Location Patents (Class 702/36)
  • Patent number: 11957082
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of relaying data of an irrigation system comprises establishing, via a mobile device communication element, a connection with a component associated with the irrigation system; requesting, via the mobile device communication element, current operational data representing real-time measurements associated with operations of the irrigation system; receiving, via the mobile device communication element, signals representative of a first data stream comprising the current operational data of the irrigation system; and transmitting, via the mobile device communication element, a second data stream comprising at least a portion of the first data stream to a remote computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Mark William Miller
  • Patent number: 11893835
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and analyzing vehicle data within a vehicle and providing analytical processing data to prospective users of vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising monitoring a communications bus installed within a vehicle, the communications bus transmitting data recorded by one or more sensors installed within the vehicle; detecting a message broadcast on the communications bus; extracting an event from the message, the extraction based on a pre-defined list of event types; storing the event in a secure storage device installed within the vehicle; determining that a transfer condition has occurred; and transferring the event data to a remote server in response to determining that the transfer condition has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Lodestar Licensing Group LLC
    Inventors: Antonino Mondello, Alberto Troia
  • Patent number: 11221273
    Abstract: A method for automatically detecting the free vibration response segment of the high-speed railway bridges after trains passing. First, pre-select the test response sequence to be decomposed based on the maximum of the time instants corresponding to the absolute maximums of the response vectors at various measuring point. Then, Extract the single-frequency modal response from the test response by the iterative variational mode decomposition and fit the envelope amplitude of the modal response by Hilbert transform. Finally, the vibration features at each time instants are marked as decay vibration or non-decay vibration. The longest structural response segment that meets the decay vibration features is determined as the detected free vibration response segment for modal identification. This invention can effectively detect the free vibration data segment without human participation, which is of great significance for the real-time accurate modal analysis of high-speed railway bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Dalian University of Technology
    Inventors: Tinghua Yi, Xiaomei Yang, Chunxu Qu, Hongnan Li
  • Patent number: 11187681
    Abstract: Provided is a member state evaluation method that makes more highly accurate instantaneous understanding of various states of a member to be tested possible without reliance on the shape of the member, the testing environment, or the skill level of the tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NUCLEAR FUEL INDUSTRIES, LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Matsunaga, Ryota Ogawa, Mitsuyuki Sagisaka, Yoshihiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 11150158
    Abstract: A method for classifying accelerometer data of a structure includes obtaining acceleration data from an accelerometer positioned to monitor a structure and receive vibrations from the structure. The acceleration data includes a plurality of measurements. The method includes selecting a subset of the plurality of measurements as an event signal. The subset of the plurality of measurements have a magnitude that exceeds a noise floor and includes a first measurement, a second measurement, and a plurality of intermediate measurements between the first measurement and the second measurement. The plurality of intermediate measurements exceed an event threshold. The event threshold is greater than the noise floor. The method includes comparing the event signal to a set of historical events and classifying the event signal as an event type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SENSR MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: John P. Orsak, Emmanuel D. Stewart, Jakob A. Marsala, Walter F. Bleser, II
  • Patent number: 11144037
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the determination and correction of tooling deviation by comparing two different three-dimensional surface scans of a composite panel after curing. Such methods and systems may allow for less accurate post-cure fixturing (e.g., holding the panel in a less constrained state, as compared to prior art techniques), while still maintaining a sufficient amount of precision for predictive shimming and shimless techniques. Methods include performing a first three-dimensional surface scan, performing a second three-dimensional surface scan, and comparing the two to determine a deformation function corresponding to tooling deviation. In some systems, a header structure is used to hold the composite panel in a nominal configuration for the second three-dimensional surface scan. In some systems, scanning devices perform mirrored scanning on either side of the composite panel, using a common reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Clifford D. Borowicz
  • Patent number: 10997782
    Abstract: A method for creating a line drawing associated with a point cloud provides a line drawing representing a three-dimensional object and a point cloud of the same. The line drawing has line drawing coordinate data, and the point cloud has point cloud coordinate data. The point cloud also has point cloud distance data of the three-dimensional object. The method also associates the line drawing coordinate data with the point cloud coordinate data. Further, the method uses the associated coordinate data to apply the point cloud distance data to the line drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Intergraph Corporation
    Inventors: James Edwards, David Myall
  • Patent number: 10903914
    Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for providing real time detection of analyte sensor sensitivity decline is continuous glucose monitoring systems are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Marc D. Breton, Boris P. Kovatchev, Erwin S. Budiman, Kenneth J. Doniger
  • Patent number: 10816436
    Abstract: A system for detecting damage in an aircraft structure includes an aircraft structure and a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for monitoring the health of the aircraft structure independent of temperature. The SHM system includes an actuator bonded to the aircraft structure and configured to generate a reference vibration signal having a reference amplitude that propagates through the aircraft structure at a first time, and generate a comparison vibration signal having a comparison amplitude that propagates through the aircraft structure at a second time after the first time. The comparison amplitude represents damage incurred by the aircraft structure between the first time and the second time. The SHM system includes a sensor bonded to the aircraft structure that receives the reference vibration signal and the comparison vibration signal, and a processor configured to compute a gain damage index as a function of the reference amplitude divided by the comparison amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Pado
  • Patent number: 10801914
    Abstract: A method for detecting a deterioration defect of a structural part using a structural unit includes: defining a first base structural unit and obtaining N first base modal parameters of the first base structural unit; detecting a respective one of M first subject structural units of a subject structural part by each of M first sensors to obtain N first actual modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units; calculating N first subject modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units according to the N first actual modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units and M*N first predetermined ratios; and comparing the N first subject modal parameters of each of the M first subject structural units to the N first base modal parameters to determine whether each of the M first subject structural units has a deterioration defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yao-Long Tsai, Li-Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 10793294
    Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John H. Belk, Om Prakash
  • Patent number: 10579777
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for structural health monitoring in which a sensor network includes motes distributed with respect to a structure. The sensor network can utilize dynamic pattern matching to monitor and localize damage in the structure without modeling or solving equations of the engineered structure, and without ascertaining or separately accounting for extraneous and often-difficult-to-recognize or evaluate factors, such as of the environmental and stimuli-related variability type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sotirios Ziavras, William Contreras
  • Patent number: 10578543
    Abstract: Conventional systems for monitoring pipe networks are generally not scalable, impractical in the field with uncontrolled environments or rely of static features of pipes that are vary depending on the pipes under consideration. The ideal sensor-ed monitoring systems are not economically viable. Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide an improved data-driven model to rank pipes in the order of burst probabilities, by including dynamic feature values of pipes such as pressure and flow that depends on network structure and operations. The present disclosure enables estimating approximate values for the dynamic features since they are hard to estimate accurately in the absence of a calibrated hydraulic model. The present disclosure also validates the estimated approximate dynamic feature values for the purpose of estimating bursts likelihood vis-a-vis accurate values of the dynamic metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Arunchandar Vasan, Gollakota Phani Bhargava Kaushik, Abinaya Manimaran, Venkatesh Sarangan, Anand Sivasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 10466209
    Abstract: A sensor for ultrasonically measuring a portion of a structure, the sensor comprising: a transducer for converting an analog transmit signal to an ultrasonic transmit signal, and for converting an ultrasonic reflected signal to an analog reflected signal; a housing integrated with the transducer and containing at least: a processor; a wireless data transmitter for transmitting wirelessly a data signal from the processor; a transmit and receive circuit for transmitting an analog transmit signal to the transducer in response to a transmit trigger from the processor, and for receiving an analog reflected signal from the transducer; an A/D converter for digitizing only a portion of the analog reflected signal in response to a sample trigger from the processor; a battery to supply power to the processor, the wireless data transmitter, the transmit and receive circuit, and the A/D converter; memory operatively connected to the processor and configured to instruct the processor to execute the following steps: repeat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SENSOR NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Feydo, Jeffrey Anderson, James Barshinger
  • Patent number: 10436753
    Abstract: A method for adjusting array of omnidirectional EMATs includes: uniformly arranging N EMATs in a detection region of a metal plate; calculating positions of scattering points according to amplitudes and travel times of guided wave scattering signals, and forming a first defect profile curve by performing three smooth spline interpolations on coordinate data of positions of scattering points; calculating curvatures of points on the first defect profile curve by solving a first and second derivatives of a function of the first defect profile curve; determining an array adjustment region by comparing the curvature with a preset threshold, adjusting the array and calculating a second defect profile curve; and performing data fusion on the first and second defect profile curves to form a defect profile image of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: NANCHANG HANGKONG UNIVERSITY, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Songling Huang, Kai Song, Wei Zhao, Chao Lu, Yu Zhang, Shen Wang, Zhe Wang
