Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for controlling towed objects includes comprises a winch controller to control extension or retraction of a tow cable based on a control signal. A fuzzy logic controller controls a speed at which the tow cable is extended or retracted. The fuzzy logic controller includes an altitude controller storing a membership function defining ranges for a delta altitude variable and determines an altitude control signal based on the range for the measured delta altitude variable. A gain controller stores respective membership functions defining ranges for speed, heading rate, and cable length variables and determines a gain control signal based on the ranges for the determined speed, heading rate, and cable length variables. A command controller determines the control signal based on the gain control signal and the altitude control signal.

Abstract: A bioenergy management system and method for generating and supplying on-demand auxiliary electrical power is disclosed. The system/method includes a biogas generation unit (BGU) that produces biogas from dairy farm manure and stores the biogas in a biogas storage unit (BSU). An stored energy electric generation unit (SEGU) converts the stored biogas to electricity. A biogas control unit (BCU) measures the quality and quantity of biogas stored in the BSU and calculates available electric power (AEP) from this information. Depending on auxiliary electrical power requirements, a utility control unit (UCU) initiates an on-demand request for electric power (REP) to the BCU using a producer communication device (PCD)/utility communication device (UCD) data link. The BCU processes the REP from the UCU and negotiates electrical power (NEP) quantity. The BCU may electrically connect the SEGU to an electric transmission grid (ETG) to allow instantaneous/scheduled NEP delivery to the ETG.

Abstract: When a controlled device receives a change command from a control device, the controlled device changes a real current memory, generates a change notification that includes first data indicative of the control device having transmitted the change command and second data indicative of the change result in response to the change command, and transmits the generated change notification to the plurality of control devices. Each control device receives a change notification from the controlled devices, changes a virtual current memory based on the second data of the change notification if the first data of the change notification does not indicate the control device. Each control device does not change the virtual current based on the second data included in the change notification if the first data indicates the control device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a diabetes treatment system that includes an insulin pump and a pump controlling device is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by the device, a request for the pump to perform an operation that is dependent on a specified state of the pump. The method also includes requesting, by the device, a current state of the pump from the pump. Moreover, the method includes receiving, by the device, the current state of the pump. Also, the method includes determining, by the device, whether the current state of the pump matches to the specified state of the pump. Additionally, the method includes sending, by the device to the pump, a command to perform the operation in response to a determination that the current state of the pump matches the specified state of the pump.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium including program instructions for drilling a borehole. When the program instructions are executed by one or more processors of a computer system operatively associated with a drill rig, the program instructions cause the processor to carry out the steps of initiating a drilling phase and monitoring a drill parameter during the drilling phase. The drill parameter includes at least one of drill rotational speed, drill torque or number of drill retractions. The program instructions further cause the processor to carry out the step of determining whether the monitored drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter in order to choose a drilling phase defect mitigation routine. After implementing the drilling phase defect mitigation routine, the processors carry out the step of resuming the drilling phase.

Abstract: A system for cooling and/or heating aircraft devices to be cooled and/or heated includes a first individual cooling and/or heating system associated with a first aircraft device to be cooled and/or heated, a second individual cooling and/or heating system associated with a second aircraft device to be cooled and/or heated, a cooling and/or heating energy supply apparatus adapted to supply cooling and/or heating energy generated by the first and/or the second individual cooling and/or heating system to the first and/or the second aircraft device to be cooled and/or heated, a control device adapted to receive and process signals characteristic of the cooling and/or heating requirements of the first and/or the second aircraft device to be cooled and/or heated and of the load condition of the first and/or the second individual cooling and/or heating system.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning air is provided. A building has a hot water source and a cold water source. The system includes at least one heating-cooling unit, a primary water storage device, at least one heat pump, and a controller. The heating-cooling unit transfers heat into or out of air passing within an air handling system of the building. The primary water storage device stores a volume of water within a predetermined temperature range. The primary water storage device is in communication with the hot water source and the cold water source. The heat pump is connected to the primary water storage device and a chilled beam. The controller selectively drives the heat pump to transfer heat between the primary water storage device and the chilled beam. The controller selectively controls the system to transfer heat into or out of the primary water storage device.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a method of displaying an abnormal status in a plant operation monitoring system. The method of displaying the abnormal status includes the steps of: receiving information of operational states from a sensor mounted on devices, machines and facilities constituting an industrial plant system; checking any abnormal signal in the operational states, logically grouping parts influencing on operational values when the abnormal signal is generated, and displaying the parts on a piping & instrument drawing (P&ID) on a monitor; and tracing the abnormal signal in a reverse direction of a system flow, searching out the device which causes the abnormal state, and displaying the abnormal device on the piping & instrument drawing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for dynamically sharing power grids of a device includes providing power from a first power supply to a first power grid in a first component of the device. The method also includes providing power from a second power supply to a second power grid in a second component of the device and dynamically changing, by a controller, a state of a first switch that controls a sharing of power between the first power grid and the second power grid during a runtime of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for optimizing a schedule of setpoint temperatures used in the control of an HVAC system. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat includes a schedule of setpoint temperatures that is used to control an HVAC system associated with a structure in which the thermostat is located. The schedule of setpoint temperatures is continually adjusted by small, unnoticeable amounts so that the schedule migrates from the original schedule to an optimal schedule. The optimal schedule may be optimal in terms of energy consumption or some other terms.

