Abstract: A method for manufacturing objects/materials includes selectively arranging the predetermined components in a staging area, substantially simultaneously selectively removing two or more of the selectively arranged predetermined components according to a predetermined removal plan and substantially simultaneously placing the selectively removed components, the removed components being substantially simultaneously placed at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A computer executing a software algorithm may be used to detect a depression in a temperature profile. The temperature profile may be smoothed to eliminate noise. Next, the temperature profile's center may be extracted. A polynomial may be fitted to extracted data. An algorithm used to fit the polynomial may guarantee that the fitted curve's peak may be below the actual temperature data's peak. Next, residuals may be calculated by subtracting the fitted curve from the actual data. If there is a dip at the center, then the residuals in the center may be less than zero. The software algorithm executing on the computer may then make a decision based on a sign of the residuals. For example, residuals less than zero may indicate bar porosity. Residuals above zero may indicate no porosity. The magnitude of the residuals may then be used to classify a size of a detected defect.

Abstract: Methods, machine-readable media, apparatuses and systems are provided to collect and analyze data relating to energy consumption and factors affecting energy production. In various embodiments, such analysis can include time series analysis, multivariate correlation analysis, cluster analysis, anomaly detection methods, multi-dimensional density analysis and demand modeling.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicular stage with individual seats and seat control system and method for controlling a movement of a seat, the seat control system including: a motor configured to move the seat in at least one direction; a control computer, which is disposed remotely with respect to the seat, and which is configured to output control commands for controlling the movement of the seat; and a microcontroller, which is connected to the motor and the control computer and configured to receive the control commands from the control computer and to control the motor to move the seat in the at least one direction based on the control commands received from the control computer.

Abstract: A method and system for examining, auditing, and safely evaluating process systems, including fluid pressure systems and nuclear plant systems, to aid overpressure design and/or sizing of overpressure equipment. The system includes a server subsystem, a storage subsystem, an assessment subsystem, and optionally a report generation subsystem, including computer hardware and application software for supporting these subsystems.

Abstract: An operation planning method performed in a system including a power generation device, a first electric load operating using power generated by the power generation device, and a second electric load which generates heat using power generated by the power generation device. The operation planning method is performed to design an operation plan for the second electric load and includes: predicting, for individual unit time periods, an amount of power to be generated by the power generation device and an amount of power to be consumed by the first electric load; and designing the operation plan for the second electric load to operate during an operation period including the time period with the largest amount of reverse power, calculated by subtracting the amount of power to be consumed from the amount of power to be generated.

Abstract: A system tool that provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. Included is a user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines. Each scheduler engine is configured to look ahead at different time frames to forecast system conditions and alter generation patterns within the different time frames. A comprehensive operating plan holds schedules generated by the plurality of scheduler engines. A relational database is coupled to the comprehensive operating plan. Input data is initially received from the relational database for each scheduling engine, and thereafter the relational database receives data from the scheduling engines relative to forecast system conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a masterless control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

Abstract: A system including a computer solves supply chain campaign planning problems involving major and minor setups. The computer is configured to execute a major campaign for two or more of a plurality of major product families and fix an optimal major product family to a major time period on a planning horizon, based at least on aggregated major productivity fractions and calculated second moments of a plurality of two or more major product families. The computer is further configured to execute a minor campaign for two or more minor product families associated with the optimal major product family, obtain a minor productivity fraction of a campaignable resource for the minor product family over at least a portion of a major time period and fix an optimal minor product family from the two or more minor product families to a minor time period based at least on the minor productivity fraction.

Abstract: Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time.

Abstract: A technique for power feeding of a common element of an access network from subscribers of the access network connected to the common element through subscriber lines being electric wires or optical fibers, the method comprises providing the subscribers with respective local power sources, and powering the common element from the one or more local power sources by selectively and/or dynamically combining power conducted there-from through the subscriber lines, thereby allowing at least partial operation of the common element.

Abstract: In a method for identifying operating conditions of a domestic appliance, a temperature of an operating agent of the domestic appliance and/or of a component of the domestic appliance is detected by a temperature sensor. The ambient temperature is detected by the temperature sensor before the programming mode, in an initialization phase. At least one reference temperature value is defined that represents a critical value for the programming mode of the domestic appliance in respect of reliable and/or efficient operation. The programming mode is prevented from beginning as a function of the comparison of the measured ambient temperature with at least one reference temperature value. The programming mode is prevented from beginning until the ambient temperature has reached a value that is in an acceptable range in comparison with the reference temperature value.

