Abstract: A handling apparatus for conducting in-field operations such as removing and/or installing wear parts on earth working equipment along a controlled path. The apparatus can include a crane, a joint having three axes of articulation and a tool.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a hosel and a shaft sleeve insertable into the hosel, A shaft sleeve body of the shaft sleeve, the shaft sleeve body includes an outer wall and a first coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall and having a first coupler surface area, a second coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall and having a second coupler surface area, a third coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall and having a third coupler surface area, and a fourth coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall and having a fourth coupler surface area. Each of the first second, third and fourth couplers has an arcuate surface continuously curved throughout its respective surface area.

Abstract: An electrically-variable optical device includes a planar optical element (POE) and at least one electromechanical layer. The POE includes at least one optical layer. The at least one electromechanical layer is configured to spatially deform the POE to change an optical parameter of the POE. The at least one electromechanical layer may include a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) which includes electrodes and an elastomeric spacer between the electrodes. An electric field may be introduced between the electrodes to deform the spacer, which in turn deforms the POE.

Abstract: Systems and methods for spectral imaging are disclosed. Such spectral imaging can be used to determine properties of a subject material at different locations upon the surface and/or within the material. For example, strain and/or stress within an imaged area of the material can be determined. A system for spectral imaging can include a light source, a two-dimensional sensor array configured to image light from a two-dimensional area of a subject material, a filter configured to filter light from the subject material before the light is imaged and a processor in communication with the two-dimensional sensor array. The processor can be configured to determine a property of the subject material at a plurality of locations within the two-dimensional area of the subject material. Such spectral imaging systems can facilitate the performance of piezospectroscopic measurements of two-dimensional surfaces in a rapid manner while preserving accuracy.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting an unwanted message. First, an electronic mail message is received. Text in the electronic mail message is decomposed. Statistics associated with the text are gathered using a statistical analyzer. The statistics are analyzed for determining whether the electronic mail message is an unwanted message.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a NiAl overlay bond coating composition comprises a NiAl alloy. The alloy comprises Zr and at least one modifying element in an amount effective to form a stabilized oxide structure comprising stabilized zirconia including a substantially tetragonal structure upon oxidation of the alloy. The tetragonal structure is stabilized such that it does not change phases and revert to a monoclinic or monoclinic and tetragonal structure, which is not substantially tetragonal, upon thermal cycling.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting an unwanted message. First, an electronic mail message is received. Text in the electronic mail message is decomposed. Statistics associated with the text are gathered using a statistical analyzer. The statistics are analyzed for determining whether the electronic mail message is an unwanted message.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting an unwanted message. First, an electronic mail message is received. Text in the electronic mail message is decomposed. Statistics associated with the text are gathered using a statistical analyzer. A neural network engine coupled to the statistical analyzer is taught to recognize unwanted messages based on statistical indicators. The statistical indicators are analyzed utilizing the neural network engine for determining whether the electronic mail message is an unwanted message.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a frame and hinges associated with the frame for making the frame conformable to the chest or other anatomical structure of a patient. Retractor blades are operatively associated with the frame for retracting soft tissue or bone structure. Where the surgical retractor includes opposing pairs of retractor blades for retracting soft tissue or bone structure in two relatively generally perpendicular directions, a method of using the device includes making an incision in the skin of a patient, placing the device over the incision, using one opposing pair of retractor blades to retract skin and soft tissue in a first direction and using the second opposing pair of retractor blades to retract bone in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for detecting an unwanted message. First, an electronic mail message is received. Text in the electronic mail message is decomposed. Statistics associated with the text are gathered using a statistical analyzer. A neural network engine coupled to the statistical analyzer is taught to recognize unwanted messages based on statistical indicators. The statistical indicators are analyzed utilizing the neural network engine for determining whether the electronic mail message is an unwanted message.

Abstract: A surgical retractor that include rack and pinion operated pairs of retractors for opening a region of the body, often the chest cavity, to provide access for performing surgery configured and constructed to be conformable to the chest or other anatomical structure of a patient comprising means for retracting soft tissue or bone structure in two relative generally perpendicular directions, and a method of use, are disclosed.

Abstract: Ceramic radomes are fabricated using a method which reduces the dielectric losses of the ceramic material. A Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 ceramic powder is mixed with a suitable densification aid and then sintered to form a dense ceramic having a glassy phase. Silicon dioxide is then provided on the surface of the ceramic by packing it in silicon dioxide powder or by heating it in air to oxidize its surface. The ceramic and silicon dioxide are heated at a temperature sufficient to cause diffusion of impurities and additive cations from the glassy phase into the silicon dioxide. The surface of the ceramic is then ground to remove pits and to shape the ceramic into a radome.

Abstract: A non-destructive measurement method for determining residual stress proximate an intermediate layer in a multilayer thermal barrier coating system by directing a laser beam through an outer ceramic thermal insulating layer with the laser beam illuminating a ceramic-bearing intermediate layer in a manner to cause species present in the intermediate layer to fluoresce, measuring the frequency of the light or photons emitted by the fluroescing species, and comparing the measured frequency shift of the intermediate ceramic layer to the frequency shift determined on like ceramic material under controlled stress states to determine a representation of relative residual stress in the measured coating. The invention can be used to assess integrity or quality control of as-manufactured TBC coatings or to assess remaining coating service life of engine-run TBC coated components during an inspection or repair procedure.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addressed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for packaging of large scale integrated circuit is produced by the process of forming a mixture of a powdered glass ceramic material which is a glassy precursor to cordierite ceramic material, formed by the steps which are as follows:a. Mix tetragonal phase material selected from the group consisting of zirconia or hafnia powder containing a stabilizing oxide compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a glass frit powder or frit of a glassy precursor of cordierite glass ceramic to yield a suspension of solids. Preferably, a binder is included.b. Disperse the suspended solids to yield a dispersion of the zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor.c. Densify the dispersion of zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor by a sintering heat treatment at a temperature of about 840.degree. C.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for packaging of large scale integrated circuits is produced by the process of forming a mixture of a powdered glass ceramic material which is a glassy precursor to cordierite ceramic material, formed by the steps which are as follows:a. Mix tetragonal phase material selected from the group consisting of zirconia of hafnia powder containing a stabilizing oxide compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a glass frit powder or frit of a glassy precursor of cordierite glass ceramic to yield a suspension of solids. Preferably, a binder is included.b. Disperse the suspended solids to yield a dispersion of the zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor.c. Densify the dispersion of zirconia or hafnia with the stabilizing oxide compound and the glassy precursor by a sintering heat treatment at a temperature of about 840.degree. C.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addressed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addresssed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.