Fluid Patents (Class 703/9)
  • Publication number: 20110004447
    Abstract: Methods for characterizing a three-dimensional (3D) sample of porous media using at least one measuring tool that retrieves two or more set of transmitted measured data at two or more depths of the sample, such that the retrieved two or more set of transmitted measured data is communicated to a processor and computed in at least one multi-point statistical (MPS) model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Francis Hurley, Tuanfeng Zhang, Weishu Zhao, Guangping Xu
  • Publication number: 20110004448
    Abstract: Methods for characterizing a sample of porous media using a measuring device along with a multipoint statistical (MPS) model. Retrieving a set of reflected measured data provided by the measuring device of a surface of the sample in order to produce a sample imaging log, wherein the retrieved set of measured data is communicated to a processor. Selecting depth-defined surface portions of the sample from the sample imaging log as a training image for inputting in the MPS model. Determining pattern based simulations from the training image using one of a pixel-based template which is applied to the training image. Constructing from the pattern based simulations a complete-sampling image log of surface portions of the sample. Repeat the above steps in order to construct three dimensional (3D) sample images from stacked successive pattern based simulations so as to construct at least one 3D model of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Francis Hurley, Tuanfeng Zhang, Guangping Xu, Lili Xu, Mirna Slim
  • Patent number: 7865342
    Abstract: A computer reads data from a database in an external recording device to generate an analysis model which represents the surface profile of a member with a mesh. Next, the computer initializes the meshes of the analysis model by setting thereto a gas attribute corresponding to a non-leakage site and thereafter sets to any mesh a liquid attribute corresponding to a leakage site, and changes the attribute of meshes adjacent to the meshes having the liquid attribute from the gas attribute to the liquid attribute. Then, the computer connects meshes of which attribute has been set to the liquid attribute to generate a leakage path and outputs information relating to the leakage path on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jianrong Shen
  • Publication number: 20100318228
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating, predicting, and/or controlling a granulation process are disclosed. The method may account for changes in input water amount, how material responds to the water amount, batch size, power input, and particle size, specific surface area, or dynamic cohesion of the materials being granulated. The method may also account for an impeller load, relative impeller efficiency, and water content. The method may measure point where material being granulated is responding to the water addition. The method may predict tap density of the granules exiting a mill downstream of granulation, after a drying process. The method may predict tablet dissolution. The system may include a controller having a computer executable program embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to perform one or more steps of the method. The system may also control various processing equipment in response to estimates and/or predictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Donald James Clancy
  • Publication number: 20100318327
    Abstract: A method of design optimization includes: a) producing a first computer model of a first geometry, the first computer model including: i) a set of nodes; and ii) a set of construction points each having a position defined by a local co-ordinate system; b) producing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) mesh from the first computer model; c) using the CFD mesh to produce a measure of the fluid dynamic performance of the first geometry, such as drag count or lift coefficient; d) producing a new computer model of a new geometry by: i) moving one or more of the nodes; and ii) recalculating the positions of the construction points in response to movement of the one or more nodes; e) producing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) mesh from the new computer model; f) using the CFD mesh to produce a measure of the fluid dynamic performance of the new geometry, such as drag count or lift coefficient; and g) identifying an optimal geometry using the fluid dynamic performance measurements of the first and new geometries
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Carren HOLDEN, Adam NURDIN, Neil W. BRESSLOFF, Andrew K. KEANE
  • Publication number: 20100305914
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for simulating a final pattern of a droplet of a fluid having a plurality of fluid properties is disclosed. The method includes using lubrication equations to represent solute flow, diffusion and evaporation of a droplet on a substrate. The method further includes solving the lubrication equations through temporal discretization and spatial discretization; and deriving the final pattern of the droplet from results of the solving. The final pattern is stored on a computer readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jie Zhang, Jiun-Der Yu, Shinri Sakai
  • Patent number: 7844419
