Abstract: An evacuated and hermetically sealed bellows assembly has a bellows core assembly for mechanical movement versus pressure differential requirements. Mechanical attachment means are secured to the opposite ends of the bellows assembly. Vibrational optimization is provided to the bellows assembly to reduce predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A robust switch assembly has a support structure with a hermetically sealed high temperature switch secured to it. A high temperature current conductor is within the switch. A spring is in contact with the switch and with the plunger of a plunger mechanism. A lead wire assembly extends from the opposite end of the switch.

Abstract: A system and method periodically sample a fluid stream in a conduit for undergoing analysis thereof. A sampling tube having a probe is joined to the conduit for removing samples from the stream flowing therethrough. An analyzer is joined to the sampling tube for analyzing the removed samples. A solenoid valve is disposed in the tube for controlling flow of the samples to the analyzer. A dynamic pressure transducer is joined to the conduit so that a specific dynamic pressure reference frequency of the stream in the conduit may be locked-on to and used for periodically switching the solenoid valve open and closed for intermittently removing stream samples from the conduit at the reference frequency for channeling to the analyzer periodic stream samples at a sampling frequency corresponding to the reference frequency.

Abstract: In an arrangement for computed tomography imaging, line integral data is converted into a set of Radon data, for use in constructing an image of an object, by computing the derivatives for respective data points in the Radon data set. To improve efficiency in derivative computation, the Radon space is partitioned by a set of concentric spherical shells, so that each of the Radon data points lies on one of the shells. An equal number of spherical shells corresponds to each processor in an array of processors, and each processor is operated to compute respective Radon derivatives only for Radon data points lying on its corresponding shells.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary oscillation of a washing machine clothes agitator to unidirectional rotation of an adjoining clothes auger includes a one-piece ratchet wheel, and a cooperating one-piece pawl wheel. The pawl wheel includes integral pawls, with each pawl having an elastically flexible arm supporting a bulbous distal end. The pawl wheel is fixedly joined to the agitator for rotary oscillation therewith, and the ratchet wheel is fixedly joined to the auger. Rotary oscillation of the agitator correspondingly rotates the pawl wheel for intermittently engaging the pawls with the ratchet teeth which drive the ratchet wheel in a single direction for correspondingly rotating the auger joined thereto.

Abstract: A method of measuring shot peening coverage includes correlation analysis of surface line data. The method comprises the use of cross correlation of two or more parallel profile traces of a shot peened surface to produce a numeric indication of relative part coverage.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary oscillation of a washing machine clothes agitator to intermittent unidirectional rotation of an adjoining clothes auger includes a ratchet wheel and cooperating ratchet pawls. The wheel includes axially oppositely facing top and bottom sides, with the top side having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ratchet teeth, and the bottom side being configured for being fixedly joined to the clothes agitator. The pawls are vertically suspended from a support disk for allowing gravity to engage the pawls with the ratchet teeth as the ratchet wheel oscillates with the agitator, with the support disk being driven in a single direction by the pawls for correspondingly rotating the auger joinable thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to the modification of lasing medium surfaces, such as crystals, to reduce the internal reflections that contribute to amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) losses. A laser ablation treatment involves focusing an optical irradiation means on a target surface having desired ablation pattern and ablating the target surface according to the selected ablation pattern. A cross-hatch pattern on the target surface is secured by the target surface being mounted onto a precision motor driven translation stage and stepped throughout the desired ablation pattern. The optical irradiation means are oriented initially at 45.degree. to the target surface length and subsequently rotated by 90.degree..

Abstract: A method and circuit for improved digitization of waveforms having a large dynamic range, including selecting a signal threshold value which partitions the dynamic range of the waveform into a small signal region and a large signal region; sampling the waveform to obtain a sampled signal therefrom at a given sampling frequency; for each sampled signal, comparing the sampled signal with the signal threshold value to determine whether the sampled signal is within the small signal region or the large signal region; and directly digitizing the sampled signal if the sampled signal is within the small signal region or differentially digitizing the sampled signal if the sampled signal is within the large signal region, wherein differentially digitizing the sampled signal includes digitizing a value representing the difference between the sampled signal at a present sampling instant and a previous sampling instant.

Abstract: Particulates are removed from the coolant used to cool gas turbines by subjecting the coolant to the centrifugal acceleration of the gas turbine rotor. Axially oriented channels are formed in the rotor at a radial distance from its longitudinal axis. The channels are in fluid communication with a coolant supply passage so that coolant coming onboard the rotor will first pass through the channels. The high centrifugal force produced by rotor rotation causes particulates in the coolant passing through the channel to move radially outward and deposit on a fixed surface in the channel. Thus, the particulates are collected in the channel and removed from the coolant discharged from the channel. The channels may be provided with removable liners.

