Abstract: This invention relates to fuel staged premixed dry low NO.sub.x gas turbine combustors of the type that are constructed with multiple concentric cylinders to which fuel manifolds are mounted. The cylinders are spaced in a staggered arrangement. Such structures of this type achieve stable combustion over a wide range of fuel-to-air ratios and low flame temperature in the combustor resulting in low emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x).

Abstract: An air staged premixed dry low NO.sub.x combustor of the type that is constructed of a premixing chamber and a centerbody porous plug premixed flame stabilizer. Such structures of this type maintain very low flame temperatures and, ultimately, low NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling cure cycles of composite structures utilize specialized NMR sensor (14) embedded into critical regions in the interior of composite structures (18) to provide in-situ cure state information. Signals developed by the NMR sensors (14) during the curing cycle are processed by an NMR spectrometer (30) to determine selected NMR parameters including T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.1D, and T.sub.2 * of the materials in the vicinity of the sensor, from which the rigidity of the materials are deduced. Experimental data show clear trends in values of particular NMR parameters taken as time series during cure cycles. Cure cycle control is accomplished using output data from an enhanced NMR spectrometer (30*) to drive temperature and pressure controllers (38, 42) of a curing oven (20*) for real time process control.

Abstract: Relatively large objects are viewed using relatively small area detectors by changing the configurations corresponding to the relative positioning of a source of cone beam imaging energy, the object which is to be viewed, and the area detector. A relatively large area detector is simulated by use of a high quality, high resolution, relatively small area detector. The simulated area detector allows imaging of objects which are too wide and/or too high for an actual area detector. The different configurations may be realized by moving the actual area detector relative to the source or by repositioning the object relative to the area detector. Movement for reconfiguration may be in a plane parallel to a plane in which a scan path is disposed if the object is too wide. If the object is too high, the reconfiguration movement would be perpendicular to a plane in which a scan path, usually circular, is located.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing passive shimming for a superconducting magnet of the type that has a relatively small imaging volume. Such structures of this type, generally, provide the proper amount of passive shimming for a relatively small imaging volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positioning, compression and storage device for modular face-pumped slab laser heads of the type that are constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow face-pumped slab laser head components to be assembled and stored easily and quickly.

Abstract: This invention relates to demountable conduction cooled current leads for refrigerated superconducting magnets. Such structures of this type generally either allow the warm section of the current lead to be thermally demounted from the magnet after the magnet is powered or both the cold and warm sections of the current leads to be thermally demounted from the magnet after the magnet is powered. In this manner, the heat load placed upon the cryocooler is signficantly reduced when the magnet is powered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for controlling the grain size distribution in cast parts made from nickel-based superalloys. Such methods of this type, generally, employ the use of different inoculant concentration levels to balance the differences in cooling rates that occur at different regions of the cast part in order to achieve the desired microstructure of the cast part.

Abstract: An open magnet having a frustoconical shaped inner bore is provided for MR imaging. The magnet has a plurality of axisymmetric superconducting coils of differing diameters which are disposed along an axis in order of successively increasing diameters so as to define the frustoconical shape. This shape permits a patient access opening which is much larger than that in conventional cylindrical magnets. The overall length is much less than the length of conventional systems. The combination of wide opening and short length facilitates patient access and presents a feeling of openness. Furthermore, the device can be tilted with respect to horizontal to increase the openness.

Abstract: This invention relates to a superconducting magnet of the type that has a relatively small imaging volume. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the operator to image human limbs without the use of a larger, more costly superconducting magnet.

Abstract: This invention relates to current leads for a superconducting magnet system of the type that are constructed of two-stages. Such structures of this type, generally, operate from ambient temperature to the temperature at the thermal shield and from the temperature of the thermal shield to that of the magnet such that ohmic losses are reduced.

Abstract: Low refrigerant charge in a refrigeration system is detected by monitoring the oscillation of the thermal expansion valve. This monitoring is accomplished with a sensor which senses the oscillation of the expansion valve and produces a signal indicative of the valve oscillation. The sensor signal is fed to a monitoring controller which produces a low charge signal whenever the amplitude of valve oscillation falls below a predetermined level, thus indicating low charge conditions. The sensor is preferably a temperature sensor situated at either the outlet or the inlet of the evaporator. The system further comprises a validity evaluation controller for determining when valve oscillation is a valid indication of low charge. The validity evaluation controller analyzes a number of system operating characteristics which affect valve oscillation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cryogenless superconducting magnet system of the type that is attached to a utility grid at end-user site and is used to store electrical energy until such time that an electrical disruption occurs in the grid. Structures of this type, generally, allow the stored electrical energy to be released in such a manner that the disruption in the utility grid is negated before it reaches critical loads.

Abstract: A tumor or other condition within a patient is treated by the application of laser energy through multiple optical fibers, all of which are disposed within a general guiding or outer tube. The optical fibers extend to within the patient by way of a single burr hole. Specifically, each optical fiber is disposed within a corresponding inner tube and each inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and is movable with respect to the outer tube. Each of the inner tubes is flexible and has a permanent bend disposed therein. Each inner tube is placed within the patient by way of the outer tube with the inner tube in a retracted or high energy state. In the retracted or high energy state, each inner tube is bent into a position constrained by the outer tube. Upon the outer tube being positioned at the tumor or other treatment zone, relative movement between the inner tubes and the outer tube frees the inner tubes from being constrained in the high energy or retracted state.

Abstract: This invention relates to measuring shot peening coverage by impact dent characterization. Such methods of this type employ a non-destructive, automated computer analysis by analyzing dent characteristics to determine shot coverage of a particular surface.

Abstract: A Si--SiC ceramic layer is bonded to a non-porous SiC substrate with the Si etched from the layer to form a relatively porous surface on the otherwise non-porous high strength SiC substrate. A quartz layer is softened by heating and forced into the pores of the porous layer to form a mechanical bond to the SiC substrate. A refractory metal layer is bonded to the quartz layer to complete the joint. A refractory metal support component is then bonded to the refractory layer whereby the quartz serves as a high strength, high temperature reaction barrier between the metal of the refractory layer and the silicon of the SiC substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermoforming 3-dimensional articles of chosen wall thickness dimensions from a polar polymer sheet. The polymer sheet is dielectrically heated, the heating being controlled to impress a predetermined thermal pattern on the sheet. The thermal pattern is selected in accordance with the amount of stretching to which each area of the sheet is subjected during the subsequent work-forming step, the areas subjected to greater stretching being heated to a lower temperature and vice versa. Thus, the stretching action is balanced and results in accurate control of the wall thickness of the final article.

Abstract: An apparatus for real-time tracking of a catheter guide wire in a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure includes an image processing unit for processing digitized fluoroscopic images from a fluoroscope image output. The image processor utilizes a novel algorithm for locating the image of a catheter in the fluoroscopic image. The image processor creates a two-dimensional model of the catheter for dynamic display on an operating room live image video monitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to high power laser systems of the type which, typically, operate at up to 500 watts of average power in the high average power mode and up to 75 joules per pulse in the high energy mode, and has a lens system which is constructed of several individual pieces in order to form an integral lens holding system that maximizes the useful lens aperture. Such structures of this type, generally, allow a laser/fiber user to quickly change lenses, while simultaneously maintaining optical alignment when the lens is replaced.

Abstract: A method for extracting company names from textual information uses a combination of heuristics, exception lists, and extensive corpus analysis. The method first locates company name suffixes (i.e., Company, Corporation) and attempts to locate the beginning of the company name. The method works on both mixed-case text and capitalized text. Upon identification of a company name, the method proceeds to generate variations of the name for later extraction.