Abstract: A terahertz time-domain spectrometer scanning sensor system includes a transmitter and a receiver that are secured to a mobile scanner head. Optical pump light, in the form of short pulses launched from a stationary laser located remotely from the scanner head, is delivered to the transmitter and receiver through a controlled fiber optic cable arrangement so that variations in temporal pulse relays that are associated fiber optic transmission are minimized. In this fashion, the movement of the fiber optic cable is maneuvered along a defined path so as to control the bends in the cable and thus minimize variations in temporal delays that can otherwise arise as the pulses of light are transmitted through the fiber. Pulses of laser light launched from the laser into the optical fiber will exit the cable with consistent (i) time of arrival, (ii) phase duration, and (iii) polarization state and energy.

Abstract: A method for affecting moisture content of a sheet of paper includes providing a moisture measuring device disposed in a papermaking machine to measure the moisture content of a sheet of paper and create a moisture profile of the sheet of paper, determining the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and providing a water-spraying device to spray water on a press felt that contacts the sheet of paper during manufacturing. The method further includes selecting one or more zones on the press felt on which to spray water based on the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and acting on the press felt by spraying water in the one or more selected zones on the press felt to affect the moisture content of the sheet of paper that contacts the press felt after the water has been sprayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine direction measurement system having an increased cross direction sampling area (significantly larger than the natural sensor measurement window) to generate a more representative and stable machine direction reading of the process. In effect, the sensor should have as wide a coverage area as possible without having to resort to the expense of measuring the entire width of the sheet.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program are provided for actuator performance monitoring. A test of an actuator in a process control system can be initiated, such as when a break in the operation of the actuator or a machine associated with the actuator is detected. The test could include providing a varying control signal (such as a varying pressure signal) to the actuator. A response of the actuator to the control signal is analyzed to determine if the actuator is suffering from one or more faults. Analyzing the response could include generating a first pressurization curve identifying how a pressure in the actuator varies over time in response to the pressure signal. Analyzing the response could also include comparing the first pressurization curve to a second pressurization curve, such as a baseline pressurization curve generated when the actuator was first commissioned in the process control system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program are provided for actuator performance monitoring. A test of an actuator in a process control system can be initiated, such as when a break in the operation of the actuator or a machine associated with the actuator is detected. The test could include providing a varying control signal (such as a varying pressure signal) to the actuator. A response of the actuator to the control signal is analyzed to determine if the actuator is suffering from one or more faults. Analyzing the response could include generating a first pressurization curve identifying how a pressure in the actuator varies over time in response to the pressure signal. Analyzing the response could also include comparing the first pressurization curve to a second pressurization curve, such as a baseline pressurization curve generated when the actuator was first commissioned in the process control system.

Abstract: A method for affecting moisture content of a sheet of paper includes providing a moisture measuring device disposed in a papermaking machine to measure the moisture content of a sheet of paper and create a moisture profile of the sheet of paper, determining the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and providing a water-spraying device to spray water on a press felt that contacts the sheet of paper during manufacturing. The method further includes selecting one or more zones on the press felt on which to spray water based on the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and acting on the press felt by spraying water in the one or more selected zones on the press felt to affect the moisture content of the sheet of paper that contacts the press felt after the water has been sprayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine direction measurement system having an increased cross direction sampling area (significantly larger than the natural sensor measurement window) to generate a more representative and stable machine direction reading of the process. In effect, the sensor should have as wide a coverage area as possible without having to resort to the expense of measuring the entire width of the sheet.