Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080231289 | CLAMPING APPARATUS AND A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN ELECTRICAL WIRING - A wire diagnostic clamp including a clamp body configured to receive multiple electrical wires is provided. The wire diagnostic clamp also includes a sensor disposed within the clamp body and being configured to detect a defect in the multiple electrical wires. The wire diagnostic clamp further includes a mounting component configured to mount the wire diagnostic clamp to a substrate. | 09-25-2008 |
20090254004 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND REPORTING CHANGES IN WALKING SPEED - A system and method for identifying a change in walking speed of a person is provided. The system comprises a plurality of sensors disposed in various rooms of a structure. The sensors are operable to provide a signal representative of motion and/or the location of the person within the structure. The system may also include a processor-based system that may receive signals representative of the motion and/or location of the person from the sensors. The processor-based system may establish a travel time for a path traveled by the person through the structure based on the signals representative of the motion and/or location of the person and may store the travel time within the processor-based system. The processor-based system may identify at least one path traveled by the person through the structure from among various travel paths traveled by the person through the structure as having a consistent travel time over a period of time. The processor-based system also identifies a change in the person's walking speed by identifying changes in the travel time for the at least one path traveled by the person through the structure. The system may alert the person or a caregiver to inform them of the change in walking speed identified by the system. | 10-08-2009 |
20100253364 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PASSIVELY DETECTING AND LOCATING WIRE HARNESS DEFECTS - A method and system for detecting defects in a wire or wire harness includes a pair of sensors wrapped around the wire or harness, a data acquisition device for monitoring pulses in the signal produced by the sensors around the wires, and a diagnostics engine. The diagnostics engine includes an analysis module to determine features of the signals captured by the data acquisition device and a decision module for determining whether the pulse represents a defect in the wire, and the location of the defect. The system operates passively and can be used to monitor the wires while they are in use for carrying signals or current and does not require disconnecting the wires to be monitored. | 10-07-2010 |
20110043219 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING FAULTS IN ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A diagnostic system for detecting faults in electrical wiring, and manufacturing method thereof is provided. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic sensor coupled to a data acquisition system. The diagnostic sensor includes a sensor housing with a flexible coil sensor disposed inside. The sensor housing includes a base portion, lid portion, and a joining portion, wherein one end of the lid portion is detachably coupled to a first end of the base portion and another end of the lid portion is coupled to a second end of the base portion via the joining portion. The diagnostic sensor further includes a connector coupled to the flexible coil sensor. | 02-24-2011 |
20110064282 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTACTLESS FINGERPRINT DETECTION AND VERIFICATION - This invention provides a method for contactless fingerprint detection and verification comprising illuminating a fingerprint and directing a reflected light through an imaging system using liquid crystal panels and birefringent elements to polarize the light. A plurality of polarized images are captured and used to calculate the depth of structural features on the fingertip. A means to generate a two-dimensional rolled equivalent image of the fingerprint is also provided which may then be used for verification and authentication. The invention also provides an imaging system for carrying out the method. | 03-17-2011 |
20120200301 | SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A system includes a sensor housing having a base portion, a lid portion, and a joining portion. The joining portion is configured to be wrapped around at least a portion of an electrical wire. The lid portion includes one end detachably coupled to a first end of the base portion and another end coupled to a second end of the base portion via the joining portion. A flexible coil sensor is disposed in the sensor housing; bonded substantially along the base portion and the joining portion and configured to generate a signal representative of a fault in the electrical wire. A processing device is disposed in the sensor housing and configured to detect and locate a fault in the electrical wire in response to the signal representative of the fault in the electrical wire generated by the flexible coil sensor. | 08-09-2012 |
20120245479 | Physiology Monitoring and Alerting System and Process - A system for monitoring physiology, having: a RADAR transmitter and a RADAR receiver; a state estimation module configured to process a returned RADAR signal to detect a presence of motion and set a motion state upon said presence of motion, said state estimation module configured to detect a presence of one or more physiological parameters including heartbeat and respiration, and said state estimation module configured to assign a still state or a concern state based on said presence of physiological parameters; a rate estimation module configured to estimate one or more estimated physiological rates including an estimated respiration rate and an estimated heart rate; and an alerting module configured to provide an alert if an alert value exceeds an alert value threshold, wherein the alert value is derived from at least one of the motion state, concern state, still state and the estimated physiological rates. | 09-27-2012 |
