초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistan

A method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistance from another pump in the pump network. When fuel is added to the tank, the fuel pump controller will detect the presence of the fuel and reactivate the pump.

대표청구항 ▼

A method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistan

A method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistance from another pump in the pump network. When fuel is added to the tank, the fuel pump controller will detect the presence of the fuel and reactivate the pump. planned, new designed test matrix consists essentially of the same designed test matrix but with a sequence of the control variables arranged differently from that in a previous experimental cycle, such that the main effect of the at least one designated control variable is isolated from the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein a main effect of the designated control variable can be contaminated by the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect between the designated control variable and another control variable; and including computer-planning the new designed test matrix to separate the main effect of the at least one designated control variable from the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the main effects of two designated control variables can be contaminated by the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect, and including computer-planning the new designed test matrix to separate the computer-analyzed main effects of the two designated control variables from the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect whereby the computer-analyzed main effects represent substantially true main effects of the two designated control variables substantially uncontaminated by the at least one expected two-variable interaction effect. 13. The method of claim 12 including using at least the substantially true main effects of the two designated control variables to develop a steepest ascent path on a multi-dimensional performance response surface for the performance to optimally climb the steepest ascent path thereby optimizing or improving the performance of the object. 14. The method as in claim 1 wherein the experimental cycles are performed on an object of interest and in actual operation, with same materials, parts, procedures, equipment, and environment as in said actual operation; and including quickly collecting and computer-analyzing the test results to optimize or improve the performance of the object during the actual operation thereof, whereby various ever-present and often critical errors of sampling, extrapolation, time delay, and scaling-up are minimized or eliminated. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the performing step for each of the experimental cycles comprises computing for no more than a time selected from the group consisting of one minute, one second, one millisecond, and one microsecond. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein the performing step comprises generating new knowledge bases in a specific domain of interest; and including coding the generated new knowledge bases into a computer-usable form. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the coding step comprises computer-coding, in real time, the generated new knowledge bases into a computer-usable form; and including immediately applying the computer-coded new knowledge bases onto the object for improving or optimizing the performance thereof. 18. A machine for self-optimizing a performance of an object comprising: means for performing a plurality of computerized automatic experimental cycles on a plurality of selected control variables; the performing means in each of the plurality of the experimental cycles comprising means for computer-planning a designed test matrix, means for executing the experimental cycle according to the designed test matrix to collect test results, and means for computer-analyzing, in real time, the test results to determine a way to combine optimally the selected control variables for achieving an optimized or improved performance of the object; and in at least one of the experimental cycles after the first cycle the computer-planning means comprising means for computer-planning a new designed test matrix to minimize or remove at least one expected two-variable interaction effect from a main effect of at least one designated control variable; a main effect being a computer-anal