Systems and methods for sorting livestock including a livestock processing station, a computer network system, and a livestock routing mechanism. The livestock processing station confines the individual livestock, allowing individual livestock data to be collected and analyzed. The computer network system includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for data input at the livestock processing station and a sorting application coupled to the PLC via a computer network, the sorting application for analyzing individual livestock data and assigning livestock to pens.

An aircraft refueling system (10) includes a master controller (12), a fleet controller (14) in communication with the master controller, a platform controller (18) in communication with the fleet controller, and a fuel control system (16) in communication with the platform controller. Embodiments of an aircraft refueling system may include a primary pressure controller (20), a secondary pressure controller (22), a programmable logic controller (24), and a data logger controller (26). The master controller may be configured to receive and analyze data from at least one of the fleet controller, the platform controller, and the fuel control system; and to modify operational parameters or upgrade the fuel control system based at least in part on the analysis of received data.

Various systems and methods may be used to implement a software defined industrial system. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. The orchestrated system may include an orchestration server, a first node executing a first module, and a second node executing a second module. In response to the second node failing, the second module may be redeployed to a replacement node (e.g., the first node or a different node). The replacement mode may be determined by the first node or another node, for example based on connections to or from the second node.

A system for remotely controlling and documenting valve lubrication. The system includes an operator unit programmed to communicate with a remote controller unit that actuates the transfer of lubricant to user-selected valves.

A system for remotely controlling and documenting valve lubrication. The system includes an operator unit programmed to communicate with a remote controller unit that actuates the transfer of lubricant to user-selected valves.

A control device includes a processor, a storage, and a scheduler. The storage includes a first program for real time control processing of the control target, the first program having a highest priority of execution executed by the processor in the period, a second program for related processing related to real time control, the second program having a lower priority of execution than that of the first program, and a third program of a system service, the third program having a lower priority of execution than that of the second program and being executed when a spare time of the processor exists in the period. The scheduler interrupts the execution of the second program to start the execution of the third program when the execution of the second program is started and then when a predetermined type of an instruction code is executed in the second program within the period.

A control system, apparatus, and method are provided. In the control system, plural apparatuses in time synchronization with one another are connected to a network, and the network transfers a frame periodically exchanged by the apparatuses. The apparatuses include a control device and an apparatus controlled by the control device. Each apparatus in the control system is connected over the network, to a first apparatus that transmits a frame that arrives at each of the apparatuses and a second apparatus that receives a frame transmitted from each of the apparatuses. Each apparatus includes information on a frame transfer path and transfer timing based on a synchronous time. When a frame does not arrive at defined time through the transfer path and when a condition associated with a cycle is satisfied, one or more of the apparatuses is configured to transmit a resend request through the transfer path.

A design support device includes an operation reception unit that receives an operation from a user, a program creation unit that creates a ladder program in accordance with the operation received by the operation reception unit, and a circuit block extraction unit that extracts a circuit block from the ladder program when the circuit block is formed and a predetermined condition is satisfied. The circuit block is formed by detecting that one end of a circuit including a plurality of program elements is connected to one of two power rails included in the ladder program and that another end of the circuit is connected to another one of the two power rails. Further, there is a circuit block memory that stores configuration information of the circuit block extracted by the circuit block extraction unit. There is also a notification unit.

A multi-type industrial robot control system may include: an automation controller; and a programmable logic controller (PLC)-robot bridge. The controller stores a general-purpose robot control function block generated using a unified design standard, calls a corresponding robot control function block for a robot and using robot state data and puts out corresponding first command data to the PLC-robot bridge. The PLC-robot bridge virtualizes robot interfaces of corresponding offline programming functions of different types of robot as a unified virtual interface, calls a corresponding offline programming function via the unified virtual interface according to the first command data, and generates second command data for output to a corresponding robot controller. The corresponding robot controller controls a corresponding robot. At the same time, robot state data from a corresponding type of robot is received via the unified virtual interface and the robot state data is fed back to the automation controller.

A system and method for ascertaining location of a tool. The system includes at least one actuator with an encoders and at least one carrier vehicle coupled with the actuator. The method includes coupling a carrier vehicle to a tool. The tool is coupled to a plurality of actuators which are coupled to encoders. The actuators are instructed to move the tool. The movement of the actuators are recorded. This allows the final location of the tool to be calculated based on the movement of the actuators. This system can eliminate the need for hydraulic lines.