Abstract: An interface and method for determining an operational reliability factor SB for a drive, including gear unit and motor, provided for a load, an operational reliability factor SB is determined for the drive or its gear unit from a load collective that is at least three-dimensional.

Abstract: A system and method of signal detection from a given point, in which a radiative aperture, such as a sonar sensor, radar antenna, acoustic sensor, or the like, receives radiation from the point at more than one range. At each range, the signal incident on each point within the aperture is weighted by the cosine of the angle between a surface normal at the point on the aperture, and a vector from the point on the aperture to the given point. The physical size and shape of the aperture may also be changed to cause the aperture to subtend the same solid angle having the given point as the vertex, at each range. In this manner, the signal from the given point becomes aperture shape independent, facilitating object recognition and imaging.

Abstract: A system comprises a sensing node that includes a sensor, a processor, an energy harvesting circuit, a time keeper, a first energy storage device, and a second energy storage device. The energy harvesting circuit is connected for recharging the first energy storage device. The processor is connected for receiving all its power derived from the energy harvesting circuit. The second energy storage device is connected for powering the time keeper.

Abstract: Thermal test apparatus comprising a specimen supported by a fixture, a thermal shroud comprising a flexible insulating fabric forming an enclosure around at least a portion of the specimen, and a temperature controlled air supply connected to an opening formed in the enclosure for delivering a supply of temperature controlled air into the enclosure. Also, a method of conducting a thermal test.

Abstract: The invention regards an apparatus for estimating a resonant frequency of a wind turbine tower, comprising a measuring module adapted for measuring acceleration values of the wind turbine tower wherein the acceleration values represent acceleration of the wind turbine tower, a filter module adapted for receiving the measured acceleration values, the filter module comprises a variable filter wherein the variable filter is adapted to attenuate frequencies in a band hereby attenuating frequencies for an output of the filter module, an adaptive algorithm module comprising an adaptive algorithm wherein the adaptive algorithm module is adapted for communicating with the filter module and wherein the adaptive algorithm is adapted to minimise the energy of the output of the filter module by adjusting the band of attenuated frequencies, a resonant frequency estimating module adapted for estimating the resonant frequency of a wind turbine tower based on the attenuated frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing apparatus including a plurality of drawing units each of which is configured to perform drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, a plurality of first processors configured to be selectively connectable to each of the plurality of drawing units, an information processor configured to determine, from the plurality of first processors, a first processor to be connected to a first drawing unit among the plurality of drawing units, based on drawing data, and a connection unit configured to connect the determined first processor to the first drawing unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying unbuildable part pairs in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes receiving a product structure having a plurality of nodes with variant conditions. The method includes building, by the client PDM system, a variant condition forest (VCF) corresponding to the product structure and selecting a pair of nodes in the product structure. The method includes determining, using the VCF, whether the variant conditions of each of the selected nodes are satisfiable both separately and at the same time, and if not, marking the selected pair of nodes as unbuildable. The method includes adding the unbuildable pair of nodes to an unbuildable pairs list. The method includes performing a clearance analysis process on the product structure, without processing unbuildable pairs on the unbuildable pairs list, and storing the results of the clearance analysis process.

Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product evaluates a real-time condition of a construct of a roadway. A processor receives a set of roadway acoustic sound patterns from a mobile microphone that is mounted on a terrestrial vehicle as it travels along a roadway. This set of roadway acoustic sound patterns is created by a physical contact between a roadway surface of the roadway and a tire on the terrestrial vehicle. The processor also receives a set of transient data from a probe on the terrestrial vehicle. This transient data describes a real-time transient environmental condition at the roadway. The set of roadway acoustic sound patterns and the set of transient data are input into an analysis algorithm to determine a real-time physical condition of a construct of the roadway. Data describing the real-time physical condition of the construct of the roadway is then transmitted to a remote computer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring method and system for monitoring an electric motor, comprising: modelling means (5) for modelling a circle diagram (31) based on current intensities of said electric motor, calculating means (7) for calculating at least one operational parameter by using said circle diagram, said operational parameter being anyone out of the following operational parameters: torque, resistive loss, rotor resistance, slip, and motor yield, monitoring means (9) for monitoring said electric motor (3) based on said operational parameter.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a cause of springback of the invention includes: performing a forming analysis to calculate forming data of a formed product; decomposing a component into an in-plane stress component and a bending moment component; generating a before-calculation individual decomposition forming data; performing a calculation to generate an after-calculation individual decomposition forming data; analyzing a first springback configuration and a second springback configuration; obtaining a degree of influence of a stress in each of the areas with respect to springback deformation; and displaying the degree of influence with respect to the springback deformation.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the diffusion tensor anisotropy or the surface energy anisotropy that does not require the formation of particular structures, and that is capable of being performed in cases of moderate-amplitude perturbations. The invention relates to measuring the temporal evolution of natural or artificial roughnesses, and analyzing the results in the firm of the 2D power spectral density for moderate-amplitude perturbations typically characterized by amplitude/wavelength ratios of the perturbation for a spatially defined perturbation having two wavelengths along two orthogonal directions, the ratios typically being less than 0.3.

Abstract: An information exchange method includes steps of shaking a first electronic device and a second electronic device simultaneously; recording a first vibration waveform of the first electronic device and recording a second vibration waveform of the second electronic device; determining whether the first vibration waveform and the second vibration waveform match each other; and transmitting a first information related to the first electronic device to the second electronic device when the first vibration waveform and the second vibration waveform match each other.

Abstract: System and method for automatically determining a final set of tuning/calibration parameters for designing a new turbo-machinery. The method includes inputing an initial set of tuning/calibration parameters; calculating family turbo-machinery quantities based on the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters; comparing the calculated family turbo-machinery quantities with measured quantities and calculating a first error between the calculated family quantities and the measured quantities; calculating a second error between the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters and default values of the turbo-machine variables; forming a modified objective function that includes both the first and second errors; during an iterative process, varying the initial set of tuning/calibration parameters in such a way that the final set of tuning/calibration parameters is found; and storing in a database the final set of tuning/calibration parameters for the family.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an adaptive system and method for cooling a computer system. A plurality of interchangeable fans may be provided for cooling the computer system. Each fan may have different operational limits, but with a minimum fan speed selected so that all of the fans produce substantially the same airflow rate at the respective minimum fan speed. In one embodiment, the operational limits are stored in a computer-readable storage medium on a computer system cooling fan. The stored fan speeds are electronically retrieved from the fan, and a fan speed table is automatically generated from the retrieved maximum and minimum fan speeds. The fan speed table includes cooling state values indexed to specific fan speed values. The fan is operated at a fan speed associated with a dynamically selected cooling state.

Abstract: A material hardness distribution display system (10) includes a probe unit (20) in which a plurality of probe elements (22) are two-dimensionally arranged. Each of the probe elements (22) has an oscillator (26) for introducing oscillation into a biological tissue and an oscillation detection sensor (28) which detects a reflected wave. The probe elements (22) are successively selected by a switch circuit (50) and connected to a hardness calculation unit (70) and a measurement depth calculation unit (82). The hardness calculation unit (70) executes a frequency component analysis for an incident wave signal to the oscillator (26) and a reflected wave signal from the oscillation detection sensor (28) to calculate the hardness of the biological tissue on the basis of the analysis results.