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting potential topology problems in a network representation consisting of links and nodes. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there are three potential topology problem cases that are identified by the program. Those include nodes in close proximity, pipe-split candidates in which nodes are close to pipes, and pipe-split candidates in which pipes overlap. The program searches the data for any cases that fall within user-defined criterion or tolerances and returns a list of potential problems that the user can visually inspect and, if necessary or desired, make corrections thereto. Graphic user interfaces with dialog boxes and action buttons are also provided in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Bentley Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Gurrieri, Robert F. Mankowski
  • Patent number: 7844399
    Abstract: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Richard William Hamm, Steven Ray Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20100299122
    Abstract: A method of and a computer program for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a model generator in communication with the user interface. The method and computer program provide for modeling a referential dry pipe system as a plurality of interconnected nodes, the nodes corresponding to a pipe connector, the interconnection between the nodes corresponding to a pipe device. The plurality of nodes can define a dry portion and a wet portion with the wet portion including a liquid source and the dry portion including a plurality of interconnected pipes to define a volume of gas. The nodes in the dry portion can define a set of nodal devices open to ambient. The method and computer program can provide for computing fluid time based parameters to simulate the liquid flowing from the wet portion to determine at least flow time of the liquid from the wet portion to the open devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: James E. Golinveaux, Vitaly Kabashnikov, Michael Mahomet, Valeri Mourachko, Leonid Nikolaychik, Alexander Nikolayev, Thomas Prymak, Valery Popov, Andrey Bril, Valery Babenko
  • Publication number: 20100286968
    Abstract: A method for constructing a velocity vector field from a grid and a set of fluxes for each face of the grid cells. The cells are first subdivided and internal fluxes are calculated for each cell subject to the constraints of the flux for each cell and to achieve the minimum energy state for the each cell. The minimum energy state is computed efficiently using a divergence-free correction method without introducing a pressure variable. Then, the velocity vector field is constructed from the subcell fluxes using mixed finite element interpolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Rossen R. Parashkevov
  • Publication number: 20100286973
    Abstract: A method for targeting trait phenotyping of a plant breeding experiment includes collecting soil data for at least one location, applying the soil data to a crop model, performing environmental monitoring at the at least one location to generate environmental data, updating the crop model with the environmental data, and using the crop model to provide predicted crop conditions. The method further includes determining environmental conditions for each of the plant breeding experiments, determining a likelihood of trait phenotype variations for each experiment using the environmental conditions and the predicted crop conditions, selecting a subset of the plant breeding experiments for collecting trait phenotype measurements based on the likelihood of trait phenotypic variation, and collecting trait phenotype measurements from the subset of the plant breeding experiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Messina, Jun Wei, Zhanshan Dong, Zhisheng Qing, Jean-Louis Laffont, Mitchell Samples, Jeffrey R. Schussler, Geoffrey I. Graham, Carlos Loeffler, Mark Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100280799
    Abstract: A method and system for modeling a three-dimensional smoke propagation animation system. The animation system can be configured to include a particle system manager, a compartment manager, a state variable manager, a three-dimensional space outline rendering module, and a three-dimensional smoke animation rendering module. The particle system manager creates and updates an existing particle system based on an input script and data from the state variable manager. The state variable manager loads smoke propagation data and provides smoke information to the particle system manager to create and update the particle system and space outline. The compartment manager creates a three-dimensional outline with respect to each compartment space from a compartment data and updates the status of the existing three-dimensional outlines based on information from the state variable manager. A final three-dimensional smoke propagation animation can then be rendered by the three-dimensional smoke animation rendering module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Ji Gu, Zhao Xia Jin, Tom Plocher
  • Patent number: 7822586
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a computer program product including computer instructions that are executable to receive a set of process parameters, including fluid parameters and heat exchanger parameters, and determine a time for a dispense fluid to reach a target temperature. Additionally, the instructions can be executable to determine a set of process parameters that result in a time to reach the target temperature of below a predefined limit. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a set of computer instructions can calculate the time it takes for a dispense fluid to reach a target temperature for predictive flow control of a heating/cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Qunwei Wu, Joseph E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100268517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of computer simulation of the aerodynamic behaviour of an aircraft (10) in flight close to the ground. This method is used to identify the slope effect relative to the ground effect. To achieve this, a uniform boundary condition comprising a predetermined speed (UP) with a non-zero tangential component and a non-zero normal component is imposed on a plane (21) modelling the ground; and a discrete numerical model of the Navier-Stokes equations is solved by computer on a volume mesh with said boundary condition imposed on said plane (21), so as to obtain a numerical solution for a fluid flow inside a computational domain defined by said mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (Societe Par Actions Simplifiee)
