Abstract: An electroslag-cold hearth (ESCH) system for refining or producing a desired metal or metal alloy is described. The system includes at least one cold hearth vessel capable of holding a pool of molten liquid metal and an overlying slag layer, and an ingot mold laterally off-set from the cold hearth. A source of raw material, e.g., a feed electrode, is positioned above the cold hearth, and fed into the molten slag in a refining operation. A flow-over dam separates the ingot mold from the cold hearth, preventing the flow of inclusions and other foreign bodies into the ingot mold. In some instances, a non-consumable electrode provides additional thermal energy to the slag. In the production operation, the metal source can be a salt from which the desired metal can be electrochemically extracted. Related methods for refining or producing metals such as titanium alloys are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates unique lighting technologies, switching systems, mounting systems, information delivery systems and power supply systems within a vehicular wheel to provide an advanced, high quality visual display apparatus. These technologies, and their many unique applications, provide for a novel and useful series of video display devices that are small, lightweight, efficient and have the capability of producing a clear, bright, high definition image that is equivalent to that of a modern day TV or high quality computer monitor.

Abstract: A method of making a permanent magnet body is provided. The method includes providing a first precursor body comprising a plurality of blocks and magnetizing the first precursor body to form a first permanent magnet body. A recoil magnetization pulse may be applied to the permanent magnet body after the magnetization. The precursor body may be heated during magnetization. A power supply containing a battery may be used to energize a pulsed magnet used to magnetize the precursor body.

Abstract: A multi-filament superconducting wire in which the filaments comprise zirconia-stabilized ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn. The superconducting wire is formed by wire-drawing a preform comprising a metallic matrix and at least one niobium alloy rod having zirconium and oxygen in solid solution and heat treating the drawn wire in the presence of tin to yield at least one continuous filament comprising ultra-fine grain Nb3Sn having semi-coherent ZrO2 precipitates disposed therein. The ZrO2 precipitates serve to stabilize the ultra-fine grain microstructure of the Nb3Sn at temperatures up to 1100° C. and allows Nb3Sn to maintain the ultra-fine grain microstructure when heat treated at temperatures that are greater than those previously used. By using higher temperatures to form Nb3Sn, the time required for heat treatment can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates unique lighting technologies, switching systems, mounting systems, information delivery systems and power supply systems within a vehicular wheel to provide an advanced, high quality visual display apparatus. These technologies, and their many unique applications, provide for a novel and useful series of video display devices that are small, lightweight, efficient and have the capability of producing a clear, bright, high definition image that is equivalent to that of a modern day TV or high quality computer monitor.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that provide a centralized model to assign, monitor, and manage security on home electronic devices. A three-dimensional security matrix uses a role-based model that allows users to map security into groupings. Users can be assigned security levels based on application role (what activity is involved), user role (what each family member or guest is allowed to do), and device role (what this device is allowed to do while preserving system integrity). An authorization service determines whether a particular activity requested by the user should be granted or denied based upon whether the user has authorization to access the particular activity and whether the particular device can support the particular activity without comprising the security of the network.

Abstract: The present invention is an electroluminescent panel which is used in conjunction with electrical components to provide illumination for the components. The invention comprises an electroluminescent panel which is powered by a power supply located within an electrical component. The power supply includes an electrical voltage inverter and a power source. The electroluminescent panel is positioned on top of the electrical component. A mesh grill and/or cover could be positioned on top of the panel. Mean are provided for the rapid interchange of the panels without the need for tools.

Abstract: Monitoring of service provider performance is improved by providing detailed instructions for evaluating metrics relating to categories in which the service provider's performance is to be measured. Such instructions describe the metrics in sufficient detail such that they can be evaluated by a monitoring component without having to obtain monitoring data from the service provider, thereby decreasing the level of trust that must be placed in the service provider to monitor itself. The ability to evaluate metrics independent of service provider monitoring data further reduces the size of code which must be generated for the service provider and the number of tasks which must be performed by the service provider, thereby decreasing operating expenses and freeing up resources for other aspects of the service provider's operations.