Abstract: A novel ball-type auger ratchet mechanism which may be used with washer agitators and augers. More particularly this mechanism comprises a top cap, a simplified cam, and a plurality of balls. The structures described have fewer parts than conventional auger ratchet mechanisms, and ultimately are easier to assemble and cost less. Furthermore, both embodiments of the instant invention, use mechanical means to achieve a positive locking and non-slipping action, rather that the conventional frictional force mechanisms.

Abstract: An arrangement for CT imaging of an object is provided, wherein a cone-beam X-ray source traverses a scan path to acquire line integral data at a plurality of view positions, a set of Radon data points in Radon space being associated with the arrangement, and it being necessary to compute the Radon derivative for each Radon data point in order to construct an image of the object. The arrangement includes a specified number of processors greater than one. The Radon space is partitioned by a number of coaxial planes separated from one another by an angle of .pi. divided by the specified number. A set of view positions likewise separated from one another by an angle equal to .pi. divided by the specified number are selected from the plurality of view positions, and each view position in the view position set is projected into a different one of the coaxial planes to define a subset of Radon data points corresponding to one of the planes, and also to one of the processors.

Abstract: This invention relates to extruders of the type which employ single screws that use chaotic mixing to generate substantially better distributive mixing. Such structures of this type, generally, stretch and fold material lines repeatedly such that interfacial areas between material elements increase exponentially and heat/mass transfers are greatly enhanced.

Abstract: An active noise and vibration control system which minimizes noise output by creating a secondary, cancelling noise and/or vibration field using vibrational inputs. The system includes one or more piezoceramic actuators mounted to the inner surface of a magnetic resonance imaging device. The actuators can be either mounted directly to the device or to one or more noise cancelling members which are resiliently mounted to the device. Transducers are also provided for sensing the noise or vibrations generated by the device and producing an error signal corresponding to the level of noise or vibrations sensed. A controller sends a control signal to the actuators in response to the error signal, thereby causing the actuators to vibrate and generate a noise or vibration field which minimizes the total noise emanating from the device. Alternatively, the system can use noise and vibration feedback simultaneously.

Abstract: A plurality of snubbers for a washing machine dampens and isolates unbalanced load excursions by using the positive displacement pumping action of air being forced through an orifice in each snubber. One end of each snubber is attached to the washing machine housing and the other end attached to the tub or mounting platform and has a resilient middle portion sidewall defining a cavity that changes in volume to minimize the effects basket excursions caused by unbalanced loads. The snubber sidewall defines an orifice providing a passageway for egress and ingress of air during the change in volume. The orifice meters air so that the resiliency of the snubber is greater for low frequency excursions than for high frequency excursions to thereby function as a damper for low frequency excursions and as a gas spring for high frequency excursions.

Abstract: A novel auger clutch mechanism which may be used with washer agitators and augers. More particularly this mechanism comprises an outer clutch housing and a clutch, wherein the clutch is positioned within the housing. The clutch has a number of outwardly extending ligaments which are flexible enough to be rolled up. When rolled up, the ligaments restrict movement in one direction, yet allow the clutch to move freely in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A suspension spring assembly for a washing machine employs a coil spring in compression. The suspension spring system uses a snubber mounted inside the coil spring to help dampen and isolate unbalanced load excursions by using the positive displacement pumping action of air being forced through an orifice in the snubber. A second snubber may be employed with the coil spring.

Abstract: A system is provided for improving the operation of a computed tomography system in forming an image of an object, wherein a cone-beam source is employed to project an image of the object onto a detector plane to provide a set of cone-beam projection data, and such data is to be converted into a set of Radon data for use in constructing the desired image. In the invention, a line L' is rotated in the detector plane from a line L about a center of rotation which lies on the line L, so that L' lies at a small angle with respect to line L. Data from the cone-beam projection data set is respectively integrated along the first and second lines to generate first and second weighted line integrals respectively corresponding to the lines L and L' The two weighted line integrals are then employed to find the derivative of one of the data points in the Radon data set.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for determining airfoil characteristics from coordinate measuring machine probe center data. A coordinate measuring machine measures external coordinates along an airfoil and sends the coordinates to a computer. The computer sorts and orders the coordinates into a plurality of probe center points along a plurality of sections along the airfoil. The probe center points are triangulated to detect and eliminate errant points. Then the probe center points are correlated to a nominal part of the airfoil stored in the memory of the computer until a specified plane of interest is obtained. A discrete inset operation is performed on the correlated data for the plane of interest until a maximum thickness is obtained. The inset points are then joined to form an airfoil meanline, which is used to determine characteristics such as leading edge thickness, trailing edge thickness, and chord length.

Abstract: A system and method for using the detector to differentiate neutron attenuating material from high x-ray attenuating material in an object. The inspection system is used to detect the presence of nitride in titanium sponge nuggets or residual core material in a hollow-cast turbine engine blades. The inspection system uses a dual radiation source to alternately emit neutrons and x-rays or gamma rays at the object under inspection. A dual modality gas ionization detector detects the radiation passing through the object and sends the detected radiation to a processing means for image generation. The generated image is displayed on a display, enabling objects formed with low and high attenuating material to be distinguished.