Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, Thermal Acoustic Imaging (TAI) methods, systems and apparatus are provided for detecting defects in an object being inspected.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and evaluating structural defects are provided. Baseline data representative of sensed ultrasonic waves that were transmitting into a structure with no defects are stored. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the structure from a plurality of actuators that are coupled to the structure. The ultrasonic waves that are transmitted into the structure from the plurality of actuators are sensed, with a plurality of sensors that are coupled to the structure and spaced apart from the actuators, to thereby generate and supply sensor data. Signal difference coefficients are calculated from the baseline data and the sensor data. The calculated signal difference coefficients are spatially mapped to detect one or more structural defects in the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for motion-based adaptive frequency estimation of a Doppler sensor is provided. The system comprises a Doppler sensor configured to output a digitized Doppler data signal, and a Doppler velocity estimation module operatively coupled to the Doppler sensor to receive the Doppler data signal. An inertial navigation system is operatively coupled to the Doppler velocity estimation module, and one or more inertial sensors is operatively coupled to the inertial navigation system. The inertial sensors are configured to transmit inertial navigation data to the inertial navigation system. The Doppler velocity estimation module calculates a speed or velocity estimate based on the Doppler data signal and the inertial navigation data. The speed or velocity estimate is then transmitted to the inertial navigation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for inspecting a structure for a crystallographic imperfection are provided. In the method, an X-ray wavelength that is particularly susceptible to diffraction by the crystallographic imperfection is identified. Then an X-ray source is provided to emit X-rays in the identified X-ray wavelength. While placing the structure at a sequence of positions relative to the X-ray source, X-rays are directed at the structure in multiple, non-parallel arrays to create sequential patterns of diffracted X-rays. The patterns of diffracted X-rays are digitally captured and communicated to a computer that compares them to locate the crystallographic imperfection. For a surface imperfection, the imperfection may be marked with a target to allow for physical removal.

Abstract: An access control system for a secure facility includes an authorization system having an interface, in the form of an interrogator, for receiving the request signal indicative of a user seeking authorization for a predetermined action, such as gaining access through a door. In one example, an authorization system may include an interface for receiving a request signal indicative of a party seeking authorization for a predetermined action. A first processor, that is responsive to the request signal, determines if the authorization is to be granted. If so, the first processor may generate an authorization signal that includes information that is securely coded, and which is indicative of the determination. An operating device, physically spaced from the first processor, may receive the authorization signal, and may decode the securely coded information and subsequently initiating the action, if appropriate.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a baseline vibration level of a machine and normalizing the baseline vibration level with a specified threshold value to generate a normalized baseline vibration level. The specified threshold value is based on a type of the machine. The method also includes obtaining a measurement of an operational vibration level of the machine during its operation, normalizing the measured operational vibration level against the normalized baseline vibration level, and identifying at least indicator of a status of the machine based on the normalized operational vibration level.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for monitoring access to a location are described herein. One or more method embodiments include determining data associated with an access event associated with a location, determining whether the access event is an anomalous access event using the data associated with the access event and a statistical model of data associated with a number of non-anomalous access events associated with the location, and assessing, if the access event is determined to be an anomalous access event, the anomalous access event. In various embodiments, assessing the anomalous access event includes at least one of determining an anomaly type associated with the anomalous access event, determining an anomaly classification confidence associated with the anomalous access event, determining an anomaly severity associated with the anomalous access event, and determining a reliability associated with the statistical model.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more vibration signals representing physical vibrations generated by a shaft of a machine during operation. The method also includes determining a rotational speed of the shaft. The method further includes identifying one or more sets of frequency components of the vibration signals based on the speed of the shaft, where each set of frequency components is associated with an operational characteristic of the shaft. In addition, the method includes determining one or more health indicators of the shaft based on relative energy levels of the frequency components in each set of frequency components.

