A shielded medical device implanted in a biological organism. The device has a magnetic shield, and the magnetic shield contains a layer of nanomagnetic material; such layer has a morphological density of at least 98 percent; and it is bonded to the medical device by means of an interlayer with a thickness of less than about 10 microns. The nanomagnetic material in such layer has a saturation magnetization of from about 1 to about 36,000 Gauss, a coercive force of from about 0.01 to about 5,000 Oersteds, a relative magnetic permeability of from about 1 to about 500,000, and an average particle size of less than about 100 nanometers.

Magnetically shielded assembly

The invention provides a method for providing human input to a computer which allows a user to interact with a display connected to the computer. The method includes the steps of placing a first target on a first portion of the user's body, using an electro-optical sensing means, sensing data related to the location of the first target and data related to the location of a second portion of the user's body, the first and second portions of the user's body being movable relative to each other, providing an output of the electro-optical sensing means to the input of the computer, determining the location of the first target and the location of the second portion of the user's body, and varying the output of the computer to the display based upon the determined locations for contemporaneous viewing by the user.

Method for providing human input to a computer

Color measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.

Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object

A method and apparatus for ablation of a layer of tissue is achieved by providing first and second bodies on opposed sides of the tissue. The first body includes a first ablation member and a source of magnetic force adjacent one side of the tissue. The second body includes a second ablation member and a magnetically attractive element responsive to the magnetic force adjacent the other side of the tissue. The magnetic attraction between the source and the attractive element is adapted to align the first and second bodies in opposed relationship on the opposed sides of the tissue. One of the first and second bodies may include at least one expandible member for controlling the magnetic attraction between the bodies.

Magnetic catheter ablation device and method

Disclosed are new methods and apparatus particularly suited for applications in a vehicle, to provide a wide range of information, and the safe input of data to a computer controlling the vehicle subsystems or “Telematic” communication using for example GM's “ONSTAR” or cellular based data sources. Preferred embodiments utilize new programmable forms of tactile touch screens and displays employing tactile physical selection or adjustment means which utilize direct optical data input. A revolutionary form of dashboard or instrument panel results which is stylistically attractive, lower in cost, customizable by the user, programmable in both the tactile and visual sense, and with the potential of enhancing interior safety and vehicle operation. Non-automotive applications of the invention are also disclosed, for example means for general computer input using touch screens and home automation systems.

Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics

Low-cycle fatigue life of turbine engine disk alloys is determined by the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. Performance improvements can be achieved through the combination of clean melting technology, to reduce the defect size, and a new generation of high-strength superalloys with fatigue cracking resistance. Metallurgical control of fatigue crack propagation in high-strength superalloys becomes feasible only through a clear understanding of the fatigue cracking mechanism, as well as the micro-structure/property relationships. Many metallurgical parameters have been identified to control the fatigue cracking resistance at high temperatures. One of the most effective methods, applicable to all high γ′ content superalloys, is to modify the grain boundary structure by means of a controlled cooling from a supersolvus solutioning. The precipitation reaction occurring on the grain boundaries during cooling generates a serrated structure that exhibits a good stress oxidation resistance for fatigue cracking.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF03220467.pdf

Metallurgical control of fatigue crack propagation in superalloys

A method for forming nickel base superalloy articles of manufacture by a combination of hot die forging, isothermal forging and heat treatment below and above the solvus.

Grain size control in nickel base superalloys

A method of electroslag refining of metal is taught. The method starts with the introduction of unrefined metal into an electroslag refining process in which the unrefined metal is first melted at the upper surface of the refining slag. The molten metal in the form if droplets is refined as it passes through the molten slag. The refined metal droplets are collected in a cold hearth apparatus having a skull of refined metal formed on the surface of the cold hearth and protecting the cold hearth from the leaching action of the refined molten metal. A cold finger bottom pour spout is formed at the bottom of the cold hearth to permit dispensing of molten refined metal from the cold hearth. The rate of flow of molten metal through the cold finger apparatus is controlled by controlling the rate of melting of the unrefined metal; by controlling the hydrostatic head of molten metal and salt above the bottom pour cold finger orifice; by controlling the rate of induction heat supplied to the metal within the cold finger apparatus; by controlling the rate of heat removal from the metal within the cold finger apparatus through the cold finger apparatus itself and through adjacent gas cooling means; and by applying force to slow down and/or interrupt the flow of metal through the cold finger apparatus.

Method and apparatus for flow control in electroslag refining process

A process for preparing novel sintered cobalt-rare earth intermetallic products which can be magnetized to form permanent magnets having stable improved magnetic properties. A particulate mixture is formed of a base CoR alloy and an additive CoR alloy, where R is a rare earth metal. The base CoR alloy is one which, at sintering temperature, exists as a solid Co5R intermetallic single phase. The additive CoR alloy is richer in rare earth metal than the base CoR alloy, and at sintering temperature is at least partly liquid. The base and additive alloys, in particulate form, are each used in an amount to form a mixture which has a cobalt and rare earth metal content substantially corresponding to that of the final desired sintered product. The mixture is pressed into compacts and sintered to the desired sintered product phase composition and density. At sintering temperature, the final sintered product has a phase composition lying outside the Co5R single phase on the rare earth richer side. Specifically, the final sintered product contains a major amount of the Co5R solid intermetallic phase and up to about 35 percent by weight of the product of a second solid CoR intermetallic phase which is richer in rare earth content than the Co5R phase.

Liquid sintered cobalt-rare earth intermetallic product

A method combining isothermal and high retained strain forging is described for Ni-base superalloys, particularly those which comprise a mixture of γ and γ' phases, and most particularly those which contain at least about 40 percent by volume of γ'. The method permits the manufacture of forged articles having a fine grain size in the range of 20 μm or less. The method comprises the selection of a fine-grained forging preform formed from a Ni-base superalloy, isothermal forging to develop the shape of the forged article, subsolvus forging to impart a sufficient level of retained strain to the forged article to promote subsequent recrystallization and avoid critical grain growth, and annealing to recrystallize the microstructure. The method permits the forging of relatively complex shapes and avoids the problem of critical grain growth. The method may also be used to produce location specific grain sizes and phase distributions within the forged article.

Mark Gilbert Benz

Papers

Metallurgical control of fatigue crack propagation in superalloys

Grain size control in nickel base superalloys

Method and apparatus for flow control in electroslag refining process

Liquid sintered cobalt-rare earth intermetallic product

Isothermal and high retained strain forging of Ni-base superalloys