Abstract: A proposed implementation of this present subject matter utilizes a data collection and processing unit and sensors to monitor one or more conditions which can cause damage to a pump. These conditions include differential pressure across the pump, pump flow rate, and the pump rotational speed (RPM). Pump operating curves are analyzed to develop equations indicative of minimum and maximum allowable head for efficient operation within mechanical operation limits of the pump. The equations are used to set a processor for analyzing data inputs. The processor utilizes sensor inputs from the pump, including input and output pressure differential, flow, and pump speed. These values are compared to stored data or may be inserted into an equation to provide a calculated parameter indicative of operation in or out of pump operating limits. Responsive circuits inform users of alarm conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications. In an embodiment of the invention, a biodegradable sensor device for mesh networking applications is provided. The device includes a frame formed of biodegradable material such as a mixture of polylactic acid and a resin, a biodegradable battery such as a flexible biodegradable lithium ion battery, an antenna, an environmental event detector formed from biodegradable material responsive to a change in environmental conditions, and signal generating circuitry configured to be responsive to detecting an environmental event by broadcasting a signal to other sensor devices in a mesh network and also to re-broadcast signals received from other sensor devices in the mesh network.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and an apparatus. A described mobile robotic device includes a mobile chassis configured to travel on a transmission line of a power transmission system. The mobile robotic device includes an inspection module physically associated with the mobile chassis and configured to automatically inspect a structure associated with the power transmission system. The mobile robotic device includes a risk-assessment module physically associated with the mobile chassis and configured to assess a potential risk to the power transmission system in response to inspection data provided by the inspection module. The mobile robotic device includes a communication module physically associated with the mobile chassis and configured to output data indicative of the assessed potential risk.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a plurality of computer instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the processor to perform operations for providing MAOP information for gas pipelines and MOP information for hazardous liquid pipelines, that is accessible continuously via a network. The processor performs operations including obtaining an identifier for a specific pipeline segment; collecting authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; collecting non-authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; performing dynamic segmentation, calculating smart segmentation for the specific pipeline segment; identifying gaps in MAOP or MOP data; filling the gaps in MAOP or MOP data; calculating MAOP or MOP value for the specific pipeline; and showing valid and invalid MAOP or MOP value to at least one user using an executive dashboard.

Abstract: A method for providing MAOP information for gas pipelines and MOP for hazardous liquid pipelines that is accessible continuously via a network. The method comprises obtaining a route identifier for a specific pipeline segment; collecting authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; collecting non-authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; calculating smart segmentation for the specific pipeline segment; identifying gaps in MAOP or MOP data based on the smart segmentation; filling the gaps in MAOP or MOP data; calculating MAOP or MOP for the specific pipeline; and showing valid and invalid MAOP to a user using an executive dashboard.

Abstract: A system for providing traceable, verifiable complete MAOP or MOP information for a specific pipeline to users in an automated manner that is viewable continuously via a network. The system comprises a processor in communication with the network; a data storage in communication with the processor. The data storage includes computer instructions for identifying a specific pipeline, providing a unique identifier for the specific pipeline, collecting authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline, collecting non-authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline, automatically identifying gaps in MAOP or MOP data, automatically identifying gaps in user established MAOP or MOP; automatically filling the gaps in MAOP or MOP data, calculating MAOP or MOP for the specific pipeline, and showing valid and invalid MAOP or MOP to a user using an executive dashboard.

Abstract: In an exemplary method for condition monitoring of electric and mechanical drives, measurement data in a condition monitoring system of electric drives is collected at least from one electric drive. The measurement data is pre-treated, a frequency spectrum is created from the pre-treated measurement data with the Fast Fourier Transform transformation, and a detected vibration frequency and vibration amplitude are recorded from the frequency spectrum. The detected vibration frequency and vibration amplitude is compared to at least one detected vibration frequency and vibration amplitude successive in time. In the comparison, detrimental changes in vibration frequency and vibration amplitude are defined, and the detrimental changes are indicated.

Abstract: A method of HVAC/R test and measurement using a plurality of test and measurement sensor heads, at least one power source and transmitter unit adapted to physically connect with any of the sensor heads and wirelessly transmit data to an external handheld-sized field use display and analysis instrument, including the steps of connecting the power source and transmitter unit a sensor head; performing a test and measurement by positioning the sensor head to sense and measure the desired parameter; transmitting data to the display and analysis instrument; and receiving the transmitted data on the display and analysis instrument. The display and analysis instrument may be connected to a sensor head, and preferably may receive wired or wirelessly transmitted test and measurement data from any number of communicably connected sensor heads. Wirelessly transmitted data may be received by another external display device such as a smartphone or similar computing device.

