Abstract: A machine diagnosing device includes a drive object driving force estimating unit for estimating drive object driving force based on a torque command value toward a servo motor which is acquired using a position command value, an elastic deformation error estimating unit for estimating an elastic deformation error of a ball screw with the drive object driving force, and a positional deviation calculating unit for calculating a positional deviation using a rotation position of the servo motor and the position of a table, and a machine damage diagnosing unit for diagnosing a machine damage by calculating a machine damage coefficient using the elastic deformation error and the positional deviation, comparing the obtained machine damage coefficient with a previously set threshold value, and diagnosing a damage state of the drive object.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining a wear state of a chisel, a chisel holder, and/or a chisel holder replacement system equipped with a chisel and chisel holder. For this method to give the user qualitative and quantitative information about the wear, according to one embodiment of this invention, a position of at least one point of the chisel and/or the chisel holder is determined by a contactless measurement method and a corresponding measurement result is compared in a switching unit to a reference value stored in a memory device.

Abstract: Provided is a rotating electrical machine, including: temperature information acquisition means for acquiring information on a temperature of a brush; rotation information acquisition means for acquiring information on a rotation angle of a rotation shaft; and a wear amount calculation section for acquiring the temperature of the brush based on temperature information including output information of the temperature information acquisition means, and for calculating a total wear amount of the brush by integrating a product of a value corresponding to the temperature of the brush, the value being a wear amount function defined as a wear amount per unit sliding distance of the brush with the temperature of the brush used as a variable, and a value including an rotational speed of a rotor, with respect to time from immediately after start of use of the brush to a current time.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a condition of a machine are provided. The machine monitoring system includes a housing mounted to a surface of a machine, a plurality of sensors configured to generate respective output signals for a parameter indicative of a condition of the machine, and a voting module positioned within the housing and configured to generate a corrected output based on the respective output signals. The machine monitoring system also includes a memory device including a store location configured to store manual input functions relating to a construction of the machine, a life calculator communicatively coupled to the voting module and the memory device wherein the life calculator is configured to determine a life remaining in the machine using the corrected output and the manual input functions, and a display positioned within the housing and configured to display the life remaining in the machine.

Abstract: A method of fatigue life prediction including: calculating a critical crack size of an object of interest; identifying a first flaw in ultrasound data of the object of interest; determining that the first flaw interacts with a second flaw, the first flaw is to be merged with the second flaw, or the first flaw is isolated; calculating an initial crack size based on the determination; and calculating an increase in the initial crack size due to fatigue and creep to determine a number of load cycles until the initial crack size reaches the critical crack size.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount and rate of corrosion which has occurred on the surface of a process unit by measuring corrosion with a corrosion sensor and measuring at least one parameter inside the process unit. Corrosion on the internal surfaces of a process unit can then be determined.

Abstract: The counting device includes: a signal counter that counts the number of half cycles of input signals during given counting periods; a signal half cycle measurement unit that measures the half cycles; a frequency distribution generator that generates a frequency distribution of the half cycles; a representative value calculator configured to calculate a representative value of a distribution of the half cycles; a correction value calculator configured to calculate a total number Ns and a total number Nwn so as to correct the number of the half cycles, wherein Ns represents the total of the number of the half cycles that are less than 0.5 times the represent value, and Nwn represents the total of the number of the half cycles that are equal to or greater than 2n and less than (2n+2) times the representative value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method implemented by a processor that receives a first set of inputs comprising values associated with wall thickness, the values ascertained through an inspection method for a first zone of a heat exchanger, the first zone comprising a plurality of inspected and uninspected tubes; computes a respective estimate of a likelihood of a leak occurring at the plurality of inspected and uninspected tubes over a time continuum based on the first set of inputs, an age of the inspected tubes, and an accuracy of the inspection method; and provides a visualization of an estimate for a total likelihood of a leak for the heat exchanger based on the estimate for the first zone.

Abstract: The degree of tire wear is estimated with constancy and accuracy even when the road surface becomes rough during a vehicular run. The deformation speeds Vtf and Vtk of the tread of the tire are obtained respectively by calculating the levels of peaks Pf and Pk at contact edges appearing in the differentiated waveform of radial acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor 11 installed on the inner surface in the inner liner region of the tire. An average standardized deformation velocity Vnt is calculated as the average of the absolute values of leading-edge-side standardized deformation speed Vntf and trailing-edge-side standardized deformation speed Vntk, which are obtained by standardizing the Vtf and Vtk using the rotation time Tr of the tire. At the same time, an extra-contact-patch vibration level v of the tread is detected from the radial acceleration having passed through a bandpass filter 16.

