Abstract: The present invention provides a fan speed control method for avoiding inaccurate control caused by sudden changes in a power supply output state, including the steps of: acquiring an output current value of a power supply device; and then, determining a change of the output current value in a sampling timeframe, if a slope representing the change is positive, controlling the control signal generating unit to gradually replace the fan control signal currently output to the fan with another fan control signal on the basis of a first latency, and if the slope representing the change is negative, controlling the control signal generating unit to gradually replace the fan control signal currently output to the fan with another fan control signal on the basis of a second latency. The first latency and the second latency are determined by the output current value, respectively.

Abstract: An environmental control system for a building including heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment that operates to affect a temperature of a zone of the building. The system includes a temperature sensor to measure the temperature and a controller including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to operate the HVAC equipment based on a temperature setpoint and gather training data indicating system dynamics. The processing circuit is configured to monitor a temperature tracking error of the zone and a heat transfer value of the HVAC equipment and determine if the HVAC equipment is in a saturation region based on the temperature tracking error and the heat transfer value. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to a determination that the HVAC equipment is in the saturation region, calculate an adjusted temperature setpoint and operate the HVAC equipment based on the adjusted temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A mission planning method for use with a weapon is disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining a first training data set describing the performance of the weapon; using the first training data set and a Gaussian Process (GP) or Neural Network to obtain a first surrogate model giving a functional approximation of the performance of the weapon; and providing the first surrogate model to a weapons system for use in calculating a performance characteristic of the weapon during combat operations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, aircraft, non-transitory media, and memories are provided. An avionics system for an aircraft includes a storage device and one or more data processors. The storage device stores instructions for converting between airspeed types and the one or more data processors is configured to execute the instructions to: generate a calibrated airspeed of the aircraft; convert the calibrated airspeed to an actual true airspeed of the aircraft; determine an initial approximate relationship between the calibrated airspeed and a computed true airspeed as a function of a pressure altitude of the aircraft; generate an adjusted approximate relationship based on the actual true airspeed and the initial approximate relationship at a chosen pressure altitude; and estimate a future airspeed of the aircraft based on the adjusted approximate relationship and a future altitude.

Abstract: Compensation for an external disturbance can be applied without requiring a model of the external disturbance, and, particularly, the amount of control can be accurately predicted even when the amplitude of a waveform representing changes in a predicted error with respect to time is not constant with respect to time in a case in which the predicted error that is an error between an actually-measured value of the amount of control of a control target and a predicted value periodically changes. A controller compensates a predicted value of the current amount of control using a predicted error of a previous period by taking changes in the amplitude of a waveform representing a predicted error that is an error between an actually-measured value of the amount of control and a predicted value into account.

Abstract: A self-configuring extremum-seeking controller includes a dither signal generator, a communications interface, a phase delay estimator, and a bandwidth estimator. The dither signal generator identifies a stored dither frequency, generates a dither signal having the stored dither frequency, and uses the dither signal to perturb a control input for a plant. The communications interface provides the perturbed control input to the plant and receives an output signal from the plant resulting from the perturbed control input. The phase delay estimator estimates a phase delay between the output signal and the dither signal. The bandwidth estimator estimates a bandwidth of the plant based on the estimated phase delay. The dither signal generator updates the stored dither frequency based on the estimated bandwidth.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an inverter coupled with an electric machine and a controller. The controller may be configured to dither a base frequency of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, by less than an amount that is based on a rotational speed of the machine and the base frequency, to operate the inverter such that energy at sidebands and harmonics of the base frequency are reduced by distributing the energy to reduce audible vibrations of the powertrain.

Abstract: A method for training a disturbance rejection model that is configured to model an operation of a system so to calculate a predicted value for a system output at a future time. The disturbance rejection model may include a network for mapping system inputs to the system output, the network including a weight vector and a feedback coefficient. The method may include: obtaining a training dataset, and training the disturbance rejection model pursuant to the training dataset. The training may include calculating updated values for each of the weight vector and the feedback coefficient of the network by minimizing an error function that include a first hyperparameter and a second hyperparameter. The first hyperparameter may include a vector for penalizing the weight vector and the second hyperparameter may include a scalar.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for providing mathematical regression analysis. In particular, the method for conducting regression analysis comprises the steps of: selecting a regression model; selecting an initial set of regression parameters; applying the regression model to the initial set of regression parameters to create an initial set of regression values; selecting an improved set of regression values, wherein the improved set of regression values is selected from the set of initial regression values; generating a loss function based on the improved set; applying an iterative optimization method to the loss function and the improved set of regression values to generate a resultant set of regression values; and outputting the resultant set of regression values.

