Abstract: A method of tracking fluids flowing along a flow path is disclosed. A flow path is initially described corresponding to the flow path geometry which can be subdivided in real time to correspond to actual fluid volumes which are moved through the flow path. A recursive operation is used to account for moved volumes which exceed segment volumes during one tracking time period. An improved definition of a curved flow path segment is also disclosed. The disclosed method also pertains to maintaining a well pressure balanced by compensating for free fall.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for generating multiparameter optical data that characterize a population of cells. The invention includes the steps of scanning the cell population with a beam to produce sets of digital data samples, each sample set of digital data representing multiparameter optical interactions from a specific location within the cell population; storing the digital data, e.g., in a computer memory; locating a cell within the population, e.g., by comparing the digital data to a preselected threshold value; defining a neighborhood around the digital data representing the located cell; estimating a background level for the neighborhood based upon digital data corresponding to locations outside the neighborhood; and correcting each of the samples corresponding to the neighborhood with the estimated neighborhood background level to generate the optical data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a microprocessor-based apparatus for directly measuring the noise using a nuisance index (L.sub.DI) bound to two physical parameters of the noise: the average energy level (L.sub.E) and the fluctuation level of the noise.The apparatus is comprised of a microphone (M) connected to a pre-amplifier (1) and a detecting unit (2) controlling an analogical-to-digital converter (3) associated to a time (4) feeding a signal to a digital filter (5) and at the same time to one input of a comparator (6). The filter (5) feeds the filtered signal to an integrator (7) supplying the parameter (L.sub.E) and simultaneously to the second input of comparator (6) which supplies the parameter (L.sub..phi.) through counter (8) associated to a trimmer (10). Parameters (L.sub.E) and (L.sub..phi.) are indicated in block (9) of the display.

Abstract: An automatic self compensating flow control lubrication system for continuously supplying the requisite amount of lubricant to at least one component of a drive system. One or more operating parameters, such as scavenge temperature, are continuously monitored and the information provided to a computer. The computer operates the first stage solenoid valve of a two stage valve assembly which provides such an amount of lubricant to the component as is necessary to maintain a predetermined value of the operating parameter. Scavenge temperature is one such operating parameter.

Abstract: In a process for the evaluation of the quality of prints and for the color control or ink regulation of a printing machine, half tone fields, preferably gray balance fields, are scanned by a densitometer. The half tone density differences obtained by comparative measurements are transformed by an experimentally determined transform matrix into colorimetric measure differences of a color space uniformly graduated relative to perception, so that on the one hand the advantages resulting from quality evaluations in a true colorimetric system instead of a densitometric measure system may be utilized, and on the other, the use of regulation strategies requiring a colorimetric measuring system, such as for example the L*a*b* system or the LUV system, becomes possible. The transform matrix system is determined experimentally by producing a reference calibrating print and several addition calibrating prints, each containing one gray balance field and three full tone fields.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for testing the chamber of a test part for leaks in which the chamber is filled with gas under pressure and the differential pressure drop over a predetermined interval of time is determined. The temperature of the part being tested is determined, and a storage table of correction values corresponding to the estimated differential pressure drop attributable to the temperature of the part is provided. The correction value for the temperature of the part is selected from the storage table and substracted from the measured differential pressure drop to obtain a corrected differential pressure drop. If the corrected differential pressure drop is within a range below a predetermined amount, a fraction of it is summed back to the storage table to adjust the selected correction value.

Abstract: The molecular weights (Mw and Mn) and polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of a polymer have significant impact on the final product properties and processability of materials made out of it. This invention provides a method for on-line prediction of polymer properties. In a continuous polymerization reactor in which an irreversible polymerization reaction occurs, sensors provide axial temperature and pressure profile in the reactor as well as monomer flow rates and concentration for determining Mw, Mn and polydispersity. Based on a non-Newtonian fluid mechanics analysis, differential influx analysis of a side stream incorporation and determination of the moments of the molecular weight distribution via a Newton-Raphson algorithm, the model calculates an axial polymer properties profile.On-line real time "analytical measurement" of polymer properties is used to alert the operator of unusual reactor problems, to optimize reactor operation during shut-down and start-up or rate changes.

Abstract: A record position measuring apparatus comprising irradiation means for irradiating a light of a plurality of predetermined wavelength zones to a recording medium on which a color pattern is recorded, two-dimensional imaging means for imaging the color pattern to provide image information, storing means for storing the image information, and operating means for calculating the distance between the color pattern and a reference position according to the image information stored in the storing means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the velocity, whether rotary or reciprocating, of a servo shaft driven cyclically by a motor, without employing a tachmometer, while maintaining accuracy despite environmental electrical noise. From movement of the shaft a pair of overlapping square-wave signals in quadrature are produced with transition expressible in Gray Code for each cycle. A clock continuously produces a large number of evenly spaced clock pulses constituting a series of consecutive sample intervals. A signed value representing the algebraic sum of all the quadrature transitions occurring during a sample interval is determined and stored. The number of clock pulses between two quadrature transitions, each transition being the last qualified transition of the two most recent sample intervals having transitions is determined. A computer divides the sample intervals by the number of clock pulses which occurred between the selected quadrature transitions.

