Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to interface with a control a loop are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a loop controller to control a control loop, a sensor to provide a measurement value to the loop controller, a device controller to adjust a control device based on an output from the loop controller, and a loop interface to receive a set point value and send the set point value to the loop controller, wherein the loop interface is different from a host device communicatively coupled to the loop controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Imminent control instability is detected in a system that applies a stimulus to an object. The system provides a parameter signal that represents a system parameter indicating oscillation of the object while the stimulus is being applied to the object. The method comprises monitoring maximum amplitude of a dominant tone in a selected frequency band of the parameter signal; and taking an action to avoid imminent control instability if the maximum amplitude persists over a specified period of time.

Abstract: A guide system and method of projecting visual indicators onto a physical object to guide actions of an individual comprises providing a guide system having a guide system controller and a projector, with the guide system controller including a plurality of addressed display features. An input signal is provided to the guide system controller whereby an addressed display feature is selected based on the input signal and the projector projects a visual indicator corresponding to the selected addressed display feature onto a physical object. The guide system controller may also include a plurality of positional identifiers, with the method including the selecting of a positional identifier based on the input signal and the projecting of the visual indicator onto a physical object at a location corresponding to the selected positional identifier.

Abstract: A valve and actuator assembly that includes a valve configured to control a flow of liquid into a coil or heat exchanger. The valve and actuator assembly further includes a valve actuator configured to control opening and closing of the valve via positioning of a valve closure member. The valve actuator is further configured to provide both a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate of the liquid through the valve. In an embodiment, the valve actuator includes a valve closure member position sensor configured to determine the position of the valve closure member based on a flow rate of the liquid through the valve.

Abstract: A power monitoring system comprises an input module, a plurality of switches, a plurality of power supply ports, a detecting module, a control module, and a wireless transmission module. The each switch was set in between the input module, and each switch has an address. The detecting module generates a power loading value by set in between the input module and each power supply port. The control module connects to switches, the detecting module and the wireless transmission module, thus, the control module can read the power loading values from the detecting module, and control each switch which corresponds to the address by a preset rule or a command from the wireless transmission module. It will not only save energy but also improve the electricity security for the household.

Abstract: A freight loading system may include: freight transport devices each with at least one roller for transporting freight items in a transport direction and each sensor for detecting the presence of a freight item, wherein the rollers of at least a first freight transport device are mounted rotationally mobile such that the transport direction of the first freight transport device is adjustable, and a control unit which receives signals from sensors of at least two freight transport devices in order to detect a movement, of a freight item, wherein the control unit is designed to calculate from the signals a relative movement of part of the freight item relative to the first freight transport device and align the at least one roller of the first freight transport device taking into account the relative movement of the part of the freight item.

Abstract: A system and method for providing for the embroidery of articles which allows a user to select an article to be created from an article with one or more article pattern pieces, select or create and place a design to be embroidered on the selected pattern piece or pieces, render a two-dimensional image of the pattern with design thereon into a three-dimensional object depicting the design to be embroidered on the article, and generating a data file with instructions for embroidering the design or designs on the one or more article pattern pieces and/or with instructions for cutting the article pattern pieces from a fabric and embroidering the design on the article pattern pieces.

Abstract: A system comprises a configurator for providing a configuration definition that specifies existing engineering designs and manufacturing capability of aircraft structures that have already been designed and manufactured; and a processor for accessing the configuration definition from the configurator and filtering the configuration definition according to customer specifications for a new aircraft. The filtering selects existing designs and identifies existing manufacturing capability to fabricate structures for the new aircraft.

Abstract: Dynamic parameter tuning using particle swarm optimization is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for dynamically tuning parameters comprising a control unit; and a system for receiving parameters tuned by the control unit. The control unit receives as input a model selection and definitions, and dynamically tunes a value for each parameter by using a modified particle swarm optimization method. The modified particle swarm optimization method comprises moving particle locations based on a particle's inertia, experience, global knowledge, and a tuning factor. The control unit outputs the dynamically tuned value for each parameter.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards technology managing three-dimensional object fabrication in full color. In order to transform the object's model into an instruction set for a fabrication device, a fabrication manager computes color values corresponding to geometry within a later of the object's model. After determining an amount of each colored material to deposit, the fabrication manager generates coordinated instructions configured to deposit a combination of colored materials according to the geometry and efficiently transitioning between colored materials during object fabrication.