Abstract: A method of health monitoring and assessment of an aircraft structure includes collecting data from a plurality of sensors located at one or more components of the aircraft. The sensors assess a physical condition of the components and are arrayed in one or more aircraft zones. The data is communicated to a health assessment module, which calculates one or more component structural condition indicators of each component. The component structural condition indicators are compiled and one or more component structural health indicators are calculated. The component structural health indicators are compiled by aircraft zone and a zone structural health indicator is calculated based on the component structural health indicators of components residing in the particular aircraft zone. An aircraft level health indicator is calculated based on the zone structural health indicators and one or more maintenance actions are recommended based on the structural condition and health indicators.

Abstract: A statistical facility monitor has a consumption percentile meter. The consumption percentile meter reads in utility consumption data from a monitored facility over a period of time. The consumption percentile meter then reads in a cumulative distribution of consumption percentile versus normalized utility consumption for similar reference facilities. The cumulative distribution is based on other facilities in the same facility class as the monitored facility. The consumption percentile meter uses the cumulative distribution to determine the consumption percentile for the monitored facility relative to the reference facilities. The meter then outputs the consumption percentile.

Abstract: A system for compensating for disturbance of a motor for motor driven power steering is provided. The system for compensating for disturbance of a motor for motor driven power steering compensates for the disturbance based on a closed loop based input value prediction model unit, separately predicts an input value from a command by a closed loop based input value prediction model unit, and compensates for disturbance in accordance with a desired disturbance frequency band when there is a difference between the predicted input value and an input value error-compensated by a feedback controller.

Abstract: A method is described for ascertaining the offset value of a sensor signal in a vehicle after the end of a parking period, in which the vehicle was parked, including the steps ascertaining the offset value of the sensor signal prior to the start of the parking period, storing the ascertained offset value in a data memory, ascertaining the changed offset value of the sensor signal after the end of the parking period from the offset value ascertained prior to the start of the parking period and the sensor signal present after the end of the parking period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and techniques are presented for maintaining cupolets in a state of mutual stabilization. A first cupolet and a second cupolet are generated. A first control code is applied to the first cupolet for a first time to produce a first visitation code. The first visitation code is transformed based on an exchange function to produce a second control code. The second control code is applied to the second cupolet to produce a second visitation code. The second visitation code is transformed based on the exchange function to produce the first control code. The first control code is applied to the first cupolet for a second time.

Abstract: The controlling device includes a set point obtaining portion that obtains a set point from a feedback controlling system for calculating, and outputting to an actuator, a manipulated variable based on the set point and a process variable, and an actuator controlling portion that changes a gain of an actuator so as to have an effect of a change in the process variable that is produced through the change in the gain of the actuator tracking a change in the set point.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and rejecting asymmetric faults that cause engine emissions to be biased rich or lean. In one example, a method for an engine system comprises generating a UEGO sensor feedback set-point adjustment based on slower and faster time components within an outer loop of a catalyst control system; generating an inner-loop bias-offset correction from the slower time component; and indicating degradation of the engine system based on a comparison of the bias-offset correction to a degradation threshold. In this way, the total outer-loop control authority is increased while maintaining drivability and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) constraints and meeting emission standards in the presence of an air-to-fuel ratio biasing fault.

Abstract: Imminent control instability is detected in a system that applies a stimulus to an object. The system provides a parameter signal that represents a system parameter indicating oscillation of the object while the stimulus is being applied to the object. The method comprises monitoring maximum amplitude of a dominant tone in a selected frequency band of the parameter signal; and taking an action to avoid imminent control instability if the maximum amplitude persists over a specified period of time.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing an error in a controlled variable via model predictive control. A predicted error in the controlled variable is determined for a forward-looking control horizon based upon measured or computed variables. The integral of the predicted error is computed. If the error or the integral exceed a tolerance for a determined time period, the model predictive control algorithm is modified to drive the error or the integral to within a tolerance. The modifications to the control algorithm may include changes to coefficients for terms based upon the error and/or the integral of the error.

