Patents Examined by Jacques Saint-Surin
  • Patent number: 6701787
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Han, Vimal V. Shah, James R. Birchak, Bruce H. Storm, Rajnikant M. Amin, Bayram Kalpakci, Fouad Fleyfel
  • Patent number: 6698288
    Abstract: A method and system for nondestructively detecting and characterizing defects in articles, including assemblies that may include components formed of composite materials. The method entails vibrating an entire article/assembly to induce an oscillating strain in the article/assembly so that any flaws in the article/assembly are heated by localized friction, as would occur between opposing surface portions of a defect or an interface between components of the assembly. The article/assembly is then infrared imaged to detect any localized temperature rises associated with the localized friction at the defect or interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shahram Shirzad, John Ruediger Mader Viertl
  • Patent number: 6698289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distance measurement, comprising a transmission element (9) for emitting pulsed acoustic or electromagnetic waves. Said transmission element is provided at a first end of a distance (L) or at a known distance from said first end. The device contains a receiving element (13) for the emitted waves. Said receiving element (13) receives said waves at a second end of the distance (L) or, after reflection at the second end, at the first end. An evaluation and control unit (11) calculates the distance (L) from the running time and the signal speed. According to the invention, a telescope tube (3) with two engaging tube elements (5, 7) is used between the first and second end. The transmission element (9) and the receiving element (13) are arranged on the tube elements (5, 7) respectively or are coupled thereto via waveguides. One of the tube elements can also be coupled to a displaceable element which can change location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sören Lemcke, Peter Hora
  • Patent number: 6698292
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the zero point temperature drift of a vibrator and the deviation or change of the drift among vibrators actually fabricated. A vibrator has a driving vibration piece 2A, a detection vibration piece and a base portion connecting the driving and detection vibration pieces. The driving vibration piece 2A is composed of a bending vibration piece having a pair of surfaces 2c and 2d parallel with each other and a pair of side faces 2a and 2b. The driving vibration piece 2A has a ratio (WD/TD) of a width WD to a thickness TD of not smaller than 1.5 and not larger than 2.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6694816
    Abstract: The x- and y-direction vibration components of radial vibration of a rotational shaft 106 obtained by measurement from x and y directions are transformed into frequency sample values {XkYk, k=0, 1, . . . N−1} by discrete Fourier transform. RMS amplitude values {2½|Fki(2j&pgr;/M)|, j=0, 1, . . . M/2−1} are calculated at azimuths {&thgr;j=2j&pgr;/M, j=0, 1, . . . M/2−1} corresponding to 0 to &pgr; on the basis of frequency sample values at frequency points {ki, i=1, . . . P} corresponding to specific frequencies {fi, i=1, . . . P} of NRRO vibration components selected from the x- and y-direction frequency sample values obtained by the discrete Fourier-transform. RMS evaluation values Aki are selected from these RMS amplitude values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6694815
    Abstract: To predict residual settlement quantity and residual horizontal deformation quantity of ground where a liquefaction phenomenon has occurred due to earthquake. Soils in situ (stratum B to stratum D) are sampled from ground, and are made to be element test object stratums. A stratum whose characteristic is well-known, or the like may be substituted for a numerical model (stratum A). Next, setting of input conditions is performed, and vertical stress, horizontal stress and initial shear stress, which are equivalent to applied load that the ground at a depth of the point suffers, are worked on to each stratum. This recreates a stress status of soil before earthquake occurs. Then, shear displacement and the movement quantity of interstitial water by earthquake are given to the test piece, and the quantity of shear stress and pore water pressure, which have occurred, is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Kazama, Noriaki Sentou, Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6691575
    Abstract: All independent acoustical physical constants (elastic constants, piezoelectric constants, dielectric constants and density) of a material are predetermined as a function of its chemical composition, and the calibration line between the acoustic velocity for each of the substrate crystal plane, the propagation direction and the propagation mode, and other chemical and physical properties is numerically calculated with ease without making any experiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Kushibiki, Izumi Watanabe, Yuji Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6684700
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed specifically for detecting stress waves for use in a stress wave analysis system. The stress waves-are preferably detected in a narrow frequency range of 35-40KHz. At this range, stress waves from friction and impact sources typically propagate through machine structures at detectable amplitudes. In order to maximize the signal to noise ratio of stress waves, relative to background noise and vibration, the sensor of the present invention is designed and calibrated with a frequency response and damping features that are specifically tailored for stress wave analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Swantech, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David B. Board
  • Patent number: 6684703
    Abstract: A process for measuring the bond of a coating on a substrate. Ultrasound echoes through the substrate of a test piece are collected and their amplitudes are measured, their decay being a function of the bond of a coating deposited on the opposite face of the substrate. Preliminary tests on calibration test pieces give a correlation function so that it is unnecessary to carry out expensive and uncertain mechanical tests on the test pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Jean-Yves François Roger Chatellier, Daniel Sébastien Ramahefasolo
  • Patent number: 6684702
    Abstract: A method for detecting an obstruction in a flow duct is provided. The method includes the steps of directing gas through at least one port of the flow duct, measuring a flow noise level of the gas directed through the at least one port, and comparing the noise level with a predetermined noise level. In the event that the flow noise level exceeds the predetermined noise level by at least a threshold amount, then the method includes the step of indicating the presence of an obstruction in the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventor: Samir Ziada
  • Patent number: 6681632
    Abstract: Ultrasonic waves are produced at the surface of a thin metal sheet (27) welded to a substrate (28): it was noted that the speed of propagation of the surface waves could then be correlated to the resilience of the welded assembly to enable non-destructive monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Jean-Yves François Roger Chatellier, Daniel Sébastien Ramahefasolo
  • Patent number: 6681635
    Abstract: A method to determine a physical quantity within a measuring space by means of acoustic transit time measurement uses an acoustic transducer as a transmitter and an acoustic transducer as a receiver. The two functions can also be combined in a single transducer. The acoustic transit time measurement involves a time-dependent comparison between the shape of an acoustic transmitted signal selected at least partly on the basis of the type of signal processing to be used and at least two points in an acoustic received signal and/or a signal derived from that received signal again selected at least partly on the basis of the type of processing to be used. An apparatus for this method could be equipped with an acoustic signal-generating transducer, an acoustic signal detection transducer, a signal processing device which selects measuring points from the signal, and detection algorithm adapted to the shape of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Wilhelm Henricus Jurriaan Van Schaik
  • Patent number: 6679119
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting stress waves for use in a stress wave analysis system. The stress waves are preferably detected in a narrow frequency range of 35-40 KHz. At this range, stress waves from friction and impact sources typically propagate through machine structures at detectable amplitudes. In order to maximize the signal to noise ratio of stress waves, relative to background noise and vibration, the sensor of the present invention is designed and calibrated with a frequency response and damping features that are specifically tailored for stress wave analysis. The sensor is a multi-functional sensor that can measure a number of logically related parameters for indicting the mechanical condition of a machine. It is often desirable to measure both friction and one or more other parameters appropriate for indication of a machine's health, where all of the measuring capability is contained in one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Swantech, LLC
    Inventor: David B. Board
  • Patent number: 6675649
    Abstract: An acceleration detection device for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to the acceleration, is provided with a waveform detection part detecting waveforms of the detection signals and an acceleration determination part determining whether to make valid or invalid the acceleration based on the waveforms detected in the waveform detection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
    Inventors: Takuya Uchiyama, Masayuki Kato, Norio Endo
  • Patent number: 6672169
    Abstract: A performance measuring system for a rotating shaft comprises a first annular support assembly to be coupled adjacent to a first end of a rotating shaft inwardly of associated shaft bearings. A second annular support assembly is to be coupled adjacent to a second end of a rotating shaft inwardly of associated shaft bearings. A third annular support assembly is to be coupled to the rotating shaft between the first and second support assemblies. A laser source is mounted on the first annular support assembly. A laser detector is mounted on the second annular support assembly. First and second magnetic sensors for detecting the Earth's magnetic field are mounted respectively on the first and second annular support assemblies. An accelerometer is mounted on the third annular support assembly for generating a fourth detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Clymer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Clymer, Edward April
  • Patent number: 6672164
    Abstract: A process for determining the polymer concentration in a spinning dope solution involves measuring the propagation velocity of ultrasonic sound in the solution. The process prevents fluctuations in the polymer concentration as much as possible, and is therefore highly suitable for application in the production of fibers with consistent properties. An ultrasonic device used in the process is easier to clean, install, and calibrate than other presently commercially available devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Teijin Twaron B.V.
    Inventors: Willem G. Haanstra, Hendrikus J. M. Busschers, Hans Lammers
  • Patent number: 6672167
    Abstract: A method and system for processing laser vibrometry data are embodied in a processor configured to employ a statistical signal processing technique (e.g., a Bayesian processing technique) to process one or more mathematical models, laser vibrometry data for a system under observation, and prior information to generate estimates of parameters for the one or more mathematical models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignees: The Aerospace Corporation, The Institute for Advanced Physics
    Inventors: Walter F. Buell, Bradley A. Shadwick
  • Patent number: 6672162
    Abstract: While a transmitting transducer (2a) for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a receiving transducer (2b) for receiving an ultrasonic wave are moved within a predetermined circular region (7) on a surface of a material being measured, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received 10,000 times. Then, arithmetic averaging is performed every time an ultrasonic wave is received, on the ultrasonic wave and ultrasonic waves that have been received until then. For example, the aforementioned predetermined frequency is given by ((n±(½))×(106×v/&Dgr;L))(Hz), where &Dgr;L is a variation in distance between the transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer, v is a transmission velocity of an ultrasonic wave transmitting in a material being detected, and n is a natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: H & B System Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 6668651
    Abstract: Stationary sensors are used to measure periodically the vibratory motions of portions of a body spinning in front of them, such as blades, and to try to determine their natural frequencies by spectral analyses. The sensors are collected together in several networks of different numbers and the determination includes a comparison of the spectra of the different networks via different operations of selection and rejection of lines. The process appreciably pushes back the limit of unambiguous frequency detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Pierre Jean Emile Beausseroy, Jean-louis Eyraud, Régis Léo Marie Jean Lengelle
  • Patent number: 6666094
    Abstract: In a method for contactless online measuring of the wall thickness of hot-rolled pipes in the hot state for determining undesirable inner wall structures, at least one measuring head, operating according to the laser ultrasound method, scans a segment of a wall of a pipe to be measured in a circumferential direction during or directly after a rolling process. The course of the wall of a cross-section of the pipe is then reconstructed with a computer. The measuring head is a compact laser ultrasound measuring head adjustable relative to the pipe dimension to be measured. It has an excitation laser and an illumination laser and optical elements for collecting a carrier light containing the ultrasound signal and reflected at a surface of the pipe. The excitation and illumination lasers and the optical elements are arranged in a common housing of the measuring head. A pivot device is provided to pivot the laser ultrasound measuring head across a segment of the pipe in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventor: Martin Sauerland