Abstract: A virtual thermostat to control an air condition of any target zone in an HVAC controlled space. The thermostat comprising of a 3D scanner to provide a 3D point cloud of the controlled space; a CAD-application algorithm to modify the point cloud into a 3D model of the space; a control panel for a user to input a set of boundary and initial conditions and a desired air condition at the target zone inside the controlled space; a fluid flow software having means to read said 3D model and to determine a spatial velocity and temperature distributions throughout the controlled space, and to calculate an average temperature for the target zone in the controlled space; a control system to manage the air inlet flow to control the temperature at the target zone in the controlled space by comparing the calculated average temperature of the target zone with a user defined temperature and to turn the HVAC system ON and OFF.

Abstract: An energy demand prediction apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image analysis unit and a prediction unit. The image analysis unit generates analysis data including at least one of human information and environment information of a prediction target area based on image data acquired by an image sensor. The prediction unit generates prediction data by executing an energy demand prediction based on the analysis data and an energy demand prediction model generated using previous data corresponding to the analysis data.

Abstract: A power distribution management system is disclosed for optimal power distribution for a predetermined class of loads and other loads. The power distribution management system include a substation for distributing power supply to a load network, where the load network includes the predetermined class of loads and other loads and the substation includes a plurality of feeders. The power distribution management system includes an optimizer for generating an optimal load schedule for a control period for the predetermined class of loads. The power distribution management system also includes a communication interface for communicating between the plurality of individual loads and/or the optimizer.

Abstract: A system includes a metering module that receives fluid through a fluid inlet. The metering module includes a rotating component driven by the fluid, an electric machine, and a controller. The fluid is received from the fluid inlet at an inlet flow rate, and the rotating component provides the fluid to an outlet of the rotating component at an outlet pressure. The electric machine is configured to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the rotating component. The controller is powered by the electrical power generated by the electric machine, and controls a rotational speed of the rotating component to control the outlet pressure.

Abstract: A system, method, and safety unit provide safety assurance for a multiple redundant system controlling a plant or complex. A unit active line (UAL) status indicates the presence of at least one redundant active unit within the system. A safety verification line (SVL) status verifies the powered down status of all redundant units not active within the system. A safety unit is associated with a vital supervision card (VSC) and vital power bus and the safety unit controls switchable connections from the vital power bus to the UAL and the SVL. Based on verification of UAL and SVL status, system control includes energizing the UAL.

Abstract: A method controls an operation of a machine using a model predictive control (MPC). The method determine, in response to receiving a state of the operation of the machine, a dual solution of a dual parametric problem of a parametric form of the MPC using a parallel quadratic programming (PQP) rescaling iteratively a candidate dual solution of the dual parametric problem. The coefficients of the dual parametric problem include data representing dynamics of the machine and constraints on the operation of the machine. A parameter of the dual parametric problem includes the state of the operation of the machine. The method determines a primal solution of a primal problem of the MPC using the dual solution of the dual parametric problem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power management apparatus and a multi-source energy harvesting system using the apparatus, which manage power supplied by individual harvesting sources without wasting the power, thus efficiently distributing the power to a battery. The power management apparatus includes a plurality of comparison units configured to compare voltages of storage devices respectively connected to output terminals of a plurality of harvesting power sources with a preset threshold voltage. A control unit is configured to control an operation of the power management apparatus. A plurality of switching units are installed between the storage devices and a battery and are configured to be turned on/off in response to switching control signals output from the control unit and to form power transmission paths between corresponding storage devices and the battery. The control unit generates and provides the switching control signals based on output signals of the comparison units.

Abstract: Systems and program code for providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary system includes a CHP utility and process subsystems analysis and design program computer and program code for identifying the best key design and operating conditions for both subsystems stored in the memory of the computer. The program code, when executed, can cause the computer to perform operations including determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and control of hydroponic growing environment are disclosed. One or more sensing devices are provided to capture the conditions of a hydroponic growing environment via one or more reservoir or air sensors. The sensing devices can further communicate with and control a multiple-outlet power delivery device to make adjustment to the hydroponic growing environment. The power delivery device may include one or more power outlets, each of which can be activated or deactivated to turn on/off an environmental control equipment items. The sensing device may also communicate with a remote server, which may retrieve sensor data about the environmental conditions from the sensing device. The remote server may monitor the environmental conditions and automatically adjust the growing environment by controlling the power delivery device. A user may also access the remote server, monitor and control the hydroponic growing environment via the remote server.