Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an aerosol that has an ultrafast pneumatic, shutter. The flow of aerosol through the entire deposition flow path is surrounded by at least one sheath gas, thereby greatly increasing reliability. The distance between the aerosol switching chamber and a reverse gas flow chamber input is minimized to reduce switching time. The distance from the switching chamber to the nozzle exit is also minimized to reduce switching time. The gas flows in the system are configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the system, and consequently substantially constant flow rates through the deposition nozzle and exhaust nozzle, to minimize on/off switching times. This enables the system to have a switching time of less than 10 ms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an aerosol that has an ultrafast pneumatic, shutter. The flow of aerosol through the entire deposition flow path is surrounded by at least one sheath gas, thereby greatly increasing reliability. The distance between the aerosol switching chamber and a reverse gas flow chamber input is minimized to reduce switching time. The distance from the switching chamber to the nozzle exit is also minimized to reduce switching time. The gas flows in the system are configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the system, and consequently substantially constant flow rates through the deposition nozzle and exhaust nozzle, to minimize on/off switching times. This enables the system to have a switching time of less than 10 ms.

Abstract: A pipeline AC mitigation SSD Marker Station has a shape and land surface area footprint that are similar to conventional pipeline location markers or corrosion test stations. The SSD Marker Station includes an SSD device that connects an underground metallic pipeline to an underground grounding conductor. The SSD Marker Station further includes a disconnect switch configured to disconnect the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding conductor. Also included is a pair of testing ports that are in electrical communication with the SSD device. Testing of the SSD device thereby requires only operating the disconnect switch to isolate the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding connector and performing an electrical measurement across the testing ports. In embodiments, the SSD Marker Station meets all requirements applicable to a pipeline location marker, and can be installed in lieu of a pipeline location marker.

Abstract: A pipeline AC mitigation SSD Marker Station has a shape and land surface area footprint that are similar to conventional pipeline location markers or corrosion test stations. The SSD Marker Station includes an SSD device that connects an underground metallic pipeline to an underground grounding conductor. The SSD Marker Station further includes a disconnect switch configured to disconnect the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding conductor. Also included is a pair of testing ports that are in electrical communication with the SSD device. Testing of the SSD device thereby requires only operating the disconnect switch to isolate the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding connector and performing an electrical measurement across the testing ports. In embodiments, the SSD Marker Station meets all requirements applicable to a pipeline location marker, and can be installed in lieu of a pipeline location marker.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber for delivering optical radiation having a wavelength, the mode mixing optical fiber having an input end, an output end, a centerline and a refractive index profile, the mode mixing optical fiber comprising: an innermost core, the innermost core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the innermost core, wherein the mode mixing optical fiber has at least five modes at the wavelength, and wherein the mode mixing optical fiber is configured to distribute a fraction of the light input at its input end from its lower-order modes to its higher-order modes.

Abstract: A steering assembly including a handle portion, the handle portion having a first screw with a first helical thread and a second screw with a second helical thread, the first and second threads being in opposite directions, and an actuator with an outer surface adapted to be actuated by a user, the actuator in operable communication with the first and second screws, wherein actuation of the actuator cause axial movement of the first screw in a first direction, and causes axial movement of the second screw in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber for delivering optical radiation having a wavelength, the mode mixing optical fiber having an input end, an output end, a centerline and a refractive index profile, the mode mixing optical fiber comprising: an innermost core, the innermost core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the innermost core, wherein the mode mixing optical fiber has at least five modes at the wavelength, and wherein the mode mixing optical fiber is configured to distribute a fraction of the light input at its input end from its lower-order modes to its higher-order modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber for delivering optical radiation having a wavelength, the mode mixing optical fiber having an input end, an output end, a centerline and a refractive index profile, the mode mixing optical fiber comprising: an innermost core, the innermost core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the innermost core, wherein the mode mixing optical fiber has at least five modes at the wavelength, and wherein the mode mixing optical fiber is configured to distribute a fraction of the light input at its input end from its lower-order modes to its higher-order modes.

Abstract: Diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices and methods that include an elongate shaft, a balloon, a plurality of electrodes carried by the balloon, and electronics to electrically connect the electrodes to a proximal end of the shaft. The devices can include a visualization system within the balloon.

Abstract: A method includes generating first and second timing signals for a level sensor, where the timing signals have a timing difference. The method also includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains a target value while a control value in a control loop of the level sensor is within defined margins. The method further includes, in response to determining that the level sensor is not able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the target value while the control value is within the defined margins, modifying the target value. In addition, the method includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the modified target value while the control value is within the defined margins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber that includes a core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the core. The core of the mode mixing optical fiber supports at least two (e.g., at least five) guided modes at the wavelength. The mode mixing optical fiber is configured to substantially distribute optical radiation having the wavelength propagating therein (e.g., input at its input end or generated or amplified within the core) among a plurality of the guided modes (e.g., to distribute a substantial fraction of the optical radiation having the wavelength propagating therein from its lower-order guided modes to its higher-order guided modes).