Abstract: The invention provides for authorization of devices entering a network. A new device entering a network sends an authorization request. Another device in the network may receive the request and display a User Interface (UI) which prompts the user to approve the device. The user can use a device identifier provided by the new device in approving the new device. Assuming the identifier provided by the new device matches an identifier accessible by the authorizing device, the user authorizes the new device. A key is then generated for the new device, which allows access to an appropriate range of network services. Authorization decisions can be synchronized among the various devices in a network, so even if an authorizing device leaves the network, the new device key can be validated. A security service can be replicated in a new device once the device is authorized to access the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wirelessly transferring automotive usage data from a vehicle electrical infrastructure to a remote site. The system includes a data recorder in operable communication with the vehicle electrical infrastructure, a mass storage unit in operable communication with the data recorder, and a communication module coupled to the mass storage device. The data recorder is configured to retrieve the automotive usage data from the vehicle electrical infrastructure. The mass storage unit is configured to store the automotive usage data. The communication module is configured to wirelessly transmit the automotive usage data to the remote site.

Abstract: Described is a system and method that separates a managed code runtime library or program into four parts, comprising a header, resources, metadata and method implementations. The metadata and some or all of the resources are maintained in system memory (RAM) the entire time that the program is running. The method implementations and any non-maintained resources are loaded on demand, and then discarded such as via garbage collection. The amount of memory consumed by a managed code program is thus reduced relative to non-separated environments, but because the metadata and selected resources are in memory, the program execution is highly efficient due to significantly reduced access of data in non-volatile storage. The parts of the assembly that are maintained in RAM can be saved as code library files, providing shared use by programs and efficient loading by eliminating any need to again parse a program to identify the separate parts.

Abstract: A stationary CT system comprising at least one annular x ray source assembly comprising a plurality of respective x ray sources spaced along the annular x ray source assembly. Each of the x ray sources comprises a respective stationary x ray target, an electron beam focusing chamber; an x ray channel; an electron beam source disposed in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the respective stationary x ray target; a vacuum chamber disposed in between the electron beam focusing chamber and an insulating chamber where the insulating chamber houses the electron beam source; a radiation window at a pre-defined angular displacement from the respective stationary x ray target and the x ray channel; and a target substrate attached to the respective stationary x ray target.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates unique lighting technologies, switching systems, mounting systems, information delivery systems and power supply systems within a vehicular wheel to provide an advanced, high quality visual display apparatus. These technologies, and their many unique applications, provide for a novel and useful series of video display devices that are small, lightweight, efficient and have the capability of producing a clear, bright, high definition image that is equivalent to that of a modern day TV or high quality computer monitor.

Abstract: Automated, custom mold manufacture for a part begins by creating and storing a collection of information of standard tool geometries and surface profiles machinable by each of the standard tool geometries. A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which an independent of the shape of the part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided including providing at least one magnet positioned between a keeper device and a yoke, the keeper device being positioned at a pole region of the at least one magnet, positioning at least one pole device at the pole region of the at least one magnet, and removing the keeper device from the pole region to allow the at least one pole device to be positioned at the pole region of the at least one magnet.

Abstract: A stationary CT system comprising at least one annular x ray source assembly comprising a plurality of respective x ray sources spaced along the annular x ray source assembly. Each of the x ray sources comprises a respective stationary x ray target, an electron beam focusing chamber; an x ray channel; an electron beam source disposed in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the respective stationary x ray target; a vacuum chamber disposed in between the electron beam focusing chamber and an insulating chamber where the insulating chamber houses the electron beam source; a radiation window at a pre-defined angular displacement from the respective stationary x ray target and the x ray channel; and a target substrate attached to the respective stationary x ray target.

Abstract: A system for separating biomolecules by electrophoretic separation including a first separation barrier having a defined molecular mass cut-off disposed in the first electric field area, a first restriction barrier disposed between a first cathode zone and a first separation barrier so as to define a first interstitial volume therebetween, a second restriction barrier disposed between the first anode zone and the first separation barrier so as to define a second interstitial volume therebetween, and a pumping means to provide a sample constituent in a selected one of the first interstitial and second interstitial volumes wherein upon application of the first voltage potential, a selected separation product is removed from the sample constituent through the first separation barrier and provided to the other of the first and second interstitial volumes.

Abstract: A method for separating components from plasma, the method comprising (I) separating the plasma into a first and second component, the first component comprising an albumin/?-1-antirypsin pool and the second component comprising plasma containing components having a molecular mass greater than albumin; (II) treating the second component to form an immunoglobulins concentrate containing immunoglobulins substantially free from components having a molecular mass less than immunoglobulins; (III) treating the immunoglobulins concentrate to remove components having a molecular mass greater than immunoglobulins; and (IV) separating albumin and ?-1-antitrypsin from the albumin/?-1-antitrypsin pool.