Fluid Patents (Class 703/9)
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Patent number: 7369979Abstract: A method for forecasting performance for and characterizing the properties of a multilayer low permeability gas reservoir. The method includes a coupled well/reservoir predictive model that accounts for pressure drop between layers, allowing accurate, rigorous, and rapid forecasting of reservoir performance. The method provides estimates of individual layer properties such as in-situ permeability, skin factor, fracture half-length, fracture conductivity, drainage area, etc. by simultaneously history matching production data and production log data using the coupled well/reservoir predictive model.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Inventor: John Paul Spivey
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Patent number: 7359841Abstract: The Space-Time Mapping Analysis (STMA) method and system provides an engineering method and/or system for modeling and/or analyzing and/or designing and/or building and/or operating complex physical processes, components, devices, and phenomena. STMA can be used in a way for modifying and/or improving the design of many different products, components, processes, and devices, for example. Any physical system, whether existing or proposed, which exhibits, for example, unsteady flow phenomena, might be modeled by the STMA. Thus, STMA can be implemented as a part of an engineering system for design improvements and/or modifications and/or evaluations. The STMA system and/or method uses a space-time mapping technique wherein the space and time directions are treated in an equivalent way, such that, rather than solving a three-dimensional unsteady problem by sweeping in the time direction from an initial point in time to a final point in time, the problem is solved as a four-dimensional problem in space-time.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Hixon Technologies, Ltd.Inventor: Duane R. Hixon
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Patent number: 7356411Abstract: A method for interpreting transient electromagnetic survey data includes measuring transient response of a medium over a plurality of switching events. The measured transient response to a first one of the current switching events is modeled. Transient response to the model for at least one current switching event prior in time to the at least a first current switching event is calculated. The calculated transient response is summed with the first event measured response and the sum is compared to the electromagnetic survey measurements. The model is adjusted and the calculating summed transient responses is repeated until a difference between the summed calculated responses and the survey measurements falls below a selected threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Charles H. Stoyer, Kurt M. Strack
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Publication number: 20080082304Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the monitoring and diagnosis of a process control system and any elements thereof is disclosed with a specific premise of abnormal situation prevention in a heat exchanger. Monitoring and diagnosis of faults in a heat exchanger includes statistical analysis techniques, such as regression and load following. In particular, on-line process data is collected from an operating heat exchanger. A statistical analysis is used to develop a regression model of the process. The output may use a variety of parameters from the model and may include normalized process variables based on the training data, and process variable limits or model components. Each of the outputs may be used to generate visualizations for process monitoring and diagnostics and perform alarm diagnostics to detect abnormal situations in the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: John P. MILLER
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Publication number: 20080082295Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the monitoring and diagnosis of a process control system and any elements thereof is disclosed with a specific premise of abnormal situation prevention in a coker heater of a coker unit in a product refining process. Monitoring and diagnosis of faults in a coker heater includes statistical analysis techniques, such as regression. In particular, on-line process data is collected from an operating coker heater in a coker area of a refinery. A statistical analysis is used to develop a regression model of the process. The output may use a variety of parameters from the model and may include normalized process variables based on the training data, and process variable limits or model components. Each of the outputs may be used to generate visualizations for process monitoring and diagnostics and perform alarm diagnostics to detect abnormal situations in the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Ravi KANT, John Philip Miller, Joseph H. Sharpe, Tautho Hai Nguyen
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Patent number: 7353113Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for assessing aquatic environments. Initially, the user measures biological, geomorphological and physiological parameters, quantitatively, semi-quantitatively and qualitatively in the field, guided by the computer software of the present invention, and enters the data obtained from such measurements entered into a handheld computer processing means running the computer software of the present invention. Then, the data is transferred into a desktop computer processing means for automated analysis, processing, reporting of field data, and production of various user reports through the synchronized, compatible desktop software of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Inventors: Michael C. Sprague, Sarah G. Hughes, William Procunier
