Abstract: A system and method for performing electronic triage of a turbine part. A triage storage unit stores a variety of repair information. A repair triage application facilitates the repair of the turbine part in accordance with the repair information stored in the triage storage unit. A computing unit is configured to execute the repair triage application. A second computing unit is configured to serve the triage storage unit and the repair triage application to the first computing unit over a network.

Abstract: System and method for generating a time-to-break prediction for a paper web in a paper machine. This invention uses principal components analysis, neuro-fuzzy systems and trending analysis to form a model for predicting the time-to-break of the paper web from paper mill measurements of paper machine process variables. The model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting web breaks in a paper machine. Principal components analysis (PCA) and classification and regression tree (CART) modeling are used to predict web break sensitivity from measurements taken from the paper mill. Also, the CART model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break sensitivity.

Abstract: A washing machine having a variable speed motor. The washing machine has a basket for holding articles to be washed and has a first axis of rotation. A basket drive shaft connected to the basket drives the basket. An agitator disposed in the basket along the first axis of rotation agitates the article in the basket. An agitator drive shaft connected to the agitator drives the agitator. A variable speed motor, having a second axis of rotation which is not coincident with the first axis of rotation, drives the basket drive shaft and the agitator drive shaft. A coupler couples motion of the variable speed motor to the agitator drive shaft and basket drive shaft.

Abstract: System and method for predicting web breaks in a paper machine. Principal components analysis and an aggregated classification and regression tree (CART) model are used to predict web break sensitivity from measurements taken from a paper mill where the paper machine is located.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying unknown data patterns in a multi-variate feature space. An observer 12 evaluates the closeness of the data to any one of a plurality of known classes in a multi-variate feature space. A classifier 14 classifies the evaluated data into one of the plurality of known classes. A flagger 16 flags data having an unknown classification. A label requester 18 requests that the flagged data be interpreted into either a new class or one of the plurality of known classes. If the interpretation is a new fault, then a new class adder 22 sets up a new cluster representative of the fault and inputs the new class to the classifier 14. Alternatively, if the interpretation is that the flagged data belongs to one of the plurality of known classes, then a class resetter 24 resets the boundaries of this class and informs the classifier 14 of the change.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for processing records to extract relevant, reusable diagnostic information and make the information available in a form capable of being used by field engineers to speed the diagnosis and repair or adjustment of equipment.

Abstract: A method and system for dual laser shock peening an article are provided. The method allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a first surface of the article to be peened. The method further allows for defining a spot pattern comprising a plurality of spots on a second surface of the article to be peened. The first and second surfaces comprise mutually opposite surfaces relative to one another. Each one of the respective spots on the second surface is arranged to correspond to a respective spot on the first surface and comprising a plurality of matched pair of spots. A generating step allows for generating dual laser beams being respectively aligned to simultaneously impinge on each respective matched pair of spots.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for integrating a plurality of diagnostic information from a multiple of sources. In this invention, there is a site specific database which contains site specific information for a machine. A plurality of diagnostic related information is obtained from the machine. A diagnostic router collects the site specific information for the machine and the plurality of diagnostic related information and generates a current incident record therefrom. An approved incident record database contains a plurality of approved incident records obtained from a plurality of machines. An integrator finds approved incident records from the approved incident record database that most closely match the current incident record.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting web breaks in a paper machine. Principal components analysis (PCA) and classification and regression tree (CART) modeling are used to predict web break sensitivity from sensor measurements taken from the paper machine. Also, the CART model is used to isolate the root cause of the predicted web break sensitivity.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating an offer which has been made in relation to certain delinquent accounts is disclosed. A historical database of sorts is maintained on accounts which were previously characterized as delinquent. Payment history information is also retained on each of these historical delinquent accounts. These historical delinquent accounts are scored, and thereafter placed into a plurality of groups, with the high and low scores of these groups defining an associated score cluster or range of scores. A liquidation profile is established for each portion of the historical delinquent accounts defined by the application of the noted score clusters thereto (i.e., each collection of delinquent accounts defined by a particular score cluster has its own liquidation profile). Liquidation profiles are representative of how historical delinquent accounts defined by a particular score cluster recovered over time (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic phased array transducer with an ultralow backfill and a method for making. The ultrasonic phased array includes a low density backfill material having an ultralow acoustic impedance. The backfill material is either an aerogel, a carbon aerogel, an xerogel, or a carbon xerogel. A piezoelectric ceramic material and two matching layers are bonded to the backfill material. In one embodiment, a plurality of interconnect vias are formed in the backfill material with conducting material deposited in the vias. A portion of the bonded matching layers, the piezoelectric ceramic material, and the backfill material have isolation cuts therethrough to form an array of electrically and acoustically isolated individual elements. In a second embodiment, the backfill material is bonded to an electronic layer at a face opposite to the piezoelectric ceramic material and the matching layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transferring data between source and target databases in a computer system that can adapt to changes in the schema of the source database and/or target database. This adaptability is achieved by determining the intersection of the source and target database schemas prior to a transfer of data between the databases. Since the intersection is determined prior to a transfer, changes in the schema of the source and/or target database are automatically accommodated. In one embodiment, the method includes the ability to specify the desired frequency with which data is to be transferred between source and target databases. The method, which is implemented as a computer program, is also capable of operating in a computer system in which other tasks are competing for processor time.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided for identifying faults in a machine (e.g., CT scanner, MRI system, x-ray apparatus) by analyzing a data file generated thereby. The diagnostic system includes a trained database containing a plurality of trained data, each trained data associated with one of plurality of known fault types. Each trained data is represented by a trained set of feature values and corresponding weight values. Once a data file is generated by the machine, a current set of feature values are extracted from the data file by performing various analyses (e.g., time domain analysis, frequency domain analysis, wavelet analysis). The current set of feature values extracted is analyzed by a fault detector which produces a candidate set of faults based on the trained set of feature values and corresponding weight values for each of the fault types. The candidate set of faults produced by the fault detector is presented to a user along with a recommend repair procedure.

