Patents Examined by Ronald D Hartman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11692528
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a wind turbine wherein the method includes: operating the wind turbine over an operating period in accordance with a control strategy, providing one or more input values representing a load acting on at least one component of the wind turbine and providing uncertainties of the input values, determining, based on the input values, an aggregated load value representing an aggregated load acting on the at least one component of the wind turbine over an aggregation period, determining, based on the uncertainties of the input values, an uncertainty of the aggregated load value, determining a statistical load aggregate from the aggregated load value and the uncertainty of the aggregated load value, adjusting the control strategy based on the statistical load aggregate. The disclosure further relates to a wind turbine and a wind farm configured to perform the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Nordex Energy SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jacob Laborenz, Joerg Schwarte, Christian Maass
  • Patent number: 11687055
    Abstract: The present disclosure is intended to enable a user to grasp a state of load on an arithmetic processing unit (100, 200) so that the user can stop an excessive function of the arithmetic processing unit (100, 200), or can transfer part of arithmetic processes to another arithmetic processing unit (100, 200) with a small load. Included are the arithmetic processing unit (100, 200) that executes a plurality of processes related to servo control processing; and an observation unit (300) that determines at least one of point-of-time information about start of each of the processes executed by the arithmetic processing unit or point-of-time information about end of each of the processes executed by the arithmetic processing unit; and an output unit (400) that calculates information about usage of the arithmetic processing unit based on the point-of-time information determined by the observation unit, and outputs the calculated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Luo, Satoshi Ikai, Tsutomu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11687066
    Abstract: A computing system may include a virtual cross metrology engine configured to construct a given virtual metrology model. The given virtual metrology model may take, as inputs, process parameters applied for the given step of a semiconductor fabrication process. The virtual cross metrology engine may also be configured to construct a subsequent virtual metrology model, and the subsequent step is performed after the given step in the semiconductor fabrication process. Doing so may include determining inputs for the subsequent virtual metrology model from a combination of the process parameters applied for the given step of the semiconductor fabrication process, process parameters applied for the subsequent step of the semiconductor fabrication process, and a wafer value for the given step of the semiconductor fabrication process that the given virtual metrology model is configured to predict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Inc.
    Inventor: Juan Andres Torres Robles
  • Patent number: 11681265
    Abstract: Disclosed is a generating facility management device capable of automatically calculating and determining inspection intervals of generating facilities using a system. In an example embodiment, the generating facility management device calculates inspection intervals of unit devices constituting each of the generating facilities using a time code index, a stressor index and a degradation mechanism index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA WESTERN POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung Sub Lim
  • Patent number: 11675336
    Abstract: A method of controlling a pumping sequence of a fracturing fleet at a wellsite. A managing application executing on a computer in the control van can retrieve the pumping sequence from a local or remote storage computer. The managing application can establish an electronic communication link to receive sensor data from a plurality of fracturing units. The managing application can control the plurality of fracturing units with a stage script with multiple sequential instructions for a pumping stage of a pumping sequence while receiving one or more periodic data sets from the plurality of fracturing units wherein the data sets are indicative of the current state of the pumping stage of the pumping sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Joshua Lane Camp, Ian Bradford Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11669068
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus (10) diagnoses the existence of an abnormality in a tool for processing of a processing target by each of multiple working machines. The diagnostic apparatus (10) includes an acquirer (110) and a diagnoser (160). The acquirer (110) acquires program identification information identifying a program executed in each of the working machines, tool information indicating a type of the tool applied to processing, and transition information indicating transition of load in the working machine from the start to the end of the processing executed by execution of the program, at execution of the processing in the working machine. The diagnoser (160) diagnoses whether an index value of the load obtained from the transition information is out of a predetermined range corresponding to a combination of the program identification information, the tool information, and machine information identifying the working machine that transmits the transition information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyohei Suzuki, Tetsushi Ishida
  • Patent number: 11669067
    Abstract: A work management apparatus, method, and system enable to accurately manage position, tightening torque and other information for all fastening parts, for tightening work using a tool with a torque sensor. The system includes: a driver provided with a torque sensor; and first and second cameras that capture images of a product from different viewpoints. The torque sensor starts measurement of the tightening torque when a detected tightening torque exceeds a set threshold value, stops measurement of the tightening torque when the measurement data satisfies a predetermined condition, and outputs torque related data that includes measurement time. The system further includes: a PC that calculates coordinates of an engagement position of a bit from a plurality of image data captured by the first and the second cameras corresponding to the measurement time included in the torque related data; and a marker mounting device provided with a marker and removably mounted to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yuto Kawauchi, Yuya Suzuki, Ryutaro Tanno, Akihiro Harada, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11662499
    Abstract: A foreign object detecting device includes: an input unit to which a detection signal is inputted from a sheet-type pressure sensor; a sensor information processing unit configured to, based on the detection signal, generate sensor information indicating an area in a detection area of the pressure sensor to which a pressure is being applied; and a judgement unit configured to compare the sensor information and basic layout information indicating a predetermined area in the detection area to which a pressure is applied, to thereby judge whether a foreign object is present in the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11654004
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for manufacturing a physical dental model. A virtual model is provided representative of at least a portion of the intra-oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representative of each dental implant. The virtual spatial disposition of each such virtual portion is determined with respect to the virtual model, corresponding to a real spatial disposition of the respective implant with respect to the intra oral cavity. A physical model is then manufactured based on the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to each implant at a respective physical spatial disposition with respect to the physical model corresponding to the respective virtual spatial disposition of the respective virtual portion with respect to the first virtual model as already determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Avi Kopelman
