Abstract: An operation circuit for a work vehicle drives an electromagnetic actuator by generating an operation signal corresponding to a switch operation and drives a work actuator in response to the drive of the electromagnetic actuator. By installing a specific detachable electric circuit unit in a first operation circuit that generates a first operation signal in response to an operation of a specific switch, the first operation circuit can be modified to a second operation circuit that generates a second operation signal different from the first operation signal in response to an operation of the same switch.

Abstract: A motor driving device is disclosed that includes a first drive circuit that drives a first electric motor and increases a rotational speed of the first electric motor according to an increase in a duty ratio of a pulse signal output from an electronic control unit. The motor driving device also includes a second drive circuit that drives a second electric motor and increases the rotational speed of the second electric motor according to the increase in the duty ratio of the pulse signal. The second drive circuit smooths the pulse signal from the electronic control unit to produce a direct-current voltage. Also, the second drive circuit supplies electric power to the second electric motor by applying the direct-current voltage to the second electric motor.

Abstract: Moderately accurate closed loop speed control of a universal motor is attained without the need for any type of speed sensor. Motor armature (across the brushes) voltage is sensed and supplied to a control circuit for processing along with sensed motor current and zero-crossing information. Integration of the motor armature voltage provides a value which is related to current motor speed. By adjusting the gating angle for triac actuation, the armature voltage integral can be maintained at a desired value associated with a desired motor speed. The sensed motor current is also integrated to provide a speed droop compensation value that is added to the desired value, and the gating angle for triac actuation is adjusted to move the armature voltage integral value to approach the summed value of the speed droop compensation value and desired value.

Abstract: A system and method for an anti-pinch powered window system includes a window and a mechanical drive mechanism for raising and lowering the window. An electric motor drives the mechanical drive mechanism responsive to a command. A microcontroller unit generates the command responsive to a measured load current of the electric motor. A command to change direction of the window is generated responsive to a determination that the measured load current has exceeded a variable threshold level indicating that the window has stopped due to an obstruction. The variable threshold level is determined by the load current data stored within a memory.

Abstract: A door system includes a support connected to a structure, and a door mounted on the support and movable relative to the support between an opened position and a closed position. The door includes a detection device and a remote module coupled to the detection device. The remote module includes a battery and an RF module for supporting two-way communication and sending signals indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The door system also includes a motor to drive the door, and a controller to control the motor. The controller includes a user interface and a memory. The door system also includes a base module coupled to the controller for receiving signals from the remote module. The received signals are indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The base module also sends signals related to successful transmission acknowledgements to the remote module.

Abstract: A system includes a controller and a sensor. The controller transmits a panel control signal to a motor for the motor to move a movable panel of a vehicle along a path between opened and closed positions while the motor receives power from a power source. The motor receives power from the power source upon receiving the panel control signal. The sensor detects objects in the path without monitoring the motor. The sensor generates an object signal indicative of an object being detected in the path of the panel. When the panel is moving in a closing direction, the controller transmits a panel control signal to the motor to reverse movement of the panel to an opening direction upon receiving the object signal in order to prevent the panel from entrapping an object. The controller communicates with vehicle modules over an in-vehicle local area network (LAN).

Abstract: The invention relates to the commutation of electromechanical, commutatorless actuators, more particularly of permanent magnet motors and reluctance motors, having a rotor and a stator including at least one stator winding (W1, W2) that is/are operated with a constant current (IPWM). The method for determining the moment of commutation used herein comprises the following steps: A reference constant current is applied to at least one of the windings (W1, W2) and a stationary state is awaited. Then, a value that represents the voltage applied to the winding of the actuator in the stationary state is determined as the reference commutation value for the commutation voltage. While the motor is running, the commutation (if the motor is being operated with the reference current) is performed as soon as the reference value appears or a specified time later.

Abstract: A method and a device for cutting freeform surfaces is disclosed. In 5-axis cutting, a workpiece is milled by a tool, i.e., a milling cutter, in such a way that a desired freeform surface is obtained. The tool is moved for cutting along at least one tool path, i.e., cutting path, defined on the basis of interpolation points in relation to the workpiece. According to this invention, a tool vector in the form of leading angles and setting angles is defined for each interpolation point on the tool path. For each interpolation point a normal vector is determined from the leading angles and the setting angles and also from a drive vector determined for each interpolation point. The normal vector in each interpolation point on the tool path is used for a 3D-radius correction for equalizing/compensating for deviations in dimensions of the milling cutter.

