Concrete Pump Stability Monitoring with Sensor-Failure Fallback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thick matter conveying systems face instability issues due to unreliable sensor operations, leading to unnecessary shutdowns and operational inefficiencies, particularly in concrete pumping where rapid curing can cause damage and complicate construction work.
Innovation Solution
A thick matter conveying system with a sensor unit and processing unit that verifies sensor operation, using extreme values to determine stability parameters when sensors fail, ensuring reliable operation without redundant components and avoiding shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sensor data is used for stability monitoring, then operational efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates when sensor defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores extreme values (minimum and maximum) for each operational parameter beforehand. When a sensor defect is detected, these pre-stored extreme values are used as substitute data to maintain stability monitoring, cushioning against the reliability loss from sensor failure without interrupting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on potentially defective sensor readings, the system creates substitute data by copying and using extreme values from historical operational data. This copying mechanism provides backup information that maintains monitoring functionality when original sensor data becomes unreliable.
2Reliability
If sensor defects cause shutdowns, then safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copied extreme values from historical data to substitute defective sensor readings, allowing stability assessment to continue without shutdowns. This maintains productivity while preserving safety through alternative data sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by using its own historical operational data (extreme values) to compensate for sensor failures. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external backup sensors or manual intervention, maintaining both safety and operational continuity.
3Reliability
If redundant sensors are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding physical redundant sensors, the system creates virtual redundancy by copying and storing extreme values from operational parameters. This software-based approach provides backup data capabilities without the hardware complexity of additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive computational resources to store and process extreme values as substitute data, replacing the need for expensive redundant sensor hardware. This disposable computational approach is cheaper and simpler than permanent hardware redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to, inter alia, a thick matter conveying system (10) comprising a thick matter pump (16) for conveying a thick matter; a thick matter distributing mast (18) for distributing the thick matter to be conveyed, said thick matter distributing mast (18) having a rotary mechanism (19) which can be rotated about a vertical axis and a mast assembly (40) comprising at least two mast arms (41); a substructure (30) on which the thick matter distributing mast (18) and the thick matter pump (16) are arranged, said substructure (30) comprising a support structure (31) for supporting the substructure (30) by means of at least one horizontally and/or vertically movable support leg (32); a sensor unit (11) comprising at least one sensor for detecting a piece of operating information; and a processing unit (12) for determining a stability parameter of the thick matter conveying system (10) on the basis of the at least one detected piece of operating information and for ascertaining an intended operation of the sensor of the sensor unit (11), said sensor detecting the at least one piece of operating information. If the processing unit (12) does not ascertain an intended operation of the sensor, the processing unit (12) is designed to determine the stability parameter on the basis of an extreme value of the operating information to be detected by the sensor instead of the detected piece of operating information.


