Showing papers by "Westinghouse Electric published in 1990"

High voltage tow cable with optical fiber

Abstract: A relatively small diameter tow cable including a plurality of high and low voltage electrical conductors and a high bandwidth optical fiber for both electrical and data transmission between an aircraft and a towed body. The tow cable is implemented by a coaxial arrangement of a central optical fiber encased by a stainless steel jacket surrounded by a first set of high voltage conductors. A second set of high voltage conductors concentrically surrounds the first set of conductors but is separated therefrom by a layer of high voltage insulation. A layer of high voltage insulation surrounds the second set of high voltage conductors and a set of relatively low voltage conductors and their respective return conductors are circumferentially spaced around this layer of insulation along with opposing sets of insulating spacers. A third layer of insulating material surrounds the low voltage conductors and the spacers. Outwardly of the third layer of insulating material are a pair of coaxial strength members comprised of synthetic aramid fibers and which are then covered with a polyester and metallic braid. An outermost jacket of semiconductive material is also provided which serves as an electrostatic drain to ground for the cable.

Film bulk acoustic wave resonator technology

Abstract: It is demonstrated that completely monolithic two-pole filters can be fabricated on silicon substrates using FBARs (film bulk acoustic resonators) and that these filters have low loss and reasonable bandwidth. A two-pole monolithic ladder filter operating in the 1-1.5 GHz range has been demonstrated. These filters (0.3*0.3*0.02 in) have a bandwidth of 30 MHz at 1 GHz and an insertion loss of about 1 dB. The small size serves to provide good shock and acceleration tolerance. Preliminary results on a stacked FBAR filter operated in high overtone mode show response up to 5.5 GHz. The authors review the development of FBAR technology, including piezoelectric film and membrane materials, fabrication techniques, temperature compensation schemes, and the progress made in processing monolithic filters. Issues relating to integration of FBARs with active circuits and IC processing compatibility are addressed. >

Anomalous Hall effect in superconductors near their critical temperatures.

Abstract: Measurements on epitaxial ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ thin films show that the Hall voltage just below the superconducting transition temperature has sign opposite to the Hall voltage in the normal state. This can result either from quasiparticle effects, or from unusual vortex motion. Because we observe a similar effect in Nb thin films, we argue that vortex motion is responsible. A simple interpretation of the Hall effect then requires that the vortex velocity have a component antiparallel to the transport current. This motion, while contrary to existing flux flow models, could result from vortex motion damping similar to that expected in superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$.

Apparatus and method for adapting cards designed for a VME bus for use in a VXI bus system

Abstract: A method and device for adapting a VME card for use in a VXI system are disclosed. The device resides on a circuit board that is plugged between the VXI bus and the VME card. The device provides two or more sets of VXI configuration registers. Each region of addresses normally used by the VME card is assigned to one of the simulated VXI units, and the device modifies incoming VXI addresses directed to each region so that the VME card responds to the VXI address. The VXI units simulated by the device may include one message-based device and one register-based device, so that both capabilities are available to the VME card. The device buffers signals passing between the VME card and the VXI bus, generating delays and timing signals to produce proper operation of all system components. The device provides bidirectional communication between the VME card and the VXI bus, so that the VME card can be the VXI bus master. The registers of the device can be configured manually by the user or dynamically by the VXI resource manager, permitting full operational conformance with the VXI specification. VME user-defined signals generated by the card are available on an auxiliary connector but are not passed through to the VXI bus.

Temperature monitoring device and thermocouple assembly therefor

Abstract: A temperature monitoring device for measuring the temperature at a surface of a body, composed of: at least one first thermocouple and a second thermocouple; support members supporting the thermocouples for placing the first thermocouple in contact with the body surface and for maintaining the second thermocouple at a defined spacing from the body surface; and a calculating circuit connected to the thermocouples for receiving individual signals each representative of the temperature reading produced by a respective one of the first and second thermocouples and for producing a corrected temperature signal having a value which represents the temperature of the body surface and is a function of the difference between the temperature reading produced by the first thermocouple and a selected fraction of the temperature reading provided by the second thermocouple.

Expert advice display processing system

Abstract: The present invention provides expert advice produced by an expert system 16 as a graphic display that indicates to the user a range 64 in which an actual value 62 of a parameter should be kept for safe or efficient operation of the process being monitored. The operator adjusts control points to keep the actual value indicator 62 within the range 64. As the process being monitored moves toward an out-of-normal state, an alarm management system 18 reinforces the graphic advice with general and then more detailed alarm messages that are displayed in priority order in goal and process message slots 114-122. Recommendations, in the form of an action script, for particular actions, based on expert system action indications, are also presented as the system state becomes more unacceptable. The invention also displays an historical perspective of the process parameters being monitored and, through a prediction module 20, provides a prediction of the future state of the process and process parameters.

