Of Mechanical System Patents (Class 702/113)
  • Publication number: 20080249734
    Abstract: An in-situ monitoring system is engaged with a mechanical system for which it is desired to assess or monitor the in-situ performance of the mechanical system. The in-situ monitoring system includes at least one input sensor and at least one output sensor for collecting data corresponding, respectively, to input into, and output from, the mechanical system. The monitoring system also includes an analyzer that utilizes the input and output data to generate an in-situ response representation of the mechanical system. The in-situ representation may be used to make a decision regarding the status of the mechanical system, e.g., to replace all or part of it, to adjust it or to do nothing. In one embodiment, the analyzer is programmed to adapt to the operating conditions of the mechanical system by automatically selecting which one of a number of target representations should be used to characterize the in-situ representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Frolik
  • Patent number: 7433527
    Abstract: A time series data dimensional compression apparatus performing dimensional compression for improving the efficiency of searching for time series data without losing the features of data. The compression is made to a determined dimension so that a larger volume of information may be extracted therein. A time series subsequence generating section (112) generates time series subsequences of a specified segment width into which a plurality of pieces of time series data generated at a time series data generating section (110) are divided. A singular value decomposition processing section (113) performs singular value decomposition on all of the time series subsequences. A dimensional compression time series data generating section (114) generates dimensional compression time series data by using high-order elements of the singular value decomposition as a representative value of the time series subsequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigenobu Takayama, Shinsuke Azuma, Shigeo Sato
  • Publication number: 20080239303
    Abstract: A vehicle cylinder head coolant passage inspection device and a method for inspecting vehicle cylinder head coolant passages therewith. A device and method of the present invention can be used to detect blockages present within such coolant passages. A device and method of the present invention uses one or more fiber-optic probes that can both emit and receive light. The probe(s) are used with a sensor that can register light reflected by a blockage and received by a probe(s) while in a coolant passage. Reflected light readings registered by the sensor can be used to determine whether a blockage is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marc McDaniel, Charles Hoke, Chad J. Miller, Stephen A. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20080234964
    Abstract: A abnormality diagnosing apparatus used in a machine equipment including a rotating or sliding part relative to a stationary member includes a detecting portion 31 fixed to the rotating or sliding part or the stationary member and including a vibration sensor 32 and a temperature sensor 33, and a signal processing portion 81 for determining a state of the part from a detecting signal outputted by the detecting portion 31. The signal processing portion 81 determines presence or absence of a abnormality, or presence or absence of the abnormality and a degree of a damage of the part based on a combination of a measured result by the vibration sensor 32 and a measured result by the temperature sensor 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Miyasaka, Yasushi Mutoh, Juntaro Sahara
  • Patent number: 7421363
    Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Thomas, Diane M. Landers
  • Patent number: 7421369
    Abstract: There is provided an activity recognition apparatus for detecting an activity of a subject. The apparatus includes: a sensor unit including a plurality of linear motion sensors configured to detect linear motions and a plurality of rotational motion sensors, the linear motions being orthogonal to each other, the rotational motions being orthogonal to each other; and a computational unit configured to receive and process signals from the sensors included in the sensor unit so as to detect an activity of the subject. The sensor unit is directly or indirectly supported by the subject with an arbitrary orientation with respect to the subject. The computational unit performs a calculation that uses the signals from both linear motion sensors and rotational motion sensors to determine the activity of the subject independent of the orientation of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Clarkson
  • Patent number: 7418360
    Abstract: A configurable system for automating a control sequence, in particular a motion sequence, has several components which exchange in regular time intervals during the control sequence with each other information via communication relationships. The system selects exactly one system project design from a plurality of system project designs based on the topology and functionality of the components. Each component of the system has a component project design, which is used by the system to design the components according to the corresponding component project designs. Each component arranges the communication relationships of the other components according to its own component project design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mirko Danz, Johannes Extra, Michael Franke
  • Patent number: 7415376
    Abstract: A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Lyndon J. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080189068