Abstract: An appendable system includes a plurality of appendable devices that are adapted to interoperate with each other and/or a workstation via a communication network to monitor and/or control a process. Each of the appendable devices can communicate with one or more sensors and/or control outputs and includes a housing that facilitates mounting of the appendable device to a surface.

Abstract: A mechanical seal monitoring system and method that measure the wear of seal faces of a mechanical seal where the mechanical seal seals a rotating machine portion from another portion of the machine. The system preferably uses a wear probe movable relative to a rotating seal component so that the wear probe can contact the rotating component. The wear of the seal is preferably determined by the relative movement that is required for the wear probe to contact the rotating component. Preferably, stress waves induced by the rubbing between the probe and the rotating component are detected by a stress-wave sensor, processed by a signal processor, and either displayed to the user numerically or reported to a monitoring computer. A signal intensity comparison method is preferably used to make the detection process insensitive to background noise generated by sources other than the contact of the wear probe and the rotating component.

Abstract: A line locator includes a signal detector to detect signals from an underground line; an error modeler that models a phase error in the signal from neighboring underground lines; and an enhanced electromagnetic field modeler that provides a location of the underground line based on the signal and a result from the error modeler.

Abstract: A hose fault detection system includes a hose assembly including a hose having first and second conductive layers. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. A fault detector is in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers. The fault detector includes an indicator operatively connected to the hose assembly. A method for monitoring the structural integrity of a hose assembly includes providing a fault detection system having a hose assembly including a hose having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic of the hose assembly is compared to a threshold value. A visual indicator in operative communication with the hose assembly is illuminated when the electrical characteristic goes beyond the threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of underground cables and pipes is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a set of electromagnetic field magnitudes and phases at a plurality of positions while traversing a target line parallelly using 3D electromagnetic coil sensors, the 3D electromagnetic coil sensors being orthogonally oriented to the target line, modeling a set of expected complex electromagnetic field magnitudes of a single underground conductor at each of the positions to form a set of values corresponding to a set of individual models for the target line, determining which of the set of individuals models is a best model, determining confidence information at each of the positions based on a comparison between the measured set of complex electromagnetic magnitudes and phases and the best model, and determining parameters at each of positions related to the target line from the best model.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an estimate for a process quantity of a turbomachine comprises measuring (301) first process quantities and calculating (302) an estimate for a second process quantity, for example mass flow, on the basis of the measured first process quantities and a reference table of interrelations between process quantities prevailing in reference inlet conditions corresponding to a pre-defined inlet fluid temperature, a pre-defined inlet fluid pressure, and pre-defined fluid properties at the inlet. The reference table and the measured first process quantities represent such a set of data values that the estimate is obtainable on the basis of different sub-sets of the data values. Hence, the estimation task is over-posed in the sense that there is more data than necessary for obtaining the estimate. In the calculation of the estimate, more weight is given to such a part of the data which has a smaller error contribution.

Abstract: A process for redesigning a distressed component in which the distressed component is under thermal and structural loads, for improving the life of the component. The process includes obtaining the operating conditions of the machine in which the distressed component is used, finding the boundary conditions under which the distressed component operates, producing a 3-dimensional model of the distressed component with such detail that the distress levels are accurately represented on the model, subjecting the model to a series of technical analysis to predict a life for the component, reiterating the technical analysis until the levels of distress on the model accurately represent the distress that appears on the actual component, and then predicting a remaining life of the component based on the analysis, or redesigning the model and reanalyzing the model until a maximum life for the component has been found.

Abstract: A moving light test system allows connecting moving lights to an interface board and conveying the lights and orienting and testing the lights while they are attached to the board. The lights can be mechanically and electrically connected to the board, and once connected, can be tested in multiple ways without reconfiguring or removing the lights. The board has a connector that can be plugged in at various locations, and the board can also be handled by mechanical devices. In this way, once the light is connected to the board, it does not need to be re-handled. In addition, lights can be tested in different orientations.

