Patent US6721608B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6721608B1
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US
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Partitioned control structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 2000-03-20
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2020-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling a two degree of freedom process comprises a first controller, a second controller, and a process model. The three components are oriented in such a way that the first controller receives input from a first variable and the second controller receives input from a second variable. The process model is a model of the process process and provides feedback to the first controller. Furthermore, the orientation of the controllers isolates the first controller from the second variable and isolates the second controller from the first variable when the process model matches the process. Since each controller shapes a response to only one variable, the transfer functions of each controller can be chosen to meet stringent performance standards.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L. Rutherford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:39
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B5/00; G05B5/01; G05B13/00; G05B13/02; G05B13/0205; G05B13/021; G05B13/04; G05B13/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller; a second controller; and a process model; said first controller and said process model being configured in a partitioned feedback loop so as to receive input from a first variable; said second controller being configured in parallel with said first controller and further being operative to receive input from said partitioned feedback loop and to receive feedback from a process in a main feedback loop, said process receiving input from a second variable; and said partitioned feedback loop being configured to generate said input from said partitioned feedback loop to said second controller independently of feedback from said main feedback loop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller; a second controller; and a process model; said first controller and said process model being configured in a partitioned feedback loop so as to receive input from a first variable; said second controller being configured in parallel with said first controller and further being operative to receive input from said partitioned feedback loop and to receive feedback from a process in a main feedback loop, said process receiving input from a second variable; and said partitioned feedback loop being configured to generate said input from said partitioned feedback loop to said second controller independently of feedback from said main feedback loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said process model comprises a model of said process in said main feedback loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A control structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said first controller is isolated from said second variable and is operative to shape a response to said first variable, and said second controller is isolated from said first variable and is operative to shape a response to said second variable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control structure as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said controllers can be tuned independently.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said first variable is a set point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said first controller is tuned to match said set point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said second variable is a disturbance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said second controller is tuned to reject said disturbance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said process model is an approximation of said process, said process model being tuned until said second controller is isolated from a change in said first variable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said first controller and said second controller are self-tuned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said controllers are tuned by a parameter estimation method.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said second controller is tuned by a model reference method.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said first variable is a single input to the control structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control structure as defined in claim 13 wherein said variable is a set point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller operative to shape a response to a variable; a process model operative to predict output of a process to said variable, said first controller and process model configured in a partitioned feedback loop; and a second controller operative to receive feedback from a process output in a main feedback loop and further operative to receive an input from said predicted output in order to shape a response to an error between said predicted output and said process output; wherein said partitioned feedback loop is configured to generate the predicted output independently of feedback from the main feedback loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller operative to shape a response to a variable; a process model operative to predict output of a process to said variable, said first controller and process model configured in a partitioned feedback loop; and a second controller operative to receive feedback from a process output in a main feedback loop and further operative to receive an input from said predicted output in order to shape a response to an error between said predicted output and said process output; wherein said partitioned feedback loop is configured to generate the predicted output independently of feedback from the main feedback loop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said controller is tuned to match said set point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said process receives input from a second variable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control structure as defined in claim 17 wherein said second variable is a disturbance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 18 wherein said second controller is tuned to reject said disturbance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said first controller and said second controller are self-tuned.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 20 wherein said controllers are tuned by a parameter estimation method.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control structure as defined in claim 20 wherein said second controller is tuned by a model reference method.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said first variable is a single input to the control structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
152 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller operative to shape a response to a first variable; a process model operative to generate a predicted output of a process to said first variable, said first controller and process model configured in a partitioned feedback loop; and a second controller operative to shape a response to an error, said second controller operative to receive feedback from the process output in a main feedback loop; wherein said partitioned feedback loop is configured so that the process model generates the predicted output independently of feedback from the main feedback loop, and said error, being the difference between said predicted output and a process, is a measure of fitness of said process model to said process, said second controller being operative to test said model such that when said process model substantially matches said process said second controller minimally responds to a change in said first variable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
A control structure comprising: a first controller operative to shape a response to a first variable; a process model operative to generate a predicted output of a process to said first variable, said first controller and process model configured in a partitioned feedback loop; and a second controller operative to shape a response to an error, said second controller operative to receive feedback from the process output in a main feedback loop; wherein said partitioned feedback loop is configured so that the process model generates the predicted output independently of feedback from the main feedback loop, and said error, being the difference between said predicted output and a process, is a measure of fitness of said process model to said process, said second controller being operative to test said model such that when said process model substantially matches said process said second controller minimally responds to a change in said first variable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A control structure as defined in claim 24 wherein said first variable is a set point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control structure as defined in claim 25 wherein said first controller is tuned to match said set point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 25 wherein said second controller is tuned to reject said disturbance.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control structure as defined in claim 24 wherein said second variable is a disturbance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 24 wherein said first controller and said second controller are self-tuned.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control structure as defined in claim 29 wherein said controllers are tuned by a parameter estimation method.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control structure as defined in claim 29 wherein said second controller is tuned by a model reference method.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control structure as defined in claim 24 wherein said first variable is a single input to the control structure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
143 words
A control structure, comprising: a partitioned control loop, comprising: a first controller operative to receive a predicted error signal proportional to the difference between an input signal and a process model signal and generate a first control signal; a process model configured to model a controlled process and generate the process model signal, the process model operative to receive the output of the first controller so that the process model and the first controller form a forward path of the partitioned control loop; and a main control loop, comprising: a second controller operative to receive an error signal proportional to the difference between the process model signal and a process output signal and generate a second control signal; and a summing circuit operable to sum the first and second control signals to generate a process control signal operative to control the controlled process.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
143 words
A control structure, comprising: a partitioned control loop, comprising: a first controller operative to receive a predicted error signal proportional to the difference between an input signal and a process model signal and generate a first control signal; a process model configured to model a controlled process and generate the process model signal, the process model operative to receive the output of the first controller so that the process model and the first controller form a forward path of the partitioned control loop; and a main control loop, comprising: a second controller operative to receive an error signal proportional to the difference between the process model signal and a process output signal and generate a second control signal; and a summing circuit operable to sum the first and second control signals to generate a process control signal operative to control the controlled process.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control structure of claim 33 , wherein the partitioned control loop is configured so that the process model generates the process model signal independently of feedback from the main control loop.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control structure of claim 33 , wherein the main control loop is configured so that the process output signal is proportional to the output of the controlled process and a disturbance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
98 words
A control structure for controlling a process based on a set point, comprising: a process model configured to model the process and generate a process model signal; a first controller operable generate a process model control signal to drive the process model to the set point; and a second controller operable to receive a difference signal proportion to the difference between the process model signal and a process signal and generate a first process control signal, the process signal proportional to a process output; wherein the first controller is isolated from the signal proportional to the process output.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
98 words
A control structure for controlling a process based on a set point, comprising: a process model configured to model the process and generate a process model signal; a first controller operable generate a process model control signal to drive the process model to the set point; and a second controller operable to receive a difference signal proportion to the difference between the process model signal and a process signal and generate a first process control signal, the process signal proportional to a process output; wherein the first controller is isolated from the signal proportional to the process output.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control structure of claim 36 wherein the first process control signal and the process model signal are summed to generate a second process control signal to control the process.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control structure of claim 36 wherein the process model and the first controller are configured in a partitioned control loop so that the first controller receives feedback from the process model.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control structure of claim 38 , wherein partitioned control loop is configured so that the process model generates the process model signal independently of feedback from the process.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-13 | 2007-10-13 | 2008-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-10-13 | 2012-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-13 | 2015-10-13 | 2016-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |