Abstract: A waveform processing assistance device includes an acquirer that acquires a plurality of waveform data obtained by an analysis of a sample, a selector that selects reference data among the waveform data, an extractor that extracts correct answer peaks and correct answer data from the reference data a determiner that determines each processing section including a correct answer peak and each parameter initial value, a waveform processor that performs waveform processing in each determined processing section based on each parameter initial value, an adjuster that generates a parameter adjustment value at which a waveform processing result obtained in each processing section matches or approximates corresponding correct answer data, and a program creator that creates a waveform processing execution program that includes an instruction to execute waveform processing using the parameter adjustment value in each processing section.

Abstract: Stochastic nonlinear model predictive control (SNMPC) allows to directly take uncertainty of the dynamics and/or of the system's environment into account, e.g., by including probabilistic chance constraints. However, SNMPC requires the approximate computation of the probability distributions for the state variables that are propagated through the nonlinear system dynamics. This invention proposes the use of Gaussian-assumed density filters (ADF) to perform high-accuracy propagation of mean and covariance information of the state variables through the nonlinear system dynamics, resulting in a tractable SNMPC approach with improved control performance. In addition, the use of a matrix factorization for the covariance matrix variables in the constrained optimal control problem (OCP) formulation guarantees positive definiteness of the full trajectory of covariance matrices in each iteration of any optimization algorithm.

Abstract: Aspects herein include monitoring devices for filtration systems. An embodiment of the monitoring device can include a first fluid conduit and a first pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit. The monitoring device can also include a second fluid conduit and a second pressure sensor, wherein the second pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit. The monitoring device can also include a control circuit in electronic communication with the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. The monitoring device can also include a housing, wherein the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor and the control circuit are all disposed within the housing. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like for determining optimized solutions to input problems in a containerized, cloud-based (e.g., serverless) manner using multiple solver types. In one embodiment, an example method involves receiving a problem type of an input problem originating from a client computing entity, mapping the problem type to one or more selected solver types, generating one or more container instances of one or more compute containers with each compute container corresponding to a selected solver type, generating a problem output using the one or more container instances, and providing the problem output to the client computing entity, where the problem output includes an optimized solution to the input problem that can be used to perform one or more prediction-based actions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alert implants that comprise a medical device and an implantable reporting processor (IRP), where one example of such a medical device includes a component for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) such as a tibial extension, a femoral component for hip replacements, a breast implant, a distal rod for arm or leg breakage repair, a scoliosis rod, a dynamic hip screw, a spinal interbody spacer, and tooling and methods that may be used to form the alert implant, and uses of such alert implants in the health maintenance of patients who receive the implant.

Abstract: A nonwoven web is made by first depositing fibers as a nonwoven web in a deposition area, then conveying the web away from the deposition area in a web-travel direction, preconsolidating the web in the path, and passing the preconsolidated web between a pair of rollers that compress and final consolidate the preconsolidated web, One of the rollers is separated from the web such that final consolidation of the web at a starting level is stopped and at the same time or immediately beforehand upstream preconsolidation of the web increased. After separating the one roller from the web, another roller is engaged with the web at the consolidation station and then final consolidation is recommenced, whereupon upstream preconsolidation of the web is reduced back to the starting level.

Abstract: A system and accompanying assembly, of integrated or modular construction, for inflating and monitoring pressure within a retaining cuff including a housing having a pressure chamber connected in fluid communication with a fluid pressure source and a fluid communicating connection with the retaining cuff. Associated control circuitry includes a pressure sensor disposable in fluid communication with the pressure chamber and the retaining cuff, via the fluid communicating connection and structured to concurrently determine and monitor pressure within the pressure chamber and the retaining cuff. The control circuitry is cooperatively structured with the pressure sensor and other operative components to establish dynamic multilevel sampling capabilities, calibration parameters stored within the control circuitry prior to use and limited or single use capabilities of the assembly.

