Abstract: A system and method for performing electronic triage of a turbine part. A triage storage unit stores a variety of repair information. A repair triage application facilitates the repair of the turbine part in accordance with the repair information stored in the triage storage unit. A computing unit is configured to execute the repair triage application. A second computing unit is configured to serve the triage storage unit and the repair triage application to the first computing unit over a network.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

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 system. Input data samples are provided to an interleaver/de-interleaver module wherein they are divided into segments of predetermined size, each segment being provided to a respective turbo decoder module. The outputs of each turbo decoder module are a posteriori probabilities which are re-ordered in the interleaver/de-interleaver module, segmented, and provided back to the turbo decoders as a priori information-bit probabilities. For the case of a turbo code comprising two component codes, the a posteriori information-bit probabilities are re-ordered according to the interleaver definition at the end of odd-numbered half iterations, while at the end of even-numbered half iterations, they are re-ordered according to the de-interleaver definition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided wherein the circuit breaker comprises a contact arm movable between a closed position, an open position and a blown open position wherein the contact arm is disposed in the circuit breaker. A bumper disposed to contact the contact arm when the contact arm is in the blown open position. In addition, a stop member disposed to be in contact with a linkage assembly so as to create a gap between the bumper and the contact arm when the contact arm is disposed in the open position.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A wound field synchronous machine control system comprises: an auxiliary winding for obtaining auxiliary AC voltage from the wound field synchronous machine; a phase controlled rectifier for rectifying the auxiliary AC voltage and supplying rectified DC voltage to the wound field synchronous machine; and a controller. The controller is configured for using a voltage signal across the auxiliary winding to obtain volt-second values of the auxiliary winding and using the volt-second values for firing angle control of switches of the phase controlled rectifier. Alternatively or additionally, the controller is configured for obtaining airgap flux values of the wound field synchronous machine and using the airgap flux values for firing angle control of switches of the phase controlled rectifier.

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 having respective amplitudes that correspond substantially to a binomial distribution to discriminate lipids from water.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resiliently mounting a photomultiplier tube. The tube is sequentially tapped to move a debris particle therein. The tube is initially inclined for moving the particle to a staging site. The tube may then be re-oriented horizontally for moving the debris particle from the staging site to a target site for subsequent laser blasting thereof.

Abstract: A method for low pass filtering data used in change-detect compression of data collected from a system includes buffering the data from said system. Rolling averages of the buffered data are calculated where the calculation of the rolling averages low pass filters the data. Change-detect compression is performed on the rolling averaged data, and the compressed data are archived. The archived data are transmitted to a central location and received. The received data are archived at the central location.

Abstract: A high current inductor is constructed using two single-sided or double-sided printed circuit boards having patterned copper traces thereon, a magnetic toroidal core, and multiple interconnecting wires extending between the boards. Multiple turns for the inductor are created by suitably configuring the copper traces on the printed circuit boards. Vias are employed on each circuit board for electrically interconnecting the boards to each other. Multiple thick, solid-gauge wires are situated in the vias in order to provide a very large copper area, thus providing high current carrying capability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image from an extended volume of interest using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system are provided. The apparatus comprises a magnet assembly, a gradient coil assembly, at least one radiofrequency coil, a positioning device for translating the volume using along an axis of the MRI system and a plurality of receivers. A plurality of MR signals are detected from the radiofrequency (RF) coil, as the positioning device is translated, and are sent to the plurality of receivers. Each of the receivers are configured to be adjusted in either phase or frequency in response to the positioning device being translated. A plurality of respective sub-images are computed corresponding to the plurality of MR signals for each of the receivers and for the given field-of-view (FOV) at each of the incremented positions. A composite image of the volume of interest is formed by combining the respective sub-images.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one property of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel selectively positioned on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasound transmitter that contacts the cooktop surface and provides an ultrasound waveform to the cooktop surface creating an excitation in the cooktop surface. The ultrasonic transducer also includes an ultrasound receiver contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound receiver receives a resultant ultrasound waveform in response to the excitation and produces a receiver output signal in response to the resultant ultrasound waveform. A processor is connected to the ultrasound transducer. The processor receives the receiver output signal and produces a processor output signal corresponding to the at least one property of the cooktop.