Abstract: A method includes receiving radiation sensor data from two radiation sensors that are positioned separately from each other about a path. Position information identifying a source of radiation as it passes by the two radiation sensors is received. The sensor data from the two radiation sensors is time shifted to correlate the sensor data to the identified source of radiation. The time shifted sensor signals are summed.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating the display of a paperless recorder. The method comprises providing a touchscreen associated with a paperless recorder. The display of the paperless recorder can be manipulated using a plurality of finger movements. The display of the paperless recorder and the associated data provided on the touchscreen is then displayed according to the finger movement. Thereby allowing a user to control paperless recorders in a fashion that is intuitively similar to paper-based recorders, which utilizes natural human gestures to accomplish desired actions.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information associated with a machine having one or more components, where the information includes multiple rules associated with the one or more components. The method also includes receiving measurements of a vibration level of the machine and generating, based on the measurements, one or more feature values for one or more features associated with the one or more components. The method further includes determining a component-related condition for the one or more components based on the one or more feature values and the rules. In addition, the method includes providing an indicator identifying the component-related condition.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane comprises a core layer and a sheath UV-crosslinked polymer layer. The thin film composite membrane is produced by the co-extrusion of two polymer solutions. The core layer and the sheath layer can be separately optimized. The sheath layer may be UV-crosslinked to provide stability and selectivity at the desired operating temperature of the composite membrane.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes two or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes two or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the network.

Abstract: A multi-generation distributed control system includes a first generation (FG) DCS connected to a local control network (LCN) including FG client nodes. A second generation (SG) DCS connected to a non-LCN data highway includes a server node connected between the LCN and the non-LCN data highway and SG client nodes. The server node includes a LCN processor (LCNP) board. LCNP emulator software including a server LCNP emulator software component is at the server node and a client LCNP emulator software component at the SG client nodes. The server LCNP emulator software component translates between LCN data and data highway protocol data and adds one of a plurality of LCN address slots to communications received from the LCN for delivery to the SG DCS that each correspond to a SG client node. Each client LCNP emulator software component provides one of the LCN address slots at its SG client node.

Abstract: A face shield includes a crown, a head gear, and a lens removably secured to the crown with a latch lever having a wide paddle-shaped actuator that is easily manipulated from the rearward edge of the crown. The crown has an opposing pair of studs extending inwardly from the lower edge. The upper edge of the lens includes an opposing pair of keyhole-shaped slots adjacent its opposing side edges which receive and rotatably engage the studs. The engagement end of the latch includes a spaced pair of detents. The fulcrum is secured to an inner surface of the crown so that the engagement end of the latch extends toward the front edge of the crown and the upper actuator end extends toward the rearward edge of the crown. The upper edge of the lens includes a pair of spaced openings that releasably engage the detents on the latch lever.

Abstract: A method of configuring a node comprises receiving a first message having a count field value from a first direct link; receiving a second message having a count field value from a first skip link; adjusting the count field value in the first message by a first adjustment amount; adjusting the count field value in the second message by a second adjustment amount; comparing the adjusted count field value in the first message with the adjusted count field value in the second message; if the adjusted count field value in the first message matches the adjusted count field value in the second message, using the adjusted count field value in the first message to determine a node identity for the node; and processing subsequent messages based on the node identity.

Abstract: This disclosure describes write current temperature compensation techniques for use in programming a data storage device that includes one or more memory cells. The techniques may include programming a programmable magnetization state of a magnetoresistive device included within a resistance network based on a signal indicative of the operating temperature of a magnetic memory cell. The techniques may further include generating a write current having a magnitude that is determined at least in part by the programmable magnetization state of the magnetoresistive device. The techniques may further include supplying the write current to the magnetic memory cell for programming a programmable magnetization state of the magnetic memory cell.

Abstract: An actuation assembly is provided. The actuation assembly includes a casing, a plurality of linear actuators coupled to the casing, each of the linear actuators having first and second components and being configured to move the second component thereof relative to the first component thereof along a respective first axis, and a plurality of translational member sets, each being coupled to the second component of a respective one of the linear actuators and the casing and being configured such that when the second component of the respective linear actuator moves along the respective first axis, a selected portion of the translational member set moves substantially along a respective second axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to electrocatalytically induce the decomposition of a liquid propellant for propulsion. This is accomplished by providing a reaction chamber filled with catalyst that has a first electrode, such as near the center, and the other electrode disposed away from the first electrode. A charge source that is capable of applying voltage is connected to the electrodes. When the reaction chamber is dosed with a propellant such as an aqueous based amine propellant, such as HAN, an electric current flows between the electrodes and the propellant. This initiates the decomposition of the propellant which is driven to completion by the catalyst bed in order to be used for power generation.

Abstract: A visual display system is provided, and includes a visual display element configured to display a visual display with three-dimensional, conformal background information at a first perspective; and a processor coupled to the visual display. The processor can be configured to evaluate flight path information and to adjust the visual display into a second perspective if the flight path information cannot be accurately displayed at the first perspective relative to the background.