Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The system and method utilize predictive algorithms to both characterize the soil within the borehole and to quantify instability within the drillstring. The soil characteristics are represented by a soil coefficient (?) which relates the curvature of the borehole with the length of thrust of the drill rig as well as by comparison of thrust while thrusting with torque while drilling. The value of (?) is obtained by comparison of the historical orientation of the drilling head over the length of the borehole and the borehole shape as determined by an arbitrary navigation sensor. Drillstring instability is determined as a function of historical thrust and torque efficiencies and windup over the length of the borehole.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for reducing uncertainty in a hydraulic model of a water distribution network due to uncertain parameters and faults in the water distribution network is provided which includes the steps of: (i) calculating an optimized placement of sensors throughout a given uncertain section of the water distribution network; (ii) collecting data from the sensors; (iii) partitioning the given uncertain section of the water distribution network into observable and unobservable sub-sections based on the hydraulic model and a) a position, b) a number, and/or c) a type of the sensors that are available; (iv) correcting uncertain parameters and identifying faults for each of the observable sub-sections; (v) calculating a global uncertainty value for each of the unobservable sub-sections; and (vi) repeating the steps (i)-(vi) iteratively, at each iteration selecting an uncertain sub-section of the water distribution network, until no uncertain sub-sections of the water distribution network remain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a force sensor correcting method which is simple and capable of performing correction, with the force sensor remaining mounted at the end of an arm without an exchange of an end effector. In the present invention, a force sensor 1 of one robot 101 has already been corrected, and a force sensor 2 of the other robot 102 is an object to be corrected. First, hands 3a, 3b of a pair of robots 101, 102 are made to abut on each other (abutting step). A detected signal of the corrected force sensor 1 of the one robot 101, generated by execution of the abutting step, is converted into a measured value indicating a force or a moment (measurement step). Based on the measured value obtained in the measurement step, a value indicating a force or a moment acting on the hand 3b of the other robot 102 due to a reaction generated by the abutting step is obtained (calculation step).

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional image of a proppant-filled hydraulically-induced fracture in a geologic formation are provided. The image may be generated by capturing electromagnetic fields generated or scattered by the proppant-filled fracture, removing dispersion and/or an attenuation effects from the captured electromagnetic fields, and generating the image based on the dispersion and/or attenuation corrected fields. Removing the dispersion and/or attenuation effects may include back propagating the captured electromagnetic fields in the time domain to a source location. The image may be generated based on locations at which the back propagated fields constructively interfere or may be generated based on a model of the fracture defined using the back propagated fields.

Abstract: A system and method provides data for a laser projection process used in manufacturing involving fasteners. For example, the laser projection process may include projecting a laser image associated with fasteners used to assemble objects. Fastener attribute data may be extracted from an engineer's design data and processed to generate a laser projection output file. This output file may include geometric data used to project a laser image associated with the fasteners. For example, this image may be an outline indicating the location, shape, and orientation of a fastener. The output file may also include non-geometric data associated with attributes of the objects to be assembled. Both the geometric and the non-geometric data can then be displayed in a user interface, such as a display screen of a laser projector control device, in addition to the display of the laser image in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies include sensors and propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation.

Abstract: A thermal insulation jacket system comprising: a first thermal insulation jacket configured to fit on an object; a microcontroller located in the first thermal insulation jacket; a first temperature measuring means in signal communication with the microcontroller, configured to measure the temperature of the object; a second temperature measuring means in signal communication with the microcontroller, configured to measure the ambient temperature; where the microcontroller is configured to determine the energy savings achieved by the insulative properties of the first thermal insulation jacket.

Abstract: Systems and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies include propulsion devices to propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies include power supplies or are charged at charging stations, allowing the transmitter assemblies to propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the simulation of a coupled hybrid dynamic system. A physical test rig configured to drive the physical structure component of the system and to generate a test rig response as a result of applying a test rig drive signal. A processor is configured with a virtual model of a complementary system to the physical structure component. The processor receives the test rig response and generates a response of the complementary system based on a received test rig response. The system can be driven with a random input. The processor compares the test rig response with the response of the complementary system, the difference being used to form a system dynamic response model.