Abstract: A protect-control device capable of limiting current for reducing noise resulting from switchover of a motor includes a motor coil set, a driving unit, a sensing unit and a control unit. The motor coil set constitutes a motor. The driving unit is electrically connected to the motor coil and provides a driving level to pass through the motor coil for driving the motor. The sensing unit is electrically connected to the motor coil set, provides a preset reference level, detects the driving level, compares the driving level to the preset reference level and outputs identifying signal. The control signal is electrically connected to the driving unit, the sensing unit and a Hall component, adjusts the driving level based on the identifying signal for driving unit output maintaining a basic duty cycle.

Abstract: Solving Means: A field coil current and a stator current are controlled by a controller. The stator current is controlled under vector control and is controlled so that the phase keeps an efficient motor zone. In a case of rated power generation, when the motor speed is low, the phase current and field coil current are increased to reserve the generated power. And, as the speed is increased, the phase current is decreased to reduce the copper loss, while in place of decreasing the phase current, the field coil current is kept high to reserve the generated power. Thereafter, as the speed is increased more, the field coil current is decreased to reduce the iron loss, while in place of decreasing the field coil current, the phase current is increased to reserve the generated power.

Abstract: A brushless synchronous motor is provided in a simple configuration and at a low cost. The brushless synchronous motor comprises a rotor having salient magnets arranged in a circumferential direction, a stator having driving magnetic poles arranged in the circumferential direction, and an exciting coil wound around each driving magnetic pole, where the rotor is made in a non-circular profile. For example, the rotor may comprise a cylindrical body which has at least one flat surface perpendicular to one magnetic pole direction of the rotor, or a cylindrical body having an elliptic profile with a longer diameter in one magnetic pole direction of the rotor. A detector circuit is associated with each of a predetermined number of exciting coils for outputting a detection signal indicative of the impedance of the exciting coil in accordance with the distance between the driving magnetic pole and rotor, to detect a rotating angle of the rotor.

Abstract: Two apparatuses are disclosed for providing a dynamically varying water surge in a salt-water reef aquarium. The first apparatus is a micro-controller based variable frequency reef surge drive 100 for an AC permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) submersible aquarium pump. Drive 100 comprises voltage conversion circuitry 105, xmicro-controller 110, reef-surge generation program 115, variable frequency drive 118, mode switch 130 and tidal cycle switch 135. Three user-selectable modes of operation are provided: a random frequency mode, a fixed-program mode and a tidal mode. A second apparatus comprises a novel submersible AC PMSM pump with dual impeller assemblies and dual input and output chambers for supporting forward and reverse flow through an AC PMSM pump.

Abstract: A method and a control device for a brushless DC motor, which has an AC/DC inverter supplied by an intermediate direct voltage circuit for feeding the DC motor, a pattern generator for controlling switches of the AC/DC inverter having a variable frequency and phase periodical switch signal pattern and an input for a signal representative of the present phase position of the rotor of the DC motor. The pattern generator detects an average current strength released by the AC/DC inverter and adjusts a phase offset between the phase position of the rotor and the switch signal pattern in accordance with the detected average current strength and the speed of the motor.

Abstract: A method for controlling an alternating current (AC) motor includes choosing a pulse sequence based on a ripple current in the AC motor at a sampling instant; and providing a voltage to the AC motor based on the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises an event monitoring system at least partially disposed in an event-proof enclosure of the battery pack. The event-proof enclosure is adapted to enable the event monitoring system to retain data acquired by the event monitoring system for analysis after occurrence of a service event of the battery pack.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for retaining portable rechargeable devices to recharging stations wherein one or other or both of the recharging station and the portable device are provided with connecting means adapted for temporary releasable connection of the two. This is particularly advantageous when used with recharging stations, which permit the device to be recharged in multiple places on the recharging station, providing a positive means of retaining the device. This is particularly advantageous if the recharging station is to be used in a mobile environment such as a car, or on a wall or ceiling.

Abstract: For charging a rechargeable hybrid battery pack, a first cell stack coupled in parallel with a second cell stack of the hybrid battery pack are pre-charged in parallel. The cell stack to first complete the pre-charge phase, is selected to receive a normal charge with a constant current while the non-selected one of the cell stack continues to receive the pre-charge. The first cell stack and the second cell stack receive the normal charge in the selected sequence. Upon completion of the normal charge for each cell of the hybrid battery pack, the first cell stack and the second cell stack are trickle-charged in parallel to complete the charging.

