Mechanical Measurement System Patents (Class 702/33)
  • Publication number: 20110191033
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the quality of maintenance performed on a wind turbine. A restoration factor is used to determine the quality of maintenance performed of the wind turbine. A restoration factor determined after a scheduled maintenance is compared to historical and comparative references to determine the quality of the maintenance performed on the wind turbine. Based upon these comparisons, maintenance of the wind turbine may be modified to increase the capacity of the wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Ingemann Hvas Sandvad, Cher Ming Tan, Pey Yen Siew, Yee Soon Tsan
  • Patent number: 7991598
    Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed herein for modeling a mechanical system having body elements movable in at least two dimensions in a graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein allow constraints on body elements movable in at least two dimensions in the mechanical system to be generalized and represented by a single block in the graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein simplify the modeling of a mechanical system by allowing a user to construct a definition of generalized constraints through a connectivity table. Thus, it is possible to model a mechanical system in a graphical modeling environment with less than all the body elements represented by blocks in a graphical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: Giles D. Wood
  • Patent number: 7970554
    Abstract: A system for providing secure access to mechanical data associated with the mechanical properties of a concrete mass. The system includes a logger associated with the concrete mass and having at least one sensor adapted to measure physical properties of the concrete mass and generate sensor data indicative of the physical properties of the concrete mass. The logger also has a microprocessor adapted to receive the sensor data and calculate mechanical data associated with the concrete mass and an outbound data transfer device. The system includes a reader adapted to receive the mechanical data associated with the concrete mass from the outbound data transfer device of the logger. Lastly, the system includes a computer receiving the mechanical data from the reader and distributing the mechanical data to one or more users via the Internet, a world-wide network of information sharing computers, or using the world-wide web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Engius, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fox, Craig A. Aker, Matthew Dock, Steven M. Trost
  • Patent number: 7966134
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to use a measured driving-point response of a nonlinear material to determine one or more elastic properties of the material. The present invention takes advantage of the full information represented by the transient component, the steady-state component, the anharmonic components, and the nonlinear response components of a measured driving-point response of a real nonlinear material, without limitation in the use of large-amplitude forces. The elastic properties are determined by forming and solving a time-domain system of linear equations representing a differential equation model of the driving-point motions of the material. Based on a single, short duration, large-amplitude driving point measurement, both linear and nonlinear properties can be determined; both large-amplitude and near-zero amplitude properties can be determined; and elastic-wave speed and elastic moduli and their variation with depth can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Thomas German
  • Patent number: 7957918
    Abstract: A computer performs press forming analysis based on a shape of a formed product or of a member, a blank holder force, a friction coefficient, a tensile strength of a material, a yield strength, a stress-strain relation, and a sheet thickness, as press forming conditions, to calculate sheet thickness distribution and post-formation strain distribution of the formed product. The computer also performs performance analysis based on the sheet thickness distribution, the post-formation strain distribution, and the shape of the formed product or of the member, as state amounts of the formed product. This calculate performance of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Arcelor France
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Niwa, Hiroshi Yoshida, Eiji Isogai, Yuichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7953559
    Abstract: Methods and systems for constructing a load history database for a structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that may include detecting a measurable parameter on the structure utilizing a sensor positioned on the structure and determining a value of external loads acting upon the structure based on the detected parameter. Further, the method may include evaluating the value of the external loads against a pre-established factor. Based on the evaluation, the value of the external loads are selectively stored in the load history database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry Neil Sundermeyer, Nitin R. Patel, Ryan Paul Allgaier, Don Sit, Timothy Allen Vik, Jeffrey Dale Baskett, Hiroko Kyuba, Daniel Kimsey Dunn, III, Byron Edwin Truax, Burton Roland Clarke
  • Publication number: 20110125420
