Abstract: A simulation engine performs a mass-conserving Eulerian fluid simulation by manipulating the distribution of density between nodes associated with the fluid simulation. The simulation engine traces a velocity field upstream to identify the source of mass that currently resides at a given node. The simulation engine then adjusts (i) the density contributions to that source from adjacent nodes and (ii) the density contributions provided by that source to the given node. In doing so, the simulation engine maintains conservation of mass at a local level between nodes within a given neighborhood. As a result, mass is conserved at a global level. One advantage of the disclosed technique is that a fluid interface associated with the fluid simulation may appear physically realistic, because numerical errors typically caused by violations of conservation of mass may be eliminated.

Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A method for dynamic load balancing of a mesh, wherein the mesh is partitioned to find a solution using a plurality of processors, and wherein the partitions have become unbalanced. The present method allows large portions of the mesh to continue to progress towards a solution by only repartitioning a small percentage of the overall mesh. This is done by stripping cells along the partition interfaces using a marching method to form a free-cell region, repartitioning the free-cell region, and joining the repartitioned portions of the free-cell region with the remaining cells in a manner that will increase the efficiency of the solver.

Abstract: Mesh generation and editing tools are provided. The mesh generation and editing tools can be implemented using MATLAB® and are platform-independent, usable in any number of different operating systems and configurations. The mesh generation tool uses a graphical user interface to receive user inputs of boundary and bathymetry information and automatically generates a mesh based on the input information and user selections of the number of mesh refinements based on the bathymetry that should be run. The mesh generation tool also performs a check of the computing resources needed to construct a mesh with the selected parameters and allows the user to change the parameters before generating the mesh if necessary to avoid excessive resource use.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for providing blood flow information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for determining forces which act on a body with a controlled volume which is provided inside the flow tunnel and in which the body is arranged. A first measuring means is used to measure a pressure distribution for each surface defining the controlled volume. A second measuring means measures a velocity field for each defining surface of the controlled volume. Furthermore, a calculation unit is provided for calculating the forces acting on the body as a function of the pressure distributions and velocity fields measured for the defining surfaces of the controlled volume.

Abstract: In some aspects, a one-dimensional proppant transport flow model represents flow of a proppant-fluid mixture in a subterranean region. The one-dimensional proppant transport flow model includes a proppant momentum conservation model that balances axial proppant momentum in an axial flow direction of the proppant-fluid mixture against dynamic changes in transverse proppant momentum. In some instances, the proppant momentum conservation model can vary the axial proppant momentum, for example, to account for interphase momentum transfer between the proppant and the fluid.

Abstract: In some aspects, flow path connection conditions are generated for a flow path intersection in a one-dimensional fluid flow model. The one-dimensional fluid flow model represents a flow of well system fluid in a well system environment. The flow path connection conditions conserve fluid momentum among three or more flow path branches that meet at the flow path intersection. Fluid flow is simulated in the fracture network by operating the one-dimensional fluid flow model based on the connection condition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented reservoir prediction system, method, and software are provided for updating simulation models of a subterranean reservoir. An ensemble of reservoir models representing a subterranean reservoir having non-Gaussian characteristics is provided, along with reservoir data from the subterranean reservoir used to condition the ensemble of reservoir models. For each of the reservoir models in the ensemble of reservoir models, a constrained optimization with equality constraints and inequality constraints are solved using a constrained Kernel Ensemble Kalman Filter to obtain a constrained optimal solution. The constrained optimal solutions are assembled to update the ensemble of reservoir models. The updated ensemble of reservoir models are consistent with the reservoir data provided from the subterranean reservoir and the non-Gaussian characteristics of the subterranean reservoir are preserved.

Abstract: Water surface and other effects are efficiently simulated to provide real time or near real time imaging on low-capacity computer graphics computation platforms. Water and other surfaces are modeled using multiple independent layers can be dynamically adjusted in response to real time events. The number of layers used in a given area can be adjusted to reduce computational loading as needed. Different algorithms can be employed on different layers to give different effects. The multiple layer modeling is preferably converted to polygons using an adaptive polygon mesh generator based on camera location and direction in the 3D world to provide automatic level of detailing and generating a minimal number of polygons. The visual effects of water droplets and other coatings on see-through surfaces can be modeled and provided using indirect texturing.

