Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: A wind park system is disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment includes at least one wind power installation having a rotor; an electrical generator drivable by the rotor, such that the electrical generator is operable to deliver electrical power to an electrical network; and a control device operable to control at least a voltage and a current of the electrical power delivered into the electrical network, and operable to implement a phase angle change in dependence on a network voltage measured at least one location within the electrical network, wherein the phase angle determines the phase position between the current and the voltage of the electrical power delivered by the electrical generator.

Abstract: An equivalent material constant calculation system that calculates an equivalent material constant of a structure constituted by a plurality of materials includes a shape data input portion that inputs shape data, a material data input portion that inputs material constant data, a dividing portion that divides the structure into a plurality of small regions, and a small region interior calculation portion that calculates equivalent material constants in the small regions, in which the small region interior calculation portion, based on the shape data and material constant data, with a function that includes a value in a variable that expresses a position in at least one direction in the small region, expresses an equivalent material constant for a region that is a portion of a small region, and using the function, calculates an equivalent material constant for the small region with respect to the at least one direction.

Abstract: In a grinding method and apparatus, a machining portion of a workpiece is ground with a grinding wheel on a trial, and shape errors in respective rotational phases of the machining portion are measured after the trial grinding. Based on the shape errors, control data defining workpiece rotational speeds for respective rotational phases of the workpiece is prepared so that the workpiece rotational speed is made to be slow for a rotational phase in which the machining portion is undercut, but to be fast for another rotational phase in which the machining portion is overcut, and the machining portion of the workpiece is ground as the rotational speed of the workpiece is controlled in accordance with the control data.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for processing a sample by using plasma on a lot unit basis, including: detecting plural kinds of information as monitor data relating to a processing state of the sample, using a plurality of sensors; selecting a detection time range of the monitor data thus detected; converting the monitor data within the selected detection time range into a converted signal; predicting a pattern shape of the sample based on the converted signal; calculating a correction quantity of a processing parameter, for decreasing a deviation between the predicted pattern shape and a standard value; and converting the correction quantity of a processing parameter obtained by the calculating operation when a kind of a next sample of a next lot is different from the sample, thereby to use a converted correction quantity of the processing parameter for a processing of the next sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select a location to perform a process are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The system stores the tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition. The system outputs a representation of the tool's location along a first axis, a representation of the process along a second axis, and a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automating a sequence of basic chemistry operations through a recipe. Software running on a workstation communicating with a controller allows an operator to operate the process controller, view the process, log the process, and maintain the recipe. The controller communicates with the process hardware and receives commands from the workstation, stores the commands, interprets the commands to perform the process, and provides monitoring information to the workstation. The workstation software uses a recipe to control the process. The recipe is expressed in terms of the process. The controller runs software routines for process control and for hardware control.

Abstract: A system and method for building three dimensional objects may adjust data used to build the objects to, for example, improve quality or correct for defects. A printer may, for example, accept data representing the object and modify the data according to an adjustment parameter; the printer may build the object according to the parameter. The parameter may be, for example, calculating an adjustment parameter in an X-Y slice plane to compensate for inaccuracies caused by diffusion of materials into one another.

Abstract: An irrigation control device with a controller, antenna, power supply and battery charging device, such as a solar array, all contained within a housing, such as a rotor body. The controller receives signals through the antenna. The controller updates one or more watering schedules stored in a memory module, based on the received signals, and generates control signals to execute a watering schedule. The battery charging device recharges the power supply and the irrigation control device requires no external electrical connections for power or control. Control signals are generated in a central controller remote from the rotor, and are preferably transmitted to the rotor antenna through a commercial paging or other type of public broadcast network.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for virtual metrology in semiconductor manufacturing. Process data and metrology data are received. Prediction data is generated based on the process data and metrology data using a learning control model. The system for virtual metrology in a fabrication facility comprises a fault detection and classification system operable to receive process data, a statistical process control system operable to perform statistical process control on a history of physical metrology data to form metrology data, and a virtual metrology application operable to generate prediction data based on the process data and the metrology data using a learning control model.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that a particular fluid supply is connected to an infusion pump or pump channel. An upstream pressure sensor coupled to a fluid conduit associated with the fluid supply is used to provide pressure signals in response to pressure sensed in the conduit to a processor. In a connection verification mode, the processor is configured to receive the pressure signals and delay the flow control device of the infusion pump from moving fluid through the conduit until the processor detects a pressure change in the conduit indicated by the pressure signals to thereby verify that the particular fluid supply is connected to the infusion pump.

