223 results about "Catastrophic failure" patented technology

A new current loop control system method is proposed for a single-phase grid-tie power conditioning system that can be used under a standalone or a grid-tie mode. This type of inverter utilizes an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) filter as the interface in between inverter and the utility grid. The first set of inductor-capacitor (LC) can be used in the standalone mode, and the complete LCL can be used for the grid-tie mode. A new admittance compensation technique is proposed for the controller design to avoid low stability margin while maintaining sufficient gain at the fundamental frequency. The proposed current loop controller system and admittance compensation technique have been simulated and tested. Simulation results indicate that without the admittance path compensation, the current loop controller output duty cycle is largely offset by an undesired admittance path. At the initial simulation cycle, the power flow may be erratically fed back to the inverter causing catastrophic failure. With admittance path compensation, the output power shows a steady-state offset that matches the design value. Experimental results show that the inverter is capable of both a standalone and a grid-tie connection mode using the LCL filter configuration.

A wireless sensor system is installed inside pipelines using sensors and wireless transceivers that are small, low-cost, and rugged. The objective is monitoring the pipeline and recommending maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline. Maintenance includes detection of leaks and prevention of catastrophic failures as a result of internal corrosion or other damage, such as third party mechanical damage, using multitude of sensors. After establishing the wireless sensor network the network is activated so the sensor can make measurements periodically or continuously using instructions transmitted via the base station. The sensor data from the various sensors are transmitted inside the pipe and extracted to access points in the pipeline to a remote computer that stores the data within the computer memory. The sensed information can be used for monitoring as well as analysis using a recommendation engine to provide maintenance and repair alerts.

A wireless sensor network is installed inside pipelines using sensors and wireless transceivers that are small, low-cost, and rugged. The objective is monitoring the pipeline and recommending maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline. Maintenance includes detection of internal corrosion using sensors that can result in leaks. Furthermore detection of leaks for prevention of catastrophic failures as a result of damage, such as third party mechanical damage. After establishing the wireless sensor network, the network is activated so the sensors can make measurements periodically or continuously using instructions transmitted via a base station. The sensor data from the various sensors are transmitted inside the pipe and extracted to access points in the pipeline to a remote computer that stores the data within the computer. The sensed information can be used for monitoring as well as analysis using a recommendation engine to provide maintenance and repair alerts.

A method for assessing how long continuously operating software systems can be expected to remain executing in a safe and / or reliable manner before anomalous conditions will ultimately lead to failure. For safety-critical applications the method can provide a safe upper bound on the time between rebooting. Also disclosed is an empirical technique for determining which portions of the state, if corrupted create the greatest risks to safe and / or reliable continual execution of the software. Armed with this information, developers, testers, and certifiers can create justifiable plans for the frequency with which the software should be rebooted. Further, they can customize and embed internal self-tests into those portions of the state found to have the greatest risks to safe and / or reliable, continual execution of the software. These self-tests can also warn when failures are likely to occur well in advance of the failures, so that the software may be safely rejuvenated to avert undesired or catastrophic conclusions.

A multitenant deployment includes a computing cluster that executes multiple containerized instances of a software application. Each containerized instance is associated with one or more datastores that can be assigned to different tenants. A registry store maintains a mapping between tenants and datastores, thereby allowing a registry manager to properly route tenant requests to the correct datastores. A capacity manager tracks tenant usage of datastores in the registry store and then scales computing resources for each tenant in proportion to usage. The capacity manager also migrates tenant resources in response to catastrophic failures or upgrades. In this fashion, the multitenant deployment can adapt a single-tenant software application for multi-tenancy in a manner that is both transparent and secure for the tenant.

