Abstract: A vehicle rack assembly and method is disclosed which includes a base frame having a first side member, a second side member, and a cross structure extending between the first side member and the second side member wherein the rack assembly is configured to cover a bed of a vehicle. The rack assembly also includes a first panel pivotably coupled to the first side member and a first auxiliary panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and a second panel pivotably coupled to the second side member and a second auxiliary panel pivotably coupled to the second panel. The rack assembly is adjustable between a first configuration where the first panel and the second panel are co-planar and a second configuration where the first panel, first auxiliary panel, second panel, and second auxiliary panel are each oriented at an angle to the base plane.

Abstract: A vehicle rack assembly and method is disclosed which includes a base frame having a first side member, a second side member, and a cross structure extending between the first side member and the second side member wherein the rack assembly is configured to cover a bed of a vehicle. The rack assembly also includes a first panel pivotably coupled to the first side member and a first auxiliary panel pivotably coupled to the first panel and a second panel pivotably coupled to the second side member and a second auxiliary panel pivotably coupled to the second panel. The rack assembly is adjustable between a first configuration where the first panel and the second panel are co-planar and a second configuration where the first panel, first auxiliary panel, second panel, and second auxiliary panel are each oriented at an angle to the base plane.

Abstract: A method for determining a steady state operating condition of a machine includes determining whether a current machine speed of the machine is within a defined range of operation, determining whether a step change in output power of the machine has occurred, determining a first duration of time elapsed since the machine speed was last outside of the defined range of operation, and determining a second duration of time elapsed since a most recent detected step change in output power of the machine. The machine is deemed to be in a steady state condition whenever the current machine speed of the machine is within said defined range of operation, and the first and second durations of time exceed respective minimum values defined therefor.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a machine is provided. The method includes receiving an input complex signal from the machine wherein the input complex signal has a plurality of signal components. The plurality of signal components includes at least one signal component containing a pre-determined frequency of interest and at least one signal component containing noise. The method further includes processing the input complex signal and generating an output complex signal having a plurality of signal components The plurality of signal components includes at least one signal component containing a pre-determined frequency of interest and at least one signal component containing noise. Processing the input complex signal includes executing a fixed-step integration and processing the output complex signal to assess whether a fault exists.

Abstract: A method of predicting the remaining operational life of a component including generating a plurality of component data utilizing a machinery monitoring system including a database having at least one rule set, the component data indicative of a least one operational parameter of the component, trending the component data utilizing the rule set, and extrapolating the trended data to facilitate predicting the remaining operational life of the component.

Abstract: A method of detecting a signal (S) of interest contained within a waveform (F) comprised of a plurality of signals within a frequency spectrum, as well as random noise. After first detecting the waveform, a determination is made as to whether the duration (Td) of the waveform is sufficient for subsequent processing. If the duration is not sufficient, the waveform is concatenated with itself to produce a waveform of sufficient duration. The concatenated waveform is then processed and the results supplied as an input to an oscillator (24) operating at a nominal output frequency. The oscillator cancels the effects of noise in the waveform and the frequency of the oscillator shifts to a different frequency which is a function of the signal of interest. The shift in output frequency of the oscillator is detected and analyzed to obtain the signal of interest. The oscillator can be either a general purpose oscillator or a Van der Pol oscillator.

Abstract: A method for indicating an alarm condition in an industrial process includes measuring a parameter of the industrial process that varies over time and determining at least one parameter limit as a function of the parameter and also varying over time. The method further includes comparing the parameter to the parameter limit or limits and indicating an alarm condition when the parameter is outside of a bound set by the parameter limit or limits when the parameter is compared to the parameter limit or limits.

Abstract: A method to detect a change in a condition of a system including: sensing the condition of the system and capturing data values indicative of the sensed condition; periodically determining a difference between a first data value and a second data value; determining a characteristic representative of a series of differences representative of a predetermined period; comparing the characteristic to at least one threshold level, and generating an alarm if the characteristic is beyond the threshold level.