Abstract: A computer system for data management arranged to provide at least four components: a generator component, a solver component, a simulation component and a visualization component, wherein the simulation component is arranged to simulate stochastic processes and output simulation data of the simulated process to the generator component; the generator component is arranged to process a model input thereto and to generate a Dynamic Stochastic Program (DSP) therefrom and also to process the simulation data received from the simulation component and output the DSP together with the processed simulation data to the solver component; the solver component being arranged to receive the DSP and the processed simulation data and to process the DSP together with the simulation data; and the visualization component being arranged to allow the data being processed by the solver to be visualized.

Abstract: A reservoir prediction system is disclosed that uses a kernel-based ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) capable of representing non-Gaussian random fields characterized by multi-point geostatistics. The EnKF uses only the covariance and cross-covariance between the random fields (to be updated) and observations, thereby only preserving two-point statistics. The kernel-based EnKF allows the creation of nonlinear generalizations of linear algorithms that can be exclusively written in terms of dot products. By deriving the EnKF in a high-dimensional feature space implicitly defined using kernels, both the Kalman gain and update equations are nonlinearized, thus providing a completely general nonlinear set of EnKF equations, the nonlinearity being controlled by the kernel. By choosing high order polynomial kernels, multi-point statistics and therefore geological realism of the updated random fields can be preserved.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes obtaining first data corresponding to a first simulation of matter in a space domain. The method also includes performing, using the first data, a second simulation that produces second data representative of particles in the space domain. The method also includes rasterizing the second data representative of the particles as defined by cells of a grid, wherein each cell has a common depth-to-size ratio, and, rendering an image of the particles from the rasterized second data.

Abstract: A method for retrodicting source-rock quality and/or paleoenvironmental conditions are disclosed. A first set of system variables associated with source-rock quality is selected (705). A second set of system variables directly or indirectly causally related to the first set of variables is also selected (710). Data for variables selected to be known quantities are estimated or obtained (720). A network with nodes including both sets of variables is formed (715). The network has directional links connecting interdependent nodes (715). The directional links preferably honor known causality relations. A Bayesian network algorithm is used with the data to solve the network for the unknown variables and their associated uncertainties (725). The variables selected to be unknowns can be input nodes (paleoenvironmental conditions), intermediate nodes, output nodes (source rock quality), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing growth of void of resin in a porous material which comprising the steps of inputting data of the shape of a porous material filled with a resin material, and dividing the shape of the porous material into three-dimensional solid elements; inputting physical properties of the porous material, and boundary conditions including a pressure that is applied to the porous material; obtaining a resin-density distribution in the porous material through fluid analysis using a database obtained by experimentally measuring in advance a temporal change in a volume of gas generated from the resin material and porous material during heating, changes in a compressive force and compressive displacement respectively occurring when the porous material impregnated with the resin is compressed, and a change in a flow resistance of the resin; and comprehensively grasping production, growth, and distribution of voids deriving from gas generation.

Abstract: System for solving for the fully three-dimensional advection diffusion reaction (ADR) of dissolved or particulate tracers (biological or chemical materials) in aquatic environments including an input processor and an ADR tracer field processor. Results from a single execution of an ocean circulation model may be used to drive a separate ADR computer simulation and compute a tracer forecast. The velocity fields are not required to be from an ocean circulation model, they could be analysis fields derived from some other source, such as high frequency RADAR observations or satellite-based surface ocean velocity inversion/detection methods.