    Abstract: A method is provided for simulating a vehicle crash on a fuel delivery module of a vehicle. The fuel delivery module (11) has a flange (10) constructed and arranged to be coupled to a fuel tank, a fuel pump (12) for delivering fuel from the tank and through the flange, a reservoir (18) housing the fuel pump, and strut rods (14). Each strut rod has an end coupled to the reservoir or fuel pump and another end coupled to the flange at an interface. The method models a fuel tank associated with the fuel delivery module as a rigid or elastic shell. A solid model of the fuel delivery module is created. The solid model is meshed to create a finite element model. Fluid in the fuel tank is modeled with Lagrangian or arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian finite elements, or smoothed particle hydrodynamics particles. Solid fluid interactions are added to the meshed solid model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Brusoe
  • Publication number: 20080189067
    Abstract: Meter electronics (20) and methods for detecting a flow anomaly in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) are provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response of the flow material, with the vibrational response including at least a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal and generate at least one flow characteristic using at least the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift, compare the at least one flow characteristic to at least one anomaly profile, detect a shift in the vibrational response if the at least one flow characteristic falls within the anomaly profile, and indicate an anomaly condition as a result of the detecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Graeme Ralph Duffill, Mark James Bell, Craig B. McAnally, Richard L. Maginnis
  • Publication number: 20080183415
    Abstract: A method for assessing health and performance of a system. In one example, the system comprises subsystems (preferably physically coupled subsystems), at least some of which are characterizable by transmitted signals. Some of these signals are transformed into a comparable form and compared, so as to identify signals that are outside of operating bounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Jason D. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 7401001
    Abstract: A position determining system for determining a position of a rotor of a rotating motor has sensors that are coupled to the rotor. The sensors generate, in response to a rotation of the rotor, a quadrature signal that has sine and cosine components. The position determining system calculates a sum (A2) of a squared value of the sine component (A2sin2x) and a squared value of the cosine component (A2cos2x). An amplitude correction factor (A) is calculated as the squared root of the sum (A2). An amplitude corrected sine component (sin(x)) is obtained by dividing the sine component (Asin(x)) by the amplitude correction factor (A). An amplitude corrected cosine component (cos(x)) is obtained by dividing the cosine component (Acos(x)) by the amplitude correction factor (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Aalbert Stek, Anthonius Petrus Gerardus Emanuel Janssen
  • Patent number: 7400994
    Abstract: Rotatable discs combined with turbine blades in engines must be tested for critical life analysis. Thus, consideration must be made as to life expectancy for such components as a result of tensile circumferential hoops as generated by the weight of blades under rotation as well as compressive axial stress as a result of thermal gradients during initial warm up. Previous testing arrangements have considered tensile circumferential hoop stress but not compressive axial stress combinations such as “Von Mises” stress. By provision of bend structures 13, 223 a bending moment is created about a base 2, 22 formed in a test component 1, 21 such that a bending moment force 4, 24 creates a bending moment in the test component 1, 21. This bending moment results in a compressive axial stress reminiscent of that in a practical turbine engine disc as a result of initial thermal gradients. In such circumstances a more realistic testing of the component 1, 21 representative of a practical disc/blade combination is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Anthony B Phipps, Nicholas S A Cristinacce
  • Patent number: 7395167
    Abstract: An in-situ monitoring system is engaged with a mechanical system for which it is desired to assess or monitor the in-situ performance of the mechanical system. The in-situ monitoring system includes at least one input sensor and at least one output sensor for collecting data corresponding, respectively, to input into, and output from, the mechanical system. The monitoring system also includes an analyzer that utilizes the input and output data to generate an in-situ response representation of the mechanical system. The in-situ representation may be used to make a decision regarding the status of the mechanical system, e.g., to replace all or part of it, to adjust it or to do nothing. In one embodiment, the analyzer is programmed to adapt to the operating conditions of the mechanical system by automatically selecting which one of a number of target representations should be used to characterize the in-situ representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Frolik
  • Publication number: 20080154531
    Abstract: A testing tool for electric bicycle devices includes a tester circuit and a connector. The tester circuit is configured and arranged to test and diagnose operability of at least one electric bicycle device. The connector extends from the tester circuit and is configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric bicycle device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Kazuhiro Takeda, Haruyuki Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 7386359
    Abstract: A test device and a test method for testing a machine tool or production machine are disclosed. A control and monitoring unit processes at least one predefined instruction sequence and generates control commands for operating the machine controller in order to test the machine. The control commands are transmitted to the machine controller, where they are executed. The instruction sequence also includes control instructions. This results in a relatively simple test device and method for automatically and reproducibly testing a machine tool or production machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Akteingesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Dohle, Thomas Menzel
  • Patent number: 7376529