Abstract: A state variable and parameter estimator for determining state variables and parameters of a mathematical energy storage model, especially of a battery model, which calculates the state variables and the parameters from operating variables of an energy storage device. A particularly simple estimation of the state variables and the parameters may be carried out if the state variable and parameter estimator includes a plurality of mathematical submodels which are valid for different working ranges and/or frequency ranges of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for charge current adjustment to enhance battery cycle life thereby allowing batteries to be charged quickly without accelerating the aging process of the battery. As the charge capacity of the battery degrades over time, the charge current for the battery charging cycles is also reduced so that the effective charge rate for the battery is adjusted to account for the reduction in charge capacity. In this way, battery capacity life is enhanced by avoiding an accelerated charge rate as the battery capacity drops over the operational life of the battery. The methods and systems disclosed are useful for battery-powered information handling systems, as well as other devices where fast charging and long cycle life is desirable, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), electric vehicles and/or any other battery powered devices.

Abstract: A method and associated system are disclosed for verifying charging failures for smart batteries by measuring input charging voltage and associated systems. In one embodiment, a determination is made whether or not a charging current is indicative of a battery failure by utilizing an analog-to-digital (A/D) port to measure the input charging voltage. As long as the measured input charging voltage is below the cell pack voltage or some set voltage value, whichever is higher, the BMU considers a charging current detection to be a false failure indication. If the measured charging voltage is above the cell pack voltage and the set voltage value, the BMU considers the charging current detection to be a positive failure indication. The BMU can then disable the battery or implement other verification steps before disabling the battery, as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting power distribution to a host system at a supply locus from one of a voltage source or a battery includes: (a) a current transfer unit having a first and a second connection; the second connection being coupled with the battery; and (b) a control device switchingly coupling the first connection to effect alternating connection with the voltage source and with a low potential. The control device is sensingly coupled with the voltage source and within the apparatus for receiving indicating signals. The control device responds to the indicating signals to control the alternating connection to achieve stepped up delivery of voltage presented by the battery unit to the supply locus when the indicating signals indicate a first circumstance. The control device responds to the indicating signals to switchingly control the alternating connection to achieve charging the battery when the indicating signals indicate a second circumstance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a method of handling a device charging state for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connected mobile electronic device comprising the steps of sensing a presence of a bus voltage; sensing an enumeration acknowledgement signal between the device and a USB host; and transmitting a signal to instruct the device to enter the device charging state.

Abstract: A method and a damping device are proposed for damping a torsional oscillation in a rotating drive train. Arranged on the drive train is an electrical machine (13), which is connected to an electrical multipole (31). A damping torque is generated in the electrical machine (13) by an electrical damping member connected to the electrical machine (13). It is proposed that the damping torque has a predetermined damping frequency and is antiphase to the angular velocity of the torsional oscillation.

Abstract: A device for converting a continuous supply voltage into a continuous output voltage includes at least one inductor accumulating energy during an accumulation time and delivering said accumulated energy during a discharge time, so that said output voltage has a value that is greater than or equal to that of said supply voltage. An oscillator controls said accumulation and discharge times, in which a period is equal to a sum of said accumulation time and said discharge time and a cyclic ratio is equal to the ratio of said accumulation time to said period. The oscillator includes a mechanism for controlling said period and said cyclic ratio according to said supply voltage and said output voltage.

Abstract: A buck-boost DC/DC converter includes an inductor and a power stage having a set of switches selectively connecting the inductor between a voltage input, a voltage output and a reference level in accordance with buck or boost mode. The converter has a switch control providing control signals to the set of switches in the power stage. A comparator provides to the switch control a first pulse width modulation signal in buck mode and a second pulse width modulation signal in boost mode. A ramp generator provides to the comparator a first ramp signal for buck mode and a second ramp signal for boost mode. An overlap control provides a ramp shift signal to the ramp generator in response to a detection signal that indicates activity of the switches in the power stage. The ramp shift signal adjusts the first and second ramp signals relative to each other so as to minimize any gap and any overlap between the first and second ramp signals.

