Abstract: A dynamic sortation system and method. The invention is preferably utilized in a robotic containerization system having a number of locations for containers such as carts or pallets. Each location may be assigned a speed of loading rating that represents the time needed for a robot to load an item to a location. The system may be preprogrammed with a simplified, base scheme of destinations. After these initial steps, the system reads destination codes from each of the plurality of items in a load of items sent to the system for sortation. The system may store the destination code of each read item in a historical database. The system then determines whether the read destination code is assigned a location. If the destination code is assigned a location, the item is loaded in a container at the assigned location.

Abstract: A methodology for process modeling and control and the software system implementation of this methodology, which includes a rigorous, nonlinear process simulation model, the generation of appropriate linear models derived from the rigorous model, and an adaptive, linear model predictive controller (MPC) that utilizes the derived linear models. A state space, multivariable, model predictive controller (MPC) is the preferred choice for the MPC since the nonlinear simulation model is analytically translated into a set of linear state equations and thus simplifies the translation of the linearized simulation equations to the modeling format required by the controller. Various other MPC modeling forms such as transfer functions, impulse response coefficients, and step response coefficients may also be used. The methodology is very general in that any model predictive controller using one of the above modeling forms can be used as the controller.

Abstract: A technique to provide dynamic modeling, parameter estimation and optimization for processes having operating targets. The technique has an optimization cycle and a simulation cycle. The simulation cycle runs at a rate that is equal to or faster than the run rate of the optimization cycle. Both cycles obtain data from the field about the process. The optimization cycle provides a simulation execution of a dynamic process model and the results of that simulation are used to match the model response to the actual plant response. This matching determines if a dynamic parameter estimation and data reconciliation is needed for the model parameters. Optimized operating targets are determined using either the estimated and reconciled parameters and data or if the same is not needed the collected process data. Mathematical and heuristic assessment tools are used to determine if the optimized operating targets should or should not be invoked.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a first communications network to a second communications network. The coupler implements its functionality in software.

Abstract: An improved robot arrangement for performing predetermined tasks, such as paint finishing, features equipping a robot with a plurality of manipulatable arms, with at least two of the arms performing like operations. Alternatively, a plurality of commonly controlled manipulator arms may be provided by clustering a plurality of conventional single arm robots on a common mounting stand.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing frequency synthesis in a communication system. A fiber optic repeater connected between a copper bus and a fiber optic cable includes a voltage controlled oscillator and associated circuitry to adjust the frequency at which the repeater operates to match the frequency of the device that generated the incoming data stream. This adjustment is performed on-both data received from the copper bus or the fiber optic cable on a message by message basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the axis of a mirror of a carbon in ash sensor. The method first executes a series of steps that causes a stepper motor connected to an axis of the mirror to move the mirror through a first coarse alignment procedure and then executes a second series of steps that that moves the mirror through a second fine alignment procedure.

Abstract: Headbox transient responses for sheet weight and moisture are modeled as a combination of two sets of time constants and dead time delays. One set represents a shorter delay with faster response dynamics, the fast mode weight and moisture responses, and the other models the longer delay with slower dynamics, the slow mode weight and moisture responses. A weight and/or moisture transient model is then formed for headbox changes by combining the fast mode weight and moisture responses and the slow mode weight and moisture responses. Stock weight and moisture dynamic and delay time models are determined for operation of stock flow of the paper making machine and the stock flow is controlled in accordance with the stock weight and/or moisture models and the headbox weight transient and/or moisture transient model to compensate for weight and moisture changes in a web of paper being manufacture which weight and moisture changes result from headbox changes.

Abstract: A method for determining the measure of control provided to a process by a control system. The determines process model parameters for a simple and complex model of the process and uses those parameters along with the value of the process variable and the final control element position to predict the off control data. The method also uses the process model parameters to determine the optimal tuning and then forecasts the optimal process performance from the predicted off control data and the determined optimal tuning.

Abstract: A powder paint color changer features a single cleaning fluid port at one end of the color changer manifold for direction of cleaning fluid, such as pressurized air, through the main output interior chamber of the color changer manifold thence through a supply hose which is adapted for coupling to a paint application device. Additionally, the powder paint color changer manifold includes a replaceable insert of impact fusion resistant material which defines the surface of the manifold's interior cavity.

