Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes determining the lag in data from a variable signal. The data is arranged in matrices with one column for each variable signal. The columns are shifted to produce a plurality of different shifted matrices, each shifted matrix having a given value for the lag in data for each variable signal. A variable signal estimator processes each shifted matrix to output a variable signal function defining each variable signal in terms of its mathematical dependencies on all of the variable signals. A criterial function processes each variable signal function to provide an optimal lag value for each variable signal. A point calculation algorithm processes each shifted matrix to produce a point for each column. A lag estimator processes each point and optimal lag value to output a lag function defining each lag in terms of its mathematical dependency on all of the variable signals.

Abstract: A method is described for modeling heterogeneous material properties within a geometric model of an object (e.g., within a CAD model). Material functions are defined about material features (i.e., points, surfaces, or areas on or in the model) at which material properties are known, with the material functions each defining the behavior of that feature's material property at locations away from that feature. Combination of the material functions results in a single material function which defines the material properties throughout the geometric model. The resulting material function may then be used in subsequent analyses, such as in computerized behavior analysis of the geometric model. The material function may be constructed such that it meets desired constraints, and has desired smoothness and analytical properties, for ease of use in such subsequent analyses.

Abstract: Steam turbine control systems often incorporate electromechanical pilot-valve actuator assemblies to regulate hydraulically-driven actuator pistons that modulate steam valves, thereby controlling turbine speed. The general operation and quick-response requirements of these pilot-valve actuator assemblies can suffer from shortcomings (such as, excessive friction, contaminated oil, and defective electromagnetic components) that degrade the control system's overall performance. For these reasons, this disclosure relates to a method for overcoming insufficient, pilot-valve actuator response by using an integrated control system dedicated to these electromechanical assemblies. Pilot-valve actuators can be equipped with a single coil or multiple coils (usually a primary and a secondary). In a dual-coil configuration, the primary is energized according to an output of a PID controller, whereas the secondary coil is regulated by a separate control element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mesh-free engineering analysis of geometric models is described. The method and apparatus, which are preferably software-based and implemented on personal computers or other programmable processing devices, represent geometric models by implicit mathematical functions. The implicit functions allow interpolation of all desired boundary conditions over the geometry without meshing, and the boundary conditions may then may be combined with a piecewise continuous model of the solution structure (i.e., the analysis problem). By solving for elements of the solution structure (its basis or coordinate functions) which satisfy the given boundary conditions either exactly or approximately, the solution structure will define the behavior and boundary conditions (exactly or approximately) throughout the geometric model.

Abstract: Pilot valves used in electrohydraulic control systems are driven by either an electromagnetic electromechanical actuator or an electromotor electromechanical actuator. A drawback of electromagnetic actuation is that on brief interruptions of electrical power the actuator causes a trip response to the pilot valve, whereas a drawback of electromotor actuation is that on complete interruptions of electrical power the actuator cannot independently cause a trip response of the pilot valve on demand. The proposed modification, involving the pilot valve, provides a means to effect a trip response regardless of the electromechanical actuator type used, together with overcoming the drawback of electromotor actuation. To realize the trip response, an additional piston (connected to the electromotor actuator's stem) is positioned between the actuator stem and the pilot valve.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the largest subset of points that remains within a set of points S (i.e., shape S) when S is subjected to a motion M. These methods, which are generally designated herein as unsweep (or formalistically unsweep(S,M)), can be implemented (preferably by computer) for a variety of practical purposes, for example mechanical parts design. In this instance, simply by knowing the motion to be experienced by a part and the envelope wherein the part must fit during motion, unsweep can define the largest part that fits within the envelope according to the given motion. While direct part shape output is obtained, no part shape needs to be proposed beforehand, and thus the design process is no longer an iterative process of proposing shapes and correcting them in the case of interference. Further, unsweep is related to the known sweep function and can be used to obtain sweeps as well as unsweeps.

Abstract: Balancing the load between compressors is not trivial. An approach is disclosed to balance loads for compression systems which have the characteristic that the surge parameters, S, change in the same direction with rotational speed during the balancing process. Load balancing control involves equalizing the pressure ratio, rotational speed, or power (or functions of these) when the compressors are operating far from surge. Then, as surge is approached, all compressors are controlled, such that they arrive at their surge control lines simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method converts from the boundary representation ("b-rep") of a solid object to the constructive solid geometry ("CSG") representation thereof. The b-rep of a three-dimensional object is converted into a CSG expression by constructing a set of separators through triples of vertices on the face of the solid, until there is a separator passing through every vertex of the face. A separator is constructed through every planar edge of the face and containing the planar edge. For each nonplanar edge of the solid, one or more separators are constructed to separate the edge from the rest of the curve on the face. In this case, construction of nonplanar separating surfaces may be required. Each of these constructions are repeated for every face of the given boundary representation of the solid object.