    Inventor: Benoit CALMELS
  • Patent number: 7818156
    Abstract: A method includes assessing corrosion in a refinery operation having a piping network. Assessing can include identifying in a petroleum sample a presence and an amount of a species determined to be potentially corrosive to corrodible equipment in a refinery. A corrosion risk presented by the presence, the amount, and the boiling point of the species is determined. And, the corrosion risk is evaluated in view of piping network information. A system for implementing the method is provided, also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pramod Vachhani, Sunil Shirish Shah, Collin Wade Cross, Yatin Tayalia, Nishith Pramod Vora, Raghunandan Murthy
  • Patent number: 7813907
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may be a system or method for simulating the flow of a single-phase fluid flow. Markers represent a moving fluid boundary of the single-phase fluid at a first point in time. The moving fluid boundary separates a simulation space into a fluid space and a non-fluid space. The single-phase fluid inhabits the fluid space. A signed distance function is evaluated at points surrounding the moving fluid boundary based upon markers. The curvature of the moving fluid boundary based on the signed distance function is evaluated near the markers in the non-fluid space. The curvature is not evaluated at the moving fluid boundary. The velocity of the fluid is calculated based upon the curvature of the level set in the non-fluid space. Update the position of the moving fluid boundary at a second point in time based on the velocity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Zhang, Jiun-Der Yu
  • Publication number: 20100256957
    Abstract: Systems and methods of simulating an explosion in time-marching finite element analysis are disclosed in the present invention. According to one aspect, a method is configured for increasing user (e.g., engineer or scientist) productivity by reducing computation time of simulating fluid-structure interaction due to an explosion. The method comprises a creation of a finite element analysis model that includes structure, surrounding fluid, a blast source of the explosion and a single layer of ambient elements each having a segment representing a boundary of the fluid facing the blast source. Each ambient element is associated with a particular finite element representing the fluid at the boundary. The ambient elements are configured to be situated between the blast source and the structure such that the simulation can be carried on a set of boundary conditions specified thereon. The boundary conditions comprise a set of nodal velocities that are determined from the empirical formula (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd Patrick Slavik
  • Publication number: 20100256963
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to accurately evaluate integrity of vibration of a dryer of an actual system. The evaluating method for integrity of vibration of a steam dryer using a reduced model in a nuclear plant including the steam dryer for reducing moisture of steam generated inside a steam dome of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, and a plurality of main steam pipes for transporting the steam to outside includes the steps of performing a steam test with the reduced model, calculating fluctuating stress applied to the steam dryer, and confirming integrity of vibration. According to the invention, it is possible to evaluate the pressure fluctuation of a dryer of an actual system more accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Shiro TAKAHASHI, Masaya Ohtsuka, Koji Nishida, Takashi Ito, Yasuhiro Mabuchi, Akinori Tamura, Masaaki Tsubaki, Keita Okuyama, Kazuhiro Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7809537
    Abstract: A computer-implemented process simulates production of oil and gas from hydrocarbon reservoirs. The process is used to help forecast the optimal future oil and gas recovery from large hydrocarbon reservoirs. At the same, this process is flexible to allow for further addition of new options; robust and reliable; and easy to use. The process is also comprehensive in that it allows a forecast of future performance of a wide range of reservoirs and future operation scenarios. By using the high-resolution models provided, a reservoir can be described much more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Kesavalu Hemanthkumar, Henry H. Hoy, William Thomas Dreiman, Usuf Middya
  • Publication number: 20100250468
    Abstract: A system to form an actual sales value or actual delivery value for all components of a commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream using mass, volume and energy, to create a theoretical commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream molecular composition and present the information on individual components in the commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream instantaneously to a buyer and a seller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SPL, INC.
