Abstract: There is provided a method of starting a gas turbine engine, comprising: selecting a baseline starting procedure of the gas turbine engine based on environmental data; receiving condition information for the gas turbine engine and/or for a starting system of the gas turbine engine, the condition information comprising at least one of: health information for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system; maintenance information for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system; and operation information relating to an expected future usage of the gas turbine engine. The method further comprises determining a predicted degradation profile for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system based on the condition information; determining a starting procedure of the gas turbine engine by adapting the baseline starting procedure based on the predicted degradation profile; and controlling the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system according to the determined starting procedure.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the Formula (I): (I) and tautomers, stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein Rx, Ry, W, X, Y, Z, Ring A and (AA) have the meanings given in the specification, which are inhibitors of RET kinase and are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases which can be treated with a RET kinase inhibitor, including RET-associated diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling precise orifices in a wall of non-uniform thickness are provided. In one aspect, a thickness profile of at least a portion of the wall is created and the wall is irradiated with at least one laser beam to ablate a portion of the wall to thereby form an orifice in the wall. During the irradiation, one or more parameters of the least one laser beam are adjusted one or more times in accordance with the thickness profile to compensate for the non-uniform thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A laser machining system for machining a work-piece includes a laser scanning head, external optical subsystems, and an image acquisition device. The external optical subsystems correspond to optical channels that include a first optical channel and a second optical channel. The laser scanning head controls an optical path so that a laser beam is directed and focused on the work-piece through the first optical channel and the second optical channel at different times. The first optical channel and the second optical channel correspond to respective specific portions of the work-piece to be machined by the laser beam. The image acquisition device is positioned to view the work-piece through the optical path. The image acquisition device acquires via the first optical channel one or more images of the work-piece to determine a displacement of the work-piece with reference to a best optical focus position of the second optical channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling precise orifices in a wall of non-uniform thickness are provided. In one aspect, a thickness profile of at least a portion of the wall is created and the wall is irradiated with at least one laser beam to ablate a portion of the wall to thereby form an orifice in the wall. During the irradiation, one or more parameters of the least one laser beam are adjusted one or more times in accordance with the thickness profile to compensate for the non-uniform thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A laser machining system for machining a work-piece includes a laser scanning head, external optical subsystems, and an image acquisition device. The external optical subsystems correspond to optical channels that include a first optical channel and a second optical channel. The laser scanning head controls an optical path so that a laser beam is directed and focused on the work-piece through the first optical channel and the second optical channel at different times. The first optical channel and the second optical channel correspond to respective specific portions of the work-piece to be machined by the laser beam. The image acquisition device is positioned to view the work-piece through the optical path. The image acquisition device acquires via the first optical channel one or more images of the work-piece to determine a displacement of the work-piece with reference to a best optical focus position of the second optical channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems (300), devices and methods for machining a work-piece from a plurality of directions using a single laser beam and galvanometer scan head (302). In some embodiments, such a system includes, for example, a scanning galvanometer head (“scan-head”) (302), having one or more mirrors (323) for directing a laser beam in at least one plane. Preferably, in some embodiments, the scan-head includes two mirrors for deflecting the laser beam in the at least one plane (e.g., an X-Y plane). A plurality of second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) is arranged after the scan-head (302) to direct the laser onto a predetermined portion of the exterior of the object to be machined. In some preferred embodiments, there are three such second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) each to direct the laser over a 120 degree area of the object.

