Partial-Load Condition Determination for System Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems face challenges in operating in partial-load conditions due to varying effects on different components, lack of defined relationships between partial-load conditions and operating parameters, and complex implementation of system-wide partial-load operations, which affects energy consumption, maintenance intervals, and service life.

Innovation Solution

A method that evaluates energy models of system components, allocates operating parameters to specific partial-load conditions based on specification parameters, and simulates these conditions using a parameterizable simulation model to determine optimal partial-load operations for each component, considering energy efficiency and dynamic aspects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a complete system is operated in a specific partial-load condition, then energy consumption is reduced, but the implementation becomes extremely complex due to differing forms of behavior of individual components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into individual components, each with its own energy model. The system evaluates energy models of individual components (motors, conveyors, robots, etc.) separately and aggregates them to determine system-wide partial-load conditions. This segmentation allows complex system behavior to be managed through component-level analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by evaluating energy models that define relationships between operating parameters (speed, throughput, power consumption) and partial-load conditions. By parameterizing the simulation model and energy models, the system can efficiently evaluate different partial-load scenarios without manual complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If individual components are operated in partial-load conditions, then maintenance intervals and service life are improved, but not all components allow for every partial-load condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidpartial-load flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the system adaptable through simulation. The parameterizable simulation model dynamically evaluates which partial-load conditions are feasible for each component based on its capabilities. This allows the system to adjust and optimize partial-load operations in real-time while respecting component-specific constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from energy models and simulation results to determine feasible partial-load conditions for each component. The evaluation process incorporates component capabilities and constraints, providing feedback on which partial-load conditions are acceptable and optimizing the overall system configuration accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system operates at full load, then throughput is maximized, but energy consumption increases and maintenance intervals decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by determining optimal partial-load conditions for system operation. Instead of always operating at full load, the system evaluates and implements partial-load conditions that achieve the desired throughput while reducing energy consumption. The energy models enable identification of efficient operating points below full capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If partial-load conditions are defined for individual components, then component-level optimization is achieved, but system-wide implementation remains complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidsystem implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual component energy models into a unified system evaluation. By combining the energy models of multiple components and using a parameterizable simulation model, the system determines system-wide partial-load conditions that coordinate individual component operations. This merging approach simplifies system-wide implementation while maintaining component-level optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9460240B2Method for determining a partial-load condition of a system

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A method for evaluating component-related energy models and external specification parameters, in order, based on these, to produce a determination of a set of partial-load conditions, which are simulated based on a parameterizable simulation model of the system. A system planner is put in a position, with the specification of specification parameters, for example, a minimum throughput of the system or a maximum energy consumption, in which he can obtain a set of partial-load conditions, i.e., a partial-load condition for each of the components involved in the determination. In this way, an individual partial-load condition can be set for each component, where all the partial-load conditions fulfill the provisions of the specification parameters.