Flaw Or Defect Detection Patents (Class 702/35)
  • Patent number: 9395270
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for monitoring the health of blades in a combustion turbine engine is provided. Sensors mounted around the circumference of a rotor sense and record the passage of blades during turbine operation. Analysis of information from the sensors indicates whether a blade is damaged. Analysis of blade vibration and amplitude, as measured by the sensors, is used to predict the number of cycles the blade can undergo before replacement or maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Florida Power & Light Company
    Inventors: Paul Czerniak, Elizabeth C. Day, Paul V. Sickles
  • Patent number: 9382002
    Abstract: Embodiments of a drone for inspection and a method of use are depicted wherein the drone is utilized in an enclosed space and is capable of being controlled with or without line of sight to the aircraft. The drone may hover or land on surfaces within the enclosed space for the inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Dynamics Advanced Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Cavote
  • Patent number: 9367826
    Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to an entitlement product business object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Torsten Buecheler, Matthias Becker, Oliver Berger, Knut Heusermann, Christian Hohmann, Steffen Witt, Esther Landes, Thomas Witzel, Marcel Steinleitner
  • Patent number: 9335277
    Abstract: A region-of-interest determination apparatus includes: a calculation unit and a region determination unit. The calculation unit calculates a degree of a defect based on at least a plurality of kinds of defect attribute information regarding defect data. The defect data includes an image corresponding to a defect position detected on a specimen by inspection thereof or an image corresponding to a defect position predicted to be likely to develop a defect on the specimen, where both images are obtained by imaging. The region determination unit extracts the defect data of which the degree is higher than a predetermined level, and determines the region to be observed or inspected on the specimen based on the extracted defect data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Nakagaki, Takehiro Hirai, Kenji Obara
  • Patent number: 9324037
    Abstract: Method for monitoring of a wind power plant operated in variable operating states. Start sensor data is obtained in at least one basic operating state of the machine; based on the start sensor data, a starting model with a rule set for conducting the monitoring is set up, the rule set determining which parameters are to be monitored, in which manner and with which weighting and which sensor data are to be obtained and used for this purpose; a reference SOM is prepared using the rule set with sensor data selected using the rule set and obtained in a reference operating phase of the machine; during a monitoring operating phase, time characteristics of a quantization error of the sensor data selected using the rule set being tracked with respect to the reference SOM, troubleshooting being started if the quantization error meets a criterion which is dictated by the rule set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Prüftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Johann Lösl, Edwin Becker, Horst Göhlich
  • Patent number: 9311697
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inspecting an object to be inspected in a semiconductor manufacturing process, for resolving the problem to increase defect detection sensitivity. An image capture means is used to image capture a designated area of the object to be inspected; a defect is detected in the captured image; a circuit pattern is recognized from the captured image; a characteristic value is computed, relating to an image tone and shape, from the detected defect; a characteristic value is computed, relating to the image tone and shape, from the recognized circuit pattern; either a specified defect or circuit pattern is filtered and extracted from the detected defect and the recognized circuit pattern; a mapping characteristic value is determined from the characteristic value of either the filtered and extracted specified defect or circuit pattern; and the distribution of the determined characteristic values is displayed onscreen in a map format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Harada, Ryo Nakagaki, Takehiro Hirai, Naoki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 9297672
    Abstract: An interface circuit for detecting a fault in a resolver is provided. More specifically, the interface circuit includes the resolver connected to an intermediate point of a stator coil of a first output terminal for a sine wave signal and an intermediate point of the stator coil of a second output terminal for a cosine wave signal to output the sine and cosine wave signals as a common mode signal. Also includes is resolver fault detection interface unit that adjusts a gain and an offset of the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal in order to adjust the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal received as a common mode signal to a frequency that can be suitably applied to an analog/digital terminal of a microcomputer, and to allow high-frequency components of the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bum Sik Kim, Gun Soo Kang, Kang Ho Jeong, Hun Kong, Jong Kyong Lim, Young Kook Lee, Heon Young Kwak
  • Patent number: 9292966
    Abstract: Methods of constructing a virtual model of a gemstone are provided. Aspects of the methods include performing measurements of the gemstone to construct a three-dimensional (3D) model of an exterior surface of the gemstone; identifying one or more visible inclusions within an interior volume of the gemstone; capturing at least one image of the inclusion; using the at least one image to determine relevant optical characteristics of the inclusion; and constructing a 3D virtual model of the inclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ideal-Scope Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sergey Borisovich Sivovolenko
  • Patent number: 9284048
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a controller, including a processor, sets an initial vibration frequency to be applied to an airframe. The controller commands one or more force generators to apply a vibratory load to the airframe at the initial vibration frequency. The controller determines a vibration response of the airframe at the initial vibration frequency using sensors. The controller sweeps through a range of vibration frequencies to be applied to the airframe. The one or more force generators are commanded to apply a plurality of vibratory loads to the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies. The controller determines a range of vibration responses of the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies using the sensors. A global stiffness of the airframe is determined based on the vibration response and the range of vibration responses. The controller reports results of the determined global stiffness of the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew Harrigan
  • Patent number: 9275830
    Abstract: A scanning charged particle microscope is offered which can selectively detect and image electrons. The scanning charged particle microscope (100) has: a source (1) of a charged particle beam (E1); an objective lens (6) for bringing the charged particle beam (E1) emitted from the source (1) into focus at a sample (S); a scanning deflector (4) for scanning the focused charged particle beam (E1) over the sample (S); a sorting portion (10) for sorting out electrons emitted at given emission angles from electrons released from the sample (S) in response to irradiation of the sample (S) by the charged particle beam (E1); an electron deflector (20) for producing a deflecting field to deflect the electrons (E2) sorted out according to their energy; a detection portion (30) for detecting the electrons (E2) deflected by the electron deflector (20); and an image creating portion (44) for creating an image, based on the results of the detection performed by the detection portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9255837
    Abstract: For identifying a fault in an electrical machine vibration is measured in a plurality of radial directions of the stator. On the basis of the vibration measurements a vibration frequency and a mode shape of the vibration at this frequency is determined. Characteristics of the vibration in terms of both the vibration frequency and the mode shape are used to identify a fault condition of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Pedro Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9210973
    Abstract: A system for controlling the cut of a gemstone includes a gemstone scanner adapted to scan a plurality of facets of an actual gemstone so as to determine facet parameters pertaining to each one of the plurality of facets. The system also includes a control module operatively coupled to the gem scanner and adapted to receive the determined facet parameters of the plurality of facets of the gemstone. The control module generates an actual 3D model of the actual gemstone from determined facet parameters and an idealized 3D model for an idealized gemstone. The control module compares the actual 3D model with the idealized 3D model to determine leakage values for facet parameters of each one of the facets of the gemstone such that the leakage value is used to control the cut of the gemstone. A method implemented by the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: DANOG PROPERTY AND INVEST LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Benjano
  • Patent number: 9207279
    Abstract: A system and method for improved voltage contrast inspection is disclosed. In one embodiment the temporal response to voltage contrast is considered to find an optimal acquisition time. In another embodiment, multiple optimal acquisition times are identified. The identified acquisition times are used in voltage contrast inspection of semiconductor fabrication, and are well-suited to SOI technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Oliver D. Patterson
  • Patent number: 9188672
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring gauge includes a probe configured to be moved along a surface of a material to be measured, transmit ultrasonic waves to the material, and receive ultrasonic waves reflected from the material. The gauge also includes a processing unit and an input unit. The processing unit is configured to operate according to one of two different modes of operation based on an input received by the input unit. In a first mode of operation, the probe determines the thickness at portions between the first and second locations on the surface of the material at which the probe is coupled to the material regardless of whether the probe is continuously physically coupled between the two locations. In a second mode of operation, the processing unit determines a corresponding thickness of the material at each portion between two locations when the probe is continuously physically coupled between the two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: DEFELSKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leon Vandervalk
  • Patent number: 9136189
    Abstract: A surface observation apparatus is achieved, which enables even a beginner to easily select an optimal evaluation indicator for each of various patterns to be evaluated without a trial and error approach. A plurality of images to be evaluated are input from an image processing unit (114) to an evaluation image input unit (113a) (in step 901). The input images to be evaluated are displayed on a display (115). A user rearranges the images in accordance with an evaluation criterion of the user while referencing the display (115), and defines an evaluation criterion (in step 902). Evaluation values are calculated for the input images (to be evaluated) using a plurality of evaluation indicators (in step 903). The evaluation values for each of the evaluation indicators are compared with the evaluation criterion defined by the user, and correlation coefficients are then calculated (in step 904).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Hirai, Kenji Obara, Naoma Ban
  • Patent number: 9103741
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for assessing residual life of an airfoil, which would experience high cycle fatigue failure under at- or near-resonance vibration condition, are provided. The method includes receiving, at a processing system, at least one vibration response parameter associated with the airfoil. The method processes at least one cracked airfoil finite element model. Processing the cracked airfoil finite element model includes accessing the cracked airfoil finite element model, computing a modal stress intensity factor (SIF) of the cracked airfoil finite element model using fracture mechanics based finite element analysis, and computing a vibratory SIF based, at least in part, on the modal SIF and the at least one vibration response parameter. The method then computes a residual life indicator of the airfoil based, at least in part, on the vibratory SIF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanghum Baik, Vivek Venugopal Badami, Yogesh Kesrinath Potdar, Adrian G Loghin, Nuo Sheng
  • Patent number: 9097575
    Abstract: A method of monitoring twisting vibration of a rotary shaft of a turbine engine includes obtaining a vibratory acceleration signal from a sensor located on a stationary component of the turbine engine. This vibratory signal is characterized by a carrier frequency. The method also includes evaluating a frequency spectrum of the vibratory signal and searching for a pair of spectral lines of amplitudes greater than at least a first threshold. The lines are distributed in the spectrum on either side of the carrier frequency of the vibratory signal, and spaced apart therefrom by a twisting frequency of the shaft. Where appropriate, the method includes issuing a warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Valerio Gerez, Julien Christian Pascal Griffaton, Edouard Joseph Jadczak
  • Patent number: 9081915
    Abstract: An improved Modal Assurance Criterion for comparing two mode shapes obtained from modal analysis of a multi-component structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first mode shape vector and second mode shape vector for a first mode shape and second mode shape of the multi-component structure, respectively, are formed by grouping modal displacement at each node associated with each component in the multi-component structure. Further, modal assurance criterion (MAC) between the first mode shape vector and second mode shape vector is computed by dividing a square of sum of magnitudes of correlation of the modal displacement at each component for the first mode shape vector and second mode shape vector in the multi-component structure with a product of squared magnitudes of the first mode shape vector and second mode shape vector. Furthermore, the first mode shape and second mode shape of the multi-component structure are compared using the MAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS ENGINEERING CENTRE INDIA
    Inventor: Ashith Paulson Kunnel Joseph
  • Patent number: 9075435
    Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Isaac Scott Noble, Matthew Paul Bell, Guenael Thomas Strutt
  • Patent number: 9049767
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic censer with control system includes a main body, an LED disposed on the main body and a control system mounted on the main body. The control system includes a driver received in the main body, a wind force sensor exposed out of the main body and a controlling unit electrically connecting the driver. The wind force sensor measures a wind force therearound and samples a wind force signal S corresponding to the measured wind force to the controlling unit. The controlling unit analyzes the wind force signal S and thereby delivers instructions to the driver to regulate a light emitting state of the LED. A method for controlling the electronic censer with control system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 9040937
    Abstract: In a pattern inspection of a semiconductor circuit, to specify a cause of a process defect, not only a distribution on and across wafer of the number of defects but also more detailed, that is, the fact that how many defects occurred where on the semiconductor pattern is needed to be specified in some cases. Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus capable of easily specifying a cause of a process defect based upon a positional relationship of a distribution of defect occurrence frequency and a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Yamaguchi, Takehiro Hirai, Ryo Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 9043165
    Abstract: The abnormality determination apparatus, which is for determining presence of an abnormality in an angle detection device configured to output an output signal having a value equivalent to a rotational angle of a rotating body, includes a smoothing device configured to receive the output signal of the angle detection device to smooth a dependent variable of a function whose independent variable is the rotational angle equivalent value, and a parameter calculation device for calculating an abnormality determination parameter based on the dependent variable smoothed by the smoothing device. The function is such that an integrated value of the rotational angle equivalent value over a predetermined time section is always positive or negative, and is configured to vary the dependent variable continuously in accordance with continuous variation of the independent variable in at least a part of the predetermined time section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahumi Oowada
  • Publication number: 20150142338
