Abstract: A method of queuing access to a power supply shared by a set of electrical access points. The access points turn on independently from one another and thus have independent power draws. Each access point has a specific power draw when on. The on state and associated power draw of each of access point is identified, and a load duration curve for each access point is normalized (i.e., combined with load duration curve(s)) from the other access points) into a probability distribution function. The probability distribution function is a normalized load duration curve that thus accounts for a varying set of “operating states” that may occur with respect to the set of access points (when viewed collectively). Each operating state has an associated probability of occurrence. As the operating state of the set (of access points) changes, access to the power supply is selectively queued, or de-queued (if previously queued).

Abstract: An intelligent thermostat control system for a building, such as a residential home, that automatically adjusts a thermostat setting in the home based on real-time data continually received from mobile devices and/or social media files associated with the residents. This allows the thermostat controller to override the explicit programmed settings with implicit settings based on activity analysis taking the actual locations and schedules of the residents into account. The intelligent thermostat controller may control different zones differently to take into account the schedules and locations of specific residents associated with specific zones. The temperature controller may also adaptively learn a number of parameters based on monitored data, such as travel times and heating/cooling times for the zones based, to determine times for adjusting the thermostats.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method of starting a HVAC system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) receiving an initiation signal at a main system controller of the HVAC system, (2) determining if main controller application information associated with the main system controller is stored thereon, (3) querying an auxiliary controller of the HVAC system when determining the main controller application information is not stored on the main system controller, (4) sending the main controller application information to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller when the auxiliary controller includes the main controller application information, and (5) initiating the HVAC system based on the initiation signal and employing the main controller application information sent to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes polishing a substrate of a non-metallic layer undergoing polishing and a metal layer underlying the non-metallic layer; storing a metal reference spectrum, the metal reference spectrum being a spectrum of light reflected from a same metal material as the metal layer; measuring a sequence of raw spectra of light reflected from the substrate during polishing with an in-situ optical monitoring system; normalizing each raw spectrum in the sequence of spectra to generate a sequence of normalized spectra, of which normalizing includes a division operation where the measured spectrum is in the numerator and the metal reference spectrum is in the denominator; and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on at least one normalized predetermined spectrum from the sequence of normalized spectra.

Abstract: A system for providing backup power to a facility includes a generator, and a controller configured to determine whether electrical power to the facility has been interrupted, and automatically determine a generator initial start and restart time delay based at least on a prediction of when an electrical system within the facility needs to be cycled.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of demand management for fluid networks. The method includes the steps of providing a computer controlled fluid network for delivery of fluid to at least one customer (14), maintaining a real time database (16) within the computer controlled fluid network of predetermined parameters, requesting a flow rate and time of delivery of said fluid from the fluid network through a user interface (22) to a customer (20), determining, using predetermined parameters from the real time database (16), the availability (24) of providing delivery of fluid from the fluid network to the customer (14) based on hydraulic capacity of the fluid network, and, if the hydraulic capacity is available, calculating parameters (38) using the real time database (16) to deliver fluid to the customer (14) through the computer controlled fluid network.

Abstract: A system and method for constructively providing a set of complex-valued indices that measures the proximity of an electrical power distribution system to voltage collapse, and providing insights on general static stability issues in power networks. These indices, termed “sigmas”, are designed through a mathematical osculation of the actual load flow solution with an equivalent two-bus system at every node. The procedure for obtaining these sigmas is based on the Holomorphic Embedded Load flow Method (HELM), and the indices are, in fact, proper analytical functions of the embedding parameter, which endows them with powerful diagnostic capabilities. These indices are then used graphically on a two-dimensional chart, in order to appreciate visually the overall distance of the system to voltage collapse, while at the same time spotting the weak nodes out of the whole grid, providing new situational awareness and diagnosis tools.

Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging system and a medical imaging system operating according to such a method, a measurement sequence is divided into a number of partial sequences, with each of the partial sequences resulting in a loading of at least one of these system components when the measurement sequence is executed. The partial sequences are evaluated, in terms of their number and duration, using a computerized model in order to determine whether a load limit for the at least one of the system components is exceeded. If so, the number or duration of the partial sequences is modified, and a check using the computer model is again implemented. A number or respective duration of the partial sequences that results in the load limit not being exceeded is then used as a final output in order to operate the medical imaging system.

Abstract: A smoke ventilation system comprising a system controller connected to window actuators of different building areas, and control points associated with the window actuators of different building areas, the system controller comprises a power supply module powering the window actuators and the control points, wherein the control points are connected to the system controller by a common serial bus comprising power supply and communication lines for communicating serial control signals to activate the associated window actuators of a building area.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, management server includes estimator, scheduler, acquisition unit, monitoring unit, receiver and setting unit. Estimator calculates estimated value of energy demand in building with electric appliance. Scheduler creates schedule of appliance based on estimated value. Acquisition unit acquires actual value of energy demand. Monitoring unit monitors error between estimated value and actual value. Receiver receives DR signal containing information which prompts suppression of energy consumption in a designated period. Setting unit sets threshold. Estimator recalculates estimated value if error is equal or more than threshold. Scheduler reforms schedule based on the recalculated estimated value.