  • Patent number: 10399707
    Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John H. Belk, Om Prakash
  • Patent number: 10352794
    Abstract: A method dynamically reconstructing a stress and strain field of a turbine blade includes providing a set of response measurements from at least one location on a turbine blade, band-pass filtering the set of response measurements based on an upper frequency limit and a lower frequency limit, determining an upper envelope and a lower envelope of the set of response measurements from local minima and local maxima of the set of response measurements, calculating a candidate intrinsic mode function (IMF) from the upper envelope and the lower envelope of the set of response measurements, providing an N×N mode shape matrix for the turbine blade, where N is the number of degrees of freedom of the turbine blade, when the candidate IMF is an actual IMF, and calculating a response for another location on the turbine blade from the actual IMF and mode shapes in the mode shape matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuefei Guan, Jingdan Zhang, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Nancy H. Ulerich, Nam Eung Kim, Nikolai R. Tevs
  • Patent number: 10352909
    Abstract: Various embodiments of magnetostrictive transducers (MsTs) for detecting defects in a tubular structure comprise one or more AC coils and one or more magnets. The transducer has a pair of coils (or two coil elements), which are spaced 180 degrees apart relative to the circumference of the tubular structure. Each MsT is selectively operable or configurable so that it may generate either torsional or flexural guided waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sergey A Vinogradov, Charles Duffer, Glenn M. Light
  • Patent number: 10302597
    Abstract: A method for classifying an emission includes generating a first acoustic profile at a first acoustic sensor; generating a second acoustic profile at a second acoustic sensor; comparing the first acoustic profile to a first reference acoustic profile to generate a first difference; comparing the second acoustic profile to a second reference acoustic profile to generate a second difference; and classifying the emission as one of a hazardous emission or a non-hazardous emission in response to the first difference and the second difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Theodore Hermann
  • Patent number: 10067169
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a nonlinear system using the system's steady state response including: exciting a transducer using a plurality of frequencies while decoupled from the nonlinear system, measuring the amplitude of response of each of the frequencies while decoupled from the nonlinear system, exciting the transducer using the plurality of frequencies while coupled to the nonlinear system, measuring the amplitude of response of each of the frequencies and the second harmonic of at least some of the frequencies, and solving for a set of phenomenological parameters characterizing the dynamics of the nonlinear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Cantrell, Sean Murdock
  • Patent number: 9787389
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a transmission device that has an enhanced redundant structure in which RF signals having a plurality of frequencies are transmitted to continue transmission even in the event of failure and allows simultaneously both improvement in power efficiency and transmission power and high-speed communication. [Solution] A signal generator 1102 generates RF signals 1201 to 1204. Each of the RF signals 1201 and 1202 is simultaneously input to a broadband/multiband power amplifier 1103, and each of the RF signals 1203 and 1204 are simultaneously input to a broadband/multiband power amplifier 1104. Specifically, the RF signals allocated in two different bands 1211 and 1212 are simultaneously input to each of the power amplifiers. The RF signals 1201 to 1204 are amplified by the broadband/multiband power amplifiers 1103 and 1104 and then transmitted via terminals 1105 and 1106.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 9612189
    Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for monitoring integrity of at least a part of a stationary structure includes a vibration sensor for sensing vibration as a function of time, a computer, transmitting means for transmitting vibration data from the vibration sensor to the computer, means for acquiring position as a function of time data of a movable object, such as a vessel, a vehicle or a digging tool. The movable object includes a transmitter transmitting the position as a function of time data to the computer when the movable object is within a selected distance to a monitoring site. The monitoring site includes the part of the stationary structure to be monitored and the vibration sensor is arranged to sense vibrations within the monitoring site. The computer includes hardware and software for comparing the vibration data with the position as a function of time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: NKT CABLES GROUP A/S, ENERGINET.DK
    Inventors: Henrik Roland Hansen, Lars Højsgaard, Dirk Maiwald
  • Patent number: 9506836
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for structural health monitoring are described. In one example, a method for use in designing a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for use in monitoring a host structure is described. The method includes one or more of a process for designing SHM systems for any given piece of structural hardware, a process for evaluating a given SHM system, a method to quantify the performance of a given SHM system in comparison to current inspection processes, a finite element modeling approach to determining excitation frequencies to detect damage and for selecting the best time window to use for sensed excitation signals, a Bayesian Network based data fusion technique that fuses in environmental information (load cycles induced on the structure) with a damage index (DI) to produce crack detection and estimation of crack length, and a damage location and sensor selection technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Eric Pado, Jeong-Beom Ihn
  • Patent number: 9250117
