Abstract: A thickness of at least one preselected portion of a substrate, such as glass substrate for example, is controlled. A laser beam is directed to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state, thereby increasing a temperature and reducing a viscosity of the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state sufficiently to cause the at least one preselected portion of the glass substrate to attain a desired thickness. The laser beam after it is generated can be directed to a reflecting surface from which the laser beam is reflected to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in the viscous state. The substrate can comprise a glass ribbon produced in a downdraw glass forming process for example, and the laser beam can be directed onto a plurality of preselected portions of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.

Abstract: A thickness of at least one preselected portion of a substrate, such as glass substrate for example, is controlled. A laser beam is directed to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state, thereby increasing a temperature and reducing a viscosity of the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in a viscous state sufficiently to cause the at least one preselected portion of the glass substrate to attain a desired thickness. The laser beam after it is generated can be directed to a reflecting surface from which the laser beam is reflected to the at least one preselected portion of the substrate in the viscous state. The substrate can comprise a glass ribbon produced in a downdraw glass forming process for example, and the laser beam can be directed onto a plurality of preselected portions of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a dual drive drilling system having a plurality of drill rods that make up a drill string and a steering element for controlling the path of the drill string. The dual drive drilling system also includes a drill bit located near the end of the drill string, a first rotational drive for controlling the rotation of a steering element, and a second rotational drive for controlling the rotation of a drill bit. Further the dual drive drilling system also includes a joystick capable of moving along a first and second axis for controlling both the first and second rotational drives, wherein the movement of the joystick along the first axis controls rotation of the first rotational drive, and the movement of the joystick along the second axis controls rotation of the second rotational drive.

Abstract: A medical aspiration apparatus for removing the contents of a subject's stomach includes a nasogastric (NG) tube having a tip structure that is less likely to be obstructed by stomach mucosa and solid particles of the stomach's contents. The apparatus also includes a flow control manifold that is capable of quickly and easily alleviating obstructions.

Abstract: An active clearance control system for a gas turbine engine includes a structural member that is configured to be arranged near a blade tip. A plenum includes first and second walls respectively providing first and second cavities. The first wall includes impingement holes. The plenum is arranged over the structural member. A fluid source is fluidly connected to the second cavity to provide an impingement cooling flow from the second cavity through the impingement holes to the first cavity onto the structural member. A method includes the steps of providing a conditioning fluid to an outer cavity of a plenum providing an impingement cooling flow through impingement holes from an inner wall of the plenum to an inner cavity, directing the impingement cooling flow onto a structural member, and conditioning a temperature of the structural member with the impingement cooling flow to control a blade tip clearance.

Abstract: The invention discloses a sample preservation method which comprises the following steps: a) providing a paper substrate comprising ligands, where the ligands comprise charged groups, b) applying a sample comprising at least one analyte and at least one contaminant on the paper substrate, c) drying the sample on the paper substrate and, d) extracting at least part of the paper substrate to provide a solution of the analyte.

Abstract: A spring seal includes a split body portion with a first leg and a second leg that extend away from a plane and a projection portion which extends from the split body portion within the plane.

Abstract: A method for determining surface quality for a glass surface is provided. The method includes depositing a pattern of drops over the glass surface using a drop dispensing apparatus. Adjacent drops have a predetermined deposit size and a predetermined deposit spacing. Drop information for the pattern of drops is generated using a vision apparatus. An out-of-parameter condition is detected by analyzing the drop information and an indication of the out-of-parameter condition is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.

Abstract: A process for making modified N-acetylated chitosan comprising the steps of: a) forming an aqueous solution of chitosan in aqueous acid; b) mixing the resulting solution of step a) with an acetylating agent in a chitosan:acetylating agent sub-stoichiometric amount; and c) allowing the chitosan and acetylating agent to react for a length of time sufficient for substantial completion of the acetylation reaction.

Abstract: A leading edge structure is disclosed for an aircraft wing in which a droop nose is articulated by a double hinge.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus arranged to receive successive images from a video camera and to receive audio data from a microphone comprises means for detecting inter-image motion in the video images; means for detecting audio signals in the associated audio data satisfying one or more predetermined audio criterion; and activation means, for activating a control function of the data processing apparatus in response to a predetermined sequence of a detection of inter-image motion satisfying one or more predetermined motion criterion and a detection of an audio signal in the associated audio data which satisfies the predetermined audio criteria.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly is provided. The gas turbine engine assembly includes a high-pressure compressor including a first rotor and a second compressor rotor disposed downstream from the first rotor, a high-pressure turbine coupled downstream to the compressor by a first shaft, and an air directing assembly coupled between the first and second compressor rotors for selectively channeling airflow discharged from the first compressor rotor through the first shaft. A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining the shape of a glass sheet during and/or after the forming process. In one example, a system for determining the shape of a glass sheet defining an interior bulk can include a light source, an image capture device and a processor that are configured to calculate the location of an energy centroid within a selected portion of the bulk of the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring surface topography of an object includes an optical arrangement capable of directing a first light beam at a surface of the object, providing a second light beam coherent with and spatially phase-shifted relative to the first light beam, and generating an interference beam from the second light beam and a reflection of the first light beam from the surface of the object. The apparatus further includes at least one line scan sensor for detecting and measuring the interference beam.

Abstract: A method of measuring the topography of a large, thin, non-flat specular substrate in a production environment with minimal movement of a majority of the measurement apparatus. A gimbal-mounted reflecting element is used to steer a short coherence length probe beam such that the probe beam is substantially perpendicular to a local surface of the substrate. The probe beam and the reference beam are combined and the resulting interference pattern used to characterize defects on the local surface.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a transparent substrate provides an index-matching fluid between an index-matched optical coupler and a surface of the transparent substrate. The method repeats, at two or more positions along the surface of the transparent substrate, steps of illuminating an inspection volume within the transparent substrate by directing a ribbon of light through the optical coupler and into the transparent substrate and detecting scattered light from the inspection volume at a detector that is optically conjugate with the inspection volume.

Abstract: A leading edge structure is disclosed for an aircraft wing in which a droop nose is articulated by a double hinge.