Abstract: A power generation plant including a plurality of combustor cans, one or more sensors configured to measure acoustic vibrations from the plurality of combustor cans, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to identify a dominant tone of the measured acoustic vibrations, the dominant tone being a frequency where a highest amount of energy lies, determine, for each of the plurality of combustor cans, a frequency of the dominant tone at predefined time intervals, and determine a degradation status of at least one of the plurality of combustor cans based on the frequency of the dominant tone at each of the predefine time intervals for the at least one of the plurality of combustor cans.

Abstract: A blade monitoring system for calculating average threshold crossings from interpolated threshold crossings of digital waveform samples is disclosed. Each digital waveform sample is converted by an analog-to-digital converter from one of two split analog signals. Each split analog signal is received from a signal splitter that receives each analog signal from an analog signal transmitter. Each analog signal is from a sensed blade passing signal from at least one row of a plurality of blades on a compressor of a turbine.

Abstract: A method and system for predictive maintenance of electronic equipment on board an aircraft (1). To produce a prognosis, the following are provided: a step (48) of modeling the equipment (3) with a model (53) for damage by an external aggression; a step (49) of simulating the damage up to failure; a learning step (64); a step (65) of classifying calculated and normalized values; and a fusion step (61) giving the real prognosis of the time to maintenance in units of time. The invention applies in particular to a rotary wing aircraft (1), e.g. a helicopter drone.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for managing and monitoring a plurality of emergency power supply systems (EPSS's) at a facility via an emergency power management system (EPMS). The EPMS generally comprises EPSS equipment, a management computer system for managing, monitoring, and testing the operational characteristics of the EPSS equipment, and a plurality of interface modules for providing unified communication capabilities between the management computer system and the EPSS equipment. Additional aspects relate to methods for easily and efficiently creating and installing an EPMS at a facility. Further aspects are directed to providing predictive analyses related to the EPSS equipment. Also, aspects of the present disclosure relate to normalizing EPSS equipment information across varying vendors, makes, and models of equipment so as to provide a unified view of all equipment across a given facility.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring apparatus and method of train wheel wear, the apparatus including a speed measuring unit measuring speed of a train, a position measuring unit measuring a position of the train, and a calculation unit calculating abrasiveness of a train wheel on a train based on the measured speed and position of the train, whereby status of the train wheel can be accurately learned to minimize the number of devices that may be additionally installed, and to quickly measure abrasiveness of the train wheel as well.

Abstract: A method for selecting, from a plurality of processing resources capable in an information-processing system of carrying out one and the same type of process, one of the resources so that it carries out a process of said type, the method including estimating the probable time to failure for each of the resources, the resource being selected so that the probable times to failure of the resources evolve in a substantially identical manner.

Abstract: A method for analysing blade displacements detected by circumferentially-spaced stationary timing probes associated with a rotating blade assembly, the displacements corresponding to times at which the blades pass the probes.

Abstract: Different types of localized corrosion, erosion corrosion and other types of corrosion may be detected and identified by examining or viewing a solid surface where corrosion is occurring or has occurred to obtain an image therefrom. The image is then represented as a three-dimensional mathematical surface, which is then fit to a parametric surface composed of one or more curved and/or polygonal surfaces. Representative parameters are determined from the parametric surface. The corrosion type is identified by the best fit of the parameters known to be correlated (or caused by) a particular type of corrosive activity or agent for a given substrate.

Abstract: In a method of estimating a replacement cost associated with an existing technology performed by a processor, one or more costs associated with implementing the existing technology are obtained, in which the one or more costs include an environmental cost and a utility cost associated with implementing the existing technology. In addition, an existing net benefit of continuing implementation of the existing technology based upon the obtained one or more costs are calculated.

Abstract: A computer system and method for predicting the aqueous phase CO2 corrosion rate of a pipe useful in the production and transportation of oil and gas. Input parameter values corresponding to water chemistry and physical fluid and pipe properties are received. Based on these input parameter values, the system and method derive current-voltage relationships for multiple cathodic reduction reactions according to an electrochemical model of the corrosion reaction, and a current-voltage relationship for the anodic oxidation reaction of iron dissolution. A current density is obtained, at the intersection of an extrapolation of the anodic current-voltage relationship and an extrapolation of the summed cathodic current-voltage relationships. The predicted corrosion rate is then calculated from the obtained current density. The effects of secondary parameters such as scale and flow regime, and the efficacy of a corrosion inhibitor, can also be evaluated.

