Combined With Feedback Patents (Class 700/45)
  • Patent number: 8473113
    Abstract: An on-line compensation apparatus for feedback positions of an encoder and method for operating the same are applied to a motor driven to rotate at a constant speed by a driver, thus compensating the errors of feedback positions of the encoder. First, a compensation quantity calculation unit is used to calculate the compensation quantity of feedback positions of the encoder. Afterward, a position interval judgment unit is used to determine the position interval of the compensation quantity. Finally, a compensation quantity modification unit is used to modify the compensation quantity by using different weightings. Therefore, the compensation quantity is modified by an iteration calculation to achieve that an error between the feedback position and an ideal position is in an acceptable region, thus increasing accuracy of the feedback position compensation of the encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Chih Chou
  • Publication number: 20130150984
    Abstract: A test system can comprise a controller configured to provide a closed loop. The closed loop can comprise a forward transfer function with programmable coefficients that is configured to receive a signal corresponding to a command signal. The closed loop can also comprise a feedback transfer function having programmable coefficients and can be configured to provide a feedback signal that is subtracted from the command signal. The controller can be configured to provide a control signal corresponding to an output of the forward transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Richard M. Nigro, Gregory E. Wehrung, Daniel P. Glynn, Christopher F. Oleksy
  • Patent number: 8463411
    Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for the sharing of variable trajectories between multiple controllers in a control system. In general, the present technique is based upon the sharing of predicted desired variable trajectories between multiple controllers requiring a common input variable. In one embodiment, a common input variable is shared between two controllers, wherein one controller is tuned to have dominant control with regard to the shared variable. Each controller determines and communicates their own desired trajectory for the shared variable to the other controller and in doing so, the constraints associated with each controller are shared and honored by the other controller. Based on the communicated trajectories, the dominant controller may exercise control over the shared variable, thus improving overall process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kent Stephenson, Lina M. Rueda Velandia
  • Patent number: 8452425
    Abstract: A position control device for suppressing occurrence of stick-slip during a feed operation performed in a very low speed region is provided. Adders add an output obtained by multiplying actual speed deviation by a proportional gain, an integral component of actual speed deviation obtained by inputting actual speed deviation to an integral compensator, an output obtained by multiplying motor speed deviation by a proportional gain, and an integral component of the motor speed deviation obtained by inputting motor speed deviation to an integral compensator. The result is output as a torque feedback command. Each integral compensator has a coefficient changer capable of changing a coefficient from 0 to 1 to adjust integral gains in accordance with a speed feedforward command or a speed command. Large integral gain increases the response speed of switching from static to kinetic friction torque in a very low speed region thereby suppressing occurrence of stick-slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Kawazu, Tomohisa Kameyama
  • Patent number: 8452447
    Abstract: Telerobotic, telesurgical, and surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods selectively calibrate end effector jaws by bringing the jaw elements into engagement with each other. Commanded torque signals may bring the end effector elements into engagement while monitoring the resulting position of a drive system, optionally using a second derivative of the torque/position relationship so as to identify an end effector engagement position. Calibration can allow the end effector engagement position to correspond to a nominal closed position of an input handle by compensating for wear on the end effector, the end effector drive system, then manipulator, the manipulator drive system, the manipulator/end effector interfacing, and manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Nixon
  • Patent number: 8432119
    Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for assessing and improving the capability of a machine tool. The disclosure applies to machine tools having at least one slide configured to move along a motion axis. Various patterns of dynamic excitation commands are employed to drive the one or more slides, typically involving repetitive short distance displacements. A quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool response to the one or more patterns of dynamic excitation commands is typically derived for the machine tool. Examples of measurable merits of machine tool performance include workpiece surface finish, and the ability to generate chips of the desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Barkman, Edwin F. Babelay, Jr., Kevin Scott Smith, Thomas S. Assaid, Justin T. McFarland, David A. Tursky, Bethany Woody, David Adams
  • Patent number: 8417362
    Abstract: A computer comprising a recordable medium on which is stored instructions for at least one model-based, run-to-run controller routine is provided. The computer includes instructions to receive a first dataset regarding a first wafer after a first process, to determine a process parameter for the first process for a second wafer using the first dataset; and to determine a second process parameter for a second process for the first wafer using the first dataset. In an embodiment, the first process is an etch process. In an embodiment, the second process is a planarization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh Chi Shen, Chun-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 8406905
