Abstract: A life estimation device which numerically measures the damage to a machine such as an engine accurately to estimate, the life of the machine accurately without requiring skill. A load map (B) of the two-dimensional distribution of the operation parameters of an engine is made. In accordance with the weighted integration time &agr;i·ki at each level (Bi) of the load map (B), the actual damage &dgr;=&Sgr;&agr;i·ki to the engine for a certain lapse of time &tgr; is calculated. By operating the engine beforehand, a correspondence relation L2 between the magnitude of the damage &dgr; and the life H is predetermined. The life H1 corresponding to the calculated actual damage &dgr;1 is determined in accordance with the predetermined correspondence relation L2 and the H1 is outputted as the estimated life of the engine.

Abstract: A method of distributing an error correction term over four grid points used in a normalized 3D lookup routine circulates a change in output of the normalized 3D lookup routine at a given position by a fixed error correction amount at a plurality of points related in proximity to an input value point. The magnitude of change for a given one of the plurality of break points is proportional to the slope change of the grid point from a read point. The proportional reverse interpolation process is particularly well adapted for use with a proportional-integral controller as may be used in the air/fuel ratio control system generating a fuel multiplier control signal in response to variations between an exhaust gas oxygen sensor signal and a command signal for the air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of at least one motion device, where the motion devices comprise at least one controllable element, includes a setup component and at least one motion command component. The setup component is capable of extracting process information from electronic simulation information, and thereafter formatting the process information into neutral process information. The motion command components are each associated with at least one motion device, and are capable of receiving the neutral process information from the setup component. Each motion command component is capable of interpreting the received neutral process information into operation information for the controllable elements of each respective motion device, where the operation information depends on a type of the at least one motion device. Each motion command component is further capable of distributing the operation information to the controllable elements of each respective motion device.

Abstract: A process plant uses an asset utilization expert to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of the process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the business systems functional areas. This data and information is stored in a database and is sent to and manipulated in a coordinated manner by tools, such as optimization and modeling tools. This data is also redistributed to other areas or tools where it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture suitable for determining setpoints of the control variables to optimize the process while taking into account the process-limiting variables in applications where responses are highly non-linear. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises determining an actual rate of change of a performance limiting process parameter; calculating a predicted rate of change for the performance limiting process parameter for a predetermined future time interval; and adjusting a setpoint for the control variables to optimize the process while taking into account the performance limiting process parameter using the actual rate of change and the predicted rate of change.

Abstract: An on-line optimizer is provided wherein a boiler (720) is optimized by measuring a select plurality of inputs to the boiler (720) and mapping them through a predetermined relationship that defines a single value representing a spacial relationship in the boiler that is a function of the select inputs. This single value is then optimized with the use of a plant optimizer (818) which provides an optimized value. This optimized value is then processed thought the inverse relationship of the single modified value to provide modified inputs to the plant that can be applied to the plant.

Abstract: A classification apparatus, notably for uses in recognition or characterisation of odors, comprises a plurality of sensors for generating raw data representing a plurality of instances of a plurality of different classes; and a processing unit for processing said raw data so as to determine an identification model. The identification model comprises definitions of the classes and a particular allocation rule selected dependent upon the application. The class definitions are established by analysing data obtained during a learning phase, the analysis being performed according to a particular information extraction method. During a later identification phase, the identification model enables an instance of unknown class to be allocated to an appropriate class amongst those defined during the learning phase. The information extraction method can be selected dependent upon the application.

Abstract: A process device is adapted to couple to a process control loop and communicate on the process control loop. Communication on the process control loop is effected in accordance with an internet protocol. A process communication device is also provided which couples to the process control loop, and an internet. The process communication device provides process control information received from the process control loop, to the internet. Conversely, the process communication device also provides information received from the internet to the process control loop.

Abstract: A factorial experiment is conducted on a manufacturing process to generate a response matrix. The responses are used to calculate individual contrasts in a document as well as replicates effects. The contrast sums are also calculated and displayed in the document. The largest of the contrast sums are identified, and effects associated with those contrast sums are tested for significance using an end count method. The information from the process transformed into “significant effects” information is used to adjust process variables to improve the manufacturing process by avoiding the effect or imparting it to a measurable response of the process.

Abstract: A programmable command module for inputting a surface foot rating parameter into a device for controlling the spindle speed of a cutting tool. Based upon the surface foot rating, the proper speed of the spindle is determined with respect to a particular cutting tool parameter, such as the tool's diameter. The spindle speed setting is transmitted to an AC inverter which in turn controls the operation of an AC motor for rotating the spindle at its proper speed. Alternatively, a second embodiment of the present invention would include a programmed memory provided with the surface foot rating of a plurality of materials. Once the type of material, the type of tool operation, as well as the diameter of the cutting tool is inputted into this embodiment, the proper RPM speed of the spindle would be determined.

Abstract: The systems and the methods relating to process control optimizations systems useful to manage oilfield hydrocarbon production. The systems and the methods utilize intelligent software objects which exhibit automatic adaptive optimization behavior. The systems and the methods can be used to automatically manage hydrocarbon production in accordance with one or more production management goals using one or more adaptable software models of the production processes.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a force feedback member able to interact with another member, including a local model for calculating a set point addressed to the force feedback member from a plurality of variables, and a remote model for estimating interactions and variables of the other member, with updating on receiving data from another remote system, and resynchronizer means able to send a resynchronization message to the other system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for overload-free driving of an actuator, in which an activation counter is incremented or decremented each time an activation request signal occurs, in which, depending on each occurrence of an activation request signal, a drive signal for the actuator is generated if the counter reading of the activation counter is less than or greater than a predetermined maximum or minimum counter reading, in which the counter reading is in each case decremented or incremented if the time since the last generation of a drive signal or since the deactivation of the drive signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined or predeterminable interval time or if the time since the last decrementing of the activation counter is greater than or equal to the interval time.

Abstract: An optimization process for optimizing inputs data relating to a function of a plurality of input-signals for which it is desired to find output values which give an optimum value of the function. Such output values are found by performing a plurality of cycles to reach a convergence, each of which cycles includes: (a) providing an old current value of each input signal, (b) selecting a test value of one or more input signals; (c) generating the function from the selected test values; and (d) selecting a new current value in dependence upon the relationship between the value of the function for the test value and the value of the function for the old current value. The test values include values close to old current values so as to move the input signal towards a local convergence for the output values.

Abstract: A bandsaw (21) and bandsaw controller (39) adapted for control f at least one of the feed rate, cutting force and cutting speed of a bandsaw blade (24) as the blade cuts a workpiece (26). The controller includes an input device (61) adapted to provide signals to the cutting rate control assembly including a cutting rate signal, a break-in mode signal and a break-through mode signal. The cutting rate control assembly is responsive to the break-in mode signal to begin cutting of workpiece (26) at a break-in cutting rate below the desired cutting rate and to increase the break-in cutting rate automatically, as a function of time until the desired cutting rate is achieved. The cutting rate control assembly is further responsive to the break-through mode signal to reduce the saw cutting rate just before the saw blade (24) exits from the workpiece (26). A method of operation of the bandsaw (21) to effect saw blade break-in and prevent detrimental saw blade break-through also is provided.

Abstract: An oil mist generating system and monitoring method is shown and described, including pressurized air and oil supplies connected to a mist generating head. Sensors are provided for monitoring current values of the system operating parameters and for generating data signals based on the monitored values. A data processor functionally connected to the sensors generates signals based on the data input, such as an alarm signal if one of the monitored values is beyond the extremes of a predetermined range of values indicative of a fault condition. A visual display device displays programmed messages based on the signals generated by the data processing means. If a fault condition exists, the displayed messages aid the user in diagnosing and correcting the reason for the alarm signal. The user may manually request further programmed messages using a keypad, which messages direct the user to take predetermined actions to troubleshoot the problem and maintain the system at an appropriate operating level.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting a process surface profile that a given plasma process will create on a process substrate. The prediction is based on a test surface profile, the experimental outcome of a test process which is in general different from the plasma process of interest. In another aspect, the invention provides a technique for defining a plasma process that will produce a desired surface profile. Thus, in related aspects, the invention also provides apparatus for predicting a process surface profile and determining process values, a method of configuring a plasma reactor, a method of making semiconductor devices requiring limited empirical calibration, and a device made according to the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fluid distribution regulator disposed in a fluid distribution system in which an intelligent controller is operatively connected to at least one fluid district regulator for controlling the district regulator. At least one intelligent low-pressure monitor is connected to the distribution system at a distance from the fluid district regulator and monitors ambient temperature and fluid pressure in the distribution system. A computer is operatively connected to the intelligent controller and the intelligent monitor and provides status checks and manual overrides of the intelligent controller and the intelligent monitor. An adaptive algorithm proximate the intelligent controller generates a prediction of fluid demand and a corresponding district regulator fluid outlet pressure setting based upon feedback from the intelligent monitor.

Abstract: A processing result storage device stores data on the results of an etching apparatus having processed a product. An apparatus property storage device stores data which indicate the property of the etching apparatus as processing property data. A process stability judgment device judges the stability of a step based on the processing result data stored in the processing result storage device and the apparatus property data stored in the apparatus property storage device. When the process stability judgment device has judged the step to be stable, the processing rate automatic calculation device calculates an etching rate. On the other hand, when the process stability judgment device has judged the step to be unstable, the processing rate recalculation device calculates an etching rate, based on the results of the etching apparatus having actually etched. The processing requirement determination device determines the etching requirements from the calculated etching rate.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus is provided for monitoring an on-going input to detect and report events of a predetermined type as defined by a set of criteria stored by the apparatus. Detected events are reported in a report stream the data rate of which increases with the number of such events. The data rate of the report stream is regulated to lie within upper and lower bounds by changing the selectivity of the set of event-selection criteria. This changing of the selectivity of the critera is effected in such a manner that the events detected with more selective criteria constitute a subset of the events that would have been detected with a less selective criteria. In a preferred embodiment, changing the criteria selectivity is done by changing the length of a bit mask.

Abstract: A method for modeling a steady-state network in the absence of steady-state historical data. A steady-state neural network can be tied by impressing the dynamics of the system onto the input data during the training operation by first determining the dynamics in a local region of the input space, this providing a set of dynamic training data. This dynamic training data is then utilized to train a dynamic model, gain thereof then set equal to unity such that the dynamic model is now valid over the entire input space. This is a linear model, and the historical data over the entire input space is then processed through this model prior to input to the neural network during training thereof to remove the dynamic component from the data, leaving the steady-state component for the purpose of training. This provides a valid model in the presence of historical data that has a large content of dynamic behavior.