Abstract: A method for metallic structure maintenance is disclosed. The method includes a magneto-graphic/Magnetic Tomography technique to identify stress-related defects. The method is specifically optimized for extended, non-accessible underground and underwater metallic structures in providing quality control, emergency alarms as well as timeline planning for structural repairs and maintenance work. Examples of the method implementation include pipes for oil and gas industry, detection of flaws in rolled products in metallurgical industry, welding quality of heavy duty equipment such as ships reservoirs, etc. It is especially important for loaded constructions, such as pressured pipes, infrastructure maintenance, nuclear power plant monitoring, bridges, corrosion prevention and environment protection.

Abstract: A system for detecting degradation of a servo valve; having a controller, a servo valve, a position sensor, and a rate monitor. The controller receives inputs and transmits command data. The servo valve has an actuator and is conductively coupled to the controller to receive command data from the controller and move the actuator in response to the command data. The position sensor operably associated with the servo valve for measuring movement of the actuator and transmits corresponding movement data to the controller. The rate monitor coupled to the controller and position sensor for receiving the command data and the movement data as inputs respectively. The rate monitor processes the inputs to produce a steady state rate error signal. The rate monitor compares the steady state rate error signal to selected operational limits and produces a telemetry output when the operational limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A system for measuring current in an H-Bridge motor drive circuit and using that current to determine the output of a device powered by the motor. A particular embodiment is disclosed for a motor-driven fluid pump. Motor current is measured at predetermined pump pressures and flow rates to create calibration tables relating motor current to pump pressure. Once calibrated, the system determines pump pressure based on motor current by referring to the calibration tables. In an embodiment, the pump is driven to achieve a predetermined fluid dispense profile. The system monitors pump pressure by measuring motor current and determines if the dispense profile is being achieved and sets alarms if predetermined thresholds are not maintained. The system also detects pump wear based on the current measurements and issues warnings to the user in such conditions.

Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.

Abstract: One or more example diagnostics may be implemented as part of an intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency (RF) device that is in communication with an equipment or fixture such as a luminaire. Example diagnostics can determine a status such as a fixture malfunction, a cycling condition, a miswiring configuration, or another condition. The determined status can be wirelessly transmitted from the intelligent luminaire manager or other radio frequency device to a network server via a network. The network may be a network of intelligent luminaire managers and/or RF devices.

Abstract: A method for identifying a degraded fan measures acoustic data from an operating datacenter fan. A motor rotation frequency and a vane passing frequency are determined from the acoustic data. Amplitudes of the frequencies are determined from the acoustic data. If the amplitude of the motor rotation frequency is greater than the amplitude of the vane passing frequency, then it is determined that the fan is degraded.

Abstract: A bearing damage detection method, comprising: executing frequency analysis for a vibration waveform of the vibration at the bearing obtained through measurement by sensor; setting at least two frequency ranges each substantially equal to a range defined by a rotation frequency fr of the moving ring which do not overlap, based upon results of the frequency analysis; obtaining peak frequencies, each manifesting in one of the plurality of frequency ranges having been set; and determining that the bearing is to be damaged upon deciding that the difference between the peak frequencies and the k multiple of the rotation frequency fr having been compared with each other may be regarded to be matched.

Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 answers YES by judging that the command to start a compressor 2 is issued when an air-conditioning switch is turned on in step S100. After that, the electronic control unit 14 answers NO in the case where a timer count time Tc is shorter than a predetermined time T1 in step S120. At the same time, Tefin_C is set to 15° C. in step S130. The lower one of Tefin_C and Tefin determined in this way is determined as Tefin_d (step S150). After that, Tefin_d is input to the first-order lag function to acquire Tefin_AD(N). Then, the control proceeds to step S170, where the estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 is determined using Tefin_AD(N) and Gr.

Abstract: A compressor drive torque estimating device to be adapted for a system provided with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated by a compressor driven by a drive source mounted in a vehicle, comprising heat load detecting means for detecting a heat load of the refrigeration cycle, a storage unit storing a plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics establishing correlation between a drive torque change characteristic of the compressor and an elapsed time from a time of start of operation of the compressor, an estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means for selecting the one of the plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics stored in the storage unit based on detected values detected by the heat load detecting means, and an estimated drive torque calculating means for calculating an estimated drive torque of the compressor based on the estimated drive torque characteristic selected by the estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.

Abstract: A test stand sensor apparatus includes a sensor for acquiring data from the item under test and/or the environment, a power supply unit for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, and a unit for the wire-free transmission of sensor data and of a code which is characteristic of the sensor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the structural integrity of structural members of a building using radio frequency identification tags. A plurality of radio frequency modules are secured to structural members, each module including a radio frequency identification tag, a micro processor, a first memory, one or more sensors for measuring data related to the structural integrity of the building members and a transceiver for receiving operational instructions used to monitor the structural integrity of the building and for transmitting the measured data. There is also provided a computing system that transmits the operational instructions to the radio frequency modules and receives the measured data from the modules. In addition, the computing system stores the measured data in a second memory and processes the measured data from the modules.

