Abstract: A topical composition comprising: (a) a cosmetic skin benefit agent; (b) a retinoid; and (c) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle. The compositions are useful as cosmetic anti-ageing skin care creams and lotions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an alternate communication path to send and receive data between a first network node and a second network node. The method includes establishing a first communication path between the first network node and the second network node that sends and receives data between the first network node and second network node and a second communication path between the first network node and the second network node that sends and receives data between the first network node and second network node. A diagnostic program tests the first and second communication paths for network failures causing the alternate network path to send and receive data between the first network node and second network node when a network failure in the first and second communication paths is detected and alerting a technician of the failure and that the first and second communication paths need repair. The first and second communication paths returning to normal operation upon the repair of the failure.

Abstract: A method for use by a primary device associated with a secondary device of a redundant pair, the primary device issuing a synchronization request to its control database causing the primary device to send a tracked memory file storage of the primary device to the secondary device to update the secondary device control database and to periodically send on request of the primary device the cached changes made in the primary device to the secondary device to update the secondary device control database. The secondary device using the updated control database to identify communications connections and paths to I/O modules and peer devices assigned to the secondary device and to perform diagnostic testing of the communications connections and paths identified by the interrogation and send diagnostic messages upon detection of faults in the communication connections and paths identified.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an alternate communication path to send and receive data between a first network node and a second network node. The method includes establishing a first communication path between the first network node and the second network node that sends and receives data between the first network node and second network node and a second communication path between the first network node and the second network node that sends and receives data between the first network node and second network node. A diagnostic program tests the first and second communication paths for network failures causing the alternate network path to send and receive data between the first network node and second network node when a network failure in the first and second communication paths is detected and alerting a technician of the failure and that the first and second communication paths need repair. The first and second communication paths returning to normal operation upon the repair of the failure.

Abstract: A method for use by a primary device associated with a secondary device of a redundant pair, the primary device issuing a synchronization request to its control database causing the primary device to send a tracked memory file storage of the primary device to the secondary device to update the secondary device control database and to periodically send on request of the primary device the cached changes made in the primary device to the secondary device to update the secondary device control database. The secondary device using the updated control database to identify communications connections and paths to I/O modules and peer devices assigned to the secondary device and to perform diagnostic testing of the communications connections and paths identified by the interrogation and send diagnostic messages upon detection of faults in the communication connections and paths identified.

Abstract: A method of fault-tolerant process control includes providing a network process control system in an industrial processing facility (IPF) including a plant-wide network coupling a server to computing platforms each including computing hardware and memory hosting a software application for simultaneously supporting a process controller and another process controller or an I/O gateway. The computing platforms are coupled together by a private path redundancy network for providing a hardware resource pool. At least some of the computing platforms are directly coupled by an I/O mesh network to a plurality of I/O devices to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment. Upon detecting at least one failing device in the hardware resource pool, over the private path redundancy network a backup is placed into service for the failing device from the another process controller or I/O gateway that is at another of the computing platforms in the hardware resource pool.

Abstract: A apparatus having a control network and a first controller comprising a microprocessor configured to support communication functions, control execution functions, I/O functions, and control network interface functions, a second controller configured as a redundant partner to the first controller, and an I/O link and I/O modules.

Abstract: A process control system includes a first process controller coupled to a first set of input/output (I/O) modules that provided first channels, including an I/O software agent coupled to an I/O module pool that includes a first and at least a second I/O module collectively providing pooled channels. The first channels and the pooled channels are each coupled by a respective field device to first and second processing equipment, respectively. The I/O software agent is configured for enabling addition of the first set of I/O modules to the LO module pool, coupling of a plurality of additional process controllers in a controller pool to the first process controller, and enabling at least one of i) making any of the first channels available to any of the process controllers in the controller pool, and ii) making any of the pooled channels available to the first process controller.

Abstract: A process control system includes a first process controller coupled to a first set of input/output (I/O) modules that provided first channels, including an I/O software agent coupled to an I/O module pool that includes a first and at least a second I/O module collectively providing pooled channels. The first channels and the pooled channels are each coupled by a respective field device to first and second processing equipment, respectively. The I/O software agent is configured for enabling addition of the first set of I/O modules to the LO module pool, coupling of a plurality of additional process controllers in a controller pool to the first process controller, and enabling at least one of i) making any of the first channels available to any of the process controllers in the controller pool, and ii) making any of the pooled channels available to the first process controller.

Abstract: A network control system within an industrial processing facility (IPF) includes a controller platforms coupled to one another by a private path redundancy network providing a controller pool, each controller platform having at least one controller including computing hardware and a memory. An application module (AM) pool includes a plurality of AMs, wherein the controller platforms are coupled by an input/output mesh network to input/output devices coupled to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment in the IPF. A control application module orchestrator (CAMO) coupled to the plant-wide network is for dynamically deploying the AM's to the controller platforms, wherein the CAMO receives resource consumption attribute data regarding the controller platforms including a pool of available storage in the memory and processing resources available for the computer hardware.

