Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Other

General Electric Company

University of Connecticut

Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC

Amdata, Inc.

Mark A Sapia

Leslie M Loew

James C Schaff

David S Leonard

Ian R Greenshields

John G Clark

Frank R Morgan

Photios P Dalamagas

NDE probes provide unique data signals from a remote object such that can be used to accurately and precisely locate a position. With a computer processor, the data signals are converted into a positional fingerprint that is compact and easily analyzed as a file or information of probe position. The positional fingerprint is stored in association with the position or object to verify a same position at another time. Another probe detects other data signals for the object at another time. Under a similar transformation into a positional fingerprint, the position of the other probe can be matched to the first by comparing positional fingerprints. The comparison may use a probabilistic comparison and/or compare several different fingerprints from several different locations and times to ensure a best match. Position verification between probes may ensure a repair has been completed in the proper location, verify system integrity or investigate potential problems.

Systems and methods for position verification for inspection and repairs

Methods and systems for quantitative image quality assessment of an imaging system, such as an in vessel visual inspection system, having a target, an image capture device and a computer. The target includes one or more image features with varying spatial resolutions and predetermined spatial frequencies. The image capture device is configured to capture an image of the target. The computer includes a processor, a memory, and computer executable instructions. The computer is configured to receive the captured image, prepare one or more intensity profiles across the captured image responsive to the predetermined spatial frequencies, and determine a modulation transfer function responsive to the one or more intensity profiles.

Systems and methods for quantitatively assessing the quality of an image produced by an imaging system

An adaptive structure of a Wiener filter is used to deconvolve three-dimensional wide-field microscope images for the purposes of improving spatial resolution and removing out-of-focus light. The filter is a three-dimensional kernel representing a finite-impulse-response (FIR) structure requiring on the order of one thousand (1000) taps or more to achieve an acceptable mean-square-error. Converging to a solution is done in the spatial-domain and therefore does not experience many of the problems of frequency-domain solutions. Alternatively, a three-dimensional kernel representing an infinite-impulse-response (IIR) structure may be employed. An IIR structure typically requires fewer taps to achieve the same or better performance, resulting in higher resolution images with less noise and faster computations.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional deconvolution of optical

To improve and simply ultrasonic measurement of thin layers, an adaptive least-mean-square (LMS) implementation of a Wiener filter is used to deconvolve ultrasonic waveforms. This filter is structured as a finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter and solved using Widrow's adaptive linear combiner. The filter is implemented on a microcomputer with gating features for automated signal peak identification and measurement. The deconvolution process begins by assuming an impulse (the desired response) to a known input (the ultrasonic response). A transfer function is then determined that, when convolved with the response, results in the assumed impulse. The transfer function in this case is a long FIR filter typically requiring up to 128 taps to achieve acceptable results.

Ultrasonic system for measurement of thin layers

Many pharmaceuticals require a specific tissue for injection, such as adipose or muscle, to optimize the effect of the drug. This is important to achieve the desired bioavailability of the injected substance. In some cases, intravenous injections are desired over subcutaneous and intramuscular. The invention is a bioimpedance method and apparatus for sensing a hypodermic needle's transition from subcutaneous adipose to muscle tissue. The invention could also be used to sense a vascular transition. The sensing can be integrated into instrumentation that identifies the tissue or simply signals that the transition has occurred. The physician or nurse could then confidently inject the medication into the intended tissue.

Method to sense the tissue for injection from a hypodermic needle

A method of nondestructively identifying regions 'R' of high density in a substrate (10) of a bonded matrix of carbon fibers by resistively heating the substrate and taking an infrared image of the heated substrate. Terminals 12, 14, 16 and 18 are connected to a power supply 26 by wires 22 and cable 24 of which they are a part, to effect the heating.

Apparatus for infrared imaging inspections

Calibration of an eddy current probe (24) and associated data acquisition and analysis system (42, 48, 52, 54, 66) is accomplished using a step tube sample (68) having a nominal diameter portion (74) substantially equivalent to a nominal field tube (22). Two readings of eddy current test units are obtained from the step tube sample, and the diameter of the probe is used as a boundary condition on the non-linear response of the probe to variations in tube radius. A calibration curve is generated for use in converting field tube eddy current measurements to field tube radius or profile.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, CT, United States of America

Mark A Sapia