Patents Examined by Michael J. Scapin
  • Patent number: 8914157
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of power management of computer systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating power to servers in a server rack. The method comprises: measuring power consumption of a computer system having one or more servers; estimating probability distribution of power demand for each of the one or more servers, the estimation based on the measured power consumption; estimating performance loss via the estimated probability distribution; computing power capping limits for each of the one or more servers, the computation based on the estimated probability distribution and the performance loss; and dynamically allocating the power capping limits to each of the one or more servers by modifying previous power capping limits of each of the one or more servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cong Li, Haoyu Hannibal Gao, Rui Jian
  • Patent number: 8903558
    Abstract: A method of detecting and responding to a threat condition includes receiving, at a sensing module, an input acquired in proximity to a pipeline of a fluid distribution system, the input including data associated with a vibration measurement of the pipeline acquired by a sensor exterior of the pipeline. The method also includes determining whether the input indicates a threat condition by comparing the data to a previously recorded baseline vibration measurement. The method further includes automatically closing a first fluid transmission valve in response to a determined threat condition, thereby restricting flow of fluid through the pipeline in a vicinity of the first fluid transmission valve, and wirelessly transmitting a message for receipt by a control module that is remote from the sensing module, the message including indications of the determined threat condition, the first fluid transmission valve, and an identifier associated with the sensing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: IPiXC LLC
    Inventors: John A. Jarrell, Robert C. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8903531
    Abstract: A method of sorting laminates includes characterizing first shapes of laminates from measurements taken of each, assembling the laminates to derive a first relationship between the first shapes and yield loss, characterizing second shapes of the laminates from a reduced number of the measurements to derive a second relationship between the second shapes and yield loss, analyzing a change in the derived relationships to determine a least number of the measurements necessary for achieving the yield loss and sorting supplied laminates in accordance with a characterized shape of each, which is obtained from the least number of the measurements taken for each supplied laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Pharand, Rejean Paul Levesque, Isabelle Paquin, Denis Plouffe, Matthieu Lirette-Gelinas
  • Patent number: 8897900
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for graphically modeling, displaying, and interacting with parametric hybrid models used to optimize and control components of industrial plants and enterprises. In particular, a graphical modeling tool of a control/optimization system for controlling a plant or enterprise is configured to transmit a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface enables a plurality of command inputs relating to a plurality of parametric hybrid models based on a security access level of the user. The parametric hybrid models may be displayed by the graphical user interface as nodes of a network with connections connecting the nodes. The user may graphically manipulate the nodes and connections associated with the parametric hybrids models to either modify optimization constraints of the model network, or actually modify the manner in which the parametric hybrid models function (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Barton Smith, Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari
  • Patent number: 8874242
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel techniques for graphically modeling, displaying, and interacting with parametric hybrid models used to optimize and control components of industrial plants and enterprises. In particular, a graphical modeling tool of a control/optimization system for controlling a plant or enterprise is configured to transmit a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface enables a plurality of command inputs relating to a plurality of parametric hybrid models based on a security access level of the user. The parametric hybrid models may be displayed by the graphical user interface as nodes of a network with connections connecting the nodes. The user may graphically manipulate the nodes and connections associated with the parametric hybrids models to either modify optimization constraints of the model network, or actually modify the manner in which the parametric hybrid models function (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Barton Smith, Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari
  • Patent number: 8849440
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved design method, the results of which are a final design structure for an integrated circuit that incorporates, not only layout information, but also client-specific manufacturing information (e.g., import/export information, service requests, processing directives, purchase order requirements, design rule information, etc.) in the same data format in hierarchical form. Also disclosed are embodiments of a manufacturing control method and system. In these embodiments, a final design structure, such as that described above, is received at tape-in. The information contained therein (particularly, the client-specific manufacturing information) is sorted by type and then forwarded to the appropriate tools within the manufacturing facility for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Casey J. Grant, Kurt A. Tallman, Sabastian T. Ventrone
  • Patent number: 8781640
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for controlling the states of a microgrid module. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The control software module receives data associated with the operating state of the microgrid module. The control software module can access rules associated with each microgrid module operating state to determine whether the microgrid module must transition to a different operating state. If a transition is appropriate, the control software module can apply commands to transition the microgrid module to a different operating state. The control software module can continue to monitor the microgrid module to determine when another state transition is appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Landon Cabell Garland Miller
  • Patent number: 8774976
    Abstract: A peak load management system and method take countermeasures to reduce the risk of a spike in grid power use above a target peak load due to battery exhaustion. The countermeasures replace or at least reduce the safety margins built into target peak load peak load management systems and increase the cost savings realized from peak load management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8761949
    Abstract: Method and system for mitigating the impact on peak load management of a malfunction in determining actual load at a site by substituting a predicted load for actual load while the malfunction persists. Using a predicted load as a substitute for actual load during the malfunction period avoids use of a grossly overestimated or underestimated actual load that if used could cause suboptimal use of battery power and decimate cost savings from peak load management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8655460
    Abstract: A drive control device having an inverter with semiconductor switches controlled by control signals is operated by calculating with a control logic a control signal time instant for each control signal, transmitting during operation the control signal time instants with the control logic during switching pauses of the semiconductor switches from a low-voltage side of the drive control device to a high-voltage side of the drive control device having the inverter, and generating the control signals for controlling the semiconductor switches on the high-voltage side based on the transmitted control signal time instants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Eckardt, Hans-Peter Krätz
  • Patent number: 8649887
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for implementing dithering in motor drive system for controlling operation of a multi-phase electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, Michael J. Grimmer, Konstantin S. Majarov, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 8615318
    Abstract: A method of process control including constraining a tolerance ring relative to one of an inner and an outer component. The tolerance ring including an annular band of resilient material having a plurality of projections projecting radially therefrom. Additionally, the method includes moving the other of the inner or outer component with respect to the constrained tolerance ring so as to compress the projections of the tolerance ring between the inner and outer components, and continuing movement of the inner or outer component, respectively, beyond the projections. The method further including measuring a force required for continuing movement, and using the force for process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited
    Inventor: Gino Bancalari