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of acoustic sensors (acoustically coupled to a structure for monitoring) is connected to a network bus system via a preamplifier for capturing, processing and reporting acoustic events in a structure, for example aircraft structures. Each of the preamplifiers processes the acoustic event signals received from the sensors when an acoustic emission resulting from an acoustic event (defect in a structure, impact on the structure etc), and passes digital processed signal data relating to the detected acoustic event to a Remote Data Concentrator over the network for collation. The collated data is then stored and/or further processed (at a later time or in near real-time) to determine the source and/or location of detected acoustic emissions in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Ian McGregor Stothers, Richard Andrew Hinchliffe
  • Patent number: 9052791
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch panel. The touch panel includes a first sensor panel including at least one receiving electrode; a second sensor panel including at least one transmission electrode, and overlaid on the first sensor panel; and a third sensor panel including a predetermined electrode at least a part of which overlaps the one transmission electrode, and overlaid on the second sensor panel. When a predetermined condition is detected in a state that a transmission signal identical to that for the one transmission electrode is applied on the predetermined electrode, application of the transmission signal identical to that for the one transmission electrode onto the predetermined electrode is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Mitsuru Satou, Yasuyuki Hirouchi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8977507
    Abstract: A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alexander M. Soles, Matthew R. Walsh, Eric B. 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
  • Patent number: 8958995
    Abstract: A system includes multiple sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of a rotating o reciprocating systems. The system also includes a monitoring system configured to monitor a health of the rotating system. The monitoring system includes an input interface configured to receive multiple input signals from the sensors. The monitoring system also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating system using the input signals. The monitoring system further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by (i) generating a pressure-volume diagram from a fusion of the input signals and comparing the pressure-volume diagram to a previous diagram to determine changes in the diagrams and/or (ii) normalizing the input signals and using the normalized input signals to identify a defect and calculate a confidence level of the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Meenakshi Sunderam
  • Patent number: 8949042
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an autonomous magnetic tomography method (MTM) and device for magnetographic identification and magnetographic analysis of mechanical flaws and defects along structures located deep in the sea or otherwise located underwater and further underground. The invention optimizes the inspection and maintenance processes of extended metallic constructions, e.g., pipelines. The device is based on the inverse magnetostrictive effect (i.e., the Villari effect)—the variation of a material's magnetic susceptibility under applied mechanical stress. The changes in magnetic susceptibility result in distribution of a magnetic field gradient along a structure's surface area, thus providing information about the presence and the value of the magnetic field anomaly at a given and precise location on the structure. The device and method is capable of autonomous and offline operation underwater at depths up to 1,500 meters below sea level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Valerian Goroshevskiy, Svetlana Kamaeva, Igor Kolesnikov, Leonid Ivlev
  • Patent number: 8924163
    Abstract: A vibration data collection and rotating machinery fault diagnostic instrument includes a machine setup engine, a measurement engine, a diagnostic engine, a measurement user interface module, a machine setup user interface module, and a diagnostic user interface module. The machine setup engine requests and receives parameters about the machinery through the machine setup user interface module. The measurement engine requests and receives sensor placement locations through the measurement user interface module and keeps track of locations that have been measured and locations that still need to be measured. The diagnostic engine diagnoses machinery faults and presents the information to the user through the diagnostic user interface module using an intuitive graphical severity scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Hudson, Demet Albuz, Rand Peterson, Joseph Ferrante
  • Publication number: 20140303906
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting deterioration of or cuts in a cable for transmitting signals, includes at least at a first end of the cable a transceiver, at least at a second end of the cable a transceiver, and means for synchronization of the signals transmitted by the transceivers, and the system further includes at least processing means adapted to determine the times of non-reception of the signal at each end of said cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventor: Bernard Charlot
  • Publication number: 20140236499
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method of sizing a defect using a phased array system with a single probe orientation requiring only a simple one-pass scan. It is an improvement of the ADDT standard which is adapted to phased array systems with fixed probe orientations. Based on pre-configured parameters obtained from C-scans, the method as presently disclosed provides novel analysis on C-scans and more complete information on defects, including the orientation and sizes in length and depth or thickness of the defects. Phased array systems devised with the presently disclosed method can perform such inspection and complete sizing automatically for longitudinal, transverse and oblique defects in one pass of scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS NDT, INC.
