Abstract: A function-distributed control apparatus comprises a first bus, a second bus, and at least one base processor element which includes a first main processing unit connected to at least the first bus, a second main processing unit connected to at least the second bus, and a dual-port memory with a mutual interrupt circuit connected to both these main processing units for communications between them. The first bus and the first main processing unit are chiefly for intelligent processing required for controlling a machine, while the second bus and the second main processing unit are chiefly for motion control of the machine. Those buses are also connected to various intelligent subsystems each including a processing unit and a dual-port memory with a mutual interrupt circuit for communications with the base processor element.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a controlled object including controlled elements comprises a host processor, a plurality of slave modules and a communication network for providing communication between the host processor and the slave modules. The host processor interprets a control program to generate commands for the controlled elements in response to demands send from the slave modules. These commands are sent via the communication network to the respective slave modules. Each slave module is allotted to a controlled element and has a processor which interprets and executes the commands for its allotted controlled element and generates a demand upon finishing the execution of a command. This demand is sent via the communication network to the host processor and causes the next command to be generated.

Abstract: A temperature control method for a reversing type heat exchanger group wherein an outlet temperature of reheating gas of an arbitrarily selected reversing type heat exchanger which serves as a reference in the reversing heat exchanger group is rendered equal in value to a reference control temperature set beforehand in such a manner so as to satisfy the sweeping temperature difference. The outlet temperatures of the reheating gas in the other reversing type heat exchangers of the reversing type heat exchanger group are rendered equal in value to the outlet temperature of the reheating gas in the reversing type heat exchanger serving as the reference. Thus, the temperature of the cold end of all of the reversing type heat exchangers of the reversing type heat exchanger group are caused to be balanced equally whereby ice and dry ice deposited on the feed water channels can be effectively removed by a sweeping action.

Abstract: A work setting system associated with a group of machine tools arranged in a production line for setting workpieces on pallets. The system includes a setting table section providing a location for setting a workpiece on a pallet, a work centering and clamping unit arranged around the setting table section for driving positioning jigs and clamping members to be attached on the pallet, a measuring unit measuring the dimensions of the workpiece on the pallet and supplying signals to the work centering and clamping unit which represents the measurements of the workpiece as positioning signals, a handling unit for handling the pallets, the workpieces and the jigs, and a control unit for controlling the work setting table section, the centering and clamping unit, the measuring unit and the handling unit in a conversational mode and also supplying and receiving information exchanged between control unit for the group of machine tools and a central processing unit superposing the control units.

Abstract: A container crane system comprises a storage area on a crane for storing containers temporarily, a main spreader adapted for conveyance of the containers between the storage area and a ship so constructed that the containers are guided by a cell guide and stowed into a hatch of the ship, and an auxiliary spreader adapted for conveyance of the containers between the storage area and a transport system prepared on the land to the rear of the crane. The main spreader is operated automatically according to operation schedules which are previously stored in a memory by a teaching operation and whose variable components are corrected during the automatic operation through a corrective (or modified) playback operation, while the auxiliary spreader is automatically operated through a programmed operation schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus with sensor mounted on a spreader for handling articles of a rectangular parallelepiped shape for detecting elements in plate form attached to both sides of such handling articles and both sides of the handling article loading and unloading bed of freight cars and trucks for conveying such handling articles, in order to position the spreader by detecting the detecting plate by the sensor. The sensor detects the deflections of the spreader with respect to the detecting plate, and the spreader is slightly moved for correcting the deflections so as to accurately position the spreader with respect to the article or the bed of a freight car or a truck.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the position of the center of rotation of a hub of each wheel of a vehicle, the hub having secured thereto a plurality of laterally extending hub bolts. The apparatus comprises a position-correcting member movable toward and away from the hub bolts so as to be capable of coming into engagement with a first one of the hub bolts and to rotate the hub until a second one of the hub bolts adjacent to the one hub bolt comes into engagement with the position-correcting member, thereby to adjust the angular position of the hub bolts to a desired orientation. There is further provided a position detector movable along the correcting member toward the first and second hub bolts in engagement with the correcting member until it comes into engagement with one of these hub bolts, thereby to detect the position of the contacted hub bolt. The position of the center of rotation of the hub is calculated on the basis of the amounts of displacements of the correcting member and the detector.