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing inspections using infrared cameras through in-field displays and operator-assisted performance calculations. A handheld infrared imaging system typically includes an infrared camera having a programmed computer and an interactive user interface suitable for displaying images and prompting response and accepting input from the infrared camera operator in the field during an inspection. An operator may designate at least one thing of interest on a displayed infrared image; and the programmed computer may uses a performance algorithm to estimate performance associated with the thing of interest. The programmed computer may extract information or parameters from previously measured data. The programmed computer may vary the way in which it displays new measurements based on the information extracted from the stored data. One or more of the parameters extracted from the IR image may be adapted to provide an automated alert to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: CSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond Earl Garvey, III, Robert Darrell Skeirik
  • Patent number: 7949492
    Abstract: Measuring mechanical propulsive power includes establishing a first power and a second power. The first power is associated with a first rate of energy conversion by a device in a fluid, where the device is in the wake of a self-propelled conveyance moving with respect to the fluid. The average distance between the device and self-propelled conveyance may remain substantially unchanged. The second power is associated with a second rate of energy conversion by the device in the fluid without the self-propelled conveyance, where the other physical factors are substantially similar to that associated with the first power. The difference between the first power and the second power is calculated. The mechanical propulsive power for the self-propelled conveyance is determined using mappings, where a mapping associates the difference with the mechanical propulsive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Southern Methodist University
    Inventors: Paul S. Krueger, Christian Naaktgeboren
  • Patent number: 7949488
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor movement of a person, or of a vehicle ridden by the person, to determine speed, distance traveled and/or airtime of the person or vehicle. Accelerometer-based sensors, pressure sensors or Doppler sensors may be employed in these systems and methods. A liquid crystal display may attach to the person to display speed, distance traveled and/or airtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Flentov, Dennis M. Darcy, Curtis A. Vock
  • Patent number: 7945414
    Abstract: A method for detecting abnormality in a fluid supply line is provided that uses a fluid control apparatus with a pressure sensor so that abnormality of malfunction and sheet leaks of a plurality of valves incorporated into the fluid supply line can be checked easily, promptly and accurately by operating the flow rate control apparatus possessing the pressure sensor. Specifically, using a fluid supply line provided with the flow rate control apparatus possessing the pressure sensor equipped with a flow rate setting mechanism, a flow rate/pressure display mechanism, and/or a flow rate self-diagnosis mechanism, abnormality of the control valves, installed with the flow rate control apparatus and on the upstream side and downstream side thereof, is detected by using the pressure value displayed and/or the value diagnosed with a self-diagnosis mechanism of the flow rate control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Ryousuke Dohi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Kaoru Hirata, Katsuyuki Sugita, Atsushi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7945415
    Abstract: A fault detection method for detecting short circuit faults in an injector arrangement at engine start-up. The injector arrangement comprises one or more piezoelectric fuel injectors, which are connected in a drive circuit. In one aspect of the invention, the potential at a bias point in the drive circuit is determined and compared with a predicted voltage. A short circuit fault signal is generated if the potential at the bias point is not within a predetermined tolerance voltage of the predicted voltage. In another aspect of the invention, a first charge pulse is applied to the injectors to charge the injectors. A discharge current path is provided during a delay period following the first charge pulse by closing a discharge switch. A faulty injector will discharge through the discharge current path during the delay period. A second charge pulse is applied to the injectors following the delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventor: Louisa J. Perryman
  • Patent number: 7937234
    Abstract: Classification of spatial patterns on wafer maps is generally described. In one example, a method includes applying K-means type clustering to wafer maps comprising one or more spatial patterns to group one or more clusters comprising wafer maps having similar spatial patterns and producing a dendrogram using a clustering process to display the one or more clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. St. Pierre, Eugene Tuv, Alexander Borisov
  • Patent number: 7933742
    Abstract: A noise detection signal detected at an evaluation point is filtered by a low pass filter, so that an evaluation waveform signal is extracted. A real signal mother wavelet of complex type is derived from the extracted evaluation waveform signal. Using this mother wavelet, an abnormal waveform signal stored in advance is processed by wavelet transformation. Then, a correlation value is calculated between the abnormal waveform signal and the mother wavelet. The correlation value is compared with a predetermined criterion, so that the presence or absence of abnormality in a sound source or vibration source corresponding to each abnormal waveform signal is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Zhong Zhang
