Environmental Control Performance Indicator Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental control systems face challenges in maintaining precise control variables due to changing system dynamics, nonlinear behaviors, and disturbances, leading to inefficient operation and increased maintenance costs, particularly in comparing performance indicators between staged-control and proportional outputs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for scaling performance indicators by calculating probability distributions characteristic of fault-free systems, allowing for the display of both modulating and staged-control outputs on a common scale, enabling automated fault detection and diagnosis without requiring manual threshold settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If performance indicators are monitored separately for staged-control and proportional output systems, then each system can be assessed independently, but comparison between the two system types becomes difficult and requires manual threshold settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms performance indicators from their original units into standardized scores using probability distributions. By converting different types of control outputs (staged-control and proportional) into a common standardized scale, the system enables direct comparison without requiring separate assessment methodologies or manual threshold settings for each system type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal assessment framework that handles both staged-control and proportional output systems through the same standardized scoring mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows a single assessment system to evaluate different control system types uniformly, eliminating the need for separate assessment procedures.
2Reliability
If manual threshold settings are used for fault detection, then false alarms can be reduced, but the system requires continuous manual calibration and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines fault detection thresholds by calculating probability distributions from historical performance data. Instead of requiring manual calibration, the system self-adjusts thresholds based on learned patterns from normal operation, reducing both false alarms and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where performance indicators are continuously monitored, and the probability distributions are updated based on observed system behavior. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust thresholds and improve fault detection accuracy over time without manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If control parameters are not periodically retuned, then system operation remains simple, but control precision deteriorates and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of control system performance by continuously monitoring standardized indicators. By detecting early signs of degradation before they become critical, the system enables proactive retuning at optimal intervals, maintaining precision without requiring constant adjustment or complex real-time control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual retuning operations with an automated electronic assessment system. The standardized performance indicators and probability-based analysis automatically identify when retuning is needed, substituting mechanical/manual adjustment processes with electronic monitoring and alerting systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for scaling performance indicators of control applications in an environmental control system. The system is configured to identify a probability distribution that is characteristic of a fault-free environmental control system and to use the probability distribution of a fault-free environmental control system in calculations to display probability distributions of data from first and second control applications on a common scale.