Abstract: An automatic control valve actuator assembly is configured to control opening and closing of the valve via positioning of a valve closure member. The valve actuator is further configured to determine the volume of fluid flowing through the valve. In an embodiment, the valve actuator includes an integral energy consumption calculation and retention module configured to calculate heat energy for energy consumption tracking.

Abstract: An electric power acquisition section acquires a power demand of a load. An assist control section determines that an assist condition is satisfied when the power demand exceeds a threshold value within a time slot for permitting electric power to be supplied to the load. When determining that the assist condition is satisfied, the assist control section presents a selection prompt to inquire whether or not to activate an assist operation for supplying the electric power from a power storage device, on an operation display device through a notification control section. If there is a response for requesting activation of the assist operation from the operation display device in response to the selection prompt, the assist operation is started. The assist condition is set in a storage unit by a condition setting section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing and producing a custom-fit prosthesis. According to one embodiment, a mold is produced from which a custom-fit implant may be directly or indirectly manufactured. Medical image data representing surrounding portions of a patient's anatomy to be repaired by surgical implantation of the custom-fit implant are received. Then, three-dimensional surface reconstruction is performed based on the medical image data. Next, the custom-fit implant is designed based on the three-dimensional surface reconstruction and a positive or negative representation of a two-part mold is created with a void in the shape of the custom-fit implant by subtracting a representation of the custom-fit implant from a representation of a mold. Finally, the two-part mold is output from which the custom-fit implant may be directly manufactured; or an implant is directly output. Alternatively, an intermediate mold is created from which a two-part mold may be directly manufactured.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a generalized kinematics library which may be used to control the motion of a machine tool system and to process data for other applications, such as simulation graphics. Methods are disclosed to interpolate the movement of various axes of a machine tool system through a machine singularity point.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a fan motor of an air conditioner comprises: a hybrid induction motor (HIM) for discharging warm air outwardly by a control signal; a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of an evaporator; and a controlling unit for comparing the temperature of the evaporator with a preset temperature, and outputting a control signal to control the HIM based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The solution from a multivariable predictive controller (MPC) is analyzed and described by providing quantitative input to operators regarding the effect of changing controller limits on the MPC controller solution. This information allows a rapid operator response to changes and more optimal process operation.

Abstract: A control system includes a clustered architecture having a master controller, a central control section including one or more first remote controllers under direct control of the master controller, and a distributed control section including a cluster controller controlled by the master controller. The cluster controller controls the activities of one or more second remote controllers. Each of the first and second remote controllers are utilized to drive one or more axes.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, and associated computer program products and systems, are disclosed for generating electronic data for use in planning the execution of a manufacturing process. The methods, generally, are used in the structural transformation of execution-level routings for manufacturing processes into planning-level routings. The methods applies various transformation techniques when a planning-level routing includes alternative paths, and different transformation techniques when a planning-level routing includes parallel paths. Planning modes are created in the case of alternative paths, and parallel paths generally do not cause multiple modes to be created. Parallel and alternative paths in a planning-level operation also has impacts on how the a planned duration formula is determined.

Abstract: A process control system and method for use in controlling operation of a process in response to identification of one or more events, where each event is a condition relating to one or more process variables for the process and has a determined association with one or more other events, the system comprising: an event control module which is operative to log from the process the one or more process variables which are attributed to the one or more events, and provide a control indication in response to each identified event, wherein the control indication identifies the event as one of a cause event or an effect event and the one or more associated other events as effect events for a cause event or cause events for an effect event.

Abstract: A tool includes a chamber, a network, a sensor, a tool controller, and a pressure controller. The network carries messages to and from devices on the network. A header portion of a message indicates a sender of the message and at least one intended recipient of the message. The sensor measures a pressure within the chamber. The sensor, tool controller, and pressure controller are on the network. The pressure controller controls the pressure within the chamber in response to measurements provided by the sensor and in response to a set point provided by the tool controller. The pressure controller processes header portions of all messages carried on the network to determine the intended recipients of each message and processes at least part of data portions of both messages intended for the pressure controller and at least some messages not intended for the pressure controller.