    Inventors: Martin St-Laurent, Jinchi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8788218
    Abstract: A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alexander M. Soles, Matthew R. Walsh, Eric B. Scott
  • Publication number: 20140200827
    Abstract: Geo-defect repair modeling is provided. A method includes logically dividing a railroad network according to spatial and temporal dimensions with respect to historical data collected. The spatial dimensions include line segments of a specified length and the temporal dimensions include inspection run data for inspections performed for each of the line segments over a period of time. The method also includes creating a track deterioration model from the historical data, identifying geo-defects occurring at each inspection run from the track deterioration model, calculating a track deterioration condition from the track deterioration model by analyzing quantified changes in the geo-defects measured at each inspection run, and calculating a derailment risk based on track conditions determined from the inspection run data and the track deterioration condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Debarun Bhattacharjya, Arun Hampapur, Qing He, Hongfei Li, Dhaivat P. Parikh
  • Publication number: 20140200828
    Abstract: Geo-defect repair modeling with location uncertainty is provided. A method includes logically dividing a railroad network into segments each of a specified length. The method also includes identifying, via a computer processor, geo-defects and approximated locations of the geo-defects occurring at each inspection run for each of the segments. The method also includes calculating, via the computer processor, a rate of increase in amplitude of each of the geo-defects for each of the segments between inspection runs, determining a correlation of the geo-defects between the inspection runs as a function of the approximated locations, and predicting a deterioration rate for each of the geo-defects based on the calculating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Arun Hampapur, Hongfei Li, Dhaivat P. Parikh
  • Publication number: 20140200830
    Abstract: Geo-defect repair modeling is provided. A method includes logically dividing a railroad network according to spatial and temporal dimensions with respect to historical data collected. The spatial dimensions include line segments of a specified length and the temporal dimensions include inspection run data for inspections performed for each of the line segments over a period of time. The method also includes creating a track deterioration model from the historical data, identifying geo-defects occurring at each inspection run from the track deterioration model, calculating a track deterioration condition from the track deterioration model by analyzing quantified changes in the geo-defects measured at each inspection run, and calculating a derailment risk based on track conditions determined from the inspection run data and the track deterioration condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Debarun Bhattacharjya, Arun Hampapur, Qing He, Hongfei Li, Dhaivat P. Parikh
  • Publication number: 20140156123
    Abstract: An inspection system for use with a rail vehicle includes a database containing vehicle route data and at least one location of track to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: JARED KLINEMAN COOPER, NICHOLAS DAVID NAGRODSKY
  • Patent number: 8712704
    Abstract: A defect detection system and method enable a fastened crystalline silicon product to generate micro-vibration by a micro-vibration excitation device, so as to enable the crystalline silicon product to generate an excitation signal, then to acquire the excitation signal by a acquisition device, so as to analyze the excitation signal acquired by the acquisition device in the time and frequency domain by an analysis detection device with a specific analysis, and to obtain an analysis result, at last, determine a defect state of the crystalline silicon product according to the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jui-Yiao Su, Yu-Liang Chung, Chun-Chieh Wang, Chien-Feng Wu, Yan-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 8688417
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an event impact signature detector may analyze a time series with external events. A data interface 250 may receive a data set 310 representing the time series with external events. A processor 220 may fit the data set 310 into a baseline time series model 330. The processor 220 may iteratively determine each event location 352 for multiple external events 350 affecting the baseline time series model 330. The processor 220 may iteratively solve for each event impact 354 of the multiple external events 350 factoring in interactions between the multiple external events 350.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Bocharov, Christopher A. Meek, Bo Thiesson
  • Publication number: 20140032135
    Abstract: Systems and methods to ensure correct operation of a semiconductor chip in the presence of ionizing radiation is disclosed. The system includes a semiconductor chip, a first radiation detection array incorporated in the semiconductor chip, and at least one additional radiation detection array incorporated in the semiconductor chip. a processor determines a region of the semiconductor chip affected by an incident radiation particle by analyzing a trajectory of the radiation particle determined from locations of sensors hit by the radiation particle in the first radiation detection array and the at least one additional radiation detection array. The processor determines whether corrective action is needed based on the region of the semiconductor chip affected by the incident radiation particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: ETHAN H. CANNON, MICHAEL J. HAUSER, TIMOTHY D. SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20130317676
    Abstract: A sensing system includes a leading sensor, a trailing sensor, and a route examining unit. The sensors are coupled to a vehicle system that travels along a route. The leading sensor acquires first inspection data indicative of a condition of the route as the vehicle system travels over the route. The condition may represent the health of the route. The trailing sensor acquires additional, second inspection data that is indicative of the condition to the route subsequent to the leading sensor acquiring the first inspection data. The route examining unit identifies a section of interest in the route based on the first inspection data acquired by the leading sensor. The route examining unit also directs the trailing sensor to acquire the second inspection data within the section of interest in the route when the first inspection data indicates damage to the route in the section of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Eugene A. Smith, James Glen Corry, David Lowell McKay, Brian Joseph McManus, Keith Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 8594975