Abstract: An electrical system having a plurality of devices is supplied with power by a common power supply line. One of the devices has a circuit that slows or delays device startup or activation in response to a signal indicative of power demand, draw or use by another of the plurality of devices supplied with power by the common power supply line.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a cogeneration system configured to be coupled to an electrical input of a building and configured to be coupled to a heating system of a building. The cogeneration system can comprise a generator configured to generate electrical energy. There can be also a fluid output and a fluid input that passes through the generator and configured to absorb heat from the generator. There can also be an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the building wherein when the generator is operational, the engine creates both heat and electricity. There can also be a processor in communication with the generator, wherein the processor controls when the generator turns on and off based upon the amount of heat needed, the cost of fuel and the existing electrical rates. These costs are obtained using communication with real time rates over the internet.

Abstract: A method of integrating a relay bank for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the relay bank and a control panel, discovering the relay bank by a control panel processor, and assigning the relay bank a network address upon discovery thereof. A method of integrating a smart component for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the smart component and a control panel, discovering the smart component by a control panel processor, and assigning the smart component a network address upon discovery thereof. A method of integrating an expansion panel for use with a pool or spa control system includes, establishing an electrical connection between the expansion panel and a control panel, discovering the expansion panel by a control panel processor, and configuring the expansion panel upon discovery thereof.

Abstract: A numerical controller obtains a position of each driving shaft of a machine performing determination of a feeding speed, interpolation and coordinate conversion according to a relative instruction path and an instruction speed of a tool tip point relative to a work instructed to a processing program. When determining the feeding speed, a reference point is provided on a tool or a table, a translation speed of the reference point viewed from a mechanical coordinate system is set to an observation target speed, a reference feeding speed is obtained so that the observation target speed is a predetermined reference speed, and the smaller of the reference feeding speed and the instruction feeding speed is set to the feeding speed.

Abstract: A shape measurement data is acquired by measuring along a spiral measurement path a lens shape which is machined along a spiral machining path. An interpolated shape measurement data at intersecting points of a radial line passing through a center of the lens shape and the spiral measurement path is acquired by interpolating the shape measurement data, and a compensated machining amount for removing a machining error at each of the intersecting points (the machining points) is calculated from the interpolated shape measurement data by interpolation. Further, a machining point compensated machining amount at each of the machining points on the spiral machining path is calculated from the calculated compensated machining amount, and a compensated machining path is created on the basis of the machining point compensated machining amount.

Abstract: A field device has a primary power supply generating circuit that generates a primary power supply from an electric current that is supplied through a pair of electric wires from a higher-level system, and a calculation processing portion and various functional circuit portions, which operate based on a supply of an operating power supply electric current produced from the primary power supply. The field device also has an operating power supply electric current supplying unit that supplies the operating power supply electric current to a calculation processing portion with maximum priority. The calculation processing portion receives the operating power supply electric current supplied with maximum priority, clears a self-reset operation after starting up itself, and then directs sequentially, following a predetermined sequence, supply of the operating power supply electric current to each of the various functional circuit portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electric power supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source are disclosed. Measurements of the supplied electricity are detected. Estimated deviant voltage levels that the supplied electricity will not drop below or exceed as a result of varying electrical consumption by the one or more electrical devices is computed based on a predetermined confidence level and the detected measurements. A voltage level output of the electricity supplied to the electrical device is adjusted based on the computed deviant voltage level.

Abstract: A valve control system includes a valve connected to regulate flow of a medium provided to an output and a sensor connected to monitor a feedback value associated with the medium. A controller modulates the valve based on a comparison of a reference value to the feedback value provided by the sensor. The controller detects saturation of the valve if the error between the monitored feedback value and reference value exceeds a threshold. In response to detected saturation, the controller reduces the reference value to a value less than the monitored feedback value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated non-destructive inspection scanning of the top and bottom aerodynamic surfaces or skins of an integrally stiffened wing box (e.g., a horizontal stabilizer) using surface crawling vehicles. Each system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to couple an external drive tractor to a pair of passive trailers disposed in the interior of the wing box on opposite sides of a spar. The external drive tractor is also coupled to an external NDI scanner, which the tractor pushes or pulls across the surface skin being inspected. The systems allow scanning of both surface skins without turning the wing box over. Each system is modular and can be transported to and easily set up in a building or factory.

Abstract: Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.