Abstract: A multiparameter acoustic signature inspection device and method are described for non-invasive inspection of containers. Dual acoustic signatures discriminate between various fluids and materials for identification of the same.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying, understanding, and predicting the degradation and failure of mechanical systems are disclosed. The methods include measuring and quantifying stressors that are responsible for the activation of degradation mechanisms in the machine component of interest. The intensity of the stressor may be correlated with the rate of physical degradation according to some determinable function such that a derivative relationship exists between the machine performance, degradation, and the underlying stressor. The derivative relationship may be used to make diagnostic and prognostic calculations concerning the performance and projected life of the machine. These calculations may be performed in real time to allow the machine operator to quickly adjust the operational parameters of the machinery in order to help minimize or eliminate the effects of the degradation mechanism, thereby prolonging the life of the machine. Various systems implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying, understanding, and predicting the degradation and failure of mechanical systems are disclosed. The methods include measuring and quantifying stressors that are responsible for the activation of degradation mechanisms in the machine component of interest. The intensity of the stressor may be correlated with the rate of physical degradation according to some determinable function such that a derivative relationship exists between the machine performance, degradation, and the underlying stressor. The derivative relationship may be used to make diagnostic and prognostic calculations concerning the performance and projected life of the machine. These calculations may be performed in real time to allow the machine operator to quickly adjust the operational parameters of the machinery in order to help minimize or eliminate the effects of the degradation mechanism, thereby prolonging the life of the machine. Various systems implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence device and method are disclosed. The device includes a source block containing an X-ray source, a substantially X-ray transparent fluid flow path through the source block and proximate the X-ray source, and an X-ray detector separated from the X-ray source by the source block. First and second openings are provided in the source block between the X-ray source and the flow path and between the flow path and the detector respectively. In operation, source X-rays pass through the first opening and through the flow path. A portion of the source X-rays interact with a fluid in the flow path to create a fluid fluorescence response. The remainder of the source X-rays pass into a noise reduction cavity of the source block. The detector receives the portion of the fluid fluorescence response passing through the second opening and produces an output indicative of the presence and amount of selected components in the fluid.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence device and method are disclosed. The device includes a source block containing an X-ray source, a substantially X-ray transparent fluid flow path through the source block and proximate the X-ray source, and an X-ray detector separated from the X-ray source by the source block. First and second openings are provided in the source block between the X-ray source and the flow path and between the flow path and the detector respectively. In operation, source X-rays pass through the first opening and through the flow path. A portion of the source X-rays interact with a fluid in the flow path to create a fluid fluorescence response. The remainder of the source X-rays pass into a noise reduction cavity of the source block. The detector receives the portion of the fluid fluorescence response passing through the second opening and produces an output indicative of the presence and amount of selected components in the fluid.

Abstract: A system for determining the thicknesses of thin films of materials exhibiting fluorescence in response to exposure to excitation energy from a suitable source of such energy. A section of film is illuminated with a fixed level of excitation energy from a source such as an argon ion laser emitting blue-green light. The amount of fluorescent light produced by the film over a limited area within the section so illuminated is then measured using a detector such as a photomultiplier tube. Since the amount of fluorescent light produced is a function of the thicknesses of thin films, the thickness of a specific film can be determined by comparing the intensity of fluorescent light produced by this film with the intensity of light produced by similar films of known thicknesses in response to the same amount of excitation energy.