Abstract: A method for analyzing a large number of messages, wherein the number of messages is reduced based on pattern recognition and pattern simplification, rules for the pattern recognition and pattern simplification are based on a regular grammatical structure, and patterns are sought in the remaining messages, or directly, i.e., without previous simplification. Syntactic pattern recognition is used for each type of pattern search, and a finite machine is derivable using the regular grammatical structure underlying each pattern recognition by transforming the mapping rules into transfer function, such that structural connections between the messages can be displayed graphically.

Abstract: A control device for a process, in which a controlled variable can be influenced with the aid of a plurality of different regulating units, which in particular are based on different physical principles. A set point and the controlled variable are fed to both a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is located as primary controller in automatic operation and has a regulating range of the first manipulated variable that is defined by limiting values. The second controller can be switched between automatic operation and tracking operation, in which the controller generates a predefined or predefinable constant value of the second manipulated variable. By means of a logic circuit, the second controller is switched to automatic operation if a limiting value of the first manipulated variable is reached, and otherwise to tracking operation.

Abstract: A method for analysing a large number of messages, wherein the number of messages is reduced based on pattern recognition and pattern simplification, rules for the pattern recognition and pattern simplification are based on a regular grammatical structure, and patterns are sought in the remaining messages, or directly, i.e., without previous simplification. Syntactic pattern recognition is used for each type of pattern search, and a finite machine is derivable using the regular grammatical structure underlying each pattern recognition by transforming the mapping rules into transfer function, such that structural connections between the messages can be displayed graphically.

Abstract: A method for designing a process controller for a process variable comprising a pressure or a flow rate, which is connectable upstream in a closed control loop of a controlled system having a positioning drive, where the closed control loop is simulated to determine the performance of the process controller. A predetermined noise value is added to a simulated profile of the actual value of a process variable, where the predetermined noise value is preferably obtained by performing a measurement at a real positioning drive. The simulated profile of the manipulated variable of the process controller is evaluated to determine an estimated energy consumption of the drive. As a result, it is thereby possible to find a compromise between the controller performance when setting the process controller without needing a direct measurement of the energy consumption at a real drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to the online regulation of a batch process in a bioreactor. According to the invention, spectra of the actual charge in the bioreactor are recorded at successive points during the running batch process. A measuring vector is produced, for each spectrum, in the low-dimensional main constituent region by the main constituent analysis of the high-dimensional spectra. The deviation is calculated between the measuring vector and a corresponding vector of a nominal trajectory consisting of measuring vectors of a reference charge, which are determined in an earlier batch process, and at least one adjustment operation for the batch process is determined and carried out according to said deviation. The direction of the adjustment operation is maintained when the deviation determined from one point to the next decreases, and modified when the deviation determined from one point to the next remains the same or increases.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the efficiency of a heat exchanger is provided. Heat flows from a first medium into a second medium and an actual heat flow is detected and compared with at least one reference heat flow corresponding to a respectively predetermined degree of soiling of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, a device for controlling a plant having at least one heat exchanger is described. The plant has a storage device storing at least one reference heat flow of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for identifying a delay-susceptible control path in the control of a steam generator and a device constructed for carrying out the method are provided. A model structure of the steam generator is specified, consisting of an unknown time-variable Nth-order delay element and a known integrator. Also used for the identification are measurements of the fuel mass flow, the turbine stream mass flow, and the live stream pressure which arises in the steam accumulator behind the steam generator after the removal of the turbine steam mass flow. Using these online measurements and the model structure, the live steam mass flow at the output of the steam generator is derived by calculation. In this way, the input value and the output value of the Nth-order delay element are determined and, using an estimation method, the parameters of a continuous transmission function of the Nth-order delay element are also determined online.

