Abstract: A rotor disc, such as one made of a damage intolerant material or other material sensitive to stress concentrations, has at least one balancing assembly which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart sacrificial protrusions projecting between adjacent stress-relieving slots. Selective material removal is permitted from the rotor disc, while managing stress concentrations in the rotor disc created by such material removal, such that the rotor disc may be balanced without detrimentally affecting its service life.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing equation-level diagnostic error messages for system models undergoing circuit simulations is discussed. The components in a model of a system being simulated are converted into multiple numerical equations where each equation corresponds to a component in the system being simulated or a topology equation for the system model. Each numerical equation is numerically analyzed in order to identify illegal configurations in the system. Upon detection of an error, an error message listing the components associated with the illegal configuration is generated for the user.

Abstract: A process for making a prefastened and refastenable pant includes providing a plurality of discrete articles having side panels and waist regions including an activatable retractive material. The side panels can be folded parallel to a longitudinal centerline to overlap at least portions of first and second fastening components. The fastening components are then engaged to form a prefastened and refastenable pant. The retractive material can be activated subsequent to engagement of the fastening components, or subsequent to obtaining position control of the side panels, to provide the pant with a waistband-to-hip circumference ratio of about 95 percent or less. The prefastened and refastenable pant and apparatus for its manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method characterizes field of view (FOV) distortion and may correct machine vision measurements accordingly. A plurality of distorted images are acquired, with the same calibration target at a plurality of spaced-apart locations within the FOV. The method analyzes the images and determines distortion parameters that can correct the distortions in the images such that features included in the calibration target pattern achieve a sufficient or optimum degree of congruence between the various images. Distortion parameters may be determined for each optical configuration (e.g., lens combination, magnification, etc.) that is used by a machine vision inspection system. The distortion parameters may then be used to correct FOV distortion errors in subsequent inspection and measurement operations.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to heat exchangers, and more specifically to graphitic foam (GF) heat exchanger assemblies developed for a plurality of thermal management applications including the management of heat from electronic components, primary engine cooling and energy recovery. According to certain embodiments, these assemblies are designed using a pressure normal to the GF exchange element to ensure thermal contact without the use of bonding materials or methods. The bondless assembly is designed to be resistant to high thermal stresses and large thermal expansion coefficient differences thereby achieving and maintaining the highest possible thermal performance.

Abstract: An electrostatic clamp is provided having a clamping plate, wherein the clamping plate has a central region and an annulus region. A plurality of gas supply orifices are defined in the central region of the clamping plate, wherein the plurality of gas supply orifices are in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply, and wherein the pressurized gas supply is configured to provide a cushion of gas between the clamping surface and the workpiece in the central region of the clamping plate via the plurality of gas supply orifices. One or more gas return orifices defined in one or more of the central region and annulus region of the clamping plate, wherein the one or more gas return orifices are in fluid communication with a vacuum source, therein generally defining an exhaust path for the cushion of gas.

Abstract: A pant has a garment shell. The garment shell includes a front region, a back region, a contracted crotch region, side seams connecting the front region to the back region, two leg openings, and hanging legs. At least a portion of each of the front region, the back region, the contracted crotch region and the hanging legs include portions of a single flat web. The hanging legs include no elasticization around a full periphery of the leg openings and are adapted to hang loosely about a wearer's thigh.

Abstract: A photoelectric encoder has a telecentric optical system in which a first lens and an aperture located at a focal position of the first lens are interposed between a main scale and a photoreceptor. At least a second lens is interposed between the aperture and the photoreceptor with a focus of the second lens on the aperture, thereby constituting a bilateral telecentric optical system. This makes it possible to improve the signal detection efficiency and increase the assembly tolerance.

Abstract: A method and system for internally determining, within a welding power supply, the energy input into a weld during a welding operation. The method includes determining a total energy input into the weld during a first time period, and determining a length of the weld made during the first time period.

Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus, system, and method are provided for connecting and disconnecting a workpiece holder from a scan arm. A twist head is provided, wherein an electrostatic chuck is operable to be mounted, wherein one or more rotating and non-rotating members associated with one or more of the twist head and electrostatic chuck have one or more dynamic electrical and fluid rotary connections associated therewith. The electrostatic chuck is further operable to be removed from the twist head without disconnecting the one or more dynamic fluid seals.

Abstract: A method for determining the positional laydown accuracy of an automated lamination machine during fabrication of a multiple layered part is described. The method includes measuring a position of a placement head of the lamination machine in a coordinate system, determining a location of a ply edge with respect to the placement head, transforming the location of the ply edge into the coordinate system, based on the measured head position, transforming the location of the ply edge from the coordinate system into a second coordinate system that is associated with the part being fabricated, and comparing actual ply edge location in the second coordinate system to an expected ply edge location defined in the second coordinate system, the second coordinate system associated with the part being fabricated, to determine the laydown accuracy of the machine.

Abstract: A reference mark configuration for an interferometric miniature grating encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels is provided. The readhead includes “primary” fibers that provide reference mark primary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 0.2 microns. The readhead may include “secondary” fibers used to generate reference mark secondary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 20 nanometers. Spatial filter masks configured for the secondary fiber optic receiver channels provide two spatially periodic secondary signals arising from interference fringes outside of the receiving area of the primary fiber optic receiver channels. The secondary signals are out of phase with one another and their spatial frequency is higher than that of the primary signals. A signal crossing of the reference mark secondary signals is identified that is spatially adjacent to a signal crossing of the reference mark primary reference signals.

