Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-contact temperature measurement of an object, using least-squares-based multiwavelength pyrometry techniques. Radiances from an object are detected by a spectrograph/detector apparatus and are converted into electronic signals readable by a computer. The computer then operates on these signals as data to be curve-fit, using least squares analysis, to a predetermined theoretical function for the dependence of the radiance on the wavelength. When the computer has minimized the least-squares difference function, the computer identified a parameter representing the temperature and reports this value to the user, along with a collaterally calculated maximum error in the temperature estimate.

Abstract: An improved method of locating an underground mine fire by comparing the pattern of measured combustion product arrival times at detector locations with a real time computer-generated array of simulated patterns. A number of electronic fire detection devices are linked thru telemetry to a control station on the surface. The mine's ventilation is modeled on a digital computer using network analysis software. The time reguired to locate a fire consists of the time required to model the mines' ventilation, generate the arrival time array, scan the array, and to match measured arrival time patterns to the simulated patterns.

Abstract: An on-line, non-destructive method and apparatus monitors a welding process and detects faulty welds by analyzing the average frequency of the airborne radiation emitted from a weld during the welding process. A sequence of measured average frequency values corresponding to sequential blocks of time during the weld are individually compared to a predetermined frequency threshold value. Overall weld integrity is discerned by comparing the number of average frequency values exceeding the threshold value to the number of average frequency values not exceeding the threshold value.

Abstract: The method of this invention obtains the underlying peak shapes of two signal spectrums whose ratios are representative of different species. The underlying peak shapes are fitted to the signal spectrums in a way that yield accurate ratios. The ratios are accurate even when the location of the peaks are not precisely known.

Abstract: A routing system for finding a route which satisfies predetermined limiting conditions in a space of an object space with an aid of a computer, includes a first processor for dividing at least the object area into a plurality of areas and extracting a divided area or divided areas which satisfy the predetermined limiting conditions from the plurality of divided areas, and a second processor for further dividing the divided area or divided areas extracted by the first processor into a plurality of subdivided areas and extracting a subdivided area or subdivided areas which satisfy the predetermined limiting conditions from the plurality of subdivided areas.

Abstract: A method of computing an internal potential distribution of a semiconductor device is disclosed which includes an electrically floating semiconductor layer as a floating potential region, thereby evaluating the breakdown voltage characteristic of the device by means of simulation. According to this method, when a trial value of a quasi-Fermi potential of the semiconductor layer is given, a Poisson equation is solved with use of the trial value, thus finding the potential distribution of the device. A characteristic point is obtained from the potential distribution. It is determined whether or not the relationship between the characteristic point and the trial value satisfies a specific relational expression. If the specific relational expression is satisfied, the trial value is determined to be the quasi-Fermi potential of the semiconductor layer, and the solution of the Poisson equation is output as a simulation calculation result.

Abstract: A method for trueing a spoked wheel, such as a bicycle wheel, is disclosed. Measurement data on lateral and radial runout and spoke tension all around a wheel is obtained, and the necessary spoke adjustments to true the wheel are determined from the data so that the wheel can be trued in a single pass or spoke adjustments. In one embodiment of the invention, individual influence functions for each spoke of a wheel which relate the effect of each spoke adjustment to the change in lateral runout and radial runout of the entire wheel rim, as well as on all spoke tension, are obtained. These, combined with measured data of a wheel, are utilized to determine the individual spoke adjustments that are required to true the wheel. A least squares solution can be utilized on a computer to solve for each of the spoke adjustments, and weighting factors can be employed to vary the accuracy of the lateral or radial trueness, or the spoke tensions.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus of a learning type for a furnace which runs repetitively with a certain operating pattern of temperature change with time. The apparatus has a dual system model with respect to an enlarged system consisting of the furnace and its controller. For each cycle of the repetition of the certain operating pattern, adjustment input (r) is calculated by using the dual system model and the error between the preset temperature values (r) for the pattern and the actual inside temperatures (y) of the furnace, which adjustment input (r) is applied to the enlarged system to cause the inside temperatures (y) to track the preset temperature values (r). After each cycle of operation, the adjustment input (r) is renewed using the latest value of the above error.