Abstract: A system and method for displaying inspection data collected from a furnace is disclosed. The system comprises a storage device for storing the inspection data. The system also comprises a computer programmed to partition the inspection data at a plurality of data markers so as to correlate the inspection data to the physical geometry of the furnace. Each of the data markers identifies the location of a physical feature of the furnace (such as a bend, an external raised surface, cross-over piping, a thermal well, a weld, a flange, a schedule change and/or a diameter change). Preferably, the computer is also programmed to generate a display of the partitioned inspection data, wherein the display is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of the tube segments of the furnace. This display may then be used to visually detect problem areas within the furnace. Various exemplary embodiments of the system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: A method of using acoustic signals in the form of waves or pulses to non-destructively measure the thickness of a bonding layer sandwiched between and bonding together overlying and underlying materials different from the bonding layer especially when the thickness of the bonding layer is so small that the features (maxima, minima, time position) of the echo from the interface of the bonding layer and the overlying material is indistinguishable, i.e., not independently observable from the features (maxima, minima, time position) of the echo from the interface of the bonding layer and the underlying material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and products relate to systematic calculation and execution of pin height adjustments within a bed of nails shape measurement gauge with respect to a measured subject, such as glass substrates, and in particular, to using a bed of nails gauge for measuring a gravity-free shape of a surface of an object, including glass substrates used to make liquid crystal display (LCD) glass sheets. One or more embodiments may include a plurality of pins operable to support the surface during measurement. Each pin comprises a load cell operable to transmit measurement signals, and a height adjuster operable to receive adjustment signals and execute pin height adjustments upon receiving adjustment signals. Execution of the pin height adjustments systematically positions the pins so that the surface exerts on each pin a measured force nearing a target force corresponding to the gravity-free shape.

Abstract: A apparatus 10,110,170 is provided that measures the speed of sound and/or vortical disturbances propagating in a single phase fluid flow and/or multiphase mixture to determine parameters, such as mixture quality, particle size, vapor/mass ratio, liquid/vapor ratio, mass flow rate, enthalpy and volumetric flow rate of the flow in a pipe, by measuring acoustic and/or dynamic pressures. The apparatus includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through of the process flow 12 flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors are piezoelectric film sensors that are mounted or clamped onto the outer surface of the pipe at the respective axial location.

Abstract: An interactive media table that includes a tabletop that supports of plurality of movable objects each of which is identified by a unique identification code and each of which can be moved from place to place on said tabletop surface by one or more media table users. A display unit produces a visual image on the surface of the tabletop surface and a position tracking system determines the current positions of each of said movable objects by transmitting timed acoustic signals to each movable object, sensing the timing of arrival of these signals using an acoustic pickup on each object, and estimating the location of the object by triangulation. An infrared communications network exchanges timing information, commands and data between the objects and a controller which provides an API to a personal computer which executes an application program that controls the display.

Abstract: A technique for quantitatively evaluating a complexity associated with a configuration of a system under evaluation comprises the following steps/operations. Configuration-related data for the system under evaluation is collected. At least a portion of the configuration-related data is quantitatively analyzed using a model of human configuration cost to estimate a configuration complexity of the system under evaluation. A quality of the configuration of the system under evaluation is assessed. The configuration complexity of the system under evaluation is reported based on the quantitative analysis and the quality assessment. The step/operation of reporting the configuration complexity of the system under evaluation further comprises producing a report via an algorithm that computes a financial impact of a specified configuration process.

Abstract: A fishing reel with an integrated barometer sensor, a temperature sensor, and a weight sensor forming a sensorized fishing reel to enhance the fishing experience of an angler is disclosed. The sensorized fishing reel includes; an exterior housing supporting a display and enclosing the barometer sensor, the temperature sensor, the weight sensor as well as a controller. The controller selectively interacts with each sensor to obtain sensory readings provided by each sensor, and delivers the obtained sensory readings to the angler via the display.

Abstract: A system and method that enables a laboratory to integrate its internal and external quality control programs to thereby control the quality of its laboratory testing services. The system comprises a storage device and a processor operable to maintain in the storage device a database identifying a plurality of laboratory tests and the corresponding internal laboratory statistical data, group statistical summary data and control rules. The processor is also operable to calculate a control range for a specified laboratory test by applying the group statistical summary data (and, in some cases, the internal laboratory statistical data) to the control rule corresponding to the specified laboratory test. Preferably, the processor is also operable to receive a test result from a laboratory instrument, and determine whether the test result falls within the calculated control range for the specified laboratory test. Various exemplary embodiments of the system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining the how information from any information system changes over time. WebPages A through WebPages Z with nodes A through Z, are located, where A through Z are integers. Timestamp values for each of a node from A through Z are retrieved. Timestamp values from A are subtracted to create a denominator time value. A distance between the nodes A through Z is determined by calculating a number of edges in the digraph to create a numerator value. The distance is divided by the denominator time value to provide a velocity value.