  • Patent number: 11647707
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy A. Thatcher, Mark Moeller, John Kastl
  • Patent number: 11641911
    Abstract: Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Conall Regan, Kuo-Hung Lee, Chih-Chi Chang, Ming-Feng Jean, Chang-Chu Liao
  • Patent number: 11638939
    Abstract: A mobile panel maintenance system including a mobile panel maintenance unit having a base supported for translational motion over a surface within a panel array and a carriage movably mounted to the base to position a panel maintenance assembly in relation to a panel surface for panel maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Steam Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Philip J. Hartman, James L. Hartman
  • Patent number: 11640147
    Abstract: A building management system including one or more circuits configured to receive a selection of an object associated with one of a building system, a piece of equipment, or a space of one or more building systems, one or more pieces of equipment, and/or one or more spaces of a building; determine the one or more pieces of equipment related to the object and/or the one or more spaces related to the object; and generate a graphical user interface illustrating (i) a relationship of the object with (a) the one or more pieces of equipment related to the object and/or (b) the one or more spaces related to the object and/or (ii) a control path between the object and (a) the one or more pieces of equipment related to the object and/or (b) the one or more spaces related to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ryan A. Piaskowski, Prashant P. Taralkar
  • Patent number: 11634871
    Abstract: Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for controlling remote equipment in a network. A switch heater control system includes a weather modeling function. The system periodically obtains weather data according to a predetermined time interval. Based on the closest weather data set, the weather modeling function generates a hyperlocal forecast associated with each switch heater location. The system includes an active snowfall mode and a maintenance mode that controls heating based on an estimate of local snow depth, adjusted for wind conditions and passing trains. When the hyperlocal forecast indicates heating is required, the system calculates a melt duration, starts a timer, and transmits a start signal to the switch heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Norfolk Southern Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel W. Plonk, Michael E. Vawter, Greg Temple
  • Patent number: 11630426
    Abstract: A measurement sensor is integrated with a control object so that a position separated from a processing object by the control object along a target trajectory is a measurement point. A control device includes: a first generator that generates a first command position of the control object on a plane; a first control part that generates a first operation amount using a model predictive control; a second generator that generates a second command position of the control object on an orthogonal axis that is orthogonal to the plane; and a second control part that generates a second operation amount using the model predictive control. The second generator generates the second command position so that the distance between the control object and the surface of an object is constant, based on the measurement result of the measurement sensor and the first command position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Namie
  • Patent number: 11630433
    Abstract: A geometric model fitting based calibration process determines offsets between the actual tool center point and theoretical tool center point of a numerically controlled machining system, thereby enabling the system to apply compensation to the offsets in order to align the actual and theoretical tool positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: OMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Miles, Axel H. Henning
  • Patent number: 11623407
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer processor may receive an item definition file containing a volumetric description of the three-dimensional item and create a compressed item definition file including a compressed volumetric description of the three-dimensional item. For example, the item definition file may include a plurality of item slices, from a bottom item slice to a top item slice, each item slice describing a two-dimensional portion of the three-dimensional item. For at least some of the item slices, the computer processor may encode data in the item definition file describing a particular item slice in terms of differences between that particular item slice and another item slice (e.g., a neighboring item slice directly below that particular item slice or an anchor item slice below that particular item slice).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Edward Beckmann, Peter Koudal, John Madelone, John William Carbone
  • Patent number: 11625010
    Abstract: A process control system for controlling a process including a plurality of sub-processes, the process control system including a plurality of control modules each associated with one of the plurality of sub-processes. At least one of the plurality of control modules includes a model, a communicator, and a controller. The model includes a sub-process model defining a relationship between variables of the associated sub-process, and an inter-sub-process model defining a relationship between a variable of another sub-process and at least one of the variables of the associated sub-process. The communicator communicates with control module associated with the another sub-process to determine an updated value for the variable of the another sub-process. The controller uses the model and the updated value to determine a control signal for adjusting a manipulated variable of the associated sub-process. The process control method is also provided that is performed by the process control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SPIRO CONTROL LTD
    Inventors: Patrick John Thorpe, Shabroz Gill
  • Patent number: 11619929
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce an error between an actual machine and a simulation by removing the influence of overlearning of an adjustment by a mathematically-described function, and to optimize automatic operation control of the machine. An automatic operation control system for controlling an automatic operation of a machine sets a first model showing a relation between a control signal string input to the machine on the basis of a mathematically-described function and data output from the machine controlled in accordance with the control signal string. In a learning process including learning the automatic operation control of the machine, the system executes learning using the first model until a first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Matsumoto, Fumiya Kudo, Toshihiro Kujirai
  • Patent number: 11621069
    Abstract: A distributed computer system for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance for a subject is provided. The system comprises: a server communicatively couplable to electronic devices associated with sets of users, the sets of users comprising: a first set of users for providing preliminary orthodontic treatment plans for subjects, a second set of users for providing input to the preliminary orthodontic treatment plans, and a third set of users for manufacturing orthodontic appliances to implement at least a portion of finalized orthodontic treatment plans, the finalized orthodontic treatment plans being based on a given preliminary orthodontic treatment plan and a given input from a user of the second set of users to the given preliminary orthodontic treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Oxilio Ltd
    Inventor: Islam Khasanovich Raslambekov