Abstract: A turbine component formed from a niobium silicide-based composition is described. The component can be compositionally-graded through at least a portion of its structure. A turbine blade formed from a composition which includes a niobium silicide alloy is also described. The blade includes an airfoil; an airfoil tip region; a platform on which the airfoil is mounted; and a dovetail root attached to an underside of the platform. The niobium silicide alloy in at least one portion of the turbine blade is compositionally different from the niobium silicide alloy in another portion of the blade. Processes for fabricating a niobium silicide-based turbine article are also described, using laser cladding techniques. Repair methods are also set forth in the application.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and systems are presented for processing a sequence of images for display using a display device involving operating a plurality of graphics devices, including at least one first graphics device that processes certain ones of the sequence of images, including a first image, and at least one second graphics device that processes certain other ones of the sequence of images, including a second image, delaying processing of the second image by the at least one second graphics device, by a specified duration, relative to processing of the first image by the at least one first graphics device, to stagger pixel data output for the first image and pixel data output for the second image, and selectively providing output from the at least one first graphics device and the at least one second graphics device to the display device.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and systems are presented for processing an ordered sequence of images for display using a display device, involving operating a plurality of graphics devices, including at least one first graphics device that processes certain ones of the ordered sequence of images, including a first image, and at least one second graphics device that processes certain other ones of the ordered sequence of images, including a second image, the first image preceding the second image in the ordered sequence, delaying at least one operation of the at least one second graphics device to allow processing by the at least one first graphics device to advance relative to processing by the at least one second graphics device, in order to maintain sequentially correct output of the ordered sequence of images, and selectively providing output from the graphics devices to the display device.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and systems are presented for processing a sequence of images for display using a display device involving operating a plurality of graphics devices, including at least one first graphics device that processes certain ones of the sequence of images, including a first image, and at least one second graphics device that processes certain other ones of the sequence of images, including a second image, delaying processing of the second image by the at least one second graphics device, by a specified duration, relative to processing of the first image by the at least one first graphics device, to stagger pixel data output for the first image and pixel data output for the second image, and selectively providing output from the at least one first graphics device and the at least one second graphics device to the display device.

Abstract: Coherence of displayed images is provided for a graphics processing systems having multiple processors operating to render different portions of a current image in parallel. As each processor completes rendering of its portion of the current image, it generates a local ready event, then pauses its rendering operations. A synchronizing agent detects the local ready event and generates a global ready event after all of the graphics processors have generated local ready events. The global ready signal is transmitted to each graphics processor, which responds by resuming its rendering activity.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for detecting AC-coupled electrical loads of a set of digital-to-analog converters are described. In one embodiment, a processing apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter. The processing apparatus also includes a pulse generation module connected to the digital-to-analog converter, and the pulse generation module is configured to direct the digital-to-analog converter to transmit a pulse of electrical energy. The processing apparatus further includes a load detection module connected to the digital-to-analog converter, and the load detection module is configured to determine a connection status of the digital-to-analog converter based on a degree to which the pulse of electrical energy is reflected during a transient response time period.

Abstract: An electrical generator for extraction of electrical power from a gas turbine engine includes a rotor portion and a stator portion disposed within a booster cavity of the gas turbine engine. The rotor portion is rotatably supported about the stator portion. The stator portion rigidly is supported within the booster cavity. The rotor portion has a plurality of poles circumferentially arranged opposite the stator portion. The stator portion includes a plurality of coil portions disposed about an outer periphery of the stator portion adjacent to the stator portion. The stator and rotor portions are configured to generate electrical power when the rotor portion is rotated about the stator portion by a shaft of the gas turbine engine to induce electrical currents in the coil portions. The electrical generator extracts electric power from the turbine engine to supplement primary electrical generation sources of the engine.

Abstract: A fan containment casing includes a core comprising a number of tows. The core has a central region and two end regions. The tows are grouped into a number of bands and form a number of filament-wound radially disposed layers. The bands of tows are interleaved as a number of direct bands and indirect bands along at least a portion of one or more of the layers. A method of forming a fan containment casing includes winding a number of tows on a liner to form a number of radially disposed layers, where each of the layers is continuously connected to at least one adjacent one of the layers across one of the end regions via at least one of the tows.

Abstract: A wireless-enabled tightening system for fasteners is disclosed. The system includes a visual designator configured to project an indicator onto a workpiece. The system also includes a torque wrench comprising a wireless transmitter and a means for identifying whether the correct torque has been applied to a fastener on the workpiece and configured to provide a feedback for a user. The system also includes a camera configured to capture an image of the workpiece when an appropriate amount of torque has been applied to the fastener. The system further includes a microprocessor for determining sequence of the fastener and identifying the tightened fastener.

Abstract: A radio identification enabled wrench system is disclosed. The system includes a template having multiple RFID tags. The template also corresponds to a part associated with a particular fastener that is associated with each of the multiple RFID tags. The system further includes a torque wrench having a RFID reader and a RFID antenna and a means for identifying what fastener the wrench is being used upon and whether the correct torque has been applied to the fastener and configured to provide a feedback for a user. The system includes a means for transferring data that may be either wired or wireless.

