Abstract: The present invention provides a process for designing and manufacturing an ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The process can include performing a plurality of simulations that include simulating an electrical circuit with a spark initiating device for igniting the fuel mixture within an internal combustion chamber, an electrical breakdown proximate to the spark initiating device, a plasma arc and an afterglow regime.

Abstract: Power management controls for electrical appliances and devices include a supercapacitor and processor based controls for automatically disconnecting the appliance or device from a main power supply when not in active use. The control may include a micropower controller that enters a very lower power sleep mode and may wake up for limited times to detect and respond to various states of the appliance and the supercapacitor by connecting or disconnecting the appliance and a main power supply, all while drawing effectively zero power from the main power supply. The control may be interrupted when the appliance is switched on for active use.

Abstract: A system manages results of an analysis process on objects handled along a technical process line. The system contains measures for defining workflow steps of the technical process line and workflow execution software, and measures for generating for each object an object record containing the results of the workflow steps and a status. The system further has measures for defining an event manager for managing a transition from an actual status to a new status according to results of the workflow steps. The event manager contains a customized number of statuses linked to the workflow steps and contains for each transition a customizable set of rules for delivering check results. Finally, measures are provided for executing in parallel the analysis process, the workflow execution software and the event manager, thereby assigning a status to the object record depending on the check results derived from the execution of the set of rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an agent. The agent is configured to receive information from an electrical power grid. The agent is further configured to identify an event from the information. The agent is further configured to classify the event. The agent is further configured to determine whether to initiate an action based on a classification of the event. The agent is further configured to initiate the action in response to a determination to initiate the action.

Abstract: A communication converter for connecting automation devices having different operating voltages to a host computer, including an interface component and a transceiver component coupled to the interface component, the interface component being connected on the input side via a host connector to a host interface of the host computer and the transceiver component being connected via a device connector to a device interface of the automation device, and a voltage transformer, which on the input side is connected via the host interface to an operating voltage and on the output side to a voltage supply line of the device interface. So the communication converter can communicate with devices having different interface standards, the converter has a first current/voltage measuring unit, a second current/voltage measuring unit, and a switching device.

Abstract: A control system for controlling at least one environmental parameter in an operating area in response to sensor signals. The system includes a central control unit, actuators and mobile sensor units, and also at least one, preferably a plurality, of communication nodes which are placed in the operating area. Each one of the communication nodes is configured to mediate signals between the sensor units and the central control unit in a monitoring area by wirelessly receiving sensor signals from sensor units located within its monitoring area and forwarding the sensor signals to the central control unit. A monitoring area of a communication node is defined by the signal coverage of the communication node.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for generating control data, wherein a first tooth flank geometry is determined which corresponds to a geometry of a first tooth flank of the herringbone gearing, a second tooth flank geometry is determined which corresponds to a geometry of a second tooth flank of the herringbone gearing, a transition section geometry is determined which corresponds to a geometry of a transition section between the first tooth flank and the second tooth flank, an overall tooth flank geometry is determined which comprises the first tooth flank geometry, the transition section geometry and the second tooth flank geometry, and the control data is generated based on the overall tooth flank geometry and machining paths are indicated, each extending transversely to the profile direction of the tooth flanks and along the first tooth flank geometry, the transition section geometry and the second tooth flank geometry.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method of Advanced Process Control for optimal operation of multi-unit plants in large scale processing and power generation industries. The invention framework includes the following components: continuous real time dynamic process simulation, automatic coefficient adjustment of dynamic and static process models, automatic construction of transfer functions, determination of globally optimal operating point specific to current conditions, provision of additional optimal operating scenarios through a variety of unit combinations, and calculation of operational forecasts in accordance with planned production.