Abstract: Bandwidth-selectable acoustic emission apparatus and methods for transmitting time-averaged signal data are described. An example apparatus includes an acoustic emission sensor having a bandwidth-selectable filter and a data extractor. The acoustic emission sensor is to generate an acoustic emission signal. The bandwidth-selectable filter is to filter the acoustic emission signal based on a selected bandwidth to generate a filtered acoustic emission signal. The data extractor is to extract time-averaged signal data from the filtered acoustic emission signal. The data extractor is also to transmit the time-averaged signal data from the acoustic emission sensor to an external data acquisition system.

Abstract: A controller enables execution of control programs in parallel using a multi-core processor in shorter cycles without causing communication collisions. The controller executes control programs in multiple cycles. In accordance with the priorities assigned to a control program 1 and a control program 2, the controller controls the timing to execute communication associated with the control program 2 without colliding with communication with external devices associated with the control program 1.

Abstract: An automated method for resolving fault in an engine is disclosed. The method may include providing a reasoner module for recommending a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the engine, inputting steady state performance data from the engine into the reasoner module, and using the reasoner module to recommend a set of maintenance actions based at least in part on the steady state performance data. A fault resolution system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The fault resolution system may include at least one computer processor operatively configured to receive steady state performance data from the gas turbine engine, and recommend a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the gas turbine engine based at least in part on the steady state performance data.

Abstract: An automated method for resolving fault in an engine is disclosed. The method may include providing a reasoner module for recommending a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the engine, inputting steady state performance data from the engine into the reasoner module, and using the reasoner module to recommend a set of maintenance actions based at least in part on the steady state performance data. A fault resolution system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The fault resolution system may include at least one computer processor operatively configured to receive steady state performance data from the gas turbine engine, and recommend a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the gas turbine engine based at least in part on the steady state performance data.

Abstract: The system program includes, as an execution control process of the control program, an owner-side start process that starts execution of an owner-side control program; a copy process in which, when execution of the owner-side control program ends, a global variable that is rewritten by the owner-side control program is copied from a global variable area to a synchronous buffer corresponding to the global variable; and a referrer-side start process that starts execution of a referrer-side control program.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus 100A is configured in such a way that a CPU 110A reads the conduction current of an opening/closing device 140n in an IPM 190A, by way of serial-parallel converters 114a and 114b and a second multi-channel A/D converter 116b; the opening/closing device 140n is opening/closing-controlled through a serial control signal SRn or a parallel control signal PWMn; and a reading timing control circuit 170n adjusts the reading timing in such a way that, regardless of the kind of the control signal, reading is performed during the period in which the opening/closing device 140n is driven to be closed. As a result, the serial-parallel converter can reduce the number of wiring leads between the IPM and the microprocessor, and the digital conversion value is accurately read, by adjusting the error between the serial-signal timing and the parallel-signal timing.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a process variable based upon a set point is disclosed. A process variable is measured, and a proportional term is assigned to a manipulated variable that is based upon a product of a proportional gain coefficient and an error magnitude between the process variable and the set point. An integral term is added to the manipulated variable under a first set of conditions, and a derivative term is added to the manipulated variable under a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions. The sum of the proportional term, the integral term, and the derivative term is output, resulting in the process variable being responsively adjusted thereto.

Abstract: A multicore processor for industrial control provides for the execution of separate operating systems on the cores under control of one of the cores to tailor the operating system to optimum execution of different applications of industrial control and communication. One core may provide for a reduced instruction set for execution of industrial control programs with the remaining cores providing a general-purpose instruction set.

Abstract: A method for estimating a state of a process implemented by a tool for fabricating workpieces includes collecting metrology data associated with a subset of workpieces processed in the tool. The collecting exhibits an irregular pattern. Metrology data associated with a selected state observation is received for a selected run of the process. A tuning factor for the selected run is determined based on the irregular pattern. The selected state observation is discounted based on the determined tuning factor. A state estimate of the process is determined based on the discounted selected state observation. At least one process tool operable to implement the process is controlled based on the state estimate.