Abstract: The disease resistant ‘AU Encore’ seguin offers food availability for wildlife over an extended period. A single plant drops nuts for a 2–3 month period (September 27–November 30). Nut size varies with season and the average weight is between 2 and 3 grams. The plant does not bloom until mid-May, therefore late spring frosts do not damage the flowers. In most seasons, the ‘AU Encore’ seguin cultivar will have 2–3 flushes of vegetative growth. The nut quality is similar to the Chinese chestnut in that it is high in starch and sugar (40–42%) and low in fats. ‘AU Encore’ seguin is an excellent companion cultivar for ‘AU Premier’ seguin since the major nut drop for ‘AU Encore’ seguin occurs after the major nut drop period of ‘AU Premier’ seguin.

Abstract: ‘AU Buck II’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is blight resistant, precocious and prolific. It produces a large nut. Nut drop begins about September 15 and continues for a 6–7 week period. A large percentage of the nuts drop during the first three weeks after the beginning of nut drop. ‘AU Buck II’ nuts mature and start dropping during the early phase of the normal ripening period that most Chinese chestnut cultivars mature and drop nuts in the area. ‘AU Buck II’ is a large tree that was 9.14 meters tall, with a canopy area of 101.36 square meters at 15-years of age. ‘AU Buck II’ is the second cultivar to mature and drop nuts in a series of four Chinese chestnut cultivars that will provide for a continuous nut drop of a high energy wildlife food source from late August through mid-to-late November.

Abstract: ‘AU Buck III’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is blight resistant, precocious and an annual bearer. It produces a medium to heavy crop load each year and a medium sized nut. Nut drop begins about September 25 and continues for a 4–5 week period. A large percentage of the nuts drop during the first three weeks of the period that nuts drop from this cultivar. ‘AU Buck III’ is a small to medium sized tree that is round in shape with low, dense, and spreading branches that was 6.71 meters tall, with a canopy covering an area of 41.85 square meters at 20 years old. ‘AU Buck III’ is the third cultivar to mature and drop nuts in a series of four Chinese chestnut cultivars that will provide for a continuous nut drop of a high energy wildlife food source from late August through mid-to-late November.

Abstract: ‘AU Gobbler II’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is precocious and produces a medium to large crop annually of small nuts that mature early and start dropping about September 4. Nut drop continues for a 4 to 5 week period. The nuts mature and start dropping 2-3 weeks before most cultivars. The early nut drop and small nut size of ‘AU Gobbler II’ makes it ideal for use as a food source for turkey and other wildlife. ‘AU Gobbler II’ is an excellent companion cultivar to ‘AU Gobbler I’ as nut drop begins about 10 days after nut drop of ‘AU Gobbler I’ and extends the season of available food supply for wildlife. The major nut drop period of ‘AU Gobbler II’ occurs after the major nut drop period of ‘AU Gobbler I’.

Abstract: The disease resistant ‘AU Premier’ seguin offers food availability for wildlife over an extended period. A single plant drops nuts for a 2-3 month period. Nut size varies with season and the average weight is between 1 and 1.5 grams. The plant does not bloom until mid-May, therefore late spring frosts do not damage the flowers. In most seasons, the ‘AU Premier’ seguin cultivar will have 2-3 flushes of vegetative growth. The nut quality is similar to the Chinese chestnut in that it is high in starch and sugar (40-42%) and low in fats. ‘AU Premier’ seguin begins to drop its crop of medium sized nuts about September 8 and nut drop continues until mid-November. ‘AU Premier’ seguin is an excellent companion cultivar for ‘AU Encore’ seguin since the major nut drop for ‘AU Premier’ seguin occurs before the major nut drop period of ‘AU Encore’ seguin.

Abstract: ‘AU Buck I’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is precocious, produces a large crop annually of small to medium sized nuts that mature early and the nuts start dropping about August 28. Nut drop continues for a 4-5 week period. The nuts mature and start dropping 3-4 weeks before most cultivars. The early nut drop and small to medium nut size of ‘AU Buck I’ make it ideal for use as a food source for wildlife. ‘AU Buck I’ is a medium to tall tree with a height of 8.53 meters and a smaller canopy area (62.74 square feet) than most Chinese chestnut trees. ‘AU Buck I’ is the first cultivar to mature and drop nuts in a series of four Chinese chestnut cultivars that will provide for a continuous nut drop of a high energy wildlife food source from late August through mid-to-late November.

Abstract: ‘AU Buck IV’ is a new and distinct Chinese chestnut cultivar that is blight resistant, precocious and an annual bearer. It produces a medium to heavy crop load each year and a large sized nut. Nut drop begins about October 10 and continues for a 5-6 week period. A high percentage of nuts produced drop during the first 4 weeks of the period that nuts drop from this cultivar. ‘AU Buck IV’ is a small tree that is broadly elliptic in shape with high, upright to spreading and diffuse branches that was 8.23 meters tall with a canopy covering an area of 30.19 square meters at 15 years old. ‘AU Buck IV’ is the fourth cultivar to mature and drop nuts in a series of four Chinese chestnut cultivars that will provide for a continuous nut drop of a high energy wildlife food source from late August through mid-to-late November.