Gated Multipoint Interface Monitoring for Scalable Machinery Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for machinery in industries like hydrocarbon refining and power generation lack flexibility and scalability, leading to high costs and complexity in maintenance and data management.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system with a bus having multiple coupling elements and slave circuits that can operate in different modes to control data transfer, allowing for flexible scheduling and communication between master and slave circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring system is implemented for machinery, then reliability and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple independent slave circuits that can be detached and configured separately. Each slave circuit monitors specific machinery parameters independently, allowing the system to scale from simple to complex monitoring needs without requiring complete system redesign, thus improving reliability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave circuits are designed with universal functionality to monitor various machinery parameters through a standardized interface. The same slave circuit architecture can monitor different parameters by changing the sensor input, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through consistent monitoring standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slave circuits are added to monitor more parameters, then monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent slave circuits that can be added or removed based on monitoring needs. Each slave circuit handles specific parameters independently, allowing incremental expansion of monitoring coverage without creating complex interdependencies between monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared bus architecture acts as an intermediary that simplifies communication between multiple slave circuits and the master controller. Instead of requiring direct point-to-point connections between all components, the bus provides a standardized communication medium that reduces system complexity while enabling comprehensive monitoring coverage.
3Loss of information
If data transfer is continuously enabled between slave circuits and bus, then data availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave circuits use gated data transfer with periodic enabling based on scheduled time slots. Instead of continuous data transmission, each slave circuit is enabled to transfer data only during its assigned time slot on the bus, ensuring data availability while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate controllers in each slave circuit automatically manage their own data transfer timing based on pre-configured schedules. The system self-regulates data availability without requiring continuous external control signals, reducing energy consumption while maintaining data accessibility when needed.
4Use of energy by moving object
If gated data transfer with scheduling is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate controller acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the implementation of scheduled data transfer. It automatically manages the enabling and disabling of data transfer based on time-slot schedules, eliminating the need for complex control logic in the main system while achieving energy-efficient periodic communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate controllers are self-contained units that autonomously manage their own data transfer scheduling based on pre-configured parameters. Each gate controller independently handles its assigned time slots without requiring complex centralized control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.