    Abstract: Controller scaling and parameterization are described. Techniques that can be improved by employing the scaling and parameterization include, but are not limited to, controller design, tuning and optimization. The scaling and parameterization methods described here apply to transfer function based controllers, including PID controllers. The parameterization methods also applies to state feedback and state observer based controllers, as well as linear active disturbance rejection controllers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cleveland State University
    Inventor: Zhiqiang Gao
  • Patent number: 8401676
    Abstract: A mechanism for controlling a plant is provided. A reference signal is received at a signal transformation loop of a feedback controller. The signal transformation loop causes the reference signal to include a disturbance signal and a nominal signal. Also, the reference signal is received at a feed-forward controller, and the feed-forward controller recreates the disturbance signal that was caused by the signal transformation loop. The output of the feedback controller is input into a plant. The output of the feed-forward controller is input into the plant such that the disturbance signal is removed from the output of the feedback controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Angeliki Pantazi, Abu Sebastian, Tomas Tuma
  • Patent number: 8358097
    Abstract: A system for controlling a motorized track light system constrained to travel along a track has a control unit coupled to a motor that causes the track light system to move along the track, a plurality of stop sensors strategically disposed along the track, a sensor activation device located on the track light system, the sensor activation device positioned to interface with the stop sensors, and a light sensor for detecting ambient light of a preset level. The system detects a preset level of ambient light, initiating power to the motor of the track light system, moving the lights along the track until the activation device interfaces with a first of the plurality of stop sensors, stopping movement of the track light system along the track for a preset period of time, and at the end of the preset time period, the electrical power is restored to the motor moving the track light assembly along the track to the next of the plurality of stop sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Brent A. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 8355828
    Abstract: A power model that relates the settings of resource actuators to power consumption levels of the resource actuators and a condition model that relates the settings of the resource actuators to an environmental condition at the location of the at least one entity and a power consumption level of the at least one entity are developed. A constraint optimization problem having an objective function and at least one constraint is formulated, where the objective function computes at least a proportional quantity of a total power consumption level of the resource actuators and the at least one constraint comprises a setpoint environmental condition at a location of the at least entity. A solution to the constraint optimization problem is determined, where the solution provides optimal values for the resource actuator settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Niraj Tolia, Zhikui Wang, Manish Marwah, Cullen E. Bash, Parthasarathy Ranganathan, Xiaoyun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8352048
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device for compensation of the hysteresis of a pneumatically driven fitting having an electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve is driven by a position regulator and is used in a closed control loop for position regulation of a switching element of an pneumatic actuating drive for operation of the fitting. Hysteresis of the pneumatically driven fitting is compensated for by the position regulator via at least one hysteresis correction factor. The control-engineering compensation for the hysteresis is carried out separately for a first basic case of starting or reversing a switching element and for a second basic case of continuous movement of the switching element, such that a dominant static friction is compensated for in the first basic case and the dominant sliding friction is compensated for in the second basic case, and the pneumatic actuating drive operates the switching element matched thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Heiko Kresse
  • Patent number: 8352086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vibration isolation system, and an active vibration isolation system for vibration-isolated support of lithographic devices, wafer handling systems, and/or scanning microscopes. For this purpose the following are provided: a number of vibration transducers for supplying sensor signals which are representative of vibrations; a number of actuators for vibration compensation which may be controlled by supplying actuator control signals; a control device which is designed for processing the supplied sensor signals to form the actuator control signals, wherein the vibration transducers have at least one geophone sensor as a first acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations in a first frequency range, and at least one second acceleration sensor, which is different from the first acceleration sensor, for detecting vibrations in a second frequency range which extends the first frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 8321108
