Abstract: Image denoising systems and methods to provide light-weight, high quality, and individually denoised images, which facilitate quick and accurate medical diagnosis from medical images. The systems and methods include: obtaining a medical image of a subject; determining a set of noisy patches from the medical image; determine a dictionary based upon the set of noisy patches by learning a sparse representation of the medical image; denoise the set of noisy patches to create a set of denoised patches; denoise the medical image by reconstructing the denoised set of patches into a denoised version of the medical image; and present the denoised version of the medical image for viewing by a user.

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes at least one spinner capable of deforming the workpiece. The apparatus allows for the forming of the workpiece in four different axes. The spinning apparatus includes an arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the spinner is working on the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a clamp for holding the workpiece vertically. The spinner is positioned vertically below the clamp and the workpiece.

Abstract: A metal clip molded into or used in conjunction with a standard recoil tape measure. The purpose of the clip is to hold a standard carpenters pencil which has six sides. This clip has a solid back which attaches to a standard recoil tape measure. The front of the clip has two finger like tabs which grip the pencil and may be adjusted with an individuals fingers to accommodate the different thicknesses of a carpenters pencil and to allow for easy removal of the pencil from the clip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece when the workpiece is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. The spinning apparatus includes at least one tool capable of altering the shape of the workpiece while spinning. The apparatus also includes a clamp configured to hold the workpiece as the tool works the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a spinning arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the tool is working on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes at least one spinner capable of deforming the workpiece. The apparatus allows for the forming of the workpiece in four different axes. The spinning apparatus includes an arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the spinner is working on the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a clamp for holding the workpiece vertically. The spinner is positioned vertically below the clamp and the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning apparatus for forming a workpiece when the workpiece is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. The spinning apparatus includes at least one tool capable of altering the shape of the workpiece while spinning. The apparatus also includes a clamp configured to hold the workpiece as the tool works the workpiece. The spinning apparatus includes a spinning arrangement allowing for the vertical arrangement of the workpiece while the tool is working on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for spinning circumferential articles with constant length end surfaces. The article is first spun to define the circumferential surface, and a mandrel is then introduced, whereby the mandrel has a shoulder positionable adjacent to the end surfaces. The end surfaces, while supported by the mandrel, are further spun, and the material is flow formed into the shoulder, to define a constant and defined length to the article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for spinning circumferential articles with constant length end surfaces. The article is first spun to define the circumferential surface, and a mandrel is then introduced, whereby the mandrel has a shoulder positionable adjacent to the end surfaces. The end surfaces, while supported by the mandrel, are further spun, and the material is flow formed into the shoulder, to define a constant and defined length to the article.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.