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 system to detect a position of a pipe with respect to a BOP includes a casing disposed around an outer surface of a section of the pipe. The system further includes sensing devices that are disposed on the casing and arranged to form a plurality of arrays and configured to generate position signals. The arrays are disposed circumferentially around the casing and spaced from one another along the length of the casing. The system includes a processing unit configured to compute distance between the pipe and each sensing device. The processing unit generates a first alert when the distance between the pipe and at least one sensing device is different from a reference distance. The processing unit generates a second alert when the distance between the pipe and each sensing device of at least one array of sensing devices is different from the reference distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that can detect leaks that occur in seals, and in one example, to seals found in a valve. In one embodiment, the system utilizes sensors that measure fluid properties of a sample volume proximate to the seal. The system can compare data from these measurements with data from a sample of a reference fluid (e.g., ambient air) to indicate the presence of working fluid in the sample volume. This result may indicate problems with the seal, e.g., degradation of the seal that is meant to prohibit the working fluid from migrating out of the valve.

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 method for acoustically examining a route includes sensing passively excited residual sounds of a vehicle system during travel over a route, examining the passively excited residual sounds to identify one or more changes of interest in the passively excited residual sounds, and identifying a section of the route as being damaged responsive to the one or more changes of interest in the passively excited residual sounds that are identified.

Abstract: A system to detect a position of a pipe with respect to a BOP includes a casing disposed around an outer surface of a section of the pipe. The system further includes sensing devices that are disposed on the casing and arranged to form a plurality of arrays and configured to generate position signals. The arrays are disposed circumferentially around the casing and spaced from one another along the length of the casing. The system includes a processing unit configured to compute distance between the pipe and each sensing device. The processing unit generates a first alert when the distance between the pipe and at least one sensing device is different from a reference distance. The processing unit generates a second alert when the distance between the pipe and each sensing device of at least one array of sensing devices is different from the reference distance.

