Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.).

Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.).

Abstract: A laser cutter for cutting textile or leather clothing material adhered on a stiff tacky backing sheet includes a laser which produces a laser beam, a guide head for reflecting and focusing the laser beam onto the sheet-backed clothing material, and an optical sensor mounted on the guide head for recognizing the shape or a pattern marked on the material. The material is supported by an idler roller. Under the control of a computer, a pair of bi-directionally driven pinch rollers move the material back and forth across the idler roller in synchronism with movement of the guide head transversely across the material. The computer alternately activates and controls the optical sensor or the laser. In an optical scanning mode, under control of the computer, the material is scanned to create in the computer memory a model of the desired pattern to be cut in the clothing material, and a desired cutting path matched to the shape of, or pattern on, the clothing material.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine the clearance between the tips of a row of rotor blades and the surrounding casing is maintained in a pre-determined range by providing supplies of relatively hot and cold air to passages in the casing. The amount of hot or cold air which is allowed to pass through the passages is controlled by exhausting the flow from the passages through a control clearance which varies in proportion to the size of the clearance to be controlled.