Patent ID: 6400993
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G05B,G06F

Abstract:
A method for optimizing the response of a process or system comprising K process or system control variables (x, y), wherein the method comprises the steps of:defining a polyhedron or hyperpolyhedron with L vertices (BWN; FGII; 1-3), where L is greater than K, wherein each vertex (BWN; FGH; 1-3) corresponds to a response of the process or system to a combination of variable (x, y) calculating one or several new vertices (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) based on the previous L vertices; providing a minimum step size (xmin, ymin) for at least one of said variables (x, y); comparing the step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable (x, y) between said new vertex or vertices (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) and a predefined or calculated or selected point or line or plane or hyperplane against said minimum step size(s); rejecting one or several calculated new vertices (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) or increasing a step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable (x. y) to said minimum step size (xmin, ymin) or above if said step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable (x, y) between said new vertex or vertices (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) and said predefined or calculated or selected point or line or plane or hyperplane is less than said minimum step size (xmin, ymin) in order to find a new vertex (11CORR, Cadd, Cit3) which is at least the minimum step size (xmin, ymin) from said predefined or calculated or selected point or line or plane or hyperplane and adjusting said variables (x, y) to said new vertex (11CORR, Cadd, Cit3); and/or providing a maximum step size (xmax, ymax) for at least one of said variables (x, y); comparing the step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable (x, y) between said new vertex or vertices and a predefined or calculated or selected point or line or plane or hyperplane against said maximum step size(s) (xmax, ymax); rejecting one or several calculated new vertices, (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) and decreasing said step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable to said maximum step size (xmax, ymax) or less if said step size projected in the direction of said at least one variable (x, y) between said calculated new vertex or vertices (R, C, CR, CW, E, 4-12) and a predefined or calculated or selected point or line or plane or hyperplane is greater than said maximum step size (xmax, ymax); and setting the control variables to the values of the calculated vertex or values of the calculated vertices which give a step size greater than the minimum step sizes and/or give a step size less than the maximum step sizes.