Abstract: A method for providing potential flow elements including a vortex to capture rotation of a turbine, a dipole to capture a blockage effect of the turbine, a sink to capture extracted energy from wind by the turbine, and a source to capture recovery of flow due to inflow from around the turbine is described. Methods for providing configurations of a VAWT array based on a desired attribute of the array, using a low-order model when the array is subject to physical constraints are also described.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to monitoring and reporting on actual hazardous conditions at a facility receiving data associated with a site, the site being susceptible to potentially hazardous conditions, and include actions of determining that a hazardous condition is present at the site, processing the data based on one or more models to provide output data, processing the output data to provide indicator data for providing a graphical representation of the site, the graphical representation providing a graphical depiction of the hazardous condition, and providing the indicator data to one or more user devices, the indicator data being processed by each of the one or more user devices to display the graphical representation.

Abstract: A monitoring and alert methodology ascertains conditions that may result in a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event. The method employs a semantic model of a combined sewer system that includes specification information describing the components of the combined sewer system. Sensors distributed throughout the components of the combined sewer system sense operating parameter information for those components. A monitoring and alerting (MA) information handling system (IHS) receives operating parameter information from the sensors. The MA IHS analyzes the operating parameter information received from the sensors together with the specification information in the semantic model of the combined sewer system to determine if a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event is possible. The MA IHS generates an alert to provide notification of a possible CSO event if the MA IHS determines that a CSO event is possible. In this manner, an operator may take early corrective action before a CSO event occurs.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for predicting impact on a pipeline delivery infrastructure. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided that can include simulating a pipeline delivery infrastructure; identifying one or more sections in the infrastructure; and forecasting an impact of the infrastructure based on one or more modifications to the infrastructure or on one or more new demand points wherein the forecasting comprises estimating pressures in each of identified one or more sections.

Abstract: Fluid-flow simulation over a computer-generated surface is generated using inviscid and viscous simulations. A fluid-flow mesh of fluid cells is obtained. At least one inviscid fluid property for the fluid cells is determined using an inviscid fluid simulation that does not simulate fluid viscous effects. A set of intersecting fluid cells that intersects the surface are identified. A surface mesh polygon of the surface mesh is identified for each intersecting fluid cell. At least one boundary-layer fluid property for each identified surface mesh polygon is determined using the at least one inviscid fluid property of the corresponding intersecting fluid cell and a boundary-layer simulation that simulates fluid viscous effects.

Abstract: A method including digitally modelling a temperature measured by a sensor by using a modeled signal and estimating a lag error signal for the sensor from the modeled signal and a signal obtained by filtering the modeled signal, the filter having as a parameter an estimate of a time constant of the sensor, and correcting the measurement signal delivered by the sensor by the estimated lag error signal. The time constant of the sensor is estimated as a function of time from the measurement signal and the modeled signal.

Abstract: A flood modeling system defines virtual cells of a geographic region. Some of the cells, referred to as “channel cells,” represent areas within a channel for a moving body of water, such as a stream or river. Other cells, referred to as “land cells,” represent areas external to the channels within the geographic region. The flow of water through the geographic region is modeled as a virtual flow of water through the channel cells and the land cells. For each time step, the system calculates the amount of water that virtually flows out of one cell into adjacent cells. The water estimated to virtually flow above ground represents flood water, and the estimates of such water can be used to generate an inundation map or initiate flood warnings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of seeking semianalytical solutions to multispecies transport equations coupled with sequential first-order network reactions under conditions wherein a groundwater flow velocity and a dispersion coefficient vary spatially and temporally and boundary conditions vary temporally.

Abstract: This subject disclosure describes methods to build and/or enhance 3D digital models of porous media by combining high- and low-resolution data to capture large and small pores in single models. High-resolution data includes laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), nano computed tomography (CT) scans, and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Low-resolution data includes conventional CT scans, micro computed tomography scans, and synchrotron computed tomography scans.

Abstract: This disclosed subject matter is generally related to methods for characterizing two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) samples to determine pore-body and pore-throat size distributions and capillary pressure curves in porous media using petrographic image analysis. Input includes high-resolution petrographic images and laboratory-derived porosity measurements. Output includes: (1) pore-body and pore-throat size distributions, and (2) simulated capillary pressure curves for both pore bodies and pore throats.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system, method, and software are provided for solving linear systems of equations arising in reservoir simulation. A linear system of fluid flow equations, including a plurality of unknown variables, is provided that represents fluid flow properties in a geological formation of a subterranean reservoir. Block diagonal scaling is applied to the linear system of fluid flow equations. Threshold incomplete lower-upper approximate factorization is applied to obtain a preconditioning matrix, which can be used to iteratively solve unknown variables associated with the system of fluid flow equations. Preconditioning can be used directly as part of a preconditioned Krylov subspace method or alternatively as a 2nd stage preconditioner in a CPR algorithm.

