Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network. In an embodiment, the network includes a user interface, a first subnet controller and a second subnet controller. The first subnet controller is configured to operate with a first zone of the network with a first program schedule. The second subnet controller is configured to operate with a second zone of the network with a second program schedule. The second subnet controller is further configured to override the first and second schedules to operate the first and the second zones according to hold settings received from the user interface.

Abstract: A system for controlling infrared (IR) enabled devices by projecting coded IR pulses from an active illumination depth camera is described. In some embodiments, a gesture recognition system includes an active illumination depth camera such as a depth camera that utilizes time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light techniques for obtaining depth information. The gesture recognition system may detect the performance of a particular gesture associated with a particular electronic device, determine a set of device instructions in response to detecting the particular gesture, and transmit the set of device instructions to the particular electronic device utilizing coded IR pulses. The coded IR pulses may imitate the IR pulses associated with a remote control protocol. In some cases, the coded IR pulses transmitted may also be used by the active illumination depth camera for determining depth information.

Abstract: A method of preparing an ophthalmic lens (20) for mounting in an eyeglass frame, the ophthalmic lens including a memory mark (28) that is situated on one of its ophthalmic faces (22) and that forms a code storing in digital form at least one item of information relating to a mechanical, geometrical, or optical characteristic of the ophthalmic lens. The method includes three steps: a) acquiring a raw image of at least a portion of the optical face of the ophthalmic lens on which an image of the memory mark appears; b) processing the raw image acquired in step a) in order to decode the information stored in the code; and c) centering and then shaping the ophthalmic lens as a function of the information decoded in step b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to energy supply systems which comprise an energy storage unit and an energy production unit. Control methods according to the invention advantageously allow to calculate an operational cost of the energy supply system based on the energy flux that can be supplied by the system and the energy flux that is demanded externally from the system. The operational cost can be calculated for all possible values of the above parameters in advance. The calculated parameters can be stored in an array in a device implementing methods of the invention. Methods of the invention allow to operate an energy supply system so as to guarantee that at any instant a predetermined (nonzero) amount of energy flux can be supplied by the energy storage unit.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for operating an energy-using device are disclosed. Current data related to operation of the energy-using device is received at a remote device. An operating specification for the energy-using device is received at the remote device from a database. A recommended setting of the energy-using device is determined from the current data and the operating specification. The remote device communicates the recommended setting to the energy-using device. A control unit at the energy-using device receives the recommended setting and implements the recommended setting at the energy-using device.

Abstract: A device may include a memory to store control policies set for a network of smart grid devices connected to a power grid, the control policies including an energy consumption threshold associated with the network of smart grid devices; and a processor configured to obtain network content including energy consumption data associated with the network of smart grid devices, compare the energy consumption data to the energy consumption threshold associated with the network of smart grid devices, generate a first instruction with respect to energy consumption associated with network of smart grid devices, and generate a second instruction with respect to replenishment of unforced capacity associated with the network of smart grid devices.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a temperature-dependent power device includes an active cooling device and a controller to generate and transmit a drive signal thereto to selectively activate the device. The controller receives an input from sensors regarding the cooling device power consumption and measured operational parameters of the power equipment—including the power device output power if the device is a power producing device or the power device input power if the device is a power consuming device. The controller generates and transmits a drive signal to the cooling device based on the cooling device power consumption and the measured power device input or output power in order to cause the active cooling device to selectively cool the heat producing power device. A net system power output or total system power input can be maximized/minimized by controlling an amount of convection cooling provided by the cooling device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to create a pattern part, and a subsequent mold core package, that can be used in the casting process to cast one or more die components having a near net-shape of the finished part. In this way, the present invention provides a cast part which greatly reduces the amount of finishing work that needs to be performed on the part after casting. Further, the present invention provides a method which involves less upfront stock material to cast the near net-shape of the desired die component part. The present invention accomplishes this by providing an efficient and effective automated method to determine where and how to add appropriate mechanical features to a design model part to produce a manufacturing model part in a CAD software program.

Abstract: A use-side unit and an air conditioner that can feed out air at a target temperature into a target space are provided. A use-side evaporator that recovers moisture obtained by cooling and condensing the air to be fed out into the space to be air-conditioned or the like and dehumidifies it so as to obtain target relative humidity, a use-side condenser that heats the air having passed through the use-side evaporator by heat exchange, adjusts it to a target dry-bulb temperature and feeds it out into the space to be air-conditioned or the like, and a use-side controller that calculates a correction value if a difference between a dry-bulb temperature according to the detection of a temperature detector that detects a dry-bulb temperature of the air to be fed out into the target space and the target dry-bulb temperature is larger than a predetermined value and performs processing to correct a target intermediate dry-bulb temperature.

