Distributed Safety Sensor Communication for Adaptive Facility Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated control and safety systems in industrial facilities rely on static sensing systems and predefined responses, which are inflexible, non-robust, and inefficient, leading to inadequate monitoring and response to safety hazards, particularly in dynamic environments where personnel movement and equipment operation pose challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intelligent industrial facility safety systems employing distributed remote sensing devices (RSDs) with fixed and mobile units, equipped with sensing, processing, and alert units, that adapt to changing conditions and communicate effectively through various configurations to provide targeted and dynamic safety alerts and responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If fixed sensors are distributed throughout the facility, then monitoring coverage is improved, but system flexibility deteriorates when personnel migrate throughout the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed sensors to dynamic mobile sensors that can move throughout the facility. Mobile sensors carried by personnel or on vehicles can dynamically reposition monitoring coverage to match changing personnel locations and operational needs, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent mobile sensor units rather than a single centralized fixed system. Each mobile sensor can operate independently and be deployed to different areas as needed, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive coverage while adapting to changing conditions through distributed mobile units.
2Device complexity
If sensors rely on direct communication with centralized controller, then system complexity is reduced, but robustness deteriorates when sensors lose communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where mobile sensors continuously report status to the centralized controller, and the controller provides feedback commands. This two-way communication enables the system to maintain simplicity while improving robustness, as sensors can detect communication loss and switch to alternative operation modes or alert operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate communication nodes or relay systems between mobile sensors and the centralized controller. These intermediaries ensure continuous communication even when direct paths are blocked, maintaining system robustness without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If fixed sensors provide partial coverage, then device complexity is reduced, but response accuracy deteriorates for locating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile sensors dynamically move to and around hazard locations, continuously updating position data. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to achieve precise hazard location identification without requiring a dense network of fixed sensors throughout the entire facility, thus maintaining simplicity while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile sensors can be pre-deployed to areas where hazards are likely to occur or where personnel are concentrated. This preliminary positioning allows the system to maintain accurate hazard detection capability while using fewer sensors overall, reducing device complexity without sacrificing measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for intelligent distributed industrial facility safety systems. In some embodiments an industrial facility safety system includes remote sensing devices (RSDs) disposed throughout an industrial facility and a facility safety control system (FSCS) adapted to collect safety data from the RSDs, where the RSDs communicate with the FSCS by way of one or more other RSDs based on RSD operational characteristics.