Abstract: A cast iron brake caliper with improved fatigue life, and a process and process equipment for pre-stressing a cast iron brake caliper to provide improved fatigue life, is provided. In the process, a load is applied to a cast iron caliper, where the load is high enough to locally yield and plastically deform the cast iron material, but not high enough to cause material failure, such as cracking. Upon load removal, residual compressive stresses in the cast iron caliper lower the mid-point of the stress range the plastically-deformed region of the caliper sees during in-service use, and thereby lowers the peak stress seen in this region, increasing fatigue life. The process permits a cast iron brake caliper to be designed to use less material and thus fit within constrained wheel rim envelopes, without the need to resort to high cost materials or other alternative design strategies.

Abstract: An initial concentration of the residual concentration of a causative substance contained in an insulating oil is compared with a reference value. The causative substance reacts with a conductor forming a winding of an oil-filled electrical device to generate an electrically conductive compound. The reference value is defined as a value for determining whether a main determinant that determines the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is generation of the electrically conductive compound or degradation of insulating paper. Based on the initial concentration of the causative substance and the reference value, the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is assessed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are described for characterizing performance loss of an object undergoing an arbitrary aging condition. The method comprises collecting baseline aging data from the object for at least one known baseline aging condition over time, determining baseline multiple sigmoid model parameters from the baseline data, and determining performance loss data of the object over time through multiple sigmoid model parameters associated with the object undergoing the arbitrary aging condition using a differential deviation-from-baseline approach from the baseline multiple sigmoid model parameters. The system comprises an object, monitoring hardware configured to sample performance characteristics of the object, and a processor coupled to the monitoring hardware.

Abstract: A system calculates axial deformation of a turbine rotor. The system includes an input part that sets measurement points of rotor disks that constitute the turbine rotor; a deflection amount detection part that derives radial displacement amounts of the turbine rotor for at least four or more measurement points along an outer surface in a circumferential direction of the turbine rotor based on measured values measured by a displacement gage; a storage part that stores the radial displacement amounts and measured angles at the measurement points; and a calculation part that calculates misalignment data of a most probable circle of the turbine rotor based on data stored. The calculated circle is calculated from the displacement amount and the measured angles. The most probable circle is determined from the calculated circle, and the misalignment data of the most probable circle is calculated from the most probable circle.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a bypass valve in a bypass line for an intercooler in a supercharger for an internal combustion engine, including the following steps: ascertaining a value of an efficiency of the intercooler as the reference efficiency; actuating the bypass valve to open the bypass valve; ascertaining a value of a further efficiency of the intercooler as the diagnosis efficiency after actuating the bypass valve to open; and detecting a malfunction of the bypass valve when the absolute value of the deviation between the reference efficiency and the diagnosis efficiency is less than a specified threshold value.

Abstract: A method is present for mapping changes in a structure. A plurality of responses is collected from a set of transmitter and sensor pairs for the structure. Change metrics for pixels in a plurality of grids are identified from the plurality of responses, wherein a first grid in the plurality of grids is shifted in relation to a second grid in the plurality of grids. A map is generated for the structure using the change metrics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting an end of life of a wind turbine component including receiving environmental conditions indicative of natural surroundings of wind turbines within a wind turbine farm, receiving component performance metrics indicative of an operation of wind turbines within a wind turbine farm, and distributing the wind turbines into peer-clusters such that the wind turbines within each of the peer-clusters have similar environmental conditions. The methods and systems further include identifying a low performing wind turbine and a remaining portion of wind turbines within one of the peer-clusters based upon a predicted performance model, processing the component performance metrics of the low performing wind turbine, identifying a critical component of the low performing wind turbine and predicting the end of life of the critical component of the low performing wind turbine.

Abstract: A method includes recording a current performance signature for first and second components in a system, recording a calibrated baseline performance signature for the components, and processing the performance signatures through an aging model to determine a future performance signature for each component. The future performance signatures are processed through a system function model to determine the state of function of the system for each possible repair case. A cost-optimal repair case is then determined from among the possible repair cases, and recorded in memory. An apparatus includes first and second components of a system, and a host machine configured for processing the current and baseline performance signatures through the aging and system function models as noted above. The cost-optimal repair case is determined from among all possible repair cases, and then recorded in memory. An example system may be a cranking system with a starter motor and battery.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for determining the remaining lifetime of a component of a power electronics appliance, such as a frequency converter, in which the lifetime data that is dependent on the ambient conditions and operation as specified by the manufacturer of the component is used, in which method at least one magnitude connected to ambient conditions, such as temperature, is determined, at least one loading magnitude of the component, such as speed of rotation, is determined and the calculation of the remaining lifetime is performed on the basis of at least one magnitude connected to ambient conditions, such as temperature, and of at least one loading magnitude of the component, such as speed of rotation, as well as of the lifetime data that is dependent on these ambient conditions and loading as specified by the manufacturer of the component.

