Optical Signal Lamp Monitoring for Legacy Plant Status Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial plants, especially older facilities, often lack the ability to easily and cost-effectively install modern data acquisition devices due to incompatibility with modern technology, making it difficult to collect and evaluate process-relevant data.
Innovation Solution
A signal light monitoring device with an optical detection unit and an evaluation unit that optically detects and evaluates the signal emitted by a signal light, allowing for the collection of status information without requiring electrical or electronic adjustments to the system, and can be retrofitted with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If modern data acquisition devices are installed in existing industrial plants, then data collection capability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to incompatibility with older systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical detection unit as an intermediary device that captures optical signals from signal lights without requiring direct electrical connection to the monitored system. This intermediary approach allows data collection from legacy systems while avoiding the complexity of integrating modern data acquisition devices with older incompatible infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical/electronic data acquisition methods with an optical detection system. Instead of using traditional electrical connections and digital interfaces that require system compatibility, the solution uses optical sensors to detect light signals, thereby substituting a mechanical/electrical system with an optical one that is universally applicable across different system generations.
2Reliability
If data acquisition devices are retrofitted into older systems, then monitoring capability is improved, but retrofitting cost and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection unit serves as a non-invasive intermediary that monitors signal lights without requiring integration into the existing system's electrical architecture. This approach maintains system reliability by accurately capturing status information while minimizing retrofitting effort since the device can be independently installed without modifying the original system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or replica of the signal light information by using optical sensors to detect and reproduce the visual signals. This copying mechanism allows the monitoring system to capture and process status information without physically altering or complicating the original system installation.
3Ease of operation
If optical detection is used to monitor signal lights, then system intervention is reduced, but information acquisition capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes direct electrical or physical interaction with the system with optical detection methods. The optical detection unit captures light signals emitted by signal lights, providing status information without any electrical connection or physical intervention in the monitored system, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection unit acts as a non-intrusive intermediary that bridges the gap between the monitored system and the monitoring equipment. It captures optical information from signal lights and converts it into usable data without requiring direct access to or intervention in the system's electrical or operational components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the collection of important status information for process optimization and maintenance without compromising system functionality or safety, while reducing retrofitting complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection unit (24) configured to optically detect a signal emitted by a signal light (16) and to generate a detected signal based on the detected signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a signal light monitoring device (22) for monitoring at least one signal light (16) of a system (12), comprising at least one optical detection unit (24) designed to optically detect a signal emitted by a signal light (16) and to generate a detected signal based on the detected signal. Furthermore, the signal light monitoring device (22) comprises an evaluation unit (28) designed to evaluate the signal generated by the optical detection unit (24) and to output status information based on the evaluation result. The invention also relates to a system having a signal light monitoring device (22) and a method for monitoring a signal light (16).