Patents Examined by Steven Garland
  • Patent number: 9395735
    Abstract: A control unit for an electric machine. The control unit has a processing unit and a power output stage connected to the processing unit. The power output stage is connected to outputs of the control unit for stator coils of a stator of the electric machine. The processing unit is designed to supply current to the power output stage for generating a stator field, in particular a rotating magnetic field. The control unit comprises an electrical energy store, in particular an intermediate circuit capacitor or accumulator, connected to the power output stage. The control unit includes an input for a control signal, for example a temperature signal. The processing unit is preferably designed to actuate the power output stage as a function of the temperature signal such that the energy store can be heated by a current application pattern generated by the power output stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabio Magini, Paul Mehringer
  • Patent number: 9389606
    Abstract: A control and monitoring system is provided that includes an automation controller. The system includes a distributed model stored on the automation controller. Changes to the distributed model are provided via delta scripts that define only the changes to the model. Further, the control and monitoring system 24 includes distributed execution engines that execute commands based upon trigger events determined in the system. a plurality of automation control components networked together and with the automation controller, wherein the plurality of automation control components are capable of load balancing among the plurality of automation control components in response to performance demands of the control and monitoring system. These features of the control and monitoring system enable load balancing, data and processing redundancy, and collaborative design within the control and monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subbian Govindaraj, Joseph Bronikowski, Michael Kalan, Steven John Kowal, Taryl Jasper, Kenneth Plache, Douglas J. Reichard, Douglas W. Reid, Charles Rischar
  • Patent number: 9373163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a processing operation of a workpiece by means of a Reinforcement Learning (RL) agent unit, comprising the steps of: (a) observing an interaction zone in the workpiece by means of at least one radiation sensor to generate at least one sensor signal st, wherein the workpiece is processed using an actuator having an initial actuator value at; (b) determining a basis function ?(st) from the set of sensor signals st; (c) determining a reward function rt giving the probability of good results of the processing operation; (d) choosing a next actuator value at+1 on the basis of a policy ? depending on the reward function rt and the basis function ?(st); and (e) repeating the steps (a) to (d) for further time points to perform a RL controlled processing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: PRECITEC KG, PRECITEC ITM GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo Stork Genannt Wersborg, Adrian Garcea
  • Patent number: 9360852
    Abstract: A machine control system, comprises at least first and second nodes of a wireless network in communication with each other, each node including a three axis accelerometer having a data output coupled to a respective sensor input of the node; and a hydraulic machine having a manifold and a plurality of hydraulic mechanisms coupled to respective outputs of the manifold, the manifold being responsive to electrical actuating signals provided from respective electrical outputs of the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Billy R. Masten, Leland P. Stukey, Gaylen R. Stukey
  • Patent number: 9361655
    Abstract: In a method for controlling the electrical power consumption of a plurality of power consumers in a power grid, the power consumers represent network nodes of a communication network made of a plurality of network nodes, in which the power consumers communicate with each other. Each of the network nodes estimates the total power consumption of the network nodes based on the exchange of information with one other network node. Each network node having an additional power demand which increases a required amount of power, compares the total power consumption estimated by the network node plus the required amount of power to a predefined total power demand of the network nodes and initiates a delivery of the required amount of power from a power provider when the estimated total power demand thereof plus the required amount of power is less than the predefined total power demand by a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Kolja Eger, Christoph Gerdes, Gerd Voelksen
  • Patent number: 9354630
    Abstract: Embodiments of flexible laser manufacturing systems are disclosed herein. A flexible laser manufacturing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a plurality of laser processing stations. Each laser processing station can include a laser source configured to generate a laser beam for processing target material, and a first controller coupled to the laser source. The flexible laser manufacturing system also includes a second controller coupled to the first controller of the individual laser processing stations. The second controller is configured to monitor and instruct each of the first controllers for processing target material of each of the corresponding laser processing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Laser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yefim P. Sukhman, Joseph T. Hillman, Miesha T. Stoute, James W. Rabideau, Christian J. Risser
  • Patent number: 9355441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for closed-loop controlling a processing operation of a workpiece, comprising the steps of: (a) recording a pixel image at an initial time point of an interaction zone by means of a camera, wherein the workpiece is processed using an actuator having an initial actuator value; (b) converting the pixel image into a pixel vector; (c) representing the pixel vector by a sum of predetermined pixel mappings each multiplied by a corresponding feature value; (d) classifying the set of feature values on the basis of learned feature values into at least two classes of a group of classes comprising a first class of a too high actuator value, a second class of a sufficient actuator value and a third class of a too low actuator value at the initial time point; (e) performing a control step for adapting the actuator value by minimizing the error et between a quality indicator ye and a desired value; and (f) repeating the steps (a) to (e) for further time points to perform a closed-l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: PRECITEC KG, PRECITEC ITM GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo Stork Genannt Wersborg, Thibault Bautze
  • Patent number: 9354636
    Abstract: A pump system including a motor, a user-interface, and a controller. The user-interface having a single bar graph comprised of light-emitting diodes to provide visual feedback to an operator. The bar graph is used for programming purposes and for providing a motor speed and run duration status to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc C. McKinzie
  • Patent number: 9347429
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine of a wind park is provided. In a first step a status of a communication connection to a wind park controller is checked. When the status of the communication connection is positive, the wind turbine will be operated in accordance with at least one reference set point received from the wind park controller. When the status of the communication connection is negative, a substitute reference set point will be determined as a function of a present power output of the wind turbine and the wind turbine will be operated in accordance with the substitute reference set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Kaj Skov Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9337662
