Fibrous Web Tear Detection with Wet-Dry Anomaly Correlation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Web breaks in fiber-containing webs during the production process lead to significant downtime and operational inefficiencies in industrial plants, particularly in the drying section of paper machines, often due to increased web tension caused by drive malfunctions or malfunctions in the wet section.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize sensors and encoders to monitor and analyze parameters as time series, employing artificial intelligence to detect anomalies in both the wet and dry sections of the industrial plant, allowing for proactive adjustments to prevent web breaks by adjusting drive settings and process parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If web break monitoring is performed only after breaks occur, then response time is delayed, but system complexity is minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb break detection reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of operational parameters (speed, torque, temperature, vibration) to detect anomalies that precede web breaks. By analyzing trends and patterns before actual breaks occur, the system enables proactive intervention and prevents downtime, transforming reactive monitoring into predictive maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors operational parameters and provides feedback when anomalies are detected. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustments to be made to prevent web breaks, creating a closed-loop control system that improves reliability by responding to early warning signs rather than waiting for actual breaks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If comprehensive parameter monitoring is implemented in both wet and dry sections, then web break prevention capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb break prevention capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into distinct segments corresponding to the wet section and dry section of the paper machine. Each segment monitors specific parameters relevant to its operational characteristics, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A unified anomaly detection algorithm is applied across multiple sections and parameter types. The same analytical framework processes diverse inputs (speed, torque, temperature, vibration) from both wet and dry sections, reducing overall system complexity by using a universal detection mechanism rather than section-specific algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If real-time parameter analysis is performed, then web break detection accuracy is improved, but computational resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies full analytical rigor only when anomalies are detected, rather than continuously analyzing all parameters at maximum depth. During normal operation, monitoring is performed at a baseline level, and computational resources are intensified only when abnormal patterns emerge, balancing accuracy with energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3911797B1Method and device for detecting a tear in a fibrous web, industrial equipment and computer program product
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3911797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3911797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3911797B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for monitoring an industrial plant (100), to a computer program product, and to an industrial plant (100). The industrial plant (100) comprises two parts (100a, 100b). In a first part (100a) of the industrial plant (100), in particular a paper machine, first parameters (x1,...,xn) are provided. The industrial plant (100), particularly designed as a paper machine, is used to produce and/or process a fibrous material web (1). Second parameters (y1,...,yn) are provided in a second part (100b). The parameters (x1,...,xn,y1,...,yn) are stored, preferentially as time series (16a,...,16n,17a,...,17n). In the case of a web break in the second part (100b), the second parameters (y1,...,yn) are first analyzed for a second anomaly. If no second anomaly can be detected, the first parameters (x1,...,xn) are analyzed for a first anomaly. During the analysis, the parameters (x1,...xn, y1,...,yn) which were stored in a time range before the web break (F) are preferably examined. If a first or second anomaly is detected, these, and optionally measures to avoid such web breaks (F), are displayed to the user. Optionally, the first parameters x1,...,xn and/or the second parameters y1,...,yn can be set so as to avoid future web breaks F.