Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the basis weight of a web-shaped material under test comprises a radioactive .beta. radiation source on one side of the material under test and a .beta. radiation detector on the other side of the material under test. For focusing the electrons emitted by the radioactive .beta. radiation source, a magnetic field is provided, such that for the same source activity, significantly more .beta. particle intensity is available on the material under test for measuring the transmission.

Abstract: A process control system which includes at least one manipulated variable and at least one controlled variable, provides a method for robust control of a process. Predetermined constraints of the manipulated variables and the controlled variables, and the present values of the manipulated variables are obtained. A set of scale factors for the manipulated variables and the process variables are calculated. The controller is initialized with the set of scale factors, the scale factors determining the relative importance of the manipulated variables and the process variables to the process. New values are calculated for the controlled variables for a predetermined number of points in the future, such that the values of the controlled variables are within the predetermined range thereby obtaining an optimal robustness of the resultant controller.

Abstract: A process control system which includes at least one manipulated variable and at least one controlled variable, provides a method for robust control of a process. Predetermined constraints of the manipulated variables and the controlled variables, and the present values of the manipulated variables are obtained. The controller is loaded with parameters which define an optimal controller, the parameters being calculated off-line. To determine the parameters a single min-max statement is defined for a worst case model of the process which operates in conjunction with a best case controller. The single min-max statement is converted to a corresponding canonical expression in the form of a minimization problem, the resultant solution of the minimization problem being the parameter.

Abstract: A process control system having a feedback controller, at least one manipulated variable and one controlled variable with a feedforward loop is provided. Independent feedforward control is incorporated into the feedback controller by defining a feedforward control funnel and a feedback control funnel for each controlled variable, specifying a time T.sub.FF in which the disturbance is to be eliminated and a time T.sub.FB in which the controlled variable is to reach a steady state value, respectively. The shorter of the feedforward control funnel and the feedback control funnel is selected. If T.sub.FF is less than T.sub.FB, the feedback control speed is compensated such that the feedback controller speed is not increased. If T.sub.FF is greater then or equal to T.sub.FB, no compensation is performed, thereby effectively providing independent tuning parameters for the feedforward control solution and the feedback control solution.

Abstract: An interface provides a path to transfer data from a proprietary network to an open system. The proprietary network includes at least one module central processing unit (CPU) and a module memory associated therewith operatively connected to the proprietary network. A shared memory and shared memory logic are interposed between the proprietary network and the open system, thereby forming the data path. The method comprises the steps of accepting requests for data from the open system by a parasitic task function within the module CPU. The data requested of the proprietary network is obtained and placed in a predetermined location of the module memory in a form understandable to the open systems. A pointer value is placed in the shared memory, the pointer value containing the value of the predetermined location of the module memory, the shared memory being mapped in the addressable memory space of the shared memory logic using virtual memory techniques.

Abstract: A process plant has a process control system and a plurality of production lines, each production line having a predetermined equipment configuration. The process control system further includes a controller for interfacing to each production line. The process control system has information pertaining to the equipment configuration of each production line stored in an equipment data base, the operations performed by each production line stored in an operations data base, and raw materials information of the process plant stored in a raw materials data base. A method for controlling the production of a product by a production line comprises the steps of building a formula based on the product to be produced. The formula data provides information relating to relative quantities of raw materials included in the product and the manner of combining the raw materials.

Abstract: The hold down apparatus securely engages a unit onto a tray. The tray includes an opening having a front block on the underside of the tray at the opening. The front block also includes a pin. The apparatus comprises a housing having an internal space and is placed in the unit such that the housing space is opened to an opening in the bottom of the unit. A control shaft extends from outside the apparatus and into the housing space to the backplate of the housing. The portion of the control shaft in the housing space is threaded. The external portion of the control shaft is accessible from the front of the unit. An L-shaped pawl has a foot and a rise, the foot of the pawl having a notch in the front edge of the foot.

Abstract: A method for navigating an aircraft around the earth's polar region comprises the steps of determining if the aircraft is in one of the polar regions of the earth's traditional axis system. If the aircraft is not in one of the polar regions, aircraft parameters, including speed and heading, are calculated relative to the traditional axis system. If the aircraft is in one of the polar regions the traditional axis system is rotated to form a new axis system, such that the aircraft position in the new axis system is in an essentially rectilinear area of the new axis system. The aircraft parameters are transformed, including aircraft position, speed, and heading, into parameters relative to the new axis system. New parameters are calculated with respect to the new axis system, and then the new parameters are translated into parameters with respect to the earth's traditional axis system.

Abstract: In a process control system having a redundant multilayer hierarchical structure, each node of a layer being redundant sequence of events inputs are received from field devices by an input/output processor (IOP). The IOP is a digital input sequence of events (DISOE) IOP, the IOP being the lowest layer of the hierarchical structure. The IOP interfaces with a controller at the next layer of the hierarchy. A method for reliably maintaining a sequence of events function during a failover of any of the redundant nodes, comprising the steps of maintaining a log, a circular list, by the local DISOE. The circular list is a rolling log of all sequence of events data for a predefined time period. When a failover occurs, the new primary commands an event recovery. The event recovery process freezes the log and uses the information in the log to recreate the events data. The freeze operation inhibits background purge activity for the log thereby avoiding the deletion of information past the defined time.

Abstract: A graphics display has the capability of displaying both alpha numeric images and graphic images and properly blending these images. The blending is done timely and efficiently while still utilizing a memory structure wherein the graphic pixmap is stored in one memory and the alpha pixmap is stored in a second memory. A priority value is assigned to each pixel of the display. The priority value indicates what the desired display structure is to be. The priority value, the graphic pixel value, and the alpha pixel value are all polled and the appropriate pixel value is transmitted to a display device.

