Systems and Methods For Hazards Analysis

• US 20070150772A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kornek, Marcus, Berenbach, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,550 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2257 using expert systems

Abstract

A system for hazards analysis includes: a memory device for storing a program; a processor in communication with the memory device, the processor operative with the program to: access the memory device to obtain information specifying a system to be analyzed; build functional block diagrams using the information specifying the system to be analyzed; receive user-input hazards analysis elements; and use the functional block diagrams, the user-input hazards analysis elements and tree fault analysis for hazards analysis.

Claims

1. A system for implementing hazards analysis, comprising:

a memory device for storing a program;

a processor in communication with the memory device, the processor operative with the program to;

access the memory device to obtain information specifying a system to be analyzed;

build functional block diagrams using the information specifying the system to be analyzed;

receive user-input hazards analysis elements; and

use the functional block diagrams, the user-input hazards analysis elements and tree fault analysis for hazards analysis.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user-input hazards analysis elements comprise hazards, causes and mitigations.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a graphical user interface that allows a user to input the hazards analysis elements.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the graphical user interface includes a first dialog box that allows the user to input hazard information, a second dialog box that allows the user to input cause information, and a third dialog box that allows the user to input mitigation information.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first viewer for graphically displaying hazards analysis elements and relationships therebetween.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a first graphical editor for building functional block diagrams using a plurality of user interface components.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user interface components comprise at least one of a display terminal, a keyboard, or a pointing device.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a second graphical editor for tree fault analysis.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a report generator for generating reports based on results of hazards analysis.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is operative with the report generator to generate a spreadsheet that lists hazard information, cause information and mitigation information.

11. A system for providing a graphical user interface for implementing hazards analysis, comprising:

a plurality of user interface components;

a memory device for storing a program;

a processor in communication with the memory device, the processor operative with the program to generate a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the GUI includes;

a first viewer for graphically displaying hazards analysis elements and relationships therebetween;

a first graphical editor for building functional block diagrams using the interface components; and

a second graphical editor for tree fault analysis.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user interface components comprise at least one of a display terminal, a keyboard, or a pointing device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the hazards analysis elements comprise hazards, causes and mitigations.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein tree fault analysis is used to evaluate the probability of a hazards event using analytical or statistical methods.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a report generator for generating reports based on results of hazards analysis.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is operative with the report generator to generate a spreadsheet that lists hazard information, cause information and mitigation information.

17. A computer-implemented method of hazards analysis, comprising:

displaying menus enabling user selection of a plurality of hazards analysis elements;

receiving a plurality of hazards analysis elements and properties of the hazards analysis elements;

displaying the hazards analysis elements and relationships therebetween; and

building functional block diagrams using a system specification, the hazards analysis elements and the properties of the hazards analysis elements;

using the functional block diagrams and tree fault analysis to determine causes of hazards.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the hazards analysis elements comprise hazards, causes and mitigations.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein displaying the hazards analysis elements and relationships therebetween comprises displaying a hazards-causes-mitigations tree.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein tree fault analysis is used to evaluate the probability of a hazards event using analytical or statistical methods.