Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system and method is configured for generating maintenance events in response to threshold levels of accumulated corrosive stresses experienced by assets or components thereof based on environmental and weather data correlated to respective locations visited and a model of corrosive susceptibility of the assets or components thereof.

Abstract: A kinetic breaching assist tool includes a ram slidably positioned within a ram housing to be extendable forwardly out of the housing for breaching doors and other barriers. The ram housing is connected to an intermediate propulsion section that generates high pressure gas to drive the ram forwardly. The rear end of the propulsion section is connected to a firing mechanism assembly, which is actuated by an elongated trigger positioned within the confines of a manually graspable rear handle assembly. A forward handle assembly is mounted at the forward portion of the propulsion section to enable to tool to be conveniently and securely grasped by both hands.

Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to test an ionization gauge, such as a hot cathode ionization gauge, for leakage currents and to respond to the leakage currents to improve pressure measurement accuracy. Responding to the leakage current can include applying a correction to a pressure measurement signal generated by the gauge based on the leakage current. Responding to the leakage current can also include removing contamination causing the leakage current, where the contamination is on electrical feedthrough insulators or other gauge surfaces. Testing and correcting for leakage currents and removing contamination can be completed with the ionization pressure gauge in situ in its environment of use, and while the gauge remains under vacuum.

Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods are provided to operate a hot cathode ionization pressure gauge (HCIG). A transistor circuit can be configured to pass the electron emission current with low input impedance and to control cathode bias voltage. Emission current and cathode bias voltage can be controlled independently of each other, without a servo settling time. HCIGs can be calibrated with respect to leakage current.

Abstract: A kinetic breaching assist tool includes a ram slidably positioned within a ram housing to be extendable forwardly out of the housing for breaching doors and other barriers. The ram housing is connected to an intermediate propulsion section that generates high pressure gas to drive the ram forwardly. The rear end of the propulsion section is connected to a firing mechanism assembly, which is actuated by an elongated trigger positioned within the confines of a manually graspable rear handle assembly. A forward handle assembly is mounted at the forward portion of the propulsion section to enable to tool to be conveniently and securely grasped by both hands.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range trans-impedance amplifier includes a first trans-impedance amplifier configured to receive a first input current and produce a first voltage as a function of the first input current, and a second trans-impedance amplifier configured to receive a second input current and produce a second voltage as a function of the second input current. A current steering element causes a first portion of current from a current source to flow to the first trans-impedance amplifier until the first current portion reaches the first threshold current, and causes a second portion of current from the current source to flow to the second trans-impedance amplifier, until the second current portion reaches the second threshold current. The second current portion is current from the current source that exceeds the first threshold current. The wide dynamic range trans-impedance amplifier may receive, for example, ion collector current from a hot cathode ionization gauge (HCIG).

Abstract: A wide dynamic range trans-impedance amplifier includes a first trans-impedance amplifier configured to receive a first input current and produce a first voltage as a function of the first input current, and a second trans-impedance amplifier configured to receive a second input current and produce a second voltage as a function of the second input current. A current steering element causes a first portion of current from a current source to flow to the first trans-impedance amplifier until the first current portion reaches the first threshold current, and causes a second portion of current from the current source to flow to the second trans-impedance amplifier, until the second current portion reaches the second threshold current. The second current portion is current from the current source that exceeds the first threshold current. The wide dynamic range trans-impedance amplifier may receive, for example, ion collector current from a hot cathode ionization gauge (HCIG).

Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to test an ionization gauge, such as a hot cathode ionization gauge, for leakage currents and to respond to the leakage currents to improve pressure measurement accuracy. Responding to the leakage current can include applying a correction to a pressure measurement signal generated by the gauge based on the leakage current. Responding to the leakage current can also include removing contamination causing the leakage current, where the contamination is on electrical feedthrough insulators or other gauge surfaces. Testing and correcting for leakage currents and removing contamination can be completed with the ionization pressure gauge in situ in its environment of use, and while the gauge remains under vacuum.

Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods are provided to operate a hot cathode ionization pressure gauge (HCIG). A transistor circuit can be configured to pass the electron emission current with low input impedance and to control cathode bias voltage. Emission current and cathode bias voltage can be controlled independently of each other, without a servo settling time. HCIGs can be calibrated with respect to leakage current.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles comprising layered nanocrystalline calcite and methods for forming nanocrystalline calcite layers and compositions comprising nanocrystalline calcite layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles comprising layered nanocrystalline calcite and methods for forming nanocrystalline calcite layers and compositions comprising nanocrystalline calcite layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles comprising layered nanocrystalline calcite and methods for forming nanocrystalline calcite layers and compositions comprising nanocrystalline calcite layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles comprising layered nanocrystalline calcite and methods for forming nanocrystalline calcite layers and compositions comprising nanocrystalline calcite layers.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis adaptable to read a signal having signal amplitude dropouts includes a standard partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) trellis and an estimating PRML trellisd. The standard trellis is associated with a standard state diagram having standard branches between states. The estimating trellis is associated with an estimating state diagram having estimating branches between states. Each branch has an associated error metric. Each state of the standard state diagram has two estimating branches feeding into that state and each state of the estimating state diagram has two standard branches feeding into that state. The states are connected by paths formed by branches between the states. A path error metric is the sum of all branch error metrics for all of the branches that form the path. The path arriving at one state having the lowest error metric is the expected path to the next state for reading the signal.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis adaptable to read a signal having signal amplitude dropouts includes a standard partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) trellis and an estimating PRML trellis. The standard trellis is associated with a standard state diagram having standard branches between states. A first set of the standard branches produce a non-zero amplitude read signal sample and a second set of the standard branches produce a zero amplitude read signal sample. Each state of the standard state diagram has two standard branches feeding into that state. The estimating trellis is associated with an estimating state diagram having estimating branches between states. The estimating branches produce estimated read signal samples that adapt to the amplitude of the signal. Each state of the estimating state diagram has two estimating branches feeding into that state. Each standard and estimating branch has an associated error metric.

Abstract: A method and system for reading data containing errors due to curved or displaced tracks in a track region reproduced by reproducing heads in a tape drive includes a signal processing circuit for sensing a first set of parameters associated with the data at a first head position at predetermined points along each track in the region. The signal processing circuit also senses a second set of parameters associated with the data at a second head position different from the first head position at the predetermined points along each track in the region. A movable head controller positions the reproducing heads to follow the curved or displaced tracks based on the first and second head positions and the first and second set of parameters.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for performing a high speed search for a selected data block or data file utilizing any one of several presently existing helical scan tape formats which utilize, in addition to the helically scanned tracks, one or more longitudinal tracks for recording indexing information indicative of the location of data blocks and file marks stored on the associated helical tracks. Data file location information is written to a header area on a series of helical tracks and to one (or more) of the longitudinal tracks when a data block or a file mark is written to a tape. A high speed search for a desired data block or data file can then be performed using this track location information.