    Abstract: With a precondition that intake temperature on an entry side of an intercooler 6, ambient temperature, EGR gas temperature on an entry side of an EGR cooler 14 and cooling water temperature into the EGR cooler 14 are determined to be normally detected, fault in an intake system is identified by comparing three elements, i.e., intercooler efficiency calculated on the basis of the intake temperature on entry and exit sides of the intercooler 6 and an ambient temperature, EGR cooler efficiency calculated on the basis of EGR gas temperature on entry and exit sides of the EGR cooler 14 and cooling water temperature, and any deviation of a calculated value of the intake temperature at an intake manifold 7 on the basis of a current EGR ratio, EGR gas temperature on the exit side of the EGR cooler 14 and intake temperature on the exit side of the intercooler 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20150142340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining a potential future failure of an actuated valve controlling fluid flow in a line by causing an angular change between two states of a stem of said valve, which comprises: (a) a sensor for, upon receipt a control command at said actuator, continuously sensing the angular position of the stem, and conveying to a monitoring unit a respective angular variation signal; and (b) a monitoring unit which comprises: (b1) a sampling unit for receiving said angular variation signal, and producing a transition vector which comprises periodical samples from said signal; (b2) a local storage for storing nominal transitional values for said actuator-valve pair; and (b3) a local comparator unit for comparing at least a portion of said transitional vector with the corresponding stored nominal transitional values, and if a difference above one or more predefined threshold values is determined, issuing an alert for a potential failure of said actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Israel Radomsky, Ohad Gal, Israel Kalman, Moshe Goren
  • Publication number: 20150142339
    Abstract: An elevator balance coefficient detection method includes the following steps: (1) connecting an electrical energy detection device to a power line of an elevator driving motor, and connecting a speed detection device to a mechanical transmission member of an elevator car; (2) measuring and recording in real time the car speed data and driving motor power data when the car and a counterweight move to a same horizontal location; and (3) based on above detection data and basic parameters of the elevator to be tested, and according to transmission relationship between the elevator's operating condition and energy during operation, calculating and obtaining the value of the balance coefficient. A corresponding device includes an elevator data acquiring system and a detection data processing system. The elevator electrical energy detection device is an AC broadband power measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: TIANJIN HAOYA TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pei Liu
  • Publication number: 20150134272
    Abstract: A wind turbine including a plurality of blades, a micro inertial measurement unit installed on each blade and configured to sense a plurality of detection parameter signals at corresponding installation positions, and a monitoring system configured to monitor an operating state of the blades. The monitoring system includes a signal processing unit configured to obtain a processing parameter signal through calculation based on the detection parameter signals, a signal analyzing unit configured to analyze each analysis parameter signal, selected from the plurality of detection parameter signals and the processing parameter signal, to obtain a fault estimation signal, used to estimate whether a corresponding blade works in a fault state, and a fault evaluating unit configured to evaluate, based on a plurality of fault estimation signals, whether a corresponding blade fails or a probability that the corresponding blade fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Xu FU, Zhilin WU, Hai QIU
  • Publication number: 20150134274
    Abstract: A method for managing an airplane fleet is described. The method includes: (i) developing a gold body database for an airplane model for each non-destructive inspection system implemented to detect defects; (ii) inspecting, over a period of time, a plurality of candidate airplanes of the airplane model, using different types of non-destructive inspection systems and the gold body database associated with each of the different types of non-destructive inspection systems, to identify defects present on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iii) repairing or monitoring defects detected on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iv) conducting a trend analysis by analyzing collective defect data obtained from inspecting of plurality of candidate airplanes; and (v) maintaining the airplane fleet, which includes plurality of candidate airplanes, by performing predictive analysis using results of trend analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Froom, William T. Manak
  • Patent number: 9031796
    Abstract: A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for detecting a crack in a component or structure comprises a pressure source, a fluidic circuit and a measurement system. The pressure source supplies fluid at a regulated pressure relative to ambient pressure. The fluidic circuit couples at one end to the pressure source and opens at an opposite end to ambient pressure. The pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit. The fluidic circuit has a first passage having a first surface portion of the component or structure. The measurement system monitors perturbations in the flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Doyle
  • Publication number: 20150127273
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus including a crack leading edge candidate extraction unit configured to extract a crack leading edge candidate after progress of a crack in a structure, an elastic energy release rate calculation unit configured to calculate an elastic energy release rate that indicates an elastic energy released when the crack progresses to the extracted crack leading edge candidate, and a crack leading edge decision unit configured to decide a crack leading edge after the progress of the crack at least based on the elastic energy release rate. The crack leading edge candidate extraction unit extracts the crack leading edge candidate that satisfies a predetermined condition from crack leading edge candidates obtained in terms of a construction of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hongo
  • Publication number: 20150120216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction and measurement of overlay errors are disclosed. Process-induced overlay errors may be predicted or measured utilizing film force based computational mechanics models. More specifically, information with respect to the distribution of film force is provided to a finite element (FE) model to provide more accurate point-by-point predictions in cases where complex stress patterns are present. Enhanced prediction and measurement of wafer geometry induced overlay errors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Pradeep Vukkadala, Haiguang Chen, Jaydeep Sinha, Sathish Veeraraghavan
  • Patent number: 9008975
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting periodic defects includes a sensor that obtains signals to evaluate properties of an area having a length longer than an expected defect period; a small area selector that separates small areas whose area length is shorter than that of the area so that all adjacent distance intervals are equal in a periodic defect arrangement direction, and selecting signals corresponding to the positions of the plurality of small areas from outputs from the sensor; an evaluation index calculator that calculates a similarity evaluation index between signal patterns among signals selected by the small area selector; a set value changer that changes the positions of the small areas and the distance interval, and repeating computational processings of the small area selector and the evaluation index calculator; and a period judgment device that judges the distance interval as a period when the evaluation index is higher than a value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Koshihara, Hiroharu Kato, Akio Nagamune
  • Publication number: 20150088435
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to obtaining an impact energy signal associated with each of a plurality of teeth of a gear over a revolution of a shaft associated with the gear, generating, by a computing device comprising a processor, a profile of the impact energy signal, and declaring a fault associated with an identified tooth included in the plurality of teeth based on an analysis of the profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Isom, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Guicai Zhang, Fanping Sun, Madhusudana Shashanka, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 8990028
    Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, using a fracture limit stress line obtained by converting a hole expansion ratio into a stress as a criterion for a fracture, the risk of fracture in a material can be evaluated quantitatively by comparing the relationship between data obtained from a numerical analysis using a finite element method and the fracture limit stress line. Thus, when determining a fracture limit in a stretch flange portion in a thin plate in a process including one or more deformation path variations, it is possible to obtain the fracture limit curve easily and efficiently and predict the fracture with high accuracy, and the risk of fracture upon press forming or crash can be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Yonemura, Akihiro Uenishi, Shunji Hiwatashi, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tohru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8983794
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system for a structure is described. The inspection system includes a local positioning system (LPS) configured for determining position and orientation of objects relative to a structure coordinate system, a six degree-of-freedom digitizer operable for at least one of temporary attachment to the structure and placement proximate the structure, a non-destructive sensor array, and a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William P. Motzer, Gary E. Georgeson, Scott W. Lea, James J. Troy
  • Publication number: 20150066389
    Abstract: A method is presented. The method includes selecting a first window of signals and a second window of signals from clearance signals representative of clearances between a rotating component and a stationary casing surrounding the rotating component, determining a first signed average power value corresponding to the first window of signals, and a second signed average power value corresponding to the second window of signals, determining a resultant value based upon the first signed average power value and the second signed average power value, and determining one or more defects or potential defects in the rotating component based upon the resultant value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Senthilkumar Datchanamoorthy, Michael Allen Ball, Aninda Bhattacharya, Venkata Ramana Murthy Hemadribhotla
  • Publication number: 20150066390
    Abstract: An error measuring method of gear includes: performing the single gear flank testing to the gear pair in order to produce a testing signal graph; the operation unit decomposing the testing signal graph by Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to generate a plurality of intrinsic-mode-function graphs (IMFs), the intrinsic-mode-function graph (IMF) having a first function graph with a first range and a second function graph with a second range, the first range is greater than the second range; the operation unit selecting a plurality of third function graph from the intrinsic-mode-function graphs (IMFs), wherein the third range is greater than the second range but not greater than the first range; the operation unit combining the third function graphs to produce a graph of superposing function; the operation unit computing out a plurality of single pitch error, a plurality of adjacent pitch error and an accumulated pitch error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: YI-CHENG CHEN, MING-HUNG CHANG