Abstract: A apparatus having a control network and a first controller comprising a microprocessor configured to support communication functions, control execution functions, I/O functions, and control network interface functions, a second controller configured as a redundant partner to the first controller, and an I/O link and I/O modules.

Abstract: A method of fault-tolerant process control includes providing a network process control system in an industrial processing facility (IPF) including a plant-wide network coupling a server to computing platforms each including computing hardware and memory hosting a software application for simultaneously supporting a process controller and another process controller or an I/O gateway. The computing platforms are coupled together by a private path redundancy network for providing a hardware resource pool. At least some of the computing platforms are directly coupled by an I/O mesh network to a plurality of I/O devices to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment. Upon detecting at least one failing device in the hardware resource pool, over the private path redundancy network a backup is placed into service for the failing device from the another process controller or I/O gateway that is at another of the computing platforms in the hardware resource pool.

Abstract: A network control system within an industrial processing facility (IPF) includes a controller platforms coupled to one another by a private path redundancy network providing a controller pool, each controller platform having at least one controller including computing hardware and a memory. An application module (AM) pool includes a plurality of AMs, wherein the controller platforms are coupled by an input/output mesh network to input/output devices coupled to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment in the IPF. A control application module orchestrator (CAMO) coupled to the plant-wide network is for dynamically deploying the AM's to the controller platforms, wherein the CAMO receives resource consumption attribute data regarding the controller platforms including a pool of available storage in the memory and processing resources available for the computer hardware.

Abstract: A method of dynamically establishing a communication connection for mobile equipment (ME) to a process controller of an industrial processing facility (IPF) configured to run an industrial process. The process controller has a computing device includes a processor with a memory storing a different ME classes including a first ME class that the ME is in. The computing device is configured to implement dynamic establishment of a communication connection for ME to the process controller, including reading a representation of a first industrial protocol for the ME while docked at the process controller, translating the representation into a first industrial protocol address, and setting the first industrial protocol address as a first configuration instance in its industrial protocol infrastructure block to render the ME an attached ME. After undocking the ME, the process controller communicates with the ME while controlling the industrial process.

Abstract: A method of dynamically establishing a communication connection for mobile equipment (ME) to a process controller of an industrial processing facility (IPF) configured to run an industrial process. The process controller has a computing device includes a processor with a memory storing a different ME classes including a first ME class that the ME is in. The computing device is configured to implement dynamic establishment of a communication connection for ME to the process controller, including reading a representation of a first industrial protocol for the ME while docked at the process controller, translating the representation into a first industrial protocol address, and setting the first industrial protocol address as a first configuration instance in its industrial protocol infrastructure block to render the ME an attached ME. After undocking the ME, the process controller communicates with the ME while controlling the industrial process.

Abstract: A geothermal drilling and recovery system comprising a drilling rig having an elevator with a laser and a radar gun mounted on said elevator, a drill pipe, a rotating mirror mounted adjacent the lower end of said drill pipe and means for establishing a vacuum adjacent said lower end of said drill pipe to remove and recover heat and drilling debris therefrom.

Abstract: A laser is fired down the drill pipe (20) and directed to the bottom of the hole by the stationary (25) and the rotating (30) mirrors.

Abstract: Quasi-harmonic neutralized inverter systems are provided with interphase transformers connected in a waffle tree configuration and each having a pair of inputs for receiving staggered voltage waveforms, wherein the stagger angle of the voltage waveforms reduces a harmonic component of an output voltage on an output terminal of each interphase transformer. Inverters produce voltage waveforms at phase angles necessary to provide the required stagger angles at the inputs of the interphase transformers in a first stage of the waffle tree configuration. A method for quasi-harmonic neutralization of voltages in an inverter system is also provided, in which interphase transformers, each having a pair of inputs for receiving staggered voltage waveforms, are connected in a waffle tree configuration, such that the stagger angle of the voltage waveforms reduces a harmonic component of an output voltage on an output terminal of each interphase transformer.

Abstract: A UPS system which operates initially in a commutation mode allowing commutation of the static transfer switch provided on the primary supply lines, and wherein the standby source is kept energized so as to operate to commutate such transfer switch through the inverter just before initiating UPS mode of operation.

Abstract: An AC/DC or DC/AC converter includes a single hexagon transformer with each side connected to opposite polarity DC terminals through two pairs of SCR devices gated in sequence synchronously with the frequency of the AC lines, gating in a pair lagging gating of the next SCR device in the adjoining pair, to create a 24-pulse output, while minimizing AC line harmonic contents, especially the 11th and 13th harmonics.