Abstract: Systems and methods for managing nodes in mesh networks are provided. An information element may be provided to indicate a status of a backhaul connection. A critical node may use the information element to determine the status of the backhaul connection prior to joining a PAN. A critical path may be created and maintained that includes the critical node and any intervening nodes between the critical node and the root. A critical node may switch PANs when a backhaul connection becomes unavailable. The switch may be facilitated by a node on the critical path other than the critical node. The loss of backhaul connection may be determined by examining the information element. A node may switch PANs and coordinate the switch with its child nodes.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which an impact absorbing material is affixed to a transportable device to protect the transportable device from impact with another object. In some embodiments, the impact absorbing material is a crumple zone material that has plastic deformation characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which an impact absorbing material is affixed to a transportable device to protect the transportable device from impact with another object. In some embodiments, the impact absorbing material is a crumple zone material that has plastic deformation characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: The present technique provides a method and system for analyzing the economic effect of a product warranty associated with a product. The technique utilizes a statistical model of the failure rate of the product. The technique also utilizes economic data associated with the product and the warranty. The technique performs convolutions of the economic data and the statistical model of the failure rate of the product to identify an effective cost of the product and an effective selling price for a replacement product for a failed product. The effective cost, effective selling price data, and variation in profit margin for the product are determined for a range of warranty durations and warranty types. This data enables a user to quantitatively analyze the effect of variations in product warranties.

Abstract: A method for performing design trade-off. A plurality of critical to quality parameters corresponding to features of the design are obtained. A plurality of design specifications, each design specification corresponding to one of the critical to quality parameters, are also obtained. A plurality of designs are obtained where each design includes a plurality of design values and each design value corresponds to one of the critical to quality parameters. The design values are compared to the design specifications for each of the plurality of designs. A total score is generated for each design in response to the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a bearing assembly consisting of a rotatable shaft and a stator coaxially aligned. The stator has at least one circumferential protrusion that contains respective segments that extend radially from the stator. Each of the respective segments contains at least one capture cavity and has a main cavity disposed between each of the respective segments so as to house a thermal shunt. A plurality of roller bearings are also disposed radially between the rotatable shaft and the stator. In addition, at least one viscoseal is disposed on the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An X-ray-tube target assembly includes an annular monolithic X-ray-tube target shaft and a monolithic X-ray-tube target cap. The target shaft is a stepped target shaft. The target cap is inertially welded to the target shaft. The target assembly is made by inertially welding together a monolithic solid cylinder and a monolithic solid X-ray-tube target cap and then machining the target shaft to be annular and to have the step.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly having bearings rotatably connecting a rotor shaft and a stator. A pair of circumferential protrusions each radially extend from the shaft and are spaced apart a first radial distance from the stator. In a first example, the protrusions are longitudinally outward of, and to one longitudinal side of, the pair of bearings, and one of the protrusions is longitudinally and radially proximate one of the bearings. In a second example, a line may be drawn which is parallel to the axis and which intersects each of the protrusions and each of the bearings. A substance, which includes metal (such as gallium) and which is liquid at the assembly's operating temperature, is located longitudinally between the circumferential protrusions. The substance radially extends a second radial distance between, and in conductive thermal contact with, the shaft and the stator.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly including a cathode having an electron emitting surface, a rotatable anode having an X-ray target surface, and a vacuum-enclosing rotatable frame surrounding, and spaced apart from, the electron emitting surface and the X-ray target surface. The frame is hermetically attached to the anode, and the frame includes a totally-annular and X-ray-transparent window ring. Load-carrying bearings are located outside the vacuum of the frame and rotatably support the frame and the anode.

Abstract: An X-ray tube bearing assembly has a first X-ray tube shaft with first and second ball-bearing raceway surfaces which are integral with (i.e., either monolithic portions of or fixedly attached to) the first shaft and has a second X-ray tube shaft with a third ball-bearing raceway surface which is integral with the second shaft. A ball-bearing race, which is non-integral with (i.e., neither a monolithic portion of nor fixedly attached to) the two shafts, has a fourth ball-bearing raceway surface. A first set of ball bearings is located between the first and third raceway surfaces, and a second set of ball bearings is located between the second and fourth raceway surfaces. Preferably, an anode target surface is attached to the first shaft, and a mechanism is provided to preload the ball-bearing race.

Abstract: An X-ray tube assembly having bearings rotatably connecting a rotor shaft and a stator. A pair of circumferential protrusions each radially extend from the shaft and are spaced apart a first radial distance from the stator. A substance, which includes metal (such as gallium) and which is liquid at the assembly's operating temperature, is located longitudinally between the circumferential protrusions. The substance radially extends a second radial distance between, and in conductive thermal contact with, the shaft and the stator. Preferably, the second radial distance is greater than fifty times the first radial distance, and the first radial distance is between twenty and sixty microns.