Abstract: A graphics processing apparatus includes an output pipeline including a set of memory clients. The graphics processing apparatus also includes a memory controller connected to the output pipeline. The memory controller is configured to retrieve data requested by respective ones of the memory clients from a memory. The graphics processing apparatus further includes a buffering module connected between the memory controller and the output pipeline. The buffering module includes a buffer including a buffering space shared by the memory clients. The buffering module also includes a buffer controller connected to the buffer. The buffer controller is configured to: (1) dynamically assign portions of the buffering space to respective ones of the memory clients; (2) coordinate storage of the data in the assigned portions; and (3) coordinate delivery of the data from the assigned portions to respective ones of the memory clients.

Abstract: A fabricated cowl for a double annular combustor of a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, including an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion, and a middle annular portion. A plurality of circumferentially spaced radial slots are formed in at least one of the annular portions. The outer annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of outer radial members connecting the outer annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein. Similarly, the inner annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of inner radial members connecting the inner annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for delivering data to multiple memory clients are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes an output pipeline including a set of memory clients. The graphics processing apparatus also includes a memory controller connected to the output pipeline. The memory controller is configured to retrieve data requested by respective ones of the set of memory clients from a memory. The graphics processing apparatus further includes a buffering module connected between the memory controller and the output pipeline. The buffering module includes a unitary buffer and a buffer controller connected to the unitary buffer. The buffer controller is configured to coordinate storage of the data in the unitary buffer, and the buffer controller is configured to coordinate delivery of the data from the unitary buffer to respective ones of the set of memory clients.

Abstract: An integrated process tool for chemical mechanical processing, cleaning and drying a semiconductor workpiece is provided. The integrated process tool includes a CMP module and a cleaning and drying module. After being processed, the workpiece is transported from the CMP module to the cleaning and drying module using a movable housing. In the cleaning and drying module, a cleaning mechanism is used to clean the workpiece while the workpiece is rotated and held by a support stucture of the movable housing. A drying mechanism of the cleaning and drying module picks up the workpiece from the moveable housing and spin dries it. Throughout the CMP process, cleaning and drying, the processed surface of the wafer faces down.

Abstract: A turbine component formed from a niobium silicide-based composition is described. The component can be compositionally-graded through at least a portion of its structure. A turbine blade formed from a composition which includes a niobium silicide alloy is also described. The blade includes an airfoil; an airfoil tip region; a platform on which the airfoil is mounted; and a dovetail root attached to an underside of the platform. The niobium silicide alloy in at least one portion of the turbine blade is compositionally different from the niobium silicide alloy in another portion of the blade. Processes for fabricating a niobium silicide-based turbine article are also described, using laser cladding techniques. Repair methods are also set forth in the application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for plating a conductive material on a semiconductor substrate by rotating pad or blade type objects in close proximity to the substrate, thereby eliminating/reducing dishing and voids. This is achieved by providing pad or blade type objects mounted on cylindrical anodes or rollers and applying the conductive material to the substrate using the electrolyte solution disposed on or through the pads, or on the blades. In one embodiment of the invention, the pad or blade type objects are mounted on the cylindrical anodes and rotated about a first axis while the workpiece may be stationary or rotate about a second axis, and metal from the electrolyte solution is deposited on the workpiece when a potential difference is applied between the workpiece and the anode. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plating apparatus includes an anode plate spaced apart from the cathode workpiece.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for processing credit for a contactless smart card is disclosed. In one step, the contactless smart card is uniquely recognized at a first location. The contactless smart card is capable of recording the credit or debit that affects a stored value associated with the contactless smart card. A notice that a credit or a debit is destined for the contactless smart card is received. It is determined and reported that the credit or debit was not properly recorded to affect the stored value on the contactless smart card. The reporting is away from the first location. An indication that the credit or debit should be loaded if the contactless smart card is encountered at the second location is received. The contactless smart card is uniquely recognized at the second location. The credit or debit is automatically loaded onto the contactless smart card at the second location to affect the stored value of the contactless smart card.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically loading a pre-selected value onto a fare card allows a patron to enter or leave a transit system gate without having to add a fare value at a vending machine. The automatic loading provides added convenience and security for the patron. The vehicle for the automatically-loaded value is either a credit card that is pre-authorized for use by the patron, or the patron's available benefits. The automatic loading process may be utilized to autoload values of benefits only, or to load values from a combination of benefits and credit card transactions. The pre-selected autoload value is loaded onto the fare card at the gate before confirmation that the credit card transaction is authorized. The gate sends a message to a transit central computer that an autoload has occurred. The central computer determines whether benefits are available to fill the request, and forwards a request for the difference to a credit processing company.

Abstract: A method applying a thermal barrier coating to a metal substrate, or for repairing a thermal barrier coating previously applied by physical vapor deposition to an underlying aluminide diffusion coating that overlays the metal substrate. The aluminide diffusion coating is treated to make it more receptive to adherence of a plasma spray-applied overlay alloy bond coat layer. An overlay alloy bond coat material is then plasma sprayed on the treated aluminide diffusion coating to form an overlay alloy bond coat layer. A ceramic thermal barrier coating material is plasma sprayed on the overlay alloy bond coat layer to form the thermal barrier coating. In the repair embodiment of this method, the physical vapor deposition-applied thermal barrier coating is initially removed from the underlying aluminide diffusion coating.