Analog Alarm Template Configuration for Digital Control Variables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring analog process alarms in digital control systems is time-consuming and lacks consistency, with conventional methods introducing a layer between process variables and alarm configurations, making maintenance and changes difficult, and not providing a centralized template-based naming mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for configuring analog process alarms that uses a virtual block to allow centralized configuration and display of alarm data, eliminating the need for runtime constructs, and automatically generates alias names based on predefined templates, ensuring uniformity and reducing human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If analog alarms are configured individually in each analog process variable using conventional methods, then each alarm can be customized, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and lacks consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating alarm configuration templates in advance that contain pre-defined parameters and naming conventions. These templates are prepared beforehand and can be automatically applied to multiple analog process variables, eliminating the need to manually configure each alarm individually and ensuring consistency across all alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a template-based configuration system where a single template can be applied to multiple different analog process variables. The template serves as a universal configuration model that can be reused across numerous alarms, maintaining adaptability while dramatically reducing configuration time.
2Reliability
If function blocks are used in the controller runtime to generate analog alarms, then alarm generation is enabled, but a layer is introduced between the process variable and alarm configuration making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the intermediate function block layer from the alarm configuration architecture. Instead of using function blocks that sit between process variables and alarm configurations, the patent directly configures alarms on analog process variables through templates, eliminating the maintenance burden of the intermediate layer while preserving alarm generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redefines the intermediary role by using templates as the mediating element between configuration requirements and alarm implementation. Rather than function blocks serving as intermediaries that complicate maintenance, templates act as configuration blueprints that simplify the relationship between process variables and alarm settings, making the system easier to maintain.
3Ease of operation
If manual naming conventions are assigned to each alarm variable to match customer facilities, then familiarity is improved, but substantial manual effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling automatic generation of alarm names and variables based on selected templates and predefined naming conventions. The system automatically adapts to customer facility naming standards (such as KKS conventions) without requiring manual assignment for each alarm, thereby maintaining operator familiarity while eliminating substantial manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring naming convention templates that incorporate customer-specific naming standards. These templates are prepared in advance with the appropriate naming patterns already embedded, so when an alarm is created, the familiar customer-specific names are automatically generated without requiring manual intervention.
4Stability of the object's composition
If centralized template-based configuration is implemented for analog alarms, then consistency and uniformity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the alarm configuration system into distinct template definitions and alarm instances. The templates contain the standardized configuration patterns, while individual alarms are created by instantiating these templates. This segmentation maintains consistency through template reuse while keeping the actual alarm configuration simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by allowing templates to define configurable parameters that can be adjusted when creating specific alarm instances. This enables consistency through standardized template structures while providing flexibility to modify specific parameters as needed, managing system complexity through controlled parameterization rather than rigid fixed configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for configuring an analog process alarm in digital control devices are provided. In one example embodiment, a system may include a logic editor configured to create templates, including one or more alias names for corresponding one or more analog alarm sub-variables associated with an analog process variable, within the digital control system; a human-machine interface configured to provide to a user an analog alarm virtual block diagram visualizing processing logic associated with the analog process variable within the digital control system and to receive from the user a request to select a template from the created templates; and a template generator configured to automatically generate, based on the selection of the template, the alias names for the corresponding analog alarm sub- variables of the analog process alarm. The alias names may be defined directly on the analog process variable.