    Inventors: William Joseph Theriot, Mark Reese Brown, Joseph Edward Landes, William J. Wild, Herman Reese Brown
  • Publication number: 20100250212
    Abstract: A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing a variable distribution V over an aircraft surface inside a predefined parameter space by means of a reconstruction of the results obtained through computations for an initial group of points in the parameter space using a CFD model comprising in each of said computations the following steps: a) Selecting relevant shock wave structures being defined by its thickness ?sw, its position ssw and the variable jump ?V; b) Decomposing said variable distribution V into a smooth variable distribution Vsmooth and a shock wave variable distribution Vjump corresponding to said relevant shock wave structures; c) Obtaining the variable distribution V at any point of the parameter space as a reconstruction of the smooth variable distribution Vsmooth and the shock wave variable distribution Vjump obtained for said point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Angel Gerardo Velázquez López, Diego Alonso Fernández, José Manuel Vega de Prada, Luis Santiago Lorente Manzanares, Valentín De Pablo Fouce
  • Publication number: 20100250213
    Abstract: A new constrained interpolation profile method, which is stable and accurate but requires less amount of computation, is provided. CIP is a high-order fluid advection solver that can reproduce rich details of fluids. It has third-order accuracy but its computation is performed over a compact stencil. A novel modification of the original CIP method that fixes all of the above problems without increasing the computational load or reducing the accuracy is provided. The proposed method brings significant improvements in both accuracy and speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Doyub KIM, Oh-Young SONG, Hyeong-Seok KO
  • Publication number: 20100241404
    Abstract: A noninvasive patient-specific method is provided to aid in the analysis, diagnosis, prediction or treatment of hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system of a patient. Coronary blood flow and pressure can be predicted using a 3-D patient image-based model that is implicitly coupled with a model of at least a portion of the remaining cardiovascular system. The 3-D patient image-based model includes at least a portion of the thoracic aorta and epicardial coronaries of the patient. The shape of one or more velocity profiles at the interface of the models is enforced to control complex flow features of recirculating or retrograde flow thereby minimizing model instabilities and resulting in patient-specific predictions of coronary flow rate and pressure. The invention allows for patient-specific predictions of the effect of different or varying physiological states and hemodynamic benefits of coronary medical interventions, percutaneous coronary interventions and surgical therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Charles A. Taylor, Hyun Jin Kim, Jessica S. Coogan
  • Patent number: 7797828
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an adaptive machining and weld repair process useful for repairing airfoils, particularly damage to an airfoil leading edge and tip. The process first machines away damaged portions of the airfoil. Next, the actual profile of the airfoil subsequent to the removal of the damaged material is measured using a Coordinate Measuring Machine. The data is then used to generate a deformation profile. Filler material is then added to the machined area using the data of the deformation profile to produce an airfoil that approximates the ideal shape of a restored airfoil. At this point, the actual profile of the welded airfoil is measured using the Coordinate Measuring Machine. The data is then used to generate a deformation profile and the airfoil is machined using the date of the deformation profile to produce that shape. The adaptive technology minimizes the amount of stock on material that needs to be removed by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Beeson, Christopher L. Cahoon, Greg Weaver
  • Patent number: 7797142
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide a simulation of cavitation damage. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method simulates a potential for cavitation damage. According to the method, data defining a modeled component is imported to a flow solver tool. The flow solver tool simulates a liquid that flows through the modeled component. Voids created by the flow of the liquid cause a plurality of vapor implosion pressure events. The method further includes displaying a histogram showing a portion of the modeled component. On the histogram, locations of the plurality of vapor implosion pressure events are visually distinguishable on a surface of the portion of the modeled component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: John B. Salomon, Andrew N. McGilvray, Joseph P. Maruszewski
  • Patent number: 7797075
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a flow process in resin transfer molding can include the steps of pre-infusing a vacuum-assisted resin transfer mold with a liquid. A sequence of the mold pre-infusion step is detected, from which a flow inhomogeneity adjacent the auxiliary infusion gate is determined. Such a flow inhomogeneity can include, for example, a region where air bubbles can collect, leaving a dry spot in the mold that is not adequately reached by flowing liquid or resin. A resin infusion sequence can then be created, including an opening of the auxiliary infusion gate following a passage of resin therepast to prevent the formation of dry spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Zhang, Zhiyong Liang, Hsu-Pin Wang