    Inventors: Hideaki Ishii, Hiroshi Uemura, Zhong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110093250
    Abstract: A Modeling, Design, Analysis, Simulation, and Evaluation (MDASE) aspects of gyrocompassing in relation to Far-Target Location (FTL) systems include a Gyrocompass Modeling and Simulation System (GMSS). The GMSS is a modularized software system which has four major components: the 6DOF Motion Simulator, the IMU Sensor Simulator, the Gyrocompass System and Calibration Process Simulator, the Gyrocompass System Evaluation and Analysis Module. Each module has one or two graphic user interfaces (GUIs) as user interfaces for simulation components selection and parameter setting. The modular architecture of GMSS makes it very flexible for programming and testing. And, the component-based software development technology greatly eases system extension and maintenance. The simulators can be used as either an off-line tool or as a real-time simulation tool. The realization of the GMSS can be based on any computer platforms, for it is written in high level language and tools and is portable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Ching-Fang Lin
  • Patent number: 7928738
    Abstract: A detecting system for detecting the connection of two connectors includes a number of first and second linking lines. The detecting system includes a number of first detection switches, a number of pull-down resistors, a number of second detection switches, a number of pull-up resistors, and a detection module. Each first linking line is grounded via each first detection switch and each pull-down resistor in series. The terminals of the pull-down resistors connected to the first detection switches are defined as first detecting ends. Each second linking line is electrically coupled to a high potential via each second detection switch and each pull-up resistors in series. The detection module with a threshold value preset is configured for comparing the voltage value at the first detecting ends with the threshold value, and outputting a result to determine whether the first linking lines are electrically connected to the second linking lines respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
  • Patent number: 7930111
    Abstract: A system for detecting differential bearing damages includes a synthesized tachometer that generates a tachometer signal corresponding to the race speed difference of a bearing assembly such that the bearing damage speed difference dependency can be eliminated and the damage features can be enhanced. The system also includes acceleration enveloping in the cycle domain to further enhance the damage signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huageng Luo, George Hanna Ghanime, Hai Qiu
  • Patent number: 7925475
    Abstract: A computer-performed method of designing a structure. User-selected design parameters are input to a parametric model of the structure. Boundary conditions and load conditions are applied to the model to determine a response of the structure to the conditions. Based on the load conditions, an analysis method is selected. The modeled response is analyzed using the selected analysis method to obtain power spectral density (PSD) values for the model. The PSD values are averaged over a user-selected frequency range to evaluate the design parameters for acoustic transmission loss. This method provides a high degree of flexibility in formulating structural design analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mostafa Rassaian, Jung-Chuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7925457
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a flow meter including an airfoil movably secured in the airflow path of a fan in an electronic system. The airfoil is configured to generate a lift component in response to the airflow. A sensor engages the airfoil and generates a signal in relation to the movement of the airfoil. Airflow parameters such as volumetric airflow rate and turbulence may be identified by an analysis of the movement of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gordon McLean, Keith Manders Campbell, Raymond Todd Greggs, Carloine Magdy Metry
  • Patent number: 7912675
    Abstract: A system for analyzing steam trap data includes a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to a computer; and includes a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data. A method of analyzing steam trap data includes the steps of: providing a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit data to a computer, and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data; using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Armstrong International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom D Quake, Robert H Kerr, Rex Cheskaty, Michael P Helman, Michael H Gaines
  • Patent number: 7908923