Abstract: A system for identifying a subset of sensors to sample to reduce the frequency of sensor access. The system determines rise times and records values for the sensors in the system. A time criticality of the sensors is determined based on the rise times. The system processes the sensors by first creating sensor subsets based on one or more constraints on the sensors. The system monitors the values of the sensors in a sensor subset and flags a sensor when it makes a determination that, prior to a next scheduled sampling of the sensor subset, the value of a sensor in the monitored sensor subset will exceed a threshold constraint. The system moves those flagged sensors to a second sensor subset which complies with the sensor's constraints.

Abstract: A digital controller includes a sampling component that samples an output signal from a system and an input signal to the system at a first sampling rate, which is at least equal to a predetermined operating rate. An input parameter obtaining component obtains a plurality of input parameters from the samples at the first sampling rate. A decimator component generates subsampled values for the plurality of input parameters at a second sampling rate, which is slower than the first sampling rate. An adaptive plant estimator component generates a model of the system based on the subsampled values. A compensator design component determines compensator parameters based on the model. The compensator parameters reflect changes in the system and are sampled at the second sampling rate. A feedback compensator adjusts the input signal to the system based on the compensator parameters.

Abstract: For a plurality of combinations of a plurality of operating states included in an operating range of an engine and for a plurality of combinations of a plurality of objective variables, a system, which calculates design variables, includes a calculating device for obtaining global optimal solutions of the design variables that minimize or maximize a sum of the plurality of objective variables, which respectively correspond to the plurality of combinations of the plurality of operating states; a receiving device for receiving designation of an upper limit or a lower limit of the plurality of objective variables; and a searching device for searching for global optimal solutions that result in the smoothest change in the design variables when changing the operating states in a range of the received upper limit to the received lower limit of the objective variables, with one of the global optimal solutions as an initial value set.

Abstract: A PID controlling apparatus and method for providing a control value to a control object according to the difference between an output value of the control object and a target value are provided, in which an error calculator outputs an error value between the target value and the output value of the control object, a PID operator calculates a proportional value, an integral value, and a derivative value of the error value, calculates the control value using the proportional value, the integral value, and the derivative value, and outputs the control value to the control object, a first sampler samples the output value of the control object a plurality of times with respect to the target value and outputs a sampled output value, and a controller controls the PID operator to repeat a PID operation and output the control value according to a sampling period of the first sampler.

Abstract: Systems and methods that can vary a data collection rate via a rate adjustment component, to collect data with different level of granularity. The rate adjustment component can further include an estimation component that can automatically predict a required sampling rate for a stage of an operation, based on statistical models and data collected for similar operations and/or history data. Such difference in the granularity level can initiate in part in response to fault detection, alert triggering, and the like. Accordingly, future trouble shooting efforts can be performed with respect to data that is typically collected at an adjustable rate.

Abstract: A method, computer, and recording medium storing a program are provided which, based on local optimal solutions, more efficiently calculate an optimal global optimal solution in a global operating area. System calculates the global optimal solution by solving, using a genetic algorithm based on the local optimal solutions and the initial values, an equation, which should be satisfied by the plurality of design variables, by obtaining the plurality of combinations of design variables composing local optimal solutions for each design variable respectively calculated for each of a plurality of combinations of a plurality of operating states, and by obtaining initial values for the plurality of combinations of design variables used for calculating the global optimal solution.

Abstract: There is described a method and system for using at least one variable of a first automation system in a second automation system, with the variable being made available by the first automation system. An object is to allow a user to program access to a local and remote variable in an identical manner, without having to program special access functions, set up connections and apply a local variable to take up the variable value or to create additional assignment tables and similarly apply the local variable. This object is achieved with a method and system of the type mentioned above, in that an identification feature is used for the unique identification of the variable in the at least second automation system, said identification feature being hierarchically structured and having a system-specific path name and a name for the variable.

