Abstract: A fuel injector for a turbine engine includes a fuel scheduling valve configured for regulation of fuel flow from a fuel inlet in response to fuel pressure received at the fuel inlet. Primary and secondary fuel circuits receive fuel from the scheduling valve, and an electrically-controlled valve is provided in fluid communication with the primary circuit, adapted and configured to actively control fuel through the primary circuit in response to a control signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automated system for assisting the architectural process on an open-network. The system may include a data entry means for user-selected project features and at least one catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. The system may further incorporate filtering means for providing a graphical interface with filtered data associated with a user-selected feature, at least one user database which stores a unique identifier of the user-selected feature, automated selection means for incorporating data associated with the user-selected feature into at least one document, and generation means for creating an architectural document, such as a specification, detail, or schedule. The system may include at least one remote catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. Included are tracking the architectural process, querying a user database or a group of user databases, and generating Industry Foundation Class tags for industry compatibility searching.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automated system for assisting the architectural process on an open-network. The system may include a data entry means for user-selected project features and at least one catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. The system may further incorporate filtering means for providing a graphical interface with filtered data associated with a user-selected feature, at least one user database which stores a unique identifier of the user-selected feature, automated selection means for incorporating data associated with the user-selected feature into at least one document, and generation means for creating an architectural document, such as a specification, detail, or schedule. The system may include at least one remote catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. Included are tracking the architectural process, querying a user database or a group of user databases, and generating Industry Foundation Class tags for industry compatibility searching.

Abstract: An automated system for assisting the architectural process on an open-network. The system includes a data entry means for user-selected project attributes, at least one catalog database from which the user-selected attribute is identified, a filter for providing a graphical user interface with filtered data associated with a user-selected attribute, at least one user database which stores a unique identifier of the user-selected attribute, automated selection means for incorporating data associated with the user-selected attribute into at least one document, and generation means for creating an architectural document, such as a Specification, Drawing, or Schedule. The system may include at least one remote attribute information storage means from which the user-selected attribute is identified. The system of the present invention may further include means for tracking the architectural process. The system may also include searching means for querying a user database or a group of user databases.

Abstract: A method for producing a high resolution detector array so as to provide very high packing fraction, i.e., the distance between scintillator elements is minimized so the detector efficiency will be higher than is currently achievable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabrication methodology is enhanced by handling LSO bars rather than single crystals when gluing on the Lumirror® as well as etching the LSO. Namely, an LSO boule is cut into wide bars of a selected dimension, for example 30 mm, which are then acid etched or mechanically polished. A selected number, N, of these LSO bars can then be glued together with Lumirror® sheets between each bar (coating the LSO disks and Lumirror® sheets with Epotek 301-2). The glued bar block is then cut again into bars in a perpendicular direction, and these new LSO-Lumirror® bars are etched.

Abstract: A detector for use in imaging applications includes at least one detector array, an array of photodetectors, and a continuous light guide disposed between the detectors and the photodetectors. The light guide is continuous over the entire area of the photodetectors and detectors. The thickness of the light guide is optimized based on the shape of the photodetector array. Each detector array includes a plurality of scintillator elements disposed in an M×N array, where “M” and “N” are independently selectable and are each at least one. A mechanism for maintaining the relative positions of the individual scintillator elements with respect to each other is provided. The retainer is further provided to enhance the separation between the individual detector arrays to define distinct boundaries between the position profiles of the scintillator arrays.

Abstract: A method for producing a high resolution detector array so as to provide very high packing fraction, i.e. the distance between scintillator elements is minimized so the detector efficiency will be higher than is currently achievable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabrication methodology is enhanced by handling scintillator bars rather than single crystals when gluing on an optical film as well as polishing the scintillator. Namely, a scintillator boule is cut into wide bars of a selected dimension, for example 30 mm, which are then acid etched or mechanically polished. A selected number, N, of these scintillator bars can then be glued together with sheets of optical film between each bar (coating the scintillator disks and optical film with an adhesive of a selected index of refraction). The glued bar block is then cut again into bars in a perpendicular direction, and these new scintillator-optical film bars are polished.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an array adapted to receive a plurality of scintillators for use in association with an imaging device. The method allows the creation of a detector array such that location of the impingement of radiation upon an individual scintillator detector is accurately determinable. The array incorporates an air gap between all the scintillator elements. Certain scintillators may have varying height reflective light partitions to control the amount of light sharing which occurs between elements. Light transmission is additionally optimized by varying the optical transmission properties of the reflective light partition, such as by varying the thickness and optical density of the light partitions. In certain locations, no light partitions exist, thereby defining an air gap between those elements. The air gap allows a large increase in the packing fraction and therefore the overall sensitivity of the array.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an array adapted to receive a plurality of scintillators for use in association with an imaging device. The method allows the creation of a detector array such that location of the impingement of radiation upon an individual scintillator detector is accurately determinable. The array incorporates an air gap between all the scintillator elements. Certain scintillators may have varying height reflective light partitions to control the amount of light sharing which occurs between elements. Light transmission is additionally optimized by varying the optical transmission properties of the reflective light partition, such as by varying the thickness and optical density of the light partitions. In certain locations, no light partitions exist, thereby defining an air gap between those elements. The air gap allows a large increase in the packing fraction and therefore the overall sensitivity of the array.