    Abstract: A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Lyndon J. Hurley
  • Patent number: 7369956
    Abstract: A device for testing a tire that has a tread and extending sidewalls includes an apparatus for receiving and rotating a tire and at least one measurement device operatively placed to measure at least one of the sidewalls as the tire is rotated wherein the measurement device is radially moveable with respect to the sidewall in defined increments so as to obtain a measurement profile for each radial position. A controller is connected to the measurement device and receives each measurement profile, wherein the controller classifies the measurement profile into slope classifications, and wherein the controller monitors the slope classifications for defective patterns and, if detected, monitors a second measurement profile for another defective pattern. If another defective pattern is detected in the second measurement profile in the same radial region, the controller generates an indication that the tire is defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Commercial Time Sharing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon M. Reynolds, Troy L. Anenson
  • Patent number: 7366629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high frequency module board device having a high frequency transmitting and receiving circuit for modulating and demodulating a high frequency signal. The high frequency module board device comprises a base board (2) whose main surface is formed as a build-up surface (2a) and a high frequency circuit part (3) formed on the build-up surface of the base board (2) and having passive elements formed. The base board (2) has an area (29) in which wiring is not formed in a lower layer from a fourth wiring layer (8b). The high frequency circuit part (3) has an upper electrode part (36) and a lower electrode part (35) in positions corresponding to the area (29) in which the wiring is not formed. Thus, since a capacitance (18) is provided just above the area (29) in which the wiring is not formed, a parasitic capacity that the capacitance (18) receives from ground patterns (14) is reduced. Accordingly, the characteristics of the capacitance (18) can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ogino, Akihiko Okubora, Takayuki Hirabayashi, Takahiko Kosemura, Kuniyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7359821
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Injury Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Darrin A. Smith, Scott Palmer
  • Patent number: 7359808
    Abstract: A fuel cell evaluation apparatus of the present invention is provided with a fuel cell for generating electricity using fuel gas and oxidizer gas; a fuel gas supplying section for supplying the fuel gas; an oxidizer gas supplying section for supplying the oxidizer gas; an inert gas supplying section; a detector for detecting an amount of electricity generated by the fuel cell; a bypass for interconnecting a gas supply port of the fuel cell with a gas exhaust port of the fuel cell; three-way valves for switching the gas to either the fuel cell and the bypass; and a control section for controlling at least one of the three-way valves so as to replace the gas inside the fuel cell. The fuel cell evaluation apparatus and a fuel cell evaluation method of the present invention can evaluate the properties and performance of a fuel cell in a nondestructive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ESPEC Corp.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okuda
  • Publication number: 20080082283
    Abstract: A method of determining preventive maintenance for an optical inspection system for inspecting photolithography processed substrates. The method includes measuring at least one operational characteristic of the optical inspection system and comparing a measurement result for said at least one operational characteristic with predetermined preventive maintenance criteria for the operational characteristic. Also included is determining a preventive maintenance requirement based on a comparison result of said comparing, and initiating a preventive maintenance action on said optical inspection system, said preventive maintenance action corresponding to said preventive maintenance requirement. A method of automatically performing preventive maintenance on an optical inspection system, and for retrofitting an optical inspection system to facilitate preventive maintenance of the optical inspection system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: David Dixon, Michael Kincaid
  • Publication number: 20080077332
    Abstract: A method for determining fatigue life reduction in a string; the method, in at least certain aspects, including providing at least one sample from a string that has been subjected to corrosion, fatigue testing the at least one sample to determine a measured remaining fatigue life, calculating an expected remaining bending fatigue life for the at least one sample, and comparing the measured remaining fatigue life to the expected remaining bending fatigue life to determine the extent of reduction in fatigue life of the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Ray Newman
  • Publication number: 20080069693
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a machine is provided. The machine includes at least one movable member including at least one sensor configured to generate at least one speed measurement of the moveable member. The machine also includes at least one processor coupled in electronic data communication to the sensor. The sensor is configured to generate at least one time stamp value for the at least one speed measurement signal. The at least one processor is configured to generate a plurality of time-stamped speed measurement signals of the at least one moveable member. The processor is further configured to determine a prioritization of the plurality of time-stamped speed measurement signals as a function of at least one predetermined temporal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Olga Malakhova, John Wesley Grant, James Joseph Schmid, Timothy J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20080065343