Abstract: Methods and systems for precisely removing selected layers of materials from a multi-layer work piece using laser ablation are disclosed. Precise removal of one or more selected layers of materials of a work piece may be performed by irradiating at least one location on a multi-layer work piece with a laser beam, ablating material at the at least one location, detecting one or more characteristics of the material ablated at the at least one location and analyzing the one or more characteristics to identify a change in at least one of the one or more characteristics that indicates a change in the type of material being ablated. Related systems are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems (300), devices and methods for machining a work-piece from a plurality of directions using a single laser beam and galvanometer scan head (302). In some embodiments, such a system includes, for example, a scanning galvanometer head (“scan-head”) (302), having one or more mirrors (323) for directing a laser beam in at least one plane. Preferably, in some embodiments, the scan-head includes two mirrors for deflecting the laser beam in the at least one plane (e.g., an X-Y plane). A plurality of second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) is arranged after the scan-head (302) to direct the laser onto a predetermined portion of the exterior of the object to be machined. In some preferred embodiments, there are three such second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) each to direct the laser over a 120 degree area of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for laser micro-machining, which may include dividing a long line illumination field into a plurality of individual fields, wherein each of the plurality of fields includes an aspect ratio of about 4:1 or greater, directing the plurality of individual fields onto at least one mask, wherein each individual field illuminates a corresponding area on the mask and translating the mask and/or workpiece relative to one another along a scan axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for precisely removing selected layers of materials from a multi-layer work piece using laser ablation are disclosed. Precise removal of one or more selected layers of materials of a work piece may be performed by irradiating at least one location on a multi-layer work piece with a laser beam, ablating material at the at least one location, detecting one or more characteristics of the material ablated at the at least one location and analyzing the one or more characteristics to identify a change in at least one of the one or more characteristics that indicates a change in the type of material being ablated. Related systems are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for micromachining a conical surface. In one embodiment, such a system may include a rotating platform for receiving a long line of laser illumination, a mask having a predetermined pattern comprising a sector of a planar ring, the mask being positioned on the rotating platform, a workpiece stage having a rotational axis for rotating a removably-affixed workpiece comprising a conical surface, wherein the sector comprises the planar image of the conical surface, an excimer laser for producing a laser beam, a homogenizer for homogenizing the laser beam in at least a single direction, at least one condenser lens, a turning mirror and at least one projection lens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for micromachining a conical surface. In one embodiment, such a system may include a rotating platform for receiving a long line of laser illumination, a mask having a predetermined pattern comprising a sector of a planar ring, the mask being positioned on the rotating platform, a workpiece stage having a rotational axis for rotating a removably-affixed workpiece comprising a conical surface, wherein the sector comprises the planar image of the conical surface, an excimer laser for producing a laser beam, a homogenizer for homogenizing the laser beam in at least a single direction, at least one condenser lens, a turning mirror and at least one projection lens.

Abstract: A method for determining volative components in a continuous flow condensed phase sample stream. A method is disclosed wherein a controlled flow of a sample stream of oil is cascaded down a standpipe of a predetermined length and a countercurrent flow of an inert dry gas is created to absorb volatile substances, such as water, in a concentration proportional to the concentration in the oil. The cascade of oil down the standpipe creates an efficient mechanism for the transfer of volatiles from the oil to a gas phase with the inert gas. The inert gas exposed to and containing the volatiles is applied to a detection system for the measurement of the concentration of the volatiles.

Abstract: A scanning spectrometer incorporating a scanning diode laser powered with a controllable injection current. The injection current control may be set at predetermined discrete levels. These levels may be varied in accordance with signals derived from a servo loop, and may have superimposed upon them a cyclically varying substantially constant amplitude current. The laser output is directed via a beam splitter to both sample and reference cells. The material in the reference cell is so selected as to provide absorption features at each of the desired frequencies. The cyclically varying current is provided with an amplitude sufficient to cause a frequency amplitude at least as great as the maximum breadth of each of these spectral features of interest. The preselected bias currents are selected so as to provide lasing action of the diode at or near each of the selected frequencies.

Abstract: A roller type paint applicator comprises a roller mounted on a shaft for free rotation, the shaft being extended to provide a handle extending normal to the roller axis. An elongated housing encloses the entire roller except for an opening on one side through which the roller projects a sufficient distance for engagement with a surface to be painted. Paint wiping strips are mounted on the housing along both longitudinal edges and have long nap cloth for engagement with the surface to be painted along both longitudinal sides of the opening. The edges prevent painting of adjacent walls and afford close and effective painting of a wall surface up to corners and wall intersections.