    Abstract: A method of non-destructively testing a work piece is disclosed, wherein the work piece is placed within an active field of a positioning system; a frame of reference of the work piece is established based on the geometry of the work piece in the coordinates of the positioning system; the geometry of the work piece is detected by determining the position of specific transponders, which are fixed to the work piece, by the positioning system or the geometry of the work piece is detected by scanning at least parts of the contour of the work piece with a transponder of the positioning system; testing data is acquired for the work piece with a non-destructive testing probe, which comprises a transponder of the positioning system, while the position of the testing probe is recorded by the positioning system; the position of the testing probe is transformed into an intrinsic position defined with respect to the frame of reference of the work piece; and the intrinsic position of the testing probe is assigned to the t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 7912669
    Abstract: A process for a prognosis of faults in electronic circuits identifies parameters of a circuit under test. An upper and a lower limit is determined for one or more components of the circuit under test. A population of faulty and non-faulty circuits are generated for the circuit under test, and feature vectors are generated for each faulty and non-faulty circuit. The feature vectors are stored in a fault dictionary, and a feature vector for an implementation of the circuit under test in a field operation is generated. The feature vector for the implementation of the circuit under test in the field operation is compared to the feature vectors in the fault dictionary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Sumit K. Basu
  • Publication number: 20110058045
    Abstract: A scanning projector includes a mirror that scans in two dimensions, at least one of which is sinusoidal. A position sensor provides a position signal that represents an angular displacement of the mirror. The position signal is amplified by an amplifier with time variant characteristics. A beam position determination component compensates for the time variant characteristics of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Steve Holmes, Lakhbir Singh Gandhi, Harpal Singh Sira, Bruce C. Rothaar
  • Patent number: 7901546
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: M.C. Miller Co.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Miller, Marcelo Jakubzick, Juan Pablo Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7890271
    Abstract: The object of the invention is providing a revolution indicator and a program for the indicator, which can detect a varying number of revolutions precisely. The indicator includes: a detecting portion detecting a physical phenomenon resulting from the revolution movement of a measuring object; a FFT computation portion performing a fast Fourier transform of the data detected by the detecting portion under a specific data length, and computing and outputting the analytical data; and a revolution computing portion computing the number of revolutions of the measuring object based on the analytical data output from the FFT computation portion. A variation determination portion is equipped, which makes the FFT computation portion compute the first analytical data continuously, based on the data successively detected by the detecting portion under the first data length and determines whether there is any variation or not in the first analytical data computed continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Miyano, Hideaki Hori
  • Patent number: 7890278
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a response of a device in a computer system to vibration over a frequency range. During operation, the device is vibrated at each frequency in a set of frequencies in the frequency range, wherein the device is vibrated at each frequency, one frequency at a time, until a stabilized response of the device is determined. The response of the device to vibration over the frequency range is then characterized based on information related to the stabilized response at each frequency in the set of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Vacar, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh, Kenny C. Gross
  • Patent number: 7885791
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting the growth and development of clusters in a data set. The data set is divided into a number of slices and an algorithm is applied to the data held in each data slice set. Each slice can be compared with the subsequent slice to determine which clusters persist from slice to slice. Random data agglomerations in a single slice may give the appearance of a cluster but their random nature means that they are unlikely to persist so those clusters that persist across a number of slices, or that show the strongest measure of persistence, are most likely to represent a data cluster that represents a situation of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventors: Mirko Boettcher, Frank Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 7885768
    Abstract: A method and systems for locating a source of particles, molecules, or fragments of molecules using particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule reception rate is disclosed. According to the invention, the particle, molecule, or fragment of molecules diffusion parameters in the search space are determined and a lattice is designed on the search space. After having determined whether or not at least one particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule is detected by a sensor, a probability is computed for each node of said search space lattice. The probability associated to each node of the search space lattice corresponds to the probability that the particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule source is located on the node. Then, the move of the sensor is evaluated according to the entropy of the computed probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Massimo Vergassola, Boris Shraiman, Emmanuel Villermaux