Abstract: A method for early detection of developing damage in a bearing caused by flow of a bearing current includes evaluating a long-term measurement of a measured variable representative of a bearing current amplitude of a bearing current during a bearing operation, representing—based on the evaluation—measurement results in form of a histogram which displays a number of bearing currents per time interval in each interval of the bearing current amplitude, and evaluating the histogram representation of the measurement results through pattern comparison. A device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A life prediction method of an electronic device in which the life prediction accuracy is more improved than that in a related art technique, and a design method of an electronic device based on the above method, are established. Life prediction is performed by incorporating either of a change in a physical property of a solder joint portion and a change in the fatigue life of a solder, the changes occurring when left at a high temperature. The change in a physical property of the solder joint portion or the change in the fatigue life of the solder is determined from the relationship between a heat treatment temperature and a heat treatment time. These changes are then formulated to be incorporated into the life prediction.

Abstract: A method and 3D detector for measuring a vector of mechanical oscillations. The invention relates to the field of measurement technology and particularly to measurement of parameters of mechanical oscillations over a wide frequency band. The proposed method for detection and conversion of a vector of mechanical oscillations is realized using a 3D detector in the form of an equilateral trihedral pyramid with the faces isoclinic to the pyramid base at specified angles ?, and that detachable detection units (oscillation dipoles) are located in the center of each face at a specified point of its symmetry axis, which makes it possible to spatially, physically and electrically align information on the vector components and reliably measure the vector of mechanical oscillations.

Abstract: A process for optimizing maintenance work schedules for at least one engine includes the steps of retrieving at least one set of data for an engine from a computer readable storage medium; selecting at least one scheduling parameter for the engine; selecting a set of maintenance rules for the engine; selecting at least one maintenance work decision; selecting at least one objective for the engine; optimizing the at least one objective to generate at least one optimal maintenance work decision; and generating at least one optimal maintenance work schedule for the engine.

Abstract: The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation, thus alleviating the need for multidiscipline experts to examine and analyze all the material data manually.

Abstract: Turbocharger operational condition is monitored using vibration and temperature sensors to project probable bearing failure. Baseline or nominal vibration levels and heat generation are established under conditions when bearing condition can be taken with confidence to be close to nominal. Departure in operating temperature and vibration at a threshold level from baseline operational condition is taken as an indication of probable failure.

Abstract: A vibration dosimeter (2) for determining the vibrational loading of people includes a determination device (6) for determining the operating period duration, a calculation device (6) for calculating the permitted work time as a function of a tool-specific characteristic vibration value, a comparison device (6) for comparing the effective operating period duration with the permitted work time, and an interface (3) for reading in the characteristic vibration value from the tool (1).

Abstract: A method for automated startup and/or for automated operation of controllers of an electrical drive system with vibrational mechanics with the following steps: (a) determining a preliminary value of at least one parameter; (b) determining a model of the electrical drive system by determination of initially a non-parameterized model through the recording of frequency data during operation of the drive system subject to the utilization of the preliminary value of at least one parameter and the subsequent determination of parameters of the electrical drive system based on the frequency data and subject to optimization of at least one preliminary value of at least one parameter by a numerical optimization method on the basis of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and (c) parameterizing at least one controller of the electrical drive system by at least one of the determined parameters.

Abstract: Principles of the invention provide methods and apparatus for providing corrosion management in buildings. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the step of receiving first data relating corrosion rate to a plurality of environmental conditions. This first data is subsequently utilized to determine a quantitative relationship between corrosion rate and the plurality of environmental conditions. In another step, second data indicative of one or more environmental conditions within a building is received. A corrosion rate in the building is then determined at least in part by applying the determined quantitative relationship to this second data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining a wear state of a chisel, a chisel holder, and/or a chisel holder replacement system equipped with a chisel and chisel holder. For this method to give the user qualitative and quantitative information about the wear, according to one embodiment of this invention, a position of at least one point of the chisel and/or the chisel holder is determined by a contactless measurement method and a corresponding measurement result is compared in a switching unit to a reference value stored in a memory device.