Self-learning memory unit for process controller and self-updating function generator
First Claim
1. A device for self-updating its output to characteristics of or changes in a process that is regulated by a controller, wherein the controller produces an output signal that is intended to resolve an error signal between a setpoint signal and an input signal to the controller, comprising:
- means for storing last-correct signal values that are representative of values that satisfied the process for respectively-associated index signal values;
means for modifying a last-correct signal value as a function of said error signal to produce a control signal representative of a currently-correct value for the operation of the process at a respectively-associated index signal value; and
means for coupling the currently-correct control signal value to operate the process to resolve the error signal.
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Abstract
A device and method are described with which a function generator output can be automatically obtained based on a meaningful reference input signal and updated as required in conjunction with a controller which regulates a process such as a variable element or a variable setpoint or the like. The device samples the controller setpoint, output and the input index. A memory section is used to store output values that were last found correct for the input index and are retrieved whenever said index value is encountered. The retrieved last-correct value for a particular input index is corrected with a modifier that is derived from a representative controller setpoint and controller output to produce a currently-correct output for regulation of the process. The last correct value for any one particular input index value is only updated after the latter index has changed so as to avoid interference with the normal operation of the controller. Several embodiments are described.
30 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for self-updating its output to characteristics of or changes in a process that is regulated by a controller, wherein the controller produces an output signal that is intended to resolve an error signal between a setpoint signal and an input signal to the controller, comprising:
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means for storing last-correct signal values that are representative of values that satisfied the process for respectively-associated index signal values; means for modifying a last-correct signal value as a function of said error signal to produce a control signal representative of a currently-correct value for the operation of the process at a respectively-associated index signal value; and means for coupling the currently-correct control signal value to operate the process to resolve the error signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for self-updating its output to characteristics of or changes in a process that is regulated by a controller, wherein the controller produces an output signal that is intended to resolve an error relative to a setpoint signal, comprising:
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means for storing last-correct values that are representative of values that satisfied the process for respectively associated input signal values; means for effectively comparing the setpoint signal with the controller output signal for generating a modifier signal representative thereof; means for applying the modifier signal to a last-correct signal value to produce a control signal that is representative of a currently-correct value for the operation of the process at an input signal value; means for coupling the currently-correct control signal to operate the process; and means for replacing a last correct signal value with a currently-correct control signal value when the input signal has changed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A device for self-adapting its output to the characteristics of or changes in a process or a process element that is regulated by a controller, wherein the controller produces an output signal in response to an error between a setpoint signal for the controller and a feedback signal from a process operation monitor such as a sensor or the like and wherein an input signal is provided as a reference index input, comprising:
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memory means for storing last correct values as a function of input signal values where the last correct values are representative of values that satisfied the process for respectively associated input signal values; means responsive to the setpoint signal, the controller output signal and a last correct output value for generating a currently-correct control signal value for an input signal value; means for coupling the currently-correct control signal value to operate the process; and means for replacing a last-correct value with the currently correct control signal value, associated with the same input signal value, at a time selected to avoid interference with the operation of the controller in its regulation of the process. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for adapting the output of a controller to characteristics of or changes in a process or of a process element, that is regulated by the controller, wherein the controller produces an output signal in response to an error between a setpoint signal for the controller and an input signal to the controller, comprising the steps of:
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storing last-correct values as a function of an index signal, said last correct values being representative of values that satisfy the process operation for respectively associated index signals; modifying a last-correct signal value as a function of the error to produce a currently-correct control signal associated with an index signal value; applying the currently-correct control signal to the process for regulation thereof; and replacing the stored last-correct signal value associated with an index signal value with the currently-correct control signal value associated with the same index signal value, at a time selected to minimize interference with the controller'"'"'s regulation of the process.
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Specification