Abstract: Boundary handling is performed in particle-based simulation. Slab cut ball processing defines the boundary volumes for interaction with particles in particle-based simulation. The slab cut balls are used for collision detection of a solid object with particles. The solid object may be divided into a plurality of independent slab cut balls for efficient collision detection without a bounding volume hierarchy. The division of the solid object may be handled in repeating binary division operations. Processing speed may be further increased by determining the orientation of each slab cut ball based on the enclosed parts of the boundary rather than testing multiple possible orientations.

Abstract: A method for modeling flow properties over a series of time increments of a reservoir in an earth formation having a plurality of fractures is disclosed. The method includes: building a three-dimensional stress field representing stresses in the reservoir; building a three-dimensional discrete fracture network (NFM) having fracture flow properties using information obtained from a tool or changes to the stress field; running a flow simulation of the reservoir for a time increment using the NFM to model the flow properties of the reservoir for that time increment; computing a latest change in the three-dimensional stress field from the flow simulation; and incrementing the time increment and iterating the building the NFM using the latest change in the stress field, the running of the flow simulation using the latest NFM, and the computing a latest change in the stress field from the latest running of the flow simulation.

Abstract: A method for correlating data predicted by a processor physics-based geologic model to describe a subsurface region with obtained data describing the subsurface region. Data is obtained describing an initial state of the subsurface region. Data describing a subsequent state of the subsurface region is predicted. The predicted data is compared with the obtained data taking into account whether the obtained data or the predicted data represent a discontinuous event. A sensitivity of the predicted data is determined if the predicted data is not within an acceptable range of the obtained data. The data describing the initial state of the subsurface region is adjusted based on the sensitivity before performing a subsequent iteration of predicting data describing the subsequent state of the subsurface region. A representation of the subsurface region based on the data describing the subsequent state of the subsurface region is outputted.

Abstract: Simulators and methods for simulating an acoustic field of an acoustic waveguide are provided. A sound speed profile of the acoustic waveguide is generated, where the acoustic waveguide has a region of a first fluid within a second fluid, and the first fluid has a different acoustic index of refraction than the second fluid. The sound speed profile and predetermined parameters of a sound source and a receiver are applied to a parabolic equation (PE) model of sound propagation in the acoustic waveguide. The acoustic field of the acoustic waveguide is determined from the PE model. The acoustic field includes an interference pattern from interference between an acoustic signal of the acoustic source and at least one signal refracted by the region of the second fluid.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for depicting a body of water utilizing a height field and particles. In use, content depicting a body of water is identified. Additionally, a height field is generated for the content. Furthermore, at least a portion of the height field is converted to a plurality of particles based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: In one example, formation fluid flow through a fractured reservoir is simulated using conductivity of aged proppants. A first conductivity profile is received for a proppant. The first conductivity profile describes an ability of the proppant to permit formation fluid flow through a fracture network under reservoir conditions in a fractured reservoir that includes the proppant in the fracture network. The proppant is aged for a duration under the reservoir conditions of the fractured reservoir over the duration. After the duration, a second conductivity profile for the aged proppant is determined. An adjusted conductivity profile for the proppant is determined based on the first conductivity profile and the second conductivity profile. The adjusted conductivity profile is provided as an input conductivity profile for the proppant. The reservoir simulator simulates formation fluid flow through the fractured reservoir using the input conductivity profile.