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Patent number: 7349832Abstract: Realistic sprays for simulated fluids are created by adding a set of spray particles to a boundary region just below the fluid surface. The fluid surface is determined by solving a level set equation for a zero level corresponding to the fluid surface. Additionally, the boundary region is determined by solving the level set equation for a non-zero level corresponding to a surface at the specified depth from the fluid surface. The set of spray particles inherit an initial state, for example a velocity, from the fluid simulation. Subsequent motion of the spray particles is determined according to a ballistic simulation, rather than a fluid simulation, thereby substantially reducing the computational burden required to animate the fluid. Spray particles that sink below a specified depth from the fluid surface are removed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: PixarInventor: John Anderson
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Patent number: 7349833Abstract: A coupled level set projection method is incorporated into a finite-difference-based ink-jet simulation method to make the simulation easier and faster to run and to decrease the memory requirements. The coupled level set projection method is based on a central difference discretization on uniform rectangular grids. A constructed numerical projection operator, in the form of either a finite difference projection operator or a finite element projection operator, can be used in the central difference scheme, in which case the resulting linear systems can be solved by a multi-grid method. The finite difference projection operator is used when the fluid velocity is located at grid points and the pressure at cell centers, whereas the finite element projection operator is used when the fluid velocity is located at cell centers and the pressure at grid points.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Jiun-Der Yu
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Patent number: 7349831Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product to facilitate the analysis and monitoring of stream and river conditions, with emphasis on Natural River 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: FMSM Engineers, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Belcher, J. George Athanasakes
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Patent number: 7343274Abstract: A probe cell monitors conditions within electrical power transmission and switchgear apparatus to detect degradation of stressed components. The probe cell is a hardware simulation of components of a specific unit of electrical power apparatus, including electrodes between which an electric field gradient is established. The probe cell electrodes accumulate contamination at a rate related to accumulation rate on components of working apparatus. In a typical embodiment, a probe cell installed within an enclosure shares the insulating, hydrocarbon-based immersion fluid of the apparatus. Because the probe cell can be invasively tested and results recorded as often as desired without deenergizing the actual apparatus, degradation of the apparatus can be predicted with high confidence, avoiding unnecessary maintenance as well as unexpected catastrophic failure. Potential reduction in unproductive preventive maintenance while avoiding emergency repairs can offset probe cell cost.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Waukesha Electric Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Golner, Shirish P. Mehta, Jeffrey J. Nemec
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Patent number: 7343605Abstract: Applications to be connected, particularly MES (manufacturing execution system) applications, as well as the communications mechanisms are depicted in the object model of the framework (IF; IF meaning industrial framework) by using wrappers and/or adapters and, as a result, can be manipulated in a uniformly homogenous manner in the framework. The invention is advantageous in that the very heterogeneous structures of the applications are depicted on a common model and can be comfortably and easily used by a user by means of generic mechanisms. That is to say that the effort of programming is eliminated and, as a result, this communication can be easily projected by establishing a so-called connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dirk Langkafel, Elmar Thurner
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Publication number: 20080046202Abstract: A method for designing an absorbent article. The steps of the method are generating a physical spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a physical test environment, generating a virtual spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a virtual test environment, identifying absorbent-fluid interaction properties for the absorbent such that the virtual spatial map of saturation approximates the physical spatial map of saturation, inputting the absorbent-fluid interaction properties into a virtual model of the absorbent article to produce a representation of at least one feature of the absorbent article, evaluating the virtual model of the absorbent article to determine the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article, modifying the design of the absorbent article in response to the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article determined from the virtual model of the absorbent article.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Mel Allende-Blanco, Brian Bert Anderson, William Handy Hartt, Paul Martin Lipic, Mattias Schmidt, Douglas Gregory Stevens, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger
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Publication number: 20080046189Abstract: A method for measuring the partially saturated fluid transport properties of an absorbent. The steps of the method are generating a physical spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a physical test environment, generating a virtual spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a virtual test environment, and identifying the absorbent-fluid interaction properties for the absorbent such that the virtual spatial map of saturation approximates the physical spatial map of saturation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Mel Allende-Blanco, Brian Bert Anderson, William Handy Hartt, Paul Martin Lipic, Mattias Schmidt, Douglas Gregory Stevens, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger
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Publication number: 20080046223Abstract: The method optimizes the development of a heterogeneous porous medium within the context of enhanced recovery of a fluid in place, by fast determination of the position of the front separating a sweeping fluid and the fluid in places having application for development of oil reservoirs or gas. The velocity field in the neighbourhood of the front is determined only once by means of a flow simulator. Then a relation describing the position of the front in the heterogeneous medium is defined by freedom from the viscous coupling by means of the perturbation theory, and by accounting for the velocity fluctuations in the front advance direction and the velocity fluctuations in the direction perpendicular to the front advance direction. Finally, for each time interval, the position of the front is reconstructed by means of a fast Fourier transform and injection of the sweeping fluid is optimized according to the position of said front.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: BENOIT NOETINGER, PAVEL SPESIVTSEV
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Patent number: 7333925Abstract: A complex Fourier transform is performed on measured values of wall thickness at points in a cross section of a pipe in an axial direction, types of thickness deviation are classified, thickness deviation amount is calculated from the absolute value of the complex Fourier component, the position of a thick or thin portion of thickness deviation is calculated from the phase of the complex Fourier component, and manufacturing conditions of the pipe are adjusted based on these variables. The relationship r·exp(j?) between the thickness deviation amount r and phase ? of a first-order thickness deviation obtained for cross sections in the axial direction is subjected to a complex Fourier transform as a function of pipe longitudinal direction, the thickness deviation is further classified by the frequency of twist of the thickness deviation, and an action is taken to prevent the thickness deviation according to the classified thickness deviation.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Akihito Yamane
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Patent number: 7328139Abstract: The invention concerns a method for extracting a geological horizon and related properties of a seismic representation, comprising a step (100) which consists in digital modeling with continuous local seismic traces, calculating the optimal offset and defining a conditional neighbourhood of a reference central continuous local seismic trace; a step (101) which consists in defining a two-dimensional matrix whereof the line and column indices correspond to the coordinates of the geophones; a third step (102) which consists in selecting a seed point; a fourth step (103) which consists in determining the point vertically closest to the seed point and a fifth step (104) which consists in assigning to the point P(p,q,t) the value P(p,q,t+hij,pq,k), where hij,pq,k is optimal offset of the neighbouring point P(i,j,k), so as to estimate the related properties of the conditional neighbourhood thereby filling the two-dimensional extraction matrix of step (101).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Earth Decision SciencesInventors: Jean-Claude Dulac, Fabien Bosquet, Emmanuel Labrunye
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Patent number: 7323125Abstract: A method for analyzing injection molding conditions, which takes into consideration the compressibility of molten resin in a barrel and mechanical delays in resin flow caused by constituent elements of an injection molding machine and analysis results thereof are provided. In a method for analyzing injection molding conditions in which, by using input data having shape data (31) and injection conditions data (37) to perform flow analysis of the process of filling the inside of the mold with molten resin, analysis of the pressure maintenance process from the filling with molten resin to the gate sealing, and analysis of the cooling process within the mold after gate sealing, the pressure and temperature distributions of resin within the mold are calculated, data (43) regarding compressibility of molten resin held in the barrel of the cylinder and mechanical data caused by constituent elements of the injection molding machine are added to the input data.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuo Uwaji, Kimio Akazawa, Takashi Mizuno, Kenji Tsutsui, Kouji Kuwabara
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Patent number: 7318013Abstract: A method for simulating cuttings re-injection in a wellbore, that includes defining a mass balance equation for a solids bed, defining a mass balance equation for a suspension solids, segmenting the wellbore into a plurality of elements, wherein each element includes a plurality of nodes, segmenting a simulation into a plurality of time intervals, and for each the plurality of time intervals: simulating cuttings re-injection by solving the mass balance equation for the solids bed and the mass balance equation for the suspension solids for each of the plurality of nodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: M-I, L.L.C.Inventors: Quanxin Guo, Thomas Geehan
