Control System Alarm Analysis for Initial Trigger Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large technical systems, operators face challenges in identifying the initial cause of alarm message accumulations due to overwhelming numbers of alarms during an alarm surge, where existing methods require manual filtering and are time-consuming, making it difficult to pinpoint the trigger alarm amidst numerous follow-up alarms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an operator station server that detects and stores alarm messages, specifies a time range, determines cumulative function local minima, and automatically presents these minima and associated alarm messages to the operator, allowing quick identification of the initial alarm message.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual filtering of alarm messages is used, then the operator can identify relevant alarms, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and presents potential initial alarms to the operator without requiring manual filtering. The server autonomously analyzes alarm accumulations, determines local minima in the cumulative alarm function, and presents results to the operator, making the system self-serve the information needs of the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of filtering and searching through alarm messages is replaced by an automated computational system. The server performs automated analysis using cumulative functions and local minima detection algorithms, substituting the operator's manual mechanical search process with an automated information processing system.
2Loss of information
If all alarm messages are displayed, then the operator has complete information, but the visualized area becomes overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the most relevant information (potential initial alarms identified through local minima analysis) from the complete alarm message set. Instead of presenting all alarms, the server extracts and presents specifically the alarms at local minima points, which are statistically most likely to be initial alarms, thereby reducing information overload while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm message accumulation is segmented into discrete analysis units by identifying local minima points in the cumulative alarm function. Each local minimum represents a potential initial alarm event, dividing the overwhelming continuous stream of alarms into manageable discrete segments that can be individually presented and analyzed by the operator.
3Productivity
If automated analysis is implemented, then the identification process is accelerated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operator station server performs multiple functions: it detects alarm messages, stores them, determines cumulative alarm functions, identifies local minima, and presents results. By making the server multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby achieving automated analysis without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is proposed for identifying an initial alarm message from a cluster of alarm messages in a control system (4) of a technical installation. The method comprises the following steps: a) recording alarm messages arising in the control system (4) of the technical installation and storing the alarm messages in a memory (10); b) defining a specific time range (1) for further processing of the alarm messages contained in the time range (1); c) determining at least one time point within the time range (1) at which an initial alarm message arose in the technical installation; d) transmitting the at least one specific time point to an operating device (6) designed to display the alarm messages.