Abstract: A throttler method for rapid start-up for use with broadcast automation systems. A throttler loads an initial playlist while also accepting editing commands. The throttler interleaves these events and commands and generates and modifies the playlist of scheduled events. The throttler sends the events to a broadcast automation system for execution which drives audio and video devices based on the scheduled events, allowing the editing commands to be interleaved with non-editing commands. For unprocessed editing command, a command pair of up to two pieces of information are maintained: one deletion command and one insertion command. Each command, or event, has a unique “event identifier” and is hashed into a rapidly accessible priority queue table, according to urgency.

Abstract: A computer-based method and processor for determining the equivalence of the respective mean values of physical processes used in the production of goods is provided. The method allows for inputting respective values of various parameters. A storing step allows for storing each inputted value into a memory unit, and a computing step allows for computing, based on the stored values, respective sample sizes required by the processes to determine whether the respective means of the processes are equivalent to one another within a selected equivalence range and within sufficiently acceptable probabilities. The magnitude of the respective sample sizes is sufficiently small to allow a user to experimentally demonstrate the equivalence of the respective means of the processes.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the currentness of files of a product at the time of release to manufacturing. A data extractor and populator extracts attributes of features in a master model and populates the extracted information in drawing files and NC machining data files. A version control system manages versions of the master model and the files. A release unit releases a version of the files that is current with the latest version of the master model.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe and method for noninvasively monitoring materials processing in screw driven extruders. The noninvasive probe includes at least one ultrasonic transducer operable to transmit an ultrasonic signal on a signal path intersecting an inner sidewall of a barrel of the extruder and material between the inner sidewall of the barrel and an outer surface of a screw within the barrel. Information about the state of the material intersected by the ultrasonic signal is ascertainable from an elapsed time between reception of a first reflection of the ultrasonic signal and reception of a second reflection of the ultrasonic signal. The first reflection results when the ultrasonic signal exits the inner sidewall of the barrel and the second reflection results when the ultrasonic signal reaches one of the outer surface of the screw and partially solid material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for processing repair data and fault log data from one or more machines to facilitate analysis of a malfunctioning machine. The system includes a repair data storage unit comprising a plurality of repairs and a fault log data storage unit comprising a plurality of faults. A processor generates a plurality of cases from the repair data and the fault log data. Each case comprises a repair and a plurality of distinct faults. The processor further generates, for each of the plurality of cases, at least one repair and distinct fault cluster combination, and assigns, to each of the repair and distinct fault cluster combinations, a weight, whereby weighted repair and distinct fault cluster combinations facilitate prediction of at least one repair for the malfunctioning machine.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved alert generation system and method for trend performance analysis. A multi-variate abnormal condition detector normalizes data obtained from a process and classifies the data in a multi-dimensional space defined for the variables in the process. The normalized data are classified into either a normal or abnormal class. An alert evaluator evaluates the data classified in the abnormal class and determines whether the data are a true alert or a false alert. In another embodiment, the multi-variate abnormal condition detector and alert evaluator are used in parallel with a trend performance analysis tool to validate alerts generated therefrom.