Abstract: Technology is provided for changing a mounting angle of a component to reduce the amount of relative displacement between a mounting head and a board. A component, for which a mounting angle can be changed, is specified based on information stored in a mounting data storage area and a component data storage area according to a predetermined component mounting order. A mounting time in a mounting path with the mounting angle of the specified component being changed is calculated for each mounting angle to specify the mounting path requiring the shortest mounting time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an ophthalmic device. In particular, the present invention provides a method for production of a contact lens by means of stereolithography. A preferred stereolithography technique is based on polymerization and solidification of a contact lens forming liquid material by actinic irradiation one layer at a time. In addition, the present invention provides systems and methods for making a contact lens for a specific patient based on the prescription.

Abstract: A display and/or operating device for controlling machines includes a projection device for projecting an image onto a projection area, an acquisition device for scanning the same projection area, and a control computer for controlling the projection device and the acquisition device. The present invention is distinguished by the fact that, by the acquisition device and the control computer, an analysis of the same projection surface can be carried out, and that the content of the image to be projected can be controlled by the control computer as a function of the result of the analysis of the same projection area.

Abstract: A method is provided for regulating fluid pump pressures by detecting an elevation differential between a fluid flow control device and the distal end of a fluid line in communication with the fluid flow control device. A fluid flow control device, for instance a peritoneal dialysis device, is at a first height, a distal end of a fluid line is at a second height, and a valved outlet, when open, affords communication between the fluid flow control device and the distal end of the fluid line. The elevation differential is correlatable with a pressure measurable during a calibration procedure provided as a part of the methodology.

Abstract: Provided is a method for managing manufacturing apparatuses used in a managed production line including a plurality of manufacturing processes for manufacturing an electronic device, each of the apparatuses being used in one or more of the processes. The method includes acquiring a property of a reference device manufactured in a predetermined reference production line including the manufacturing processes to be performed, performing at least one of the manufacturing processes in the managed production line, performing the other manufacturing processes in the reference production line, and manufacturing a comparison device. The method further includes measuring a property of the comparison device, comparing the measured properties of the reference and the comparison devices, and judging whether a manufacturing apparatus used in the at least one manufacturing process in the managed production line is defective or not, based on a property difference between the reference and the comparison devices.

Abstract: There is described a method for operating a system of modular structure, which can be extended during operation by adding modules that consume electrical energy, in particular a process automation system, the system having a power supply, which supplies the other modules of the system with electrical energy, with at least one signal being generated and displayed before a further module that consumes electrical energy is added, from which signal it is possible to identify or derive the level of current electrical power, which the power supply can still supply to the further module to be added given the already added modules—residual power—and/or the level of power, which the power supply supplies currently to the already added modules and/or from which it can be identified or derived whether the module to be added can be added without overloading the power supply.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a service establishes individual Internet connections to numerous electric resources intermittently connected to the power grid, such as electric vehicles. The Internet connection may be made over the same wire that connects the resource to the power grid. The service optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource and each resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resources to suit the needs of the power grid. The service can bring vast numbers of electric vehicle batteries online as a new, dynamically aggregated power resource for the power grid. Electric vehicle owners can participate in an electricity trading economy regardless of where they plug into the power grid.

Abstract: A power transmission system including a component having a surface and a plurality of micro-defects is provided. The surface has a distribution of asperities has a second resonance frequency distribution that is substantially outside of the resonance frequency distribution.

Abstract: A system, including apparatus and method, for processing material includes a computer connected to a saw. A pusher is used to convey material along a processing path. The computer is programmed to control optimal processing of material to satisfy a cut list. The system for processing material may further include a printer configured to print labels for application to work pieces processed by the system.

Abstract: The spacing between an abrasive type surface polishing tool and the surface of the work piece that is being polished is controlled dynamically so that variations in the area of the abrasive pad in contact with the surface of the work piece compensated, thereby eliminating size variations in this contact area and the accompanying variations in material removal that produce surface height fluctuations.