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Patent number: 7302372Abstract: A method and system for optimization of a simplified engineering model is provided. A software tool efficiently simplifies an engineering model such as a water distribution system and preserves the hydraulic accuracy of the simplified model. The system includes a software program that employs a genetic algorithm to evolve solutions for reinstating the behavior of the original network into a simplified network. The genetic algorithm can be used for identifying the less sensitive hydraulic elements (links and nodes), and removing them or replacing them with the best-fit element parameters produced by the genetic algorithm module of the present invention. A element-by-element skeletonization approach generates the layout of a skeleton network and then identifies potential equivalent elements for replacing series pipes and loops.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Bentley Systems, IncorporatedInventors: Zheng Y. Wu, Wayne R. Hartell, Jack S. Cook, Jr., Robert F. Mankowski, Gregg A. Herrin
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Patent number: 7295956Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses interval techniques to solve a multi-objective optimization problem. During operation, the system receives a representation of multiple objective functions (ƒ1, . . . , ƒn) at a computer system, wherein (ƒ1, . . . , ƒn) are scalar functions of a vector x=(x1, . . . , xn). The system also receives a representation of a domain of interest for the multiple objective functions. Next, the system performs an interval optimization process to compute guaranteed bounds on a Pareto front for the objective functions (ƒ1, . . . , fn), wherein for each point on the Pareto front, an improvement in one objective function cannot be made without adversely affecting at least one other objective function. While performing the interval optimization process, the system applies a direct-comparison technique between subdomains of the domain of interest to eliminate subdomains that are certainly dominated by other subdomains.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, IncInventor: Gregory R. Ruetsch
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Publication number: 20070244645Abstract: A gas-condition predicting device includes an auxiliary storage device for storing each atmospheric condition in association with gas flow-field data in a target area under the atmospheric condition; a meteorological-modeling unit for calculating, using a meteorological model calculation, meteorological parameters at a plurality of evaluation points defined in an enlarged area that includes the target area and that is larger than the target area; and an extraction unit for determining atmospheric conditions in the target area from the meteorological parameters calculated by the meteorological-modeling unit and extracting from the auxiliary memory device gas flow-field data corresponding to the atmospheric conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tomohiro Hara, Ryoji Ohba, Kazuki Okabayashi, Jiro Yoneda, Akinori Kochi, Shigehiro Nukatsuka
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Patent number: 7283941Abstract: A method for modeling fluid depletion in a reservoir is disclosed. A map is divided into cells. For each of the cells a value is stored that is based at least in part on a physical characteristic of the cell. At least one cell that contains a depletion location is identified along with a depletion amount corresponding to that location. An amount of walkers associated with the depletion location is determined. For each walker, a plurality of steps are calculated with each step to an adjacent cell. Each walker starts in the cell containing the depletion location associated with that walker. The visits of all the walkers are recorded by cell. The fluid depletion of each cell is then assessed based at least in part on the number of walker visits for each cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Swanson Consulting Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel H. Horowitz, Gregory A. Stevens, Donald C. Swanson, Jeffrey S. Swanson
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Patent number: 7277771Abstract: To regulate the passage structure of a foaming die and the injected amount of foaming material, the flow behavior of the foaming material is analyzed by obtaining a flow velocity and a pressure by inputting the density as a function, including the elapsed time from the passage through an injection port to the foaming die and the thickness, and substituting a calculated density in equations of continuity and motion. In the analysis, the viscosity of the foaming material is used as a function including a time term. The boundary and molding conditions are corrected when the calculation does not converge. The density and pressure distributions of the foaming material are determined when the calculation converges. When the density and pressure distributions depart from design tolerances, the foaming passage structure and foaming material injected amount are regulated by an analysis program that corrects the model form, physical property or molding condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Kono, Junichi Saeki
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Patent number: 7277837Abstract: A method for generating hydrologically correct flow vectors based on elevation data in a watershed which includes any one or more of depressions, flat areas and peaks. The watershed is typically divided into a plurality of major cells each of which encompasses a plurality of minor cells, and a user selects one or more major cells for which flow vectors are desired. Flow vectors are then calculated pursuant to the D8 method and assigned to those minor cells in the selected major cell and in surrounding major cells for which an optimal D8 solution is possible. The remaining minor cells are designated as zero vector cells and include those cells located in the problem areas. The method then generates flow vectors for minor cells in all depressions, flat areas and peaks, in that order, which exist in the selected major cells.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Grayson Minton, Jr.
