Abstract: This invention relates to the catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide (NO) from highly oxidizing environments. Such catalytic reductions of this type employ the use of small quantities of methane (CH.sub.4) to provide a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of the NO.

Abstract: A method for generating tool paths for a profile milling task uses straight line (lacing) tool paths toward and away from the exterior boundary of a part to cover a first inset of a machining region. Recess areas which are difficult to reach with straight line access are blocked off, algorithmically, and closed loop tool paths are used for these regions. The remainder of the machining region having relatively regular boundaries are covered with lacing tool paths which are line segments followed by an arc following the part contour. Lacing eliminates the need for predrilling and takes advantage of the fact that most tools perform better when following straight paths. Information supplied by means of charts that assure the safety of milling successive tool paths without retraction, coupled with retraction requirements (also supplied), provide the parameters needed for automated optimal milling.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging magnet includes a cryocooler penetration assembly and a superconducting coil assembly. The cryocooler penetration assembly has a thermal station within a thermal box within a vacuum vessel. The superconducting coil assembly has a magnet cartridge within a thermal shield within a vacuum enclosure. A flexible bellows hermetically connects the vacuum vessel and the vacuum enclosure. A first rigid thermal busbar is rigidly attached to the thermal shield, and a first flexible thermal busbar thermally connects the thermal box and the first rigid thermal busbar. A second rigid thermal busbar is rigidly attached to the magnet cartridge, and a second flexible thermal busbar thermally connects the second rigid thermal busbar and the thermal station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crucible support heater for the control of a melt flow pattern within a crucible, and more specifically to controlling a temperature gradient or distribution during crystal growth by the Czochralski method through the use of a heater located in the crucible lift rod.

Abstract: An artificial neural network detects points in feature space outside of a boundary determined by a set of sample data. The network is trained using pseudo data which compensates for the lack of original data representing "abnormal" or novel combinations of features. The training process is done iteratively using a net bias parameter to close the boundary around the sample data. When the neural net stabilizes, the training process is complete. Pseudo data is chosen using several disclosed methods.

Abstract: Induction heating is utilized to heat polymer matrix composite fiber strands containing electrically conductive fibers. This is accomplished with an apparatus having a helical induction coil and a matching helical guide tube situated adjacent to the induction coil. Composite fiber strands are drawn through the guide tube which is made of a non-electrically conductive, nonmagnetic material. Electrically conductive rollers, positioned next to the entrance and exit of the guide tube, form an electrical circuit with the electrically conductive fibers. This permits currents to be induced in the fibers when the coil is activated, thereby heating the fiber composites. The guide tube can be thermally insulated and flushed with an inert purge gas. Alternatively, the guide tube can be made of an electrically conductive or ferromagnetic material so that heat producing currents are induced in the guide tube, and the composite fiber strands are heated by conduction.

Abstract: This invention relates to strontium titanate, hereinafter referred to as SrTiO.sub.3, films of the type produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) that are oriented so that the film's (100) face is parallel to the surface plane of the substrate. Such structures of this type, generally allow the SrTiO.sub.3 film to be deposited such that a high density capacitor or a buffer layer for a superconductor can be created.