What Do We Know About Making Risk Comparisons

Abstract: The risks of unfamiliar technologies are often evaluated by comparing them with the risks of more familiar ones. Such risk comparisons have been criticized for neglecting critical dimensions of risky decisions. In a guide written for the Chemical Manufacturers Association, Covello et al.(1) have summarized these critiques and developed a taxonomy that characterizes possible risk comparisons in terms of their acceptability (or objectionableness). We asked four diverse groups of subjects to judge the acceptability of 14 statements produced by Covello et al. as examples of their categories. We found no correlation between the judgments of acceptability produced by our subjects and those predicted by Covello et al..

Method and apparatus for remotely controlling sensor processing algorithms to expert sensor diagnoses

Abstract: A system is disclosed including a data center computer for data collection and process control of a complex processing plant. The data center computer collects raw sensor data. The raw data is sent, by a conventional communicator routine, to a remote expert system for sensor diagnosis of faulty sensors. The diagnostic results, which include a calculation control value, are returned to the data center computer where the results are used to control sensor processing routines used to either control the plant based on the collected raw sensor data or to further process the sensor data. The further processed sensor data can then be used for high level system diagnoses.

Ferroelectric thin film material, method of deposition, and devices using same

Abstract: A ferroelectric device that comprises a polarizing thin film of BaMF4 deposited on a substrate. Ba is barium, M is one of the metals of the group consisting of iron (FE), manganese (Mn), cobolt (Co), nickel (Ni), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn). The substrate is silicon, sapphire, or gallium arsenide. A non-volatile NDRO and DRO memory cell and methods for depositing the thin film. A method of depositing bismuth titanate on a substrate are described.

Method for automatically identifying targets in sonar images

Abstract: To detect and classify features in a sonar image comprised of a matrix of pixels each pixel having a known greyness level a set of windows is defined such that each window is comprised of a set of adjacent pixels such that every pixel of the image is included in at least one window. Properties of the greyness level for the pixels in each window are defined to enable selection of those windows having specific features of greyness level in excess of a predetermined threshold. Matched filter correlations are performed on the pixels in the selected windows to identify highlights and shadows. The identifying highlights and shadows are classified as targets, anomalies or background.

Interfacing device for a computer games system

Abstract: An interfacing device for connecting the processing unit of a computer games system to an external data storage medium has a user-operable selection unit for generating a user-selected address and user-selected data. The user-operable selection unit may comprise user-operable switches or electronic latches that are set by a program in response to selections made by the user by means of a joystick, keypad or any other input device. An address comparison unit compares the user-selected address with the addresses from the processing unit, and a data switching device causes the user-selected data to be substituted for data in the storage medium whenever the compared addresses are the same. Instead of a user-operable selection unit, preselected addresses and preselected data may be stored in a ROM, which in one embodiment changes the way the computer interprets external memory and in another changes the computer's internal memory itself.

A magneto-optic current transducer

Abstract: A current measurement technique using the magneto-optic or Faraday effect, has been developed, tested, and demonstrated. The device developed is a magneto-optic current transducer (MOCT). It uses the rotation of the plane of polarization by a magnetic field exhibited in certain glasses (Faraday effect). Test data obtained in an extensive field evaluation of the MOCT were compared with the design qualification data gathered during the development phase of this project. The analysis indicates that operation of the MOCT-based metering system under field conditions compares favorably with performance predicted during design qualification. >

Local area network with star topology and ring protocol

Abstract: In a local area network all communication nodes are connected only to a centrally located star network coupler, but data is transmitted from one communication node to the next active communication node in a sequence defined by a ring protocol. The star network coupler may be implemented by switches capable of connecting a receiver for one communication node to a transmitter for the next communication node or to a bypass line for the next communication node. However, preferably the star network coupler comprises a selective multiplexer for each of the nodes. Each selective multiplexer has inputs connected to all of the communication nodes to receive therefrom transmission data and a line status signal indicating communication activity with each node so that inactive nodes can be bypassed.

Compressor diaphragm assembly

Abstract: A compressor diaphragm assembly (64) for combustion turbines includes a plurality of vanes (66), each of which is formed with an integral inner shroud (68) and an integral outer shroud (70), joined together by connecting bars (74) fitted into grooves (72) in the shrouds (68, 70) of the vanes (66) so as to provide for transfer of loads between the vanes (66).