Abstract: A regulator circuit is provided which has a reference voltage outputting unit, a first operational amplifier, a voltage-dividing unit, and a second operational amplifier. The reference voltage outputting unit is connected to a power source voltage, has a rectifying element, and outputs a first reference voltage. The first reference voltage is input to the first operational amplifier, and the first operational amplifier outputs a second reference voltage equal to the first reference voltage. The second reference voltage is input to the voltage-dividing unit, and the voltage-dividing unit outputs a third reference voltage having a voltage lower than the second reference voltage. The third reference voltage is input to the second operational amplifier, and the second operational amplifier outputs an output voltage equal to the third reference voltage.

Abstract: A current mode controlled DC/DC converter that includes an adaptive clamp voltage circuit at an error amplifier output to significantly reduce overshoot in the output of the converter if the target voltage changes rapidly. If a current limiter is active, the clamp level of the adaptive clamp voltage circuit is decreased at an appropriate rate. Similarly, if the current limiter is not activated, the adaptive clamp voltage circuit is restored to an initial clamp level. The operation of the adaptive clamp circuit at the output of the error amplifier enables a relatively faster reduction in both overshoot and the amount of time before the converter's output voltage and output current settle back down to a relatively constant state.

Abstract: A current multiplier/divider-configured, feed-forward compensation circuit for a pulse width modulator (PWM) controller for a buck-mode DC-DC converter is operative to achieve constant loop gain irrespective of the magnitude of the input voltage, obviates the need for parameter calculations/adjustments of circuit components to conform with the PWM frequency selected by the user, and is effectively immune to variations in temperature and manufacturing process.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the power efficiency of a switching power converter operating at a switching frequency includes a digital controller for receiving an analog signal representing an output DC voltage of the switching power converter for comparison to a desired output voltage level and generating switching control signals to control the operation of the power supply to regulate the output DC voltage to the desired output voltage level. At least two of the switching control signals have a dead time between a first edge of a first control signal and a second edge of a second control signal. The dead time is programmable to control a power efficiency of the switching power converter. The switching control signals additionally switch the power supply between a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode responsive to a mode control signal. The operation of the digital controller is parameterized by a set of operating parameters.

Abstract: Output voltage overshoot of a switching regulator is controlled by deactivating switching operation when a signal proportional to the output voltage exceeds a variable threshold level, with the threshold level set as a function of regulator output current. In accordance with an embodiment, a difference signal is generated that corresponds to a difference between an output voltage feedback signal and a constant reference voltage. The generated difference signal is combined with a signal proportional to load current to obtain an adapted threshold level. The adapted threshold level is greater than the level of the constant reference voltage. A regulator switch is reset to an off state when the output voltage feedback signal exceeds the adapted threshold level.

Abstract: A clamping circuit of a DC/DC regulator includes a reference current generator to generate a reference current. The reference current can be based upon a specified maximum voltage across a bootstrap capacitor of the DC/DC regulator. The clamping circuit also includes a current generator that generates a current based on the voltage across the bootstrap capacitor. The current generated by the current generator is compared to the generated reference current. Based on the comparison, the voltage across the bootstrap capacitor is regulated. By regulating the voltage across the bootstrap capacitor based on current, rather than based directly on the voltage across the capacitor, the design of the clamping circuit is simplified compared to voltage-based implementations.