Abstract: A system for detecting a control loop interaction between two or more control loops. The system includes a processing circuit configured to store a history of detected loop disturbances for a plurality of control loops. The processing circuit is also configured to compute a measure of interaction between control loops using the history of detected loop disturbances. The processing circuit is further configured to determine whether a loop interaction exists based on the computed measure of interaction.

Abstract: A cross-direction feedback controller, profiler system and actuator setpoint controller are provided in communication with a plurality of actuators in a machine of a web-forming process, and with a local region detector that determines an actual profile response of a product of the web-forming process in response to consecutively bumping each of the actuators. A relationship between generated profile response data and an actuator setpoint change in the generated profile response data is represent by a profile-to-actuator general interaction matrix, which is expanded into linear equations that describe impacts of bumped actuators on different profile points of generated profile response data. The linear equations are rearranged into a bump-magnitude matrix as a function of a desired response model vector. A least-square solution is found for the bump-magnitude matrix, convolved with a window function and then optimized to minimize error between an actual and a modeled profile response.

Abstract: A method for operating a vapor compression system modifies each control signal of a set of control signals with a corresponding modification signal of a set of modification signals, wherein each modification signal includes a perturbation signal, and the pertubation signals haver different frequencies and determines a metric signal representing perturbations in the system caused by the set of modification signals. Next, the method adjusts a value of each modification signal based on a function of a phase between the modification signal and a corresponding frequency component of the metric signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to linear programming methods and systems. The linear programming model has at least one input streams, at least one intermediate stream, and at least one output stream. The linear programming model is utilized for simulating the effect of withdrawing at least a portion of an intermediate steam on one or more of the model's outputs.

Abstract: A system includes a power supply model component and a disturbance estimating component. The power supply model component receives an estimated disturbance. The disturbance estimating component provides said estimated disturbance from a difference between a sensed output of a power supply and an estimated output from said power supply model component.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a circuit that provides an output voltage, a switching component that switches the circuit between a first output voltage state and a second output voltage state, and a driver component that receives an input control signal and that drives the switching component to cause the circuit to switch between the first output voltage state and the second output voltage state. An adaptive plant estimator receives the output voltage from the circuit and an input to the switching power supply and provides a model of the switching power supply that reflects changes in an output voltage state of the switching power supply. A compensator design component receives the model and provides compensator parameters that reflect changes in the output voltage state of the switching power supply. An adaptive compensator receives the compensator parameters and provides the input control signal to the driver component.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling an operation of a vapor compression system are disclosed, such that a performance of the system measured in accordance with a metric of the performance is optimized. A control signal is modified with a modification signal including a perturbation signal having a first frequency, wherein the control signal controls at least one component of the vapor compression system. A metric signal representing a perturbation in the performance of the system caused by the modification signal is determined, wherein the metric signal has a second frequency substantially equal to the first frequency. The control signal is adjusted based on a function of a phase between the perturbation signal and the metric signal, such that the performance is optimized.

Abstract: An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method improves the performance of an extremum seeking control strategy by limiting, removing or preventing the effects of an actuator saturation condition, particularly as the extremum seeking control strategy relates to HVAC applications.

Abstract: An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method compensates for abrupt changes in the operation of the plant by resetting the extremum seeking control strategy in response to a detection of the abrupt change.

Abstract: A method for controlling a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a PV system including a computing device that provides motor control signals and implements an iterative adaptive control (IAC) algorithm for adjusting an angle of the PV panel. The IAC algorithm relates P at a current time k (P(k)), an elevation angle of the PV panel at k (?S (k)), P after a next step (P(k+1)) and an elevation angle of the PV panel at k+1 (?S (k+1)). The algorithm generates a perturbed power value P(k+1) to provide a power perturbation to P(k), and calculates ?S (k+1) using P(k+1). The motor control signals cause the motor to position the PV panel to achieve ?S (k+1). A change in P resulting from the positioning is compared to a predetermined change limit, and only if the change in P is ? the change limit, again sensing P, and repeating the generating, calculating and positioning.