Abstract: Handheld CD (compact disc) players are described. In one instance, a handheld CD player includes a CD drive to receive a CD and to determine a CD identification from the CD and a media slot to receive a portable memory card having a database. The handheld CD player also includes an attributes access module configured to retrieve music attributes from the database associated with the CD identification and to store the CD identification in the database if the CD identification is not already in the database.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods and systems for dynamically controlling metrology work in progress. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises providing a metrology control unit that is adapted to control metrology work flow to at least one metrology tool, identifying a plurality of wafer lots that are in a metrology queue wherein the wafer lots are intended to be processed in at least one metrology tool, and wherein the metrology control unit selects at least one of the wafer lots for metrology processing in the at least one metrology tool and selects at least one other of the plurality of wafer lots to be removed from the metrology queue based upon the metrology processing of the selected at least one wafer lot in the at least one metrology tool.

Abstract: A digital control device for tracking a sine wave according to the present invention has a compensator, a control object and a feedback gain. An input into the compensator is a signal obtained by subtracting a control quantity from a reference value. An input into the control object is a signal obtained by subtracting an output of the feedback gain from an output of the compensator. A transfer function of the compensator is (k2z+k1)/(z2?2z cos ?T+1), where ? is an angular frequency, T is a sampling period, z is a z operator, and k1 and k2 are constants. Thus, a second-order compensator can be configured, with which a sinusoidal reference waveform can be tracked simply and with high accuracy.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit, such as a relay, includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a basis for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling provides enhanced immunity to periodic or cyclic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods and systems for dynamically adjusting metrology sampling based upon available metrology capacity. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises providing a metrology control unit that is adapted to determine a baseline metrology sampling rate for at least one metrology operation, determining available metrology capacity, and providing the determined available metrology capacity to the metrology control unit wherein the metrology control unit determines a new metrology sampling rate based upon the determined available metrology capacity.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of a system comprising of a plurality of items through the scheduling of actions and the allocation of resources is disclosed. Primary areas of utility include manufacturing systems, city wide vehicle traffic control, multiple project scheduling, communications networks and economic systems. The method and apparatus comprise modeling the parts in such a system as fluid, formulating the control problem as a continuous linear program, using a novel algorithm to solve it, displaying the fluid solution in a meaningful way, and using the fluid solution in the control of the system.

Abstract: Functional blocks (a numerical control unit 22, servo control unit 26, PLC control unit 24, sizing control unit 23, sampling control unit 25, and display control unit 21) carry out their respective functions of control processing. Numerical control data, PLC control data, and sizing data as details of numerical control processing, PLC control processing, and sizing processing, respectively, are sampled and recorded by sampling control processing. The three kinds of recorded data are displayed together on one display unit 80 by display control processing when a display instruction is given by an operator of a control system 10 through an input control unit 90. Thus, an operator of the control system 10 can carry out the work of tracing the cause of the trouble of a machine tool 70 and of examining efficient machining processes of the machine tool 70 by simultaneously watching the control data displayed on one display unit 80. This provides a control system of the machine tool that can improve workability.

Abstract: In the NH3 injection rate control method for an NOx removal apparatus, operating area of the apparatus is divided into first area in which molar ratio of NH3 injection rate with respect to NOx flow rate at an inlet of the apparatus is smaller than molar ratio at minimum point where NOx concentration assumes minimum value and second area in which the molar ratio is equal to or larger than the minimum point molar ratio, and virtual NOx concentration with respect to the molar ratio is set according to virtual characteristic line which varies monotonically to stride across desired operating point without rising with increase of the molar ratio from the first area to the second area. Moreover, feedback control is implemented for adjusting the NH3 injection rate with respect to the NOx flow rate in direction that the virtual NOx concentration is brought close to the desired NOx concentration.

Abstract: A multivariable process controller controls a chemical, polymer or other physical process. Slow tuning and over-conservative controlled variable values are employed during step testing. While all controlled process variables are within safe limits, only one manipulated variable (MV) at a time is step changed. Several manipulated variables are moved when process variables exceed safe limits to ensure that the controlled process variables return to the safe range, such that suitable MV targets for step testing are able to be automatically discovered within a closed loop control environment. Thus, the step test is able to be conducted mostly unsupervised and/or remotely via a telephone or network connection.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling appliances and systems having a two-dimensional or multidimensional operating envelope. A map of the operating envelope or of a part of it onto a unit domain or the operating envelope of another appliance is used for monitoring and control. The apparatus produces this map. The method and the apparatus allow monitoring and control which can be carried out substantially in the same way for appliances whose operating envelopes have different shapes.