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automobile clutch in an automated transmission system with a CMPC control is disclosed having application to vehicle clutch control in an AMT system. The driver's request is translated in terms of sliding velocity ?sl. Constraints on the engine and clutch actuators are defined to respect their operating limits, and driving quality constraints are defined to guarantee comfort during the clutch engagement phase. In order to meet these quality constraints, a reference trajectory is defined for ?sl as a function of the clutch engagement time. An analytical expression allowing real-time calculation of a set of control trajectories with a CMPC control law is then defined from the expression of this reference trajectory. The trajectory respecting the constraints on the actuators is selected from among all these control trajectories. Finally, the clutch is controlled with the selected control trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Paolino Tona, Rachid Amari, Mazen Alamir
  • Publication number: 20120283850
    Abstract: Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Cleveland State University
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Gao, Gang Tian
  • Patent number: 8306645
    Abstract: Manufacturing planning data for a production process that is managed by a manufacturing execution system is updated by way of a plurality of steps, which include: Gathering data from a PLC level relevant to the manufacturing planning data and the execution of the production process; mapping the gathered data with the current manufacturing planning data in order to determine suggested changes between the gathered data and the current manufacturing planning data; applying a predetermined update scenario for the manufacturing planning data depending on the suggested changes to update the manufacturing planning data; and adapting the current production process and optionally following production processes according to the updated manufacturing planning data. The reliability of the so-called standard data used in production planning processes is thus dramatically improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mark Mathieu Theodorus Giebels
  • Patent number: 8300010
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Novint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A Aviles, Thomas G Anderson, V Gerald Grafe
  • Publication number: 20120259437
    Abstract: A novel 3-Input-3 -Output (3×3) Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controller with a set of artificial neural networks as part of the controller is introduced. A 3×3 MFA control system using the inventive 3×3 MFA controller is described to control key process variables including Power, Steam Throttle Pressure, and Steam Temperature of boiler-turbine-generator (BTG) units in conventional and advanced power plants. Those advanced power plants may comprise Once-Through Supercritical (OTSC) Boilers, Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Boilers, and Once-Through Supercritical Circulating Fluidized-Bed (OTSC CFB) Boilers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: General Cybernation Group Inc.
    Inventors: George Shu-Xing CHENG, Steven L. Mulkey, Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8285400
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: TDK-Lambda Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Higuchi, Kazushi Nakano, Tatsuyoshi Kajikawa, Eiji Takegami, Kazushi Watanabe, Satoshi Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8280533
    Abstract: An adaptive process controller performs continuously scheduled process model parameter interpolation to determine a particular set of process model parameters which are used to develop controller tuning parameters for controller tuning. More particularly, a state-based, adaptive PID controller described herein uses a new technique to determine an appropriate process model to be used to perform adaptive tuning over the various operating regions of the plant, and in particular, uses a process model parameter determination technique that enables continuously scheduled process model parameter update over the various plant operating regions or points. The use of this continuously scheduled process model parameter update method provides for smoother transitions between tuning parameters used in the PID controller during adaptive tuning procedures which are implemented based on changes in the operating region or the operating point of the process, thereby providing for better overall control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wojsznis, Terrence Lynn Blevins, Wilhelm K. Wojsznis
  • Patent number: 8271105
    Abstract: A method of debugging software used to communicate with a motion control system comprising the following steps. Debug information containing diagnostic information associated with a hardware motion control attribute is generated. At least one selected software driver is capable of sending the debug information to a debug target. A software application is caused to call a motion component function to exchange a common motion control attribute with a selected software driver. The called motion component function is used to cause a motion component to exchange a common motion control attribute with the selected driver by calling a driver function. A called driver function is used to cause the selected software driver to convert a common motion control attribute to a hardware motion control attribute, exchange a hardware motion control attribute with the motion control device, and send debug information to the debug target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Roy-G-Biv Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Brown, Jay S. Clark
  • Patent number: 8265779