Abstract: A method for recording and having analyzed waveform data associated with an electronic circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a communication port and is capable of providing to the communication port a first signal representative of a phase current passing through the circuit breaker, and a second signal representative of a conditional event at the circuit breaker. The method includes facilitating the connection of a waveform recorder device to the communication port of the electronic trip unit; facilitating recording in a first memory of the waveform recorder device in a circular queue fashion information relating to the first signal received from the electronic trip unit; and, in response to the second signal received from the electronic trip unit, facilitating the stopping of the recording in the first memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro and micro defects. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.

Abstract: A method for facilitating an ODP measurement of a semiconductor wafer. The method includes obtaining real time wafer characteristic data for a measurement site on said wafer and detecting a measured diffraction signal from a structure within the measurement site of the wafer. The measured diffraction signal is matched with a simulated diffraction signal stored in a wafer characteristic dependent profile library. A hypothetical profile structure associated with the simulated diffraction signal in the wafer characteristic dependent profile library is then identified. The real time wafer characteristic data is used to facilitate at least one of the matching and identifying.

Abstract: A system and method is described herein that includes a software-based functionality to assess the relationship between reliability, operational, maintenance and plant betterment activities and to determine the frontier of efficient spending and other measures of performance to achieve a level of reliability that is based on data from units of similar design and performance.

Abstract: The computational resources of a digital power meter can be reduced by utilizing an interrupt requested in anticipation of interrupt latency to perform real-time tasks, an approximation of a root mean square load current at an earlier time to compensate for a phase shift between the load current and the current transducer output, and an amplitude that is neither zero nor maximum to distinguish the cycles of a harmonically distorted waveform.

Abstract: A method of mitigating propagation of a thermal event in an energy storage system having a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying the heat sources within the energy storage system and plurality of cells. The method then controls a temperature of the energy storage system and plurality of cells and also detects predetermined conditions within the energy storage system. The method then performs a predetermined action based on when one of the predetermined conditions is detected. A plurality of sensors and switches along with associated hardware or software will be used to control the temperature of the energy storage system upon detection of predetermined conditions involving overheating, over current, over voltage of the like.

Abstract: A waveform recorder device for mounting to an electronic circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit and a communication port is disclosed. The device includes a connector configured to connect with the communication port, and a processing circuit in signal communication with the connector. The processing circuit is responsive to instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, facilitate responding to a conditional signal received from the circuit breaker, and in response thereto recording waveform information arising from an additional signal received from the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit comprises an outer case assembly including an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum, with upper and lower support shells surrounded by the upper and lower gas plenums. A sensor assembly includes a sensor shell, with the sensor assembly surrounded by the upper and lower support shells. A plurality of gas bearing pads extend through apertures in the upper and lower support shells and are configured to inject a first pressurized gas into a gap that separates the gas bearing pads and the sensor shell. A wireless power transfer transformer includes a power transmitting core mounted to the outer case assembly, and a power receiving core mounted in an opening of the sensor shell. The receiving core is configured to be aligned with the transmitting core for wireless power transfer. The transmitting core is configured to inject a second pressurized gas into a gap between the transmitting core and the receiving core.

Abstract: A utility diagnosing equipment can recognize an abnormality or a normality in a plurality of utilities of an identical type, which would not be recognized when an absolute threshold is set. The equipment accepts state values from the plurality of utilities, sets an average value of the state values of each utility to a proxy value, finds a relative value between the state value of each utility and the proxy value thereof, and displays the relative value for each utility. The relative values of the utilities exceeding a predetermined threshold is highlighted.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting an abnormal event for process units of an ethylene processing system. The method compares the operation of the process units to a model developed by principal components analysis of normal operation for these units. If the difference between the operation of a process unit and the normal operation indicates an abnormal condition, then the cause of the abnormal condition is determined and corrected.

Abstract: Present application provides a method for suppressing noise in a spectral Doppler system, comprising the steps of: obtaining a power spectrum of Doppler signals demodulated in the spectral Doppler system, by performing spectral analysis on the Doppler signals; estimating an average noise power of the spectral Doppler system; designing a noise suppression filter by determining its filter coefficients based on the power spectrum of the Doppler signals and the estimated average noise power; filtering the Doppler signals by using the designed noise suppression filter so as to reduce the noise.