  • Patent number: 7797143
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product to facilitate the analysis and monitoring of stream and river conditions, with emphasis on Natural Channel Design. To this end, the invention uses and processes channel data to provide analysis and monitoring information and optimized channel design information. The channel data is automatically accessed from a database that includes channel data derived from a plurality of geomorphological sources and user inputs. The channel data is located and otherwise determined in response to user input and is used to derive optimized channel design information. This channel design information may be used to implement specific preventive and restorative practices appropriate to realize stable and ecologically appropriate characteristics for a given target reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: FMSM Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Belcher, J. George Athanasakes
  • Publication number: 20100223040
    Abstract: A method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid using a local model is disclosed herein. The method includes generating, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property. The method further includes evaluating, based upon a set of specified values of parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion. The values of the first order term and the second order term are then compared. A value of the thermophysical property is then automatically updated when the values of the first order term and the second order term are found to differ by more than a predefined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Van Peursem, Gang Xu
  • Patent number: 7788073
    Abstract: A process for determining the strength of a plate-type heat exchanger includes computing the temperature stresses of the plate-type heat exchanger within the heat exchanger during its operation by a three-dimensional numerical simulation. Based on the computed temperature stresses, the strength of the plate-type heat exchanger is determined. The process for producing a plate-type heat exchanger with separating plates and profiles of metal uses this strength determination for establishing one or more mechanical parameters of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is manufactured with the one or more mechanical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhold Hölzl
  • Publication number: 20100217180
    Abstract: A method of modeling a patient's peritoneal dialysis drain phase includes (i) modeling a first segment of a drain phase curve as having a constant flowrate; (ii) modeling a second segment of a drain phase curve as having a decaying exponential flowrate; and (iii) incorporating a switching component into the first and second components so that (a) at a first time the first segment is active and while the second segment is inactive and (b) at a second time the first segment is inactive and while the second segment is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.
    Inventors: Alp Akonur, Ying-Cheng Lo
  • Patent number: 7783370
    Abstract: A system for facilitating configuration of a process plant may include a process graphics editor and a process module editor. The process graphics editor may facilitate creation and/or modification of a graphical representation of physical entities in the process plant. The process module editor may facilitate creation and/or modification of a process module. A process module may include one or more interconnected process objects representative of one or more corresponding physical entities in the process plant. The system may also include a supervisor module communicatively coupled to the process graphics editor and the process module editor. The supervisor module may be capable of detecting changes made to the graphical representation of the physical entities using the process graphics editor. In response to detecting such changes, the supervisor module may instruct the process module editor to make a corresponding change, if any, to a process module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Nixon, Arthur Webb, J. Michael Lucas, Ken J. Beoughter, Terrence L. Blevins, Stephen Gilbert, Bruce Campney
  • Publication number: 20100211512
    Abstract: A computer-implemented land planning system is designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem. The system electronically creates at least one candidate solution to the land development problem. The candidate solution incorporates a number of engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site. A fitness function quantitatively evaluates the candidate solution based on its fitness. A heuristic problem-solving strategy manipulates the engineering measurements of the candidate solution to achieve a more quantitatively fit solution to the land development problem. A computer output device outputs to a user documentation illustrating the fit solution to the land development problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Michael W. Detwiler, James W. Reynolds, JR., Anthony H. Watts, Thomas Baeck, Ron Breukelaar
