Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid includes two sensing components, an electrochemical impediance spectroscopy component and a quartz crystal microbalance component positioned within a housing for receiving a liquid for monitoring and arranged so that each component shares a common electrode. Means are provided to simultaneously apply a sinusoidal waveform across the electrodes whereby information on the electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid being monitored is obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing fouling associated with a process stream in a heat transfer component. The method and apparatus include the use of one of a vibration producing device to impart a vibrational force to desired component and a pulsation producing device for apply pressure pulsations to the process stream. The heat transfer component has at least one surface having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m).

Abstract: A system and methodology for continuous condition monitoring of rotating equipment employ adaptive signal processing techniques to determine the RPM of a rotating machine from the time-based vibration data. RPM is determined based upon the input of a digitized time-based sample sequence of vibration data acquired directly from a vibration transducer for on-line real-time measurement of the machine RPM. Once RPM is determined, online vibration analysis for a given RPM or set of RPMs may be performed. The present invention extracts characteristic vibration features from vibration data and uses these extracted values to provide condition detection and diagnoses of machine faults.

Abstract: A system and methodology for continuous condition monitoring of rotating equipment. Employ adaptive signal processing techniques to determine the RPM of a rotating machine from time-based vibration data. RPM is determined based upon the input of a digitized time-based sample sequence of vibration data acquired directly from a vibration transducer for on-line real-time measurement of the machine RPM. Once RPM is determined, online vibration analysis for a given RPM or set of RPMs may be performed. The present invention extracts characteristic vibration features from vibration data and uses these extracted values to provide condition detection and diagnoses of machine faults.

Abstract: An on-line method for determining the condition of low conductivity working fluids using alternating current, electro-impedance spectroscopy is provided by making measurements over a range of frequencies at temperatures at or above 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for the determination of the useful life of a lubricant and detection of water or process fluid contamination level contained in a mechanical system. The system includes a lubricant sensor to measure a physical or chemical property of the lubricant, a database, a computer having access to the database, and a data acquisition system for providing power to the sensor and converting the measurement to numerical values for data storage. In a preferred embodiment the physical or chemical property is the dielectric constant.

Abstract: The present invention is in a “virtual RPM sensor” which is preferably implemented by means of a software process. The software determines the RPM of a rotating machine using an adaptive signal processing algorithm. Preferably, the input to the software system of the present invention is digitized waveform data from either a vibration transducer on a rotating machine or vibration data stored in a database or file. The present invention permits the determination of the RPM of a rotating machine without the requirement of additional hardware so that readings may be obtained inexpensively, accurately and without interrupting machine operation.

Abstract: A method for coloring a disposable absorbent article comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elements each comprising at least one imparted color; wherein the imparted color was provided by a coloration technique, and joining at least two elements that were subjected to different coloration techniques to yield the disposable absorbent article; wherein the imparted colors of the elements subjected to the different coloration techniques are contained within a CIELab color space volume of less than about 190. The imparted colors of the elements subjected to the different coloration techniques may also be contained within a CIELab color space hue difference of less than about 4. The imparted colors of the elements subjected to the different coloration techniques may also be contained within a CIELab color space total color difference of less than about 10.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, wherein said absorbent article further comprises at least three discrete elements each comprising at least one visible surface; wherein at least three or more of the visible surfaces comprise an imparted color wherein said colors are color matched. Color matching exists when said colors are contained within a specified CIELab color space volume, have a specified hue difference, or total color difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid includes two sensing components, an electrochemical impediance spectroscopy component and a quartz crystal microbalance component positioned within a housing for receiving a liquid for monitoring and arranged so that each component shares a common electrode. Means are provided to simultaneously apply a sinusoidal waveform across the electrodes whereby information on the electrochemical and viscoelastic properties of a liquid being monitored is obtained.

Abstract: A system and methodology for the continuous condition monitoring of rotating equipment. The present invention comprises a method that employs adaptive signal processing techniques to determine the RPM of a rotating machine from the time-based vibration data. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, RPM is determined based upon the input of a digitized time-based sample sequence of vibration data acquired directly from a vibration transducer mounted on the machine for on-line real-time measurement of the machine RPM. Alternatively, the input to the “virtual RPM sensor” could come from a database or file where the sample sequences of the vibration signal are stored for off-line measurement of the machine RPM. Once RPM is determined, online vibration analysis for a given RPM or set of RPMs may be performed. The present invention extracts characteristic vibration features from vibration data and uses these extracted values to provide condition detection and diagnoses of machine faults.

Abstract: A method for deconvoluting a time dependent impedance spectrum and using the deconvoluted time dependent impedance spectrum as an indicator of the performance condition of a working fluid is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method to determine the viscosity ratio of a working fluid using the resistance ratio obtained from frequency dependent impedance data.

Abstract: A method for deconvoluting a time dependent impedance spectrum and using the deconvoluted time dependent impedance spectrum as an indicator of the performance condition of a working fluid is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method to determine the viscosity ratio of a working fluid using the resistance ratio obtained from frequency dependent impedance data.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to an absorbent product. The absorbent product includes a package and at least n absorbent articles contained in the package (n is greater than 10). Each of the absorbent articles has a body contacting surface and a garment contacting surface opposing the body contacting surface. Each of the absorbent articles includes a component material disposed between the body contacting surface and the garment contacting surface. The component material has a printed graphic which is seen through either the body contacting surface or the garment contacting surface. The n graphics of the n absorbent articles are different from each other, and preferably have a predetermined association. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of printing a graphic on a sheet material which will become a component material for the absorbent articles.

Abstract: An on-line method for determining the condition of low conductivity working fluids using alternating current, electro-impedance spectroscopy is provided by making measurements over a range of frequencies at temperatures at or above 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention is in a “virtual RPM sensor” which is preferably implemented by means of a software process. The software determines the RPM of a rotating machine using an adaptive signal processing algorithm. Preferably, the input to the software system of the present invention is digitized waveform data from either a vibration transducer on a rotating machine or vibration data stored in a database or file. The present invention permits the determination of the RPM of a rotating machine without the requirement of additional hardware so that readings may be obtained inexpensively, accurately and without interrupting machine operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastener device. The fastener device includes a first tape section having a free end portion and a first connection portion opposing the free end portion; a second tape section having a second connection portion and a first anchor portion opposing the second connection portion The second connection portion is joined to the first connection portion of the first tape section. The fastener device further includes a third tape section having a third connection portion and a second anchor portion next to the third connection portion. The third connection portion is joined to the second connection portion of the second tape section. The third connection portion is joined to a branch connection portion between the second connection portion and the first anchor portion of the second tape section. The present invention is also directed to a disposable product which employs the fastener device.

Abstract: A cooking range with an acoustic sensing system for determining the boil state of the contents of a cooking utensil. The acoustic sensing system, which includes at least one acoustic sensor, is positioned on or in the cooking appliance to detect acoustic emissions in one or more specific ranges of frequencies that are characteristic of emissions resulting from the heating and boiling of liquids in a variety of cooking utensils or vessels.