Abstract: A method determines setups for constant tables of automatic placement machines in placement lines at predetermined table locations by mixed integer linear optimization based on input data describing the placement infrastructure and input parameters that can be specified by the operator or user. The method can be used regardless of the mounting technique used (for example, plug in mounting technique, surface mounting technique, or a hybrid technique). The method can be advantageously used with other methods, for example, cluster methods for forming setup groups or line balancing for cycle time optimization.

Abstract: An irrigation controller has a control panel including a display and a plurality of user inputs. A processor is operatively connected to the control panel and to a memory. A plurality of switches are operatively connected to the processor for turning a power signal ON and OFF to a plurality of valves that deliver water to a plurality of sprinklers in different zones. Programming is stored in the memory for implementing a seasonal adjustment feature that is independently operable with a plurality of individual watering programs to selectively energize the valves. The programming calculates a soil moisture requirement value for each program using a signal from at least one soil moisture sensor that is associated with a zone that is assigned to that watering program, and automatically modifies the watering program assigned to that zone through the seasonal adjust feature based on the soil moisture requirement value.

Abstract: A field device resident algorithm receives one or more diagnostic inputs and generates actionable service information. The algorithm(s) can be changed or updated after the manufacture of the field device. The actionable service information can be displayed locally or sent over a process control loop. A prediction engine can be employed to determine a period within which such service should be completed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the HVAC data processing and communication network includes at least one environmental sensor, at least one subnet and a subnet controller. The subnet controller is configured to discover the at least one environmental sensor, the at least one subnet and at least one damper controller. The subnet controller is further configured to set up the network for zoned operation in the event that at least two of the at least one environmental sensor are discovered.

Abstract: A controller for a building management system includes a system of rules for detecting faults in the building management system. The rules include content conditions and trigger conditions. The content conditions are not checked until one or more of the trigger conditions are met. A rule-based fault detection engine may be implemented by a low level building equipment controller. One or more thresholds for a rule may be automatically or manually adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the electric power usage of electric thermal storage heaters and systems are based on: 1) current and recorded measurements local to the heater and building; 2) current measurements external to the heater and building; 3) forecasts communicated to the apparatus. The method also includes sending out communications about power use as well as various other local measurements. The apparatus has local controls on the electric thermal storage, including but not limited to the relays that control flow of power into the heating elements, a logic module that integrates the local controls, as well as communication channels that extend outside the building to entities capable of providing automatic forecasts and potentially other types of information not available locally.

Abstract: A system and method reduce lateral movement of a car in an elevator system by detecting vibration of the car as a vibration signal. A damping coefficient for a feedback signal is determined according to the vibration signal and a state of the elevator system. A semi-active actuator is arranged between the car and a roller guide assembly. The semi-active actuator includes a rheological fluid, and flow characteristics of the rheological fluid are actuated according to the feedback signal to reduce the lateral movement of the car.

Abstract: A lighting system controller is provided that is adapted to configure a plurality of lighting controllers using a set of common configuration information referred to as a template. According to one example, the lighting system controller is configured to maintain a set of templates and to track associations between templates and elements of a lighting control system that are managed by the lighting system controller. Examples of managed elements include lighting controllers and configurable objects resident within the lighting controllers.

Abstract: An energy object extension to an industrial protocol having a comprehensive suite of attributes, messages and services utilized for the monitoring and control of energy consuming or producing resources by a manufacturing automation application is provided. The energy object includes an identifier associated with an energy resource that is associated with a manufacturing automation application and an energy type associated with the energy resource. This includes a measurement characteristic associated with the energy resource to facilitate energy management by the manufacturing automation application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for building automation system management are shown and described. The systems and methods relate to fault detection via abnormal energy monitoring and detection. The systems and methods also relate to control and fault detection methods for chillers. The systems and methods further relate to graphical user interfaces for use with fault detection features of a building automation system.

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: A challenge to be met by the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting machine that makes up an electronic component mounting line and that standardizes an operation input method, to thus enable lessening of work load on an operator during performance of operation input action, and an operation instruction method for use with the electronic component mounting machine. In electronic component mounting machines that make it possible for a single machine to perform a plurality of types of works by replacement of a work head to be built into a common platform according to a type of work, a production start button to a model change button are provided as common individual input parts in a basic operation command input part of a display panel of an operation unit regardless of a work type.

Abstract: A goal-based control system may be provided that controls lighting based on high-level management goals for the operation of a lighting system. The system may include a lighting system model. The system may convert the high-level management goals into low-level device control parameters that include a power level for each respective one of the light fixtures, where the system determines that a modeled operation of each respective one the light fixtures at the power level meets the management goals based on the lighting system model. The system may cause each respective one of the light fixtures to operate at the power level. The system may determine a likelihood of satisfying the management goals.

Abstract: A system may communicate between a display device and a lighting system using light generated by the display device and a light sensor in the lighting system. A computing device and a building control system may communication over a wireless link. The building control system may determine that the computing device is co-located with a fixture in the building control system based on whether communication over the wireless link between the computing device and the building control system is detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a wind power plant to deliver power to the power network. A frequency of the power network is detected. A variation rate in the detected frequency of the power network is calculated. A requested variation of delivered power for the wind power plant is calculated based on a value of the inertia of the wind power plant and the calculated frequency variation rate. A requested variation of delivered power for each wind turbine generator of the wind power plant is calculated based on the calculated requested variation of delivered power of the wind power plant and a current power level of each wind turbine generator. The resulting calculated requested power variation is then used for controlling each wind turbine generator to deliver power to the network.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a production process with regard to quality is disclosed. The method includes: a) breaking down the production process into a sequence of individual steps, defined by a sequence of control commands for a production program for carrying out the production process on a machine tool; b) generating at least one signal template per individual step of the production process from the control commands for the individual steps, each signal template corresponding to a theoretical signal curve for a parameter which may be measured upon executing the production process; c) measurement of a signal curve for at least one parameter per individual step during the execution; and d) comparison of the or each measured signal curve with the respective arithmetically generated signal template, wherein a qualitatively poor production process is determined if the measured signal curve deviates from the signal template by more than a given tolerance.

Abstract: A method and system for workload balancing to assist in power grid load management. The method includes receiving a request to perform a task at a site powered by connection to an AC power grid, the task comprising either data processing or manufacturing an article; measuring an AC frequency of the AC power grid to obtain a current AC frequency; and performing or not performing the task at the site based on the current AC frequency.

Abstract: A processing system for performing a predetermined process on a target object includes one or more processing apparatuses that process the target object and a controller that controls the processing apparatuses. Here, the controller performs a control to select any one of a shutdown state in which a multiple number of end devices of the processing apparatuses are all stopped and a standby state in which some or all of the end devices are ready to perform a process on the target object, when the controller is shut down.

Abstract: The particle swarm optimization method for microgrids formulates a control problem as an optimization problem and PSO is used to search the solution space for optimal parameter settings in each mode. The procedure models optimal design of an LC filter, controller parameters and damping resistance in grid-connected mode. Moreover, the procedure optimizes controller parameters and power sharing coefficients in autonomous mode. The method uses particular nonlinear time-domain-based and eigenvalue-based objective functions to minimize the error in the measured power, and also to enhance the damping characteristics, respectively.

Abstract: A building manager includes a communications interface configured to receive information from a smart energy grid. The building manager further includes an integrated control layer configured to receive inputs from and to provide outputs to a plurality of building subsystems. The integrated control layer includes a plurality of control algorithm modules configured to process the inputs and to determine the outputs. The building manager further includes a fault detection and diagnostics layer configured to use statistical analysis on the inputs received from the integrated control layer to detect and diagnose faults. The building manager yet further includes a demand response layer configured to process the information received from the smart energy grid to determine adjustments to the plurality of control algorithms of the integrated control layer.