Patents Examined by Robert Fennema
  • Patent number: 10072633
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a wind turbine which includes a mechanical drive train, an electric generator being mechanically connected to the drive train, and a power converter being electrically connected to the generator is provided. The method comprises (a) determining a frequency of an AC output voltage signal provided by the power converter; (b) recognizing, whether there has been a modification of the determined frequency with respect to a previously determined frequency, which modification is larger than a given threshold; (c) if the modification of the determined frequency is larger than the given threshold, changing a power reference signal for the wind turbine; (d) providing the changed power reference signal to a controller of the wind turbine; and (e) controlling the operation of the wind turbine on the basis of the changed power reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Paul Brian Brogan, Nikolaus Goldenbaum, Jan Thisted
  • Patent number: 10061294
    Abstract: A numerical controller sets a parameter actually used for servo control on the basis of command data generated by analyzing a machining program. Based on the set parameter and a predefined allowable position deviation amount, a feed speed which is given by a position deviation not exceeding the predefined allowable position deviation amount is calculated. Then, when a feed speed commanded by the command data is larger than the calculated feed speed, the feed speed commanded by the command data is clamped at the calculated feed speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Takenori Ono
  • Patent number: 10048677
    Abstract: A numerical controller decodes a block read out from a machining program, calculates execution data to be used for control over a machine tool, and determines whether a travel amount resulting from travel instructions for control axes of the machine tool is existent or not based on the calculated execution data. If the travel amount resulting from the travel instructions for the control axes is not existent as a result of such determination, processes for the present block are omitted and cycle time is thereby shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuichi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10006441
    Abstract: A management system for a wind energy plant including at least one control unit, and a method using the management system are disclosed. The management system is used to coordinate component modules of the wind energy plant with vibration damping modules and/or load reduction modules, wherein a sensor system supplies data of the operating states of the component modules for a system analysis. For this purpose, reactive vibrations and/or predictive forecasts of vibrations of the wind energy plant, and predictive disturbance variables are registered, and the vibration damping modules and/or load reduction modules in the control unit are activated, wherein an actuator carries out damping measures and/or load reduction measures on the component modules in accordance with the vibration damping modules and/or load reduction modules of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Lothar Schindele, Boris Buchtala, Bernd Schnurr, Andreas Vath
  • Patent number: 9996634
    Abstract: A system and method for designing and manufacturing of composite parts wherein the planner can design the part on a computer and analyze the entire work flow process from design to manufacture so as to determine the most efficient design and method of manufacture including resource costs including time, machines, material, labor and expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory MacLean
  • Patent number: 9988880
    Abstract: A system to optimize a drilling parameter of a drill string includes a drill string control subsystem. The system includes an optimization controller to coordinate operations of the drill string control subsystem during a drilling process at least in part by: determining a first optimized rate of penetration based on a drilling parameter model and a first drilling parameter estimate; providing a first set of commands to the drill string control subsystem based on the first optimized rate of penetration; determining a second drilling parameter estimate during the drilling process based, at least in part, on the drilling parameter model and feedback corresponding to the drill string control subsystem; determining a second optimized rate of penetration during the drilling process based on the second drilling parameter estimate; and providing a second set of commands to the drill string control subsystem based on the second optimized rate of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason D. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 9983553
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an autonomous system that realizes expected operation in a form in which the soundness of the operation can be proved to a third party in adaptation to an external factor that dynamically varies and to enhance a working ratio in autonomous operation. The autonomous system is provided with a function for dynamically leading a satisfiable combination of a requirement for the soundness of operation and expected operation on the basis of the information of operating environment acquired via exterior world measurement means, a function for generating control logic for realizing the expected operation, a function for recording the control logic, the requirement for sound operation and the expected operation, and a function for presenting the record in a form in which the third party can read the record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Nishi
  • Patent number: 9979201
    Abstract: Provided is a component for a network system. The component for a network system which is communicable with the other component includes a communication unit for communicating with the other component, an input part for inputting a command related to an operation of the component, and a control part for controlling the operation of the component. The component includes a power saving function in which the component is operable on the basis of energy information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Moonseok Seo, Junho Ahn, Daegeun Seo, Dalho Cheong, Joongkeun Lee, Bongmun Jang, Hyunjung Kwak, Yanghwan Kim, Sangwook Seo, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee, Kuyoung Son, Kyungeun Jo, Sangil Hwang
  • Patent number: 9970230
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a machine movement of a movable constructional element includes a detecting device and a control device. The detection device comprises at least one transmission unit which transmits a signal, and a reception unit which receives the signal. The control device comprises an evaluation unit which evaluates the signal received at the reception unit. The control device allows the machine movement upon a receipt of the signal at the reception unit, and to output a first triggering pulse to stop the machine movement in an absence of the signal at the reception unit. The evaluation unit comprises a first threshold value measuring unit to detect a signal strength of the signal received at the reception unit and which, upon detection that a predetermined threshold value of a signal strength is fallen short of, outputs a second triggering pulse to stop the machine movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FRABA B.V.