  • Publication number: 20150057952
    Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a target object is disclosed. The inspection system includes an inspection module. The inspection module includes a housing, a sensor adapted to provide sensor data relating to the target object, an inspection module processor adapted to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to provide corresponding packaged data, and an inspection module interface adapted to output the packaged data from the inspection module processor. The inspection system also includes a handset adapted to selectively mechanically engage with the inspection module. The handset includes a handset processor, a handset interface adapted to receive the packaged data from the inspection module interface and to provide the packaged data to the handset processor, and a user output interface responsive to the handset processor to output information about the target object to a user based on the packaged data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Coombs, Joshua Lynn Scott
  • Patent number: 8963733
    Abstract: A system includes more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of rotating equipment and a blind fault detection device. The blind fault detection device includes an input interface configured to receive at least one input signal from the one or more sensors. The blind fault detection device also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating equipment using the at least one input signal. The blind fault detection device further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by determining at least one family of frequencies related to at least one sensor point, determining an average energy for the at least one sensor point based on the at least one family of frequencies, and comparing the average energy to a baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Rajat Sadana, Joydeb Mukherjee
  • Publication number: 20150051847
    Abstract: A system and method for anomaly detection is provided. The system (100) and method (200) include utilizing one or more processors, such as in a server, for receiving (108) operational and dynamics data (104) from sensors associated with devices (102), filtering the data, establishing a set of baseline dynamics data and eliminating data dependencies (110). The system and method further include generating an expected level of data variation (112), identifying an anomaly based on a deviation of the device data from the baseline data normalized by the expected level of data variation (114), optionally correlating an anomaly with potential causes, and providing an output indicating an anomaly (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Leonard Angello, Tim Lieuwen, David Robert Noble, Brian Poole
  • Patent number: 8958898
    Abstract: The invention embodies methods and apparatuses to monitor and control the characteristics of a creping process. The method involves measuring optical properties of various points along a creped paper sheet and converting those measurements into characteristic defining data. The invention allows for determining the magnitude and distribution of crepe structures and their frequency and distribution. This allows for the generation of information that is accurate and is much more reliable than the coarse guessing that is currently used in the industry. Feeding this information to papermaking process equipment can result in increases in both quality and efficiency in papermaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: William A. Von Drasek, Sammy Lee Archer, Gary S. Furman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8942837
    Abstract: A method is provided for inspecting a plurality of parts with an electronic measurement device and a processing system. The method includes a step of creating surface geometry maps of the parts utilizing the electronic measurement device, where each part was manufactured utilizing the manufacturing device. Geometric part models of the parts are generated from the surface geometry maps. The part models can subsequently be analyzed to determine whether a manufacturing device that manufactured the plurality of parts manufactures parts that comply with a part design specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James Romanelli, Jeffrey S. Beattie, Jesse R. Boyer, Robert E. Erickson, Randall W. Joyner, Daniel A. Snyder, David A. Krause, Kun Tong
  • Patent number: 8942462
    Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, James W. Knight
  • Publication number: 20150025814
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and diagnosing anomalies in a diffusion or dry low NOX combustion system of a gas turbine, the method including storing a plurality rule sets specific to a temperature spread of the gas turbine exhaust. The method further including determining an anomaly in the performance of the gas turbine using at least one of a swirl angle of the exhaust flow, a health of a plurality of flame detectors of the gas turbine, and a transfer of the gas turbine from a first mode of operation to a second lower NOX mode of operation, and recommending to an operator of the gas turbine a set of corrective actions to correct the anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Nicola Giannini, Abdurrahman Abdallah Khalidi, Arul Saravanapriyan, David Bianucci, Antonio Pumo, Alessandro Betti, Riccardo Crociani, Osama Naim Ashour
  • Publication number: 20150013556
