Passive Backplane Monitoring Architecture for Scalable Circuit Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial monitoring systems lack flexibility and scalability, making them costly and complex to install, especially for monitoring low-cost and low-priority components or systems.

Innovation Solution

A flexible monitoring system with a passive backplane and detachable functional circuits that share resources, allowing for scalable performance adjustments and the ability to couple multiple backplanes using bridges for shared resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional monitoring systems are used to monitor industrial equipment, then monitoring coverage can be achieved, but system complexity and installation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent functional circuits (input circuits, protection circuits, condition monitoring circuits, output circuits) that can be selectively assembled on the backplane. Each circuit handles specific monitoring tasks, allowing the system to be configured based on actual needs rather than deploying a complete complex system for every application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backplane provides a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of functional circuits. The same backplane infrastructure supports input circuits for signal acquisition, protection circuits for safety monitoring, condition monitoring circuits for diagnostic functions, and output circuits for control signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If comprehensive monitoring systems are deployed to ensure equipment reliability, then monitoring capability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic configuration where functional circuits can be added, removed, or replaced on the backplane based on changing monitoring requirements. This enables the system to adapt from basic monitoring to comprehensive monitoring as needed, optimizing installation cost by only deploying the necessary monitoring capabilities for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables parameter changes in monitoring scope and intensity by selectively activating different functional circuits. Users can adjust the level of monitoring from simple operational status to detailed condition analysis by adding appropriate circuits, thereby optimizing cost according to the actual monitoring parameters required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed monitoring system architecture is used, then system stability is maintained, but flexibility and scalability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The modular architecture segments the monitoring system into independent functional circuits that can be individually selected and configured. This segmentation maintains system stability through standardized backplane interfaces while simultaneously enabling flexibility by allowing custom assemblies of functional circuits to be created for different monitoring scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a fixed architecture to a dynamic reconfigurable architecture where functional circuits can be added or removed from the backplane. The standardized connection interfaces ensure stable operation during reconfiguration, while the ability to modify the circuit assembly provides adaptability for different monitoring requirements and future expansions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3777044B1Monitoring system having a backplane with functional circuits and dedicated data lanes
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 BENTLY NEVADA INC
  • EP3777044B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3777044B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3777044B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.