Control of a technical installation with a CPU and GPU

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention discloses a method and system for optimally controlling complex technical installations (such as industrial plants) by utilizing both a general-purpose CPU and a GPU with many floating-point processors. The CPU handles the initial data reception and preprocessing, while the computationally intensive modeling tasks are offloaded to the GPU, which can process them in parallel. The system ensures precise real-time or near-real-time control by efficiently combining the strengths of CPUs (flexibility, quick data handling) and GPUs (high-speed floating-point computation), and provides backup solutions if results are delayed.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Real-time control of large industrial plants (e.g., steel mills, rolling mills, continuous casting plants).
• Process optimization in the chemical and paper industries.
• Operation of manufacturing systems that require solving complex two- or three-dimensional physical models (e.g., temperature distribution, phase transformation, fluid dynamics) during control loops.
• Online model-based control with high-precision feedback in automation applications.
• Technical systems that require rapid numerical simulation for predictive maintenance or emergency management.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables more accurate and sophisticated real-time modeling for process control, improving plant efficiency and product quality.
• Exploits GPU high-performance parallel computing to process computationally intensive models much faster than CPUs alone.
• Supports flexible, reliable plant control even in the event that computations take longer than expected, by providing backup control strategies.
• Reduces manual intervention by operators through automation of complex modeling and control tasks.
• Allows for modular, easily upgradable hardware and software solutions, as general-purpose CPUs and GPUs are widely available.
• Can be adapted to a wide range of technical plants and processes due to its flexible architecture.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The method involves receiving process parameters by computing unit (4) from a basic automation system (2) of a technical facility (1) at an initial time. Other process parameters are supplied to another computing unit (7). An overall result is determined based on initial result by floating point processors (8) through a computing task. An intermediate result is determined by the latter computing unit based on the overall result. The intermediate result is transmitted back to the former computing unit from the latter computing unit to determine control variables for the technical facility. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a computer program for allowing a control device to control a technical facility; and (2) a control device with a controller.