Power Supply Monitoring for Graceful Shutdown of Control Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring and controlling power supply disruptions in automation systems are inefficient, requiring complex communication and separate configuration for each unit, leading to potential data losses and uncontrolled shutdowns during power outages, especially in systems with multiple interconnected control and computer units.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a control application installed on each unit that establishes a connection to a central control system for power supply components, allowing for centralized assignment and monitoring of power supply components to control applications, enabling flexible configuration, reduced communication load, and graceful shutdown sequences without the need for master/slave distinctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate monitoring and control systems are implemented for each control unit, then reliability of individual unit shutdown is improved, but device complexity and communication load increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of individual unit shutdownVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the monitoring and control functions into a centralized control system that manages multiple control units through a single interface. The control system receives shutdown commands and distributes them to relevant control units, eliminating the need for separate distributed monitoring systems while maintaining individual unit reliability through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control system performs multiple functions: it monitors power supply status, manages shutdown sequences, coordinates communication between units, and handles emergency situations. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive control over all units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If centralized control system is implemented, then device complexity is reduced and communication load is optimized, but adaptability to individual unit requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability to individual unit requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements local quality by allowing different control units to have customized shutdown parameters and requirements configured individually. Each unit can have specific timeout values, shutdown sequences, and operational constraints tailored to its needs, while still being managed through the centralized control interface, thus maintaining adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If master/slave communication protocol is used, then coordination between multiple units is improved, but communication load and potential for errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination between unitsVSAvoidcommunication errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control system acts as an intermediary between control units, receiving commands from the user interface and distributing them to appropriate units. This mediator approach eliminates direct master/slave communication between units, reducing communication errors and information loss while maintaining coordinated shutdown sequences through centralized command distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Duration of action of moving object

If uninterrupted power supply with energy storage devices is used, then duration of power supply is extended, but loss of information occurs when energy storage depletes during prolonged outages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of power supplyVSAvoiddata loss during prolonged outage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary actions by detecting power supply disruptions and initiating graceful shutdown sequences before energy storage devices deplete. When a power outage is detected, the system automatically begins shutdown procedures for affected control units, ensuring data is saved and processes are terminated properly before the UPS energy is exhausted, thus preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11093014B2Method for monitoring, control and graceful shutdown of control and/or computer units

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A method for monitoring, control and shutdown of control and/or computer units of a system, wherein the control and/or computer units are supplied with power via power supply components, where a control application is installed on each control and/or computer unit, and connection to a control system is subsequently established via a communication network, a detection call is used to identify power supply components and all control applications installed on the control and/or computer units, the power supply components are then assigned identified control applications installed on the control and/or computer units supplied by a particular power supply component, assignments between power supply components and identified control applications are saved centrally or locally, power supply components being monitored for event alarms, and upon an event alarm within a power supply component, the assigned control application initiates a definable action, or a shutdown, on the control and/or computer unit.