Abstract: A method and system for controlling the behavior of a plant having an input and an output by enhanced feedback. A simulation input signal is derived from an input to be applied to the plant and a simulated signal is generated by simulating an aspect of an assumed behavior of the plant in dependence on the simulation input signal. The simulated signal is subtracted from a plant feedback signal which is derived from an output of the plant and the resulting difference signal is used to modify the input signal by feedback prior to deriving a plant input signal. The simulation may take into account derivation of the plant feedback signal and the input signal is typically modified so as to reduce the effect on the output signal of a deviation in actual behavior of the plant from the assumed behavior of the plant over a predetermined operating frequency range.

Abstract: An integrated manufacturing and a maintenance system include a metrology device and a CAD system which has access to parametric data from the metrology device, said “as-built” data being used by the CAD system to morph a CAD model reflecting the “as-built” data, which can be used in manufacturing and aftermarket support.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems, as well as methods of operation, for allocating multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a process system. An exemplary resource allocator is introduced that allocates multi-function resources among tasks within a process system capable of executing at least one application process. The resource allocator comprises a monitoring controller, model of the process system and a resource allocation controller. The monitoring controller monitors measurable characteristics associated with the executing application process, multi-function resources and tasks, each of the measurable characteristics being one of a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic. The model represents mathematically the multi-function resources and the tasks, and defines relationships among related ones thereof as a function of the application process.

Abstract: Pipeline flow optimization systems, software, and methods that emulate transient optimization are disclosed. A pipeline flow optimization system includes an upset condition handler that is adapted to provide a multivariable controller with pipeline flow adjustments to handle one or more upset conditions. The optimization system may be used with fluid pipeline systems, including gas pipeline systems and liquid pipeline systems. Systems, software, and methods according to embodiments of the invention may further include linepack transition handling capabilities and administrative tools.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for routing a semiconductor wafer to at least one of a plurality of processing tools based upon tool performance. Data relating to a performance of a first processing tool and a performance of a second processing tool is acquired. A semiconductor wafer is routed to one of the first processing tool or the second processing tool based upon a comparison between the performance of the first processing tool and the performance of the second processing tool using a controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a production planning method and system. Where a manufacturing apparatus is shared by a plurality of products in a production line, if a manufacturing (production) availability number is changed, a cause parameter is automatically investigated so that a production plan with high precision can be prepared in a short time. With respect to a production plan as the previous/current comparison objects, a production process used in the production plan in which a change occurs, is extracted. From the production process, a parameter item to be used in the production capacity evaluation is extracted for all products, a difference comparison is made between the value of the previous parameter and the value of the current parameter, so that the parameter item as the cause is specified. The combination of the cause parameter items is calculated, and a cause parameter list is prepared.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis is made by externally machining successive layers of wax, each of which is formed on a previous prosthesis layer and/or on a coping. Each wax layer is used to form a mold in situ over the previous prosthesis layer/coping, and the appropriate prosthesis material is cast or otherwise molded to conform to the wax layer by the mold.

Abstract: A production and packaging installation with a control arrangement (33) and production units having respectively adjustable mechanisms, such as, a (cigarette-) production machine (maker 10), a packaging machine (packer 11), possibly a film-wrapping machine (12), possibly a multipacker (13) and possibly a carton packer (cartoner 14), for the production and ready-to-dispatch packaging of, in the first instance, products—cigarettes and cigarette packs—of a first type and, thereafter, products of a second type each comprising starting materials, such as paper blanks, film and the like, and also specifies the control arrangement itself and a method of controlling the line, it being the case that at least a first set of parameters (61) associated with products of the first type and a second set of parameters (62) associated with products of the second type are stored in a selectable manner in a memory of the control arrangement (33) and, upon selection of a set of parameters (61, 62), a manipulated variable for adj

Abstract: A power generation system includes a converter configured for supplying power from a constrained power or energy source to a power network and a control system configured for balancing instantaneously available power from the constrained source against demanded load from the power network by dynamically adjusting power network voltage, power network frequency, or a combination of power network voltage and power network frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of verifying a recipe execution program. When a computer executes a recipe execution program, the computer sends instructions, which are issued based on a process recipe data defining specific operations to be performed by a substrate processing apparatus, to the substrate processing apparatus. When a computer executes a log output program, the computer outputs a log data indicating the instructions sent to the substrate processing apparatus. When a computer executes a comparing and checking program, the computer compares the log data which the process recipe data corresponding to the log data.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a plurality of UPS modules. Each of the UPS modules has a battery that provides power to a protected load in the event of a utility power failure. A plurality of controllers control how much power each of the batteries deliver to the protected load, and a communication bus allows the controllers to exchange information about the battery voltages. One of the controllers calculates the average battery voltage of the plurality of batteries and adjusts the amount of energy provided by an individual battery such that the battery voltage is about equal to the average battery voltage.

Abstract: A solder material test apparatus includes a control unit and a storage unit which stores master data in advance in which a printing process time when a printing process is performed by using a test-sample solder material is associated with deterioration degree data of the test-sample solder material at the printing process time. The control unit includes a deterioration degree data acquiring unit which acquires deterioration degree data for indicating a deterioration degree of a test-sample solder material, a reading unit which reads a printing process time associated with deterioration degree data set as a limit value with reference to master data and reads a printing process time associated with the deterioration degree data acquired by the deterioration degree data acquiring unit, an operating unit which operates an available remaining time that indicates difference between the printing process times, and a display control unit which informs the available remaining time to a user.

Abstract: A method of monitoring uniformity of a wafer is provided. A wafer parameter is selected. Manufacturing data is collected. The manufacturing data includes measurements of the selected wafer parameter. An average offset profile of the wafer parameter for a first and second wafer is determined using the manufacturing data. The first and second wafer are associated with a product type and were processed by a processing tool. An offset profile for a third wafer is predicted for a wafer using the average offset profile. The third wafer is associated with the product type and was processed by the processing tool.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system to work at an appropriate temperature provides a control manner allowing not only a temperature factor but also a time factor to be considered when a system is heated. When a heated value of the system reaches a certain preset value, a controller will then executes corresponding control modes to emit control signals to allow each of components of the system to obtain a better protection while being heated.

Abstract: An approach for managing power consumption in a building includes receiving a signal that indicates that a user has entered or left the building. In response to receiving the signal, one or more resources in the building are transitioned between a first state and a second state. When operating in the first state, the one or more resources consume relatively less power relative to when the one or more resources are operating in the second state. A determination may also be made, based upon the signal and status data, whether the user has entered the building or left the building. If the user has entered the building, then the one or more resources are transitioned from the first state to the second state. If the user has left the building, then the one or more resources are transitioned from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate module capable of being implemented in conjunction with a safety isolation system, as well as a control system employing such an intermediate module and related operational method. In one embodiment, the intermediate module includes a first input terminal capable of receiving a first signal from an additional device that is at least one of the safety isolation system and another device, and a first output terminal capable of providing a second signal to a controlled device. The intermediate module additionally includes at least one safety relay circuit that receives at least one of the first signal and a first intermediate signal based upon the first signal, and that generates in response at least one of the second signal and a second intermediate signal upon which the second signal is based. The safety relay circuit includes at least one redundant circuit component.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for controlling environmental zones in a residence or other building using radio frequency enabled environmental controllers. At least one damper is associated with each of the various zones. From each environmental controller, a command is wirelessly transmitted, where the command includes an environmental control command and a respective unique identifier associated with the environmental controller. The command is received at a zone controller, and each environmental controller is bound with a respective one of the zones using the respective unique identifier associated with the environmental controller. The damper(s) associated with the zone that is bound with the environmental controller associated with the unique identifier from the command are operated in response to the zone controller. Environmental adjustment equipment is operated, which is responsive to the zone controller to execute the environmental control command.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the causes of failures in industrial processes, in particular continuous processes with continuous webs, e.g. paper, textiles, plastic or metal films. Equipment and machines for industrial processes, in particular processes with continuous webs are frequently very complex combinations of drive components and automation components. As a result process failures are very difficult to detect and evaluate, among other reasons because they generally manifest themselves at different points in the equipment or machine. The present invention provides a monitoring system the monitors and measures output signals throughout the industrial process to determine if any failures will or may occur and provide data analysis to determine what caused the failure be means of the online monitoring.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing and using a high-speed adaptive multivariable controller by removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. The resulting multivariable controller, based on final control elements as the manipulated variables is then used in a novel control adaptation with all of the PID controllers switched to manual.

Abstract: Systems associated with moving heat out of a computer are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a large heat exchanger, large, quiet, automatically redundant fans, automatically redundant pumps, and a leak containment apparatus. The example system may also include logics for selectively controlling air flow, liquid flow, and flow paths.