Patents by Inventor Robert A. Beveridge

Robert A. Beveridge 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: 9447963
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes dynamically tuning a rate of change of a disturbance variable (DV) to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The rate of change of the DV is dynamically tuned based on a magnitude of an error or difference between an actual and a desired level of an output parameter, e.g., output steam temperature. In an embodiment, as the magnitude of the error increases, the rate of change of the DV is increased according to a function f(x). A dynamic matrix control block uses the dynamically-tuned rate of change of the DV, a current output parameter level, and an output parameter setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output parameter level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9335042
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes using a rate of change of disturbance variables to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The technique uses a primary dynamic matrix control (DMC) block to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output steam temperature. The primary DMC block uses the rate of change of a disturbance variable, a current output steam temperature, and an output steam temperature setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal. A derivative DMC block may be included to provide a boost signal based on the rate of change of the disturbance variable and/or other desired weighting. The boost signal is combined the control output of the primary DMC block to more quickly control the output steam temperature towards its desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130110298
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling a load generated by a power generating system may include controlling at least a portion of the system using model-based control techniques. The model-based control techniques may include a dynamic matrix controller (DMC) that receives a load demand and a process variable as inputs and generates a control signal based on the inputs and a stored model. The model may be configured based on parametric testing, and may be modifiable. Other inputs may also be used to determine the control signal. In an embodiment, a turbine is controlled by a first DMC and a boiler is controlled by a second DMC, and the control signals generated by the first and the second DMCs are used in conjunction to control the generated load. Techniques to move the power generating system from Proportional-Integral-Derivative based control to model-based control are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS , INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Beveridge
  • Publication number: 20120040299
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system using dynamic matrix control includes preventing saturated steam from entering a superheater section. A dynamic matrix control block uses a rate of change of a disturbance variable, a current output steam temperature, and an output steam setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal. A prevention block modifies the control signal based on a saturatec temperature and an intermediate steam temperature. In some embodiments, the control signal is modified based on a threshold and/or an adjustable function g(x). The modified control signal is used to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the intermediate steam and output steam of the boiler system. In some embodiments, the prevention block is included in the dynamic matrix control block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120040298
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes using a rate of change of disturbance variables to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The technique uses a primary dynamic matrix control (DMC) block to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output steam temperature. The primary DMC block uses the rate of change of a disturbance variable, a current output steam temperature, and an output steam temperature setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal. A derivative DMC block may be included to provide a boost signal based on the rate of change of the disturbance variable and/or other desired weighting. The boost signal is combined the control output of the primary DMC block to more quickly control the output steam temperature towards its desired level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120036852
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes dynamically tuning a rate of change of a disturbance variable (DV) to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The rate of change of the DV is dynamically tuned based on a magnitude of an error or difference between an actual and a desired level of an output parameter, e.g., output steam temperature. In an embodiment, as the magnitude of the error increases, the rate of change of the DV is increased according to a function f(x). A dynamic matrix control block uses the dynamically-tuned rate of change of the DV, a current output parameter level, and an output parameter setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output parameter level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20020031564
    Abstract: A windshield repair injector, to repair star, bulls-eye and elongated cracks in a laminated windshield. The device has a stepped threaded section for easy removal and installation. When the injector is placed against a glass surface, upward motion of a piston provides a vacuum in the piston chamber for removing moisture trapped in the damage region. Afterwards insertion of an optically clear resin, with an optical coefficient equal to glass is inserted under pressure, creating a permanent and virtually invisible repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 6190150
    Abstract: A windshield repair injector, to repair star, bulls-eye and elongated cracks in a laminated windshield. The device has a stepped threaded section for easy removal and installation. When the injector is placed against a glass surface, upward motion of a piston provides a vacuum in the piston chamber for removing moisture trapped in the damage region. Afterwards insertion of an optically clear resin, with an optical coefficient equal to glass is inserted under pressure, creating a permanent and virtually invisible repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Quick Fix Windshield Repair, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Beveridge
  • Patent number: 5670180
    Abstract: A convertible repair device arranged to repair bulls-eye type cracks and elongate cracks in a laminated glass. The device has a stepped housing that has a large cylinder and a small cylinder. A piston is mounted in the housing and is movable in the cylinders. A mouth formed in the small cylinder is arranged to receive the filler material. The device is arranged to withdraw air from the bulls-eye type crack by moving the piston upward. When the air is withdrawn the piston is moved downward and the filler material flows into the crack. The piston has a thread form on its upper portion and a plunger projected into the thread form provides controlled movement of the piston without imparting a force on the surface of the laminated glass which is beneficial for filling elongate cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Glas-Weld Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy L. Mackey, Robert A. Beveridge