Abstract: A method of operating process variable transmitters configured for sensing within an industrial processing facility connected in parallel to a current loop that receives power from a common power supply. The transmitters include a power accumulator module including an energy storage device including at least one capacitor or a rechargeable battery and a sensor module including a transceiver coupled to a processor having an associated memory that stores a startup sequencing algorithm. After a fixed period of time following a startup, an initial node voltage is measured across the energy storage device. The initial node voltage is compared to a predetermined voltage, and the transmitter is placed in a low power mode when the initial node voltage is <the predetermined voltage, an at least partially random low power state time for the transmitter is set, and startup sequencing algorithm is restarted after the low power time.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal having an electromagnetic pulse towards material in a tank. The apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive a signal having multiple reflections of the pulse, including a process connector reflection. The apparatus further includes at least one processing device configured to determine a measurement associated with the material in the tank based on the received signal. To determine the measurement, the at least one processing device is configured to identify the process connector reflection in the received signal using an asymmetrical model. The transmitter, the receiver, and the at least one processing device could form at least part of an electronics assembly, and a connecting cable could couple the electronics assembly and a process connector. The asymmetrical model could have different lobes of different shapes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber that includes a core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the core. The core of the mode mixing optical fiber supports at least two (e.g., at least five) guided modes at the wavelength. The mode mixing optical fiber is configured to substantially distribute optical radiation having the wavelength propagating therein (e.g., input at its input end or generated or amplified within the core) among a plurality of the guided modes (e.g., to distribute a substantial fraction of the optical radiation having the wavelength propagating therein from its lower-order guided modes to its higher-order guided modes).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more to mode mixing optical fibers useful, for example in providing optical fiber laser outputs having a desired beam product parameter and beam profile. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a mode mixing optical fiber for delivering optical radiation having a wavelength, the mode mixing optical fiber having an input end, an output end, a centerline and a refractive index profile, the mode mixing optical fiber comprising: an innermost core, the innermost core having a refractive index profile; and a cladding disposed about the innermost core, wherein the mode mixing optical fiber has at least five modes at the wavelength, and wherein the mode mixing optical fiber is configured to distribute a fraction of the light input at its input end from its lower-order modes to its higher-order modes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal having an electromagnetic pulse towards material in a tank. The apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive a signal having multiple reflections of the pulse, including a process connector reflection. The apparatus further includes at least one processing device configured to determine a measurement associated with the material in the tank based on the received signal. To determine the measurement, the at least one processing device is configured to identify the process connector reflection in the received signal using an asymmetrical model. The transmitter, the receiver, and the at least one processing device could form at least part of an electronics assembly, and a connecting cable could couple the electronics assembly and a process connector. The asymmetrical model could have different lobes of different shapes.

Abstract: A method includes generating first and second timing signals for a level sensor, where the timing signals have a timing difference. The method also includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains a target value while a control value in a control loop of the level sensor is within defined margins. The method further includes, in response to determining that the level sensor is not able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the target value while the control value is within the defined margins, modifying the target value. In addition, the method includes determining whether the level sensor is able to generate the timing signals so that the timing difference obtains the modified target value while the control value is within the defined margins.

Abstract: The present invention provides deposition sources, systems, and related methods that can efficiently and controllably provide vaporized material for deposition of thin-film materials. The deposition sources, systems and related methods described herein can be used to deposit any desired material and are particularly useful for depositing high vapor pressure materials such as selenium in the manufacture of copper indium gallium diselenide based photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An amplitude modulated continuous wave range imaging device has a signaling device configured to emit an intensity modulated illumination signal. An image sensor is configured to capture a plurality of images of a reflection of the modulated illumination signal. The captured images include intensity and/or phase components for a plurality of pixels of the image sensor. Each pixel includes a first modulation terminal having a first capacitive component. A first driver is configured to charge a first set of modulation terminals of the plurality of pixels. A second driver is configured to charge a second set of modulation terminals of the plurality of pixels. A charge transfer circuit is connected between the first set of modulation terminals and the second set of modulation terminals. The charge transfer circuit is configured to transfer charge between the first set of modulation terminals and the second set of modulation terminals.

Abstract: A code search tool greatly reduces time, cost, and other resource expenditures associated with implementing a new application. The tool is a search, navigation and visualization tool that accepts high-level processing concepts as inputs to identify, rank, and return the code of relevant existing applications. A software developer may use the relevant applications to rapidly build prototypes, identify requirements, and develop new applications. The tool provides an efficient way to improve the reuse of application logic to realize the high-level processing concepts, and more efficiently deliver proof of concept.