20120278012 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND LOCATING DEFECTS IN UNDERGROUND CABLES - A device and method for detecting and locating defects in a cable are provided. The device and method may include using sensor feedback to determine that an insulation defect exists and to calculate the location of the insulation defect in a cable. The method may include performing principle component analysis to determine whether an insulation defect occurs and using extracted data to determine the location of the insulation defect. | 11-01-2012 |
20120278013 | SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN UNDERGROUND CABLES - A system and device for detecting insulation defects in a cable are provided. The system and device include using signals received from sensors to detect a partial discharge caused by insulation defects in a cable. The system is passive, without signals being injected into system cables, and may use one or more sensors, data acquisition systems, gateway devices, and monitoring stations and is based on detecting partial discharge from insulation defects and reporting the detection when it occurs. | 11-01-2012 |
20120327745 | ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION FAULT MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS - A fault monitoring system for an electrical substation includes one or more arrays of acoustic sensors placed around a substation boundary and configured to measure acoustic pressure waves. A processing circuitry in the fault monitoring system localizes and identifies faults in the substation and includes a sound source localization module to identify an area of a sound source based on the acoustic pressure waves. A beamforming module of processing circuitry provides enhanced acoustic pressure waves by eliminating background noise and interfering noise from the acoustic pressure waves and a component signature classification module in the processing circuitry compares enhanced acoustic pressure waves with component signatures to classify the acoustic pressure waves into various events to detect faults in the electrical substation. | 12-27-2012 |
20140049264 | PROGNOSTICS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAULT DETECTION IN ELECTRICAL INSULATION - A diagnostic/prognostics system for failure detection in an electrical insulation system is provided. The system includes at least two current transformers designed to detect high frequency component signals from the insulation system. The system also includes a data acquisition module coupled to the at least two current transformers, wherein the data acquisition module receives the high frequency component signals and analyzes the received high frequency component signals to identify one or more faulty components in the electrical insulation system. | 02-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090057287 | METHOD AND APPARATUS RELATED TO JOINING DISSIMILAR METAL - A method to join a first and second item that are made from different materials is disclosed. The method includes using a dual alloy member disposed between the first item and the second item, the dual alloy member comprising a first material, a second material different from the first material, and a wrought region between the first material and the second material. The method further includes melting together a localized area of material of the first item and the first material, thereby creating a first weld joint substantially absent intermixing of the first material with the second material, and melting together a localized area of material of the second item and the second material, thereby creating a second weld joint substantially absent intermixing of the second material with the first material, and thereby joining the first item to the second item. | 03-05-2009 |
20090060735 | TURBINE ROTOR APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - A segmented turbine rotor is disclosed. The segmented turbine rotor has a plurality of rows of a plurality of turbine blades. At least one rotor segment of a plurality of rotor segments of the segmented turbine rotor includes a ring disposed circumferentially about and having an axis substantially parallel to a central axis of the rotor, the ring defining a cavity disposed at a center thereof and having an outer surface supporting at least one row of the plurality of rows of turbine blades. | 03-05-2009 |
20090314758 | Methods of Treating Metal Articles and Articles Made Therefrom - A method for treating a metal article can comprise: fusion welding a cladding onto an article comprising a surface and a compressive case depth processing the cladding. An average compression case depth, as measured from the cladding outer surface, can be greater than the cladding thickness. Also included herein are articles made from this method. | 12-24-2009 |
20100061863 | AIRFOIL AND METHODS OF LASER SHOCK PEENING OF AIRFOIL - A blade for rotating equipment. The blade includes a root and an airfoil with a leading edge attached to the root. The blade may include a laser shot peened root patch extending along the leading edge and the root. | 03-11-2010 |
20110076147 | Multiple Alloy Turbine Rotor Section, Welded Turbine Rotor Incorporating the Same and Methods of Their Manufacture - A method of making a multiple alloy, multi-section welded turbine rotor includes providing a forged multiple alloy rotor section having an integral microstructure, the rotor section comprising a first alloy having a first alloy composition and second alloy having a second alloy composition, a first weld face comprising the first alloy on a first end and an a second weld face comprising the second alloy on an opposed second end. The method also includes providing a first rotor section comprising the first alloy composition and a second rotor section comprising the second alloy composition. The method also includes welding the first rotor section to the first weld face and welding the second rotor section to the second weld face. | 03-31-2011 |
