Abstract: A high spectral purity swept local oscillator including a tracking filter. The output of a swept DDS oscillator may be improved by filtering it with a band-pass filter having an adjustable center frequency, which is adjusted in real time to track the instantaneous frequency of the DDS oscillator. The tracking may be accomplished by comparing, using a phase comparator, the phase at the output of the band-pass filter to the phase at its input, and feeding back to the frequency control input of the band-pass filter a signal corresponding to the phase difference measured by the phase comparator.

Abstract: Embodiments of a synchronous data system and method for generating phase-aligned output data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the synchronous data system includes a plurality of transmitter-receiver (TX-RX) pairs, each associated with a delay-locked loop (DLL) and arranged to generate corresponding output data stream based on a high-speed clock of the associated TX-RX pair. The DLL associated with each TX-RX pair is a phase-shifter DLL that includes an adjustable phase shifter arranged to minimize the phase error between the system clock and the module clock to edge-align the high-speed clocks of each TX-RX pair.

Abstract: Embodiments of a synchronous data system and method for generating phase-aligned output data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the synchronous data system includes a plurality of transmitter-receiver (TX-RX) pairs, each associated with a delay-locked loop (DLL) and arranged to generate corresponding output data stream based on a high-speed clock of the associated TX-RX pair. The DLL associated with each TX-RX pair is a phase-shifter DLL that includes an adjustable phase shifter arranged to minimize the phase error between the system clock and the module clock to edge-align the high-speed clocks of each TX-RX pair.

Abstract: An auto-detection system and method for a network transceiver that allows the network transceiver to switch from a first rate mode to a second rate mode automatically. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an error counter, coupled to a receive input of the network transceiver, that accumulates a count of code violations while the network transceiver is operating in the first rate mode and (2) mode-switching circuitry, coupled to the error counter, that switches the network transceiver to the second rate mode when the count reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system is provided implementing an extremely high speed link allowing selection of either twisted pair (or like media) and fiber media in a single local area network to provide a high speed multimedia local area network. A high speed transmission link for twisted pair, coaxial cable media or the like is provided including a transmitter with a conversion device for receiving fiber optic data interface signals intended to drive a fiber optic data interface and for converting said fiber optic data interface signals into high speed transmission link signals of a form suitable to drive a shielded twisted pair medium. A receiver is provided including reconversion apparatus for regenerating the signal received from the shielded twisted pair medium back to an adequate signal level. The transmitter conversion device includes a buffer cooperating with an equalizer and a filter for forming the high speed transmission link signal.

Abstract: A system is provided implementing an extremely high speed link allowing selection of either twisted pair (or like media) and fiber media in to provide a high speed multimedia local area network. A high speed transmission link for twisted pair, coaxial cable media or the like includes a transmitter with a conversion device for receiving fiber optic data interface signals intended to drive a fiber optic data interface and for converting these fiber optic data interface signals into high speed transmission link signals of a form suitable to drive a twisted pair medium. A receiver is provided and includes a reconversion device for regenerating the signal received from the twisted pair medium back to an adequate signal level. The transmitter conversion device includes a buffer cooperating with an equalizer and a filter for forming the high speed transmission link signal. The equalizer provides frequency domain compensation for the characteristics of the twisted pair medium.

Abstract: A method of repairing damages in a superalloy component is disclosed wherein existing brazed joints and protective coatings are not harmed. The method entails the use of a silicon-free metal mixture comprising (i) a low melting alloy having a liquidus below the temperature to be used to deposit the metal mixture, (ii) an alloy melting above about 2100.degree. F., and (iii) optionally nickel. The resultant repair has a solidus temperature of at least 1950.degree. F., preferably at least 2000.degree..

Abstract: A welding head 10 for coupling a welding electrode 12 to a source of electrical current. The welding head includes a housing 30 and an electrically conductive shaft 18 rotatably mounted with the housing. The shaft has a substantially circular cylindrical shape having a first end surface for mounting a welding electrode thereto and a second, substantially flat, opposing end surface 20. The welding head further includes an electrical coupler in contact with the second substantially flat end surface of the shaft for coupling electrical current into the shaft. The electrical coupler includes an electrical conductor having a first end coupled to a source of welding power and an electrically conductive contact plate 22 having a substantially flat surface in contact with the second substantially flat end surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A silicon-free metal powder mixture suitable for filling holes, slots and widegap joints in high temperature superalloys and/or for reforming damaged or missing surface extensions thereof, and capable of being processed at a temperature of about 2000.degree. F. The semi-solid metal mixture has a sufficiently high surface tension and viscosity to be essentially non-flowing at the processing temperature so that it retains its applied shape and location without flowing during processing. The metal mixture after processing has a solidus temperature of at least 1950.degree. F.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the removal of undesirable oxides from the surface of nickel-base or nickel-iron base alloys containing oxidizable aluminum and/or titanium prior to brazing. The alloy is heated in air at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to form on the alloy surface a bilayered film comprised of a first oxide top layer containing at least titanium or aluminum and a second layer beneath the first comprised of the alloy composition substantially depleted of aluminum and/or titanium. The surface of the alloy is cleaned to remove the first oxide layer whereupon the remaining surface is in condition for brazing.

Abstract: Fabrication techniques for making nickel boron stranded wire braze preforms are described. The techniques involve the provision of the wire material in a stranded form having a large surface to volume ratio. This general form consists of a plurality of fine wires, having the desired cross-sectional area, which may be twisted or braided to produce the preform.

Abstract: A method for remanufacturing turbine vane clusters of gas turbine engines is disclosed. Concepts and techniques for salvaging undamaged vanes from a damaged vane cluster are developed. In accordance with the method taught, protective coatings on the vane clusters are removed and residual stresses in the vanes are relieved before salvageable vanes are separated from their original vane cluster.