Flow Path Diagram Reference Point Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In complex fluid flow path structures, such as those found in water treatment systems and chemical plants, conventional piping and instrumentation diagrams struggle to accurately represent the flow of fluids, making it difficult for designers to understand the fluid's presence and flow paths, especially in complicated systems with multiple diagrams.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method and apparatus that displays a flow path structure using symbols, allowing users to select a reference point and calculate the fluid flow range based on symbol arrangement and attribute information, thereby enhancing the visibility of fluid flow paths in the diagrams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a piping and instrumentation diagram is used to represent complex flow path structures, then the diagram can show connection relationships between components, but it becomes difficult to accurately grasp fluid flow paths and presence in complicated systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex flow path information by calculating and displaying the range of fluid flow from a selected reference point separately. Instead of showing the entire complex diagram at once, it divides the information into manageable segments by highlighting only the relevant flow paths from the selected component, making it easier to understand fluid presence and flow directions in complex systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation process that determines the flow range from the selected reference point to various other components. This intermediary step translates the complex diagram information into a simplified representation showing only the components within the calculated flow range, acting as a mediator between the complex diagram and the user's understanding
2Reliability
If symbols are connected by pipes in the diagram, then connection relationships are shown, but it does not necessarily mean fluid flows between them due to valve characteristics and fluid properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic analysis by considering the characteristics of individual components (such as check valves that allow flow in one direction only) and fluid properties (such as gravity-driven liquid flow from upper to lower points) to dynamically determine actual flow paths. This dynamic approach adjusts the flow range calculation based on component attributes and fluid characteristics rather than assuming flow along all connected paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for flow path determination by incorporating component-specific attributes (e.g., valve flow directionality) and fluid-specific parameters (e.g., density, gravity effects). By adjusting these parameters in the calculation, the system accurately represents which connections actually allow fluid flow versus which are merely physical connections without actual flow
3Loss of information
If multiple piping and instrumentation diagrams are drawn for complicated apparatus, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but it becomes difficult to grasp fluid flow across multiple diagrams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal reference system that works across multiple diagrams by calculating the flow range from a selected reference point in one diagram and identifying which components in other diagrams fall within that range. This universal approach allows the same flow analysis method to be applied consistently across multiple diagrams, enabling comprehensive fluid presence tracking throughout the entire system regardless of how many diagrams are involved
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method includes, by a processing unit, displaying, on a display unit, a diagram in which a flow path structure is expressed using a plurality of symbols representing components of a flow path, acquiring a designation of a symbol to be treated as a reference point among the plurality of symbols, calculating a range in which a fluid is allowed to flow from the reference point in the flow path structure using information regarding arrangement of the plurality of symbols and attribute information associated with each of the plurality of symbols, and editing the diagram to identify the range and displaying the edited diagram on the display unit.