Abstract: A vehicle having a dynamics control system, the vehicle comprising: a first set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the performance of the vehicle's powertrain; a second set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the vehicle's handling; a dynamics user interface including a first input device and a second input device; and a dynamics controller coupled to the user interface and configured to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the first set in dependence on the first input device and to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the second set in dependence on the second input device.

Abstract: An integrated multivariable predictive controller (MPC) and tester is disclosed. The invention system provides optimal control and step testing of a multivariable dynamic process using a small amplitude step for model identification purposes, without moving too far from optimal control targets. A tunable parameter specifies the trade-off between optimal process operation and minimum movement of process variables, establishing a middle ground between running a MPC on the Minimum Cost setting and the Minimum Move setting. Exploiting this middle ground, embodiments carry out low amplitude step testing near the optimal steady state solution, such that the data is suitable for modeling purposes. The new system decides when the MPC should run in optimization mode and when it can run in constrained step testing mode. The invention system determines when and how big the superimposed step testing signals can be, such that the temporary optimization give-away is constrained to an acceptable range.

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 system for operating a process includes a processing circuit that uses a self-optimizing control strategy to learn a steady-state relationship between an input and an output. The processing circuit is configured to switch from using the self-optimizing control strategy to using a different control strategy that operates based on the learned steady-state relationship.

Abstract: A system controller for position controlling a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a PV system including a power sensor sensing output power (P), and a motor for positioning the PV panel. The system controller includes a computing device having memory that provides motor control signals and implements an iterative adaptive control (IAC) algorithm stored in the memory for adjusting an angle of the PV panel. The IAC algorithm includes an iterative relation that relates P at current time k (P(k)), its elevation angle at k (?s (k)), P after a next step (P(k+1)) and its elevation angle at k+1 (?s (k+1)). The IAC algorithm generates a perturbed power value P(k+1) to provide a power perturbation to P(k), and calculates a position angle ?S (k+1) of the PV panel using the perturbed power value. The motor control signals from the computing device cause the motor to position the PV panel to achieve ?S (k+1).

Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: There is provided a digital controller which can reduce a variation in output voltage as compared to the conventional digital controller at the time of abrupt changes in load and in input of a power amplifier. The digital controller is built in the power amplifier for supplying an output voltage vo to a load and is equipped with a manipulated variable calculating unit which detects the output voltage vo to calculate a manipulated variable ?1 and a signal generating unit which converts the manipulated variable ?1 into a signal for making the power amplifier operate. A feedforward function from an equivalent disturbance qy caused by the variation in the load is replaced by a feedback function from the output voltage vo and the manipulated variable ?1, thereby allowing a transfer characteristic from the disturbance qy to the output voltage vo to result in a quadratic differential characteristic.

Abstract: An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method compensates for abrupt changes in the operation of the plant by resetting the extremum seeking control strategy in response to a detection of the abrupt change.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for automatic identification experiments in a closed loop, where the old control strategy, already tuned and tested, is utilized. The strategy is modified to inject additional signal optimized for identification. The experimenting time may be reduced by performing only those system manipulations which explore model uncertainties important to potential degradation of controller performance by discrepancy between the system and the model. The disruptions are reduced by keeping the control loop closed, which eliminates waiting for steady state before applying steps to the inputs and reduces the risk of process limits crossing. The energy of additional signal can be set to meet the maximum allowable disruption requirements. The energy of additional signal is in a direct relation to the speed of identification related information gathering. It can be varied in time to follow the needs of system operators.

Abstract: An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method improves the performance of an extremum seeking control strategy by limiting, removing or preventing the effects of an actuator saturation condition, particularly as the extremum seeking control strategy relates to HVAC applications.

Abstract: An extremum seeking control method optimizes a control process for a plant such as an air handling unit. The method compensates for abrupt changes in the operation of the plant by resetting the extremum seeking control strategy in response to a detection of the abrupt change.

Abstract: The subject mater herein relates to coal mills and, more particularly, inferential pulverized fuel flow sensing and manipulation within a coal mill. Various embodiments provide systems, methods, and software to manipulate a primary air flow rate and a coal feed rate into a coal mill to produce a target pulverized fuel flow. Some embodiments include sensing a differential pressure between two or more locations within a coal mill to estimate a recirculated load of coal at one or more stages within the coal mill.

