Fluid Power System Error Localization via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large fluid power systems with multiple simultaneously active subsystems, it is challenging to accurately identify the source of errors or leaks due to the complexity of interactions among components, leading to potential diagnosis errors.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses actuator setting signals and volumetric flow sensors to localize leaks, excluding unnecessary components by comparing integrated volumetric flow reference curves with measurement curves, compensating for temperature, moisture, and operational conditions, and filtering difference curves to isolate the faulty subsystems or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple subsystems are simultaneously active in a large fluid power system, then system functionality and productivity are improved, but the ability to accurately identify error sources deteriorates due to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex fluid power system into multiple subsystems, each monitored independently. By dividing the overall system into manageable segments with individual reference curves, the method maintains high productivity while improving diagnostic capability. Each subsystem's fluid consumption is evaluated separately, allowing error localization even when multiple subsystems operate simultaneously.
2Productivity
If multiple subsystems are simultaneously active, then system functionality is improved, but diagnosis accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in isolating error sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independently monitored subsystems, each with its own reference curve. This segmentation allows accurate diagnosis by comparing measured fluid consumption against subsystem-specific references, maintaining diagnostic precision even when multiple subsystems operate concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
Each subsystem is assigned specific diagnostic characteristics and reference curves tailored to its operational parameters. This local quality approach ensures that diagnosis is optimized for each subsystem's specific conditions, improving overall diagnostic accuracy across the entire system.
3Reliability
If fluid consumption is monitored in the overall system, then error detection capability is improved, but the ability to localize specific faulty components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from overall system monitoring to subsystem-level monitoring by creating individual reference curves for each subsystem. This segmentation preserves error detection capability while dramatically improving error localization, as deviations can be traced to specific subsystems rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of temporal analysis by using integrated fluid consumption values over time. This transforms the diagnostic approach from static snapshot comparisons to dynamic time-based analysis, enabling both detection and precise localization of errors through the timing characteristics of deviations.
4Measurement precision
If reference curves are stored for each subsystem, then diagnosis precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reference curves are pre-calculated and stored during system commissioning or initial operation, before actual diagnostic needs arise. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during operation, reducing computational complexity while maintaining high diagnostic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing complex multi-dimensional data sets, the patent uses simplified reference curves that capture the essential fluid consumption patterns. These simplified copies retain sufficient diagnostic information while significantly reducing storage requirements and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for error containment and diagnosis in a fluid power system the fluid volumetric flow of the overall system or at least a part thereof or a quantity dependent thereon is detected as a measurement quantity respectively during an operating cycle and is compared with stored references. In each case at the point in time of a deviation or change in the deviation from the reference the method finds at which component or at which components (10 through 14) in the system an event has occurred influencing the fluid consumption in order to then to recognize same as subject to error. In the case of such a deviation or change therein and the simultaneous occurrence of several activities influencing fluid consumption by several components (10 through 14) a process of exclusion is performed, in which during the following activities involving at least one of such components (10 through 14) a check is made to see whether a deviation or a change in the deviation has occurred, and in each of such further examination steps the components involved are excluded from such further examination, if no deviation or change in the deviation takes place.