Abstract: A system and method for repairing defects such as bumper holes, cracks, freckles and inclusions, in a cast article, such as a turbine component. The system comprises a device for locating a defect in a cast article, a repair material that is disposable at a defect site, at least one heat source capable of heating the repair material and a portion of the cast article to a molten state. The method of using the system comprises locating a defect in the cast article, providing a repair material to the defect site, melting the repair material and cast article at the defect site, and cooling the molten repair material and portion of the casting article such that they resolidify and fuse together. The method may further comprise removing a portion of the cast article at the defect site, removal of excess repair material and inspecting the cast article following repair of the defect.

Abstract: An imager includes a photodiode array, each photodiode having an associated switching device, such as a thin-film transistor, addressable via a scan line. A data line for reading out from the photodiodes is formed first on a glass substrate, allowing the data line to be optimized in terms of thickness for conductivity.

Abstract: Halophosphate luminescent materials co-activated with europium and manganese ions and having the general formula of (Ca,Sr,Ba,Mg)5(PO4)3:Eu2+,Mn2+ are disclosed. The inclusion of manganese shifts the peak emission to longer wavelengths and, thus, is beneficial in generating a bright yellow-to-orange light. White-light sources are produced by disposing a halophosphate luminescent material, optionally with a blue light-emitting phosphor, in the vicinity of a near UV/blue LED. Blue light-emitting phosphors that may be used in embodiments of the present inventions are Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+, Sr6P6BO20:Eu2+, BaAl8O13:Eu2+, (Sr,Mg,Ca,Ba)5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+, and Sr2Si3O6.2SrCl2:Eu2+.

Abstract: Epoxy resin compositions are disclosed which comprise (A) at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, (B) at least one anhydride curing agent, (C) at least one a boron containing catalyst that is essentially free of halogen, (D) at least one cure modifier, and, optionally (E) at least one ancillary curing catalyst. The encapsulant may also optionally comprise at least one of thermal stabilizers, UV stabilizers, coupling agents, or refractive index modifiers. Also disclosed are packaged solid state devices comprising a package, a chip, and an encapsulant comprising an epoxy resin composition of the invention. A method of encapsulating a solid state device is also provided.

Abstract: An x-ray shielding system includes a beam controller configured to surround an x-ray source and includes a detector shield configured to position behind an x-ray detector. The beam controller includes a source shield and an aperture. The source shield and the detector shield are adapted to block x-rays, and the aperture is adapted to transmit x-rays. A shielded digital radiographic inspection system includes the x-ray source and the beam controller surrounding the x-ray source. The beam controller includes the source shield and the aperture. The aperture is configured to rotate around the x-ray source. The inspection system further includes a digital x-ray detector positioned radially outward from the x-ray source and facing the aperture. The digital x-ray detector is configured to be movable along an orbit around the x-ray source. The inspection system further includes the detector shield configured to be movable with and positioned behind the digital x-ray detector.

Abstract: A method for determining the axis of rotation (AR) of an object (12) mounted to a rotary stage or platform (10) in a gauge measurement system by estimating a transformation (&dgr;) between multiple views or measurements of the object (12) obtained at different poses.

Abstract: Epoxy resin compositions are disclosed which comprise (A) at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, (B) a curing agent comprising hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride, (C) at least one a boron containing catalyst that is essentially free of halogen, and (D) at least one cure modifier. The encapsulant may also optionally comprise at least one of ancillary curing catalysts, thermal stabilizers, UV stabilizers, coupling agents, or refractive index modifiers. Also disclosed are packaged solid state devices comprising a package, a chip, and an encapsulant comprising an epoxy resin composition of the invention. A method of encapsulating a solid state device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal-containing layer on a substrate is disclosed. A slurry of the metal is first deposited on the substrate; followed by heating to remove volatile material from the slurry, and to form a layer of the metal. In another embodiment, a slurry of aluminum is deposited over the slurry of the metal, before or after the metal has been heat-treated to some degree. A diffusion heat treatment results in a coating which includes the noble-metal aluminide compound. Related articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An incubator arrangement and radiofrequency (RF) coil are provided for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The incubator arrangement comprises an enclosure adapted to support a subject in a magnet of the MRI system during imaging and a radiofrequency coil disposed within the enclosure. The RF coil is adapted to provide visual and physical access to the subject, and further adapted to obtain a selected signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring electrochemical corrosion potential, and a method for manufacturing a sensor, the sensor comprising a tubular ceramic probe having a closed tip at one end, the probe at least partially filled with a powder comprising metal and metal oxide; a metal support tube having one end receiving an opposite end of the probe, and joined thereto by a braze joint therewith; an electrical conductor extending through the support tube and into the probe, and having an end buried in the powder for electrical contact therewith; and a protective band bridging the probe and tube at the joint for sealing thereof, the protective band consisting essentially of a metallic coating.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating at least one three-dimensional image of an object volume. The three-dimensional image is generated by applying a selected three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique on the tomosynthesis data. The tomosynthesis data of the object volume is obtained by an imaging device for irradiating the volume with radiation at a plurality of radiating positions. The imaging device generates a plurality of spaced-apart planar images through the object volume from a plurality of projection radiographs which are derived by detecting radiation at the plurality of radiating positions.

