Temporary expanding integrated monitoring network

• US 7,313,447 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hsiung, Chang-Meng B., Munoz, Bethsabeth, Roy, Ajoy Kumar, Steinthal, Michael Gregory, Sunshine, Steven A., Vicic, Michael Allen, Zhang, Shou-Hua
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US11/376,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 700/28, 700/9, 700 17- 19, 702/188
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4093 characterised by part programming, e.g. entry of geometrical information as taken from a technical drawing, combining this with machining and material information to obtain control information, named part programme, for the NC machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41855 by local area network [LAN], network structure
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41875 characterised by quality surveillance of production
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31265 Control process by combining history and real time data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31337 Failure information database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31435 Paging support with display board, status monitoring and report compiling
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31457 Factory remote control, monitoring through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32129 Select program for specified machine from library, file server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32194 Quality prediction
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32196 Store audit, history of inspection, control and workpiece data into database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32201 Build statistical model of past normal proces, compare with actual process
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32404 Scada supervisory control and data acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33209 Protocol, mailbox, email, mail system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35095 Features library
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0221 Preprocessing measurements, e.g. data collection rate adjustment; Standardization of measurements; Time series or signal analysis, e.g. frequency analysis or wavelets; Trustworthiness of measurements; Indexes therefor; Measurements using easily measured parameters to estimate parameters difficult to measure; Virtual sensor creation; De-noising; Sensor fusion; Unconventional preprocessing inherently present in specific fault detection methods like PCA-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0243 model based detection method, e.g. first-principles knowledge model
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0254 : based on a quantitative model, e.g. mathematical relationships between inputs and outputs; functions: observer, Kalman filter, residual calculation, Neural Networks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0286 : Modifications to the monitored process, e.g. stopping operation or adapting control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0294 : Optimizing process, e.g. process efficiency, product quality
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Claims

1. An appended diagnostic system comprising:

a plurality of sensors;

process manager means for performing diagnostic analysis;

means for connecting said plurality of sensors with a pre-existing network of a pre-existing monitoring system that is used to monitor equipment;

means for integrating sensor data from said plurality of sensors with data from pre-existing sensors, to form integrated data, wherein said pre-existing sensors are coupled with said pre-existing monitoring system; and

means for preprocessing said integrated data for further processing by said process manager means,

wherein said process manager means performs diagnostic analysis of said equipment based on said integrated data obtained from said plurality of sensors and said plurality of pre-existing sensors, and wherein said process manager means determines an operational state of said equipment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors comprises chemical sensors.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors comprises thermal sensors for thermal detection.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors comprises mechanical sensors.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors comprises radiation sensors.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors comprises biological sensors.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said process manager means comprises:

means for applying a first model to a first input to identify a first predicted descriptor characteristic of a state of the equipment; and

means for consulting a knowledge based system to provide an output based upon the first predicted descriptor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors are wireless sensors configured to communicate with said networking module via a communication mode selected from the group consisting of infrared communications and radiofrequency communications.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors are non-permanent sensors.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said process manager means transmits a portion of said integrated data to a data interpretation system.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said diagnostic analysis corresponds to diagnosing the operational state of a hydrocarbon processing equipment.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said process manager means provides a notification regarding an occurrence of an event.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said process manager means provides for initiating follow-on actions.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said follow-on actions includes correction means responsive to an event.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said network comprises:

a first transceiver node, configured to be connected with said plurality of sensors;

a local hub, connected with said first transceiver node; and

a second transceiver hub connected with said pre-existing monitoring system, wherein said second transceiver hub is configured to exchange data with said local hub.

16. An appended diagnostic system for analyzing an environment, comprising:

a plurality of sensors in which each of said plurality of sensors is either a chemical sensor, a biological sensor, or a radiological sensor;

means for connecting said plurality of sensors with a pre-existing network of a pre-existing monitoring system having a plurality of pre-existing sensors that is used to monitor said environment;

process manager means for performing diagnostic analysis; and

a server for preprocessing data obtained from said plurality of sensors and data obtained from said plurality of pre-existing sensors, for further processing by said process manager means,

wherein said process manager means performs diagnostic analysis of said environment based on said integrated data obtained from said plurality of sensors and said plurality of pre-existing sensors, and wherein said process manager means determines a state of said environment.