Abstract: An end effector for a robot is used to unpack flattened stackable items from a container using a fixed sized vacuum plenum and simple adjustable gripping elements. The gripping elements comprise a pair of adjustable, smooth blades. In addition, the end effector includes mechanisms for retaining and transporting the container.

Abstract: For a web color change, at least one current dye rate is determined and at least one nominal dye rate for the new web color is retrieved. The difference between the current dye rate and the nominal dye rate is used in a dye rate change response to change the dye rate thereby changing the web color from a first to a second color. The dry rate change response is boosted to achieve a faster rate of color change. Dye rates required for color targets are determined by accumulating historical data of production dye rates that are combined with current dye rate data to arrive at new nominal dye rates for web colors to be produced. A retrieved nominal dye rate and the current dye rate are combined using a filter factor, &agr;, (0≦&agr;≦1), defining the fraction of the historical dye rate which is combined with the remaining fraction of the active dye rate to determine a new nominal dye rate stored as the nominal dye rate for the given product color.

Abstract: An electronic energy meter which receives a measurement request, and responsive to the measurement request and data stored in data tables in a memory, performs a function and generates output information. The output information is outputted in accordance with a predetermined priority scheme. Each different type of measurement request has a different output priority. An electronic energy meter that permits the addition of new measurements or testing capabilities without requiring factory modifications to effect such functionality changes is also disclosed.

Abstract: The CD profile of a web of material being produced is monitored and controlled to update CD control settings on-line so that changes in the operation of a machine manufacturing the web can be corrected before significant profile deviations from a desired CD profile target result. Detected variances in the profile that satisfy a search criteria initiate searches for improved CD control settings. The CD control of the present application recognizes CD actuator mapping misalignments, determines improved CD control settings and applies the improved CD control settings to fine tune a CD controller and thereby improve upon or correct mapping misalignments. The CD control of the present application also recognizes non-smoothness of the setpoints of the CD actuators and controls the smoothness of the setpoints. Recognition and correction of either CD actuator mapping misalignments or CD actuator setpoint smoothness or both can be performed by the automated optimization of the present application.

Abstract: A method of handling an object using a robot end effector. The method includes providing a robot having an end effector supporting a pair of carriages, providing a pair of fingers for each carriage, moving the end effector over an object, grasping an object with the fingers, moving the object with the end effector to a container, and depositing the object by counter-rotating the pairs of fingers. One or both of the carriages is movable toward the other carriage to engage objects on a conveyor system with the fingers. The robot moves the end effector between the conveyor system and shipping containers for shipping the objects. Because the pairs of fingers counter-rotate, the friction forces between each finger and the tray is offset by the friction forces between the other finger in the pair and the tray. The improved handling method thereby maintains objects substantially in the desired stacking orientation within the shipping container. Preferably, an actuator is provided for each finger.

Abstract: A contact gauge for measuring a contoured surface on work piece is presented having a matching contoured profile and multiple sensors inserted in a gauge body. The gauge body uses bores filled with spherical balls. At least one ball from each bore contacts the contoured surface, which causes displacement of the ball. The displacement is transferred to and recorded by the sensor. The layout of the gauge permits multiple sensors to be mounted in a compact gauge housing and the gauge housing, in turn, may connected to a robotic arm for rapid and repeated use as an automated measurement apparatus for a component assembly line.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: A method for recording and removing the bipolar bias from a vibration input signal. The signal is a time varying signal where the bipolar bias has an amplitude which is many times greater than the amplitude of the time varying waveform of the signal that represents the vibration of the machine. In calculating the level of the bipolar bias the method approaches a predetermined dead band asymptotically and in stable manner. The determination of the bipolar bias level occurs when the next event has occurred and the time for that determination is much shorter than the time between occurrence of the events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing and signal conditioning the pulsation signal derived from combustion of fuel in a turbine. There are one or more user defined frequency bands and the method and apparatus provides a digital signal for the true RMS value of each of the user defined bands. Turbine protection logic has as its input the digital true RMS values for each such band and inspects that value to determine if the frequencies in that band exceed a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.