Abstract: A multivariable control method and system suitable for manipulating process variables based on observed changes in controlled objectives without extensive data analysis or involved model development. The method includes operating the process at an initial set of process variables and an initial set of controlled objectives, monitoring the set of process variables and the set of controlled objectives while continuously operating the process, adjusting one or more members of the set of process variables based upon a non-linear optimization with respect to a desired set of controlled objectives, and utilizing the monitored set of process variables and the monitored set of controlled objectives in the non-linear optimization.

Abstract: A control arithmetic device includes a subtracting section, disturbance application detecting section, error correction amount calculating section, error correction amount convergence calculating section, and control arithmetic section. The subtracting section calculates the error of a controlled variable on the basis of a controlled variable and set point for a controlled system. The disturbance application detecting section detects, in control cycles, on the basis of the error output whether a disturbance is applied. The error correction amount calculating section calculates an error correction amount on the basis of the magnitude of the error when application of a disturbance is detected. The error correction amount convergence calculating section performs a convergence operation. A control arithmetic method is also presented.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multivariable system includes the step of receiving a plurality of sensor signals indicating current conditions of the system and receiving a plurality of commands. The desired dynamic response of the system is then determined based upon the commands and the sensor signals. The problem of controlling the system to achieve the desired dynamic response without violating numerous actuator and physical constraints is then formulated as a quadratic programming problem. By solving the quadratic programming problem, the effector commands are determined and the physical constraints are enforced.

Abstract: Real-time control of a dynamical system is provided by determining control variables that get as close as possible to producing a desired response. Additional consideration of physical limitations leads to a convex Quadratic Program with inequality constraints that needs to be solved in real-time. A new active set algorithm is described to solve the convex Quadratic Program efficiently that meets real-time requirements. Based on the key observation that the physical limitations of the system translate to optimal active sets that remain relatively unchanged over time (even though the actual optimal controls may be varying), starting guesses for the active set obtained from the final iterate in the previous time period greatly reduces the number of iterations and hence allows the Quadratic Programs to be solved to convergence in real-time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for preparing and supplying a slurry to a chemical mechanical polishing machine. The slurry contains liquid components at a predetermined mixing ratio. The apparatus includes draw ports for separately drawing therethrough the liquid components, and a discharge port for supplying the slurry to the machine. Feed pumps are arranged on feed lines for the liquid components, respectively, said feed lines extending from the individual draw ports to the discharge port, such that the feed pumps can draw the corresponding liquid components in specific amounts to give the mixing ratio and can deliver the thus-drawn liquid components toward the discharge port, respectively. Dampers and pressurization valves are arranged in combinations on the respective feed lines on delivery sides of the feed pumps. Flowmeters are arranged on downstream sides of the corresponding combinations of the dampers and pressurization valves.

Abstract: A data capture system (1) has modular amplifier circuits (10) connected to modular capture circuits (11) within a rotor 2. Each capture circuit (11) has an FPGA (26) operation according to low-frequency and high-frequency state machines (M1, M2) to control ADCs (25) and upload from memories (30) to a host (15) During sampling, each FPGA (26) runs through a ready mode, a sampling mode, and again a ready mode according to a host command.

Abstract: An adaptive predictive expert control system for controlling single-input single-output, or multi-variable time-variant processes with known or unknown parameters and with or without time delay, is disclosed. The adaptive predictive expert control system of the present invention adds an expert block into the operation of previously known adaptive predictive control systems. This expert block based on rules and in the evolution of the process variables, determines and/or modifies the operation of the driver block, control block and adaptive feedback mechanism of the previous art, in order to improve the performance, robustness and stability of the overall control system.

Abstract: Aircraft flight data collection is enhanced by changing the data sampling rate as a function of an operational condition of the aircraft, such as its flight phase. An algorithm is used to determine the flight phase. Then, the data is collected at a first sampling rate when the flight phase is one of a first set of flight phases and collected at a second sampling rate when the flight phase is one of a second set of flight phases. The second sampling rate is greater than the first sampling rate to maximize the data storage capacity of the system. Generally, the higher sampling rate is used with transient flight phases such as takeoff and thrust reverse.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a characteristic of a machine. A variable reluctance sensor (VRS) is coupled to the machine. A first switching device and capacitor, coupled in parallel with the VRS, boosts a variable amplitude of a basic output signal generated by the VRS to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. A control input of the first switching device receives signals, and a modified output signal is generated by the first switching device, having a variable amplitude that is substantially higher than the variable amplitude of the VRS. The modified output signal has an increased signal-to-noise ratio such that machine speed can be more accurately measured during a start-up phase.

Abstract: In a method for prescribing an essentially linear ramp with a prescribable slope by a quantity, and which is clock-pulse-controlled and which describes the ramp by an increment per clock interval, the ramp is described by a number of regular increments and by at least one first and one second irregular increment. The regular increments exhibit a value corresponding to the prescribable slope. The irregular increments exhibit a value deviating from the prescribable slope. The first irregular increment is a first increment describing the ramp and the second irregular increment is a last increment describing the ramp.

Abstract: For controlling multivariable systems, a control unit for controlling a system with several coupled control variables. The control unit includes controllers (10, 11) having associated control variables (x1, x2) as well as a decoupling network. The decoupling network is connected upstream from the system and includes at least one first decoupling member (12). A first output variable (y1) of a first one of the controllers (10) is routed to the first decoupling member (12). The first decoupling member generates a first correcting quantity (14) for a second output variable (y2) of a second one of the controllers (11). The second controller (11) has a PI- or PID-controller core (40) and is configured such that integrator windup is eliminated when the second output variable (y2) corrected with the first correcting quantity (14) reaches a manipulated variable limit. Bumpless manual/automatic changeover of the controller is also made possible.

Abstract: In a data processing system a method and apparatus is provided for discriminating between digital signals of a plurality of different rates by monitoring the pulse width and repetition rate of such signals. The digital signals are continuously monitored to determine whether a single pulse or multiple pulses have been detected within a preselected time period. If only a single pulse or a portion thereof has been detected within the preselected time period a first type of control signal is generated. If multiple pulses or portions of multiple pulses have been detected within the preselected time period a second type of control signal is generated.

Abstract: A network receiver is configured for receiving a base band carrier signal from another network transceiver via a network medium. A variable gain amplifier generates an amplified base band signal. An A/D converter generates a sequence of sample values representing the base band signal in response to the amplified base band signal. A gain control circuit monitors the sequence of sample values for a plurality of monitoring intervals in a sample time period, determines a range for each monitoring interval, and determines a gain setting for the variable gain amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus has an input hold circuit for sequentially holding digital feedback signals sequentially transmitted at a sampling period, and for sequentially outputting the transmitted feedback signals or held feedback signals at a period which is shorter than the sampling period; a notch filter for applying a filtering processing to the feedback signals outputted from the input hold circuit; and an output hold circuit for sequentially outputting the feedback signals subjected to the filtering processing by said notch filter, while thinning the same, at a period which is same as the sampling period.

Abstract: A process plant uses an asset utilization expert to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of the process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the business systems functional areas. This data and information is stored in a database and is sent to and manipulated in a coordinated manner by tools, such as optimization and modeling tools. This data is also redistributed to other areas or tools where it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture suitable for determining setpoints of the control variables to optimize the process while taking into account the process-limiting variables in applications where responses are highly non-linear. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises determining an actual rate of change of a performance limiting process parameter; calculating a predicted rate of change for the performance limiting process parameter for a predetermined future time interval; and adjusting a setpoint for the control variables to optimize the process while taking into account the performance limiting process parameter using the actual rate of change and the predicted rate of change.