The Multi-Rotor Safety Shield (MRSS) provides a complete and substantial encasement system which can be secured about a Drone, protecting a multitude of aircraft components from contact with any outside disturbance and which can protect the sensitive components from dust, water, wind, rain, snow, fingers, toes, appendages of any kind, and atmospheric changes as example, from disabling the Drone and can protect people, places or things from high velocity spinning exposed rotor / propellers. The MRSS provides rigid non-permeable platform for attaching or incorporating additional safety devices as found in the Drone industry (or other industries) resulting in a safety device that completely prevents the loss a Drone due to the catastrophic failure of any Drone system or combination of systems which would typically result in rapid decent, and / or uncontrolled flight. The MRSS makes Drones safe near humans and safe to use around public gatherings, stadium events, accident scenes, disaster search and rescue and disaster relief, and indoors for the security and communications markets among others expanding the availability of Drones to further assist humanity.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an implementation for a multi-hop wireless backhaul network. These embodiments can advantageously be deployed in dense urban areas and / or co-located with wireless access nodes, such as base-stations of a cellular wireless communication system. Preferably wireless links between constituent network nodes are set-up hierarchically. A basic result of this is that peer-to-peer (child-to-child) communication is generally prohibited and circuits are forced to conform to a topology. The multi-hop wireless backhaul network may be used to carry delay sensitive, high-density last mile circuit traffic over Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) broadband radio links. Moreover, some embodiments of the invention provide a method of path-healing for re-routing of circuit traffic from circuits that have experienced catastrophic failures.

Optical fiber lasers and components for optical fiber laser. An optical fiber laser can comprise a fiber laser cavity having a wavelength of operation at which the cavity provides output light, the cavity including optical fiber that guides light having the wavelength of operation, the fiber having first and second lengths, the first length having a core having a V-number at the wavelength of operation and a numerical aperture, the second length having a core that is multimode at the wavelength of operation and that has a V-number that is greater than the V-number of the core of the first length optical fiber at the wavelength of operation and a numerical aperture that is less than the numerical aperture of the core of the first length of optical fiber. At least one of the lengths comprises an active material that can provide light having the wavelength of operation via stimulated emission responsive to the optical fiber receiving pump light. Components include a mode field adapter and optical fiber interconnection apparatus, which can be used to couple the first and second lengths of optical fiber, or can couple the fiber laser to an optical fiber power amplifier, which can be a multimode or single mode amplifier.

Novel gels and articles are formed from one or more copolymers having at least one poly(ethylene) components and high levels of one or more plasticizers, said gels having an amount of crystallinity, glassy components, and selected plasticizers sufficient to achieve improvements in one or more physical properties including improved crack propagation resistance, improved tear resistance, improved resistance to fatigue, resistance to catastrophic failure, and exhibiting high strain under elongations not obtainable in amorphous gels which high strain making the gel suitable for use as film layers for artificial muscles.

An apparatus for graphically displaying analytical data, comprising a generic model to graphically represent a complex set of physical characteristics potentially leading to catastrophic failure of a physical system. A central region represents failure of the physical system; a series of concentric ridges represents level of function. Wedge shaped regions upon the ridges represent predetermined subsystems of the physical system. An icon is displayed with changes in the icon proportional to time, and any one or more of color, position, shape, and rotation of the icon representing prescribed analysis of the physical characteristics. Mappings correlate predetermined characteristics of the system with failure of the physical system, levels of functioning represented by the ridges, subsystems represented by the wedge shaped regions, and / or analysis of the physical characteristics represented in the icon. A sensor interface receives measurements, and a graphics generator prepares a presentation of the model.

The invention discloses a method, a device and a disaster recovery system, wherein the method and the device are used for migrating an application virtual machine from a source data center to a target data center, so that businesses are rapidly recovered when the data center has a disaster. The method includes the steps: acquiring a specification and network information of the application virtual machine by a data center management server; transmitting a creation instruction for creating an application virtual machine on a target server according to the specification of the application virtual machine to the target data center by the data center management server, and configuring a network for the application virtual machine on the target server according to the network information of the application virtual machine; transmitting a mounting instruction to the target data center by the data center management server; transmitting a starting instruction to the target data center by the data center management server. Once the data center of the businesses including the application virtual machine has catastrophic failure, the businesses can be rapidly migrated to the other data center, and all businesses including the application virtual machine are recovered on the other data center within a short time.

The present invention provides a method for managing requests for service over a communications network. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: receiving a request for service from a customer terminal at a queue server via the communications network; allocating a queue identifier to the request for service; sending the queue identifier to the customer terminal; receiving the queue identifier from the customer terminal at the queue server as part of a subsequent request for service; performing a comparison between the queue identifier and queue status information; and forwarding the request for service to the service host in accordance with the result of the comparison. Preferably, if sufficient resources are available, the request for service is forwarded directly to the service host without entering a queue. If there are insufficient resources, the request for service is held in an automatically managed queue and the risk of catastrophic failure is eliminated.