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatic estimation of backlash in a control system which includes a controller and a process to be controlled, wherein said controller is capable of performing integrating control of said process using one or more controller parameters to control a process output signal of said process with respect to a setpoint value thereof. The method involves monitoring said process output signal to determine a value reflecting momentary differences between setpoint value and actual value of said process output signal during a time interval; and estimating the backlash from said determined value and said one or more controller parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Tore Hagglund
  • Patent number: 8244235
    Abstract: The functionality of a mobile device is extended to connect to and communicate with a piece of equipment, data storage peripherals and secure networks. Specifically, a mobile device is extended in capability and functionality through the integration with a portable mobile device extender to facilitate seamless connection and communication with a piece of equipment, data storage peripherals and/or secure networks. Another aspect of the disclosure is to effectively enhance real world imagery by merging, on a mobile device, images and video from the real world with and projections from laser or video from a projection device, controlled by the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Titansan Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stephen Ruotolo, Filip Toon Peters
  • Patent number: 8244384
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Pachner, Pavel Trnka
  • Patent number: 8214063
    Abstract: A method and system of determining tuning parameters for use in tuning a controller used in a process control loop for a motor and associated load. The method includes providing tuning parameters, applying an excitation test signal, receiving frequency response data to determine phase and gain margins, creating an instability region defined by a bounded area that connects the phase and gain margins with a boundary on a gain vs. phase plot, assigning and applying cost functions, and computing stability determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation
    Inventors: George Ellis, Erik Brewster
  • Patent number: 8209048
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a comprehensive response model for a sheet forming machine are provided. A finite number of critical points and a response type are used to create a continuous response profile for each actuator zone. The continuous response profile for each actuator zone is discretized into a discrete response profile based on the resolution appropriate for an application. A multi-zone response model for each pair of actuator set and sheet property profile is created from the discretized response profile of the actuator zones in the actuator set. The comprehensive response model for a multivariable sheet-forming machine is created from a collection of multi-zone response models for multiple pairs of actuator sets and sheet property profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: ABB Automation GmbH, ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Zehnpfund, Shih-Chin Chen, Jonas Berggren
  • Patent number: 8200347
    Abstract: A controller includes a feedforward module to produce a feedforward component azr, where a is a high frequency gain, a proportional module is to produce a proportional component Kpvz, where Kpv is a proportional gain, and an integral or lag module with state resetting to produce an integral or lag component. The feedforward component azr, the proportional component Kpvz, and the integral component Kivzc are combined as an input u for the system to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Khalid El-Rifai, Osamah El-Rifai
  • Patent number: 8200346
    Abstract: An MPC controller technique integrates feedback control performance better than methods commonly used today in MPC type controllers, resulting in an MPC controller that performs better than traditional MPC techniques in the presence of process model mismatch. In particular, MPC controller performance is enhanced by adding a tunable integration block to the MPC controller that develops an integral component indicative of the prediction or other control error, and adds this component to the output of an MPC controller algorithm to provide for faster or better control in the presence of model mismatch, which is the ultimate reason for the prediction error in the first place. This technique enables the MPC controller to react more quickly and to provide better set point change and load disturbance performance in the presence of model mismatch, without decreasing the robustness of the MPC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk Thiele
  • Patent number: 8195312
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a mass flow controller comprising a digital controller, a valve, and a sensor. The digital controller is adapted to implement a control loop having a proportional signal modifier in series with an integral signal modifier. The integral signal modifier is adapted to receive a combination signal and output an integrated signal. The valve is adapted to receive the integrated signal and adjust a valve opening in accordance with the integrated signal. The sensor is adapted to output a measured flow rate signal indicative of an actual fluid flow rate in the mass flow controller. The measured flow rate signal is received by the proportional signal modifier and used in conjunction with a setpoint signal to determine the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd
    Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael Lynn Westra, Demitri Widener
  • Patent number: 8195311
