Patent ID: 7840500
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: G06N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for a glass manufacturing process having a large dead-time comprising: an actuator configured to be controlled by a raw material controller, wherein said actuator is configured to adjust a rate at which raw materials enter a premelt furnace to be transformed to a molten state; a level sensor configured to detect a level of molten raw materials in the premelt furnace; and a fuzzy logic controller operatively connected to the level sensor and the raw material controller, wherein said fuzzy logic controller is configured to receive a level signal indicating the level of molten raw materials in the premelt furnace from the level sensor and to adjust the rate based on the level signal in accordance with fuzzy logic rules by sending a control signal to the raw material controller only if the level of molten raw material is not within a tolerance range from a level set-point.