Abstract: Described is a control system for stabilizing complex systems through self-adjustment. The complex system consists of agents or machines interacting with an environment and controlled by a controller. The control system includes a sensor configured to measure a state of the complex system and output the measured state of the complex system. A filter receives the measured state of the complex system, computes a variance in the measured state of the complex system over time, and outputs the computed variance. A regulator, which is connected with at least one controller, adjusts a control parameter in response to the computed variance received from the filter. The regulator is configured to regulate each controller's action on each agent or machine based on the control parameter in order to maintain stability of the complex system. In a desired aspect, the at least one control parameter comprises a set of additional input delays.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a computer-implemented method and system of reducing commodity usage by providing tailored consumer information to the consumer. The method utilizes neural network and machine learning techniques to calculate and cluster statistical data to classify the premises for desired observable condition, including the presence of a programmed thermostat. A score is determined that corresponds to at least one of: (i) a present state of an observable condition, (ii) a non-present state of the observable condition, and (iii) a degree of a condition of the observable condition, to provide tailored consumer information associated to the consumer's usage of the commodity.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment describes a system that manages the energy usage of a user's appliance based on: (i) the user's location, and (ii) the user's “presence information.” The “presence information” of a user is defined as a status indicator that includes, but is not limited to: the ability and willingness of a user to communicate and a user's mood. For example, when a user is lonely and at work, the office door should open, but when the user is not lonely and at work, the user's instant messages should be shut off. The illustrative embodiment comprises: an appliance; and an energy-usage controller for de-activating an energy-consuming element of the appliance based on presence information of a user of the appliance.

Abstract: A manifold trailer and pairing system are disclosed. The pairing system has a non-transitory computer readable medium storing processor executable code. The processor executable code causes a processor to receive identification data indicative of a first low pressure valve and a second low pressure valve connected to a low pressure manifold of a manifold trailer; receive identification data indicative of a first high pressure valve and a second high pressure valve connected to a high pressure manifold of the manifold trailer; and receive identification data indicative of a plurality of pumps. The processor determines a first association indicative of a first fluid connection between the first low pressure valve and a selected pump and a second association indicative of a second fluid connection between the selected pump and a selected high pressure valve. The processor populates the non-transitory computer readable medium with information indicative of the first and second associations.

Abstract: A method for operating a power tool detects human contact with a non-moving implement of the power tool. The method includes sampling an electrical signal that passes through the non-moving implement, identifying in-phase and quadrature phase components for the sample, identifying a first distance between the components of the sample and a centroid of a cluster of samples corresponding to human contact with the non-moving implement, identifying a second distance between the components of the sample and a second centroid identified for another cluster of samples corresponding to no human contact with the non-moving implement, and identifying human contact with the non-moving implement with reference to the first distance being less than the second distance.

Abstract: A heat sink comprises a plurality of fins that may be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to a heat-generating electronic component to which the heat sink is thermally coupled. A controller may be used to detect an elevated processor temperature and to activate a drive member to automatically adjust the orientation of fins on the heat sink. The fins may be moved and aligned with an air flow made over the heat sink. The adjustable-fin heat sink affords added flexibility in arranging a processor or other heat-generating electronic component on a circuit board. The orientation or position of the heat sink fins may also be automatically changed in response to a change in the air flow direction as manifested by a rise in the temperature of the heat sink or the heat-generating member.

Abstract: A method comprising flowing a liquid through supply pipe couplings to a fin tube assembly of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and through the fin tube assembly to return pipe couplings, wherein the fin tube assembly forms a central air flow pathway. The method further comprises passing air through components within a rack secured to the rear door heat exchanger and through the fin tube assembly and detecting an operating condition within the rack. The method then automatically moves the fin tube assembly from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the operating condition, wherein the retracted position directs substantially all of the air to exit the rack through the central air flow pathway, and wherein the extended position allows the air to exit through the central air flow pathway and also through first and second side air flow pathways.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperatures of steam for a steam power plant is provided. A state controller, in order to output a desired steam temperature as a controlled variable, feeds back several steam states in a superheater for superheating steam using a monitor, which calculates the steam states, and the desired steam temperature is forwarded to a further controller for controlling the temperature. In order to achieve a stable and accurate control of the steam temperature, it is proposed that the state controller be a linear quadratic controller.

Abstract: A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.

Abstract: A wind turbine (8) for controlling power oscillations on a grid of a power system (28). The wind turbine (8) comprises rotor blades (12) for turning by the wind, an electric generator (20) rotatably coupled to the rotor blades (12), a power converter (24) responsive to electricity generated by the electric generator (20), the power converter (24) for converting the generated electricity to a frequency and voltage suitable for supply to the power grid (28), and the power converter for regulating voltage on the grid supplemented by modulating real power for damping the power oscillations.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine is provided with a rotating shaft for rotating a workpiece. In wire electrical discharge machining according to a machining program, a current average rotation radius at a current workpiece machining point is calculated for each predetermined period, based on average rotation radii at respective end points of a block to be executed and a directly preceding block and an amount of movement of the rotating shaft. Based on the calculated current average rotation radius, control is performed such that the speed of movement of the wire electrode relative to the workpiece machining point agrees with a command speed acquired from a machining power supply.