Generic Process System Library for Control Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration of process control systems is time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the need for repetitive steps when configuring similar or comparable systems, as existing methods require project-specific tags and detailed configuration for each system, leading to inefficiencies in configuring multiple systems with similar equipment and signal configurations.
Innovation Solution
The use of generic process system libraries that include generic graphic data and control strategy data, allowing for the creation of instances that can be configured with process-specific data, reducing the need for repetitive configuration by abstracting out project-specific details and enabling the reuse of configurations across multiple comparable systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional project-specific configuration methods are used for each process control system, then the configuration can be tailored precisely to specific system requirements, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive when deploying multiple similar systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring process control systems using generic templates that contain standard equipment configurations, signal definitions, and control logic. These pre-configured templates are stored in a database and can be instantiated multiple times to rapidly deploy similar systems without repeating the entire configuration process for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating reusable configuration templates from successfully deployed process control systems. These templates capture the essential configuration elements and can be copied and instantiated for new similar systems, eliminating the need to manually reconfigure each system from scratch while maintaining adaptability through parameter customization.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed project-specific tags and configurations are created for each system, then the configuration precision and system specificity are improved, but the complexity and effort of configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the configuration into hierarchical levels: generic templates containing standard configurations, and system-specific instances where only necessary parameters are customized. This segmentation allows the configuration to maintain precision for critical elements while reducing overall complexity through modular reuse of standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing generic configuration templates that can serve multiple similar process control systems. These universal templates contain reusable equipment definitions, signal configurations, and control logic that can be instantiated across different projects, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve precision through instance-specific parameter adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If repetitive configuration steps are performed for each similar process control system, then system-specific requirements can be met, but productivity and efficiency decrease due to redundant work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring process control systems using generic templates that contain standard equipment configurations, signal definitions, and control logic. These pre-configured templates are stored in a database and can be instantiated multiple times to rapidly deploy similar systems without repeating the entire configuration process for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by eliminating the need to recreate configuration elements that are already captured in generic templates. Instead of discarding time and effort on repetitive configuration tasks, the system recovers by reusing proven configurations from templates, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining the ability to customize instance-specific parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to configure process control systems based on generic process system libraries are disclosed. An example method includes instantiating an instance of a generic process system library. The instance is associated with items of equipment and corresponding process signals of a process control system. The generic process system library comprises at least one of generic process graphic data or generic control strategy data corresponding to the items of equipment and the corresponding process signals of the process control system. The example method further includes configuring the instance of the generic process system library by incorporating process-specific data associated with the operation of the process control system with the at least one of the generic process graphic data or the generic control strategy data.