An orthopaedic implant provides a simple yet effective retention system requiring no additional components beyond the implant and the associated fastener(s). A plurality of anti-rotation protrusions on the fastener or screw head that match recesses in the implant. The protrusions engage the recesses to prevent the fastener from reversing direction, thereby assuring that the associated fastener does not backout during normal motion of the spine and other anatomical structures. A land on the fastener screw thread assures the fastener will not disengage from the implant should it strip out of the bone. Preventing the fastener from backing out assures it will not detach from the implant or staple, assuring that the implant will remain in place until all fasteners in the system have catastrophically failed. The anti-backout features of the invention provide feedback as they engage, allowing the surgeon to move quickly when placing a fastener without the concern for inadvertent over-tightening. Although ideally suited to a spinal correction system such as a cervical plate, the invention is applicable to other orthopedic devices, including plates and staples for other applications.

The system consists of an LED failure detection circuit to provide protection against individual LED catastrophic failure. When LED clusters are arranged in a series-parallel configuration, it is important to detect individual LED failure in order to avoid uncontrolled luminous intensity reduction and / or light uniformity degradation. The circuit compares the voltage levels on LEDs with similar position but situated in different chains. In normal conditions, the voltage levels are substantially similar to one another. In case of individual or multiple LED failure, open or shortcircuit, the circuit sends a signal to the automatic turn off circuit that initiates the lamp forced turn off sequence.

A supercharged motorcycle (10) configured for mounted operation by a rider (R) is disclosed. The supercharged motorcycle (10) broadly includes a motorcycle (12) and an air induction system (14) configured to deliver compressed induction fluid to the intake manifold (48) of the motorcycle's engine (18). The air induction system (14) broadly includes an air intake assembly (62) for receiving ambient air and delivering it downstream, a supercharger (64) in downstream communication with the air intake assembly (62) for compressing the air, an air delivery assembly (66) for delivering the compressed air to the engine (18), and a drive assembly (68) for powering the supercharger (64) off of the drive train (44). The entire air induction system (14) is positioned entirely outside of the leg-receiving areas (ALR) defined by the motorcycle (12) so as to not engage the rider's legs (L) and feet (F), when the rider (R) is mounted on the seat (34) in the normal operating position. Driving the air induction system (14) off of one or more components of the drive train (44) cooperates with the forward positioning of the supercharger (64) and the sleek configuration of the drive assembly (68) extending there between to provide an air induction system (14) that does not undesirably alter the overall appearance or sound of the motorcycle 12 and does not interfere with the preferred operation thereof as is preferred by motorcycle riders, particularly Harley-Davidson® riders. A preferred alternative embodiment of the power take-off subassembly for an air induction system for a supercharged motorcycle is also disclosed in the supercharged motorcycle (400). The motorcycle (400) includes a breakaway coupler assembly (408) that enables the motorcycle's drive train to continue operation in the event of catastrophic failure of the air induction system.

Pipeline networks are ubiquitous for transporting fluids. Failure modes may result in a wide spectrum of negative effects ranging from energy loss to revenue loss to catastrophic failure with loss of life. The present invention introduces innovative technology to detect, identify and locate events representing failure modes and / or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network. The present invention addresses the issues with the prior art based on the following innovations—exploiting the signal processing enabled by detecting the passive acoustic signal in conjunction with both an active reflected acoustic signal and an active transmittive acoustic signal within a pipeline segment. These measurements can be aggregated to reduce the effects of ambient noise and improve the invention's ability to detect, identify and locate anomalous events representing failure modes and / or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network.

A computer implemented process is provided for assessing and characterizing the degree of success or failure of an operational event of a machine system such as a fluid compressor machine or turbine machine or the like on a continuous numerical scale. The computer implemented process develops and tracks machine unit signatures, machine site signatures and machine fleet signatures to evaluate various operational events and provide fault detection. At least some sensor data acquired from the machine system during an operational event is transformed to correct or at least reduce variabilities in the data caused by ambient conditions and fuel quality. The transformed data is then analyzed using statistical methods to determine how closely the operational event conforms to an expected normal behavior and the information is used to develop a single comprehensive quality assessment of the event. By saving, tracking and updating operational event assessments over time, machine / component degradation may be recognized at any early stage and corrective action may be initiated in advance of a catastrophic failure.