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Publication number: 20070225955Abstract: The present invention displays a map, let a user to input a starting point and an ending point in a bank breakage section on the map, and shows a broken place on the map with a line connecting the starting point and the ending point. Further, the present invention calculates the direction of the flow quantity in bank breakage by calculating the normal line to the side of the inside area of the bank at the input broken place and make the it discrete in the calculation grids of the inundation simulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Iwamura, Tsutomu Ikeda
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Patent number: 7257520Abstract: A numerical method operating within a processor-based environment for predicting the fill pattern and coating pressure distribution for a substrate in a computer simulation of an in-mold coating flow within a two-dimensional flow domain having a plurality of possible inlet nodes for injection, which includes the steps of initializing pressure and thickness change of the substrate for at least one of the inlet nodes, determining which of the inlet nodes are newly filled nodes and new flow front nodes, calculating pressure for the newly filled nodes; updating thickness and coating volume of the substrate, checking if pressure and time step have converged, and updating pressure and time step and returning to the pressure calculation step if pressure and time step calculations have not converged, and determining whether the substrate is filled, and updating filling time and returning to the determining step if the substrate is not filled.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignees: Omnova Solutions, Inc., The Ohio State UniversityInventors: Jose M. Castro, Elliott J. Straus, Xu Chen
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Patent number: 7254523Abstract: A selectively reduced bi-cubic interpolation on quadrilateral grids for level set re-distancing improves finite-difference-based ink-jet simulation. The “bi-cubic” nature of the interpolation helps the scheme conserve droplet mass. The “selectively reduced” logic prevents the higher-order simulation algorithm from introducing new instability factors.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Jiun-Der Yu
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Patent number: 7251563Abstract: A method for estimating a suspended sediment distribution in an ocean region. The method includes receiving time-dependent variables including wave height, wave period, wave propagation direction, steady current magnitude, steady current direction, and water depth, and an estimate of bottom sediment distribution, calculating a new bottom sediment distribution using a sediment suspension and advection module, calculating a concentration of sediment by size at a plurality of depths using an ocean bottom boundary layer hydrodynamic module. A central module uses C++ language to transfer calculations from the sediment suspension and advection module and the ocean bottom boundary layer hydrodynamic module.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Timothy R. Keen
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Patent number: 7251592Abstract: A method for analyzing performance of an airfoil includes determining: an estimated laminar separation location; a freestream turbulence intensity; a momentum thickness; and a turbulence length scale. Based upon the freestream turbulence intensity, momentum thickness, and turbulence length scale, a first momentum thickness Reynolds number associated with a first estimated laminar/turbulent boundary transition location along the airfoil is determined. If the estimated laminar separation location is downstream of the first estimated transition, the first estimated transition is used to determine a spatial domain for running a turbulent flow model. If the estimated laminar separation location is upstream of the first estimated transition, a second estimated transition location is used to determine a spatial domain for running the turbulent flow model.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Praisner, Eric A. Grover
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Patent number: 7251591Abstract: A consistent back pressure formulation is introduced into ink-jet simulation models and algorithms to solve an instability problem that occurs as the head of an ink droplet reaches the end of the solution domain during simulation. The consistent back pressure formulation is obtained in a way that is consistent with the idea of interface smearing. Formulas for calculating the pressure boundary condition on quadrilateral grids are disclosed. An ink-jet simulation example is given to demonstrate the improved models and algorithms.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Jiun-Der Yu, Shinri Sakai
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Patent number: 7243719Abstract: A method for determining a rate of change of longitudinal direction of a subterranean borehole is provided. The method includes positioning a downhole tool in a borehole, the tool including first and second surveying devices disposed thereon. The method further includes causing the surveying devices to measure a longitudinal direction of the borehole at first and second longitudinal positions and processing the longitudinal directions of the borehole at the first and second positions to determine the rate of change of longitudinal direction of the borehole between the first and second positions. The method may further include processing the measured rate of change of longitudinal direction of the borehole and a predetermined rate of change of longitudinal direction to control the direction of drilling of the subterranean borehole.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: PathFinder Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Emilio Baron, Stephen Jones
