Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an imaging unit producing image signals; a processing unit for receiving the image signal; the imaging unit producing a stack of images of an article at different focal lengths in response to the processing unit; the processing unit generating a depth map from the stack of images; the processing unit analyzing the depth map to derive a depth profile of an object of interest; the processing unit determining a surface mean for the article from the stack of images; and the processing unit characterizing the article as degraded or contaminated in response to the depth profile and the surface mean.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an imaging unit producing image signals; a processing unit for receiving the image signal; the imaging unit producing a stack of images of an article at different focal lengths in response to the processing unit; the processing unit generating a depth map from the stack of images; the processing unit analyzing the depth map to derive a depth profile of an object of interest; the processing unit determining a surface mean for the article from the stack of images; and the processing unit characterizing the article as degraded or contaminated in response to the depth profile and the surface mean.

Abstract: A device and a method of using such device for protecting a finger, comprising a fingertip cover, adhesive means for attaching the fingertip cover to the finger, and a pull-tab attached to the fingertip cover for removing the fingertip cover from the finger. The fingertip cover is preferably made of a germ impervious, virus impervious, and optically clear materials. As such, the fingertip cover keeps items on surfaces touched by the finger from penetrating the fingertip cover and coming into contact with the finger. The device is preferably packaged in packaging that reveals the adhesive on the fingertip cover such that a finger can be placed in the contact with the adhesive providing fast application.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system has call management decisions made based on the exact geographic location of the mobile unit. These call management decisions include billing and taxing decisions, cell site selection, frequency selection and even cellular system selection. The decisions are continuously updated during a call whereby decisions can be made and changed regardless of where a call originated. Cell site location, and even cellular system selection, can be made in a specific manner to best serve the needs of the mobile user, the cellular system as well as the public. It is even possible for a cellular system to locate one or more of its cell sites in the geographic area served by another cellular system. In some cases, cellular systems might even share cell sites.

Abstract: A system for the nondestructive evaluation of aircraft comprising a plurality of positional transmitters forming a perimeter around a test airplane and an inspection station within the perimeter. The inspection station includes a moveable cart, a nondestructive testing device coupled the cart, and a computer coupled to the cart and nondestructive testing device. The computer configured to receive aircraft positional data from positional receivers mounted on an aircraft and overlay a model of the aircraft on the received aircraft positional data to determine a coordinate system for the aircraft. The computer is further operable to determine the location of the cart from data received from onboard positional receivers, the location of the cart referenced to the coordinate system for the aircraft.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the step of cold gas-dynamic spraying powder mixtures on the substrate surface to form the graded coating thereon. The method does not distort the substrate and does not require the use of an apparatus that needs to be stopped and re-started each time the composition of the graded coating changes. Moreover, the method is generally inexpensive, efficient, and yields high quality graded coatings.

Abstract: An inspection device for performing nondestructive testing on a test subject includes a manually controlled inspection cart. The inspection device also includes a nondestructive testing platform and a computer coupled to the inspection cart. The computer is operable to control the movement of the nondestructive testing device when the inspection device is within a predetermined distance from the test subject.

Abstract: A method for coating a surface of a metal component comprises the steps of cold gas-dynamic spraying a powder material on the metal component surface to form a coating, the powder material being sufficiently heated to impact the metal component surface at between about 30% and about 70% of the powder material's melting temperature in kelvins. Another method for coating a surface of a metal component using a powder material comprises the steps of heating the metal component surface to between about 30% and about 70% of the substrate's melting temperature, and then of the powder material's melting temperature in kelvins, and cold gas-dynamic spraying the powder material on the metal component surface to form a coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for use in applying a coating on a surface of a magnesium component. The method includes the steps of: accelerating a coating powder to a velocity of between about 500 to about 1200 meters/second, wherein the coating powder comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, and composites; directing the coating powder through a convergent-divergent nozzle onto the surface of the magnesium component; and forming a coating on the surface of the magnesium component so as to substantially cover the surface of the magnesium component. The coating thickness may be between approximately 0.1 to approximately 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A method for coating a surface of a component formed from aluminum or an alloy thereof includes the step of cold gas-dynamic spraying a powder material on the component surface to form a coating, the powder material comprising at least one alloy from the group consisting of titanium, a titanium alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, iron, an iron alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, cobalt, and a cobalt alloy. In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of heat treating the turbine component after the cold gas-dynamic spraying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chromium and active elements modified platinum aluminide coating that may be used on a surface of a gas turbine engine component such as a turbine blade. The coating may be used as a protective coating that impedes the progress of corrosion, oxidation, and sulfidation in superalloy materials that comprise the substrate of the turbine blade. Additionally, the coating may be used as a bond coat onto which a thermal barrier coating is deposited. The presence of active elements as well as chromium and platinum provides improved corrosion, oxidation, and sulfidation resistance. The coating is applied using an electron beam physical vapor deposition. The coating is applied alternatively using selected sequential diffusion processing steps involving chromium, platinum and aluminum.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system has call management decisions made based on the exact geographic location of the mobile unit. These call management decisions include billing and taxing decisions, cell site selection, frequency selection and even cellular system selection. The decisions are continuously updated during a call whereby decisions can be made and changed regardless of where a call originated. Cell site location, and even cellular system selection, can be made in a specific manner to best serve the needs of the mobile user, the cellular system as well as the public. It is even possible for a cellular system to locate one or more of its cell sites in the geographic area served by another cellular system. In some cases, cellular systems might even share cell sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbine blade of an aircraft engine may include a shaft having a proximate end and a distal end, an attachment device coupled to the distal end of the shaft and capable of being attached to a strut of the aircraft engine and an engagement device, coupled to the attachment device, capable of moving away from the attachment device and attaching to a trailing edge of the turbine blade. The apparatus may also include a probe moveably coupled to the engagement device and capable of moving along a leading edge of the turbine blade to detect a surface anomaly of the turbine blade and a control device for controlling the movement of the probe along the leading edge of the turbine engine in response to user manipulation.