Abstract: A modular instrumentation system for monitoring and control of biochemical processes, and in particular of fermentation processes is provided. The system includes a plurality of function monitoring and control modules each including a microprocessor and associated memory devices, manual input devices and an interface for the receipt of sensor signals and the transmission of control signals. The modules for a plurality of functions have substantially common design and are adapted for relatively quick conversion to another function. The system may include an instrument console adapted to receive a plurality of the function monitoring and control modules as well as incorporating provision for sensor inputs, power inputs, one or more recorders, one or more pumps and/or an interface for an external computer.

Abstract: An irrigation control system is provided which includes circuitry for minimizing electrical power consumption to permit battery-powered operation. The system also includes a microcomputer which is in a quiescent mode except when actuated by a rising edge of a clock signal which has been processed by two type C flip-flops. The microcomputer is programmed to drive a display and to control a valve which includes a bi-stable solenoid for controlling an irrigation cycle.

Abstract: Milling machine apparatus and method for controlling the relative movement between a working surface and a cutting edge in which said relative movement approximates a mathematically definable path and occurs in a series of line segments each intersecting said path at first and second points with the second point of each line segment being the first point of the next successive line segment. The system comprises first means for determining a maximum distance d' between each successive line segment and said path measured along a line extending from a predetermined reference and passing between said first and second points, where d'=d+.DELTA.d, a predetermined range of value. Also provided are second means responsive to the determination of d' for each successive line segment to then establish the first point of intersection of the next successive line segment, and control means responsive to the determined points of intersection to generate prime moving control signals.

Abstract: This invention provides a uniquely designed switched capacitor multiplier/adder (129) which also functions as a digital-to-analog converter in a single subcircuit. The multiplier/adder, in a single operation, multiplies an analog voltage by a binary coefficient, and sums this product with a second analog voltage. The use of this unique subcircuit results in a significant reduction in space requirements for the construction of, for example, a speech synthesis circuit utilizing linear predictive coding over prior art circuits. This reduction in size results in a significant reduction in the manufacturing costs for this circuit over prior art circuits, and additionally allows the option of including on the speech synthesis chip a memory for the storage of binary representations of to-be-synthesized speech patterns.

Abstract: A machine tool controller and part inspection monitor that controls part cutting by a machine tool (21) and provides a readout of cutter deviation beyond a preset tolerance is disclosed. Axis position sensors (23) continuously sense the position of the part (if the part is moved), the position of the cutter (if the cutter is moved) or the position of the part and the cutter (if both are moved) along various control axes. A data processor (31) uses the sensed axis position data to continuously determine the transfer function of the machine tool (21). The data processor (31) combines the transfer function information with data that defines the centerline of the cut to produce control signals suitable for controlling part and/or cutter movement. The location and amount of deviation from the defined centerline greater than the allowable tolerance are recorded and read out.

Abstract: System failure in the acquisition of data from a process plant such as a nuclear reactor owing to stuck signals is avoided by arranging input signals from transducers in the plant in a test pattern. The signal inputs are physically wired in the test pattern which is then decoded by either or both of a computer based system which allows for the test pattern and/or a hard wired system which mimics the input connections. Transmission of the multiplexed signals is made dynamic by provision of a polarity reverser switch (10) which alternates between signals or scans. A pattern recognition logic or a mimicing physical wiring decode the signals from the inputs or the computer system and the hard wired system respectively.

Abstract: Method for correcting the control program of an automatic glass cutting machine including the steps of adding in counters signal pulses representative of travel of a scanning head in X and Y directions, checking the counter totals at the starting and end points of travel of the scanning head and introducing pulses in the program to bring the counter totals to a zero value.A device for correcting the control program of an automatic glass cutting machine having counters for adding signal pulses representative of travel of a scanning head in X and Y directions and a pulse generator for each counter which may put a required number of pulses into memory to bring the total count in the counters to zero at the completion of travel of the scanning head.

Abstract: A protective relaying system is disclosed which includes a selection circuit for receiving a plurality of input signals from a power system and for selecting one of the input signals to provide a selected input signal. The system also includes a comparison circuit connected to the selection circuit for receiving the selected input signal, comparing the selected input signal with a predetermined reference signal, and producing a decision signal according to the result of the comparison. The system further includes a processing unit connected to the comparison circuit for receiving the decision signal and processing the decision signal to produce a relay output signal.

Abstract: A microprocessor based single loop control instrument is described which can operate as any one of several different types of controllers, each of which can provide two or more different modes of operation. The control instrument comprises a microprocessor, a read only memory in which is stored the operating program for the control instrument, means for causing the control instrument to operate as one of the types of controllers provided for by a program stored in the read only memory and means for selecting the mode of operation of the controller. Further, in accordance with the invention, the control instrument is supplied with a control panel controlled by a second microprocessor and connected to the first microprocessor by a communication bus. The second microprocessor controls a bar graph display for displaying at least one signal related to the operation of the control instrument as well as means for selecting the signal that is displayed.