Abstract: A scintillation detector which includes a plurality of discrete scintillators composed of one or more scintillator materials. The discrete scintillators interact with incident radiation to produce a quantifiable number of photons with characteristic emission wavelength and decay time. A light guide is operatively associated with the scintillation crystals and may be either active or non-active and segmented or non-segmented depending upon the embodiment of the design. Photodetectors are provided to sense and quantify the scintillation light emissions. The process and system embodying various features of the present invention can be utilized in various applications such as SPECT, PET imaging and simultaneous PET systems.

Abstract: A method for producing a high resolution detector array so as to provide very high packing fraction, i.e. the distance between scintillator elements is minimized so the detector efficiency will be higher than is currently achievable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabrication methodology is enhanced by handling LSO bars rather than single crystals when gluing on the Lumirror® as well as etching the LSO. Namely, an LSO boule is cut into wide bars of a selected dimension, for example 30 mm, which are then acid etched or mechanically polished. A selected number, N, of these LSO bars can then be glued together with Lumirror® sheets between each bar (coating the LSO disks and Lumirror® sheets with Epotek 301-2). The glued bar block is then cut again into bars in a perpendicular direction, and these new LSO-Lumirror® bars are etched.

Abstract: A method of improving the light yield of Oxyorthosilicate scintillation crystals, such as Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate, Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate, Lutetium Gadolinium Oxyorthosilicate or Lutetium Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate scintillation crystals. In accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment, the Oxyorthosilicate scintillation crystals are annealed in a atmosphere selected to be a reducing atmosphere or slightly oxidizing at a selected annealing temperature. In this regard, in the preferred embodiment, the Oxyorthosilicate scintillation crystals are heated in a furnace. During the annealing cycle, the temperature is ramped up from room temperature to the annealing temperature over a selected period of time. After a second selected period of time of sustaining the annealing temperature, the annealing temperature is then ramped down over for a selected period of time.

Abstract: A scintillation detector which includes a plurality of discrete scintillators composed of one or more scintillator materials. The discrete scintillators interact with incident radiation to produce a quantifiable number of photons with characteristic emission wavelength and decay time. A light guide is operatively associated with the scintillation crystals and may be either active or non-active and segmented or non-segmented depending upon the embodiment of the design. Photodetectors are provided to sense and quantify the scintillation light emissions. The process and system embodying various features of the present invention can be utilized in various applications such as SPECT, PET imaging and simultaneous PET systems.

Abstract: A depth of interaction detector block for improving the spatial resolution and uniformity in modern high resolution PET systems over an entire FOV. An LSO crystal layer, a GSO crystal layer, and a light guide are stacked on each other and mounted on a 2×2 PMT set, so that the corners of the phoswich are positioned over the PMT centers. The crystal phoswich is cut into a matrix of discrete crystals. The separation of the LSO and the GSO layers by pulse shape discrimination allows discrete DOI information to be obtained. The block design provides an external light guide used to share the scintillation light in four PMTs. The 4 PMT signals Si are connected to an amplifier box which offers a 4 pole semi-Gaussian shaping for each of the four PMT signals, a sample clock for triggering the ADC cards and a fast sum signal &Sgr;iSi of the four PMT signals Si for pulse shape discrimination. A CFD provides a START signal for the time to pulse height converter.

Abstract: A rebreather apparatus for negating temporary hearing threshold shifts due to noise exposure and other physiological conditions related to CO.sub.2 concentration. One embodiment of rebreather is formed with three chambers. A mouthpiece communicates with a first chamber and this chamber has limited access to the second chamber sandwiched thereto. A third chamber is sandwiched to the second chamber and has limited communication with the second chamber. The third chamber has limited communication therefrom to the atmosphere thus providing an elongated air pathway from the atmosphere to the mouthpiece. This elongated pathway with the restrictions of the openings between chambers achieves an accumulation of carbon dioxide from a user's breath. Accordingly, air inhaled from the rebreather elevates the carbon dioxide content in the lungs of a user and thus in the blood stream of the user.

Abstract: A rebreather apparatus for negating temporary hearing threshold shifts due to noise exposure and other physiological conditions related to CO.sub.2 concentration. The rebreather is formed with three chambers. A mouthpiece communicates with a first chamber and this chamber has limited access to the second chamber sandwiched thereto. A third chamber is sandwiched to the second chamber and has limited communication with the second chamber. The third chamber has limited communication therefrom to the atmosphere thus providing an elongated air pathway from the atmosphere to the mouthpiece. This elongated pathway with the restrictions of the openings between chambers achieves an accumulation of carbon dioxide from a user's breath. Accordingly, air inhaled from the rebreather elevates the carbon dioxide content in the lungs of a user and thus in the blood stream of the user.

Abstract: In the digital intervalometer disclosed herein, a vernier measurement providing a resolution finer than one clock period is obtained by charging a single capacitor both during the interval between a start signal and a subsequent clock pulse and also during the interval between a clock pulse subsequent to a stop signal and a delayed stop signal. The analog voltage to which the capacitor is charged is converted to a digital value, which digital value is then combined with a clock count accumulated between the stop and start signals to provide a combined digital measurement having a resolution substantially finer than one clock period.