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing the estimation and/or prediction of the dynamic system state of large power system networks, using a multi-processor approach. More particularly, a large power system network is divided into smaller sub-systems, each sub-system having associated dynamic state variables. Each sub-system is assigned to one or more of a plurality of processing elements, and dynamic state variables for each sub-system are estimated or predicted independently, using the processing elements and sensor measurements. In several embodiments, the dynamic state of each sub-system is computed through the construction of a set of dedicated observers, such as linear parameter-varying (LPV) observers, which are designed to reduce the effects of other sub-systems on the state estimation problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ernst Scholtz, Vaibhav D. Donde, Jean-Charles Tournier
  • Patent number: 9326833
    Abstract: A method in the preparation of a dental restoration, in which the dental restoration has an implant unit and a head structure interconnectible with one another, comprises the steps of providing an auxiliary material, providing a computerized head receiving surface representation (A?), manufacturing from the auxiliary material a measuring element having a measuring surface (M) and an implant unit coupling surface (X). The measuring surface (M) is adapted such that it can be captured by an optical measuring device, and the measuring element coupling surface (X) is adapted for mating with the head receiving surface (A). The method may help making the preparation of a dental restoration more time and cost efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bastian P. Kirchner, Malte Korten, Josef A. Waizenegger, Sebastian Guggenmos
  • Patent number: 9323233
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for managing a building load reduction of a plurality of loads within a building are disclosed. One method includes assigning one or more loads of the plurality of loads to logical groups, assigning a sensitivity coefficient to each of the logical groups, wherein the sensitivity coefficient is directly proportional to an impact on occupants in the building to load changes, determining the baseline load for each of the logical groups, receiving a power reduction demand response, and reducing a load of each logical group based upon the sensitivity coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, Premal Ashar
  • Patent number: 9317307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for automating a system wherein an interpreter generates and executes an execution code based on instructions received in form of a tree sequence, and wherein the tree sequence comprises information of parallel operations to define the respective automation procedure. The definition of the tree sequence may be based on a standardized human and machine readable format, such as e.g. an XML document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Barry Van Setten, Christian Romeis, Christian Haeske
  • Patent number: 9314105
    Abstract: A method includes providing an adjustable bed frame including an articulating portion, a data port that transceives Internet Protocol traffic, a touch screen interface, and a controller; coupling a remote-controllable air purification device to the controller in a communicating relationship through the data port; coupling a wireless remote control device to the controller in a communicating relationship; and controlling at least one of the articulating portion and the remote-controllable air purification device with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: interchangeably receive a command from either the touch screen interface of the adjustable bed frame or the wireless remote control device, determine whether the command provides control of the articulating portion or the remote-controllable air purification device, and transmit a first control signal to the articulating portion when the command provides control of the articulating portion, and transmit a second control signal to the remote-
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Martin B Ralws-Meehan
  • Patent number: 9317023
    Abstract: A wire sorting machine includes a frame and a fixture held by the frame. The fixture is configured to support a cable having a plurality of wires. A positioning system is supported by the frame. A guidance system is supported by the positioning system. The guidance system has a camera viewing the fixture that is movable relative to the fixture. A wire manipulator is supported by the positioning system and is moved by the positioning system relative to the fixture. The wire manipulator is configured to engage the wires of the cable to position the wires relative to the fixture. A controller communicates with the positioning system and the guidance system. The controller operates the positing system to control a position of the wire manipulator relative to the fixture based on an image obtained by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, Shenzhen AMI Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Qinglong Zeng, Charles David Fry, Bicheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9317024
    Abstract: An automation system includes a first controller and a second controller connected to an input device via a field bus, wherein the input device includes a module having at least one first sub-module and one second sub-module, the first controller includes first interconnection information that defines an assignment between the first controller and the first sub-module, and the second controller includes second interconnection information that defines an assignment between the second controller and the second sub-module, wherein the module is additionally configured to be connected to a plurality of inputs for process signals, wherein a process signal image is stored in a first memory area assigned to the first sub-module, and wherein the module additionally includes a copying device which is configured to copy the process signal image from the first memory area to a second memory area assigned to the second sub-module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Dausend
  • Patent number: 9303625
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of operating a wind park having a plurality of wind power installations. A wind power installation includes an electrical energy storage means associated with the wind power installation to store electrical energy which is consumed for starting up the wind power installation after stoppage and consumed for emergency shutdown of the wind power installation. In some embodiments, the wind power installation includes a control system to control taking of energy from the electrical energy storage means for an emergency shutdown procedure such that a sufficient emergency shutdown reserve is maintained in the electrical energy storage means to start a first wind power installation without consuming energy from a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 9292804
    Abstract: An energy management apparatus and a user interface method thereof, an electric device controlled by the energy management apparatus, and an energy management apparatus including the same are disclosed. A user interface that intuitively and simply displays a user input for controlling energy consumption of the electric device and a degree of inconvenience that a user experiences when the electric device operates according to the user input is provided to allow the user to be intuitively aware of the degree of inconvenience due to the user input, thereby enabling more intuitive user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hwi Jang, Jong Hyun Shin, Hyun Soo Park, Young Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9283046
    Abstract: A system may include a controller configured to determine a user interface status, wherein the user interface status includes user interaction of a user interface. The controller may also be configured to determine a drive mechanism location relative to a first limit and a second limit and select a clutching location based on the user interface status and drive mechanism location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: HANSEN MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Walker, June Park
  • Patent number: 9275193
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for monitoring one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on a processing device to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. At least a portion of the data is stored. The availability of the at least a portion of the data is enabled to one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: James Dattolo, Todd A. Ballantyne