Abstract: In a process according to the invention for automatic calibration and/or linearization of a high-resolution electronic balance, point values are assigned by a function to the disturbance variables (parameters) that can affect the weighing result. A calibration and/or linearization is indicated or triggered when the accumulated point values reach a triggering point value (Xa) that is presettable, balance-specific and/or dependent on the environment. The calibration and/or linearization can also be triggered when the accumulated point value of a single disturbance variable reaches a triggering point value which is below point number (Xa).

Abstract: A system for monitoring, processing and storing operating parameters of a boiler room. A sonar gauge for measuring the level of liquid fuel in a storage tank, thermocouples to measure temperatures at varous points in the boiler room, and means to monitor the operating status of boiler room equipment are provided. Means to convert to digital data, store and analyze the digital data, and transmit the digital data to a remote location are provided.

Abstract: A method of determining flowrates of individual constituent phases of a flowing multiphase medium includes digitizing electrical output signals from multiple sensors which produce signals in response to fluctuating high frequency hydrodynamic and physical property characteristics of the flowing medium. The nethod also includes deriving from the signals a plurality of stochastic features in amplitude and frequency domains such as a standard deviation, a coefficient of skewness, a coefficient of kurtosis, and linear prediction coefficients. Feature vectors are compared with a corresponding calibration map stored in a memory as a database relating feature vectors uniquely to flowrates of the component phases of the medium. Using a pattern recognition technique a unique match is determined as a measure of the flowrates of the component phases of the medium.

Abstract: The residual strength of electricity poles is determined by the deflection of the poles under a pre-determined applied load. The load is applied by an extensible ram which has a foot secured to the base of the pole by a chain and a head plate with teeth which engages the sides of the poles. A preset hydraulic pressure is applied to the ram by a manual pump and the deflection if measured by strain gauges mounted on a support frame. The load deflection data are fed to a programmed computer which calculates the residual strength.

Abstract: A tube bending die rotates to cause the tube to be bent over the outer periphery of the die and uses a drive which includes a transducer for measurement of the bending moment required for bending the tube. The bending moment signal is used in conjunction with a signal indicating the total amount of bend to control the number of degrees of bending and to overbend the tube an amount which is a function of the bending moment required to bend the tube, to compensate for springback. In its simplest form, the bending die is a rotating element, and the drive for rotating the die can include a force measuring link which can be converted into bending moment required for bending is used as a measured parameter for an equation which provides a signal indicating the amount of angular overbending needed to compensate for springback in an online, real time process.

Abstract: A fan efficiency monitoring system and method utilizes the measured temperature and pressure differential a fan to calculate and display fan efficiency relative to the temperature differential in an isentropic process at the same inlet temperature and pressure differential. The computed fan efficiency is displayed proximal the fan or at a remote operator's station.

Abstract: The Specimen coordinate Automated Measuring Machine (SCAMM) and the Fiducial Automated Measuring Machine (FAMM) is a computer controlled metrology system capable of measuring length, width, and thickness, and of locating fiducial marks. SCAMM and FAMM have many similarities in their designs, and they can be converted from one to the other without taking them out of the hot cell. Both have means for: supporting a plurality of samples and a standard; controlling the movement of the samples in the +/- X and Y directions; determining the coordinates of the sample; compensating for temperature effects; and verifying the accuracy of the measurements and repeating as necessary. SCAMM and FAMM are designed to be used in hot cells.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring the flow in oscillating displacement pumps, the basis for measurement used is the working principle of the pump itself and, accordingly, the mathematically unambiguous relation between the displacer kinematics and the compression or expansion time of the displacer is utilized, in particular via a microcomputer. For this purpose the compression time and expansion time are measured as the time difference between the back and the front dead point position of the plunger, respectively, and the coupling pressure peak at the beginning of the feeding process and the suction process, respectively, which is effected in particular by sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately measuring an amount of exercise taken by a walker in terms of a walking speed, the distance traveled and the energy consumed. Impacts made by contacts of a foot of the walker with the ground are detected by a detector so as to produce corresponding contact signals. The number of the contact signals in a predetermined unit of time is counted by a processor to obtain a pitch in the unit of time, and a stride of the walker is calculated from said pitch and the height of the walker by the processor according to a predetermined empirical relationship of ST=(0.1688.times.HT)/(1-0.0174.times.PI.times.HT), where ST is the stride in meters, PI is the pitch in number of steps every 10 seconds, and HT is the walker's height in meters. The data on said height are inputted to the processor beforehand. Then the stride is multiplied by the pitch, to obtain and display a walking speed of the walker in said unit of time. The energy, e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling a periodic noise superposed on a real signal component of an original signal. The system comprises: a synchronous adaptive noise canceling filter which sequentially produces and corrects a noise component at each predetermined phase of the original signal in synchronization with a signal having a corelationship to a period of the original signal; a subtractor which subtracts the noise signal component produced by the synchronous adaptive noise canceling filter from the original signal so as to produce the real signal component as a target signal; and a signal generator which produces and sends a signal to the synchronous adaptive noise canceling filter so that the synchronous adaptive noise canceling filter produces a real periodic noise signal component without the real signal component on the basis of the signal component derived previously from the subtractor and original signal.

Abstract: A program generation method for generating a program which performs numerical simulation on a computer for a physical phenomenon by entering, to the computer, shape information of a spatial region in which the physical phenomenon takes place, conditions of numerical simulation including variables and constants necessary for the numerical analysis of the physical phenomenon, a partial differential equation using the variables and constants, and initial condition, boundary condition and material coefficient of the spacial region, and equation information including computational procedures.