Gas turbine control system having maximum instantaneous load pickup limiter

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling fuel flow in a combustion turbine, wherein a load signal representative of the load on the combustion turbine is given, are shown to include fuel flow device for regulating the flow of fuel in the combustion turbine in response to a control signal, a controller for generating a control signal representative of the difference between the load signal and a limit signal and for providing the control signal to the fuel flow device and a limit signal generator for generating the limit signal so that the limit signal is representative of the sum of the load signal and a maximum instantaneous load value, wherein the limiting means varies the limit signal over time from a first value to the sum.

Alkali metal battery

Abstract: An alkali metal battery has an alkali metal anode such as lithium in an organic anolyte and a cathode in an aqueous catholyte. An ion conductive diaphragm allows ions to migrate between the anolyte and the catholyte while limiting the transport of water from the catholyte to the anolyte. In a preferred embodiment, the ion conductive diaphragm is nonporous so that there is no transport of water ion to the anolyte. The battery is particularly useful for long durations of up to a week or longer in seawater.

Tropical Source Water

Abstract: Over 2 billion people, or half of the world’s population, have suffered from diseases due to drinking polluted waters (Barabas, 1986). More than 250 million new cases of waterborne disease are reported each year, resulting in more than 10 million deaths and nearly 75% of these waterborne disease cases occur in tropical areas. Indeed, nearly 50% of diarrheal disease deaths (4.6 million) occur in children under 5 years of age, living in the tropics (Snyder and Merson, 1982; Bockemuhl, 1985). Many investigators and government administrators assume that the high morbidity and mortality rates simply indicate the level of contamination of water in tropical areas. However, determining biological contamination in tropical source water is much more difficult than most regulatory agencies perceive. Yet, the need to accurately determine the level of biological contamination is much greater in tropical areas than it is in temperate areas since these regions have a much greater number of waterborne diseases (Table 2.1 and 2.2). In turn, these diseases are exacerbated by the lack of adequate sewage treatment and a greater reliance on untreated (and possibly contaminated) waters as drinking water sources (Feachem, 1977; Esrey et al., 1985).

Method and apparatus for automatically identifying targets in sonar images

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying targets in sonar images utilizes three processing systems which preferably operate simultaneously After the image has been filtered and Fourier transformed, a highlight-shadow detector classifies portions of the image as a highlight, a shadow or background according to greyness levels of pixels in such portions A statistical cuer selects those portions which have been classified as a highlight or a shadow A neural network then classifies the sets of highlight and shadow reports as targets or background

Layered method of electrode for solid oxide electrochemical cells

Abstract: A process for fabricating a fuel electrode comprising: slurry dipping to form layers which are structurally graded from all or mostly all stabilized zirconia at a first layer, to an outer most layer of substantially all metal powder, such an nickel. Higher performaance fuel electrodes may be achieved if sinter active stabilized zirconia doped for electronic conductivity is used.

Multi push-pull MMIC power amplifier

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a composite MMIC amplifier comprising a plurality of active devices (e.g., FET, HBT, HEMT) arranged on a semiconductor substrate and having inputs and outputs. A pair of input and output transmission lines are coupled in antiphase arrangement to corresponding inputs and outputs of alternate active devices. Each pair of input transmission lines has branched portions extending from a common polarized input terminal. Each branched portion of like polarity extends to a corresponding alternate input and output of an active device and crosses a branched portion of opposite polarity without interference. Impedance matching means is coupled across antiphase pairs of inputs and outputs of adjacent active devices and forms a virtual ground therebetween thereby simplifying the impedance matching circuit.

Multi-mode missile seeker system

Abstract: A broad band multimode seeker system for a missile includes a wide band phased array transmitter/receiver unit incorporating a wafer scale phased array device with a bandwidth of about 2 GHz to 35 GHz. A multimode intermediate frequency unit selectively generates radar and jamming waveforms and measures parameters of reflected radar and external emissions of RF energy. A guidance processor manages the front end assets for selective active or semiactive radar searching and tracking, and simultaneous searching for, tracking of, homing on, and applying a selection of electronic countermeasures to, multiple defensive radars. Confirmation of an assigned target is made through correlation of received RF signals with libraries of expected defensive system parameters and high resolution target profiles and preloaded target geographical coordinates.