Abstract: A method for maintaining and/or repairing an appliance is provided. The appliance includes collecting data from the appliance, wherein a flash device collects information from the appliance; launching an application from the flash device after the flash device interfaces with a computing system, wherein the application provides a user interface with selectable options for maintaining and/or repairing the appliance; contacting a server, wherein the computing system has access to a network connection and connects to the server; and transmitting the collected information from the flash device to the server.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus and method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a main supply line, a first valve, a first pressure transducer, a rotary meter, a control line, an intermediate valve, a second pressure transducer, a second valve, and a digital controller. The digital controller executes the program for operating the flow control apparatus. The program permits monitoring and regulating the amount of fluid passing through the flow control apparatus. Additionally, leaks in the flow control apparatus can be detected by the program, prompting automatic shut down of the apparatus if desired. Further, the apparatus may terminate flow through predetermined set points, such as volume and time maximums.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and a method 50 for the creation of a tool 40. The apparatus 10 and the method 50 allow for dynamic measurement of the tool 40 as it is being created and further allows for the use of positive feedback to increase the likelihood that the produced tool will be structurally similar to a certain model. The apparatus 10 and method 50 further allow sections of varying thicknesses to be used and provide a technique to create surfaces which further increase the likelihood that the produced tool will be structurally equivalent to a desired and modeled tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a root cause of a fault. The method includes detecting at least one fault associated with at least one first wafer processed according to a first processing context and processing at least one second wafer according to at least one second processing context. The second processing context is different than the first processing context. The method also includes determining a root cause associated with the fault based on the first processed wafer and the second processed wafer.

Abstract: A system (20) for conveying semifinished products during the manufacturing of liquid crystal displays, includes a first processing station (21); a second processing station (22) proximate to the first processing station; a shortcut conveyor interconnecting the first processing station and the second processing station; a stocking conveyor interconnecting the first processing station and the second processing station, a conveyance route of the stocking conveyor being shortcut by the shortcut conveyor; a data reader (27) for judging if a to-be-processed semifinished product coming from the first processing station is instructed to be conveyed to the stocking conveyor; a sensor (29) for judging if the shortcut conveyor is fully loaded; and a controller for controlling the shortcut conveyor and the stocking conveyor to convey the semifinished product to the second processing station according to judging results of the date reader and the sensor.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method includes provision of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station issues power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages, causing the local wireless energy units to disengage local loads accordingly.

Abstract: A protective device for an electrical power distribution network has: means for processing measured values from measurement appliances for the power distribution network, means for initiating switching commands by means of primary appliances for the power distribution network, as well as a programmable protective function which, when it is carried out, determines the switching commands on the basis of the measured values. In this case, the protective device has programmable logic, which can be programmed in order to carry out the protective function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a production control apparatus and a method capable of reducing the management load and providing improved convenience. In one embodiment, a control unit assigns an identifier to each unit variation (or each candidate) for each unit to be assembled in a sub-process (or a portion) of the manufacturing process of a product, each unit variation being defined based on requested specifications. Furthermore, the control unit generates and outputs a production plan table that includes sub-identifiers and component identifiers, the sub-identifiers facilitating production planning, the component identifiers being assigned to components used to manufacture each unit variation.

Abstract: A thermostat system according to the invention includes: a central control device (typically a programmable thermostat with a processor having: a CPU, real time clock and a memory for storing a control program and data information), multiple rooms comprising a conditioned space, environmental control equipment, and multiple environmental sensors capable of sensing an environmental condition (such as temperature, humidity, or other condition). The sensors are associated with transmission means, which control transmission of sensor signals, and occupancy sensors. Each sensor measures a local environmental condition. Occupancy sensors comprise infrared or other motion sensors, light detection sensors, door opening sensors, and other such sensors that detect the presence of humans in a room of the conditioned space where its associated sensor is located. Space conditioning equipment is activated by comparison of a setpoint to a control value averaged from values of environmental conditions in occupied rooms.