Abstract: A method for wear-minimized operation of a component of an installation and a corresponding installation are disclosed. A sensor for state identification is associated with the component and transmits a sensor signal to an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit checks the sensor signal to ascertain whether a wear-promoting operating state is present, and in the event of the presence of such an operating state the component is driven such that a change in the operating state in favor of an operating state with less wear takes place. If, for example, a component is operated at its resonant frequency, it is ensured that the component is operated at a slightly different rotation speed, at which far less severe oscillations occur.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the efficiency of a heat exchanger is provided. Heat flows from a first medium into a second medium and an actual heat flow is detected and compared with at least one reference heat flow corresponding to a respectively predetermined degree of soiling of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, a device for controlling a plant having at least one heat exchanger is described. The plant has a storage device storing at least one reference heat flow of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The invention relates to the online regulation of a batch process in a bioreactor. According to the invention, spectra of the actual charge in the bioreactor are recorded at successive points during the running batch process. A measuring vector is produced, for each spectrum, in the low-dimensional main constituent region by the main constituent analysis of the high-dimensional spectra. The deviation is calculated between the measuring vector and a corresponding vector of a nominal trajectory consisting of measuring vectors of a reference charge, which are determined in an earlier batch process, and at least one adjustment operation for the batch process is determined and carried out according to said deviation. The direction of the adjustment operation is maintained when the deviation determined from one point to the next decreases, and modified when the deviation determined from one point to the next remains the same or increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for developing programs for process control systems and in particular for mathematically intensive or, as the case may be, mathematically complex programs of said kind. According to the prior art programs of said kind were written in a separate development environment and subsequently the developed algorithm was re-implemented using a programming language available for the process control system and the associated compiler. The programming and testing were consequently both time-intensive and prone to error. It is proposed to split the overall algorithm into two parts when programming programs of said kind, a) the actual control algorithm by means of which the mathematical functionality of a controller is provided, and b) the algorithm by means of which the process control system-specific functionality of the above controller is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for developing programs for process control systems and in particular for mathematically intensive or, as the case may be, mathematically complex programs of said kind. According to the prior art programs of said kind were written in a separate development environment and subsequently the developed algorithm was re-implemented using a programming language available for the process control system and the associated compiler. The programming and testing were consequently both time-intensive and prone to error. It is proposed to split the overall algorithm into two parts when programming programs of said kind, a) the actual control algorithm by means of which the mathematical functionality of a controller is provided, and b) the algorithm by means of which the process control system-specific functionality of the above controller is provided.

Abstract: For controlling multivariable systems, a control unit for controlling a system with several coupled control variables. The control unit includes controllers (10, 11) having associated control variables (x1, x2) as well as a decoupling network. The decoupling network is connected upstream from the system and includes at least one first decoupling member (12). A first output variable (y1) of a first one of the controllers (10) is routed to the first decoupling member (12). The first decoupling member generates a first correcting quantity (14) for a second output variable (y2) of a second one of the controllers (11). The second controller (11) has a PI- or PID-controller core (40) and is configured such that integrator windup is eliminated when the second output variable (y2) corrected with the first correcting quantity (14) reaches a manipulated variable limit. Bumpless manual/automatic changeover of the controller is also made possible.

Abstract: A method is described for the closed-loop control of a time-delayed process having compensation, in particular for temperature control. After a setpoint value step-change, the manipulated variable is set at a first constant value in an open-loop controlled operation, an IT1 model is identified on the basis of the step-change response and a PI controller is parametrized, which closed-loop controls the process into a second steady state. Subsequently, a more exact process model having compensation is determined and is used for the control adjustment.

Abstract: For controlling multivariable systems, a control unit for controlling a system with several coupled control variables. The control unit includes controllers (10, 11) having associated control variables (x1, x2) as well as a decoupling network. The decoupling network is connected upstream from the system and includes at least one first decoupling member (12). A first output variable (y1) of a first one of the controllers (10) is routed to the first decoupling member (12). The first decoupling member generates a first correcting quantity (14) for a second output variable (y2) of a second one of the controllers (11). The second controller (11) has a PI- or PID-controller core (40) and is configured such that integrator windup is eliminated when the second output variable (y2) corrected with the first correcting quantity (14) reaches a manipulated variable limit. Bumpless manual/automatic changeover of the controller is also made possible.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a self-regulating, delayed process, in particular a temperature control system, in which, after a first setpoint step change, the manipulated variable is set to its maximum value and an IT1 model of the process is identified on the basis of the step response. The time at which the manipulated variable must be reset for time-optimum control is calculated on the basis of this model. An additional, more precise model is determined if the rate of change of the controlled variable drops below a specific limit after the shut-off time. The parameters of a linear controller are set as a function of the more precise model, after which the controller controls the process in a non-linear mode. When additional setpoint step changes occur, a time for switching to a steady-state manipulated variable is calculated on the basis of the more precise model in order to achieve time-optimal control.