An internal self-test and status reporting system for an electrical device with a plurality of components, a power supply and a microcontroller or microprocessor. The self-test system powers on and off each component one at a time and measures an amount of current drawn by the component with an internal current sensor. The self-test system compares the measured amount of current drawn by the component with an expected, predetermined current value or range. The self-test system then reports whether the measured amount of current drawn by the component matches the expected, predetermined current value or is within the expected, predetermined current range. The self-test system reports the results of the self-test by generating a pattern of signals on a general purpose input/output (GPIO) line, displaying a message on a display of the device, or generating a sound with a speaker of the device.

Self-test and status reporting system for microcontroller-controlled devices

An ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer having an image data array and a tracking array at each end of the image data array. The tracking arrays are oriented transversely to the image data array. Images from the image data array are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional representation of the target. The relative movement between respective frames of the image data is automatically estimated by a motion estimator, based on frames of data from the tracking arrays. As the transducer is rotated about the azimuthal axis of the image data array, features of the target remain within the image planes of the tracking arrays. Movements of these features in the image planes of the tracking arrays are used to estimate motion as required for the three-dimensional reconstruction. Similar techniques estimate motion within the plane of an image to create an extended field of view.

Multiple ultrasound image registration system, method and transducer

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an ip network

Connection objects or other such data structures facilitate establishing and configuring connections between objects that model components in a process control system. A first set of data structures (e.g. the object connection type structures) identify valid types for component-to-component pairings and the respective roles of each component in the pairing (e.g., parent or child, source or sink). A second set of data structures (e.g., the parameter connection type structures) supply similar information for parameter-to-parameter connections. Together, these data structures can be used, for example, to validate component-to-component connections suggested by the user and to automatically configure parameter-to-parameter connections. Actual connections, both at the component or parameter level, are reflected using parameter overrides within the parameterized object model—with which the connection objects are constructed.

Process control configuration system with connection validation and configuration

An ultrasonic probe that includes at least two ultrasonic arrays and allows three dimensional images to be constructed of the region examined by the probe in a precise and facile manner.

Ultrasonic probe, system and method for two-dimensional imaging or three-dimensional reconstruction

A system for mapping absolute acoustic noise intensity in a three-dimensional acoustic noise field, and using three-dimensional absolute noise intensities to infer operational or performance characteristics of components or structures within the monitored field. Localized noise sources are extracted using a distant array of transducers, and the absolute intensity can be measured even when totally masked by background noise at the transducer locations. The system includes an integrated sensor installation; a neural network detection system algorithm; a zoom system to precisely examine a small region in the steam generator vessel; a fuzzy logic system detection algorithm; and an expert detection system. The signal processing subsystem operates at three different levels of detection. At the top level of detection a trained neural network system monitors the vessel length for any indication of a leak. The proposed approach uses discriminators which do not require any beamforming of the sensor signals. The presence of a leak and the general location in the vessel is determined using a fuzzy logic expert system. The leak indications are passed to a second level of detection: a beamformed system which will monitor the indicated portion of the vessel. A third level of detection systematically monitors the tagged locations to determine if a leak is really present, remaining on the specific locations to detect a leak above the defined threshold to a high degree of accuracy. The actions to be taken will be controlled by a second fuzzy logic expert interface controller.

Integrated acoustic leak detection processing system

A reactor protection system having four divisions, with quad redundant sensors for each scram parameter providing input to four independent microprocessor-based electronic chassis. Each electronic chassis acquires the scram parameter data from its own sensor, digitizes the information, and then transmits the sensor reading to the other three electronic chassis via optical fibers. To increase system availability and reduce false scrams, the reactor protection system employs two levels of voting on a need for reactor scram. The electronic chassis perform software divisional data processing, vote 2/3 with spare based upon information from all four sensors, and send the divisional scram signals to the hardware logic panel, which performs a 2/4 division vote on whether or not to initiate a reactor scram. Each chassis makes a divisional scram decision based on data from all sensors. Automatic detection and discrimination against failed sensors allows the reactor protection system to automatically enter a known state when sensor failures occur. Cross communication of sensor readings allows comparison of four theoretically "identical" values. This permits identification of sensor errors such as drift or malfunction. A diagnostic request for service is issued for errant sensor data. Automated self test and diagnostic monitoring, sensor input through output relay logic, virtually eliminate the need for manual surveillance testing. This provides an ability for each division to cross-check all divisions and to sense failures of the hardware logic.

Reactor protection system with automatic self-testing and diagnostic

A reactor protection system having four divisions, with quad redundant sensors for each scram parameter providing input to four independent microprocessor-based electronic chassis. Each electronic chassis acquires the scram parameter data from its own sensor, digitizes the information, and then transmits the sensor reading to the other three electronic chassis via optical fibers. To increase system availability and reduce false scrams, the reactor protection system employs two levels of voting on a need for reactor scram. The electronic chassis perform software divisional data processing, vote 2/3 with spare based upon information from all four sensors, and send the divisional scram signals to the hardware logic panel, which performs a 2/4 division vote on whether or not to initiate a reactor scram. Each chassis makes a divisional scram decision based on data from all sensors. Each division performs independently of the others (asynchronous operation). All communications between the divisions are asynchronous. Each chassis substitutes its own spare sensor reading in the 2/3 vote if a sensor reading from one of the other chassis is faulty or missing. Therefore the presence of at least two valid sensor readings in excess of a set point is required before terminating the output to the hardware logic of a scram inhibition signal even when one of the four sensors is faulty or when one of the divisions is out of service.

Fault-tolerant reactor protection system

A sensor system for mapping absolute acoustic noise intensity in a three-dimensional acoustic noise field. Localized noise sources within a vessel are extracted using a distant array of transducers mounted on the vessel wall. The absolute intensity can be measured even when totally masked by background noise at the transducer locations. The system includes an integrated transducer installation. Each transducer is an accelerometer which is mounted on the vessel wall using a rigid attachment rod which serves as an ultrasonic waveguide. The output of each transducer is split into low- and high-frequency components, the low-frequency component being a function of the vibrational displacement of the localized portion of the vessel wall and the high-frequency component being a function of the vibrational/ultrasonic waves propagating through the localized portion of the vessel wall.

Integrated acoustic leak detection sensor subsystem

A system for mapping absolute acoustic noise intensity in a three-dimensional acoustic noise field, and using three-dimensional absolute noise intensities to infer operational or performance characteristics of components or structures within the monitored field. Localized noise sources are extracted using a distant array of transducers, and the absolute intensity can be measured even when totally masked by background noise at the transducer locations. The system includes an integrated sensor installation; a neural network detection system algorithm; a zoom system to precisely examine a small region in the steam generator vessel; a fuzzy logic system detection algorithm; and an expert detection system. The signal processing subsystem operates at three different levels of detection. At the top level of detection a trained neural network system monitors the vessel length for any indication of a leak. The proposed approach uses discriminators which do not require any beamforming of the sensor signals. The presence of a leak and its general location in the vessel is determined using a fuzzy logic expert system. The leak indications are passed to a second level of detection: a beamformed system which will monitor the indicated portion of the vessel. A third level of detection systematically monitors the tagged locations to determine if a leak is really present, remaining on the specific locations to detect a leak above the defined threshold to a high degree of accuracy. The actions to be taken will be controlled by a second fuzzy logic expert interface controller.

Donald Chester Gaubatz

Papers

Integrated acoustic leak detection processing system

Reactor protection system with automatic self-testing and diagnostic

Fault-tolerant reactor protection system

Integrated acoustic leak detection sensor subsystem

Integrated acoustic leak detection beamforming system