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US4635182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for controlling multiple time-varying processes
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1984-07-03
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2004-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for and a method of controlling multiple time varying proces by a central control device through a use of an adaptive data acquisition scheme is disclosed. A state estimator is used to extrapolate the current state of each control process as well as an estimate of the uncertainty of each state estimate. The state whose uncertainty is greatest is selected. The selected process is then measured, estimated, and a control variable calculated. Use of this selection criteria allows a single control device to effectively control more time varying processes then if the controls had been determined by a controller using a fixed sampling rate. Statistics for each process are updated with each measurement in order to compensate for the time/varying nature of the processes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Hintz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:09
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B13/00; G05B13/02; A; A61; A61P; A61P29/00; A61P37/00; A61P37/08; G05B15/00; G05B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
319 words
An apparatus for controlling multiple time-varying processes comprising: a plurality of processes 1 through N to be controlled and being configured so as to generate data z 1 through z N corresponding to each of said plurality of processes; an electronic data selector operatively connected to said plurality of processes and being configured to respond to a sequencer signal so as to route a selected one z i of the data z 1 through z N to the output thereof; first means operatively connected at its input to the output of said electronic data selector for estimating the values x 1 through x N of the data z 1 through z N of each one of said plurality of processes 1 through N as well as measuring of the uncertainties p 1 through p N in each of the estimates, said first means being configured to output at one output the uncertainties p 1 through p N and to output at another output the largest x i (est) of the estimated values x 1 through x N ; a data sequencer operatively connected at its input to the one output of said first means and at its output to said electronic data selector, said data sequencer being configured to compare the uncertainties p 1 through p N for each estimate x 1 through x N so as to select the greatest uncertainty p i , the greatest uncertainty p i then being used to generate the sequencer signal at the output of said data sequencer; and second means operatively connected to the another output of said first means, to said data sequencer and to said plurality of processes 1 through N to be controlled for controlling the appropriate one of said plurality of processes 1 through N as a function of the largest estimated value x i (est) and a reference value x(ref) as controlled by said data sequencer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
319 words
An apparatus for controlling multiple time-varying processes comprising: a plurality of processes 1 through N to be controlled and being configured so as to generate data z 1 through z N corresponding to each of said plurality of processes; an electronic data selector operatively connected to said plurality of processes and being configured to respond to a sequencer signal so as to route a selected one z i of the data z 1 through z N to the output thereof; first means operatively connected at its input to the output of said electronic data selector for estimating the values x 1 through x N of the data z 1 through z N of each one of said plurality of processes 1 through N as well as measuring of the uncertainties p 1 through p N in each of the estimates, said first means being configured to output at one output the uncertainties p 1 through p N and to output at another output the largest x i (est) of the estimated values x 1 through x N ; a data sequencer operatively connected at its input to the one output of said first means and at its output to said electronic data selector, said data sequencer being configured to compare the uncertainties p 1 through p N for each estimate x 1 through x N so as to select the greatest uncertainty p i , the greatest uncertainty p i then being used to generate the sequencer signal at the output of said data sequencer; and second means operatively connected to the another output of said first means, to said data sequencer and to said plurality of processes 1 through N to be controlled for controlling the appropriate one of said plurality of processes 1 through N as a function of the largest estimated value x i (est) and a reference value x(ref) as controlled by said data sequencer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of processes 1 through N are dissimilar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of processes 1 through N are similar, and wherein each one thereof comprises: one of a plurality of digital thermometers 1 through N operatively connected to said electronic data selector for measuring the temperature and converting it to a digital word; and one of a plurality of heat/cool devices 1 through N operatively connected to the one of said plurality of digital thermometers 1 through N and to said second means for varying the temperature of the appropriate one of said plurality of processes 1 through N.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second means comprises: a control device operatively connected at one input to the other output of said first means and at another input to a temperature reference x(ref) for computing a control signal u i at its output which is proportional to the difference therebetween; and an electronic data distributor operatively connected to the output of said control device, said data sequencer and to each one of said plurality of heat/cool devices 1 through N for distributing the control signal u i to the appropriate one thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said control device comprises: a digital substractor for computing the error between the temperature x(ref) and the estimate x i (est); and a digital multiplier for multiplying the output of said digital substractor by a predetermined fixed constant to scale the control signal u i at its output to the proper value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |