Patents by Inventor Alec Stothert

Alec Stothert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11941545
    Abstract: Systems and methods may generate a boundary of a FOU for an interval type-2 MF based on a transformation of another boundary of the FOU. The systems and methods may receive a plurality of parameters for a type-1 MF that defines a boundary of the FOU for the interval type-2 MF and may receive at least one other parameter. The systems and methods may generate, based on a transformation of the type-1 MF utilizing the at least one parameter, a type-1 MF that defines a different boundary of the FOU. The system and methods may adjust the plurality of parameters and the at least one second parameter to adjust the FOU for use in a model representing, for example, a real-world physical system, where execution of the model executes a fuzzy inference system and generates results representing a behavior of the real-world physical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Md Rajibul Huq, Alec Stothert
  • Publication number: 20210182715
    Abstract: Systems and methods may generate a boundary of a FOU for an interval type-2 MF based on a transformation of another boundary of the FOU. The systems and methods may receive a plurality of parameters for a type-1 MF that defines a boundary of the FOU for the interval type-2 MF and may receive at least one other parameter. The systems and methods may generate, based on a transformation of the type-1 MF utilizing the at least one parameter, a type-1 MF that defines a different boundary of the FOU. The system and methods may adjust the plurality of parameters and the at least one second parameter to adjust the FOU for use in a model representing, for example, a real-world physical system, where execution of the model executes a fuzzy inference system and generates results representing a behavior of the real-world physical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: MD Rajibul Huq, Alec Stothert
  • Patent number: 7933664
    Abstract: Modelling of industrial processes is simplified with the use of Mixed Logical Dynamic (MLD) framework. Optimal control problems can be generated for application to industrial processes. For example, two arbitrarily connected MLD blocks are automatically merged to obtain one composite MLD block. Via a repeated use of the procedure, any arbitrarily complex system containing the complete description of an industrial process can be generated from the simplest MLD building blocks. The optimal control problem is generated via adding an MLD block whose unique output becomes the cost functional of the problem. In a graphical environment, any specific industrial process may be reproduced by instantiating blocks from a library of basic MLD elements or atomic MLD blocks and by properly connecting them. In case an appropriate library is available, this process will not require any expert knowledge from the end user apart from the ability to build the graphical interconnections mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Eduardo Alvarez Gallestey, Dario Castagnoli, Alec Stothert
  • Patent number: 7865254
    Abstract: A method of manipulating a block diagram model with a plurality of graphical modeling components by defining an open loop anywhere on the block diagram model is provided. Graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be automatically recognized and a plurality of parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be displayed on a display device. A user may simultaneously tune the parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop. Factorization points breaking the block diagram model in two disconnected parts may be identified in the block diagram model. A virtual graphical model may be generated by replacing a pattern of the graphical modeling components between two factorization points with a single graphical modeling component representing the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Gahinet, John Glass, Alec Stothert, Craig Buhr
  • Patent number: 7539604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the behavior of a modeled system from a graphical representation of the behavior of the system. Given a graphical representation of the behavior of a modeled system, one or more bounds may be selected for the behavior on the graphical representation. The necessary parameters for the modeled system are then determined for producing the desired behavior based on the selected bounds for the behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Alec Stothert, Craig Buhr, Anthony Lennon, Pascal Gahinet
  • Patent number: 7426456
    Abstract: In a method and computer program product for optimal operation of a power plant and a power plant optimising system an optimisation mode (1) minimises a cost function (J[u],J[P]) that comprises a deviation of lifetime of plant components (LTp(?)) from a desired nominal lifetime trajectory (LTn(?)). This is done by, at a given time, determining future values of input values (u(?),P(?)) such as control values (P(?)) or process values (u(?)) to the plant and simulating, in a simulation modulate (2), the behaviour of the plant up to a given future time. Corresponding lifetime values are determined in the simulation, and incorporated in an objective function. The optimisation module (1) minimises the cost function (J[u],J[P]) by varying the input values (u(?),P(?)). As a result, it is possible to operate the plant such that component lifetime (LTp(?)) follows the desired trajectory (LTn(?)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Eduardo Gallestey Alvarez, Alec Stothert, Marc Antoine, Steve Morton
  • Publication number: 20080172212
    Abstract: A method of manipulating a block diagram model with a plurality of graphical modeling components by defining an open loop anywhere on the block diagram model is provided. Graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be automatically recognized and a plurality of parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop may be displayed on a display device. A user may simultaneously tune the parameters of the graphical modeling components in series with the open loop. Factorization points breaking the block diagram model in two disconnected parts may be identified in the block diagram model. A virtual graphical model may be generated by replacing a pattern of the graphical modeling components between two factorization points with a single graphical modeling component representing the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Gahinet, John Glass, Alec Stothert, Craig Buhr
  • Patent number: 7266416
    Abstract: The disclosed process control system makes use of Optimal control (OC) and model predictive control (MPC) techniques for selection of the Expert Systems (ES) targets values U. The ES target values U are selected to minimize the performance criterion J. A mathematical model of an extended system given by the process P and the ES is developed. This hybrid mathematical model has both continuous dynamics and logical relationships. Controlled variables of the mathematical model are the ES target values U and inputs are the measurements y and the performance criterion J. The OC and/or MPC techniques are used to compute values U. An optimizer of the OC/MPC selects values of the ES target values U only. This activity has lower sampling rates than selection of controller values, which simplifies the design of the OC/MPC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Eduardo Alvarez Gallestey, Alec Stothert
  • Publication number: 20070143074
    Abstract: Modelling of industrial processes is simplified with the use of Mixed Logical Dynamic (MLD) framework. Optimal control problems can be generated for application to industrial processes. For example, two arbitrarily connected MLD blocks are automatically merged to obtain one composite MLD block. Via a repeated use of the procedure, any arbitrarily complex system containing the complete description of an industrial process can be generated from the simplest MLD building blocks. The optimal control problem is generated via adding an MLD block whose unique output becomes the cost functional of the problem. In a graphical environment, any specific industrial process may be reproduced by instantiating blocks from a library of basic MLD elements or atomic MLD blocks and by properly connecting them. In case an appropriate library is available, this process will not require any expert knowledge from the end user apart from the ability to build the graphical interconnections mentioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Eduardo Gallestey, Dario Castagnoli, Alec Stothert
  • Publication number: 20070088447
    Abstract: A rescheduling problem can be reformulated as a multi-parametric (mp-QP) optimization problem which can be solved explicitly. The subsequent exploitation of this algebraic solution is computationally inexpensive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Alec Stothert, Andreas Poncet
  • Patent number: 7058552
    Abstract: In a method and computer program product for optimizing power plant control values and a power plant optimizing system an optimization module (1) minimizes total plant operation costs while achieving predetermined required output values for produced power and process steam. This is done by, at a given time, determining future values of control values and simulating, in a simulation module (2), the behavior of the plant up to a given future time. Corresponding fuel costs and generated power are determined in the simulation, and incorporated in an objective function. The optimization module (1) minimizes the objective function by varying the control values. According to the invention, a rate of ageing of plant components is determined when simulating the future behavior of the plant, and the objective function to be minimized comprises said rate of ageing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Alec Stothert, Eduardo Gallestey Alvarez, Markus Ahrens, Marc Antoine, Steve Morton
  • Publication number: 20050154476
    Abstract: The inventive process control system makes use of Optimal control (OC) and model predictive control (MPC) techniques for selection of the Expert Systems (ES) targets U. The ES target U is selected in such a way that the performance criterion J is minimized. In other words, a mathematical model of extended system given by the process P and the ES is developed. This mathematical model has hybrid nature in the sense that both continuous dynamics (mostly process) and logical relationships (mostly ES) appear in it. Controlled variables of the mathematical model are the ES targets U and inputs are the measurements y and the performance criterion J. OC and/or MPC techniques are used to compute U. The optimizer of the OC/MPC selects values of the ES targets U only. This activity has lower sampling rates than selection of C, which makes the design of the OC/MPC controlled easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Eduardo Gallestey, Alec Stothert
  • Publication number: 20040117045
    Abstract: In a method and a computer program product for designing a component for an industrial plant, in particular a thick-walled component for a power plant, by means of an iteration, in which the steps of
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Geir Hovland, Eduardo Alvarez Gallestey, Alec Stothert, Steve Morton, Marc Antoine
  • Publication number: 20030100974
    Abstract: In a method and computer program product for optimal operation of a power plant and a power plant optimising system an optimisation module (1) minimises a cost function (J[u],J[P]) that comprises a deviation of lifetime of plant components (LTp(&tgr;)) from a desired nominal lifetime trajectory (LTn(&tgr;)). This is done by, at a given time, determining future values of input values (u(&tgr;),P(&tgr;)) such as control values (P(&tgr;)) or process values (u(&tgr;)) to the plant and simulating, in a simulation module (2), the behaviour of the plant up to a given future time. Corresponding lifetime values are determined in the simulation, and incorporated in an objective function. The optimisation module (1) minimises the cost function (J[u],J[P]) by varying the input values (u(&tgr;),P(&tgr;)). As a result, it is possible to operate the plant such that component lifetime (LTp(&tgr;)) follows the desired trajectory (LTn(&tgr;)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Eduardo Gallestey Alvarez, Alec Stothert, Marc Antoine, Steve Morton
  • Publication number: 20020120352
    Abstract: In a method and computer program product for optimizing power plant control values and a power plant optimizing system an optimization module (1) minimizes total plant operation costs while achieving predetermined required output values for produced power and process steam. This is done by, at a given time, determining future values of control values and simulating, in a simulation module (2), the behavior of the plant up to a given future time. Corresponding fuel costs and generated power are determined in the simulation, and incorporated in an objective function. The optimization module (1) minimizes the objective function by varying the control values. According to the invention, a rate of ageing of plant components is determined when simulating the future behavior of the plant, and the objective function to be minimized comprises said rate of ageing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Alec Stothert, Eduardo Gallestey Alvarez, Markus Ahrens, Marc Antoine, Steve Morton