Abstract: A method and controller for controlling electrical activation of elements in a system. A method includes identifying (710) a first element (102) of a system (100) by a control system (600), among a plurality of elements (102, 110, 122) of the system (100), that is to be powered. The method includes determining (712) connected elements (110, 122) of the system (100) by the control system (600). The connected elements (110, 122) are connected to deliver power to the first element (102) directly or indirectly, based on an adjacency matrix (400), and the adjacency matrix (400) identifies connections between each of plurality of elements of the system (100). The method includes identifying (714) at least one of the connected elements (110, 122) to activate by the control system (600), based on the adjacency matrix (400), a health table (500), and the connected elements (110, 122), to deliver power to the first element (102).

Abstract: A method and controller for operating a pumping station. The method includes receiving (1102), by at least one controller (910, 952), sensor data (712) of a first pumping station (900) corresponding to a liquid being transported from the first pumping station (900). The method includes predicting (1104) arrival of the liquid, by the at least one controller (910, 952), at a second pumping station (900). The method includes executing (1106) one or more pump models (720), by the at least one controller (910, 952), according to the sensor data (712) to determine an optimal pumping configuration. The method includes operating (1108) one more pumps of the second pumping station (900), by the at least one controller (910, 952), according to the optimal pumping configuration.

Abstract: A method and controller for controlling electrical activation of elements in a system. A method includes identifying (710) a first element (102) of a system (100) by a control system (600), among a plurality of elements (102, 110, 122) of the system (100), that is to be powered. The method includes determining (712) connected elements (110, 122) of the system (100) by the control system (600). The connected elements (110, 122) are connected to deliver power to the first element (102) directly or indirectly, based on an adjacency matrix (400), and the adjacency matrix (400) identifies connections between each of plurality of elements of the system (100). The method includes identifying (714) at least one of the connected elements (110, 122) to activate by the control system (600), based on the adjacency matrix (400), a health table (500), and the connected elements (110, 122), to deliver power to the first element (102).

Abstract: A method and controller for creating a digital twin of a pump. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a specification curve corresponding to a centrifugal pump. The method includes building and executing, by the controller, a first model of the centrifugal pump, based on the specification curve. The method includes receiving sensor data corresponding to and during the operation of the pump. The method includes updating the first model according to the sensor data to produce an updated model, and storing the updated model as a digital twin of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A method and controller for operating a pumping station. The method includes receiving (1102), by at least one controller (910, 952), sensor data (712) of a first pumping station (900) corresponding to a liquid being transported from the first pumping station (900). The method includes predicting (1104) arrival of the liquid, by the at least one controller (910, 952), at a second pumping station (900). The method includes executing (1106) one or more pump models (720), by the at least one controller (910, 952), according to the sensor data (712) to determine an optimal pumping configuration. The method includes operating (1108) one more pumps of the second pumping station (900), by the at least one controller (910, 952), according to the optimal pumping configuration.

Abstract: A pump station positioned to receive a first flow of fluid from a pipeline and to discharge a second flow of fluid into the pipeline includes an interface detection instrument positioned at an upstream point and operable to measure a sonic velocity, a temperature, and a flow rate of the fluid at the upstream point. A first pump is operable at a first speed to receive the first flow of fluid and discharge a pressurized flow of fluid, a first discharge pressure controller is positioned within the pressurized flow of fluid and operable to control the pressure of the pressurized flow of fluid, and a control assembly is coupled to the interface detection instrument to receive the measured sonic velocity, temperature, and flow rate.

Abstract: A method and controller for creating a digital twin of a pump. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a specification curve corresponding to a centrifugal pump. The method includes building and executing, by the controller, a first model of the centrifugal pump, based on the specification curve. The method includes receiving sensor data corresponding to and during the operation of the pump. The method includes updating the first model according to the sensor data to produce an updated model, and storing the updated model as a digital twin of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: Item trays include an optional product advancing member, a tray-like lower support, and a pair of side supports, at least one of them being deflectable and inwardly biased, that accommodate merchandise queues of various item widths by a self-adjusting clamping action. A biasing member supplying the clamping force of the side support(s) may be preloaded. Display systems include a plurality of such trays supported by a rear mounting wall providing a plurality of tray mounting locations to provide modular configurability of tray positions, thus accommodating different products on separate trays. The display systems may be built around a wire frame and include display supporting members, such as suitable slot members, for receiving and retaining a full length side graphic panel. The item trays may be used in a merchandise dispensing method for items of like dimensions.

Abstract: Item trays include an optional product advancing member, a tray-like lower support, and a pair of side supports, at least one of them being deflectable and inwardly biased, that accommodate merchandise queues of various item widths by a self-adjusting clamping action. A biasing member supplying the clamping force of the side support(s) may be preloaded. Display systems include a plurality of such trays supported by a rear mounting wall providing a plurality of tray mounting locations to provide modular configurability of tray positions, thus accommodating different products on separate trays. The display systems may be built around a wire frame and include display supporting members, such as suitable slot members, for receiving and retaining a full length side graphic panel. The item trays may be used in a merchandise dispensing method for items of like dimensions.

Abstract: A delivery device is described for intermittently delivering materials such as liquids or gels over a sustained period of time to a surface in a controlled way. The surface mountable delivery device is capable of delivering, for example, an antimicrobial agent to protect surfaces from microbial contamination and/or to disinfect surfaces, e.g. door handles, push plates, hand rails, etc. as an aid in preventing and/or hindering the spread of infectious agents. In one arrangement the device utilises a foam based reservoir in combination with a nonwoven fabric wicking layer and an elastomeric liquid delivery contact layer having valve like pore and/or slits; the combination provides for control of material delivery and longevity for the device in use.

Abstract: The pump systems (pump+driver) used in a pump station are selected based on the type of fluid or batch. The selection is of the more efficient pump systems for that batch. Less efficient pumps are avoided. When a new batch is detected, the selection is performed again for that new batch, which may result in a different combinations of pump systems for a given pump station. If variable speed pump drives are available, the efficiency at the desired speed is used for selection. The cost of energy (utilities) by pump station may alternatively or additionally be used to select the speed or combination of pump systems. The pump station and pipeline operation is optimized for efficiency of pump systems and/or cost of energy (utilities) for the different pump systems based on pipeline inventory and local utilities tariffs.

Abstract: A pump system includes an interface detection meter arranged at a pipeline assembly, a drive assembly for controlling speed of a pump arranged at the pipeline assembly, a discharge pressure control assembly and/or flow control assembly for controlling discharge pressure of the pump system, and a control assembly operably coupled to the drive assembly and/or the discharge pressure control assembly and/or the flow control assembly. A logic control of the control assembly receives fluid data of fluid in the pipeline assembly provided by the interface detection meter, and forwards the fluid data for calculating speed set points for the drive assembly and/or discharge pressure control parameter and/or set points for the discharge pressure control assembly, and/or flow rate control set points for the flow control assembly. A method for controlling variable speed driven pumps or pump systems during batch change and an embodiment of a plug-and-play device are disclosed.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, and decreasing a cross sectional area of the permeable material as it passes between the at least one set of rollers.

Abstract: A delivery device is described for intermittently delivering materials such as liquids or gels over a sustained period of time to a surface in a controlled way. The surface mountable delivery device is capable of delivering, for example, an antimicrobial agent to protect surfaces from microbial contamination and/or to disinfect surfaces, e.g. door handles, push plates, hand rails, etc. as an aid in preventing and/or hindering the spread of infectious agents. In one arrangement the device utilises a foam based reservoir in combination with a nonwoven fabric wicking layer and an elastomeric liquid delivery contact layer having valve like pore and/or slits; the combination provides for control of material delivery and longevity for the device in use.

Abstract: A permeable material compacting method includes feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, and decreasing a cross sectional area of the permeable material as it passes between the at least one set of rollers.

Abstract: A product authentication system includes a carrier for receiving paper currency. The currency bears a unique serial number. The carrier is attached to a product the authenticity of which may need to be verified. The carrier can serve as a hang tag attached to various products, such as designer clothing, shoes, or watches. The carrier is preferably fully transparent to expose the currency embedded within it and to expose the unique serial number. A verification system allows a user, such as a consumer, to enter alphanumeric characters representing the serial number of the currency and includes a data base containing an inventory of serial numbers representing legitimate products to which carriers with unique articles of currency have been attached. The alphanumeric characters are compared with the serial numbers contained in the data base and an output is provided for indicating the authenticity of a product only when the entered alphanumeric characters correspond to a serial number stored in the data base.

Abstract: A product authentication system includes a carrier for receiving paper currency. The currency bears a unique serial number. The carrier is attached to a product the authenticity of which may need to be verified. The carrier can serve as a hang tag attached to various products, such as designer clothing, shoes, or watches. The carrier is preferably fully transparent to expose the currency embedded within it and to expose the unique serial number. A verification system allows a user, such as a consumer, to enter alphanumeric characters representing the serial number of the currency and includes a data base containing an inventory of serial numbers representing legitimate products to which carriers with unique articles of currency have been attached. The alphanumeric characters are compared with the serial numbers contained in the data base and an output is provided for indicating the authenticity of a product only when the entered alphanumeric characters correspond to a serial number stored in the data base.