  • Patent number: 7877216
    Abstract: A brake, system, and method are presented. The brake includes friction material, a backing pad, sensor-wear material embedded within the friction material, and an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is configured to measure a characteristic of the sensor-wear material, such as the electrical resistance or the temperature of the sensor-wear material. The sensor-wear material may be applied to the brake using a variety of approaches. A condition of the brake, such as a brake-wear value or an estimated-mileage value is determined, based on the measured characteristic of the sensor-wear material. A brake-wear state may be determined by comparing the brake-wear value to one or more thresholds. The brake-wear value, estimated-mileage value, and/or the brake wear state may be indicated on a brake-wear indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A Wright, George L Wright
  • Patent number: 7877242
    Abstract: Computer based CAE FSI models for simulating the physical behavior of diapers, and/or diaper materials, and/or diaper machines during diaper manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jean Vittorio Seguro, Pamela Marie Snyder
  • Patent number: 7869971
    Abstract: A method of measuring the condition of a safety valve includes measuring a condition parameter that varies with the sealing force of the valve. The condition parameter may be determined from in-line measurements, such as measurements of a pressure pso at which the valve will open and a pressure psl at which the valve will leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seetru Limited
    Inventor: Otto Herman Varga
  • Patent number: 7865317
    Abstract: A fuel measurement system and method that can determine the fuel level in a vehicle fuel tank, even when the fuel is sloshing, splashing, or experiencing other dynamic conditions. Generally speaking, the system and method use different fuel measuring techniques to address different fuel tank conditions. For example, during normal conditions a traditional fuel level sensor may be used. During dynamic conditions, such as when the vehicle is experiencing significant acceleration, maneuvering, inclination, yaw rate, etc., the system may employ other measuring techniques that are better suited to address such an environment. One measuring technique that may be used is a consumption-based technique that uses fuel usage signals from one or more fuel injector sensor(s) to determine the amount of fuel consumed, and then subtracts that amount from a previous fuel level reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Begin
  • Patent number: 7865316
    Abstract: A system, program product, and method to perform automated three-dimensional image registration of a part within an inspection cell, are provided. The system can include a laser-ultrasound inspection device having a scanning head to generate ultrasonic surface displacements in a part, an inspection laser, and an interferometer to collect phase modulated light reflected by the part. The system can also include a part position locator positioned to measure a distance between points on a surface of the part and a scanning laser reference location. The system can also include a database containing computer-aided design models for each part of interest, and a model of the inspection cell. The system can further include a laser ultrasound inspection computer communication with the laser-ultrasound detection device and the part position locator, and laser ultrasound inspection program product adapted to perform automated three-dimensional image registration of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley Turner, James Miller, William Lorensen
  • Patent number: 7860663
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Miyasaka, Yasushi Mutoh, Juntaro Sahara
  • Patent number: 7858935
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting event-streamed spectrum imaging concurrently collects electron and spectral signals resulting from a raster scan of a sample. The signals are formatted and assembled as a packet stream. The packet stream is transmitted to a host where it is buffered, stored and processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: 4Pi Analysis, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott David Davilla, Jayanthi Subramanian Suryanarayanan
  • Publication number: 20100324835
    Abstract: A system for providing secure access to mechanical data associated with the mechanical properties of a concrete mass. The system includes a logger associated with the concrete mass and having at least one sensor adapted to measure physical properties of the concrete mass and generate sensor data indicative of the physical properties of the concrete mass. The logger also has a microprocessor adapted to receive the sensor data and calculate mechanical data associated with the concrete mass and an outbound data transfer device. The system includes a reader adapted to receive the mechanical data associated with the concrete mass from the outbound data transfer device of the logger. Lastly, the system includes a computer receiving the mechanical data from the reader and distributing the mechanical data to one or more users via the Internet, a world-wide network of information sharing computers, or using the world-wide web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Fox, Craig A. Aker, Matthew Dock, Steven M. Trost
  • Patent number: 7856340
