Abstract: This application provides for flexible load bearing connectors (FLBCs) systems and methods and for monitoring, reporting, and responding to the performance and/or health of the FLBC. The system provided is an instrumented FLBC that can at least one of sense, record, report, react to and/or otherwise make use of performance and/or health information of the FLBC. The performance and/or health information can include any information related to movement (such as displacements and/or relative motions) of the FLBC and/or the system components the FLBC joins together and/or loads, vibrations, shocks, and environmental exposures the FLBC receives, transmits, supports, and/or experiences.

Abstract: A non-contacting torquemeter capable of measuring torque in a rotating shaft with improved accuracy in the presence of relative motion between a rotating shaft and a transducer assembly is provided. The non-contacting torquemeter has improved robustness and reliability, and is able to self-calibrate. The non-contacting torquemeter is able to provide accurate torque measurements using a single transducer assembly positioned at a single azimuthal position on a rotating shaft.

Abstract: Motion control bearings and methods making such with the capability to monitor properties therein is provided. Devices and methods for creating and using motion control bearings for rotary wing aircraft in particular are disclosed using wireless communication and monitoring of multiple load, motion and health related information items related to the bearing and blade at the wing hub. Static and dynamic blade orientation provides additional information on flight regime, thrust vectors, and gross vehicle weight. Power is provided using kinetic energy power harvesting.

Abstract: A non-contacting torquemeter capable of measuring torque in a rotating shaft with improved accuracy in the presence of relative motion between a rotating shaft and a transducer assembly is provided. The non-contacting torquemeter has improved robustness and reliability, and is able to self-calibrate. The non-contacting torquemeter is able to provide accurate torque measurements using a single transducer assembly positioned at a single azimuthal position on a rotating shaft.

Abstract: A method for making a diaphragm is provided. The method includes providing a first ring (305) having a first diameter and a second ring (307) having a second diameter which is greater than said first diameter, wherein at least one of said first and second rings comprises a first elastomeric material; and overmolding the first and second rings with a second material (303) which is distinct from said first material, thereby forming a diaphragm (301).

Abstract: The Exhaustive Parameter Search (EPS) algorithm of this invention enables communicating devices to access to a large variety of NAND Flash memories. The EPS algorithm exploits the fact that the parameters needed for successful initial communication with NAND Flash memory (block Size and page Size) have only few possible values. The EPS algorithm tries all possible values to find a magic number stored in the NAND Flash memory. The correct parameters for the particular NAND Flash memory are read after detection of the magic number. This ensures that accurate parameters are used after successful detection of the magic number detection. The OEM must write the known parameters of the NAND Flash memory in a predetermined location following the magic number.

Abstract: Motion control bearings and methods making such with the capability to monitor properties therein is provided. Devices and methods for creating and using motion control bearings for rotary wing aircraft in particular are disclosed using wireless communication and monitoring of multiple load, motion and health related information items related to the bearing and blade at the wing hub. Static and dynamic blade orientation provides additional information on flight regime, thrust vectors, and gross vehicle weight. Power is provided using kinetic energy power harvesting.

Abstract: The Exhaustive Parameter Search (EPS) algorithm of this invention enables communicating devices to access to a large variety of NAND Flash memories. The EPS algorithm exploits the fact that the parameters needed for successful initial communication with NAND Flash memory (block Size and page Size) have only few possible values. The EPS algorithm tries all possible values to find a magic number stored in the NAND Flash memory. The correct parameters for the particular NAND Flash memory are read after detection of the magic number. This ensures that accurate parameters are used after successful detection of the magic number detection. The OEM must write the known parameters of the NAND Flash memory in a predetermined location following the magic number.

Abstract: A reconfigurable processor includes a processor core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes and includes a plurality of input/output pins in addition to a plurality of functional input/output blocks. These functional blocks allow the processing core to interface with the plurality of input/output pins, each of the functional input/output blocks having an associated and predetermined functionality. This functionality comprises the output as a function of the input, the function defined by the functionality. Each of the functional input/output blocks has a requirement for a defined number of the plurality of input/output pins wherein the total of the defined number for all of the plurality of functional input/output blocks exceeds the number of the plurality of input/output pins and wherein the processor core is interfaced with one of the input or output of each of the functional blocks.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a processing core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. A plurality of comparators perform compare operations within the integrated circuit package. At least one control register is associated with each of the plurality of comparators, and each of the plurality of comparators are software programmable to control a hysteresis of the comparators responsive to control bits established in the at least one control register of the comparator by the processing core. An amount of positive hysteresis is programmed via a first group of the control bits and an amount of negative hysteresis is programmed via a second group of the control bits.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a processing core and an internal oscillator. The processing core operates on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. The internal oscillator provides a system clock for the integrated circuit package. The internal oscillator has associated therewith an internal control register for controlling the operation of the internal oscillator responsive to control bits of the internal oscillator controlled by the processing core.

Abstract: A method for converting analog data to digital data includes operating an analog-to-digital data converter in a tracking mode to sample an input signal and in a convert mode to convert the sampled input signal after sampling to a digital signal. The analog-to-digital data converter is controlled with a controller to operate in different modes of operation by providing at least one step wherein the tracking mode of operation is controlled to initiate at a predetermined time to begin the sampling operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in some embodiments for recording, storage and replay of captured video from a surgical navigation system, a fluoroscopic imaging system, or an integrated fluoroscopy and navigation system. In some embodiments, full resolution video data is captured in an acquisition buffer and is available for replay and storage.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a centrifugal turbine engine. The engine includes an engine block with a raceway comprising an inner diameter, a compression ramp, and an exhaust ramp and a rotor disposed within the engine block such that the rotor rotates within the inner diameter of the engine block. The rotor includes a plurality of vanes attached to the rotor such that the vanes retract as each vane sweeps across the compression ramp and the exhaust ramp and extend as each vane passes the compression ramp and the exhaust ramp. The extension is restricted such that the vane does not contact the inner diameter of the engine block during at least a portion of a combustion stroke. Beneficially, the engine is more efficient and reliable than existing engines.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling exposure for medical imaging devices is provided. The method includes varying the exposure level of X-rays within an X-ray imaging system to generate a plurality of images having different exposure levels and combining the plurality of images in an additive process to form a single X-ray image.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a dynamic power management system. The system includes a power input providing power to an imaging system, measurement unit(s) for measuring current and/or voltage in the imaging system, and a power management controller allocating available power among components in the imaging system. The power management controller may allow a battery to charge at a maximum rate based on current used by the imaging system components. The measurement unit(s) may measure a voltage and a current for the power provided to the imaging system. The power management controller may control current drawn by the imaging system components. The system may also include a limit sensor for detecting when current consumption exceeds a certain limit. Additionally, the system may include at least one switching unit controlled by the power management controller. The switching unit(s) control an amount of power routed to imaging system components.

Abstract: A matrix of routing cells forming a cross-bar decoder (70). Signal triplets (84, 86, 88) coupled to the cross-bar decoder (70) are assigned a priority. A register (50) provide outputs to the cross-bar decoder (70) to either activate or deactivate routing of the triplet signals (84, 86,88) through the cross-bar decoder (70). The routing cells (72-82) are arranged in a matrix of columns and rows, where the triplet signals are applied to the row routing cells (72, 74, 76) and are extracted at the column routing cells (76, 80, 82). When a routing cell in a row is enabled to couple signals to an output, it disables all other lower priority routing cells in its column so that they cannot route signals to that output. Based on the automatic disabling of routing cells by others, the signals ripple through the cross-bar decoder (70) until all high priority I/O pins are used.