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: Embodiments of a system that can detect leaks that occur in seals, and in one example, to seals found in a valve. In one embodiment, the system utilizes sensors that measure fluid properties of a sample volume proximate to the seal. The system can compare data from these measurements with data from a sample of a reference fluid (e.g., ambient air) to indicate the presence of working fluid in the sample volume. This result may indicate problems with the seal, e.g., degradation of the seal that is meant to prohibit the working fluid from migrating out of the valve.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring creep in a moving object are provided. The creep monitoring system includes a creep sensor assembly formed onto a surface of an object rotatable about an axis, the creep sensor assembly includes at least one of an image pattern and a radio frequency interrogatable circuit. The creep monitoring system also includes an online monitoring system communicatively coupled to the creep sensor assembly. The online monitoring system configured to collect information from the creep sensor assembly relative to an amount and a rate of creep of the object. The creep monitoring system also includes a processor programmed to receive the information, correct the information for movement of the creep sensor assembly during the collection, and determine a creep rate, a crack presence, and a temperature of the object simultaneously.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection system is provided for inspecting an object. The inspection system includes an ultrasound probe configured to scan the object and acquire a plurality of ultrasound scan data. The inspection system further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and configured to apply a transfer function to the ultrasound scan data to compensate for distortion of a plurality of ultrasound signals through the object and thereby generate a plurality of compensated ultrasound scan data, and to process the compensated ultrasonic scan data to characterize a feature in the object.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform maintains an account that includes data relating to an order for advertising provided by an ad network affiliated with the platform. When the platform receives a login that identifies a user as having access rights to the account, the platform displays a view that includes a window displaying data relating to the order and a toolbar in a standardized location relative to the window. The toolbar includes a tab that displays a count of each informational message (e.g., alert or tip) which relates to the displayed data and which has not been dismissed by the current user. When the user clicks on the tab, the platform displays a tabbed window that includes a list of the informational messages, regardless of whether an informational message on the list has been read or dismissed by another user allowed access to the account.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform maintains an account that includes data relating to an order for advertising provided by an ad network affiliated with the platform. When the platform receives a login that identifies a user as having access rights to the account, the platform displays a view that includes a window displaying data relating to the order and a toolbar in a standardized location relative to the window. The toolbar includes a tab. When the user clicks on the tab, the platform displays a tabbed window that includes a list of the informational messages, regardless of whether an informational message on the list has been read or dismissed by another user allowed access to the account. The platform locates the window contiguous to the toolbar over some but not all of the view displaying the data relating to the order.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform receives a login that identifies a user as a user allowed access to an account maintained by the platform. The platform displays a toolbar having a textbox that allows the user to search for data relating to all accounts to which the user has access. The platform displays a combo box after the user enters a fixed number of characters in the textbox. The combo box includes a list of descriptions of each data object that is accessible and that is relevant to the fixed number of characters. The platform locates the combo box contiguous to the toolbar over some but not all of the view displaying the data relating to the order. The platform displays a data object, rather than a page of search results, after the user clicks a description of a data object from the combo box.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of incipient damage of an object comprises insonifying the object at a plurality of locations using ultrasonic signals during an inspection, acquiring signals indicative of a possible damage condition from the plurality of locations of the insonified object in said inspection, determining a value for each of the locations to indicate accumulated damage by mathematically combining the acquired signals from said inspection and at least a portion of prior inspections, and comparing the values of the plurality of locations to determine a location indicating possible incipient damage.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises a transmitting element for transmitting an ultrasonic signal at a fundamental frequency and a receiving element adaptable for multiple receive water path operations and for receiving ultrasonic signals at the fundamental frequency and harmonics of the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection system is provided for inspecting an object. The inspection system includes an ultrasound probe configured to scan the object and acquire a plurality of ultrasound scan data. The inspection system further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and configured to apply a transfer function to the ultrasound scan data to compensate for distortion of a plurality of ultrasound signals through the object and thereby generate a plurality of compensated ultrasound scan data, and to process the compensated ultrasonic scan data to characterize a feature in the object.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform maintains an account that includes data relating to an order for advertising provided by an ad network affiliated with the platform. When the platform receives a login that identifies a user as having access rights to the account, the platform displays a view that includes a window displaying data relating to the order and a toolbar in a standardized location relative to the window. The toolbar includes a tab. When the user clicks on the tab, the platform displays a tabbed window that includes a list of the informational messages, regardless of whether an informational message on the list has been read or dismissed by another user allowed access to the account. The platform locates the window contiguous to the toolbar over some but not all of the view displaying the data relating to the order.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform maintains an account that includes data relating to an order for advertising provided by an ad network affiliated with the platform. When the platform receives a login that identifies a user as having access rights to the account, the platform displays a view that includes a window displaying data relating to the order and a toolbar in a standardized location relative to the window. The toolbar includes a tab that displays a count of each informational message (e.g., alert or tip) which relates to the displayed data and which has not been dismissed by the current user. When the user clicks on the tab, the platform displays a tabbed window that includes a list of the informational messages, regardless of whether an informational message on the list has been read or dismissed by another user allowed access to the account.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform receives a login that identifies a user as a user allowed access to an account maintained by the platform. The platform displays a toolbar having a textbox that allows the user to search for data relating to all accounts to which the user has access. The platform displays a first page of initial search results after the user enters an initial search term in the textbox and launches a search. The first page includes a list of data objects relevant to the initial search term grouped by object category and a list box that allows the user to select an object category. The platform displays a second page after the user selects an object category from the list box. The second page includes an entry box that is related to the selected object category and that facilitates subsequent search.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an online advertising management platform maintains an account that includes data relating to an order for advertising provided by an ad network affiliated with the platform. When the platform receives a login that identifies a user as having access rights to the account, the platform displays a view that includes a window displaying data relating to the order and a toolbar in a standardized location relative to the window. The toolbar includes a tab that displays a count of each informational message (e.g., alert or tip) which relates to the displayed data and which has not been dismissed by the current user. When the user clicks on the tab, the platform displays a tabbed window that includes a list of the informational messages, regardless of whether an informational message on the list has been read or dismissed by another user allowed access to the account.