    Abstract: A control system comprises an actuator, a control law and a processor. The actuator positions a control surface and the control law controls the actuator. The processor comprises an open loop module, a corrector, a comparator, and an estimator, and generates model output to direct the control law. The open loop module generates the model output as a function of a model state and a model input. The corrector generates a corrector output as a function of the model output. The comparator generates an error by comparing the corrector output to the model input. The estimator generates the model state as a function of the error, such that the error is minimized as a function of single-input, single-output gain matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Boris Karpman, Richard P. Meisner, Mark E. Lacour
  • Patent number: 8190292
    Abstract: Telerobotic systems with integrated high frequency feedback to enhance users' telerobotic experience are provided. The controller of the telerobotic system is characterized by combining high frequency information with low frequency position or velocity information. The controller is useful for teleoperations with delay and no-delay between the communication channels of the master and slave device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Gunter Niemeyer, Neal A. Tanner
  • Patent number: 8188731
    Abstract: A controller includes a control circuit. The control circuit includes a forward path that includes an input and an output, a feedback path coupled to the output and to the input, and a sensor that is between the input and the output. The sensor generates a sensor signal based on an input signal applied to the input. The forward path generates an output signal based on the sensor signal. The output signal is sent along the feedback path to the input of the forward path. The controller also includes a detector that obtains an intermediate signal from the forward path between the input and the output. The detector generates a control signal using the intermediate signal. The forward path includes a control device that limits the output signal to a predetermined value. The detector controls the control device using the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Oberhoffner, Colin Steele, Kurt Riedmuller
  • Patent number: 8180464
    Abstract: Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Cleveland State University
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Gao, Gang Tian
  • Patent number: 8155764
    Abstract: A multivariable model predictive controller (MPC) for controlling a coalbed methane (CBM) production process. The MPC includes input ports for receiving a plurality of measurement signals including measured process parameters from CBM wells in a well field. A control loop includes a mathematical model that controls the CBM gas production. The model includes individual production characteristics for each CBM well that predicts its behavior for controlled variables (CVs) with respect to changes in manipulated variables (MVs) and disturbance variables (DVs). The control loop calculates future set points for the MVs based on the model and the measured process parameters for CBM production to achieve at least one control objective for the well field. A plurality of output ports provide control signals for implementing the future set points which when coupled to physical process equipment at the plurality of CBM wells control the physical equipment to reach the future set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Antony Castelijns, Giovanni Luca Colpo
  • Patent number: 8150544
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an installation for producing steel having specific material properties, the material properties depend on the structure and can be influenced by operating parameters of the installation. The operating parameters are determined by a computing program for structure optimization, whereby the set values of the chemical composition of the steel are simultaneously determined by the computing program for structure optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Bürvenich, Gerhard Dachtler, Günter Sörgel
  • Patent number: 8145329
    Abstract: A method and system for combining a feedback control and a feedforward control in a linear MPC to minimize effect of model uncertainty. An externally computed feedforward signal, which is more accurate and reliable, can be utilized in association with the MPC, A steady state relation between system parameters can be determined in order to compute the feedforward signal for a set of actuators associated with a non-linear system. A feedback MPC controller can then be designed. A state observer can be configured as an unknown input observer to estimate the effect of the feedforward signal. A strategy for manipulating the constraints of the MPC feedback signal can be implemented. A resulting control action for the actuators can be provided as a sum of corresponding feedback and feedforward signal while ensuring the constraints satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslav Pekar, Greg Strewart, Dejan Kihas, Francesco Borrelli
  • Patent number: 8135481
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for on-line monitoring of operation of a process in connection with process measurements indicative of the operation of the process. In some cases, the operation of the process is simulated to generate model data indicative of a simulated representation of the operation of the process and based on the process measurements. A multivariate statistical analysis of the operation of the process is implemented based on the model data and the process measurements. The output data from the multivariate statistical analysis may then be evaluated during the operation of the process to enable the on-line monitoring of the process involving, for instance, fault detection via classification analysis of the output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence Lynn Blevins, Mark J. Nixon, Gregory K. McMillan
  • Patent number: 8131384