    Abstract: A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Kaneko, Takehiko Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20100312492
    Abstract: A method for determining the state of a road surface on which a vehicle has traveled includes the steps of: a) retrieving a signal representative of the distance between the wheel axle and the vehicle body; b) providing, from the retrieved signal, a band pass filtered first component; c) calculating a first value representative of an excitation degree of the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Per-Olov Fryk, Fredrik Öijer
  • Publication number: 20100299082
    Abstract: An elastic sheet is defined in accordance with a user input operation to have a shape with which the elastic sheet does not cross another member (building component) (step S1). Then, the elastic sheet is divided into rigid elements (step S2). Angles formed by each rigid element with adjacent rigid elements on two sides are calculated, and the calculation results and the like are stored in a RAM (step S3). A flexible medium which moves through a conveyance path is defined (step S4). Conveyance conditions when the flexible medium moves through the conveyance path are set (step S5). After that, the motion is calculated (step S6). The result of the motion calculation, that is, the behavior of the flexible medium, is displayed on a display device (step S7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Toyosawa, Kenji Taki
  • Patent number: 7826983
    Abstract: Various implementations are disclosed for an instrumented mobility assistance device, such as an instrumented walker. The device includes an attached sensor that is operable to convert an operational action of a user of the mobility assistance device into a sensor signal. A use analyzer is operable to relate the sensor signal to a contact attribute associated with a contact of the user of the mobility assistance device with an underlying surface. The use analyzer is further operable to determine a gait characteristic of the user, based on the contact attribute. The sensor may include a force or moment sensor. The contact attribute may include a foot-initial contact, or a foot-off contact. In this way, gait characteristics of the user may be determined during normal operation of the instrumented device. Also, the sensor may be used to determine a stability measure associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Majd Alwan, Glenn S. Wasson, Pradip N. Sheth, Alexandre Ledoux, Cunjun Huang
  • Patent number: 7826984
    Abstract: An industrial robot diagnostic method including performing a condition analysis utilizing at least two selected input signals, wherein each selected input signal indicates a condition related to a property of the industrial robot, performing an analysis of any combination of the selected input signals utilizing a signal modeling of the signals and outputting from the condition analyzer a result being at least one of: a detection of a malfunction of the robot system, an identification of a root cause failure in the robot system and prediction of a potential malfunction in the robot system. Also an industrial robot system utilizing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Niclas Sjöstrand, Dominique Blanc, Shiva Sander Tavallaey
  • Patent number: 7819008
    Abstract: A method of inspecting canopy structures is provided to determine the structural integrity of the roof support system. The method includes steps designed to uncover hidden deficiencies in the roof support system through nondestructive testing and discovery. Timely use of the method of inspection not only minimizes the risk of canopy collapse but also produces information needed for making repair or replacement of the roof support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Canopex, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil S. Winter, D. Eric Wilson
  • Patent number: 7818105
    Abstract: When the mobile inspection terminal determines that the inspection standard information received from a server is the “specification”, it displays the received inspection standard information and out-of-standard specification information on a liquid crystal display. When it is confirmed in this state that selected inspection standard information is input, whether or not an part to be inspected is acceptable is determined based on the inspection standard information, and the server is notified of a result of determination. Further, when it is determined that the inspection standard information is the “measured value”, a measured value input screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display. When it is confirmed in this state that a measured value is input, whether or not the part to be inspected is acceptable or not is determined based on the input information, and the server is notified of a result of determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tsubota, Norichika Kimura, Shigeo Kambe
  • Publication number: 20100256926
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring rub detection in a machine are provided. An alternating current voltage signal may be transmitted or communicated to at least one component of the machine. The transmitted signal may be monitored in the at least one component and at least one characteristic associated with the monitored signal may be compared to an expected value for the at least one characteristic. Based at least in part on the comparison, a rub condition or potential rub condition may be identified between the at least one component and another component of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Wesley Donald Franklin
  • Publication number: 20100256927
    Abstract: A method estimates closure of a suction valve. A number of samples are received, each including a reference and a pressure reading. Data points are determined from the samples, each including a reference and a pressure indicator. The reference indicator directly correlates to the reference reading, and the pressure indicator correlates to an average of pressure readings collected about the sample. The data points include a suction data point, a discharge data point, and an index data point. A best-fit linear equation representing data points from about the index data point to about the discharge data point is determined. A half-slope linear equation is also determined, which has half the slope of the best-fit linear equation and the index data point as one solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger A. Hala, Brian F. Howard, Ivan Joseph Johnson, Charles Terrance Hatch
  • Publication number: 20100250013
    Abstract: One or more bolt gauges each with a built-in load cell are positioned on a blade bolt or a bearing bolt between a pitch bearing and a tightening means and tensioned by the securing means at the inside or the outside of a hub of a wind turbine. The bolt gauge then outputs a signal descending both from the tension from the bolt/securing means connection and the tension from the blade when the blade is vibrated due to wind forces and the rotation of the blade when the hub of the wind turbine is rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Bo Birkemose, Henrik Stiesdal, Soeren Vinther
  • Publication number: 20100241365
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining material information regarding steel sheet for shipping over the entire length of the steel sheet for shipping without spending too much time and effort, providing detailed material information in large volumes to a user through a computer and network, and having the user utilize the same. Specifically, it estimates the mechanical properties of temper rolled steel sheet based on the actual rolling data in a skinpass mill installed at the exit side of the continuous annealing line or galvanization facility and provides the estimated mechanical properties through the host computer and network to the user of the steel sheet. The user can use the estimated material information so as to remove the parts defective in mechanical properties or change the press forming conditions of the steel sheet. Further, the user can feed back information to the steel sheet manufacturer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Goto, Tadaaki Shikama, Ikuo Oonishi
  • Patent number: 7801700
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that generates a simulated vibration pattern in a computer subsystem. During operation, a vibration pattern is monitored at a location in the computer subsystem, wherein the vibration pattern is monitored while the computer subsystem is incorporated into the computer system and the computer system is operating. Then, the vibrations of the computer subsystem are mimicked by generating the simulated vibration pattern at the same location in the computer subsystem based on the monitored vibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov
  • Patent number: 7801652
    Abstract: A method for storing data concerning an operating fault of a device, wherein the recorded data include in particular a minimum value and a maximum value of a characteristic parameter of the operating mode of the device. The method includes an updating phase, performed when the fault occurs, which includes an operation that updates the minimum value and/or the maximum value based on the current value of the parameter. The updating phase may also include updating an occurrence number. The method may also include an initializing phase, during which a reference image of the parameters of the device is stored. The method is applicable in particular to the diagnosis of a vehicle engine-transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S
    Inventors: Joseph Regnard de Lagny, Abdelmalik Belaid
  • Patent number: 7797113
    Abstract: A gas turbine performance analysis system includes a performance computation module for receiving an actual measured value of an inlet air temperature introduced to a compressor, a compressor pressure ratio, and a flow rate of fuel supplied to the gas turbine, and for calculating and outputting values of the gas turbine's power output and exhaust temperature based on these actual measured values. A performance estimation module evaluates the performance of the gas turbine based on the deviation between the values of power output and exhaust temperature outputted from the performance computation module and the actual measured values of power output and exhaust temperature. An adjustment module calculates a corrected value of the fuel flow rate based on the actual measured values of inlet air temperature, compressor pressure ratio and fuel flow rate, and inputs the corrected fuel flow rate value into the performance computation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshida, Toshihiro Morikawa, Jinichirou Gotou, Yoshiharu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7792594
    Abstract: The invention concerns a redundant computerizing system comprising additionally to a master programmable automaton and a standby programmable automaton, a computerized monitoring device enabling a memory image of the comparison process concerning a certain number of output signals of the computerizing system to be set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Humpert, Dieter Kleyer