    Abstract: An ending target position Xes corresponding to the measurement ending position Xe, a rotation rate pattern Ar to rotate a screw 2, and a hypothetical retraction rate pattern Ab for the screw 2 to retract are set in advance, the remaining rotation rate pattern Ar to stop the screw 2 rotation at the ending target position Xes is predicated by calculation based on the screw position X detected at every specified time interval Ts at the time of measurement, based on which the screw 2 is controlled to rotate to the measurement ending position Xe, the remaining retraction rate pattern Ab to stop the screw 2 retraction at the ending target position Xe based on the screw 2 retraction rate Vd detected at every specified time interval Ts, based on which the screw 2 is controlled to retract to the measurement ending position Xe, the rotation and retraction of the screw 2 are stopped, and subsequently the screw 2 is controlled to reverse rotate by a pre-set constant amount of rotation Rc while position controlling its po
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Fumio Shiozawa, Tetsuo Ikeda, Kazuki Miyairi, Takashi Hakoda, Seiichi Sakurada
  • Patent number: 7337086
    Abstract: A system and method for combining conclusions from multiple fault detection techniques to isolate likely faults in a turbine engine is provided. The system and method provide the ability to effectively deal with multiple concurrent faults in the engine. Additionally, the embodiments of the invention provide the ability to correctly characterize multiple conclusions generated from evidence having different levels of interdependence. In one embodiment, the conclusions based on device data with high dependency are aggregated using a high dependency aggregation rule, and the resulting high-dependency sets are then further aggregated using a weak dependency rule. Finally, any conclusions based on independent evidence can be aggregated using an independent combination rule. The resulting aggregation determines which fault(s) are most likely indicated by the plurality of conclusions, taken into account the dependency of the device data used to generate the conclusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie Guralnik, Dinkar Mylaraswamy, Harold C. Voges
  • Publication number: 20080040053
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an object is provided. The method includes applying a pulsed excitation signal to the object and detecting a transient response signal to the pulsed excitation signal. The method also includes convolving the transient response signal with a plurality of orthogonal functions to generate a plurality of orthogonal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov
  • Publication number: 20080033674
    Abstract: A method and system detects and diagnoses faults in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Internal state variables of the HVAC equipment are measured under external driving conditions. Expected internal state variables are predicted for the HVAC equipment operating under the external driving conditions using a locally weighted regression model. Features are determined of the HVAC based on differences between the measured and predicted state variables. The features are classified to determine a condition of the HVAC equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel N. Nikovski, Ajay Divakaran, Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Kadir A. Peker
  • Publication number: 20080033684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John L. Vian, Ronald C. Provine, Stefan R. Bieniawski, Emad W. Saad, Paul E. R. Pigg, Gregory J. Clark, Ali R. Mansouri, Khaled Abdel-Motagaly, Charles A. Erignac, James J. Troy, Paul Murray, Jonathan P. How, Mario J. Valenti, Brett M. Bethke
  • Publication number: 20080010035
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Chirico, Ron E. Beselt
  • Publication number: 20080004826
    Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for determining an accelerated test for a device. The method comprises calculating an estimated amount of damage that an element of the device would suffer if the device were operated under a set of specified conditions over a certain period of time (e.g., expected lifetime of the device). The method further comprises determining an accelerated test to which to subject the element in order to cause the element to suffer an actual amount of damage that is approximately equal to the estimated amount of damage. The accelerated test may be an accelerated test cycle, such as an accelerated temperature cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Ron Zhang, Bidyut Sen
  • Publication number: 20080004827
    Abstract: Calculating, detecting, observing, and validating operating characteristics, conditions, and metrics, especially quality of service metrics, of a system. The quality of service metrics are reported and utilized to manage the service. The various elements of the system for generating the quality of service metrics are integrated, with the same or substantially the same schema and metadata in the databases management systems of the externalized metric configuration data database, and the raw transaction data database. There is extensive code reuse, with the various engines, as the standard requirements methodology engine and thee standardized extensible calculation engine utilizing the same classes or objects, and as appropriate, the same function calls, interfaces, api's, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bogdan Grigoriu, Linwood Earl Loving, Donald Eugene Schaefer, Wayne A. Scott
  • Publication number: 20070282557
    Abstract: A data observation device for observing internal data of a control device for controlling a machine tool, an industrial machine, an industrial robot, or the like which has at least one drive shaft driven by one selected from a servo motor, a spindle motor. The device includes: means which specifies observational data targeted for observation; means which specifies trigger data used to determine a timing of a trigger for starting and/or terminating acquisition of the observational data; means which sets a trigger condition for applying the trigger based on a value of the trigger data; and means which judges whether or not the trigger condition is satisfied in the control device, selectively starts and terminates acquisition of a value of the observational data, and displays the acquired observational data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uchida, Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Kazuyuki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20070255519
