produced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a combinatorial coating library including a coating system operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of materials suitable for forming at least one coating layer on a surface of one or more substrates and a curing system operative to apply at least one of a plurality of curing environments to each of a plurality of regions associated with the at least one coating layer. The curing system including a scanning mirror system having a mirrored surface positionable relative to an incoming radiation beam, wherein the mirrored surface is positionable to direct the incoming radiation beam to a selected one of the plurality of regions associated with the coating layer. The combinatorial coating library comprising a predetermined combination of at least one of the plurality of materials and at least one of the plurality of curing environments associated with each of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: In a system and method for saving and retrieving process capability and guidance information related to supporting product design and manufacturing activities, specific capability and guidance information related to sets of standardized product attributes are collected and stored as a plurality of records in a database. A user may then access the database through a suitable computer program interface and design a product using any combination of standardized attributes. Upon each attribute selection, the system queries the database and retrieves the process capability and guidance information associated with the received set of attributes. This information is then displayed to the user to assist in product design and manufacturing activities. Users may also group information retrieved relating to various sets of attributes and generate composite checklists including ranked listings of relevant guidance information.

Abstract: A method for controlling distortion of a turbine case (“case”) includes measuring a temperature distribution for the case that includes thermal gradients. The method further includes modeling thermal stresses on the case induced by the thermal gradients, calculating an out of roundness index (“index”) resulting from the thermal stresses, and comparing the index with at least one distortion limit to determine whether the case has a satisfactory or an unsatisfactory index. The temperature distribution is controlled for an unsatisfactory index to produce the satisfactory index. A system for controlling distortion of the turbine case includes a thermal measurement system, for measuring the temperature distribution, and a computer configured for modeling the thermal stresses, calculating and comparing the index with the distortion limit, and controlling the temperature distribution for an unsatisfactory index to produce the satisfactory index.

Abstract: A combinatorial method is provided for the preparation and screening of heterogeneous catalysts. The method comprises the steps of: (I) providing a library of elemental catalysts; (II) reacting the catalysts with a carbon source to form product directly on the catalyst; and (III) screening the products to evaluate the catalysts.

Abstract: A machine vision system includes an apparatus for registering an input image of an object, such as an aircraft engine blade, to a reference image comprising ideal specifications for the object in order to detect flaws in the object. The system includes one or more imaging devices for obtaining the input image representing the object. The system further includes a processor for registering the input image to the reference image. The processor includes a patch determining device for identifying low curvature portions of the reference image off-line. A transformation estimator matches the low curvature portions of the reference image to corresponding low curvature portions of the object, and provides a transformation matrix which maps points on the reference image 11 to corresponding points on the input image for precise and fast registration.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Phosphor blends are disclosed that are capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in the range from about 315 nm to about 480 nm. These blends are mixtures of phosphors selected from the group consisting of Sr2P2O7:Eu2+, Mn2+, (Ca,Sr,Ba)5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH):Eu2+,Mn2+, 3.5 MgO.0.5MgF2.GeO2:Mn4+, Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+, (Sr,Ba,Ca)5(PO4)3(Cl,OH):Eu2+, (Ba,Ca,Sr)2MgAl16O27:Eu2+, and (Ba,Ca,Sr)2MgAl16O27:Eu2+,Mn2+. White light sources are obtained by applying a phosphor blend over at least one LED that is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the above-noted wavelength range.