Automation Client Interface for Set Point Handover and Fail-Safe Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial and process control systems lack efficient automation capabilities, particularly in dynamically adjusting operating characteristics of equipment like mud pumps in oil and gas drilling operations, where manual and automatic control transitions are not seamlessly integrated, and fail-safe mechanisms during communication losses are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a computing device with a control module and automation agent to selectively adjust operating characteristics of equipment by modifying set point values, providing remote control indications and latches to facilitate automation, and employing fail-safe set points to ensure stable operation during communication failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automation capabilities are added to dynamically adjust operating characteristics, then productivity and operational efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: automation agent for decision-making, execution module for command implementation, set point management module for parameter control, and communication module for data exchange. This modular architecture enables automated adjustment of operating characteristics while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures fail-safe set points and automated response protocols before communication failures occur. The automation agent maintains a library of predetermined safe operating parameters that are automatically deployed when communication is lost, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during failures and reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If seamless transition between manual and automatic control is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The execution module serves as an intermediary between the automation agent and the equipment control systems. It manages the transition logic between manual and automatic modes, handling mode switching, command routing, and state synchronization. This intermediary layer simplifies the user interface while managing the complexity of control transitions in the background.
3Reliability
If fail-safe mechanisms are implemented during communication losses, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures fail-safe set points and automated response protocols before communication failures occur. The automation agent maintains a library of predetermined safe operating parameters that are automatically deployed when communication is lost, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during failures and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automation agent implements self-service fail-safe mechanisms by autonomously detecting communication failures and switching to pre-configured safe operating modes without requiring external intervention or complex control logic. The system serves itself by maintaining internal state tracking and automatic fallback capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Automation agents are utilized to modify operating characteristics of a client, such as a piece of equipment. An operating characteristic of equipment can be selectively adjusted by modification of a set point value, which is associated with the operating characteristic of the equipment. The equipment can adjust the operating characteristic based upon the set point value. A remote control indication can be provided to indicate when a set point value is available for modification. The remote control indication is adjustable by an execution module associated with the equipment. A set point latch can be provided for indicating when the set point value is modifiable by an automation agent.