    Abstract: A known error signal is recorded in a recording medium for testing. When manufacturing a reproducing apparatus, the recording medium for testing is used to check whether there is a deficiency in the reproducing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Tetsuo Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 7277800
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring freeplay within an actuator is provided. In accordance with various embodiments, the method includes collecting a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during a predetermined period. During the predetermined time period the actuator drive motor is commanded to extend and retract an actuator output ram operably connected to a movable component of a structural system such as a mobile platform. The method additionally includes selectively isolating various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that meet specific predetermined criterion. Furthermore, the method includes computing an amount of freeplay value within the actuator based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Sheahan, Jr., Jeffrey M. Roach, Kevin L. Swearingen
  • Publication number: 20070225947
    Abstract: In a fall detection device, when a first composite vector value of a first acceleration component obtained from a three-axial acceleration sensor is greater than a rotating fall determining value, or smaller than a free fall determining value, a possibility of a fall is determined. When a second composite vector value of a second acceleration component obtained after a determining time interval is greater than the rotating fall determining value, and an angular difference of each testing surface is greater than an angular difference determining value, it is determined to be in the middle of a fall. Further, when a third composite vector value of a third acceleration component obtained one more time is smaller than the free fall determining value, it is determined to be in the middle of a fall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Takeharu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7272982
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to publication usage by participants in publication readership studies. Some methods and systems employ portable monitors carried by participants of the studies along with publications fitted with various devices, such as piezoelectric transducers, RFID tags and others devices and circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Arbitron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Neuhauser, James M. Jensen, Jack C. Crystal, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh, Douglas J. Visnius, Eugene L. Flanagan, III
  • Patent number: 7263433
    Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Harendra S. Gandhi, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Robert W. McCabe, George Graham, Hungwen Jen
  • Patent number: 7257992
    Abstract: Automated apparatus and methods for testing surface finishes. In at least one preferred embodiment, automated apparatus capable of reliably, automatically testing surface finishes in industrial environments. In at least one further preferred embodiment, an automated, robotic surface finish tester programmable to measure surface finishes of a plurality of spatially separate surfaces and simultaneously and/or thereafter displaying, transmitting, processing, and/or storing data related thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Cim Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David J Fox
  • Patent number: 7254508
    Abstract: A method for use with a test system having sites that hold devices under test (DUTs) includes executing a first site loop to iterate through the sites, where the first site loop includes an instruction to program hardware associated with at least one of the sites, and executing a second site loop to process data received from the DUTs, where the second site loop and the first site loop have a same syntax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hlotyak
  • Patent number: 7254518
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pressure transmitter is provided which diagnoses the condition of a primary element and/or an impulse line which connects to a pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the pressure sensor has a difference output which represents the sensed pressure minus a moving average. A calculate circuit receives the difference output and calculates a trained output of historical data obtained during an initial training time. The calculate circuit also calculates a monitor output of current data obtained during monitoring or normal operation of the transmitter. A diagnostic circuit receives the trained output and the monitor output and generates a diagnostic output indicating a current condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Kadir Kavaklioglu
  • Patent number: 7249465
    Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein temperature trending of at least one cryocooler component or the refrigeration load is monitored and used to calculate a service time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bayram Arman, James J. Volk, Steve A. Richards, Mushtaq M. Ahmed, Arun Acharya
  • Patent number: 7236913
    Abstract: According to the invention, a simulation is carried out based on the fundamental motion equation (1) for simulating the system by means of: transformation of the fundamental motion equation into linear differential equations of the first order; further transformation of the linear differential equations into time-discrete state variables; determination of the time response of the system by actualization of the resulting algebraic differential equations in the sampling raster of an associated control processor. Higher simulation accuracy is obtained at an essentially smaller calculating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Hamm, Michael Louis, Wolfgang Papiernik