Abstract: An electronic controller is provided to control the energization of an electrical actuator to readjust a valve which controls the flow of a fluid in a controllable process. The controller is responsive to two signals, one of which is produced by a process sensor to represent the instantaneous magnitude of a predetermined process parameter and the second of which constitutes a set signal representative of a desired magnitude of the parameter. The signals are compared, and the sense of any resulting error signal is used to control the direction of movement of the actuator while the instantaneous magnitude of the error signal, during a succession of equal time intervals, is used to control the rate of movement of the actuator by controlling the extent of movement of the actuator during each of the time intervals.

Abstract: The method serves to control sluggishly reacting plants by controllers in which rapid changes in set value occur. The controller has an integral section and a proportional section separate from the I-section. The I-section receives a control deviation signal formed from the actual value and the set value, whereas the P-section is supplied with the set value. The output signals of the I-section and of the P-section act on the plant. The I-section is blocked for the duration of an abrupt change in the set value.As a result of this relatively short interruption in operation of the I-section, the control of the plant is improved.

Abstract: A programmable sequence controller which enables display of the contents of a storage means for storing input and output data to and from a machine, and which permits numerical values to be set in the storage device from an external unit. The programmable sequence controller utilizes a sending and receiving unit for an exchange of commands and other data with a numerical control device in order to transfer display content and numerical values which have been set. This allows the contents to be displayed on display means provided in the numerical control device, and permits the setting of numerical values which are entered from a data setting means provided in the numerical control device.

Abstract: The change in the mill modulus of the stand of a rolling mill due to the particular strip width of a run strip of material is taken into account by reference to the unloaded mill modulus of the stand and a desired roll gap opening is calculated on the basis of an error relative to the actual roll gap opening in order to achieve a desired strip thickness setting.

Abstract: A digital data processing system in which system parameters in an electric power system such as current or voltage are sampled at predetermined time intervals and converted into digital data by analog-to-digital converter units. The sampling frequency is made higher than the expected frequency of variation of these parameters. Sensing units located remotely from one another sample these parameters at rates which are asynchronous between sensing units. The data transmitted from the various sensing units is sent to a central processing unit where the received signals are sampled synchronously and then processed in order to provide protection for the electric power system.

Abstract: A mechanical element is moved from a first position to a second position along a vector path. Individual step controllers provide drive along each axis at respective velocities for vector movement. The velocity along the greatest distance axis is the master against which acceleration and velocity of the other axes is measured. Optional closed-loop operation insures synchronism of movement along the different axes.

Abstract: An improved Sampling Network Analyzer is disclosed, in which synchronization of the sampling of one or more input signals, either voltages or currents, is effected by means of a phase-locked loop (PLL). A reference signal serves to synchronize a phase-locked loop, which in turn synchronizes sample-and-hold circuits utilized for measurement. A C preset counter permits the operator to set a desired number of samples per measurement. A Y preset counter maintains the voltage-controlled oscillator within a predetermined (relatively narrow) range of frequencies. Operation of the sample-and-hold circuits is at a frequency that is related to the reference frequency by the ratio of two integers. A D preset counter is provided in the reference signal path to allow the Sampling Network Analyzer to be synchronized to a subharmonic of the reference frequency where the reference frequency is too high to permit the desired number of samples per measurement within a single period.

Abstract: An industrial process control system in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of device controllers connected together through a common buss with each device controller connected to an associated controlled device(s) that effect process control. A computer-aided system interface for controlling the overall system includes a visual display device in the form of a multi-color CRT and a graphic input device in the form of a transparent touch-responsive panel that overlies the CRT display screen. Computer generated symbols representing the controlled devices are displayed on the CRT screen to define touch-responsive target areas. When an appropriate target area is touched by a human operator, a signal, such as a command signal, is generated to cause the controlled device whose symbol is displayed in the designated target area to respond, with this response being then indicated by a change in the device symbol being displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An experimental robot system using vision and a parallel jaw gripper acquires randomly oriented cylindrical workpieces piled in bins. Binary image analysis guides the gripper into multilayered piles of workpieces. Complementary information is provided by sensors on the gripper.

Abstract: In a tracer control equipment which calculates a trace direction and a trace velocity using signals from a tracer head tracing the model surface and performs tracer control in accordance with the calculation results, there are provided a memory for storing numerical command data and means for reading out the numerical command data by a processor from the memory, whereby to add a numerical control function for positioning control to the tracer control equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an analogue output which is a trigonometrical function of the sum of an analogue angle input .theta. and a digital angle input .phi. comprises multiplying means for multiplying sines and cosines of the two angles to produce signals representing sin .theta. cos .theta. and sin .phi. cos .theta. and/or cos .theta. cos .phi. and sin .theta. sin .phi..