Abstract: Partitioning control of the wet end and dry end, by introducing estimates of physical properties such as dry weight: and percent ash at the wire, allows for machine direction (MD) controls to continue during loss of scanner measurements. A mathematical model estimates the controlled, variables, such as dry weight, basis weight, and ash percent at the wire, and these estimated values are then controlled. When scanner measurements resume, parameters in the model are recursively updated to compensate for any model errors and ensure an accurate model. MD controls consist of a cascade set-up where the estimated wire-dry weight or wire basis weight and estimated wire ash percent are controlled by manipulating stock flow and addition of filler to stock. When scanner measurements are available, they become the downstream variables in the cascade control and are controlled by manipulation of the setpoints for the estimated wire weight and ash.

Abstract: Paper and continuous web scanners operate at varying and high temperature conditions. Regulating the temperature within the measurement gap between dual scanner heads during measurement and calibration modes of operation by employing air wipe and sheet guide temperature control assures consistent and accuracy sensor measurements of sheet characteristics. Air wipes blow pre-heated air into the measurement and the sheet guides are heated. The air temperature fluctuations that otherwise caused significant adverse effects on the sensors that measure, for example, the basis weight, ash content, and thickness of the moving sheet, are eliminated.

Abstract: Optimal charting patterns for charting of raw rolls/sheets from flat sheet industry are produced with a processing system and includes the steps of: (a) receiving user selected business objectives; (b) receiving user selected business preferences; (c) setting targets for user selected business preferences; (d) establishing charting constraint sets; (e) generating charting patterns based on user selected business objectives and targets for user selected business preferences; and (f) selecting charting patterns based on targets for user selected business preference using an objective function, wherein the objective function includes terms related to the user selected business objectives. Target driven charting assists users in knowing the bounds (upper and/or lower) of the values for various business objectives for an individual charting run.

Abstract: A method includes measuring intensities of light passing through a sample of an algae culture at different wavelengths. The method also includes identifying, using the measured intensities, a peak absorption wavelength of at least one type of chlorophyll in the sample and/or an absorption ratio involving multiple types of chlorophyll in the sample. The method further includes determining whether the algae culture has a problem using the peak absorption wavelength and/or the absorption ratio. The peak absorption wavelength could be identified by identifying a specified wavelength at which a smallest amount of light passes through the sample. The absorption ratio could be identified by identifying an average absorption wavelength of first and second types of chlorophyll in the sample and identifying a peak absorption wavelength of the first type of chlorophyll.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an initial solution to a quadratic programming (QP) problem associated with a process. The method also includes performing an iterative procedure having one or more iterations. Each iteration includes determining whether any constraint associated with the process is violated in the solution. Each iteration also includes selecting a violated constraint, determining a step direction and a step length associated with the selected violated constraint, and updating the solution based on the step direction and the step length. Determining the step direction and the step length includes using a Schur complement based on an active set of constraints associated with the solution. The Schur complement is nonsingular during all iterations of the iterative procedure except when the active set is empty.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an initial solution to a quadratic programming (QP) problem associated with a process. The method also includes performing an iterative procedure having one or more iterations. Each iteration includes determining whether any constraint associated with the process is violated in the solution. Each iteration also includes selecting a violated constraint, determining a step direction and a step length associated with the selected violated constraint, and updating the solution based on the step direction and the step length. Determining the step direction and the step length includes using a Schur complement based on an active set of constraints associated with the solution. The Schur complement is nonsingular during all iterations of the iterative procedure except when the active set is empty.

Abstract: Mobile devices are re-supplied with fluids on a periodic basis thereby eliminating the need to maintain a permanent connection between an external fluid supply and the moving device. Electronic scanning devices generate heat and operate at varying and high temperature conditions that interfere with operations of the scanner heads. Circulating a heat transfer fluid through the sensor head removes excess heat from heat sensitive regions of the sensor head during operations. Once the heat transfer fluid reaches a predetermined temperature or after passage of a predetermined length of time, the scanner head is maneuvered to a docking station where it is coupled to an external heat fluid source where fresh fluid is supplied to the scanner head.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a caliper of a sheet of material using a caliper sensor having first and second sensor modules. The method also includes adjusting the caliper measurement based on a transverse displacement between a first sensor component in the first sensor module and a second sensor component in the second sensor module to generate a corrected caliper measurement. Adjusting the caliper measurement can include applying a corrector function that adjusts the caliper measurement based on the measured transverse displacement. The corrector function can be identified by repeatedly creating misalignment between the first and second sensor components, measuring a known distance using the caliper sensor, and identifying an error between the measurement of the known distance and the known distance.

Abstract: Upper to lower assembly analog position sensors in a dual scanning system measure alignment offsets. A controller uses error signals from the position sensors to calculate actuator error profiles that are used in the next scan in the same direction, with different error profiles being used for forward and reverse scans. Since the alignment error profiles are repeatable for a given set of scanner conditions, the actuator controller anticipates what the error signal will be before each scanning assembly reaches a given position. An optimized error correction can be calculated based on the error profiles and actuator bandwidth without concerns regarding feedback loop speed, overshoot, and unstable control oscillations. An actuation system driven from error profiles can correct for alignment offsets by actively changing belt tensions at the offsetting drive pulleys and/or changing the position of sensor assemblies relative to the drive belt systems.

Abstract: Numerous failure modes, causes, and adverse operating conditions on scanner systems exhibit mechanical signatures that are detected by three-axis accelerometers located in the upper and lower sensor heads. A diagnostic system for monitoring the scanning system that detects characteristics of sheet materials during linear translation along a translation axis of a bi-directionally driven mobile detector device includes a vibration sensor configured to measure vibrations generated by various components of the scanning system and to generate vibration signals indicative of operation conditions of the components. Correlating the vibration signals to modes of operations of the components identifies the source, location and severity of potential problems in the scanner.