Abstract: This document describes a correction signal usable to correct an effect of a disturbance signal on a controlled system or apparatus. In one case this document describes ways in which to diminish a future change to an output signal based on determining that a disturbance signal consistently precedes the future change.

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: Process controllers, methods, and systems provide for frequency control to account for the effects of periodic disturbances in the feedback signal of closed loop control systems. The frequency components of the feedback signal are determined, including the magnitude and phase of each. Waveforms for each frequency component are generated with substantially the same magnitude and substantially the opposite phase of each frequency component. The waveforms are then summed to produce a compensating waveform that is summed within the output of the control system so that the effects of the periodic disturbances are cancelled from the control system output being provided to the system under control.

Abstract: A joint of a robot is controlled by a torque command. The joint has a position controller with a position feedback loop. The torque command is received for the joint, and a velocity feedforward command is determined for realizing the torque command using the position controller. The velocity feedforward command is sent to the position controller and the position feedback loop is canceled. The position feedback loop is canceled by sending a position command to the position controller, where the position command is an actual measured position of the joint. The position feedback loop is also canceled by setting the gain of the position feedback loop to zero.

Abstract: A method includes determining how to adjust one or more manipulated variables using at least one model. The one or more manipulated variables are associated with a supply of conditioned air for drying one or more objects. The method also includes generating one or more control signals to control one or more controlled variables associated with the supply of conditioned air. The one or more controlled variables include temperature, dewpoint, and/or humidity of the conditioned air. The one or more manipulated variables include a flow of heated material (like steam) used to condition the conditioned air. The one or more manipulated variables could also include a number of active units in a humidifier. Generating the one or more control signals could include accumulating adjustments associated with the humidifier and generating a control signal to alter the number of active units in the humidifier when the accumulated adjustments exceed a threshold.

Abstract: In a position control device having a disturbance suppression function, loop gain is calibrated without stopping disturbance suppression control. The position control device has, for disturbance suppression control, a feedback controller for changing the loop characteristic, a table for storing a target gain according to a disturbance frequency, and a gain calibration section for calibrating open loop gain. The gain is calibrated using a target gain in the table according to the change of the loop characteristic of the feedback controller. Open loop gain can be calibrated without interrupting the disturbance suppression control, so the open loop gain can be accurately calibrated without being affected by disturbance, and accurate position control is possible.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting future disturbance in MPC applications by segregating a transient part and a steady state value associated with the disturbance. A dynamic state space model that includes a variable disturbance prediction module can be utilized for analyzing a dynamic behavior of a physical process associated with a process model. The process model represents a dynamic behavior of the physical process being controlled and the dynamic state space model represents current deviations from the process model and future deviations over a predetermined prediction horizon. A predicted trajectory can be calculated as a response to the initial conditions estimated by a Kalman Filter for the process model extended by a disturbance model. The output of the dynamic state space model utilized for the disturbance prediction can be further provided as an estimated input to a MPC.

Abstract: A robust method of creating process models for use in controller generation, such as in MPC controller generation, adds noise to the process data collected and used in the model generation process. In particular, a robust method of creating a parametric process model first collects process outputs based on known test input signals or sequences, adds random noise to the collected process data and then uses a standard or known technique to determine a process model from the collected process data. Unlike existing techniques for noise removal that focus on clean up of non-random noise prior to generating a process model, the addition of random, zero-mean noise to the process data enables, in many cases, the generation of an acceptable parametric process model in situations where no process model parameter convergence was otherwise obtained.

Abstract: A method is presented for adjusting the steady-state gains of a multivariable predictive control, planning or optimization model with uncertainty. The user selects a desired matrix relative gain criteria for the predictive model or sub-model. This is used to calculate a base number. Model gains are extracted from the predictive model and the magnitudes are modified to be rounded number powers of the calculated base number.

Abstract: A method is presented for representing anomalies to a process. These anomalies are represented in an anti-pattern, which depicts non-productive emergent information that describes activities that are detrimental to the progress of the process. The anti-pattern includes visually-coded areas that describe how severe the detrimental activities are to the process when combined. After the anti-pattern is created for the process, new non-productive emergent information for a current process is mapped onto the anti-pattern in the form of data patterns represented as visual fences. Appropriate steps are then taken to address the new non-productive emergent information, depending on the visually-coded area to which the new non-productive emergent information is mapped.