Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a dry gas seal positionable between a stationary housing and a rotatable shaft. A plurality of sense elements may rotate in response to the rotation of the rotatable shaft and a speed sensor may sense the speed of the rotatable shaft at speeds below one thousand rotations per minute based on sensing the plurality of sense elements. A processor may receive output signals from the speed sensor and may establish a position of the dry gas seal or an operating condition of the dry gas seal based on the signal from the speed sensor.

Abstract: Provided is an additive manufacturing system capable of performing in-process, layer-by-layer non-destructive testing, the additive manufacturing system including: a plate for producing a part thereon; a transducer attached to the plate and configured to induce vibrations in the part; and a laser vibrometer configured to detect a vibrational response of the part to determine whether defect and/or anisotropy exists within the part.

Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems and methods for conducting non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of a wooden specimen, where structural integrity of the wooden specimen is assessed without being compromised. A non-limiting example of a wooden specimen is a wooden utility pole. One or more NDE devices, attached to the wooden specimen, are configured to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic signals to execute NDE of the wooden specimen. An exemplary NDE device may be controlled by another computing device via a data transmission connection. Examples described herein pertain to a variety of coverages that comprise but are not limited to: coverage for a single NDE device; coverage for a system of two or more NDE devices that are utilized to conduct NDE of the wooden specimen; and coverage where one or more NDE devices interface with one or more computing devices to conduct NDE of the wooden specimen.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory. The electronic controller is configured to receive an impact event indication associated with an impact event of the cutter drum, the impact event indication based on vibration data collected by the sensor. The electronic controller is also configured to retrieve additional data associated with the impact event indication and link the additional data with the vibration data of the impact event indication. The electronic controller is also configured to create and store an impact event record including the vibration data and the additional data. The electronic controller is configured to, in response to receiving a maintenance request, export the impact event record for display.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory, the electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The electronic controller is configured to receive vibration data from the sensor and determine a current vibration level experienced by a cutter drum of the shearer based on the vibration data. The electronic controller is also configured to compare the current vibration level to a vibration threshold. The electronic controller is also configured to detect an impact event associated with the cutter drum of the shearer based on the comparison and generate an impact event indication associated with the impact event.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to evaluating an ovaling mode in a cylindrical object and determining a quality of the cylindrical object by analysis of the ovaling mode. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for determining a structural quality of a cylindrical element, comprising measuring, as a result of a single applied force, surface vibrations of the cylindrical element via four or more surface transducers arranged on the cylindrical element along a circumference of the cylindrical element, the four or more surface transducers being equally spaced along the circumference, processing digital signals corresponding to each of the four or more surface transducers in order to generate a composite digital signal, transforming the composite digital signal to a frequency domain, comparing the transformed composite digital signal to a reference composite digital signal, and determining, based on the comparing, the structural quality of the cylindrical element.

Abstract: This identification apparatus is for identifying the degree of degradation of oil and includes a sensor that detects a substance arising from oil contained in an oil tank and a controller that determines the degree of degradation of the oil based on information related to the substance detected by the sensor and the distance from the oil tank containing the oil to the sensor.

Abstract: A substance detection system and a substance detection method are provided. The temperature identifying portion identifies a surface temperature of the quartz substrate, based on a difference between a deviation of the fundamental wave frequency from at least any predetermined reference fundamental wave frequency of the reference crystal resonator and the detecting crystal resonator and a deviation of the third harmonic frequency from a predetermined reference third harmonic frequency. The substance identifying portion identifies a temperature at which a contaminant attached to the detecting crystal resonator is desorbed from the detecting crystal resonator to identify the contaminant based on the temperature at which the contaminant is desorbed.

Abstract: Resonance inspection of parts in which a resonance standard to which a frequency response of the part is compared is at least in part based on a property derived from testing of a witness coupon that is manufactured concurrently with the part. This approach may allow properties of a material and/or manufacturing technique used to produce the part and witness coupon to inform the resonance standard to improve testing. Approaches are described related to both empirically derived resonance standards as well as model-based resonance standards.

Abstract: A method for determining a quality of a friction stir welded seam is described. The method involves applying an impact to a welded plate and comparing its damping capacity with the damping capacity of a geometrically equivalent defect-free plate. Damping capacities that differ by a small percent difference indicate that the welded plate is also defect-free. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with small defects, which produce miniscule changes in natural frequency which may not be measureable.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a structure body, an element portion, and a power line. The structure body includes a supporter and a film portion. The film portion is supported by the supporter and includes an end portion. The end portion is aligned with a first direction and supported by the supporter. The element portion includes a first element provided at the film portion. The first element includes a first magnetic layer, a first opposing magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the film portion, and a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first opposing magnetic layer. A second direction from the first opposing magnetic layer toward the first magnetic layer crosses the first direction. The power line is electrically insulated from the element portion. The power line includes a portion aligned with the first direction.

Abstract: A fastener probe assembly includes a disc configured to rotate about a first axis of a fastener, an ultrasound probe coupled to the disc, and an encoder configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the first axis of the fastener during an inspection of the fastener. The ultrasound probe is configured to interface with an axial end of the fastener, to emit ultrasound signals into the axial end of the fastener, and to receive ultrasound signals from the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a core-shell nanocomposite including fluorescent bodies disposed to have a uniform distance in a perpendicular direction from a surface thereof, to a method of manufacturing same, and to a use for a probe for metal-enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for inspecting a tank containing a flammable fluid are provided. A vehicle configured to inspect the tank can include a propeller, a battery, a control unit, an inspection device, and a ranging device. The battery provides power to the propeller, the control unit, the inspection device, and the ranging device. The control unit generates a map of the tank. The control unit determines a first position of the vehicle on the map of the tank. The propeller moves the vehicle through the flammable fluid in the tank. The inspection device determines a quality metric of a portion of the tank. The control unit causes the propeller to move the vehicle from the first position to a second position within the tank. The control unit determines the quality metric for the portion of the tank at the second position within the tank, and stores the quality metric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding apparatus for flexible material durability testing, the folding apparatus including: a material fixing part fixing a part of a flexible material to be tested; a pivoting plate spaced apart at a predetermined gap from the material fixing part, and folding or unfolding the flexible material by rotatively moving in a state where the other part of the flexible material is fixed thereon; and a motion controller supporting the pivoting plate to enforce the pivoting plate to rotatively move and to allow the pivoting plate to forwardly or backwardly move with respect to the material fixing part at the same time. In addition, because a miscellaneous force in addition to tensile force is not applied to the material during flexible material durability testing, the testing is highly reliable. Accordingly, the folding apparatus may accurately perform the flexible material durability testing.

Abstract: Acoustic transducers generate and receive acoustic signals at multiple locations along a surface of rigid structure, wherein longitudinal spacing between transducer locations define measurement zones. Acoustic signals with chosen amplitude-time-frequency characteristics excite multiple vibration modes in the structure within each zone. Small mechanical changes in inspection zones lead to scattering and attenuation of broadband acoustic signals, which are detectable as changes in received signal characteristics as part of a through-transmission technique. Additional use of short, narrowband pulse acoustic signals as part of a pulse-echo technique allows determination of the relative location of the mechanical change within each zone based on the differential delay profiles. For accurate acoustic modeling and simulation, the mesh size, time step, time delay, and time-window size are optimized.

Abstract: A jig assembly for measuring the tensile strength of an electrode at a bend having a similar radius to a core, an apparatus for measuring bending tensile strength including the jig assembly, and a method for measuring bending tensile strength that measures the tensile strength of an electrode at a bend having a similar radius to a core using the apparatus for measuring bending tensile strength are provided. The jig assembly of the present disclosure includes a fixing unit configured to fix a first end part of a sample, and a plate shaped bending jig configured to provide a one point bend to a lengthwise direction cross section of the sample and to guide a second end part of the sample toward a tensile testing load unit. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to measure the tensile strength of the electrode under a similar condition to a winding process before the electrode is used in real winding applications.

Abstract: An observation system includes an information acquiring section configured to acquire sensor information from a sensor section set in a structure and configured to detect vibration of the structure and a processing section configured to calculate information concerning a peak vibration frequency of the vibration on the basis of the sensor information and determine a surface state of the structure on the basis of the information concerning the peak vibration frequency.

Abstract: An acoustic biometric imaging system for acquiring a fingerprint representation, comprising: a device member; a transmitter transducer having a first fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; drive circuitry; a receiver transducer having a second fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; receiver circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: control the drive circuitry to provide an electrical excitation signal to the transmit transducer resulting in fundamental mode oscillation of the transmit transducer with a frequency spectrum having a peak frequency being higher than the first fundamental mode resonance frequency and the second fundamental mode resonance frequency; receive, from the receiver circuitry, an electrical sensing signal indicative of an acoustic reflection signal; and determine the fingerprint representation based on the sensing signal received from the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for monitoring functioning of a cooling system of the apparatus, at least some apparatus components, that are to be cooled by the cooling system, have respective temperature sensors in thermal communication therewith. A start temperature of at least one of the components is determined by at least one of the sensors, and a computer determines, from the start temperature, at least one comparison variable that describes a reference temperature change due to power input to the respective component. The at least one temperature sensor provides the computer with a measured variable that describes actually occurring temperature change due to the power input. The computer compares the measured variable with the comparison variable and determines whether the comparison result fulfills an action criterion and, if so, the computer initiates implementation of an action associated with the action criterion.

Abstract: Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) is applied to diamonds (both cut/polished gemstones and rough diamonds) to yield a digital fingerprint from which the stone may be authenticated and sorted according to the structural quality. Diamonds are mined as rough stones from which they undergo examination to determine their value as being gem, or of two different industrial qualities. Fewer than 25% of mined diamonds are worthy of cutting and polishing to yield gems for jewelry. About 40% of the remaining population still have value as industrial diamonds for machine tools, and the rest is ground into dust to provide coatings for grinding applications. Rough stones exist in two conditions being coated and uncoated. The coated stones have a layer of polycrystalline diamond, different from the predominant crystal structure, rendering them opaque. This interferes with optical inspection, as any cracks, or inclusions can't be seen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for measuring a dynamic response of a machine. The system includes a vibration mechanism, an accelerometer, a controller and a casing. The vibration mechanism is operable to generate an excitation signal, and the accelerometer is operable to measure dynamic energy in response to the excitation signal and output a dynamic response signal indicative of the dynamic energy. The controller includes a communication interface and operates the vibration mechanism to output the excitation signal and transmit a vibration input signal based on the excitation signal by way of the communication interface. The casing houses the vibration mechanism and the controller.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for detecting bend in the rotating shaft of magnetic bearing. The system comprises a first displacement sensor, a second displacement sensor, and a processor electrically connected with the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor; the processor comprises a calculating unit, a first judging unit and a second judging unit; the calculating unit is configured to calculate center positions of the rotating shaft stopping at different positions during rotating a circle; the first judging unit judges whether the rotating shaft is bent or not according to a curve of the changed center positions, and outputs a test result of qualification if the rotating shaft is not bent. Users are able to determine whether the rotating shaft needs to be processed or not, to avoid causing destructive effects on the magnetic bearing system due to excessive bend degree of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for monitoring health of a machining tool operable in a machining state to form a workpiece and a non-machining state. The method includes determining whether a machine health routine is to be performed based on a machine health record stored by the control system, and retrieving a non-machining cyclic schedule, in response to the machine health routine having to be performed, where the non-machining cyclic schedule defines a timetable for performing one or more maintenance routines. The method further includes identifying a primary maintenance routine from among the one or more maintenance routines based on the non-machining cyclic schedule, and scheduling the machine health routine with the primary maintenance routine.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an ultrasonic test system includes an ultrasonic propagating body and an optical fiber sensor. The ultrasonic propagating body changes at least one traveling direction of at least one ultrasonic wave which propagates in a test target. The optical fiber sensor detects the at least one ultrasonic wave of which the at least one traveling direction has been changed by the ultrasonic propagating body.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to resonance inspections and in-service parts are disclosed. One protocol (150) includes conducting a resonance inspection of an in-service part (152). The frequency response of the in-service part may be compared with a resonance standard (154) for purposes of determining whether or not the in-service part is changing abnormally (156). An in-service part that is identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “rejected” (160). An in-service part that is no identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “accepted” (158).

Abstract: A precious material analyzer may determine one or more characteristics of an unidentified precious material. A vibration injector may cause the unidentified precious material to vibrate with a vibration signature that is dependent on the one or more characteristics of the unidentified precious material. A vibration detector may detect and extract a vibration signature from the vibration of the unidentified precious material caused by the vibration injector. A vibration signature comparator may: compare the detected vibration signature of the unidentified precious material with vibration signatures of multiple identified precious materials having one or more identified characteristics; and flag one or more of the identified precious materials that have vibration signatures that are similar to the vibration signature of the unidentified precious material.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) using a sweeping frequency excitation applied during a time-varying magnetic field gradient. As an example, a gradient-modulated offset independent adiabaticity (“GOIA”) approach can be used to modify the pattern of the sweeping frequency excitation. Data are acquired as time domain signals and processed to generate images. As an example, the time domain signals are processed using a correlation between a Fourier transform of the gradient-modulated sweeping frequency excitation and a Fourier transform of the time domain signals.

Abstract: A method for processing data obtained from a condition monitoring system, which comprises the step of obtaining dynamic signal data in the form of a time waveform and/or a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) from at least one sensor. The method comprises the step of extracting at least two parameters from the time waveform and/or FFT and transmitting or displaying the at least two parameters instead of the dynamic signal time waveform data and/or a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).

Abstract: An ultrasonic mechanical defect and/or fault detection and monitoring system includes at least one ultrasonic fault detection device configured to measure ultrasonic emissions from an object under evaluation and to generate an output signal in response thereto. The system further includes at least one processor configured by code to receive the generated output signal; access a library of stored signal patterns; compare the generated output signal against the library of stored signal patterns; and generate an alert where the generated output signal matches at least one of the library of stored signal patterns.

Abstract: Vibration data indicative of the health of a machine is collected using a vibration sensor connected to a portable vibration data collector. After the vibration sensor has been attached to a measurement point on the machine, vibration data is collected over a measurement time period having a begin time and an end time, and the vibration data is stored in memory of the portable vibration data collector. First and second average amplitudes of the vibration data collected during first and second time windows in the measurement time period are determined. The slope of the vibration data is calculated based on the ratio of the amplitude difference between the first and second average amplitudes and the time difference between the first and second time windows. The vibration data is either retained in the memory or discarded based on the comparison of the slope to a threshold level.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for ultrasounds detection of defects in a material, including the following steps: emission of ultrasounds from an ultrasonic emitting transducer positioned against to the material at an emission position, acquisition, by an ultrasonic receiving transducer placed against the material at the reception position, of at least one time signal, for each measurement position, determination of a normalisation term from the values taken by the time signal during an initial portion of the measurement duration corresponding to the reception of ultrasonic waves propagated at the surface of the material; for each measurement position, normalisation of the time signal over the measurement duration using the normalisation term to obtain a normalised time signal, processing of normalised time signals for different measurement positions to detect defects in the material.