Abstract: A damage index predicting system is for predicting a damage-related index of solder joints of an electronic device having the solder joints that electrically connect an electronic component to a mounting circuit board and one or more detection solder joints that are designed so as to have a shorter life than the solder joints. The system includes: a database configured to store a fracture relationship between the detection solder joints and the solder joints; a fracture detector configured to detect fracture of the detection solder joints; and a processor configured to calculate a prediction value of the damage-related index of the solder joints based on information relating to the fracture of the detection solder joints obtained by the fracture detector and the fracture relationship stored in the database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices, and method for monitoring gas emissions within a geographic area. A method for monitoring gas emissions may include providing a gas-monitoring device configured to be moved within the geographic area. The method may also include determining geographic locations of the device as the device is moved within the geographic area, determining a quantity of one or more gases in the air as the device is moved within the geographic area, and associating the geographic locations with the quantity of gases to provide gas emissions data for the geographic area. The gas emissions data may be communicated to one or more external devices, sources, and/or systems for analysis, documentation, and/or compliance reporting.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device. In one embodiment, method for presenting a message on an activity monitoring device is provided, including the following method operations: storing a plurality of messages to the activity monitoring device; detecting a stationary state of the activity monitoring device; detecting a movement of the activity monitoring device from the stationary state; in response to detecting the movement from the stationary state, selecting one of a plurality of messages, and displaying the selected message on the activity monitoring device.

Abstract: A body movement detection device is provided with a main body, a display unit, and a control unit, the control unit including an ascent/descent method detection unit that detects whether a user who is wearing or carrying the main body is ascending/descending using a lift device, a counting unit that counts the number of times that the user ascends/descends using the lift device and the number of times that the user ascends/descends without using the lift device, based on the detection result of the ascent/descent method detection unit, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display each of the values counted by the counting unit. The method by which the user ascends/descends can thereby be clearly displayed.

Abstract: A method according to the invention includes measuring respective geometric errors that occur in a three-dimensional movement mechanism when different weights are applied to a ram, storing in a storage section respective correction parameters for correcting the respective geometric errors measured for the different weights, inputting weight information of a probe attached to the ram, reading from the storage section one of the correction parameters that corresponds to the inputted weight information, and correcting measurement data with the read correction parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the integrity of a structure such as a building or a bridge includes taking accelerometer readings using an accelerometer and taking inclinometer readings using an inclinometer. The accelerometer and inclinometer each take readings in at least one axis, with one coincident axis between the two. The accelerometer readings are preferentially sampled at a higher rate than the inclinometer readings. Accelerometer readings verify inclinometer readings, and vice-versa. Using acceleration readings, it can be determined whether, when, and at what frequency inclination readings should be taken. The inclinometer can be powered down as long as accelerometer readings indicate that the environment would strain the inclinometer. Inclinometer readings can also be modified and corrected using inclinometer readings. Data accuracy and reliability are enhanced, and the overall integrity of a structure is dynamically monitored even as the structure and its environment change over time.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a temperature distribution history in the case of line-heating flat-plate steel by high frequency induction.

Abstract: An X-axis sensor, a Y-axis sensor, and a Z-axis sensor that detect a geomagnetic vector are provided, and the direction of the geomagnetic vector is sought on a spherical coordinate from the detection output of each sensor. A reference axis is determined in the spherical coordinate, a hypothetical central point is sought on the reference axis depending on data of two coordinate detection points, a perpendicular line to a plane that includes vectors from the hypothetical central point to the respective data is sought from the cross product of the vectors, an axis that is parallel to the perpendicular line and passes through an origin is set to be a calculated rotational axis, and movement centered around the calculated rotational axis is specified.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the real-time detection and measurement of sag within a deviated borehole. One method includes measuring a first pressure at a first time at a point within the borehole, predicting a characteristic of the drilling fluid at the point using a computer model, thereby obtaining a predicted characteristic, calculating the characteristic based on the first pressure, thereby obtaining a calculated characteristic, and determining whether sag has occurred based on a comparison between the calculated characteristic and the predicted characteristic.