Abstract: A vector network analysis system and a method of measuring use offset stimulus signals to stimulate a balanced device under test (DUT) to determine performance parameters. The system includes an offset stimulus source that provides a plurality of stimulus signals and a vector network analyzer. At least one stimulus signal is offset from another stimulus signal of the plurality in one or both of frequency and time-varying phase. The offset stimulus source includes a first signal source and a second signal source that respectively provides the offset stimulus signals. The method of measuring includes generating the offset stimulus signals and applying the offset stimulus signals to a balanced port of the DUT to stimulate the DUT. The performance parameters are determined from measurements of the offset stimulus signals and one or more response signals from the stimulated DUT.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a first substrate having a first substrate surface and a device supported by the first substrate surface. The device is selected from among a passive electronic component and an active electronic component. The electronic circuit also includes a second substrate having a second substrate surface and a conductor proximate to the second substrate. The electronic circuit also includes a magnetic field transducer disposed over the conductor and coupled to the device and an insulating layer disposed between the conductor and the second substrate. The conductor is adapted to carry an electrical current to generate a first magnetic field. The electronic circuit is responsive to the first magnetic field. In some embodiments, the conductor is a secondary conductor and the circuit further includes a primary conductor disposed proximate to the magnetic field transducer and an insulating layer disposed between the primary conductor and the second substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for voltage sensing at active power gated cores of a multi core CPU wherein a Controlled Collapse Chip Carrier bump in a gating region for an associated core is isolatable from an ungated power region by a power gate to allow voltage sensing at a designated location with substantially no current passing there through.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing System-In-Package (SIP) devices each having a plurality of electrical contacts is described. The apparatus comprises a JEDEC standard tray receiving apparatus comprising a plurality of tray aligners to align the tray into a predetermined position to account for dimensional tolerances of the tray. The apparatus further comprises a test assembly proximate the tray receiving apparatus. The assembly comprises; a plurality of test circuits corresponding in number to the number of cells in the tray, a plurality of groups of test contacts, each of group of the test contacts being coupled to one of the test circuits and being oriented to engage a plurality of electrical contacts of a SIP device disposed in a corresponding one of the cell, the plurality of test circuits being operable to simultaneously, electrically test a predetermined number of SIP devices in a JEDEC standard tray engaged by the receiving apparatus without removing the SIP devices from the tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing micro SD devices each having a plurality of electrical leads is described. The apparatus utilizes industry standard JEDEC trays and tests all devices in such trays at the same time. The apparatus comprises a test hive comprising: a plurality of test circuits corresponding in number to at least a predetermined number of cells in the tray; and a plurality of groups of test contacts, each group is coupled to one of the test circuits and is oriented to engage the plurality of electrical contacts of a micro SD device disposed in a corresponding one of the cells. The test hive is operable to simultaneously, electrically test at least a predetermined number of the number of the micro SD devices in each tray engaged by the hive without removing the micro SD devices that did pass electrical testing until a tray of electrically tested micro SD devices is fully populated with micro SD devices that did pass electrical testing.

Abstract: A chuck for a probe station.

Abstract: A non-planar part has a non-planar surface such as an edge, and may contain an anomaly such as a crack. The non-planar part is inspected using an eddy current technique. The method includes providing the non-planar part having the non-planar surface thereon, driving an eddy current probe at two or more frequencies, measuring an eddy current response signal of the non-planar part at each frequency, and performing a multifrequency phase analysis on the eddy current response signals.

Abstract: Combined wound and micro-fabricated winding constructs are described for the inspection of materials and the detection and characterization of hidden features or flaws. These constructs can be configured as sensors or sensor arrays that are surface mounted or scanned over conducting and/or magnetizable test materials. The well-defined geometry obtained micro-fabricated windings and from carefully wound coils with known winding positions permits the use of model based inversions of sensed responses into material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the primary winding is a wound coil and the sense elements are etched or printed. The drive or sense windings can also be mounted under fasteners to improve sensitivity to hidden flaws. Ferrites and other means may be used to guide the magnetic flux and enhance the magnetic field in the test material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging NMR device and method in which an object is exposed to a stationary polarization field B0 and an electromagnetic alternating field. Nuclear resonant processes are induced in said object detected as test signals, and are visually represented. The stationary magnetic polarization field has at least one spatially limited volume region inside said object. The spatially limited volume region has a greater magnetic flux density than the remaining region of said object so that said nuclear resonant processes are induced solely in said spatially limited volume region. The test signals from said nuclear resonant processes induced inside said limited volume region are detected and displayed. The spatial position of said limited volume region (4) is changed at least once in a controlled manner and said test signals are detected again from said positionally modified volume region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging system capable of performing spectrum measurement even when a magnetic resonant frequency changes during MRS measurement. A time-varying rate of a water magnetic resonant frequency is measured in advance before the MRS measurement. The amount of change in water magnetic resonant frequency during the MRS measurement is predicted from the measured time-varying rate. With the predicted value as the reference, a transmission frequency of an RF magnetic field irradiated in a signal suppression pulse sequence, a transmission frequency of an RF magnetic field for excitation and inversion and a received frequency at the detection of a magnetic resonance signal in a sequence of the MRS measurement are respectively set. A high-precision spectrum measurement is hence enabled.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for calibrating a magnetic resonance apparatus having a PET function. In at least one embodiment, the device includes at least one marker that is visible through magnetic resonance imaging and fixed with reference to the device; at least one holder, fixed with reference to the marker, for a receptacle for holding a PET tracer generating a PET signal during PET imaging; and at least one receptacle for holding a PET tracer.