20110192205 | PEENING PROCESS FOR ENHANCING SURFACE FINISH OF A COMPONENT - A process for treating a surface of a component to improve its surface finish and induce residual compresses stresses in a near-surface region of the component. The process entails performing a first peening operation to form residual compressive stress layers in the near-surface region of the component, and then performing at least a second peening operation to cause surface smoothing of the surface of the component while retaining residual compressive stresses in the near-surface region of the component. The first peening operation comprises wet glass bead peening at a first intensity with a first glass bead media, and the second peening operation comprises wet glass bead peening at a second intensity with a second glass bead media, wherein the second intensity is lower than the first intensity and the second glass bead media is smaller than the first glass bead media. | 08-11-2011 |
20110198318 | HORIZONTAL WELDING METHOD AND JOINT STRUCTURE THEREFOR - Embodiments of the invention relate generally to welding methods and, more particularly, to methods for welding in a horizontal position and a joint structure suitable for such methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming a welded joint between two components, the method comprising: aligning a first and second component to form a joint therebetween, the joint comprising: a protrusion of the first component, and a recess of the second component, wherein the protrusion and recess have complimentary shapes; orienting the first and second components such that a major axis of each is oriented vertically; and welding the first and second components at a substantially horizontally-oriented root opening, the substantially horizontally-oriented root opening positioned along the joint. | 08-18-2011 |
20130004317 | TURBINE DISK PREFORM, WELDED TURBINE ROTOR MADE THEREWITH AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of making a turbine rotor is disclosed. The method includes forming a last stage disk preform having a disk axis, the preform having a rotor face and an opposed shaft face, the rotor face having a circumferential, axially-extending rotor rib protruding therefrom, the shaft face having a circumferential, axially-extending shaft rib protruding therefrom, the disk preform comprising a disk preform material. The method also includes joining the rotor rib to a rotor preform to form a rotor joint, the rotor preform comprising a rotor preform material. The method further includes joining the shaft rib to a shaft to form a shaft joint, the shaft comprising a shaft material, wherein the disk preform material is different than the rotor preform material and the shaft material. | 01-03-2013 |
20130259698 | Method of Joining at Least Two Components, a Method for Rendering a Component Resistant to Eroision, and a Turbine Blade - A method of joining at least two components, a method of preventing erosion of a base component and a turbine blade is provided. The method of joining at least two components includes providing a laser cladding apparatus, aligning a first component and second component, and jointing the first and second components by laser cladding. The first component includes a first joining surface adjacent to a seconding joining surface of the second component. The first joining surface and the second joining surface are joined by laser cladding along a joining plane. A joining material from the laser cladding provides at least one joining layer between the first joining surface and the second joining surface. The first and second joining surfaces include a bevel angle. A method for rendering a component resistant to erosion and a turbine blade are also provided. | 10-03-2013 |
20140072715 | METHODS OF FORMING BLADES AND METHOD FOR RENDERING A BLADE RESISTANT TO EROSION - Methods of forming a blade and rendering a blade resistant to erosion includes positioning a backing plate(s) or elongated backing plate(s) adjacent at least one side of a forward face of a leading edge surface of the blade. The methods include depositing an erosion resistant material in a plurality of layers by fusion bonding the erosion resistant material to the forward face of the leading edge surface of the blade. The backing plates providing a template or guide for depositing the plurality of layers of erosion resistant material. The plurality of layers of erosion resistant material form an erosion shield and a leading edge of the blade. Methods include removing the backing plate. | 03-13-2014 |
20140102164 | METHOD AND APPARATUS RELATED TO JOINING DISSIMILAR METAL - A method of forming a dual alloy member for joining two dissimilar materials includes selecting a first material and a second material that is different from the first material, metallurgically combining the first and second materials, forming the first and second materials into a preform using a hot work metal working process, shaping the preform into using another metal working process, and machining the perform to obtain a predetermined shape. | 04-17-2014 |
20140286785 | METHOD OF PRODUCING A HOLLOW AIRFOIL - A method of producing an airfoil is provided. The method includes forming a steel airfoil preform with a pocket on at least one of the pressure and suction surfaces, forming a cover plate for the pocket and welding the cover plate over the pocket. | 09-25-2014 |
20140308493 | EROSION RESISTANT COATING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR - A coating system and processes by which the coating system can be deposited on a surface region of a component to be resistant to erosion, and particularly resistant to erosion caused by high moisture content environments. The coating system includes a diffusion barrier layer, an intermediate layer overlying the diffusion barrier layer, and an outermost layer overlying the intermediate layer. The diffusion barrier layer is capable of inhibiting diffusion of damaging elements therethrough. The intermediate layer is an erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater than the diffusion barrier layer, and being deposited by a near-net-shape laser deposition process. The outermost layer is erosion-resistant material, having a hardness that is greater that the hardness of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a thickness of greater than the diffusion barrier layer and the outermost layer. | 10-16-2014 |