Abstract: A monitoring and alert methodology ascertains conditions that may result in a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event. The method employs a semantic model of a combined sewer system that includes specification information describing the components of the combined sewer system. Sensors distributed throughout the components of the combined sewer system sense operating parameter information for those components. A monitoring and alerting (MA) information handling system (IHS) receives operating parameter information from the sensors. The MA IHS analyzes the operating parameter information received from the sensors together with the specification information in the semantic model of the combined sewer system to determine if a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event is possible. The MA IHS generates an alert to provide notification of a possible CSO event if the MA IHS determines that a CSO event is possible. In this manner, an operator may take early corrective action before a CSO event occurs.

Abstract: This system is a computer-based system for analyzing a blood flow at a target vascular site of a subject by means of a computer simulation, having a three-dimensional shape extraction unit, by a computer, for reading a captured image at the target vascular site and generating three-dimensional data representing a shape of a lumen of the target vascular site; a fluid dynamics analysis unit, by a computer, for determining state quantities (pressure and flow velocity) of blood flow at each position of the lumen of the target vascular site by means of computation by imposing boundary conditions relating to blood flow to the three-dimensional shape data; a blood flow characteristic determination unit for determining, from the state quantities of the blood flow determined by the fluid dynamics analysis unit, a wall shear stress vector at each position of the lumen wall surface of the target vascular site, determining relative relationship between a direction of the wall shear stress vector at a specific wall surfac

Abstract: A method for simulating an arc flash event on an electrical power system is disclosed. The virtual system model of the electrical system is modified to introduce a short circuiting feature. The standard to supply equations used in the arc flash event calculations is chosen. The arc flash event is simulated using the modified virtual system model in accordance with the chosen standard. The quantity of arc energy released by the arc flash event is calculated using results from the simulation. The report that forecasts an aspect of the arc flash event is communicated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented simulation method for use in molding process by a computer processor includes specifying a simulating domain having a mold cavity configured to connect a tube of a molding machine, creating a mesh by dividing at least part of the simulating domain, generating at least one flow parameter of a molding material in the tube, specifying boundary conditions of the mesh by taking into consideration the at least one flow parameter of the molding material, and simulating a molding process of the molding material that is injected into the mold cavity by using the boundary conditions to generate a plurality of molding conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a consumption energy calculating device which simulates power consumption of a heating and cooling appliance operated by a customer living in a house. A first receiver and a second receiver receive a demand response signal and an external environmental factor parameter. A pain level model shows a relationship between an indoor air temperature and a pain level. A first calculator calculates, when the appliance is not in operation, the indoor air temperature of a next sample time. A second calculator calculates, when the appliance is in operation, determines the indoor air temperature of the next sample time. A working sequence generator determines whether the appliance is or not to be operated during the next sample time. The power consumption determination unit determines power consumption consumed by the appliance before the next sample time and outputs data showing the power consumption.

Abstract: A method of deriving blood perfusion indices for a region of interest (ROI) of a subject, comprising the steps of administering a contrast agent to the subject during a dynamic imaging scan, converting signal intensity data from raw images of the scan into contrast agent concentration data, deriving parameters from the contrast agent concentration data using at least one transport function that accounts for delay and dispersion of the contrast agent, and calculating the blood perfusion indices from the derived parameters.

Abstract: A method of computational fluid dynamic modelling of a subterranean region comprises: defining a computational domain by generating a geometrical model of a subterranean region comprising a wellbore and a surrounding formation; associating knowledge of a physical property of the subterranean region with a computational parameter; and inputting the computational parameter into the computational domain. In one embodiment knowledge of permeability within the subterranean region is defined as a viscous resistance within the computational domain.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring and predicting environmental operating conditions in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for real-time, three-dimensional analysis of environmental operating conditions in a data center includes the following steps. High spatial resolution three-dimensional measurements of one or more environmental variables in the data center made at a time t1 are obtained. Real-time measurements of the environmental variables in the data center made at a time t2, wherein t2 is later in time than t1, are obtained. The high spatial resolution three-dimensional measurements are combined with the real-time measurements to derive a model for the environmental variables in the data center at the time t2. The model is used to predict three-dimensional distributions of the environmental variables in the data center at the time t2. A base model can be created and used to derive the model for the data center at the time t2.