    Abstract: A system for analyzing web breaks in a printing press is provided. The system includes sensing devices for monitoring the web, the printing press and detecting a web break. The system includes a database with predetermined web break causes, a real cause probability calculation algorithm for calculating the probability that the corresponding predetermined web break cause is the real cause of a detected web break as a function of the outputs of the sensing devices and a real web break cause determining processor for executing each real cause probability calculation algorithm. The predetermined web break causes are ranked according to the calculated real cause probabilities, and the web break cause among the predetermined web break causes with the highest real cause probability as the cause for the detected web break is identified. A web printing press and method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Paul SLAATS
  • Patent number: 8935104
    Abstract: Techniques are described for inspecting a web and controlling subsequent conversion of the web into one or more products. A system, for example, comprises an imaging device, an analysis computer and a conversion control system. The imaging device images the web to provide digital information. The analysis computer processes the digital information to identify regions on the web containing anomalies. The conversion control system subsequently analyzes the digital information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects for a plurality of different products. The web inspection system may preferentially apply different application-specific defect detection recipes depending on whether a given anomaly is a repeating or random anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Steven R. Dreger, Carl J. Skeps, Steven R. Wageman
  • Patent number: 8919202
    Abstract: A system including a plurality of sensing devices configured to generate acoustic emission (AE) signals that are representative of acoustic emission waves propagating through a plurality of stator vanes is presented. The system further includes a processing subsystem that is in an operational communication with the plurality of sensing devices, and the processing subsystem is configured to generate a dynamic threshold based upon an initial threshold and the AE signals, determine whether a plurality of signals of interest exist in the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, extract the plurality of signals of interest from the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, determine one or more features corresponding to the plurality of signals of interest, and analyze the one or more features to monitor and validate the health of the plurality of stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhasker Rao Keely, Aninda Bhattacharya, Ravi Yoganatha Babu, Nilesh Tralshawala
  • Publication number: 20140358452
    Abstract: A method for estimating the crack length ãn+1 of at least one crack (2) in a component (1): At a first instant, the length ãn of the crack is determined and the length of the crack ãn+1=ãn+?ãn is estimated at a second instant by using the integration scheme a ~ n + 1 = a ~ n + d ? ? a ~ 1 6 + d ? ? a ~ 2 3 + d ? ? a ~ 3 3 + d ? ? a ~ 4 6 ( 17 ) d ? ? a ~ 1 = d ? ? Nf ? ( ? ? ? K n ) ( 18 ) d ? ? a ~ 2 = d ? ? Nf ? ( ? ? ? K n + 1 2 ? ? ? ? K n 2 ? ? a ~ n ? d ? ? a ~ 1 ) ( 19 ) d ? ? a ~ 3 = d ? ? Nf ? ( ? ? ? K n + 1 2 ? ? ? ? K n 2 ? ? a ~ n ? d ? ? a ~ 2 ) ( 20 ) d ? ? a ~ 4 = d ? ? Nf ? ( ? ? ? K n + ? ? ? K n 2 ? a ~ n ? d ? ? a ~ 3 ) , ( 21 ) with ?ãn designating the increase in the crack size, N design
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian AMANN, Kai KADAU
  • Publication number: 20140350869
    Abstract: Device, method, and program for analyzing deformation in an object during crash simulation. A device for analyzing deformation in an object is provided. The device includes: a memory; a processor device communicatively coupled to the memory; and a module for analyzing deformation in an object coupled to the memory and the processor device to operate the following units: an acquisition unit for acquiring coordinate data along a time series at a plurality of points in the object; a calculation unit for calculating an amount of deformation feature indicating an amount of deformation in the object over time from the coordinate data at the plurality of points at each time in the time series; and a storage unit for setting the time series data for the amount of deformation feature as data for specifying a deformed state of the object, associating said data with the object, and storing the associated data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ide, Raymond Harry Rudy
  • Patent number: 8880359
    Abstract: A transmission sensing and measurement system. The system provides real-time feedback of various transmission operating characteristics which enables immediate synchronized shift calibration in response to vehicle operating conditions. The system can be applied to various transmission components and positions, such as bearing, shafts, and differentials. The system is arranged in a transmission assembly. By way of a method for measuring operating characteristics of the transmission where data is collected by a sensor and transmitted, optimal operating characteristics of the transmission can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Charles Schwab, Jens Heim
  • Publication number: 20140309950
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring a first structure at least partially according to properties of a second structure. One such method comprises determining a first relationship between a first variable and a second variable, wherein the first variable represents sizes of actual damage to the second structure, and the second variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the second structure; determining a second relationship between a third variable and a fourth variable, wherein the third variable represents sizes of simulated damage on the first structure, and the fourth variable represents values of a damage index determined for the simulated damage on the first structure; and determining an estimate of damage to the first structure according to the first and second relationships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ACELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Vishnuvardhan JANAPATI, Sang Jun LEE, Fu-Kuo CHANG, Irene LI