Abstract: A multi-resolution array detector includes a fine resolution zone having a higher density of detector elements than in a coarse resolution zone having a relatively lower density of detector elements. The array detector, usually an area detector, is used in computerized tomography (CT) imaging to provide a finer resolution image in one zone than in another zone. A method of processing data from the multi-resolution detector uses a non-uniform distribution of data in Radon space.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic valve including a cylindrical housing having flow passages in both ends and a magnetically-responsive valve closure assembly rotatively mounted therein. The valve closure assembly includes an armature mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the housing and a shoe slideably disposed on each end of the armature. Each shoe is biased away from the armature and into contact with the inner end surfaces of the housing. A controller assembly is provided to rotate the valve closure assembly between a first position where flow through the valve is prevented and a second position where flow is permitted. The controller includes at least one permanent magnet for biasing the valve closure assembly into one of the positions and an electromagnet for rotating the valve closure assembly into the other position. A three-way valve is also possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting computed tomography (CT) data into finite element models. The system generates both 2-D and 3-D models using the automatic mesh generators, QUADTREE and OCTREE, which are founded on recursive spatial decomposition. Multiple slices of CT data are obtained by scanning the object to be modeled. The slices are stacked and processed to form a discrete solid model. The discrete solid model is an alternate geometry defined discretely rather than with continuous analytic curves and surfaces but still provides a foundation for automatic mesh generation. Since the QUADTREE and OCTREE automatic mesh generators map naturally to the discrete solid model, the integration of CT technology and automatic mesh generation can be achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pole face design for superconducting magnets of the type that are C-shaped. Such structures of this type, generally, employ pole faces which homogenize the magnet field within the imaging volume.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor holder system having a container with a projection for collecting fluid samples in a machine for cleansing articles is provided. Collector channels are situated in the container projection to collect the fluid to be sampled. One or more vent channels are also provided in the container projection for conveniently venting a reservoir in the container. The present invention with the foregoing collection capability allows the turbidity of the cleansing fluid to be accurately measured without affecting the performance capacity of the sensor.

Abstract: Cone beam geometry imaging uses an area or two-dimensional array detector and a cone beam x-ray source. Image reconstruction by inverse Radon transformation is used following the calculation of planar integrals. Specifically, the integral is calculated by first changing it to a form wherein fast Fourier transforms can be used to minimize the number of operations in the calculations of the integral.

Abstract: A cold head sleeve and superconducting lead assembly including a cryocooler and a tube operatively connected to the cryocooler. A first and second heat station are operatively connected to the cryocooler with a magnet cartridge operatively connected to the first heat station and a thermal shield operatively connected to the second heat station. A thermal connector is operatively connected to the magnet cartridge and thermal shield, and a superconducting lead is operatively connected to the thermal connector.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for providing control of high power laser-fiber delivered beam quality. Such structures of this type, generally, use a tapered fiber output end preparation to improve the beam quality of fiber delivered laser beams.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to selectively mitigate intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) by rapid quench melting through the use of a pulsed laser. Such methods of the type, generally, mitigate reactor pipe cracking by rapidly melting the sensitized material to redissolve chromium carbide and then rapidly cooling the sensitized material such that corrosion cracking can be avoided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for retaining only necessary cone beam projection data acquired along a three dimensional scanning trajectory in order to ensure more computationally efficient processing of Radon data for computerized tomographic image reconstruction consistent with the overall shape of an object irradiated by a cone beam source. If the scanning trajectory is such that an otherwise complete see of Radon data is acquired the image so reconstructed will also be exact. The invention is directed to restricting image reconstruction processing to only that region of support in Radon space actually occupied by the object itself; therefore, computational approximations consistent with the overall shape of the object can be applied to improve image reconstruction efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates to a constant flow control device for a pressure pot shot peening machine. Such structures of this type, generally, assure that the air flow and the pressure drop through the pressure pot shot peening nozzle remain independent of uncontrolable upstream conditions, thus assuring constant velocity of the shot stream regardless of shot delivery hose routing or wear.

Abstract: An element which is used to identify materials, such as, thermoplastics and sort these thermoplastics on a moving conveyor belt. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a diamond knife (or point) for use as an internal reflection element to obtain the mid-infrared spectrum of the material sliced (or punctured) by the knife (or point).

Abstract: A technique for selecting discrete data acquisition points in three-dimensional computerized tomograph (3D CT) is based upon the center-to-center distances between detector elements in an area detector used for detecting images. The data acquisition points are selected to avoid excess computer power for processing redundant data and, at the same time, insure that a sufficient number of data points are used to minimize distortion and/or artifacts.