Computer network for real time control with automatic fault identification and by-pass

Abstract: A computer network for real time control having redundant components for automated fault identification and automated bypass of identified faulty components. The system includes at least two main computers, each coupled to at least two independent parallel data channels. A plurality of satellite computer pairs are connected to these channels, each pair receiving information from a plurality of I/O racks which are connected to redundant sensors for detecting information and to redundant actuators for implementing system control. The main computers are continuously crosslinked and perform evaluation of their respective input and output streams comparing these streams for consistency between the main computers. In the event that an inconsistency is detected in the data streams, the system checks for faulty components to determine the origin of the inconsistency. The system utilizes an evaluation method whereby each main computer independently accesses each of the parallel data channels, satellite computers, I/O racks, sensors and actuators to locate inconsistencies in the data stream. The system then allows for operation with one of the redundant components while the identified defective redundant component is repaired or replaced.

Electric power system with maintenance bypass for uninterruptible power supply using closed transition operation

Abstract: An uninterruptible power source having a static transfer switch which switches rapidly between a commercial power source and an alternate power source is removed from service by a maintenance bypass switch having a first switch in series with the uninterruptible power source and a second switch which shunts the uninterruptible power source and the first switch. The first and second switches are circuit breakers having handles which toggle between open and closed positions. The maintenance bypass switch includes an operator which operates the two circuit breakers in opposition with a closed transition so that one switch is always closed. An interlock prevents operation of the maintenance bypass switch when the alternate power source of the uninterruptible power supply is selected by the static transfer switch. An isolation switch between the uninterruptible power source and the commercial power source and also shunted by the second switch of the maintenance bypass switch is open together with the first switch of the maintenance bypass switch when the uninterruptible power source is to be isolated for maintenance.

Process and apparatus for treatment of excavated landfill material in a plasma fired cupola

Abstract: Excavatged landfill material is treated in a plasma fired cupola in a process wherein hazardous material such as PCB's are volatilized and consumed in an afterburner above the cupola and hazardous materials containing heavy metals are fixed in vitreous material made molten within the cupola and resulting in a non-leachable solid product.

Navigating through Large Display Networks in Dynamic Control Applications

Abstract: Special display navigation challenges in computer-based display systems for monitoring and controlling dynamic processes are reviewed. Particular attention is given to trends in information technology, workspace design, and paradigmatic cognitive functions related to display navigation.

System for connecting integrated circuit dies to a printed wiring board

Abstract: Both a system and a method are provided for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one integrated circuit die to a solderless printed wiring board of the type which uses connecting interfaces which include an array of resilient electrical connector means held within a sheet of compliant, insulating material. The system of the invention generally comprises a fanout interface formed from a sheet of insulating material integrally connected to the side of an integrated circuit die that includes the bond pads associated with such dies, wherein the fanout interface includes an internal array of contact pads that are connected to the bond pads of the die, and an external array of contact pads on its exterior surface which are advantageously spaced farther apart than the bond pads of the die. The system further comprises a connecting interface having an array of resilient electrical connectors disposed between the external surface of the fanout interface of the die, and an array of contact pads mounted directly on the printed wiring board. Finally, a screw-type heat conductive retainer is provided in order to compress the resilient electrical connectors of the connecting interface into conducting engagement between the contact pads on the fanout interface and the printed wiring board.

Thirty-seven layer optical filter from polymerized solgel solutions.

Abstract: The feasibility of making multilayer optical filters using polymerized solgel solutions was demonstrated. Theoretical modeling was done to determine the expected optical response of multilayer coatings with various index profiles to select a coating design which was achievable using current technology and which would demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The selected design consisted of a multilayer film whose index profile approximated a sine function, simulating the rugate concept for maximum reflection at 1.5 μm using a silicon substrate. Samples were prepared with 21, 29, and 37 layers. Agreement between the actual and the predicted optical performance of these films was good, showing that this method can be used to produce optical coatings having complicated index profiles.

Expert system for surveillance, diagnosis and prognosis of plant operation

Abstract: An expert system is used to perform surveil­lance, diagnosis and prognosis of a plant such as a nuclear reactor used in electrical power generation. The expert system uses one of real time actual plant data, previously stored actual plant data or simulated plant data as plant condition data to perform an evaluation of operating conditions in the plant. When real time actual plant data is used, a data acquisition system supplies the plant condition data. The expert system accesses the plant condition data, regardless of its source, periodi­cally as a surveillance frame is triggered by the rules in the root frame controlling the expert system. Other frames in the expert system perform diagnosis and prognosis of the plant condition.