CAD File Lifecycle Protection for Brownfield Asset Records
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Utility and facility organizations face challenges in managing dynamically changing CAD files during the DESIGN, AS-BUILT, and RECORD processes of Brownfield Assets, often exacerbated by concurrent updates, leading to data loss and overwrite.
Innovation Solution
A process involving downloading and conforming CAD files to standardize layering, renaming for demolition or design purposes, creating separate layers for demolition and corrective items, and using AI and ML for spatial analysis to maintain data integrity, ensuring accurate and efficient management of Brownfield Asset records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concurrent updates to CAD files are allowed to improve productivity, then file modification speed increases, but data integrity and reliability deteriorate due to overwrite and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CAD file management process into distinct phases: checkout, modification, and checkin. By dividing the file access process into separate stages with clear state transitions, multiple users can work concurrently on different versions without direct conflicts, maintaining data integrity while enabling parallel productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary file checkout/checkin mechanism that mediates between multiple users and the CAD files. This intermediary system tracks file states, prevents simultaneous modifications by different users, and ensures proper version control, thus protecting data integrity while allowing controlled concurrent access.
2Reliability
If separate files are created for demolition and design edits to prevent data overwrite, then data reliability improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to multiple file management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the demolition and design edit processes into a unified CAD file through external referencing. The demolished drawing is referenced within the same file structure, allowing both demolition and design elements to coexist in a single organized document rather than requiring separate file management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copied version of the original CAD file with the demolished drawing, then externally references this copy within the main file. This copying approach preserves the original data while enabling modifications, maintaining reliability without requiring complex multi-file management procedures.
3Reliability
If file checkout and checkin processes are implemented to protect data integrity, then reliability improves, but productivity deteriorates due to sequential access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic file state system where files transition between checked-out and checked-in states based on user needs. This dynamic approach allows flexible access control that adapts to different workflow scenarios, maintaining data integrity through state management while enabling efficient sequential access patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Operations and Maintenance Design drawing maintenance, As-Built drawing conformance, and Record drawing conformance processes for protecting the integrity of dynamically modified files for Brownfield Assets through all phases of a drawing's lifecycle.