Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring and analyzing energy consumption of a chemical plant in operation. Plant type specific theoretical energy consumption optimum value based on a corresponding modeled plant are determined, parameters contributing to increased energy consumption are identified and grouped. Energy consumption of a plant is periodically graphed starting from the theoretical energy consumption optimum value and getting up as an energy cascade to a current energy consumption, by adding the provided, partly retrieved single energy consumption rates of the respective parameters in groups such that the resulting energy cascade allows to monitor at least a part of the individual parameters and to automatically compare the current energy consumption of the at least one plant with an energy consumption of another plant and/or with a previous energy consumption of the at least one plant with respect to the individual parameters. Furthermore, an appropriate system is provided.

Abstract: A programmable controller includes a user interface which includes a default interface, a home screen, an indoor settings interface and one or more tab interfaces. As the home screen covers a predominant portion of the default interface and is associated with the indoor settings interface, the home screen enables an operator of the programmable thermostat to intuitively transition from the home screen to the indoor settings and one or more tab interfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manufacture of a non-homogeneous article using a 3D voxel-based model of the article and a rapid prototyping device. Use of a voxel-based model provides processing advantages and offers improved realism of the manufactured object with regard to non-homogeneous (i) color, (ii) translucency, and/or (iii) hardness, for example.

Abstract: The disclosed windfarm control system comprising a windfarm and a central controller; the windfarm including plural wind power generators whose rotational speeds are variable, plural aerographs disposed in the vicinity of the wind power generators to measure the directions and powers of the wind at the sites of the generators, and plural local controllers disposed in the vicinity of the wind power generators to control the output of the wind power generators by controlling the rotational speeds of the generators; wherein the central controller calculats the control level which maintains the output of the windfarm constant for a predetermined time period and instructs the local controllers to control the rpm's of the wind power generators in accordance with the control level.

Abstract: A machine and a method for grinding a spacer grid of a nuclear fuel assembly. The machine includes a spacer grid holding unit, a first rectangular coordinates robot for grinding an outer surface of the spacer grid, a second rectangular coordinates robot for grinding a corner of the spacer grid, and a control unit. The spacer grid holding unit includes a holding jig onto which the spacer grid is seated and held, and a rotary index table which is coupled to the holding jig to rotate the holding jig. The first and second rectangular coordinates robots are provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the spacer grid holding unit. The control unit controls the spacer grid holding unit, the first and second rectangular coordinates robots and all programs required to conduct the operation for grinding the spacer grid.

Abstract: An energy consuming device comprises a power consuming feature/function and a controller operatively connected to the power consuming feature/function. The controller is configured to operate the device including the power consuming feature/function in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode during an associated off-peak demand period of an associated energy supplying utility and an energy savings mode during an associated peak demand period of the associated energy supplying utility. The controller is configured to provide a user a grace period during the associated peak demand period to allow the user to change the operating mode of the power consuming feature/function from the energy savings mode to another operating mode including the normal operating mode thereby allowing additional use of the power consuming feature/function during the associated peak demand period.

Abstract: System and method for automated semiconductor manufacturing is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for automated semiconductor wafer manufacturing includes a smart overlay control (SOC) database having empirical alignment data related to overlay alignment, and a simulation module communicatively coupled to the SOC database, the simulation module determining a simulated overlay alignment of a wafer on the plurality of photolithography tools in a tool bank based on the empirical alignment data stored in the SOC database. The system also includes a dispatch module communicatively coupled to the SOC database and the simulation module, the dispatch module controlling the dispatch of a wafer to one of a plurality of photolithography tools in a tool bank based at least in part on the simulated overlay alignment.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of a method of configuring rules for SCADA data of a wind farm are described. One embodiment comprises receiving supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data for a wind farm comprised of one or more wind turbines. The SCADA data includes parameters for the wind farm. At least a portion of the SCADA data for a selected group of the wind farm parameters is dynamically configured using a graphical user interface (GUI) that interfaces with a rules engine. The SCADA data is configured using one or more operators. At least a portion of the dynamically configured data is output.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein relate to enterprise energy automation. In one preferred embodiment, a method for enterprise energy automation is provided. In another preferred embodiment, a method for delivering ancillary services to an energy supply and delivery system by a group of buildings is provided. In yet another preferred embodiment, a method for integrating an energy automation system is provided. Other preferred embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for operating a cooling system comprising components at least including a compressor (2), an evaporator (3), a pressure control element (6) and a condenser (4), and also having a control circuit (9) having electrical connections with at least some cooling system components, through which the control circuit (9) continually measures and stores, over time intervals, electrical operating variables of the cooling system, the control circuit establishes interrelationships among at least some measured values and some stored values of the electrical operating variables of the cooling system and generates a control signal for the cooling system based on at least some measured values and stored values of the electrical operating variables and on the interrelationships established among at least some measured and stored values of the electrical operating variables of the cooling system.