Abstract: A method of providing selective spectral suppression in balanced steady-state free procession (SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging for a first species and a second species is provided. A plurality of balanced SSFP images are acquired, wherein each acquisition of a balanced SSFP image comprises applying an alternating TR RF excitation, wherein the alternating TR RF excitation has a first TR and a second TR, wherein a period of the first TR (TR1) is greater than a period of the second TR (TR2), applying balanced magnetic gradients, acquiring an in-phase acquisition of the first and second species, acquiring an out-of-phase acquisition of the first and second species, and combining the in-phase acquisition and the out-of-phase acquisition to produce a combined image.

Abstract: Head coil arrangement for a magnetic resonance apparatus has a housing with a number of coil elements arranged in or on the housing, and the housing has at least one movable and/or moldable housing part (2a) for adjustment to different neck shapes in the region designated for the neck of a patient.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method and an apparatus for testing a magnetic field of a coil. The method comprises applying an alternating current to the coil to generate an alternating magnetic field; measuring simultaneously the induced electromotive potential at a plurality of positions in the alternating magnetic field; and collecting and processing signals of the induced electromotive potential so as to obtain said coil's magnetic field distribution. The apparatus comprises probes positioned in said alternating magnetic field to generate the induced electromotive potential; a multi-channel data acquisition card for collecting the signals of the potential; and a processor for processing the collected signals to obtain said coil's magnetic field distribution. The method and the apparatus eliminate the interference by the magnetic field of the earth by testing the coil's alternating magnetic field to improve test accuracy and to improve the testing efficiency by multi-channel acquisition of the test signals.

Abstract: A whole-body antenna for a magnetic resonance system has an antenna structure including at least one antenna rod extending in a longitudinal direction. The antenna rod can be charged with a transmission current to cause an excitation signal to be emitted that causes magnetic resonance signals to be excited in an examination subject arranged in an examination region. Microwave elements for emission of microwave signals into the examination region and/or for acquisition of microwave signals from the examination region are integrated into the first antenna rod on the side thereof facing toward the examination region. The microwave elements include antenna elements and circuit components associated with the antenna elements. The antenna elements are arranged on the side of the antenna rods facing toward the examination region. The circuit components are surrounded by the antenna rods both on the side thereof facing toward the examination region and on the side thereof facing away from the examination region.

Abstract: In a transmission device for use in magnetic resonance systems for transmitting magnetic resonance signals from a number of local coils to an evaluation device, the signals are transmitted as optical signals in an optical conductor between a first transmitter-side transducer that transduces electrical signals into optical signals and a second receiver-side transducer that transduces optical signals into electrical signals, and an analog/digital converter is respectively provided between the local coils and the first, transmitter-side transducer. The local coils are connected by electronic elements to a single circuit board, and a number of preamplifiers, the analog/digital converters and a multiplexer are integrated onto the circuit board such that the multiplexer merges the outputs of the multiple analog/digital converters.

Abstract: An MRI system is housed within a housing that is provided with a set of deployable barriers that are attachable to the housing. The magnet in the MRI system may be operated at a first magnetic field intensity, such that the magnetic field outside of the housing remains below a safety limit when the barriers are not deployed. The magnet in the MRI system may be operated at a second magnetic field intensity, higher than the first, when the barriers are deployed, such that the magnetic field outside of the barriers remains below the safety limit.

Abstract: A vacuum vessel assembly includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder formed of a material in which eddy currents are substantially not produced. The inner cylinder includes a first and second half having an annular flange thereon. A plurality of metal interfaces are connected to the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The plurality of metal interfaces bond the first half and second half of the inner cylinder and also bond the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A MAS (magic angle spinning) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) apparatus, with automatic sample supply by a supply unit (45), is characterized in that an automatic preparation station (44) for samples is provided, with a rotor storage (49) having several rotors (1) for receiving sample material (53) soaked with NMR solution (55), a cap storage (48) with several caps (3), each cap (3) being suited for closing a rotor (1), wherein each cap (3) has a central axial bore (4), several movable pins (5), each being insertable into the central axial bore (4) of a cap (3) to close the bore (4) in the inserted state, a cap handling unit (46b) which can grip a cap (3) from the cap storage (48), move it, and dispose it onto a rotor (1), a plunger (61) for inserting a pin (5) into the bore (4) of the cap (3), and a suctioning device (62) for suctioning excess NMR solution (55) that escapes from the bore (4). The apparatus provides simple and automatic preparation of sample units, in particular, closure of rotors with caps.