Abstract: A power delivery system includes at least one conductor having a first end and a second end and a phasor measurement unit (PMU) coupled to the first end of the conductor. The PMU is configured to obtain phasor data at the first end and generate a phasor signal that includes the phasor data. The power delivery system also includes a power generation system coupled to the second end of the conductor and configured to provide power to the conductor. The power generation system includes a power source, a power converter, and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the PMU and is configured to receive the phasor signal and control the power converter based at least partially on the phasor data.

Abstract: An electronic device, and a method for executing a plurality of processes with the electronic device, wherein, in a resource-conserving manner, rapid response times are achievable, in that the electronic device, during operation, executes first and second processes (P1, P2), of which the first processes (P1) are executable as approximate solutions (P1-A) and as detailed calculations (P1-C). The electronic device includes a processor for executing processes (P1, P2) and an electronic unit or a multitasking-capable operating system. The electronic unit includes a component, which recognizes whether the processor is active, and serves, while the processor is active and a simultaneous execution of at least two processes is required, for executing the first processes (P1), in that it, itself, determines the approximate solution (P1-A) and sets such in the place of a detailed calculation (P1-C) determined with the processor.

Abstract: Irrigation of plants or crops is effected using plant canopy temperature measurements. The process and device include an irrigation scheduling algorithm based on an integrated water stress index (WSI) and an integrated WSI set-point. A WSI is calculated at repeated time intervals and compared to an encoded threshold WSI value that is crop and region specific. If the calculated WSI is greater than the encoded WSI value, a unit of integrated WSI (IWSI) is accumulated. If the time integral exceeds the encoded value for a 24 hour period, an irrigation signal is produced, directing the irrigation system where, when and how much to irrigate. The process and device will automatically schedule crop irrigations when the crop is water stressed and may control a moving or static irrigation system to apply the irrigation. Moreover, irrigation applications can be selectively varied over specified control areas or management zones.

Abstract: An improved technique is presented for detecting when a fastener driven by a drill driver has reaches a desired stopping position. The improved techniques generally includes: sampling periodically current delivered to the electric motor; storing a sequence of current measures most recently sampled; and determining a slope for the sequence of current measures by way of linear regression. Transmission of torque to the output spindle can be interrupted based in part on the slope of the current measures.

Abstract: A numerical controller calculates the distance (rotation radius) between the rotation center axis of a rotary axis and a control target point using the machine conditions (including the axis structure and tool length) of a machine tool having a rotary axis and the coordinate values of the respective axes of the machine tool. Then, the preset positioning completion widths of the respective axes are compensated by the calculated rotation radius and a positioning completion check of the rotary axis is carried out using the compensated positioning completion widths.

Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The current temperature and setpoint are graphically displayed as prominent tick marks. Different colors and intensities can be displayed to indicate currently active HVAC functions and an amount of heating or cooling required to reach a target temperature. The setpoint can be altered by user rotation of the ring. The schedule can be displayed and altered by virtue of rotations and inward pressings of the ring. Initial device set up and installation, the viewing of device operation, the editing of various settings, and the viewing of historical energy usage information are made simple and elegant by virtue of the described form factor, display modalities, and user input modalities of the device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation device having a damper and a controller are provided. The damper may have a range of damper positions for controlling a flow of outside air into the building. The controller controls the damper positions such that a desired flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building. A remote monitoring device may also be provided. The remote monitoring device may be located remotely from the demand control ventilation device, but in communication with or part of the controller. In some instances, the remote monitoring device may have a user interface for remotely monitoring and/or controlling at least certain aspects of the demand control ventilation system from the remote location.

Abstract: A power supply control device including a power supply and a switching control system. The power supply includes a solar power supply unit and an electric network power supply unit. The solar power supply unit includes solar cells and a DC-DC boosting circuit; an output terminal of the solar cells is connected with an input terminal of the DC-DC boosting circuit and the output terminal of the DC-DC boosting circuit supplies power to the exterior. The electric network power supply unit includes an AC-DC rectifying circuit; an input terminal of the AC-DC rectifying circuit is connected to an electric network alternating current input and an output terminal thereof supplies power to the exterior. A ventilating device using the power supply device is also provided.