  • Publication number: 20100204963
    Abstract: Simulation of thermal fluid-structure interaction using bulk flow fluid elements (BFFEs) is described. Each BFFE is configured to include the following characteristics: 1) at least one surrounding layer of solid elements representing either the surrounding structure or the pipe wall; 2) a layer of shell elements or Bulk Node Segments representing the outer boundary of the fluid; 3) a Bulk Node at the center of the BFFE for defining fluid properties (e.g., density, specific heat) and volume (i.e., fluid volume is calculated as the enclosed volume between the Bulk Node and all of the Bulk Node Segments that surround it); 4) a fluid flow beam element or Bulk Node Element for defining fluid flow path to another BFFE; and 5) a contact interface between the solid elements and the shell elements for conducting fluid-structure thermal interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Livermore Software Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur B. Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20100201972
    Abstract: Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Michael A. Lazar
  • Patent number: 7774171
    Abstract: Methods for optimizing at least one operating parameter of an engine component using an experimentally measured 3D flow field involving providing a magnetic resonance imaging machine, providing a model of an engine component, placing the model into the magnetic resonance imaging machine with a fluid flow source for applying an external fluid flow, applying the external fluid flow to the model, collecting data related to the external fluid flow about the model, and optimizing at least one operating parameter of the component using the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chen-Yu Jack Chou, Ching-Pang Lee, David Charles Wisler
  • Publication number: 20100192709
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating atmospheric turbulence for testing optical components. A time varying phase screen representing atmospheric turbulence is generated using Karhunen-Loeve polynomials and a splining technique for generating temporal functions of the noise factor for each Zernike mode. The phase screen is input to a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. A computer display allows the user to set geometric characteristics, and select between methods for generating atmospheric turbulence including Karhunen-Loeve polynomials, Zernike polynomials, and Frozen Seeing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher C. Wilcox, Sergio R. Restaino, Ty Martinez, Scott W. Teare
  • Patent number: 7765090
    Abstract: A swirling flow identification apparatus includes an eigenequation calculation section 3 and a swirl axis calculation section 4. The eigenequation calculation section 3, based on velocity data of a fluid at a coordinate point, calculates an eigenvalue through an eigenequation concerning the coordinate point and the velocity data. The swirl axis calculation section 4, if the eigenvalue is a complex number, defines an imaginary part of the complex number as a swirl function, calculates a coordinate point providing a local maximum value in the swirl function and defines the coordinate point providing the local maximum value as the position of a swirling axis of a swirling flow in the fluid. With this, even under the presence of another flow or a plurality of swirling flow, the swirling flow can be adequately identified by using the velocity vector at each of node points (coordinate points).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Nakayama, Kenji Umeda
  • Publication number: 20100185420
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of computing the motion of solid particles suspended in a fluid comprising: preparing and storing a background flow database containing an inverse evolution matrix and a background field for a given unperturbed computational flow; inputting position and orientation of suspended solid particles; determining projector matrices based on the position and orientation of the suspended solid particles; retrieving reduced space background matrices from the background flow database containing the inverse evolution matrix and the background field for the given unperturbed computational flow; preparing perturbation matrices; and calculating velocity and angular velocity of the suspended solid particles based on the reduced space background matrices and the perturbation matrices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Ejiang Ding
  • Publication number: 20100178644
    Abstract: A simulator simulates interaction between a surgical tool and biological tissue, providing real time visual and/or haptic feedback. The simulator receives tool input device information representative of a user's movement of a physical tool. The simulator simulates, based on the tool input device information, an interaction between the simulated tool and simulated biological tissue. The simulator uses multiple computational threads, some of which provide their calculations to interrelated threads for use. The simulator displays a visual representation of the simulated interaction between the simulated tool and the simulated biological tissue and provides haptic feedback to the user. The threads may operate asynchronously and have different spatial and/or temporal resolutions. Threads may be selectively activated and deactivated. Threads may move their spatial coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SimQuest LLC
