Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations
First Claim
1. A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional system model of a hydraulic system, comprising:
- (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 and building a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section corresponding to the constructing of the 3D segment model;
(iii) generating 3D coordinates for the selected segment based on the orientation and the fitting information; and
(iv) while constructing the selected segment, automatically determining by the computer system whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model by comparing respective 3D coordinates and indicating a conflicting portion in an error warning output to the user when a conflict having been determined, thereby reducing a potential for errors in subsequent hydraulic calculations;
(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;
wherein step (b) further comprising splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models.
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Accused Products
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
18 Claims
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1. 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 and building a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section corresponding to the constructing of the 3D segment model; (iii) generating 3D coordinates for the selected segment based on the orientation and the fitting information; and (iv) while constructing the selected segment, automatically determining by the computer system whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model by comparing respective 3D coordinates and indicating a conflicting portion in an error warning output to the user when a conflict having been determined, thereby reducing a potential for errors in subsequent hydraulic calculations; (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; wherein step (b) further comprising splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18)
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16. 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 lunching 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) while constructing the selected segment, automatically determining by the computer system whether the 3D coordinates for the selected segment conflict with a previously constructed 3D segment model by comparing respective 3D coordinates and indicating a conflicting portion in an error warning output to the user when a conflict having been determined, thereby reducing a potential for errors in subsequent hydraulic calculations; (vi) building and displaying the fitting information for the selected segment in a list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section corresponding to the constructing of the 3D segment model; (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; wherein step (b) further comprising splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification