Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of railroad rails. The system includes magnetostrictive sensors specifically designed for application in conjunction with railroad rails and trains that generate guided waves in the railroad rails which travel therethrough in a direction parallel to the surface of the railroad rail. Similarly structured sensors are positioned to detect the guided waves (both incident and reflected) and generate signals representative of the characteristics of the guided waves detected that are reflected from anomalies in the structure such as transverse defects. The sensor structure is longitudinal in nature and generates a guided wave having a wavefront parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor, and which propagates in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sensor. The generated guided waves propagate in the rail within the path of the propagating wave.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of pipeline structures. The system consists of a magnetostrictive sensor instrument unit, a data storage unit, and a plurality of magnetostrictive sensor probes are positioned on an in-line inspection vehicle. The instrumentation unit includes electronics for transmitting excitation pulses to a transmitting magnetostrictive sensor probe as well as electronics for amplifying and conditioning the signals detected by a receiving magnetostrictive sensor probe. The magnetostrictive sensor probes include both plate magnetostrictive sensors and permanent magnets which provide a DC bias magnetic field necessary for magnetostrictive sensor operation. The transmitting and receiving probes are attached to the in-line inspection vehicle by way of mechanical arms on opposing sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A custom wheel assembly that reduces and/or eliminates vibration of vehicles that utilize custom wheels. This is accomplished through the use of a hub ring that is placed over the center hub of a wheel hub, but behind the wheel. This renders the wheel hub-centric to reduce and/or eliminate the vibration. The hub ring is held in place by a center cap that fits over the center hub and attaches to the hub ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive short term inspection or long term monitoring of a structure. A plurality of magnetostrictive sensors are arranged in parallel on the structure and includes (a) a thin ferromagnetic strip that has residual magnetization, (b) that is coupled to the structure with a couplant, and (c) a coil located adjacent the thin ferromagnetic strip. By a transmitting coil, guided waves are generated in a transmitting strip and coupled to the structure and propagate along the length of the structure. For detection, the reflected guided waves in the structure are coupled to a receiving strip and are detected by a receiving magnetostrictive coil. Reflected guided waves may represent defects in the structure.

Abstract: A test administration center is provided at which a plurality of balance diagnostic tests are administered on a patient. A test evaluation center, located remotely from the test administration center, is provided at which diagnostic data is evaluated by a skilled clinician. A computer network links, and transfers data from, the test administration center to both the test evaluation center, where the data is evaluated, and to a patient database, where the data is stored.

Abstract: This apparatus is an add-on computer component peripheral for existing computer systems. The mouse/keyboard capture recorder (MCR) is capable of recording keyboard keystrokes, mouse coordinate movements, and mouse actions such as left, middle and right mouse clicks and/or mouse drag movements. The MCR has external cables that connect inline to a host computer's external keyboard and mouse without modification on the host computer system and its peripherals. The MCR apparatus operates independently of the hardware and software that is installed on a host computer system. A microprocessor monitors and controls all operations and stores mouse actions and keyboard actions in non-volatile memory during the MCR's record mode. In the MCR play mode, the apparatus will transmit the stored keyboard/mouse data by sending electrical signals representing the stored data to a host computer system via the mouse port and the keyboard port.