Abstract: The method allocates a demanded amount of power to a plurality of power output apparatus, each power apparatus having characteristic curves associated therewith, and the total power outputted from the plurality of power apparatus results in a minimum cost for generating the power. Each boiler is allocated a quantity of waste fuel to be used in the generation of power, the quantity of waste fuel to be a predetermined total over a predetermined time period. Data is entered for each of the power apparatus into a controller. Optimal solutions are generated for all valid possible output power demands using an optimization by parts technique within bounds of each power apparatus. The solutions indicate the portion of power each power apparatus is to supply to provide the total power demanded at minimal cost. The solutions are stored in tables within a storage unit of the controller.

Abstract: The method allocates a demanded amount of power to a plurality of power output apparatus, each power output apparatus having an emissions curve associated therewith, such that each of the power output apparatus supplies a portion of the demanded power, and the total power outputted from the plurality of power output apparatus results in a minimum amount of emissions. Data is entered for each of the power output apparatus into a controller. Optimal solutions are generated for all valid possible output power demands using an optimization by parts technique within output power bounds of each of the power output apparatus. The solutions indicate the portion of power each power output apparatus is to supply to provide the total power demanded at minimal emissions output. The solutions are stored in tables within a storage unit of the controller. Upon receipt of a demand for power, a search is performed of the solution tables to obtain the amount of power each power output apparatus is to supply to meet the demand.

Abstract: The method allocates a demanded amount of power to a plurality of power output apparatus, each power output apparatus having characteristic curves associated therewith, such that each of the power output apparatus supplies a portion of the demanded power, and the total power outputted from the plurality of power output apparatus results in a minimum cost for generating the power as a function of a plurality of constraints. Data is entered for each of the power output apparatus into a controller. Optimal solutions are generated for all valid possible output power demands using an optimization by parts technique within output power bounds of each of the power output apparatus. The solutions indicate the portion of power each power output apparatus is to supply to provide the total power demanded at minimal cost and emissions output at or less than predetermined levels. The solutions are stored in tables within a storage unit of the controller.

Abstract: The method guarantees the integrity of a process control systems display in an open system windows environment. The process control system includes an interface apparatus to at least one foreign system, and receives display information such that the display information from the foreign systems and the display information from a network of the process control system are displayed on a display unit of the process control system in a windows format in response to control information from the interface apparatus. The interface apparatus transmits the display information of the foreign systems to a display generator unit via a first input channel of the display generator unit. Control information is also transmitted to the display generator unit via the first input channel to command a display format to the display generator unit of the display unit. The display format includes a plurality of windows, one of the windows being a control view.

Abstract: The time of a second network is synchronized to a first network, each network having an independent timing subsystem, includes the following steps. The first network sends a first message to the second network, the first message being uniquely identified as a sync message. A first relative time is obtained within the first network of when the first message is transmitted. When the first network recognizes that the first message was sent, a second relative time is obtained to send a second message to the second network containing a real time of the first network that the first message was sent. The second network obtains a third relative time within the second network of when the first message is received. The real time of the first network contained in the second message is associated to the third relative time of the second network, thereby synchronizing the time of the second network to the time of the first network.

Abstract: In a local area network system having redundant communication media and a plurality of nodes, each node is connected to the redundant communication media. Each node is capable of communicating with each other node in accordance with a predetermined protocol via the redundant communication media. Further, each node is capable of disconnecting from the redundant communication media when an error in communications is detected. A method of automatically reconnecting the node to the redundant communication media after the node disconnects from the redundant communication media comprises the following steps. When a faulty condition is detected, the node disconnects itself from the redundant communication media. Internal testing of the node is then performed. If the internal testing passes, the node attempts to reconnect itself to the redundant communication media.

Abstract: A memory unit, made up of a plurality of BY-4 memory devices, has a plurality of computer words, each computer word including a predetermined number of data bits and a predetermined number of check bits. An error detection and correction (EDAC) apparatus interfaces with the memory unit for detecting and correcting a single bit error of the computer word, detecting a two bit error of the computer word, and detecting all two, three, and four bit errors of a single memory device. Matrix logic generates the check bits from preselected participating data bits of the data bits of the computer word being fetched. Compare gate logic compares check bits from the memory unit to corresponding check bits generated by the matrix logic to generate syndrome bits.

Abstract: Low cost components of a circuit board are calibrated in a test fixture to the same accuracy as a single high precision resistor, thereby eliminating the need for high precision, high cost components. The current through the resistor on the circuit board under test is ascertained by determining the current through the resistor by measuring the voltage of the high precision resistor. The voltage across the resistor under test is measured by a controller on the circuit board, thereby being able to calculate a high accuracy value for the resistor. The digital to analog converter (DAC) on the circuit board is calibrated by placing digital load values, or inputs, to the DAC and measuring the voltage across the corresponding calibrated resistors. Two values of inputs are used which define a line thereby calibrating the DAC.

Abstract: A process control system which includes at least one manipulated variable and at least one controlled variable, provides a method for robust control of a process. Predetermined constraints of the manipulated variables and the controlled variables, and the present values of the manipulated variables are obtained. New values are calculated for the controlled variables for a predetermined number of points in the future, such that the values of the controlled variables are within the predetermined range thereby obtaining an optimal robustness of the resultant controller. The manipulated variables are also calculated to be within predetermined constraints, and the controlled variables to fall within a predetermined range when controllable. From a plurality of solutions, a most robust solution is selected. Then the manipulated variables are adjusted to cause the process control system to drive the values of the controlled variables to the calculated values.