Abstract: A method for determining warp potential of wood. One embodiment comprises nondestructively obtaining lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles of wood—such as trees, logs, or lumber—then determining warp potential of the wood based on the lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles. The method typically comprises measuring plural lengthwise shrinkage rates and plural grain angles to determine warp potential. Where the wood comprises lumber, lengthwise shrinkage rate and grain angle measurements typically are made on at least one major planar surface of the lumber at at least two measuring points separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the lumber. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine lengthwise shrinkage rates using electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, and combinations thereof. Working embodiments of the method use ultrasound energy to determine lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles.

Abstract: A nondestructive method for inspecting steel pipelines for plastically deformed regions caused by mechanical damage to the pipeline. The invention is a method and system that uses nonlinear harmonic detection methods to detect mechanical damage in pipelines. The invention uses a time-varying magnetic field to sense magnetic properties of the pipeline. The odd-numbered harmonic frequencies are detected and their amplitudes are related to the magnetic condition of the material under test to determine areas of mechanical damage. This technique can be used for rapidly surveying stress states in pipelines where nonlinear harmonic sensing devices are attached to a pigging device moving through a pipeline at a relatively high rate of speed.

Abstract: A motor performance analyzer senses currents and voltages applied to the motor, converts the sensed signals to digital data signals, and stores the digital data signals. The analyzer includes a processor for evaluating and comparing the digital data signals to predetermined values for voltage and current of the motor to determine and check for the correct placement of the current and voltage probes along corresponding phases of the motor. The analyzer also includes [and] a display for alerting a user or technician to potential motor problems, or to developing problems, including winding faults and broken rotor bars. [Advanced signal processing techniques are used to further evaluate stored data and to provide trending information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the transfer impedance of a structure. Oscillator driver 20 produces a small electrical drive signal into structure 40. Field probe 30 detects the electric field produced by the drive signal and is comprised of a skinny half-dipole and fat half-dipole antenna. Fat half-dipole 34 encloses synchronous detection circuitry. Power supplies are isolated for all components. Base station 10 communicates with oscillator driver 20 and field probe 30 via wireless links 92 and 44 to control the drive signal, the synchronous detection, and to determine the transfer impedance.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing data-processing system performance. Initially, unique audible sounds are associated with particular performance indicators within the data-processing system. Thereafter, performance indicators are identified, one or more of which indicate data-processing system performance. A diagnostic is then periodically run to detect performance indicators within the data-processing system. A unique audible sound is then generated associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting the status of particular performance indicator via the diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying the unique audible sound. The unique audible sound may be continuously generated at varying durations and volumes to indicate the presence of system failures. A trained user, accustomed to particular audible sounds, can identify and diagnose system failures by analyzing unique audible sounds generated by the data-processing system.

Abstract: A method for determining the properties of a log, in which a moving log is radiographed by at least more than one X-radiation source, and the radiographic information is received by a detector array measuring radiation. Stemwood and knots of the log are calculated by a principle which is based on a known geometry and density of stemwood and knots. After measurement, the effect of stemwood in radiographic projections, and hence the analysis for locating knots, is eliminated by filtering. The knot mass is then converted from radiographic projections into volumetric elements of a cylindrical coordinate system and, from the value of each volumetric element, an evidence value representative of the presence of a knot in the element is derived. The evidence values of mutually associated elements are then combined, thus producing an aggregate evidence value which permits the knots to be located.

Abstract: The invention is a process to transmit data between a read/write device and a transponder. The data is transmitted by a change in field strength of an electromagnetic or magnetic field, and the times between sequential field strength changes are evaluated. At least at the beginning of data transmission, the systematic time deviation from the setpoint is determined that arises upon a switching threshold in the field strength changes. A correction value is derived, and the subsequently determined times are changed by the correction value. This correction allows for a greater amount of data to be transferred from the read/write device to the transponder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of performing statistical classification that can resolve conflict in independent sources of information, thereby creating a robust statistical classifier that has superior performance to classifiers currently available. Additionally, the present invention is automatically trainable, yielding improved classification performance. The present invention may be embodied in a method of statistically classifying events or objects, including the steps of gathering sets of information representative of features of an object or event; creating basic probability assignments based on said sets of information; determining a coarse information set from said sets of information; performing coarsening on said sets of information; performing linear superposition on each feature; and combining all features to reach a conclusion.

Abstract: A computer implemented information extraction process that locates and identifies eddy current signal features in digital point-ordered signals, signals representing data from inspection of test materials, by enhancing the signal features relative to signal noise, detecting features of the signals, verifying the location of the signal features that can be known in advance, and outputting information about the identity and location of all detected signal features.

Abstract: A noise detecting and recording apparatus which can be widely used for countermeasures against malfunction of electronic equipment which is caused by noises is provided. The apparatus is provided with a unit for outputting data corresponding to the level of a conduction noise, a unit for outputting the data corresponding to the level of a radiation electromagnetic field noise, a unit for outputting the data corresponding to the level of a discharge noise, a temperature and humidity detection unit for detecting temperature and humidity and outputting the data corresponding to the detected value, a microcomputer for processing the output data from each unit, a display unit for displaying the output data, and a recording device for recording data, wherein the microcomputer performs the processing of receiving the output data from each unit and supplying the data to the display unit, and the processing of receiving the output data from each unit and recording the data in the recording device.

Abstract: A microelectric position sensor wherein an assembly of magnetic field sensitive elements assume first and second states when subjected to a magnetic field having an intensity below or above first or second predetermined values respectively. A magnet is selectively movable relative to the assembly, so that the elements are selectively subjected to the magnetic field. The magnet has focusing tongues for focusing the magnetic field at a region including substantially only one of the elements, so that the magnetic field within the region has an intensity above the second value, and the magnetic field outside the region has an intensity below the first value.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting irregularities in a ferrous pipe includes a magnetizing coil for inducing a magnetic field in the ferrous pipe. Inspection sensors measure changes in the induced magnetic field and produce signals representative of those changes. An analog-to-digital converter digitizes the measured signals representing the changes in the induced magnetic field. A processor compares the signals to a threshold value, and, when a signal exceeds the threshold value, the processor stops the inspection process to locate an irregularity in the ferrous pipe. The processor further processes the signals according to frequency to classify the signals by type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe. A screen and/or printer displays the frequency processed signals according to type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement (1) comprising at least one measuring coil (2), at least one voltage source (3) for the measuring coil (2), and an evaluation unit (4) with means for detecting, processing, and evaluating measured signals. This sensor arrangement (1) is used to measure distances and thicknesses substantially independently of the material involved, without the user having to know the physicomathematical relations between the influencing quantities and the measured values. In order to evaluate the measured signals, the evaluation unit (4) of the sensor arrangement comprises a neural network (5) with an input layer, at least one hidden layer, an output layer, and connection weights for the individual layers. The connection weights are determined and stored in a learning phase by measurements taken on a plurality of different suitable learning objects with known actual values.

Abstract: A method utilizing high-speed digital computers and high resolution display systems for stacking a plurality of two-dimensional complex displays acquired from individual NDE scans over the surface of a material being inspected. The solid three-dimensional image constructed incorporates the two dimensions typically provided by eddy current-type testing components, i.e., the imaginary or vertical component and the real or horizontal component, and a third dimension that represents the physical orthogonal distance between sequential scans. The solid three-dimensional image is generated by connecting corresponding positional points on adjacent two-dimensional plane displays. The closed solid figure generated results when a null or equilibrium point away from the specific signal features is encountered. Appropriate coloration or shading on the three-dimensional image highlights the features for visual inspection.

Abstract: The output of an eddy current probe is demodulated and subsequently linearized using an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a memory. The linearized digital output signal is converted back to an analog signal, the voltage of which is preferably directly proportional to the position of the conductive target in relation to the probe.