A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

A strengthened glass container or vessel such as, but not limited to, vials for holding pharmaceutical products or vaccines in a hermetic and / or sterile state. The strengthened glass container undergoes a strengthening process that produces compression at the surface and tension within the container wall. The strengthening process is designed such that the tension within the wall is great enough to ensure catastrophic failure of the container, thus rendering the product unusable, should sterility be compromised by a through-wall crack. The tension is greater than a threshold central tension, above which catastrophic failure of the container is guaranteed, thus eliminating any potential for violation of pharmaceutical integrity.

Golf clubs formed from bulk-solidifying amorphous metals (i.e., metallic glasses) having high elastic modulus and fracture toughness, and to methods of forming the same are provided. Among other components, the golf club materials disclosed enable fabrication of flexural membranes or shells used in golf club heads (drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters) exhibiting enhanced flexural or bending compliance together with the ability to deform plastically and avoid brittle fracture or catastrophic failure when overloaded under bending loads. Further, the high strength of the material and its density, comparable to that of steel, enables the redistribution of mass in the golf club while maintaining a desired overall target mass.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an implementation for a multi-hop wireless backhaul network. These embodiments can advantageously be deployed in dense urban areas and / or co-located with wireless access nodes, such as base-stations of a cellular wireless communication system. Preferably wireless links between constituent network nodes are set-up hierarchically. A basic result of this is that peer-to-peer (child-to-child) communication is generally prohibited and circuits are forced to conform to a topology. The multi-hop wireless backhaul network may be used to carry delay sensitive, high-density last mile circuit traffic over Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) broadband radio links. Moreover, some embodiments of the invention provide a method of path-healing for re-routing of circuit traffic from circuits that have experienced catastrophic failures.

An in-situ apparatus is provided for monitoring the state of stress / strain and cracking in a die surface. The apparatus may also be used to facilitate the prudent removal of the die from the surface so that it may be repaired before catastrophic failure occurs. Accordingly, the yield of a process used to generate die cast structures may be greatly increased.

Systems for monitoring structural health conditions of objects. Each system includes patch sensors attached to an object, wherein each patch sensor is capable of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal in response to the wave. The system includes a tree structured relay unit that has a root node and at least one lower level node that includes at least one leaf node connected to the patch sensors. The lower level node includes switches, wherein the switches are operated to establish a channel between the root node and a selected one of the patch sensors and wherein actuator signal or sensor signal is transmitted through the channel. The sensor signals are analyzed to monitor health conditions thereby prevent catastrophic failure.

Novel tools and techniques that offer more robust solutions for application service management. Some such solutions provide a service management framework for managing a software application. In some cases, the framework can include multiple tools to detect and / or remedy application problems at a variety of different levels. In another aspect, some solutions can define multiple application lifecycle phases, ranging from minor impairment to catastrophic failure. For each of such phases, the service management framework can define one or more diagnostic criteria and / or one or more corrective actions that can be taken to remedy a suboptimal condition of the application.

The invention relates to local discharge on-line detection method and device of a high-voltage cross-linking polythene cable system. The device comprises a local discharge signal sensor, a local discharge signal conditioning and acquiring unit and an industry control computer. Software anti-interference is carried out on local discharge signals, various kinds of interference and noise are suppressed, weak local discharge signals are extracted from strong interference and are displayed in a discharge capacity form, a three-dimensional spectrum containing discharge times, the discharge capacityand a discharge phase is formed, and data which are continuously monitored by an enclosure are written into a database for the convenience of history inquiry, so that the trend change of the dischargecapacity of each enclosure is grasped and technical data for determining the insulated state of the cable system is provided. The invention has the advantages that: according to the on-site requirements, the method and the device can carry out wide band high-speed local discharge detection on an electrified cable system through the software-hardware combined anti-interference scheme, effectivelymonitor the insulated conditions of cable equipment, prevent catastrophic failures and provide scientific basis for state maintenance of a cable system.

Methods and apparatus are described to detect, measure, and determine the presence of unknown Groundloop currents flowing through unidentified circuit pathways within the wiring system distributed within a portion of a fuselage of an airplane substantially made from fiber-reinforced composite materials to avoid catastrophic failures of the electrical system within such an airplane.