APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CREATING SCALED, THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO PERFORM CALCULATIONS
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Abstract
A software application implementable on a computer system is used to create a model of a hydraulic system to perform calculations. The user visually constructs a two-dimensional (2-D) connectivity model in the computer system. The 2-D connectivity model has a plurality of node points defined at various elements (sources, outlets, equipment, and junctions) of the hydraulic system and has segments interconnecting the node points. The user visually constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) segment model for each segment so that each segment model has the 3-D layout of the piping and the fittings for the segment. A 3-D system model of the entire hydraulic system is visually created in the computer system by combining the 3-D segment models. The software application performs calculations using the 3-D system model, and the 3-D system model can be visually or automatically verified to determine whether the model substantially corresponds to the 3-D layout of the hydraulic system, and has been laid out without errors.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1-47. -47. (canceled)
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48. A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional system model of a hydraulic system, comprising:
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(a) constructing a two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model in a computer system, wherein the 2D connectivity model comprises a plurality of node points and a plurality of segments interconnecting the node points using a node-segment convention for the hydraulic system; (b) constructing a three-dimensional (3D) segment model for each of said plurality of segments of the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model by receiving a selection of a segment in the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model and launching a segment modeling interface for the selected segment, to construct the 3D segment model by; (i) receiving an orientation for the selected segment; (ii) receiving fitting information for the selected segment; (iii) generating 3D coordinates for the selected segment based on the orientation and the fitting information; and (iv) determining whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model and indicating a conflicting portion; (c) constructing a 3D system model of the hydraulic system by combining each 3D segment model constructed in step (b) in an integrated 3D view. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67)
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64. A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, comprising:
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(a) constructing a two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model in a computer system via a first graphical-user interface, wherein the 2D connectivity model comprises a plurality of node points defined for elements of the hydraulic system and a plurality of segments interconnecting the node points using a node-segment convention; (b) constructing a three-dimensional (3D) segment model for each of said plurality of segments of the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model by receiving a selection of a segment in the two-dimensional (2D) connectivity model and launching a segment modeling interface for the selected segment, wherein the segment modeling interface comprises an orientation section, a fitting section, and a viewer to construct the 3D segment model by; (i) receiving a pipe size for the selected segment; (ii) receiving an orientation in the orientation section for the selected segment; (iii) receiving fitting information for the selected segment; (iv) automatically updating delta values representing 3D coordinates for the selected segment based on the orientation and the fitting information; (v) automatically determining whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model and indicating a conflicting portion; (vi) displaying the fitting information for the selected segment in the element section in a list; (vii) displaying the 3D segment model in the viewer in a 3D view; (c) constructing a 3D system model of the hydraulic system by combining each 3D segment model constructed in step (b) in an integrated 3D view. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66)
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Specification