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Patent number: 7243057Abstract: A method of incorporating effects of solid dynamic objects into each discrete time step of a fluid simulation in a high quality fashion on Cartesian grids. The method relies on modifying the fluid velocity field within regions internal to the solid objects prior to the calculation of advection and pressure effects such that the sub voxel details of the solid objects are accurately represented. The modification of the velocities is based on allowing maximal freedom of fluid movement under the constraints the occlusions impose. Additionally, the solid objects are optionally represented in a unified level set fashion such that the computations required for modifying the fluid velocity are efficient. The overall result of this improved method rivals the quality of that achieved with the more complex curvilinear grid approach.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Frantic Films CorporationInventors: Benjamin B. Houston, Mark Wiebe
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Patent number: 7239990Abstract: The invention provides a method of simulating behavior of a flow interacting with an object. The invention improves the accuracy of the approximation of the spatial pth derivative Dp, p?1, and therefore reduces the cost of the simulation. It includes in the approximation values of the parameter at points which do not lay on grid lines passing through the point of computation P, and by using these values to optimize the approximation. The use of these additional points depends on a preferential direction, such as determined by the advection direction of the flow. The points used in the approximation extend beyond a unit cube on the computational grid. The simulation is in three or more dimensions. The numerical simulation produces output which can be used in the design or optimization of the object which interacts with the flow. In certain cases, it is the output by itself which is important.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Inventor: Robert Struijs
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Patent number: 7225112Abstract: A conversion check apparatus and a conversion checking method notifies an operator of a difference between a generated analytic model and a three-dimensional model before conversion. The difference in volume between the original three-dimensional model before conversion and the analytic model after conversion by the data conversion unit is obtained by a volume calculation facility unit, the difference in surface area is obtained by a surface area calculation facility unit, and the difference in barycenter position is obtained by the barycenter calculation facility unit. The obtained results are displayed on a conversion check display facility unit. Based on the displayed contents, the operator can appropriately evaluate the analytic model.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yasushi Uraki
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Patent number: 7209873Abstract: A general, closed, anisotropic kinetic turbulence theory for gases and liquids is based on new solutions of the Maxwell moment equations of the Boltzmann equations. These solutions provide a closed initial equation set for the four time average fluid mechanic variables, the sixteen time average thermal motion correlation and the sixteen time average turbulent motion correlations listed in Table I.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Inventor: James R. Kliegel
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Patent number: 7206724Abstract: A method for determining the shape of a scroll cage for a forward-curved centrifugal blower wheel in a blower housing having a blower cut-off end including determining the blower wheel dimensions, determining the blower wheel clearance, determining the distance from the center of the blower wheel to the discharge point of the scroll cage at the tangential point of the scroll cage and the blower housing, selecting a diffusing angle, calculating a development angle and plotting the scroll cage profile in polar coordinates. The method can include iteratively adjusting the diffusing angle and re-plotting the scroll cage profile and running simulations to determine the optimum profile.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Yuqi Chen
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Patent number: 7200539Abstract: A method for predicting the on-set of sand production or critical drawdown pressure (CDP) in high flow rate gas wells. The method describes the perforation and open-hole cavity stability incorporating both rock and fluid mechanics fundamentals. The pore pressure gradient is calculated using the non-Darcy gas flow equation and coupled with the stress-state for a perfectly Mohr-Coulomb material. Sand production is assumed to initiate when the drawdown pressure condition induces tensile stresses across the cavity face. Both spherical and cylindrical models are presented. The spherical model is suitable for cased and perforated applications while the cylindrical model is used for a horizontal open-hole completion.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: See Hong Ong, Gangerico G. Ramos, Ziqiong Zheng
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Patent number: 7188058Abstract: A dynamic range relaxation algorithm is applied to simulate borehole failure under a variety of stress conditions. The borehole and its neighborhood are modeled by a number of regions by a plurality of interconnected nodes. The bonds between the nodes may be modeled as springs, rods, or beams. The strength of the bonds has a statistical variation to accurately simulate real world situations. The model may include, in addition to the borehole and the far earth formations, a liner, a casing, and/or a gravel pack. Simulation is carried out for different strength of the bonds.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Humphrey H. Hardy, Mamdouh M. Salama