Abstract: A method includes designing probing signals for testing an alignment of actuators in a web manufacturing or processing system with measurements of a web of material being manufactured or processed by the system. The method also includes providing the probing signals during alignment testing to identify the alignment of the actuators with the measurements of the web. Designing the probing signals includes designing the probing signals based on both spatial and dynamic characteristics of the web manufacturing or processing system.

Abstract: Radiation scattering is one of the main contributors to the uncertainty of near infrared (NIR) measurements. Enhanced absorption-measurement accuracy for NIR sensors is achieved by using a combination of NIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight techniques to select photons that are the result of a given mean free path within a moving sample target. By measuring absorption as a function of path length or by windowing signals that are attributable to excessive scattering of NIR radiation within the sample, this technique affords the calculation of more accurate and more universal calibrations. The NIR sensor employs short or ultra-short laser pulses to create NIR that is directed to the moving sample and emerging radiation is detected over time. Windowing effectively truncates non-contributing measurements.

Abstract: An analytical model simulates the propagation of radiation through a coated continuous web where layer thickness and refractive index, as variables, determine the speed and direction of transmitted radiation. The model predicts characteristics of transmitted radiation based on characteristics of incident radiation and initially assigned values for layer thicknesses. Coating thickness(s) are ascertained in a process whereby incident radiation of known characteristics is directed onto a coated web and thereafter, actual measurements of transmitted radiation are compared to predicted characteristics. Using a fitting algorithm, the assigned thickness(es) of the layer(s) of the model are adjusted and the process repeated until the actual and predicted values are within desired limits at which time, the assigned thickness(es) represent the measured calipers.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes multiple steam discharge chambers that are separated by laterally spaced apart partition panels that create corresponding profiling zones. The profiling zones are covered by a perforated screen plate through which steam passes onto a moving sheet that is traveling in the machine direction. One or more of the partition panels is not aligned in the machine direction so that one or more of the steam discharge chambers defines a non-rectangular profiling zone. The orientation of one or more of the baffles can he adjusted in order to control the response shape of the steam footprints on a moving sheet for zone moisture control. The panels can be articulated to allow dynamic adjustments of the profiling zones for cross direction response control.

Abstract: A method for the secure offline relocation of portable software licenses. The portable software license has an associated time limit. A license relocation record can be generated including the portable software license and limit information for the time limit for relocation to a second computing device operating in an offline state. The license relocation record is temporarily securely stored on a removable security device attached to a first computing device that is connected to a licensing network. The removable security device can be disconnected from the first computing device and subsequently connected to the second computing device. Provided the time limit is not exceeded, the portable software license can then be installed upon the second computing device. Upon successful installation of the portable software licenses, the license relocation record can be removed from the removable security device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one measurement of a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of a mixture of fluid containing an autotrophic organism. The method also includes determining an adjustment to one or more manipulated variables using the at least one measurement. The method further includes generating one or more signals to modify the one or more manipulated variables based on the determined adjustment. The one or more manipulated variables could include a carbon dioxide flow rate, an air flow rate, a water temperature, and an agitation level for the mixture. At least one model relates the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to one or more manipulated variables, and the adjustment could be determined by using the at least one model to drive the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to at least one target that optimize a goal function. The goal function could be to optimize biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and/or lipid production.

Abstract: A coating apparatus produces a spray of charged droplets and controls the spray angle of travel of the spray toward the object to be coated. Electrically charging droplets minimizes the amount of coating material required to uniformly coat a surface as compared to conventional web coating techniques such as blade coating. An inductive ring guides the spray charged droplets as they exit the nozzle of a spray device. The electrostatic repulsion between the charged droplets insures that a uniform coating of liquid formulation can be applied to a web surface.

Abstract: A system includes a signal source that provides a first signal for measuring a gas content of a liquid sample. The system also includes an analyzer that determines the gas content of the liquid sample using a measurement of a second signal, where the second signal is based on the first signal. The system further includes an apparatus with a walled structure having a cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston that pulls the liquid sample into the cavity and pushes the liquid sample out of the cavity. The apparatus further includes at least one measurement window having at least one inner surface exposed within the cavity. The at least one measurement window receives the first signal from the signal source and provides the second signal to the analyzer. The piston could also clean the at least one inner surface, and the piston can include a reference material for calibrating the analyzer.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor unit having multiple solid-state light sources each configured to generate light at one or more wavelengths, where different light sources are configured to generate light at different wavelengths. The first sensor unit also includes a mixer configured to mix the light from the light sources and to provide the mixed light to a web being sampled. The first sensor unit further includes a controller configured to control the generation of the light by the light sources. The system also includes a second sensor unit comprising a detector configured to measure mixed light that has interacted with the web. The second sensor unit could also include a second controller configured to determine one or more characteristics of the web (such as moisture content and fiber weight) using measurements from the detector.

Abstract: Upper to lower assembly analog position sensors in a dual scanning system measure alignment offsets. A controller uses error signals from the position sensors to calculate actuator error profiles that are used in the next scan in the same direction, with different error profiles being used for forward and reverse scans. Since the alignment error profiles are repeatable for a given set of scanner conditions, the actuator controller anticipates what the error signal will be before each scanning assembly reaches a given position. An optimized error correction can be calculated based on the error profiles and actuator bandwidth without concerns regarding feedback loop speed, overshoot, and unstable control oscillations. An actuation system driven from error profiles can correct for alignment offsets by actively changing belt tensions at the offsetting drive pulleys and/or changing the position of sensor assemblies relative to the drive belt systems.