Compressed Air Bus Control for Live Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed air distribution systems face disruptions when devices are connected, disconnected, or settings are changed, causing inconvenience to existing consumers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a shared communication bus to iteratively share compressor statuses, allowing parallel control and integration of new devices or changes in settings without interrupting existing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device is connected to or settings are changed in the compressed air distribution system, then the system configuration is updated, but existing consumers experience interruption or disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The control system detects a newly connected device via the shared communication bus before integrating it. This preliminary detection allows the system to prepare for integration without disrupting existing consumers, as the new device is identified and prepared for incorporation into the control network in advance of full integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared communication bus serves as an intermediary that enables the control system to detect and integrate new devices without direct intervention that would disrupt existing consumers. The bus mediates between the new device and the control system, allowing seamless integration while maintaining continuous operation of existing consumers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control system integrates a new device, then the system becomes more versatile, but the integration process takes time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
When a device is connected to the compressed air distribution system, it automatically becomes detectable via the shared communication bus. The control system autonomously detects the new device and initiates integration without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown, enabling self-service integration that minimizes time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates new devices while continuing to control existing compressors and serve existing consumers without interruption. This continuous operation during integration ensures that the useful action of supplying compressed air is maintained throughout the device integration process, minimizing time loss.
3Productivity
If compressors are controlled in parallel, then system productivity increases, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared communication bus serves multiple functions: it enables detection of new devices, facilitates integration of new devices, and maintains control of existing compressors. This universal communication infrastructure handles multiple control tasks simultaneously, enabling parallel compressor control without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives status information from compressors via the shared communication bus and adjusts control commands accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables coordinated parallel control of multiple compressors, optimizing productivity while managing complexity through automated status monitoring and response.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment the invention comprises a computer- implemented method of remotely managing a compressed air distribution system (107) by means of a control system (102, 208, 308, 408) of one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407) wherein the method is iteratively repeated, comprising the steps of sharing respective statuses by the one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407) with the control system (102, 208, 308, 408) via a shared communication bus (201, 301), controlling the one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407) in parallel via the shared communication bus (201, 301) based on the statuses and on a required pressure and/or flow rate, and when a first device is connected to the compressed air distribution system (107), detecting the first device, integrating the first device, wherein the integration is carried out simultaneously with the parallel control (310, 410) of the one or more compressors (209, 309, 409).