Nuclear Plant Supervision via Display Copying

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Solution Overview

Problem

In nuclear power plants, the digitization of control systems makes it difficult for shift supervisors to visually ascertain the operations performed by operators using central control panels, as communications rely on verbal commands and pointing, limiting the supervisor's ability to monitor operations effectively.

Innovation Solution

An operation monitoring apparatus that allows the shift supervisor to display images from an operator's console on their own console, using a switching device and display lamps to enhance visibility and communication, enabling the supervisor to confirm operator actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digitization of control system is implemented, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but loss of information occurs as supervisor cannot visually confirm operator actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidvisual confirmation of operator actions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The supervisor's display unit displays a copy of the operator's display unit content, allowing the supervisor to visually confirm operator actions without interfering with the operator's work. This copying mechanism transfers visual information from the operator's console to the supervisor's console, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining digital system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If touch operation interface is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs as supervisor cannot see what operators are performing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch operation convenienceVSAvoidvisibility of operator operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system copies the display content from the operator's touch interface to the supervisor's display, enabling visual monitoring of touch operations without adding physical complexity to the interface. This allows the touch interface to remain simple and easy to use while providing supervisory visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If centralized control panel is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs as supervisor cannot distinguish specific display unit operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel structureVSAvoididentification of specific display operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The supervisor's display unit copies and displays the content from the operator's display unit, enabling the supervisor to identify specific operations being performed on any display unit. This maintains the simplicity of the centralized control panel while adding supervisory visibility through information copying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2602683B1Nuclear plant operation supervision device
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2602683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2602683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2602683B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an operation monitoring apparatus of a nuclear power plant, a first operation console (12) that can be operated by an operator and includes displays (31 to 37), an operation command console (14) that can be operated by a shift supervisor and includes displays (41 to 44), a transfer device (51) that can display an image displayed on the displays (31 to 37) of the first operation console (12) on the displays (41 to 44) of the operation command console (14), and a switching device (54) that switches an image on the displays (41 to 44) of the operation command console (14) to the image on the displays (31 to 37) of the first operation console transferred by the transfer device (51) are provided. With this configuration, it is possible to improve communications between the supervisor and the operator in operation of the nuclear power plant, thereby ensuring high safety in monitoring of operations.