    Abstract: A control system comprises an actuator, a control law and a processor. The actuator positions a control surface and the control law controls the actuator. The processor comprises an open loop module, a corrector, a comparator, and an estimator, and generates an output vector to direct the control law. The open loop module generates the output vector as a function of a state vector and an input vector. The corrector generates a corrector vector as a function of the output vector. The comparator generates an error vector by comparing the corrector vector to the input vector. The estimator generates the state vector as a function of the error vector, such that the error vector is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Boris Karpman, Richard P. Meisner, Mark E. Lacour
  • Patent number: 8126575
    Abstract: A method for building robust model predictive controller universally applicable is presented based on the innate process characteristics independent of the method of control actuation. The method of universal MPC design permits proper configuration of requisite regulatory control loops for measured and unmeasured disturbance rejections consistent with the underlying innate process characteristics and their embedding within the overall process unit model predictive controller. The method of universal MPC design requires that manipulated variables process value based model (PV-based models) be used in control and optimization in place of the customary set point based models (SP-based models) or control output based models (OP-based models). The PV-based models are devoid of the manipulated variables regulatory controllers response and tuning. Based on the PV-based models, an alternate method of MPC called PV-based MPC is presented that is most robust and adaptable of possible three types of MPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fakhruddin T Attarwala
    Inventor: Fakhruddin T Attarwala
  • Publication number: 20120046762
    Abstract: A mechanism for controlling a plant is provided. A reference signal is received at a signal transformation loop of a feedback controller. The signal transformation loop causes the reference signal to include a disturbance signal and a nominal signal. Also, the reference signal is received at a feed-forward controller, and the feed-forward controller recreates the disturbance signal that was caused by the signal transformation loop. The output of the feedback controller is input into a plant. The output of the feed-forward controller is input into the plant such that the disturbance signal is removed from the output of the feedback controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angeliki Pantazi, Abu Sebastian, Tomas Tuma
  • Patent number: 8121708
    Abstract: A control system design method and concomitant control system comprising representing a physical apparatus to be controlled as a Hamiltonian system, determining elements of the Hamiltonian system representation which are power generators, power dissipators, and power storage devices, analyzing stability and performance of the Hamiltonian system based on the results of the determining step and determining necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of the Hamiltonian system, creating a stable control system based on the results of the analyzing step, and employing the resulting control system to control the physical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Wilson, Rush D. Robinett, III
  • Patent number: 8121817
    Abstract: Process control system for detecting abnormal events in a process having one or more independent variables and one or more dependent variables. The system includes a device for measuring values of the one or more independent and dependent variables, a process controller having a predictive model for calculating predicted values of the one or more dependent variables from the measured values of the one or more independent variables, a calculator for calculating residual values for the one or more dependent variables from the difference between the predicted and measured values of the one or more dependent variables, and an analyzer for performing a principal component analysis on the residual values. The process controller is a multivariable predictive control means and the principal component analysis results in the output of one or more scores values, T2 values and Q values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: BP Oil International Limited
    Inventors: Keith Landells, Zaid Rawi
  • Patent number: 8108057
    Abstract: A control system for a plant is provided. A feedback control input is calculated so that a controlled output of the plant coincides with a target value. The feedback control input is averaged to calculate an averaged feedback control input. A hold control input is calculated according to an operating condition of the plant. A corrected hold control input is calculated by combining the hold control input with the averaged feedback control input according to a preset ratio. A control input to the plant is set to the feedback control input in a first state where a control deviation between the controlled output and the target value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and setting the control input to the corrected hold control input in a second state where the control deviation is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. The feedback control input is made to gradually approach to or coincide with the corrected hold control input in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirohito Ide
  • Patent number: 8099180