Abstract: A machine diagnosing device includes a drive object driving force estimating unit for estimating drive object driving force based on a torque command value toward a servo motor which is acquired using a position command value, an elastic deformation error estimating unit for estimating an elastic deformation error of a ball screw with the drive object driving force, and a positional deviation calculating unit for calculating a positional deviation using a rotation position of the servo motor and the position of a table, and a machine damage diagnosing unit for diagnosing a machine damage by calculating a machine damage coefficient using the elastic deformation error and the positional deviation, comparing the obtained machine damage coefficient with a previously set threshold value, and diagnosing a damage state of the drive object.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program, the apparatus including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: obtain an input signal indicative of a deformation of a housing of the apparatus; and provide, in response to the obtained input signal, an output signal to control further deformation of the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for generating device fingerprints and authenticating devices uses initial states of internal storage cells after each of a number multiple power cycles for each of a number of device temperatures to generate a device fingerprint. The device fingerprint may include pairs of expected values for each of the internal storage cells and a corresponding probability that the storage cell will assume the expected value. Storage cells that have expected values varying over the multiple temperatures may be excluded from the fingerprint. A device is authenticated by a similarity algorithm that uses a match of the expected values from a known fingerprint with power-up values from an unknown device, weighting the comparisons by the probability for each cell to compute a similarity measure.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the correct rotational direction of a centrifugal apparatus. The method includes rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a first direction, acquiring first frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the first direction, rotating the centrifugal apparatus in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, and acquiring second frequency data relating to the step of rotating the centrifugal apparatus in the second direction. The method also includes detecting the correct rotational direction of the centrifugal apparatus based on comparing the first frequency data with the second frequency data, the comparison being carried out with respect to at least one significant frequency range. In each of the at least one significant frequency range, a smaller magnitude is interpreted as an indication of the correct rotational direction.

Abstract: A method of characterizing viscoelastic properties of a sample of a substance, includes the application (52) to the sample of an oscillatory mechanical excitation, the measurement (54) of a response of the sample to the mechanical excitation and the determination (56, 58) of characteristic parameters of the viscoelastic properties of the sample, is characterized in that the determination (56, 58) of characteristic parameters includes the steps of expressing the response in the form of a nonlinear periodic response signal, of general form x(t)=x0+x1 cos(?(t)??0), where ?(t) is the phase of the signal, and of determining viscoelasticity parameters, characterizing the nonlinearity of the response signal.

Abstract: In an apparatus for estimating a temperature of a heating element such as IGBT mounted on an electronic printed circuit board, a first temperature and a second temperature at positions away from the heating element are detected, and it is determined whether a cooling device is operative. The temperature of the heating element is estimated based on the first and second temperatures using a first equation when the cooling device is inoperative, whereas it is estimated using a second equation when the cooling device is operative, thereby enabling to accurately estimate the temperature of the heating element equipped with the cooling device.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a main body, a stylus configured to be movable in relation to the main body, an encoder for detecting the amount of displacement of the stylus relative to the main body, a calculating section for calculating a measurement value from the amount of displacement detected by the encoder, a display section for displaying the measurement value calculated by the calculating section, an operation section for issuing a command to the calculating section, and a storage section that stores an effective measurement range larger than a lower limit and smaller than an upper limit of the movement stroke of the stylus. The calculating section makes a determination as to whether or not the amount of displacement detected by the encoder falls within the effective measurement range stored in the storage section and displays the result of such a determination on the display section.

Abstract: A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating a laundry load according to at least one cycle of operation including a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber in which a laundry load is received for treatment, a motor rotatably driving the drum in response to a motor control signal, and a controller outputting a motor control signal to rotate the drum according to a speed profile having at least a constant speed phase, where the drum is rotated at a constant speed, and an acceleration phase, where the drum is accelerated to the constant speed and a method of operating a laundry treating appliance to determine an inertia of the laundry load.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for in-flight assessment of freedom from flutter of an airplane, involving analyzing the airplane structure vibrations based on signals indicated by sensors located on the airplane structure. The computations are performed in real-time based on current measurement data collected from the sensors. For measurement data from individual sensors there are determined mode shapes of vibrations. The relevancy of modes of vibrations is determined by subtracting from the vibrations signal the particular mode of vibrations and calculating the value of decrease in the rest sum of squares.

Abstract: A machine in a sensor system is configured to measure conditions of parts in the machine with sensors, collect pieces of sensor data generated by the measurements, and transmit the collected pieces of sensor data to a computer while connecting to the computer via a network. The computer in the sensor system is configured to create an index for indicating that the machine is in a predetermined condition, based on the transmitted pieces of sensor data, and transmit the created index to the machine. The machine is configured to diagnose whether the machine is in the predetermined condition with the transmitted index and collected pieces of sensor data.

Abstract: A method for aligning a sphere to a desired orientation includes imaging a non-surface alignment feature of the sphere and calculating a current orientation of the sphere based on an image of the non-surface alignment feature. Using these calculations, a relationship between the current orientation of the sphere and the desired orientation of the sphere is calculated and communicated to a motion control device, and aligning the sphere into the desired orientation using the motion control device.

Abstract: A method for analysing blade displacements detected by circumferentially-spaced stationary timing probes associated with a rotating blade assembly, the displacements corresponding to times at which the blades pass the probes.

Abstract: The system and method for measuring rolling resistance provide for the measurement of various properties associated with pre-rolling resistance. A cruciform pendulum is formed from a rigid rod having opposed upper and lower ends and a horizontal support extending orthogonal thereto. A pair of substantially hemispherical samples formed from a first material are mounted on opposing ends of the horizontal support. Flat, planar samples of a second test material are placed upon spaced apart supporting surfaces. The cruciform pendulum is suspended between the supporting surfaces with the hemispherical first material resting on the planar second material. The rigid rod is deflected from vertical and released to induce pendulum oscillations with the first material rolling on the second material.

Abstract: A pump apparatus has a downhole pump disposed in a wellbore and has a motor at the surface, and a rod string operatively moved by the motor reciprocates the downhole pump in the wellbore. Downhole data indicative of load and position of the downhole pump is generated using surface measurements and a wave equation model having a damping factor. Actual fluid load lines are determined from the downhole data for upstrokes and downstrokes of the downhole pump, and calculated fluid load lines for from the strokes are determined from the distribution of the load values in the downhole data. The actual fluid load lines are compared to the calculated fluid load lines to determine if the downhole data is over or under-damped. Then, the damping factor of the wave equation model can be adjusted so that new downhole data can be generated with appropriate damping.

Abstract: A method for constructing a truss includes selecting three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. The selecting of the components includes estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in length in response to changes in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The one or more web elements are selected from the plurality of wood members to compensate for the deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.

Abstract: A compressor drive torque estimating device to be adapted for a system provided with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated by a compressor driven by a drive source mounted in a vehicle, comprising heat load detecting means for detecting a heat load of the refrigeration cycle, a storage unit storing a plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics establishing correlation between a drive torque change characteristic of the compressor and an elapsed time from a time of start of operation of the compressor, an estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means for selecting the one of the plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics stored in the storage unit based on detected values detected by the heat load detecting means, and an estimated drive torque calculating means for calculating an estimated drive torque of the compressor based on the estimated drive torque characteristic selected by the estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means.

Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 answers YES by judging that the command to start a compressor 2 is issued when an air-conditioning switch is turned on in step S100. After that, the electronic control unit 14 answers NO in the case where a timer count time Tc is shorter than a predetermined time T1 in step S120. At the same time, Tefin_C is set to 15° C. in step S130. The lower one of Tefin_C and Tefin determined in this way is determined as Tefin_d (step S150). After that, Tefin_d is input to the first-order lag function to acquire Tefin_AD(N). Then, the control proceeds to step S170, where the estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 is determined using Tefin_AD(N) and Gr.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.