Abstract: Acoustic imaging artifacts produced by imaging systems and devices can be reduced or eliminated by including a multisink medium in the systems or devices. The multisink material can be disposed between an acoustically reflective component of the imaging system or device and an ultrasound transducer of the imaging system or device. Inclusion of a multisink medium that is thermally conductive and acoustically non-conductive can reduce acoustic imaging artifacts while maintaining or improving heat management within imaging systems and devices.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 log splitter (1) for coupling to a dipper arm (2) of an earth working machine comprises a support element (3) and an anvil (5) extending perpendicularly from the support element (3). A splitting element (6) is slideable longitudinally along the support element (3) from a receiving state spaced apart from and defining with the anvil (5) an open mouth (9) for receiving a log, and a splitting state adjacent the anvil (5) for splitting the log. A primary ram (7) coupled between the splitting element (6) and a mounting bracket (20) extending from the support element (3) urges the splitting element (6) between the receiving and splitting states.