Abstract: A control system for using a predictive control with a control process having a time delay includes an adaptive feedback controller and a predictor. The predictor uses at least an adaptively updated control parameter from the adaptive feedback controller to predict the output of the control process during the time delay. The control system further includes a filter that dampens the rate of change of the adaptively updated control parameter provided to the predictor from the adaptive feedback controller to slow the adaptation of the predictor relative to the adaptation of the adaptive feedback controller.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal normally provided by a proportional plus integral (PI) control module to a process system includes a processing circuit configured to modify the signal of the PI control module by exaggerating the rate of change of the signal and an output for providing the modified signal to the process system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a controlled variable of a building zone to minimize an error between the controlled variable and a setpoint includes receiving an input at a first interface regarding the controlled variable from a sensor provided in the building. The method further includes using a processing circuit to determine a sign of the error based on the input and the setpoint. The method yet further includes using the processing circuit to cause a controller configured to affect the controlled variable to respond to the error at a first rate when a first sign of the error is present. The method further includes using the processing circuit to cause the controller to respond to the error at a second rate when a second sign of the error is present, the first rate being slower than the second rate. The first sign of the error can be associated with a high energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to an energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to the second sign.

Abstract: A control system for using a predictive control with a control process having a time delay includes an adaptive feedback controller and a predictor. The predictor uses at least an adaptively updated control parameter from the adaptive feedback controller to predict the output of the control process during the time delay. The control system further includes a filter that dampens the rate of change of the adaptively updated control parameter provided to the predictor from the adaptive feedback controller to slow the adaptation of the predictor relative to the adaptation of the adaptive feedback controller.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a signal normally provided by a proportional plus integral (PI) control module to a process system includes a processing circuit configured to modify the signal of the PI control module by exaggerating the rate of change of the signal and an output for providing the modified signal to the process system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a controlled variable of a building zone to minimize an error between the controlled variable and a setpoint includes receiving an input at a first interface regarding the controlled variable from a sensor provided in the building. The method further includes using a processing circuit to determine a sign of the error based on the input and the setpoint. The method yet further includes using the processing circuit to cause a controller configured to affect the controlled variable to respond to the error at a first rate when a first sign of the error is present. The method further includes using the processing circuit to cause the controller to respond to the error at a second rate when a second sign of the error is present, the first rate being slower than the second rate. The first sign of the error can be associated with a high energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to an energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to the second sign.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a first climate control setpoint for a first building zone having an environment that is effected by a second building zone's environment includes the steps of providing the first climate control setpoint to a first control loop configured to control the environment of the first building zone. The method further includes providing a second climate control setpoint to a second control loop configured to control the environment of the second building zone. The method yet further includes receiving information about the actual climate of the first building zone and the actual climate of the second building zone; and modifying the first climate control setpoint and the second climate control setpoint to compensate for interaction between the first control loop and the second control loop.

Abstract: An environment control system which includes a network, a plurality of units and a controller. The system being configured to utilize a nonlinearity compensation controller to compensate for nonlinearity in the system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a control system using a computerized device includes calculating a ratio of a first area and a second area associated with a peak value of a signal associated with the control system, comparing the ratio with a predetermined value for the ratio, determining a cause of oscillation in the control system based on the comparison of the ratio with the predetermined value for the ratio, and providing a diagnosis of the cause of oscillation in the control system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a control system using an electronic device having state machine logic includes determining a first logic state representative a first condition of the control system based on data received from the control system, executing a first testing function included in the electronic device and associated with the first logic state, transitioning to a second logic state representative of a second condition of the control system based on at least one of the received data and output from the first testing function, executing a second testing function included in the electronic device and associated with the second logic state, and providing a diagnosis of the performance of the control system based on the output of at least one of the first testing function and the second testing function.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system are disclosed. The method of evaluating the performance of a control system includes calculating a ratio of a first area associated with the signal and a second area associated with the signal. The method also includes comparing the ratio with a predetermined value and determining a cause of an oscillation in the control system based on the comparison. The apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system includes a processor operable to execute a first function configured to calculate a ratio of a first area associated with the signal and a second area associated with the signal. The first function is also configured to compare the ratio with a predetermined value and determine a cause of oscillation in the control system based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system are disclosed. The method includes receiving data from the control system, wherein the data is received by a passive testing function, and calculating a parameter related to the performance of the control system using the passive testing function. The apparatus includes a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to receive data from the control system and calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system. The apparatus may also include an active testing function, wherein the active testing function is configured to provide a sequence of step changes to an input of the control system, receive data from the control system in response to the sequence of step changes, and calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system.