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to enhance detection and quantification of features in the wafer edge/wafer roll off regions. Modifications and improvements have been made to earlier methods which enable improved accuracy and increased scope of feature detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Haiguang Chen, Jaydeep Sinha
  • Patent number: 8583271
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a nondestructive evaluation system and a cutting system. The nondestructive evaluation system may be configured to inspect a processed portion of a structure. The nondestructive evaluation system may be configured to determine whether an inconsistency is present in the processed portion. The nondestructive evaluation system may also be configured to generate information about a location of the inconsistency. The cutting system may be configured to cut a number of parts out of the processed portion of the structure in which the inconsistency may be at least substantially excluded from the number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger W. Engelbart, Steven J. Burpo, Michael P. Renieri
  • Patent number: 8538696
    Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention provide appropriate weather data for a location by associating it with a location or locations for which weather data is stored. Such stored data may have been collected from one or multiple weather data sources. An image or video may be associated with weather data selected from near-current stored weather data for one or more nearby locations. Certain methods also allow observation and/or forecast weather data for any specified location to be provided using stored weather data for a finite number of locations from one or more weather data sources. For example, the location coordinates of a specified location may be used to determine an appropriate location (exact or substitute) for which weather data was previously collected and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventor: William Anthony Cassanova
  • Patent number: 8532940
    Abstract: An inspection method includes driving a plurality of spaced apart transmitting transducer elements with a respective time delay and a respective frequency such that each of the transmitting transducer elements transmits an ultrasonic guided wave through a transmission medium defined by a material having at least one unknown physical property. The ultrasonic guided waves are received at a receiving transducer element disposed at a distance from the transmitting transducer elements. A respective time delay and a respective frequency for each of the transmitting transducer elements is determined that provides a maximum amplitude in a signal received at the receiving transducer element. The plurality of transmitting transducer elements are activated in accordance with the determined time delays and frequencies to transmit inspection signals through the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: FBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Yan, Joseph L. Rose
  • Patent number: 8521443
    Abstract: Through the methods of this invention, prognostics tools are provided to more efficiently and more accurately predict when a component product may fail. In a first embodiment a method is described whereby a number of environmental factors are monitored, the provided sensors obtaining raw data, variations in said raw data measured, the parameters of interest extracted and binned according to predetermined criteria, with the raw data thereafter discarded. In a second embodiment of the invention, the same sensor readings are recorded along with the performance characteristics for the component/product and compared to estimated performance for the product. The performance drift is then observed, whereby in monitoring said drift, trends may be determined and time or cycles to failure predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Oxfordian
    Inventors: Nikhil M. Vichare, Michael G. Pecht
  • Publication number: 20130218484
    Abstract: A system includes multiple sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of a rotating o reciprocating systems. The system also includes a monitoring system configured to monitor a health of the rotating system. The monitoring system includes an input interface configured to receive multiple input signals from the sensors. The monitoring system also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating system using the input signals. The monitoring system further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by (i) generating a pressure-volume diagram from a fusion of the input signals and comparing the pressure-volume diagram to a previous diagram to determine changes in the diagrams and/or (ii) normalizing the input signals and using the normalized input signals to identify a defect and calculate a confidence level of the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Meenakshi Sunderam
  • Publication number: 20130191040
    Abstract: Provided is a method of locating a damage source of a wind turbine blade for tracking a damage source location of a blade used in a wind power generator, and more particularly, a method of locating a damage source of a wind turbine blade and an apparatus thereof in a large composite material structure capable of accurately locating a damage source even in a large composite material structure by detecting defects using contour maps written based on elastic wave energy value. The method of locating a damage source of the wind turbine blade according to the present invention can accurately locate the damage source even in the large composite material structure using at least two materials unlike the related art and can use a smaller number of AE sensor than the related art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND SCIENCE
    Inventors: Dong Jin Yoon, Byeong Hee Han, Young Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 8483975
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Huyse, Albert Van Roodselaar