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Patent number: 7177787Abstract: Method intended for real-time modelling, by neural networks, of hydrodynamic characteristics of multiphase flows in transient phase in pipes. In order to specifically take account of the possible flow regimes of fluids in pipes, various neural or “expert” models are formed for several flow regimes (or subregimes) in the whole of the variation range of the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flows (preferably for each one of them), as well as a neural model estimating the probability of belonging of the flows to each flow regime or subregime, knowing some of the characteristics thereof. The probabilities obtained are used for weighting the estimations delivered by each neural model, the result of the weighted sum being then the estimation eventually retained. Applications to various industries and notably for modelling of hydrocarbon flows in pipelines.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Isabelle Rey-Fabret, Véronique Henriot, Quang-Huy Tran
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Patent number: 7152017Abstract: The numerical analysis system of the invention analyzes the dynamical state of the compressible fluid employing Hybrid Grid Adaptation Method by Finite Volume Method. The initial grid data are created by way of free combination of tetrahedral cells, hexahedral cells and pentahedral cells. The divide-delete index is calculated according to the density of the fluid in each cell. A triangular face of the cell is divided into triangular faces and the quadrilateral face is divided into quadrilateral faces when the cell is divided. The cell is divided only when three conditions are satisfied. The first condition is that the volume of the cell is greater than the minimum volume. The second is that the dividing level of the cell is not the maximum level. The third is that the divide-delete index is greater than the dividing threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Keio UniversityInventors: Takahiko Tanahashi, Tomohiko Jimbo
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Patent number: 7149671Abstract: A method and system for predicting the behavior of a physical system are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of this invention comprises the steps of creating an equation in a first coordinate system to model an aspect of the physical system; applying a coordinate transformation to the equation to transform the equation from the first coordinate system into a second coordinate system more closely representative of an analytical solution to the equation; solving the equation in the second coordinate system to obtain a solution; transforming the solution back to the first coordinate system; creating a second equation in the first coordinate system to model a second aspect of the physical system; solving the second equation in the first coordinate system to obtain a solution to the second equation; and combining the mapped solution to the first equation and the solution to the second equation in the first coordinate system to obtain a combined solution.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Object Reservoir, Inc.Inventors: Kok-Thye Lim, Stephen R. Kennon
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Patent number: 7146304Abstract: The Lane and Front-end Effectiveness Model (LFEM) is a self-contained PC desktop application that allows an analyst to quantitatively predict the impact of changes to their checkout operations. This application, according to the present invention, includes four simulation models representing the complex interactions between customers, staff, and checkstand resources. Three of these models are detailed lane models and the fourth is a store front-end checkout model. An analyst can use the LFEM to evaluate, in detail, different checkstand configurations and transaction processes and the effect these changes have on overall front-end performance. The purpose of this application is to provide retailers with timely information to reduce the risk and uncertainties of investing in new technologies or design changes by predicting their impact and return before committing resources to their acquisition or implementation.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: Charles R. Cash, William Douglas Poynter
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Patent number: 7136756Abstract: A real-time hydrologic modeling system to determine the hydrologic properties a selected geographic region. In a preferred embodiment, a drainage network of individual cells is created for the geographic region. The outflow of a selected cell within the drainage network is determined by solving the runoff from cells upstream of the selected cells until the flow of all upstream cells is known. The flow value of a cell is based upon factors such as runon, infiltration, and precipitation. In another embodiment the outflow of a selected cell is determined by setting simulated flow rates to equal measured flow rates at observation points upstream of the selected cell and within the drainage network. The flow rates of cells upstream of the observation points are adjusted proportionally based on hydrologic quantities of runoff, precipitation and drainage area to determine the outflow of the selected cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Vieux and Associates, Inc.Inventors: Baxter E. Vieux, Matthew C. Lawrence, Ryan M. Hoes
