Monitor and Effect Block Configuration for Complex Cause-Effect Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cause and effect matrices (CEMs) in process control systems are limited by size and complexity, leading to tedious and error-prone implementation, especially in large or sophisticated safety systems, where accurate configuration is critical to prevent hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that separates cause and effect relationships into monitor blocks and effect blocks, allowing for pattern identification, grouping, and reorganization to simplify the logic implementation, along with interactive tools for better understanding and validation, and reverse engineering techniques to automatically create test CEMs for error identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cause and effect matrices are used in process control systems, then the system can handle basic safety monitoring, but the implementation becomes tedious and error-prone when the system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large cause and effect matrix into multiple smaller sub-matrices or sub-blocks. Each sub-matrix handles a specific portion of the safety system, making configuration more manageable and less error-prone. The system provides tools to automatically generate, validate, and integrate these sub-matrices into a complete safety logic configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cause and effect matrix size increases to handle sophisticated safety systems, then more comprehensive safety coverage is achieved, but implementation becomes more tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating cause and effect matrices from process control system specifications and safety requirements. Configuration tools pre-validate the logic before implementation, identifying potential errors early in the design phase rather than during commissioning or operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates validation and verification mechanisms that provide feedback on configuration correctness. The system checks for logical consistency, completeness, and compliance with safety standards, alerting operators to potential errors and suggesting corrections.
3Device complexity
If conventional CEMs are used without separation into monitor and effect blocks, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to handle intricate cause and effect relationships is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional monolithic CEM into separate monitor blocks and effect blocks. Monitor blocks evaluate cause conditions and generate monitor outputs, while effect blocks receive these outputs and implement safety effects. This segmentation enables more sophisticated cause and effect relationships while maintaining clear structural organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of configuring monitor blocks and effect blocks associated with a process control system for a process plant includes causing a display device to display a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface indicating a first monitor block, a second monitor block, and an effect block. The system and method further includes enabling a user to input configuration data via the input device, including: (i) configuring one of the outputs of the first monitor block to serve as one of the inputs of the second monitor block, (ii) configuring an additional one of the outputs of the first monitor block and one of the outputs of the second monitor block to serve as inputs to the effect block, and (iii) designating at least one of the plurality of cells of each of the first monitor block, the second monitor block, and the effect block as a trigger associated with the respective input/output pair for the respective cell and corresponding to a condition in the process plant.