Abstract: A device for processing objects which are conveyed one after another in a continuous manner, or a quasi endless material web, includes tools revolving on a revolving path. In one variant of the device, the tools are controllably pivotable relative to the revolving path in a manner such that their pivot position is adapted in a controlled manner to the objects to be processed or the material web, independently of an orientation of the revolving path. In a further variant of the device, the device includes at least one drive, which are controllable in a manner such that the tools in groups or individually, may be driven simultaneously at different speeds on the revolving path. This, for example, is realized by way of two drives, wherein each second tool is coupled to the first drive, and the other tools to the second drive.

Abstract: A light source having a plurality of light elements and a control system for controlling the light elements. The control system comprises a plurality of light element controllers, each connected to a respective light element, and arranged to obtain light element data; and a bus interface, which is connected to the light element controllers via a light source bus. The bus interface provides the light element controllers with a general command, and the light element controllers generate light element drive signals on basis of the general command and the light element data.

Abstract: A utility employs a method for estimating available operating reserve. Electric power consumption by at least one device serviced by the utility is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data. The power consumption data is stored in a repository. A determination is made that a control event is to occur during which power is to be reduced to one or more devices. Prior to the control event and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is estimated for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on the stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event are determined based on the devices' estimated power consumption behavior. An amount of available operating reserve is determined based on the projected energy savings.

Abstract: A customer-dedicated energy management apparatus includes an air-conditioner partial-road characteristics identification unit for creating air-conditioning partial-road characteristics by using air-conditioning operation achievement data in the past, an intra-room heat-capacity characteristics identification unit for creating intra-room heat-capacity characteristics by using the air-conditioning operation achievement data in the past, and intra-room state value data, an air-conditioning setting temperature calculation unit for determining an air-conditioning setting temperature by using the air-conditioning partial-road characteristics and the intra-room heat-capacity characteristics, the setting temperature being appropriate for implementing an air-conditioning power-consumption-amount suppression target value determined, and an air-conditioner control unit for controlling an air conditioner so that the setting temperature determined will be implemented.

Abstract: A method and a device for robust rejection of the periodic disturbances in a motor-position control structure of the RST type, wherein the assembly including the motor, the position sensor, the element for computing the functions 1/So(z?1) and Ro(z?1), in a loop, is called central controller. Within the framework of the invention, to the central controller are added two additional computing elements, the first one being an estimator block E(z?1) and the second one a modifier block Q(z?1), as well as an additional loop, the estimator block E(z?1) allowing a load disturbance estimation signal {circumflex over (v)}(t) to be computed, the modifier block Q(z?1) receiving the load disturbance estimation signal {circumflex over (v)}(t) as an input, to produce a modified signal, which is applied to a negative input of an additional adder arranged upstream from the element for computing the function 1/So(z?1) and then forming the additional loop, the modifier block having a variable transfer function.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus provides for manual shift operation involving feed shafts of a machine tool in terms of a work coordinate system easily and readily understood by an operator. The numerical control apparatus includes a manual shift amount input unit for receiving an amount of manual shift involving linear feed shafts as operator-input data in terms of a work coordinate system defined on the work revolved or rotated by a rotary feed shaft. The numerical control apparatus further includes a manual shift amount cumulative storage for cumulatively storing the received amount of manual shift in terms of a work coordinate system. Also included is a cumulative shift amount coordinate converter for converting the cumulative amount of shift from the work coordinate system data to data in terms of machine coordinate system defined on the machine tool.

Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature of a swimming pool is disclosed. The device measures the temperature of the water as well as other environmental conditions (such as air temperature). The device controls a circulation pump, which circulates water throughout the pool. The pool water exchanges heat with the surfaces of the water (including the side walls, ground and surface air) when a heat differential exists between the water and the surfaces. When the water is circulated throughout the pool it increases the volume of water that exchanges heat with the surfaces, thus cooling or heating the water depending on the temperature of the surfaces. A target temperature is entered into the device and using this target temperature the device automatically controls the pump in order to take advantage of the heat exchange between the water and the water's surfaces to alter the water temperature in the direction of the target temperature.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for correcting programming and optimizing treatment and/or subsequent treatment processes in technical installations, such as in the paper industry. The method and system carry an optimization suitable for treatment processes and for corresponding subsequent treatment processes according to a production plan defined by processing qualitative data and/or information related to the quality of at least one starting product of an advanced production stage.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a integrated circuit with improved performance is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate; performing a plurality of processes to form a gate stack over the substrate, wherein the gate stack comprises a gate layer; measuring a grain size of the gate layer after at least one of the plurality of processes; determining whether the measured grain size is within a target range; and modifying a recipe of at least one of the plurality of processes if the measured grain size of the gate layer is not within the target range.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods, circuits and devices for providing data center cooling while optimizing power usage effectiveness and/or compute power efficiency of the data center. The various embodiments can provide optimized thermal performance and can reduce power consumption of the data center by strategically locating sensor modules, preferably microsystems with MEMS technology, in the data center and using a processing circuit to acquire data from the sensors and to generate a control law for operating the air conditioning system efficiently. In particular the sensors are operable to measure and provide granular environmental data to further characterize the environmental conditions of the racks locally, and the data center as a whole. The processing circuit may also generate a profile of local racks and simulate a data center environment to develop and test control strategies for implementation in the actual data center.