Abstract: The invention is a method for controlling a wind turbine to optimize the energy production with an estimation of the incident wind speed Vw being used to obtain an optimum control (COM). The estimation of wind speed M is achieved by accounting for the dynamics of the system from the measurement of rotor speed the torque imposed on the generator and of orientation of the turbine blades.

Abstract: A monitoring processor controls a plurality of electronic devices that each include a cooling fan that cools inside of a casing and a fan controller that controls the cooling fan. The monitoring processor includes a fan speed controller that performs control on the fan controllers of the respective electronic devices to change rotation speed of at least any cooling fan based on pieces of sound pressure information of sounds emitted by the respective electronic devices measured by a sound pressure measuring device.

Abstract: A method, performed in an apparatus for energy control in an energy storage, for determining a composition of energy in the energy storage using a data storage holding information of a determined composition of the energy in the energy storage. The composition of energy comprises one or more energy types and a proportion of each energy type. The method includes measuring a quantity of energy provided in the energy storage, obtaining from the energy provider data indicative of a property of the energy, calculating a proportion of each energy type in the energy based on the obtained data, determining the composition of energy based on the calculated proportion of each energy type in the energy in the energy storage and the measured quantity of energy, and storing the determined composition in the data storage.

Abstract: An Internet appliance, comprising, within a single housing, packet data network interfaces, adapted for communicating with the Internet and a local area network, at least one data interface selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus, an IEEE-1394 interface, a voice telephony interface, an audio program interface, a video program interface, an audiovisual program interface, a camera interface, a physical security system interface, a wireless networking interface; a device control interface, smart home interface, an environmental sensing interface, and an environmental control interface, and a processor, for controlling a data transfer between the local area network and the Internet, and defining a markup language interface communicated through a packet data network interface, to control a data transfer or control a remote device.

Abstract: A controller for a chiller and a method for controlling a chiller are provided. The method may include receiving, by a controller, a target value of a control factor of the chiller; comparing, by the controller, the received target value with a current value of the control factor of the chiller; transmitting, by the controller, a control factor value change command to the chiller if the received target value is not equal to the current value of the control factor of the chiller; receiving, by the controller, a changed current value of the control factor from the chiller; updating, by the controller, the current value of the control factor on a management screen with the received changed current value of the control factor; and comparing, by the controller, the received target value with the current value of the control factor again.

Abstract: A numerical control device inputs a machining program to control an operation of a machine tool and outputs feedback data obtained as a result of the operation of the machine tool. The numerical control device includes a machining-program analysis unit that analyzes the machining program having a machining shape command to which a mark or a specific program command is attached and that outputs a marking instruction; a delay unit that delays the marking instruction until the feedback data indicating a result of an operation of the machine tool based on the machining shape command is obtained; and a feedback-data output unit that, when having detected the feedback data and the delayed marking instruction, executes, onto the feedback data, marking corresponding to the mark or the specific program command attached to the machining shape command and outputs the feedback data.

Abstract: A controller executes local generation and local consumption pathways of: supplying power from a solar cell to an appliance, and charging a storage cell with power that remains after subtracting power consumed by the appliance from the solar cell power. In the absence of excess power, the storage cell and solar cell supply power. Power supply from a commercial electrical grid covers a power shortage that remains after subtracting solar cell power and storage cell power from the power consumed by the appliance. The controller also executes a second excess power selling mode pathway wherein excess power flows into the commercial electrical grid, and an assist mode wherein all solar cell power flows into the commercial electrical grid, and storage cell power flows to the appliance.

Abstract: A system prevents unauthorized delivery of product to a bulk storage tank, allows authorized delivery, and controls the flow of product at a product entry port of the tank. A remote controlled valve includes a disk flap that is displaceable between an opened position and a closed position, and a disk displacement assembly including a motor coupled with the disk flap. The disk displacement assembly includes a lock feature that locks the disk flap in the opened position and the closed position. A controller is cooperable with the disk displacement assembly and controls activation of the motor. The disk displacement assembly includes a spring transmission assembly interposed between the motor and an axle of the disk flap. The spring transmission assembly permits displacement of the motor when the disk flap is blocked in the opened position or the closed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and preventing a cabinet strike event in a washing machine appliance are provided. An exemplary method includes ramping a target speed of a motor from a first speed to a second speed over a ramping period. The method includes computing an average deviation of an observed speed of the motor from the target speed over the ramping period. The method includes computing an average power consumption by the motor over the ramping period. The method includes determining whether both the average deviation is greater than a first threshold value and the average power consumption is greater than a second threshold value. The method includes rebalancing the load if both the average deviation is greater than a first threshold value and the average power consumption is greater than a second threshold value. The method includes performing one or more standard operations if both conditions are not satisfied.

Abstract: A motor controller for a motor is described. The motor controller includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a client computing device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit diagnostic data from the memory device to the client computing device, transmit identification data associated with the motor controller to the client computing device, receive, from the client computing device, a decommission password generated from the identification data, and disable the motor using the decommission password.