Constraint-based method of designing a route for a transport element
First Claim
1. A method of designing a route for a second transport element at least partially based upon a route for a first transport element, the method comprising:
- establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the second transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing the at least one constraint based upon the route for the first transport element;
establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises defining a preferred value for the at last one constraint and a cost for variances from the preferred value for the at last one constraint, and wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises incorporating the cost of variances for the at last one constraint in the overall cost function; and
automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the second transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function, wherein automatically defining the route for the second transport element comprises defining the route for the second transport element to include straight segments that are non-orthogonal relative to one another.
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Abstract
An improved method for designing the route of a transport element, such as a tube, is provided. The method preferably designs the route automatically and, by utilizing constraint objects in the design of the route, as opposed to during a post design check, ensures that the resulting route complies with the various constraint objects. In addition, the method of the present invention may establish an overall cost function to evaluate a plurality of feasible routes of the transport element that each comply with the constraint objects such that a preferred or optimal route may be designed. Constraints may be based upon the routing of the transport element in relation to another transport element, an additional constraint, or a relaxed constraint.
30 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of designing a route for a second transport element at least partially based upon a route for a first transport element, the method comprising:
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establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the second transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing the at least one constraint based upon the route for the first transport element; establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises defining a preferred value for the at last one constraint and a cost for variances from the preferred value for the at last one constraint, and wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises incorporating the cost of variances for the at last one constraint in the overall cost function; and automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the second transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function, wherein automatically defining the route for the second transport element comprises defining the route for the second transport element to include straight segments that are non-orthogonal relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of designing a route for a transport element comprising:
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establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing at least one additional constraint selected from a group of an additional constraint and a cost function; establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the transport element, wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises defining a preferred value for at last one constraint and a cost for variances from the preferred value for at last one constraint, and wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises incorporating the cost of variances for at last one constraint in the overall cost function; and automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function, wherein automatically defining the route comprises defining the route for the transport element to include straight segments that are non-orthogonal relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of designing a route for a transport element between a pair of endpoints comprising:
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establishing a first constraint that limits possible routes for the transport element; determining, using a processor, that defining a route for the transport element satisfying the first constraint is infeasible; relaxing the first constraint, whereby the first constraint is replaced by a cost function, thereby defining a first cost function; automatically defining, using the processor, the route for the transport element in accordance with the first cost function; and providing, using the processor, an indication for the route of a variance between the first constraint and the first cost function of the automatically defined route. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of designing a route for a second transport element at least partially based upon the route for a first transport element, the method comprising:
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establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the second transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing at least one constraint based upon the route for the first transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing at least one hardpoint constraint defining a location of a hardpoint through which the transport element must pass, and wherein establishing at least one hardpoint constraint comprises establishing at least one adjustable hardpoint constraint defining a region within which a hardpoint is located and through which the second transport element must pass; establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the second transport element; and automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the second transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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42. A method of designing a route for a second transport element comprising:
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establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the second transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the transport element and establishing a simulation-of-gravity constraint that establishes a directional propensity of the route for the second transport element; establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the second transport element; and automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the second transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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Specification