Abstract: A predictive diagnostics system for monitoring mechanical seals. The system autonomously detects a loss of lubrication within a sliding seal interface of a mechanical seal, the system including a loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to monitor data sensed by one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface, and a plurality of other failure mode logic modules configured to monitor data sensed by the one or more sensors and diagnose conditions relating to specific types of mechanical failures known to occur in mechanical seal systems, the loss of lubrication failure mode logic module configured to determine which of the plurality of other failure mode logic modules are activated during the diagnosis of conditions related to a loss of lubrication within the sliding seal interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, machines, and a computer medium or media having computer programs to determine presence anomalies in circumferential welds of one or more pipelines transporting fluids associated with energy therethrough. Wave form analysis or pattern recognition in pipeline data such as magnetic flux leakage data is employed. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded such as in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the machines, methods, and computer medium having computer programs can be used to screen for anomalies potentially threatening the structural integrity of the one or more pipelines so that site excavation can occur for confirmation and validation of the output results.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer unit for a field device includes a membrane embodied to execute mechanical oscillations, two rods perpendicular to the membrane and secured to the membrane, a housing, wherein the membrane forms at least one portion of a wall of the housing, and wherein the two rods extend into the housing interior, two magnets, wherein each magnet is secured in an end region away from the membrane to a different one of the two rods, and a coil with a core, wherein the coil is secured above the magnets within the housing, and is contactable with an electrical, alternating current signal, wherein the coil is embodied to produce a magnetic field that causes the two rods via the two magnets to execute mechanical oscillations, and wherein the two rods are secured to the membrane such that oscillations of the membrane result from oscillations of the two rods.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for inspecting a tank containing a flammable fluid are provided. A vehicle configured to inspect the tank can include a propeller, a battery, a control unit, an inspection device, and a ranging device. The battery provides power to the propeller, the control unit, the inspection device, and the ranging device. The control unit generates a map of the tank. The control unit determines a first position of the vehicle on the map of the tank. The propeller moves the vehicle through the flammable fluid in the tank. The inspection device determines a quality metric of a portion of the tank. The control unit causes the propeller to move the vehicle from the first position to a second position within the tank. The control unit determines the quality metric for the portion of the tank at the second position within the tank, and stores the quality metric.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection apparatus for use with coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base module that is attachable to the moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus. The base module comprises an ultrasound transducer and a first connector portion. A plurality of coupling modules are also provided that each include a second connector portion that is releasably attachable to the first connector portion of the base module. The coupling modules also include a coupling element, which may be a sphere of self-lubricating material such as a hydro-gel, for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected. This allows different coupling modules to be attached to the base module to perform different ultrasound inspection tasks.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to resonance inspections and in-service parts are disclosed. One protocol (150) includes conducting a resonance inspection of an in-service part (152). The frequency response of the in-service part may be compared with a resonance standard (154) for purposes of determining whether or not the in-service part is changing abnormally (156). An in-service part that is identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “rejected” (160). An in-service part that is no identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “accepted” (158).

Abstract: A resonator sensor module is disclosed. The resonator sensor module includes one or more sensing resonators that includes binding sites for an analyte material; one or more reference resonators that lacks any binding sites for the analyte material; a module interface; and one or more switches each including a first position that operatively couples at least one of the one or more sensing resonators and the module interface and a second position that operatively couples at least one of the one or more reference resonators and the module interface.

Abstract: A container security system is disclosed that includes force sensors and acceleration sensors attached to a lifting beam of a container handling device or to another part of a frame of the container handling device. The container security system also includes an electronics unit and an oscillation device attached to the lifting beam of the container handling device or to another part of the frame of the container handling device. The oscillation device creates oscillation of a container and contents of the container, and the container security system recognizes (i) a change in a condition of the container or the container contents as well as (ii) a change in an amount of the container contents between different container handling stages.

Abstract: A method of detecting near surface inconsistencies in a structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the structure. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data is processed to identify a frequency associated with the near surface inconsistency.

Abstract: Determining magnitude of a field variable of an energy wave through domain of interest, including steps of: defining plurality of master-particles spaced within domain, master-particles being representative of field variables of energy wave at location of respective master-particle, and defining supporting domain ?m for each master-particle; computing field variables including position, magnitude and direction of propagation of each master-particle at predetermined time; defining plurality of virtual-particles within domain representative of magnitude of field variable of wave at location of respective virtual-particle; calculating magnitude uv of field variable of each virtual-particle at time of interest by applying formula: u v = ? m = 1 N ? ? u m ? f ? ( q ? ? 1 ) × g ? ( q ? ? 2 ) Where ? ? v ? ? ? m where N is total number of master-particles, um is magnitude of respective master-particle, f(q1) is an envelope function relating magnitude of virtua

Abstract: A vibration transducer includes a silicon substrate, a first oxide film formed on the silicon substrate, an activation layer formed on the first oxide film, a second oxide film formed on the activation layer, a polysilicon layer formed on the second oxide film, and a substrate contact part. A vibrator, a vibrator electrode electrically conducted with the vibrator, a fixed electrode close to the vibrator and a vacuum chamber configured to surround the vibrator are formed in the activation layer. The polysilicon layer forms a shell. The substrate contact part is configured to electrically conduct the polysilicon layer and the silicon substrate, and is formed to continuously surround the vacuum chamber in a region, in which the vibrator, the vibrator electrode and the fixed electrode of the activation layer are not formed, of the activation layer.

Abstract: A system for the purpose of condition monitoring of gearboxes includes processing equipment that is configured to receive data that contains information of a spectrum of mechanical vibrations measured from a gearbox being monitored. The processing equipment is configured to search, from the spectrum of mechanical vibrations, at least two spikes on such frequencies which correspond to a phenomenon such as for example a bearing fault. The phenomenon is defined with at least two phenomenon-specific frequencies and with reference values of amplitudes relating to these phenomenon-specific frequencies. The processing equipment is configured to form an indicator of probability of occurrence for the phenomenon on the basis of amplitudes of the searched spikes and the reference values of the amplitudes. The fact that the indicator is formed on the basis of amplitudes of two or more spikes which relate to this phenomenon improves the reliability of the indicator.

Abstract: Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) is applied to diamonds (both cut/polished gemstones and rough diamonds) to yield a digital fingerprint from which the stone may be authenticated and sorted according to the structural quality. Diamonds are mined as rough stones from which they undergo examination to determine their value as being gem, or of two different industrial qualities. Fewer than 25% of mined diamonds are worthy of cutting and polishing to yield gems for jewelry. About 40% of the remaining population still have value as industrial diamonds for machine tools, and the rest is ground into dust to provide coatings for grinding applications. Rough stones exist in two conditions being coated and uncoated. The coated stones have a layer of polycrystalline diamond, different from the predominant crystal structure, rendering them opaque. This interferes with optical inspection, as any cracks, or inclusions can't be seen.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a longwall shearing mining machine in a longwall mining system, wherein the shearing mining machine includes a shearer having a first cutter drum and a second cutter drum, includes receiving, by a processor, shearer position data over a shear cycle. The horizon profile data includes information regarding at least one of the group comprising of a position and angle of the shearer, a position of the first cutter drum, and a position of the second cutter drum. The method also includes analyzing the shearer position data, by the processor, to determine whether a position failure occurred during the shear cycle based on whether the computed horizon profile data was within normal operational parameters during the shear cycle, and generating an alert upon determining that the position failure occurred during the shear cycle.

Abstract: Shown is a gas sensor including a sensor element, a measurement chamber and an emitter element. The sensor element has a MEMS membrane which is arranged in a first substrate region. Furthermore, the measurement chamber is embodied to receive a measurement gas.

Abstract: A model-independent method for producing a viscoelastic tissue property metric using ultrasound is provided. A mechanical stress, such as an acoustic force, is applied to a tissue using an ultrasound system and tissue displacement resulting from the applied acoustic force is measured. From the tissue displacement measurements, a complex modulus, such as a relative complex modulus, is extracted. A loss tangent is calculated from the extracted complex modulus. Using the calculated loss tangent, viscoelastic tissue property metrics may be calculated.

Abstract: A system for and a method of measuring ultrasonic wave velocities in a subterranean core specimen is provided. Ultrasonic wave velocities are measured from the side surfaces (faces) of a polygonal-shaped core specimen having at least ten sides or faces. Stress is introduced to the core specimen by hydraulic rams associated with each set of opposing sides. As stress is applied, ultrasonic waves are introduced to at least one side of the set of opposing sides and the wave transmitted through the core specimen is measured. Subsequently, the wave velocity for the ultrasonic wave can be calculated based on the measurements taken. Also, elastic properties associated with the core specimen can be calculated.