Abstract: Property-management or lock-setting thermostats have maximum and minimum set points locked in to prevent abuse of management-provided heating and/or air conditioning. An ePROM or similar internal memory device stores heating and cooling limit parameters that are set in by a technician at the time of installation. A plug-in flash memory module contains an unlock code to match the unlock code stored in said ePROM, to unlock the thermostat and allow the settings to be adjusted; when said flash memory module is removed the thermostat reverts to its lock condition. The thermostat can also respond to unusual rates of change of temperature to block furnace or A/C operation temporarily.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A method includes receiving or obtaining input data, generating at least one actuation signal to change a flow configuration of a re-configurable duct system based upon the input data, and transmitting the at least one actuation signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and the like that are capable of calculating a correction value for a rotational axis and make it possible to correct an error in position or position and posture of a tool, which results from a geometric error, correct an error in posture of the tool, and also enhance the accuracy in machining by preventing a translational axis from operating in an infinitesimal manner due to a correction command. In a machine tool having two or more translational axes and one or more rotational axes, a correction value for each of the translational axes is calculated using a command position of each of the rotational axes, a coordinate value of a correction reference point as one point designated in advance in a command position space of each of the translational axes, and a geometric parameter representing the geometrical error.

Abstract: A method for operating a control network includes a first control computer, a second redundant control computer and a plurality of data-processing appliances, wherein a connection between the computers and the appliances is provided by a redundant and diverse heartbeat. The connection between the computers is checked before operating the control network. If a test result is positive, a master function is assigned to the first computer. If the test result is negative, both computers connect the appliances to themselves in a defined sequence. When a predetermined number of appliances are connected to the first computer, the computer takes over a master function and the second computer takes over a standby function, or, when a number, which is less than the predetermined number, of appliances are connected to each of the two computers, a signal is produced which signals a fault state of the control network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of computing a correction value for the machine tool having two or more translational axes and one or more rotational axes for correcting error in a position and an orientation of the tool with respect to a workpiece due to the geometric error. The method includes a rotational axis correction value computing step (S3) for computing a correction value for the rotational axis by use of a geometric parameter representing the geometric error, and a translational axis correction value computing step (S4) for computing a correction value for the translational axis by use of a command value for each of the rotational axes, a command value for each of the translational axes, and the geometric parameter.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing apparatus includes a semiconductor processing station for a semiconductor wafer, and an endpoint detector associated with the semiconductor processing station. The endpoint detector includes a non-contact probe configured to probe the semiconductor wafer, an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal to the non-contact probe, and an optical receiver configured to receive a reflected optical signal from the non-contact probe. The controller controls the semiconductor processing station based on the reflected optical signal.

Abstract: A power plant control system determines an augmented operating parameter set point responsive to a life cycle cost (LCC) objective function responsive to a LCC model. The augmented operating parameter value may be responsive to an initial set point determined by a controls model and a performance indicator determined by a performance model. The power plant may include a thermal generator, such as a gas turbine or other fuel-burning generator, and the operating parameter may include firing temperature, fuel flow rate, steam pressure/temperature/flow rate, and/or another suitable operating parameter. An offer curve is generated responsive to the augmented operating parameter.

Abstract: Methods for determining a recovery state of a metal alloy are disclosed herein. In one example, a fluctuation in a crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy is determined by utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data of the metal alloy. A processor of an electron backscatter diffraction machine utilizes a local orientation deviation quantifier to correlate the fluctuation in the crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy with a plastic strain recovery of the metal alloy. Other examples of the method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A robot system according to one aspect of an embodiment includes a robot and an instructing module. The robot holds one of a plurality of feed materials used for processing a workpiece. The instructing module gives instructions to the robot, when the feed materials are used for processing the single workpiece, for an operation in which the feed material held last in the previous round of processing a workpiece is used first in the subsequent round of processing a workpiece.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.

Abstract: A method and system for the use of prediction data in monitoring actual production targets is described herein. In one embodiment, a process is provided to receive data from a plurality of source systems in a manufacturing facility and generate a prediction pertaining to a future state of the manufacturing facility based on the data received from the plurality of source systems. A recent state of the manufacturing facility is determined based on the data received from the plurality of source systems and a comparison between the recent state and the prediction is facilitated.

Abstract: A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.