  • Patent number: 7231329
    Abstract: Method and system for generating an elliptic grid in generalized coordinates in two or three dimensions, where one or more decay parameters near a boundary segment of a grid are determined as part of the grid solution, rather than being prescribed initially by a user. The decay parameters may vary with one or more generalized coordinates and determine the rate(s) at which separation distances between adjacent grid lines change as one moves toward or away from a grid boundary segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Inventor: Upender K. Kaul
  • Patent number: 7174775
    Abstract: In a method of evaluating surface tension of a solid body surface, selection is made of at least three liquid samples having different surface tensions, and contact angles between the respective liquid samples and the solid body surface are measured. Thereby, a correlation between cosines (Y) of the contact angles and surface tensions (X) of the liquid samples is derived as a logarithmic function. Surface tension of the solid body surface is evaluated by the use of a value of X that is calculated by substituting 1 for Y in the correlation. When evaluated by the foregoing evaluation method, a magnetic disk has a surface where the value of X, when 1 is substituted for Y, is greater than 0 and no greater than 17 mN/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Hoya Corporation, Hoya Magnetics Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 7174263
    Abstract: A flow verifier for in-situ verification of a device under test (DUT), including an inlet connectable to a DUT, an outlet connectable to a vacuum pump for drawing gas through the DUT and the flow verifier, a vessel having a predetermined volume, diffusive media connecting the inlet to the vessel, an outlet valve connecting the vessel to the outlet for controlling flow from the vessel to the outlet, at least one temperature sensor operatively connected to the vessel for providing temperature measurements from within the vessel, and a pressure transducer operatively connected to the vessel for providing pressure measurements from within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Daniel Alexander Smith
  • Patent number: 7130769
    Abstract: In one example, the method includes operating a process tool that has a plurality of sensors for sensing at least one parameter associated with the operation of the process tool, obtaining data from the sensors and determining at least one maintenance activity for the process tool based upon the data obtained from the sensors. In another example, data from the sensors is provided to a controller that analyzes the data and indicates desired variations in at least one maintenance activity to be performed on the process tool based upon the analysis of the data. In yet another example, the controller identifies a plurality of maintenance activities to be performed on the process tool based upon the analysis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam H. Allen, Jr., Michael R. Conboy, Elfido Coss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7110926
    Abstract: A method for determining coil spring force line range corresponding to specific damper friction values using a universal spring mechanism and using the determined force line range in coil spring design. The method includes securing the mechanism to a suspension system including a damper, providing a controller for controlling actuator legs thereof for exerting force between upper and lower seats of the mechanism, and performing a capability study of the mechanism. The method further includes determining a desired coil spring force line position based upon the capability study, activating the mechanism to generate a desired coil spring force line based upon the desired coil spring force line position, performing damper friction measurements for determining a coil spring force line position for minimizing damper friction, determining the coil spring force line range based upon the damper friction measurements, and designing a coil spring based upon the coil spring force line range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: NHK International Corp.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nishizawa, Jason Logsdon
  • Patent number: 7092834
    Abstract: In a method for determination and representation of adjustment steps for operation of an apparatus requiring adjustment, such as a diagnostic imaging apparatus, the implementation of manual adjustments by a user is supported. The method determines which adjustment steps are necessary for adjustment of the apparatus for a particular operation thereof and displays then in a list on a display medium. The adjustment steps are ordered corresponding to a sequence that is necessary for adjustment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 7039541
    Abstract: In a test bench design consisting at least of an internal combustion engine (1) having its own sensor technology, actuator technology and control devices, a dynamometric brake (2), and a test bench computer (5) controlling the internal combustion engine (1) and the dynamometric brake (2), whereby the computer (5) calculates the control variables for the internal combustion engine (1) and the dynamometric brake (2) based on set point defaults, the object to operate the internal combustion engine (1) with the assistance of the dynamometric brake (2) in the same way as the engine would be operated by the user in a selected vehicle and with the driving profile to be set by the user is achieved by conducting a predefined measurement prior to the actual measurement, which cannot be performed precisely by the user himself, and based on the measurement, parameters of a calculation specification (9) of set point defaults of the control variables are to be determined under consideration of the characteristics of the te
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Engelbert Grünbacher, Gerald Steinmaurer, Peter Langthaler, Luigi Del Re, Helmut Kokal