Abstract: Methods and systems for using ink-jet technology for high speed printing are provided. Print growth between pixels in an image is significantly reduced or eliminated by adjusting the printing of the pixels based on the status of the following pixel to be printed, i.e., whether the following pixel is either black or white. If a black pixel, formed by a plurality of columns of dots, is being followed by a white pixel, the column of dots closest to the white pixel will not be printed, and the column of dots in the black pixel next to the column of dots closest to the white pixel are staggered such that the pixel appears filled despite the absence of the column of dots closest to the white pixel and will still be properly read as a black pixel by a scanner reading the image.

Abstract: A method of masking sounds associated with a vehicle is provided. The method includes performing on processing circuitry, monitoring of vehicle data. A tonal disturbance type and a tone to mask associated with the tonal disturbance type are identified based on the vehicle data. A shaped band of sounds is determined based on the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds covers a range of frequencies around the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds is applied to an audio output of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of masking sounds associated with a vehicle is provided. The method includes performing on processing circuitry, monitoring of vehicle data. A tonal disturbance type and a tone to mask associated with the tonal disturbance type are identified based on the vehicle data. A shaped band of sounds is determined based on the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds covers a range of frequencies around the tone to mask. The shaped band of sounds is applied to an audio output of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-ferrous, light metal alloy vibration-damped part for a vehicle chassis includes introducing a polymer insert into a cavity formed in the part. The polymer insert may be introduced into the cavity by separately fabricating the polymer insert and then sliding or maneuvering the insert into the cavity or by injecting a liquid polymer material into the cavity and then solidifying and shrinking the liquid polymer material into the polymer insert. The vibration-damped light metal alloy part can damp vibrations that originate within or are imparted to the part when such vibrations effectuate relative contacting frictional movement between an exterior surface of the polymer insert and an interior surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine is provided. The method includes generating a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal for the inverter via a controller. At least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on at least one commanded engine operating parameter. For example, the engine on/off state, engine torque, and engine speed can be considered. A vehicle having a controller configured to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device.

Abstract: In methods and systems that may facilitate detecting abnormal operation in a process plant, values of a process variable are analyzed to determine whether they significantly deviate from expected values. If there is a significant deviation, an indicator may be generated. Analyzing the process variable may include, for example, utilizing a plurality of thresholds determined based on statistics of the process variable. Analyzing the process variable may also include, for example, determining whether a first number of values of the process variable are in a first region, and whether a second number of values are in a second region.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and diagnosing on-line multivariate process variable. Multivariate process data includes multiple process variables each having a multiple observations. On-line process data is collected from a process control system when the process is on-line. The on-line process data includes multiple observations of multiple process variables. A multivariate statistical analysis represents the operation of the process based on a set of the on-line process data. The representation a result. The representation and the set of on-line process data are stored. An output is generated based on a parameter of the representation. The parameter includes a result generated by the representation of the operation of the process, a process variable used to generate the representation of the operation of the process and/or the set of collected on-line process data.

Abstract: A system for measuring flow of process fluid through process piping in an industrial process includes a flow restriction element in the process pipe. A first differential pressure transmitter is configured to measure a first differential pressure across the flow restriction element in response to flow of process fluid. A second differential pressure transmitter configured to measure a second differential pressure in the process fluid across the flow restriction element. Circuitry performs diagnostics based upon the first differential pressure and the second differential pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter for use in measuring a pressure of a process fluid in an industrial process. The pressure transmitter includes a pressure sensor having a pressure output related to the pressure of the process fluid. Measurement circuitry is configured to calculate a process variable of the process fluid based upon the pressure output. Diagnostic circuitry diagnoses operation of the industrial process based upon a process parameter of the pressure output. Process parameter calculation circuitry calculates the process parameter based upon pressure output and reduces the effect of an abrupt change in the pressure output on the calculated process parameter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-ferrous, light metal alloy vibration-damped part for a vehicle chassis includes introducing a polymer insert into a cavity formed in the part. The polymer insert may be introduced into the cavity by separately fabricating the polymer insert and then sliding or maneuvering the insert into the cavity or by injecting a liquid polymer material into the cavity and then solidifying and shrinking the liquid polymer material into the polymer insert. The vibration-damped light metal alloy part can damp vibrations that originate within or are imparted to the part when such vibrations effectuate relative contacting frictional movement between an exterior surface of the polymer insert and an interior surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A clutch reaction plate includes an annular device having a plurality of radially configured, alternating inwardly-oriented splines and keys, the splines and keys configured to meshingly engage a coaxial correspondingly-splined second device inserted therein. Selected ones of the splines include a bi-directional impact absorption device configured to engage selected ones of the splines of the inserted second device when a torque load is applied in one of a first rotational direction and a second, opposing rotational direction. The remaining splines engage the remaining splines of the inserted second device when the applied torque load exceeds a reaction force of the bi-directional impact absorption device.

Abstract: A system for measuring flow of process fluid through process piping in an industrial process includes a flow restriction element in the process pipe. A first differential pressure transmitter is configured to measure a first differential pressure across the flow restriction element in response to flow of process fluid. A second differential pressure transmitter configured to measure a second differential pressure in the process fluid across the flow restriction element. Circuitry performs diagnostics based upon the first differential pressure and the second differential pressure.

Abstract: A system facilitates detecting an abnormal operation associated with a level regulatory control loop in a process plant. A model for modeling at least a portion of the level regulatory control loop may be utilized with respect to first and second signals associated with regulatory control of a level of material in a tank. The model may include a first regression model in a first range corresponding to a first operating region of the level regulatory control loop. The model may be capable of being subsequently configured to include at least a second regression model in at least a second respective range corresponding to at least a second respective operating region different than the first operating region. The model may generate a prediction of the second signal as a function of first signal. It may be determined whether the second signal significantly deviates from the prediction of the second signal generated by the model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device.

Abstract: An image of a moving object, such as a postage indicium barcode on a mail piece, is captured with the object in motion (e.g., while being transported through a mailing machine). An array of CMOS picture elements is held in a reset condition. A signal asserted on control pin ends the reset condition and places the picture elements in an image capture condition. With the picture elements in a picture capture condition, a strobe light is actuated at a time when the barcode is predicted to be present at the picture element array. After the strobe light has been actuated, the signal on the control pin is de-asserted to initiate a read-out of the image data from the picture elements.

Abstract: In a mailing machine, an image element included in a postage meter indicium printed on a mail piece is transported past a linear image capture device. The image capture device is operated to produce a smeared image of the image element. The smeared image is then automatically analyzed to detect failures in the print elements of a postage meter that is part of the mailing machine.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting abnormal operation of a hydrocracker includes a model to model the hydrocracker. The model may be configurable to include one or more regression models corresponding to different operating regions of the portion of the hydrocracker. The system and method may also determine if a monitored temperature difference variable deviates significantly from the temperature difference variable predicted by the model. If there is a significant deviation, this may indicate an abnormal operation.