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Patent number: 7130780Abstract: An array of electrically isolated electrode pairs in combination with a specially configured processor, e.g., a personal computer, is employed to obtain a continuous real-time acquisition, processing, mapping and visualization of fluid washover. In a specific application, washover data are collected on salient electrical characteristics of seawater accumulating between electrodes of an electrode pair, one of which may be a common ground plane. For example, the resistance of seawater is measured dynamically at each electrode pair. These data are then processed using specialized software to yield representation of the dynamics of selected washover events on a surface of interest. Described systems specifically provide real-time spatial and temporal representations of interaction, including two and three-dimensional visualization of the washover, as well as recording selected data for future use. Methods of employment of the system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Norbert E. Yankielun, James H. Clark
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Patent number: 7130782Abstract: A gas flow simulation method includes setting an imaginary object model such as a sphere model having at least one concavity, convexity, groove or projection formed thereon by means of a computer. A spatial part on a periphery of the imaginary object model is set. A surface of the imaginary object model and the spatial part is divided into a large number of blocks to form a large number of latticed divisions by lattice points. A gas flows to the imaginary object model from one direction of the spatial part. A motion element of a flow of the gas in the spatial part for each latticed division or for each latticed point is computed, with the gas flowing in the spatial part and passing along the surface of the imaginary object model. The flow of the gas on the periphery of the imaginary object model is simulated.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Akio Miyori, Masaki Shiraishi, Kazuhiro Fujisawa, Takahiro Sajima
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Patent number: 7127380Abstract: A graphical user interface, together with a comparable scripting interface, couples a plurality of finite element, finite volume, or finite difference analytical programs and permits iterative convergence of multiple programs through one set of predefined commands. The user is permitted to select the joint problem for solution by choosing program selections. Data linkages that couple the program are predefined by an expert system administrator to permit less skilled modelers access to a comprehensive and multifaceted solution that would not be possible for the less skilled modelers to complete absent the graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Iverson, Daron A. Isaac
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Patent number: 7117138Abstract: Methods for finite-difference-based inkjet simulation enable more precise control of ink droplet size and shape. A discrete transformation (mapping) is constructed so that a quadrilateral grid in physical space is transferred to the uniform square grid in a computational space. Since the grid in the computational space is square, numerical finite difference differentiation can be easily done. Governing partial differential equations, including a viscosity term, a surface tension term, and a level set convection equation for two-phase flows, are derived on the quadrilateral grid and then transformed to the computational space for application on the uniform square grid. A stable and powerful numerical algorithm is developed to solve the derived and transformed equations to enable finite-difference-based ink-jet simulation.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Jiun-Der Yu, Shinri Sakai
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Patent number: 7110835Abstract: Graphic displays, which display information about process elements and the manner in which these elements are connected within a process, process modules, which simulate the operation of the elements depicted within the graphic displays and control modules, which perform on-line control activities within a process, may be communicatively connected together to provide a combined control, simulation and display environment that enables enhanced control, simulation and display activities. Smart process objects, which have both graphical and simulation elements, may used to create one or more graphic displays and one or more process simulation modules, each having elements which may communicate with one another to share data between the graphic displays and the process modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Terrence Blevins, Mark Nixon, Michael Lucas, Arthur Webb, Ken Beoughter
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Patent number: 7103520Abstract: A modeling system predicts natural frequency responses in tube sub-systems including shrouded bellows components. The system determines a stiffness multiplier from input values and uses the determined flexibility factor to determine the natural frequency responses. The input values include geometry inputs and dynamic operating condition inputs. The flexibility factor is determined with a regression equation. The regression equation, based on dynamic stiffness test data of various shrouded bellows configurations, permits the system to characterize the shrouded bellows using a geometry element that includes an assigned flexibility factor based on dynamic stiffness test data.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Richard Shaw, Christen Staton Vonderau
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Patent number: 7089167Abstract: A method for providing production optimization of reservoir completions having a plurality of completed intervals via available production analysis and production logging data provides a quantitative analysis procedure for reservoir and fracture properties of a commingled reservoir system, that includes the steps of measuring pressure for specific zones in a reservoir; selecting a pressure traverse model; computing midzone pressures using the traverse model; comparing the computed midzone pressures with the measured pressures; and modeling the bottomhole pressure of the reservoir based on the traverse model.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.Inventor: Bobby Poe