SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION OF MACHINE SELECTION, INTEGRATION AND UTILIZATION

• US 20090204234A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Baier, John J., Sustaeta, Angel, Discenzo, Frederick M., Funderburk, Mark, Lin, Ka-Hing, Sugars, Michael Eugene, Snyder, Ric, Theron, John Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/29
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/024 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0265 the criterion being a learning criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0285 using neural networks and fuzzy logic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/82 Energy audits or management systems therefor

Abstract

The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Claims

1. An apparatus operable in an industrial automation environment, the apparatus comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

dynamically constructing sub-models of an industrial process by utilizing sources of factors of production and sinks of the factors of production, the sources of the factors of production and the sinks of the factors of production associated with the industrial process; and

integrating the sub-models of the industrial process to create a user manipulable optimization model; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the memory further retains instructions for at least one of manipulating the user manipulable optimization model based at least in part in a prospective attribute associated with at least one of the sources of the factors of production or the sinks of the factors of production, or automatically manipulating the user manipulable optimization model through utilization of an expert operator module.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the prospective attribute associated with at least one constraint that prevents construction of an invalid user manipulable optimization model.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the user manipulable optimization model includes creation of at least one visual instrumentation, the at least one visual instrumentation projectable onto a visual display.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the sub-models of the industrial process constructed for each factor of production.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the dynamically constructing of the sub-models of the industrial process further comprising utilizing at least in part on one or more of historical customer orders, order size, order accuracy, or order changes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the memory further retains instructions for setting inventory targets that leverage capacity of the industrial process to at least one of meet latent demand, effectuate inventory management, or working capital optimization.

8. A method employed in an industrial automation environment, comprising:

dynamically constructing sub-models of an industrial process by utilizing sources of factors of production and sinks of the factors of production, the sources of the factors of production and the sinks of the factors of production associated with the industrial process; and

integrating the sub-models of the industrial process to create a user manipulable optimization model.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising manipulating the user manipulable optimization model based at least in part in a prospective attribute associated with at least one of the sources of the factors of production or the sinks of the factors of production.

10. The method of claim 9, the prospective attribute associated with at least one constraint that prevents construction of an invalid user manipulable optimization model.

11. The method of claim 8, the user manipulable optimization model includes creation of at least one visual instrumentation, the at least one visual instrumentation projectable onto a visual display.

12. The method of claim 8, the sub-models of the industrial process constructed for each factor of production.

13. The method of claim 8, the dynamically constructing of the sub-models of the industrial process further comprising, employing at least in part on one or more of historical customer orders, order size, order accuracy, or order changes.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising setting inventory targets that leverage capacity of the industrial process to at least one of meet latent demand, effectuate inventory management, or working capital optimization.

15. A system operable in an industrial automation environment, comprising:

means for dynamically constructing sub-models of an industrial process by utilizing sources of factors of production and sinks of the factors of production, the sources of the factors of production and the sinks of the factors of production associated with the industrial process; and

means for integrating the sub-models of the industrial process to create a user manipulable optimization model

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for manipulating the user manipulable optimization model based at least in part in a prospective attribute associated with at least one of the sources of the factors of production or the sinks of the factors of production.

17. The system of claim 16, the prospective attribute associated with at least one constraint that prevents construction of an invalid user manipulable optimization model.

18. The system of claim 15, the user manipulable optimization model includes creation of at least one visual instrumentation, the at least one visual instrumentation projectable onto at least one of means for visual display or means for tactile manipulation.

19. The system of claim 15, the sub-models of the industrial process constructed from each factor of production associated with the industrial process.

20. The system of claim 15, the further comprising means for setting inventory targets that leverage capacity of the industrial process to at least one of meet latent demand, effectuate inventory management, or working capital optimization.