Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method use an ultrasound probe, a coupling mechanism, and a controller to clean equipment of a vehicle system. The ultrasound probe enters into an engine. The ultrasound probe emits ultrasound pulses and the coupling mechanism provides an ultrasound coupling medium between the ultrasound probe and one or more components of the engine. The controller drives the ultrasound probe to deliver the ultrasound pulse through the coupling medium to a surface of the one or more components of the engine. The ultrasound probe delivers the ultrasound pulse to remove deposits from the one or more components of the engine.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate on the build platform, and at least one print head including at least one jet. The at least one print head is configured to dispense a binder through the at least one jet onto the particulate to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate and form a component. The methods and systems also include at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform about a rotation axis extending through the build platform and move at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: A detection system to detect an object in a blowout prevention system of a production system includes a sensor coupled to the blowout prevention system and configured to send an ultrasonic pulse toward the object. The sensor is further configured to receive a signal including the ultrasonic pulse and noise after the ultrasonic pulse interacts with the object. The detection system also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to identify the ultrasonic pulse in the signal using a first cancellation signal at a first time and a second cancellation signal at a second time. The controller is further configured to determine that the first cancellation signal corresponds to the noise in the signal at the first time, and determine that the second cancellation signal corresponds to the noise in the signal at the second time. The controller is configured to determine a characteristic of the object based on the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate on the build platform, and at least one print head including at least one jet. The at least one print head is configured to dispense a binder through the at least one jet onto the particulate to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate and form a component. The methods and systems also include at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform about a rotation axis extending through the build platform and move at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: A detection system includes a first sensor configured to send a first ultrasonic pulse toward an object in a blowout prevention system. The first ultrasonic pulse has a first parameter. The detection system also includes a second sensor spaced from the first sensor and configured to send a second ultrasonic pulse toward the object. The second ultrasonic pulse has a second parameter that is different from the first parameter of the first ultrasonic pulse. The first parameter and the second parameter are one of an amplitude, a frequency, a duration, an emission time, and an excitation code. The second sensor is further configured to receive the first ultrasonic pulse after the first ultrasonic pulse interacts with the object. The detection system is configured to determine that the first ultrasonic pulse received by the second sensor was sent by the first sensor.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: A detection system to detect an object in a blowout prevention system of a production system includes a sensor coupled to the blowout prevention system and configured to send an ultrasonic pulse toward the object. The sensor is further configured to receive a signal including the ultrasonic pulse and noise after the ultrasonic pulse interacts with the object. The detection system also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to identify the ultrasonic pulse in the signal using a first cancellation signal at a first time and a second cancellation signal at a second time. The controller is further configured to determine that the first cancellation signal corresponds to the noise in the signal at the first time, and determine that the second cancellation signal corresponds to the noise in the signal at the second time. The controller is configured to determine a characteristic of the object based on the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: A detection system includes a first sensor configured to send a first ultrasonic pulse toward an object in a blowout prevention system. The first ultrasonic pulse has a first parameter. The detection system also includes a second sensor spaced from the first sensor and configured to send a second ultrasonic pulse toward the object. The second ultrasonic pulse has a second parameter that is different from the first parameter of the first ultrasonic pulse. The first parameter and the second parameter are one of an amplitude, a frequency, a duration, an emission time, and an excitation code. The second sensor is further configured to receive the first ultrasonic pulse after the first ultrasonic pulse interacts with the object. The detection system is configured to determine that the first ultrasonic pulse received by the second sensor was sent by the first sensor.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method use an ultrasound probe, a coupling mechanism, and a controller to clean equipment of a vehicle system. The ultrasound probe enters into an engine. The ultrasound probe emits ultrasound pulses and the coupling mechanism provides an ultrasound coupling medium between the ultrasound probe and one or more components of the engine. The controller drives the ultrasound probe to deliver the ultrasound pulse through the coupling medium to a surface of the one or more components of the engine. The ultrasound probe delivers the ultrasound pulse to remove deposits from the one or more components of the engine.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method use an ultrasound probe, a coupling mechanism, and a controller to clean equipment of a vehicle system. The ultrasound probe enters into an engine. The ultrasound probe emits ultrasound pulses and the coupling mechanism provides an ultrasound coupling medium between the ultrasound probe and one or more components of the engine. The controller drives the ultrasound probe to deliver the ultrasound pulse through the coupling medium to a surface of the one or more components of the engine. The ultrasound probe delivers the ultrasound pulse to remove deposits from the one or more components of the engine.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining system for machining a conductive work piece is provided. The system includes a drilling tool configured to remove material from the conductive work piece. The drilling tool is configured to advance within the conductive work piece along a tool path to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom. The system further includes an inspection device configured to determine a position of the drilling tool along the tool path, and a controller configured to communicate with the inspection device. The controller is further configured to compare the tool path to a nominal tool path, and determine a position error of said drilling tool, the position error defined by a difference between the tool path and the nominal tool path.

Abstract: A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A well integrity inspection system configured to inspect a well structure including multiple concentric layers. The well integrity inspection system includes an inspection probe positioned in the well structure. The inspection probe includes a plurality of excitation assemblies for transmitting a plurality of radiation emissions into the well structure. The plurality of excitation assemblies includes at least a neutron excitation assembly and an X-ray excitation assembly. The inspection probe also includes a plurality of detection assemblies configured to receive a plurality of backscatter radiation returns from the well structure. The plurality of detection assemblies includes at least a neutron detection assembly and an X-ray detection assembly. The well integrity inspection system further including a processor operatively coupled to the inspection probe.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method use an ultrasound probe, a coupling mechanism, and a controller to clean equipment of a vehicle system. The ultrasound probe enters into an engine. The ultrasound probe emits ultrasound pulses and the coupling mechanism provides an ultrasound coupling medium between the ultrasound probe and one or more components of the engine. The controller drives the ultrasound probe to deliver the ultrasound pulse through the coupling medium to a surface of the one or more components of the engine. The ultrasound probe delivers the ultrasound pulse to remove deposits from the one or more components of the engine.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining system for machining a conductive work piece is provided. The system includes a drilling tool configured to remove material from the conductive work piece. The drilling tool is configured to advance within the conductive work piece along a tool path to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom. The system further includes an inspection device configured to determine a position of the drilling tool along the tool path, and a controller configured to communicate with the inspection device. The controller is further configured to compare the tool path to a nominal tool path, and determine a position error of said drilling tool, the position error defined by a difference between the tool path and the nominal tool path.

Abstract: A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.