Abstract: An automated control method for meeting rapidly fluctuating power demands with stable power production is disclosed. The method includes determining a market value of a unit of electricity sold on the grid, a fuel cost required to produce the unit of electricity, and a market value of a processing task requiring the unity of electricity. The method also includes calculating which of the electricity, processing, or fuel, is the most valuable; shutting off a running process when the value of the electricity is highest or the value of the fuel is highest; and starting a pending process when the net market value of the processing task is highest. The method may also include reducing electricity generation at a power plant when the value of electricity is negative, or exercising a futures contract to supply electricity.

Abstract: An automated control method for meeting rapidly fluctuating power demands with stable power production is disclosed. The method includes determining a market value of a unit of electricity sold on the grid, a fuel cost required to produce the unit of electricity, and a market value of a processing task requiring the unit of electricity. The method also includes calculating which of the electricity, processing, or fuel is most valuable; shutting off a running process when the value of the electricity is highest or the value of the fuel is highest; and starting a pending process when the net market value of the processing task is highest. The method may also include reducing electricity generation at a power plant when the value of electricity is negative, or exercising a futures contract to supply electricity.

Abstract: A container having a removable drain sensor configured to monitor one or more container parameters and/or one or more external container parameters. The drain sensor being configured to communicate with a remote device to enable remote monitoring of one or more of the parameters.

Abstract: A container having a full perimeter lid pressure or tensioning mechanism. The container can also have a removable temperature sensor to monitor an internal compartment temperature. A pressure regulator is also disclosed to regulate a pressure differential and vacuum of the container in order to control an amount of vacuum sealing of the lid to the container.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described that enable users to interact and share content through a social network application and/or service with other users. A social networking system may receive status information (e.g., a heartbeat) associated with a first account, where the status information includes first location information and/or first activity information associated with the first account, and may determine a status signal based at least in part on a context associated with the first account and the status information. The social networking system may determine a status associated with the first account, where the status includes second location information and/or second activity information associated with the user device which is less specific than the first location information and first activity information. The social network system may send the status to a second account.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described that enable users to interact and share content through a social network application and/or service with other users. A social networking system may receive status information (e.g., a heartbeat) associated with a first account, where the status information includes first location information and/or first activity information associated with the first account, and may determine a status signal based at least in part on a context associated with the first account and the status information. The social networking system may determine a status associated with the first account, where the status includes second location information and/or second activity information associated with the user device which is less specific than the first location information and first activity information. The social network system may send the status to a second account.

Abstract: A container having a full perimeter lid pressure or tensioning mechanism. The container can also have a removable temperature sensor to monitor an internal compartment temperature. A pressure regulator is also disclosed to regulate a pressure differential and vacuum of the container in order to control an amount of vacuum sealing of the lid to the container.

Abstract: A method of operating a pumping system includes an electric motor and a variable speed drive. The method includes the steps of setting a first preference for the operation of the motor, loading a first optimized motor model into the variable speed drive and controlling the motor in accordance with the first preference. The method continues with the steps of monitoring the performance of the motor and setting a second preference for the operation of the motor, wherein the second preference is different from the first preference. The method concludes with the steps of loading a second optimized motor model into the variable speed drive and controlling the motor in accordance with the second preference.

Abstract: A method of operating a pumping system includes an electric motor and a variable speed drive. The method includes the steps of setting a first preference for the operation of the motor, loading a first optimized motor model into the variable speed drive and controlling the motor in accordance with the first preference. The method continues with the steps of monitoring the performance of the motor and setting a second preference for the operation of the motor, wherein the second preference is different from the first preference. The method concludes with the steps of loading a second optimized motor model into the variable speed drive and controlling the motor in accordance with the second preference.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for implementing an error framework for a microprocessor and for a system having such a microprocessor. The error framework may alternatively be implemented by a hardware component, such as a peripheral device for integration into a system. In one embodiment, an error framework of a microprocessor or a hardware component includes an error detection unit to capture an error within the hardware component; a state detection unit to capture error context information when the error is detected within the hardware component; an error event definition unit to define a unique error event representing a combination of the error and the error context information; and a configuration unit to define an error event response based on the unique error event.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for implementing an error framework for a microprocessor and for a system having such a microprocessor. The error framework may alternatively be implemented by a hardware component, such as a peripheral device for integration into a system. In one embodiment, an error framework of a microprocessor or a hardware component includes an error detection unit to capture an error within the hardware component; a state detection unit to capture error context information when the error is detected within the hardware component; an error event definition unit to define a unique error event representing a combination of the error and the error context information; and a configuration unit to define an error event response based on the unique error event.

Abstract: A method for determining the radial deformation of a blade in a turbine that includes: 1) taking an initial measurement of the blade with one or more proximity sensors disposed around the circumference of a stage of blades; 2) after the initial measurement, taking a second measurement of the blade with the one or more proximity sensors; 3) making a determination of the radial deformation of the blade by comparing the initial measurement to the second measurement. The initial measurement and the second measurement may be taken while the turbine is operating.

Abstract: A method for determining the radial deformation of a blade in a turbine that includes: 1) taking an initial measurement of the blade with one or more proximity sensors disposed around the circumference of a stage of blades; 2) after the initial measurement, taking a second measurement of the blade with the one or more proximity sensors; 3) making a determination of the radial deformation of the blade by comparing the initial measurement to the second measurement. The initial measurement and the second measurement may be taken while the turbine is operating.

Abstract: A method of testing a cable is provided. The method includes measuring at least one inductive ratio for the cable, determining an inductive gap from the at least one inductive ratio, measuring a parallel impedance of the cable, and determining a resistance of the cable based on the inductive gap and the parallel impedance.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a facility having a plurality of equipment combinations wherein each equipment combination is operating interactively with at least one of another of the plurality of equipment combination is provided. The method includes receiving, in real-time, for each of the plurality of equipment combinations, a plurality of measured process parameters, determining at least one derived quantity from the plurality of measured process parameters, and recommending a change to an equipment operation based on the measured process parameters and the derived quantities.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal indicative of a pressure oscillation in a chamber is provided. The method includes sensing a pressure within the chamber, generating a signal relative to the sensed pressure, digitizing the signal, transforming the digitized signal from the time domain to the frequency domain to generate an energy spectrum, and analyzing the energy spectrum to determine an energy spike indicative of a substantially non-random component of the digitized signal.

Abstract: A method of testing a cable is provided. The method includes measuring at least one inductive ratio for the cable, determining an inductive gap from the at least one inductive ratio, measuring a parallel impedance of the cable, and determining a resistance of the cable based on the inductive gap and the parallel impedance.

Abstract: A method of determining a gap defined between an eddy current proximity transducer and a target is provided. The method includes populating a data structure with data points that are relative to a predetermined target property, determining a complex impedance value of the transducer relative to a plurality of selected data structure data points, and determining at least one of a target material property and the gap based on an interpolation of the plurality of selected data structure data points relative to the complex impedance value.

Abstract: A method for measuring the distance of a gap separating an eddy current transducer and a target is provided. The method includes determining a normalized impedance curve for the transducer, determining a time rate of change of the normalized impedance of the transducer along a line of constant gap, and correcting an apparent gap magnitude using the determined time rate of change.