Abstract: The software application is used to rank language translations and a method to implement those ranked language translations. The language translations are for textual or vocal phrases that a user wants to convert from its original language to a preferred language. The software application will refer to a variety of translation sources in order to create a set of applicable translations for a textual or vocal phrase. The software application will then rank each applicable translation with an accuracy score, which is weighed by three factors: the commonalities between the set of translation sources, a user input process, and a linguistic mapping process. Some methods to implement the ranked language translations include using accelerometer data from a electronic communication device to operate the software application, integrating a moderator into a conversation process, using subtitles in speech bubbles for a video chat, and using location data to communicate with different contacts.

Abstract: In a computer-aided die design apparatus having a computer, a display adapted to be connected to the computer, and a simulator adapted to be loaded in the computer to analyze and display on the display flow behavior of resin when the resin charged into a die cavity is die-clamped by a press at a compression force, the simulator comprises an analyzer that analyzes the resin flow behavior by increasing the compression force for die-clamping the resin at a predetermined time interval until the increased compression force reaches an upper limit value, and a substitutive value calculator that calculates a substitutive value of the compression force based on a stress-relaxation time of the resin when the compression force has reached the upper limit value.

Abstract: System and method for correcting the vertical structure of the ocean temperature and salinity based on velocity observations. Three relations that can be precomputed are exploited: (1) the relation between temperature and salinity throughout a water column, (2) the relation between temperature/salinity and geopotential, and (3) the relation between geopotential and velocity. The relations are stored in a form that allows efficient application through a cross-correlation matrix.

Abstract: A method for independently modeling a water flow rate, an oil flow rate, and a gas flow rate using data-driven computer models is disclosed. The method can include obtaining parameters of a well associated with an asset during a well test; creating the ensemble of data-driven models to model the water flow rate, the oil flow rate, and the gas flow rate based on the parameters; evaluating each model of the ensemble of models; selecting a subset of models from the ensemble of models; modeling each of the water flow rate, the oil flow rate, and the gas flow rate independently using the subset of models; reconciling each of the water flow rate, the oil flow rate, and the gas flow rate for the well with a total flow rate at the asset; and outputting the water flow rate, the oil flow rate, and the gas flow rate.

Abstract: A method for generating one or more geological models for oil field exploration. The method includes receiving one or more well facies logs, a vertical facies proportion curve, a lateral proportion map, a variogram model and a global target histogram. The method then includes generating a facies probability cube using a modified Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGSIM) algorithm, the well facies logs, the vertical facies proportion curve, the lateral proportion map and the variogram model. After generating the facies probability cube, the method includes matching the facies probability cube to the global histogram and generating the geological models based on the matched facies probability cube.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for estimating temporal changes in trace gas fluxes from a modifier of such trace gases. A method can include obtaining measurement amounts of trace gases from measurement sites in a region associated with the modifier. The method also includes computing modeled amounts of the trace gases based on an atmospheric transport model and prior estimates of trace gas flux from the modifier. The method further includes identifying corresponding portions of the measurement amounts and the modeled amounts associated with a time periods during which the spatial differences in measured amounts are predicted to be primarily due to the trace gas flux from the modifier. The method additionally includes selecting as a current estimate of the trace gas flux from the modifier a prior estimate associated with a difference between the corresponding measurement amounts and modeled amounts meet criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pin-less registration and inductive heating system involving the use of a pre-alignment station for imaging an initial position of a laminate element, an imaging and computer operation control system for determining a required correction factor between an alignment of the laminate element at the pre-alignment station and a preferred stack orientation for the laminate element, and an alignment and transfer system for securely gripping, transferring, and repositioning a laminate element from atop position to the preferred stack orientation employing a preferred four-axis orientation.

Abstract: A system includes a host application configured to receive a component model representing a vehicle component. The component model includes a body having a concave portion and/or a convex portion that defines a fluid retainer. A detection tool in communication with the host application is configured to determine a size and location of the fluid retainer. The detection tool is further configured to associate the size of the fluid retainer to a design rule and calculate a value representing a minimum hole size that will allow fluid to flow into or out of the fluid retainer in accordance with the design rule.