    Abstract: A device is described for ascertaining state variables and/or parameters of a mathematical energy accumulator model, in particular a battery model, that describes the electrical properties of the energy accumulator on the basis of various state variables and parameters, the mathematical energy accumulator model having correction equations by which the state variables and/or the parameters are corrected and adjusted to the actual operating performance of the energy accumulator. A particularly rapid and accurate compensation of the energy accumulator model may be achieved if the error between a measured battery performance quantity and the battery performance quantity calculated by the energy accumulator model, a differentiated component of the error and an integrated component of the error are calculated, the individual components are each weighted using a weighting factor and the weighted error components are taken into account in correction of a state variable and/or a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Schoch
  • Patent number: 8099199
    Abstract: There is provided a digital controller which can generate no oscillation even if sensing a load side and enables control of supplying a desired voltage to the load. In an power amplifier which supplies an output voltage vo to the load connected via a load connecting line, a load voltage vL and the output voltage vo are periodically sampled to calculate a manipulating variable ?1 from the output voltage vo, the load voltage vL and an arbitrary target value r. Based on the manipulating variable ?1 calculated, a control signal is output to the power amplifier. As a result, when connecting an LC filter with a load device 9 of the power amplifier intended for a control target and besides the load connecting line is long, a robust digital controller without generating oscillation even if sensing the load side is performed can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: TDK-Lameda Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Takegami, Kazushi Watanabe, Satoshi Tomioka, Kouji Higuchi, Kazushi Nakano, Tatsuyoshi Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 8095487
    Abstract: A familiarity level classifier comprises a stopwords engine for conducting a stopwords analysis of stopwords, e.g., introductory level stopwords and advanced level stopwords, in a document, e.g., a website; and a familiarity level classifier module for generating a document familiarity level based on the stopwords analysis. The classifier may be in an indexing module, a search engine, a user computer, or elsewhere in a computer network. The classifier may also include a reading level engine for conducting a reading level analysis of the document, and wherein the familiarity level classifier module is configured to generate the familiarity level also based on the reading level analysis. The classifier may also include a document features engine for conducting a feature analysis of the document, and wherein the familiarity level classifier module is configured to generate the document familiarity level also based on the feature analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Rosie Jones, Giridhar Kumaran, Omid Madani
  • Patent number: 8095227
    Abstract: A method for controlling a process, wherein the process has an input and an output, and including controlling the input to the process; predicting the output of the process based on a first set of operating parameters; predicting the output of the process based on a second set of operating parameters; updating the first set of operating parameters when a result from predicting the output from the first set of parameters differs from the output of the process by more than a predetermined amount, wherein the predetermined amount is a function the output predicted by the second set of parameters. The invention also includes apparatuses and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventor: Birger Erik Ydstie
  • Patent number: 8090456
    Abstract: A control system comprises a controller for positioning an actuator in a working fluid flow and a model processor for directing the controller as a function of a model feedback. The model processor comprises an output module, a comparator and an estimator. The output module generates the model feedback as a function of a constraint, a model state and a model input describing fluid parameters measured along the working fluid flow. The comparator generates an error by comparing the model feedback to the model input. The estimator generates the constraint and the model state, such that the error is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Boris Karpman, Richard P. Meisner, Mark E. Lacour
  • Publication number: 20110307082
    Abstract: A method for axis correction in a processing machine, in particular a shaftless printing machine, has at least one axis for processing and/or transporting a material, at least one detection device for detecting a processing parameter and at least one controller device for calculating a controller output variable for axis correction of the at least one axis using the detected processing parameter. The method is implemented iteratively, with the result that feedforward control output values for the feedforward control of the axis correction are determined during an (n+1)-th change in rotation speed of the at least one axis using observation of the controller output variable and/or the processing parameter during an n-th change in rotation speed of the at least one axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Schultze, Holger Schnabel, Joachim Thurner
  • Patent number: 8073556
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine includes a first controller, a second controller, and a comparator. During a first cycle, the first controller generates a control signal to the machine while the second controller generates a predicted parameter signal. During the first cycle, the comparator transmits a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met. A method for controlling a machine includes transmitting a control signal from a first controller to the machine and generating a predicted parameter value in a second controller. The method further includes transmitting a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink