Methods for controlling multiple actuators
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorJason D. Dykstra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for controlling at least two actuators are provided. An internal control system sends an input received from the main control system to a first actuator and diverts a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached. The actuators may be throttle valves for heating a hydraulic line. The internal control system includes a cutoff rerouter for implementing the sending and the diverting of the input and an adaptive cutoff controller, e.g., an integral controller, for determining the input constraint of the first actuator.
Claims19
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- sending an input received from a main electronic control system to a first actuator;
- and
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached;
- wherein a size of the diverted portion of the input is equivalent to the difference between the input and the input constraint determined by an adaptive cutoff controller.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- sending an input received from a main control system to a first actuator;
- and
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached, wherein a size of the diverted portion of the input is equivalent to the difference between the input and the input constraint determined by an adaptive cutoff controller;
- wherein a signal being fed to the adaptive cutoff controller comprises the input divided by an output from the first actuator.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- sending an input received from a main control system to a first actuator;
- and
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached;
- and
- using a PID controller to decrease the input being fed to the first actuator when an output of the first actuator is greater than a predetermined output constraint of the first actuator;
- wherein a size of the diverted portion of the input is equivalent to the difference between the input and the input constraint determined by an adaptive cutoff controller.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- sending an input received from a main control system to a first actuator;
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached;
- and
- modifying the portion of the input by a transfer function before diverting it to the second actuator.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- sending an input received from a main control system to a first actuator;
- and
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when an input constraint of the first actuator is reached;
- wherein the first and second actuators comprise throttle valves for heating a nitrogen line.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- determining if an input received from a main electronic control system is greater than an input constraint of a first actuator;
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when the input is greater than the input constraint;
- and
- sending an undiverted portion of the input to the first actuator.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- determining if an input received from a main control system is greater than an input constraint of a first actuator;
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when the input is greater than the input constraint;
- sending an undiverted portion of the input to the first actuator;
- and
- determining if an output of the first actuator is greater than a predetermined output constraint of the first actuator.
A method of controlling two or more actuators, comprising:
- determining if an input received from a main control system is greater than an input constraint of a first actuator;
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when the input is greater than the input constraint;
- sending an undiverted portion of the input to the first actuator;
- and
- determining an amount by which to offset the input being fed to the first actuator when the output of the first actuator is greater than the predetermined output constraint of the first actuator.
A method of controlling at least two actuators, comprising:
- determining if an input received from a main electronic control system is greater than an input constraint of a first actuator;
- diverting a portion of the input to a second actuator when the input is greater than the input constraint;
- and
- using an internal electronic control system that receives an input from a main control system to control said first and second actuators such that eigenvalues of the internal control system remain substantially constant during its operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.