    Inventors: Dwight Meglan, Albert Dvornik, Julien Lenoir, Paul S. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20100174516
    Abstract: A method to model a complex system of pipes. The model takes into account the physical processes in a tree-type piping system and provides for an accurate modeling of a real world tree-type piping system. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program is provided for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a computational engine. The user interface allows a model of a dry pipe system to be defined and the computational engine determines a liquid flow time through the model of the dry pipe system. The computational engine provides a verification of the liquid flow time in a model of a referential dry pipe system within 20% of an actual liquid flow time in the referential dry pipe system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: TYCO FIRE PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Alexander NIKOLAYEV, James E. Golinveaux, Michael Flax, Vitaly Kabashnikov, Michael Mahomet, Valeri Mourachko, Leonid Nikolaychik, Thomas Prymak, Valery Popov, Andrey Bril, Valery Babenko, Valery Sosinovich, Wisdom Zoya-Sosinovich
  • Publication number: 20100169062
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for describing the statistical orientation distribution of nonspherical particles in a simulation of a process wherein a mold cavity is filled with a suspension that contains a large number of nonspherical particles. The method and apparatus may be applied to the analysis of an injection molding process for producing a fiber reinforced molded polymer component or of a metal casting process for producing a fiber reinforced metal product. The results of these analyses may be used to determine tension and warping aspects of the component, and to optimize the process conditions used in the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Linn, Matthias Moog
  • Publication number: 20100161298
    Abstract: A method for calculating a force acting on an interface between immiscible fluids in an SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) based fluid simulation includes: calculating a force caused by viscosities of the fluids; calculating a force caused by pressures of the fluids; calculating an external force applied to the fluids from outside; and calculating an interactive force caused by interaction between the fluids. The force acting on the interface between the immiscible fluids are obtained by using sum of the force caused by the viscosities, the force caused by the pressures, the external force and the interactive force. The interactive force is a surface tensional force calculated based on a pressure acting on the interface between the fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Young Hee KIM, Bon Ki Koo
  • Publication number: 20100161299
    Abstract: The present invention is to present a diagnostic support apparatus for diabetes including a diagnostic support information generating unit which generates diagnostic support information of a patient based on a biological model for reproducing a pseudo-response which simulates a result of a glucose tolerance test for the patient. The biological model comprises a plurality of simulated organ blocks which are configured in such manner that inflow and outflow of glucose and/or inflow and outflow of insulin are reciprocally produced between each of the simulated organ blocks. The plurality of the simulated organ blocks respectively calculate at least one of a cumulative quantity and a concentration of glucose and/or at least one of a cumulative quantity and a concentration of insulin in the respective simulated organ blocks, based on a quantity of inflow and outflow of glucose and/or a quantity of inflow and outflow of insulin in the respective simulated organ blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi SEIKE, Yoshihiko Tashima
  • Publication number: 20100160896
    Abstract: A catheterization device that may be designed by use of an adaptive genetic algorithm computational fluid dynamics approach, as well as other Global Optimization methods that may include simulated annealing, multistart and interval methods, continuous branch and bound methods, evolutionary algorithms, and tabu search and scatter search methods, as well as other available Global Optimization methods that is able to maximize/optimize the dwell time of an infused agent in the vicinity of a vascular lesion. The device may have an internal by-pass channel that allows the blood upstream of the lesion to continue its pulsatile flow through the vessel in the part of it occluded by the lesion, while simultaneously allowing the disbursement and maximal dwell time of an antithrombolytic or other diagnostic or therapeutic agent needed to treat the lesion. Different embodiments of the catheterization device are disclosed and indications for the use of these devices in the treatment of vascular diseases are discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. C. Humphrey, George T. Gillies
  • Patent number: 7739088
    Abstract: A method simulating an occurrence of an air pocket in an object to be coated is provided with steps of: setting an initial boundary element; setting an element having a common nodal point with the initial boundary element as a flanking element; analyzing the flanking element; setting the analyzed flanking element as a secondary boundary element; setting an element having a common nodal point with the secondary boundary element as a flanking element; analyzing the flanking element; and determining whether there is a remaining flanking element. When there is a remaining flanking element, a secondary boundary setting step and a second analysis step are repeatedly performed, until no remaining flanking element is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jianrong Shen
  • Publication number: 20100132450
    Abstract: Methods for optimizing petroleum reservoir analysis and sampling using a real-time component wherein heterogeneities in fluid properties exist. The methods help predict the recovery performance of oil such as, for example, heavy oil, which can be adversely impacted by fluid property gradients present in the reservoir. Additionally, the methods help optimize sampling schedules of the reservoir, which can reduce overall expense and increase sampling efficiency. The methods involve the use of analytical techniques for accurately predicting one or more fluid properties that are not in equilibrium in the reservoir. By evaluating the composition of downhole fluid samples taken from the reservoir using sensitive analytical techniques, an accurate base model of the fluid property of interest can be produced. With the base model in hand, real-time data can be obtained and compared to the base model in order to further define the fluid property of interest in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Soraya S. Betancourt, Shawn D. Taylor, Katherine A. Rojas, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20100138201
    Abstract: The layout and configuration of wind turbines in a wind power plant includes identifying constraints of a power plant site and defining at least one region in the site for placement of a plurality of wind turbines. The wind state at the region in the site is determined. An actual wind condition at the various possible wind turbine locations within the site is determined by modeling the wind state with wake effects at the respective wind turbine locations, the wake effects resulting from cumulative placement of other wind turbines at various locations in the region. Individual wind turbine configuration and location within the region is then selected as a function of the actual wind conditions that each of the individual wind turbine locations to optimize power output of the individual wind turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Chris Henry Gundling
  • Patent number: 7729809
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product to calculate global energy utility targets and to model and determine an optimal solution for a non-thermodynamically constrained process or cluster of processes subject to non-thermodynamic constraints under all possible process changes and streams specific minimum temperature approaches, are provided. An exemplary system can utilize thermodynamic constraints exhibited in stream-specific minimum temperature approach values ?Tmini as optimization parameters, in addition to other process conditions degrees of freedom including the addition of new waste heat carrier streams to target for minimizing energy consumption of the non-thermodynamic constrained waste heat recovery problem and to identify the optimal operating conditions that result in desired minimum energy consumption subject to the non-thermodynamic constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mahmoud Bahy Noureldin
  • Publication number: 20100130878
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and process for characterizing aspects of vascular scenarios is described, and includes an input module and a database. The system also includes access to a FSI solver. The FSI solver accepts information from the input module and the database, and uses the accepted information to model a vascular site of interest and provide results from modeling the vascular site of interest. The system also includes interfaces for transmitting information from the input module and the database to the FSI solver and for receiving the results from the FSI solver, and an ensemble of analysis modules which is coupled to the interface for receiving results. The ensemble of analysis modules compares various treatment options, allows before-and-after comparisons of aspects of the vascular site of interest and provides quantitative assessments of parameters of interest describing the vascular site of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andras Lasso, Ferenc Nasztanovics
  • Patent number: 7725301
    Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating multi-phase fluid rates in a subterranean well (10). Stored and measured static (40) and transient (44) well conditions are used to model well conditions for comparison against additional transient data (42) relating to temperature, pressure, and flow. Multi-phase fluid rates are estimated by iteratively comparing well conditions with the model (30) for the well (10). Multi-phase fluid flow estimates may be obtained for the various liquid and gaseous fluids in the well (10) at multiple well locations (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Welldynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Piyush C. Shah, Kerry L. Kendrick