Pipe Network Grouping With Overlap Detection and Automated Regrouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for grouping pipelines in pipe networks, such as replacing high-priority pipelines, are inefficient, require manual effort, lack reproducibility, and are difficult to evaluate, especially for large-scale networks.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline grouping apparatus and method that automatically groups pipelines based on indicators like total pipeline length, installation cost, elevation difference, or residual chlorine level, using a grouping control unit, overlapping area calculation, and update control to optimize grouping and regroup pipelines if overlapping areas exceed a specified threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a worker manually operates a terminal to associate each pipeline with a pipe network based on experience, then grouping can be performed, but the operation is very complicated and requires a certain amount of time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of associating pipelines with automated computer-based processing. The grouping control unit automatically performs pipeline grouping based on predetermined conditions and indicators, substituting the worker's manual terminal operations with automated computational methods that calculate optimal groupings without requiring manual intervention for each pipeline association.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the grouping control unit independently performs pipeline grouping based on pre-set criteria and indicators. The automated system serves itself by automatically evaluating pipelines, determining optimal groupings, and generating results without requiring continuous manual guidance or intervention, thereby eliminating the time and effort previously required for manual operations.
2Reliability
If manual grouping based on experience is used, then some grouping results can be obtained, but the results lack reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the grouping process from subjective experience-based manual operation to objective parameter-based automated calculation. The grouping control unit uses predetermined indicators (such as pipeline length, diameter, material, installation period) and systematically evaluates pipelines based on these parameters according to set conditions, ensuring that the same inputs always produce the same reproducible results regardless of who operates the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the unreliable human experience-based manual grouping mechanism with a automated computer-based system that consistently applies predetermined conditions and indicators. This substitution eliminates the variability inherent in manual operations and ensures reproducible results through systematic automated evaluation and calculation.
3Area of stationary object
If the entire large-scale pipe network is grouped at once manually, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but it is difficult to evaluate suitability of the results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the grouping control unit automatically evaluates the suitability of grouping results by comparing them against predetermined conditions and indicators. The system provides feedback on whether pipelines are appropriately grouped based on factors such as construction efficiency, pipeline characteristics, and spatial relationships, enabling automatic assessment of large-scale network groupings without manual evaluation difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The grouping control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it groups pipelines based on predetermined conditions, evaluates the suitability of groupings using multiple indicators (construction scope, cost, efficiency), and provides comprehensive assessment for large-scale networks. This multi-functional automated system handles both the grouping and evaluation tasks that would otherwise be difficult to perform manually on large-scale networks.
4Productivity
If automated grouping based on predetermined conditions is used, then efficiency and reproducibility improve, but overlapping areas between groups may exceed thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the grouping control unit automatically detects overlapping areas between pipeline groups and regroups pipelines when overlaps exceed predetermined thresholds. The system dynamically adapts the grouping configuration by adjusting boundaries and reassigning pipelines to eliminate excessive overlaps, maintaining both high automation efficiency and precise boundary control through iterative optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to monitor overlapping areas between pipeline groups and automatically trigger regrouping operations when thresholds are exceeded. The grouping control unit continuously evaluates the spatial relationships between groups and provides feedback for adjustment, ensuring that automated grouping maintains both efficiency and boundary precision through closed-loop control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipeline grouping apparatus including a grouping control unit configured to group a plurality of pipelines constituting a pipe network based on a prescribed indicator is provided. The apparatus includes: an overlapping group extraction unit configured to extract groups whose polygons are overlapping each other from groups grouped by the grouping control unit, each of the polygons encompassing pipelines belonging to a same group; an overlapping area calculation unit configured to calculate an overlapping area between overlapping polygons extracted by the overlapping group extraction unit; and an update control unit configured to regroup, by the grouping control unit, pipelines encompassed by the overlapping polygons if the overlapping area calculated by the overlapping area calculation unit satisfies a first specified condition.