    Inventor: Lucien Scholten
  • Patent number: 9957074
    Abstract: A method of controlling an upstream and a downstream process wherein the upstream process conditions a stream of product delivered to the downstream process is provided. The control method uses an empirically determined formula to determine a metric for adjusting the activity of the upstream process to thereby adjust the rate with which the upstream process conditions and feeds a stream of conditioned product to the downstream process. The empirically determined formula determines the metric using two input variables: a duty cycle setting of the upstream process and an output rate of the downstream process expressed as a decimal amount of the output rate set-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Heat & Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Petri, Richard Rees
  • Patent number: 9952639
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a fan controller, and a controller. The fan controller controls a speed of a cooling fan. The controller detects a presence of a card within the information handling system, determines whether the card matches a first thermal control method of a plurality of thermal control methods, utilizes the first thermal control method to cool the card in response to the card matching the first thermal control method, otherwise determines whether the card matches a next in order thermal control method of the thermal control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Hasnain Shabbir, Dominick A. Lovicott, Dinesh K. Ragupathi
  • Patent number: 9952568
    Abstract: Described embodiments relate generally to energy harvesting systems and interface devices for such systems. In particular, such energy harvesting systems may be configured to harvest kinetic energy from the environment, such as wind, hydro, wave or geothermal energy or to harvest electromagnetic energy like solar radiation. Embodiments also relate to systems and methods to facilitate remote monitoring and/or control of a system comprising an interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Carbontrack Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Spyridon Livadaras, Evan Neil Harridge, Shavaj Kallamkote
  • Patent number: 9946286
    Abstract: A time point range setting unit (110) sets an operation startable time point when an operation is startable, and an operation end target time point which is a latest time point among time points when the operation is to be ended, with respect to each of plural power-consuming bodies (20). A necessary operation time setting unit (120) sets a necessary operation time with respect to each of the plural power-consuming bodies (20). A shape information obtaining unit (130) obtains shape information from a schedule management apparatus (40). The shape information represents an assumed shape of a transition line indicating transition in the amount of power supplied in a target period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Hashimoto, Hitoshi Yano, Hisato Sakuma, Koji Kudo, Eisuke Saneyoshi, Yuma Iwasaki, Takahiro Toizumi
  • Patent number: 9939796
    Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one partition in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Vincenzo V. Diluoffo, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Michael D. Kendzierski
  • Patent number: 9929564
    Abstract: Embodiments may include a method of adjusting power in a distributed generation management system. The method may include receiving, by a processor, real-time load requirement data of an energy resources (ER) site. The method may also include receiving, by the processor, real-time energy generation (EG) data from the ER site. The method may further include determining, by the processor, a net power generation at a first level from the real-time load requirement data and the real-time energy generation data. The method may include receiving, by the processor, a first request from a utility to increase or decrease the net power generation from the first level. The method may also include determining a benefit complying with the first request. The method may further include estimating a benefit of not complying with the first request. The method may also include determining whether the determined benefit is greater than the estimated benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Zimmerly, Ryan Hanley
  • Patent number: 9921572
    Abstract: Finite element methods for compensating for springback in aircraft parts meet the visual appearance and aerodynamics of complex parts including those made of fabricated sheet metal. The methods can be used to make narrow parts (e.g., leading edge and slats) and double negative curvature parts, and do not need to leave marks on the surface of the sheet so that visual aspects are not adversely affected. The point to point compensation technique uses approach equations with constants adjustable for curves. The constant(s) used depend on geometry and type of forming (e.g., stretch or hydraulic press). Use of mechanical properties of the material is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventor: Olavo Dos Reis Alipio da Cruz
  • Patent number: 9915927
    Abstract: A power management apparatus (120) includes management information storage unit (121) capable of storing a condition under which each consumer management apparatus (100) receives power (first condition) and a condition under which each consumer management apparatus (100) supplies power (second condition), power control unit (123) for supplying or received power to or from the consumer management apparatuses (110), and information control unit (122) for controlling the consumer management apparatus (110) and power control unit (123). Each consumer management apparatus (110) includes a distributed power supply (111), a load (112), and control unit (113) that controls the distributed power supply 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9914278
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems described herein relate to producing on-demand packaging. For example, packaging can be automatically produced on-demand and be sized and configured for use with a customized set of items. In one aspect, a request for multiple items is received and a packaging customization engine accesses an information store that includes information about each of the requested items. The information may include dimensional information about the three-dimensional size of the items. The packaging customization engine may use the dimensional information to simulate a model arrangement of all of the requested items, and then calculate the dimensions of a box or other package that can provide a precise fit for the items when physically arranged consistent with the model arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Ryan Osterhout
  • Patent number: 9912153
    Abstract: A method for controlling the ratio between injected and extracted electric energy in an electric energy supply grid with a number of grid participants, which are selected from a group including producers, consumers, and storage devices, with at least two of the group being included. A grid state variable is used as a control variable, the value of said variable depending on the ratio between inserted and extracted electric energy and being ascertainable from the grid by the grid participants. The invention is characterized in that a number of grid participants ascertain the grid state variable from the grid and use said variable at least indirectly to control the grid in a decentralized manner based on a respective specific grid participant behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: EASY SMART GRID GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Joachim Walter
  • Patent number: 9906033
    Abstract: A consensus-based power control apparatus is provided, which includes a real power control module and a reactive power control module. A real power consensus signal between a first power generating apparatus and a second power generating apparatus is provided and a frequency restoration signal is generated according to the real power consensus signal, thereby allowing the real power control module to generate a real power output signal. A reactive power consensus signal between the first power generating apparatus and the second power generating apparatus is provided and a voltage differential restoration signal is generated according to the reactive power consensus signal, thereby allowing the reactive power control module to generate a reactive power output signal. Therefore, the invention can control real power and reactive power input signals (i.e., actual real power and reactive power outputs) of the first power generating apparatus in a grid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Chi Chu, Lin-Yu Lu