Abstract: A coherent imaging system includes a transmitter and a receive beamformer which are programmed with transmit and receive time delays, respectively, that take into account time-of-flight errors caused by an intervening mammography compression plate between the biological tissue being imaged and a phased array of ultrasonic transducer elements. A simple ray-tracing method is utilized to adjust the transmit and receive time delays according to compression plate thickness and speed of ultrasound propagation to mitigate spherical aberration due to the compression plate.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for acquiring images with water and lipid separation using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising applying a plurality of steady-state free precession (SSFP) radio-frequency (RF) excitation pulses to discriminate lipids from water, the pulses having respective inter-pulse gaps between the pulses, the inter-pulse gaps varying among different widths.

Abstract: A multi-component hybrid turbine blade comprises a shank portion and an airfoil portion. The airfoil portion comprises a composite section having a first density. The composite section comprises a recess and an insert section. The insert section has a second mass density, which is less than the first mass density. The insert section is disposed in the recess, and the insert section is bonded to the composite section. The composite section and the insert section together define an airfoil shape. A fabrication method comprising laying up composite material layers to form a portion of the composite section. The portion of the composite section comprises a recess. Disposing the insert section in the recess. Laying up additional composite material layers to achieve a final desired thickness of the composite section while covering the insert section.

Abstract: An article includes turbulation material bonded to a surface of a substrate via a bonding agent, such as a braze alloy. In an embodiment, the turbulation material includes a particulate phase of discrete metal alloy particles having an average particle size within a range of about 125 microns to about 4000 microns. Other embodiments include methods for applying turbulation and articles for forming turbulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting flashback occurrences in a premixed combustor system having at least one fuel nozzle includes at least one photodetector and at least one fiber optic element coupled between the at least one photodetector and a test region of the combustor system wherein a respective flame of the fuel nozzle is not present under normal operating conditions. A signal processor monitors a signal of the photodetector. The fiber optic element can include at least one optical fiber positioned within a protective tube. The fiber optic element can include two fiber optic elements coupled to the test region. The optical fiber and the protective tube can have lengths sufficient to situate the photodetector outside of an engine compartment.

Abstract: Inclusion of relatively small amounts of organic ionic species, such as calcium stearate, in the preparation of an electrically conductive polymer composite composition provides a composition having enhanced electrical properties relative to the composite composition lacking the added organic ionic species. As a result of this enhancement, normally insulating materials which rely upon a conductive filler to render them electrically conductive, can be made to achieve a given level of conductivity using less of the conductive filler than would otherwise be required. As a result, the adverse effects of the conductive filler on the polymer's physical properties can be minimized while maintaining a high level of electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A method for predicting zero crossings of fault currents in a multi-phase power system includes sensing a fault current in each respective phase, estimating parameters of a model of each respective fault current, and independently using the estimated parameters for each respective fault current to predict a zero crossing of the respective fault current.

Abstract: A system and method that allows for the immersion ultrasonic inspection of test samples that cannot be immersed in a fluid (e.g., water) bath. A test sample is encapsulated in a sealed evacuated bag made of nonporous flexible material. A portion of the nonporous flexible material is in contact with the surface area of the test sample where the ultrasound wave or beam will impinge. Then the sealed bag with test sample inside are immersed in an acoustic coupling medium, as is an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer is directed to transmit an interrogating ultrasound wave or beam through the vacuum bag into the component being inspected at the area of interest. The sealed bag prevents contact between the inspected component and the acoustic coupling medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent blends of polymers suitable for use in optical articles; the polymers contain residues of BCC and its derivatives, and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The polymers further contain residues of other polymers, such as &agr;-methyl polystyrene and polystyrene derivatives; bisphenols, such as bisphenol A; cycloaliphatic polyester resins, such as PCCD and its derivatives or some combination of each.