Abstract: In a system for optimizing television reception by a television receiver receiving a diversity of input signals from a plurality of antennas, one of a plurality of combiners and television tuners selects the strongest combination of input signals for viewing and another scans the various combinations of input signals searching for a combination significantly stronger than the combination being viewed. A plurality of multiplexers selects the output signal of one combiner and transmits the selected signal to one of the tuners. A signal evaluation module evaluates the strength of the combinations of input signals and compares the strength of each combination of input signals to the strength of the viewing signal, looking for a superior signal. A control processor controls the combination of input signals selected by the combiners and the combiner output signal selected by the multiplexers.

Abstract: Methods for repairing and manufacturing a gas turbine airfoil, and the airfoil repaired and manufactured with such methods are presented with, for example, the repair method comprising providing an airfoil having specified nominal dimensions, the airfoil comprising a first material, the first material having a creep life and a fatigue life, the airfoil further comprising a leading edge section and a trailing edge section; removing at least one portion of at least one section of the airfoil to create at least one deficit of material for the airfoil relative to the specified nominal dimensions, the at least one section selected from the group consisting of the leading edge section and the trailing edge section; providing at least one insert comprising a second material, the second material having a creep life that is at least substantially equal to the creep life of the first material, and a fatigue life that is at least substantially equal to the fatigue life of the first material; and disposing the at least o

Abstract: A seal 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, is radially spaced apart from the rotor, and comprises an inner circumferential channel generally coaxially aligned with the rotor. The seal assembly comprises a plurality of seal carrier segments fixedly disposed in a circumferential array in the inner circumferential channel. Each of the seal carrier segments comprises a seal carrier channel. At least one of the seal carrier segments comprises at least one fluid inlet disposed therein. In addition, the seal assembly comprises a (meaning at least one) seal disposed in the seal carrier channel and is movable between radially inward and radially outward positions upon introduction of fluid medium in the fluid inlet.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating stall/surge margin of a machine of interest. The method includes identifying a vital factor where each the vital factors corresponds to operation of the machine of interest. Raw data relating to the vital factor is provided. A contribution of the vital factor to the stall/surge margin is determined from at least the provided raw data. The contribution of the vital factor to the stall/surge margin is statistically analyzed. A stall/surge margin is allocated based on the statistical analysis of the contribution of the vital factor. An operating limit line is defined based on the allocation of the stall/surge margin.

Abstract: A signal obtained from the drive input of a motor or an insulated winding is applied to a sensor that strongly rejects high frequency drive signal components yet passes discharge signal components. This allows discharge signal components to be detected in the presence of harmonics of the drive signal. The voltage of the drive signal may be varied so that the lowest drive signal voltage producing a discharge event may be determined. That voltage is the motor or winding's corona inception voltage.

Abstract: X-ray source bearing assemblies are described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, an x-ray source includes a target anode, a rotor shaft coupled to the target anode, and a motor coupled to the rotor shaft at an end of the shaft opposite the target anode. The bearing housing, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a rotor bore, the rotor shaft extending through said rotor bore and supported therein by a plurality bearings. The housing and the shaft form a cooling medium pool so that as the shaft rotates, a cooling medium in the pool is radially displaced.

Abstract: Secondary data set information is incorporated into a primary data set (such as a digital image) retaining a desired dynamic range and retaining the original primary set data quality. The secondary data set information is ‘smuggled’ into the least significant bits of the primary data set to result in an enhanced data set. If desired, the primary data word can be shifted toward the most significant bit. The enhanced data set may be viewed as if it were the original primary data set with existing playback devices, however it now includes additional ‘smuggled’ information which may be played back in coordination with the primary data set information. One example is flow-direction information ‘smuggled’ into an angiographic image. The least significant bits of the enhanced data words may be used to select the color map and color code the images. A user-adjustable intensity threshold can also be employed to select between color maps.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an operational condition of a rail track from a railcar includes an antenna positioned on the railcar that directs radar signals toward the rail track and collects radar signals returned from the rail track. A radar transceiver is connected to the antenna and supplying the radar signals to the antenna. The radar transceiver receives radar returned signals from an interaction of the radar signal with the rail track. A controller is connected to the radar transceiver for controlling transmission of the radar signals from the radar transceiver and receipt of the radar returned signals. A signal processing unit is connected to the controller and a sensor unit that supplies input data to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit processes at least the input data and the radar returned signal to produce processor output data and to determine the operational condition of the rail track.