Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and accurately monitoring evaporation from casks storing high value liquor are presented herein. A Cask Identification and Evaporation Monitoring (CIEM) system includes instrumentation to identify cask location within a high volume storage facility and monitor loss of content from each cask. The resulting data is communicated to a CIEM tracking server for storage and further analysis. The CIEM tracking server identifies excessive short term losses, e.g., leaks, arising anywhere in the storage facility. In addition, the CIEM tracking server identifies long term loss trends. The long term loss trends are enable data-driven management of the cask conditioning process, including tasks such as scheduling of cask rotation within the storage facility, bottling, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurately and securely dispensing high value beverages are presented herein. A beverage distribution system includes one or more replaceable beverage cartridges mounted to a beverage dispensing device. Each of the beverage cartridges includes a fluid reservoir with an output port, an output control valve, a flowmeter, and a local controller. The local controller receives signals from the flow meter and determines a cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from the beverage cartridge based on the received signals. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a fluid pump and a master controller. The master controller also estimates the cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from each beverage cartridge based on control commands communicated to each beverage cartridge. If a difference between the estimated cumulative amounts of fluid dispensed from a beverage cartridge exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alert is generated.

Abstract: A high performance capability assessment model helps an automotive industry business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the automotive industry business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the automotive industry business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively predicting and consequently minimizing the amount of critical phases such as eutectic Al2Cu formed during solidification of Al—Si—Cu alloys used in a vehicle engine component comprises developing a micromodel to simulate microstructure evolution in cast Al—Si or Al—Cu alloys. The micromodel is calibrated using experimental thermal analysis cooling curves and an optimization process. Microstructure evolution and cooling curves are simulated for a casting using the calibrated micromodel. Precipitation of critical phases such as Al2Cu in the casting is predicted as a function of solidification conditions. The model allows casting process variables to be varied with predictable results so that the casting process can be controlled via the micromodel.

Abstract: Meshes for finite element analysis are formed by characterizing two or three dimensional bodies as passages for fluid flow. For a two dimensional body, the body perimeter is discretized and two portions of the perimeter are selected as inlet and outlet ends; the remainder serves as solid walls through which fluid cannot flow. A potential flow problem is solved for streamlines extending from inlet nodes to the outlet. Intersections of grid lines and streamlines determine interior inlet nodes on the surface. Quadrilaterals covering the surface are formed by connecting the nodes. For a three dimensional body, bounding surfaces are selected: one of the surfaces being an inlet surface and another of the surfaces being an outlet surface. The inlet is processed as described. A three dimensional potential flow problem from the inlet to the outlet is then solved. A series of grid planes are formed generally transverse to the three dimensional streamlines and progressing from the inlet to the outlet.