Module Class Objects for Process Plant Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process plants, configuring and managing numerous copies of the same control modules and graphical displays for replicated equipment is tedious, time-consuming, and prone to errors, as each instance must be manually altered and updated individually, lacking awareness of other similar modules or displays.
Innovation Solution
The use of module class objects that represent generic process entities, allowing for the creation of instances tied to specific equipment and enabling automatic propagation of changes across associated module objects, along with the ability to identify and manage purposefully absent equipment, simplifies configuration and reduces errors by treating replicated equipment as variants of a common module class.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of each control module instance is performed, then individual equipment can be configured, but the configuration process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements module class objects that serve as templates for creating multiple instances of control modules. When a module class object is configured, this configuration can be copied to multiple instances automatically, eliminating the need to manually configure each instance individually while maintaining configuration accuracy across all replicated equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal module class object that can represent multiple types of replicated equipment (e.g., various valve types, sensor types). This single class object can be instantiated multiple times to generate control modules for different specific equipment, allowing one configuration template to serve multiple functions across the entire process control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual updates are made to each control module, then specific equipment can be modified, but the process is prone to errors and inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where module class objects maintain relationships with their instantiated modules. When modifications are made to a module class object, the system automatically propagates these changes to all associated instances, providing feedback mechanisms that ensure configuration consistency across the entire system while still allowing equipment-specific customization through instance-level parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration management of multiple individual control modules into a single module class object. This consolidation allows centralized management of common parameters across all instances while maintaining the ability to customize specific equipment through instance-level overrides, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.
3Quantity of substance
If numerous control modules are created for replicated equipment, then complete coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where module class objects contain and manage multiple instances of control modules. This nesting allows the system to represent numerous control modules through a compact parent-child relationship structure, reducing the apparent complexity while maintaining complete coverage of all replicated equipment through systematic instantiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and module class objects to configure equipment absences in process plants are disclosed. An example disclosed method of creating a configuration entity for use in configuring a process plant comprises creating a class object representative of a process entity within the process plant that includes a first data structure representative of one or more process elements that make up the process entity; and creating a module object based on the class object that includes a second data structure, the second data structure to include a configurable first indication to represent whether a specific process element that conforms to a first one of the one or more process elements that make up the process entity is absent.