Automatic control for a power plant

• US 5,557,545 A
• Filed: 04/14/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Loffel, Fritz, Arnoldt, Claudius
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US08/227,597
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 364/131, 364/132, 364/138, 364/146, 364/148, 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/492
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 13/02 Controlling, e.g. stopping or starting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25314 Modular structure, modules
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25368 Start group of motors, machines in sequence, power up, down sequence

Abstract

An automatic control for a power plant having a plurality of mutually interacting plant components includes an automation system shared by the plant components having automation devices executing various functions. The automation devices are connected to one another and to a master control unit through a data bus which transmits plant-relevant data. According to the invention the automation devices are combined in a manner corresponding to the technological structure of the plant to form mutually independently functional units. Each functional unit corresponds to a function chain which includes a plurality of subfunction devices. Each subfunction device includes a plurality of subsystems with controllable plant components.

Claims

1. In combination with a power plant having a plurality of mutually interacting controllable power plant components, an automatic power plant control system, comprising:

a master control unit;

a data bus connected to said master control unit; and

function chains including automation devices each having a plurality of subfunction devices, said automation devices being combined into mutually independent functional units corresponding to a technological structure of the power plant, said automation devices executing various functions in an automation system shared by the power plant components, and said automation devices being connected to one another and to said master control unit by said data bus for transmitting data relevant to the power plant;

said function chains each including a common data line linking said subfunction devices and transmitting only data relevant for one functional unit; and

each of said subfunction devices including a plurality of subsystems having the controllable power plant components.

2. The automatic control according to claim 1, wherein:

said function chains are linked in a predetermined sequence during a start-up operation and a shut-down operation of the plant; and

said function chains are individually activatable during operation of the plant.

3. The automatic control according to claim 1, including data lines connected to said function chains, and data-selectively acting coupling elements connecting said data lines to said data bus for linking said function chains to one another and to the data bus.

4. The automatic control according to claim 1, wherein said function chains are hierarchically organized corresponding to the following logical process sequence of the plant:

a) supply,

b) disposal,

c) transport of waste process heat and return transport of condensate,

d) transport of process heat,

e) conversion of primary energy into thermal energy, and

f) conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy.