Sensor Position Validation Using Expected Measurement Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless sensor systems in facilities like manufacturing or power plants face challenges in validating the position of sensors on components, leading to incorrect data analysis and potential maintenance issues due to unintentional or intentional changes in sensor positions and cyberattacks.

Innovation Solution

A method for validating the position of sensors on components involves assigning unique identifiers to sensors and components, using measured values and expected values determined by previous measurements or simulations based on operating and technical data, and performing a comparison to validate the sensor position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless sensor systems are used to monitor components, then monitoring coverage is improved and previously unmonitored assets can be monitored, but sensor positions can be changed intentionally or unintentionally by local plant employees, leading to data accuracy deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoiddata accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining expected measured values through simulations based on operating data, technical data, and the intended sensor position before actual measurement. These expected values are stored and used for later comparison to validate whether the sensor remains at its intended position, preventing data accuracy deterioration from position changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by comparing actual measured values with pre-determined expected measured values. When a deviation is detected, the system validates the sensor position and can trigger alerts or notifications, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that ensures measurement precision is maintained despite the wireless sensor's mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If sensor data is collected and transmitted to the cloud for remote evaluation, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but undetected position changes result in incorrect data analysis and inappropriate maintenance decisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddata analysis reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines and stores expected measured values through simulations based on operating data, technical data, and the intended sensor position before actual operation. This preliminary action creates a reference baseline that enables reliable data analysis remotely by comparing actual measurements against these pre-established expectations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback validation by comparing actual measured values with expected values before data is transmitted to the cloud. This feedback mechanism ensures that only validated, reliable data is sent for remote evaluation, preventing incorrect data analysis and inappropriate maintenance decisions while maintaining ease of remote operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system uses simulation based on operating data and technical data to determine expected measured values, then validation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation model serves multiple functions: it determines expected measured values for validation, adapts to different sensor positions through re-simulation, and can be applied to various sensor types and monitored assets. This multi-functionality justifies the system complexity by providing a universal validation mechanism that improves measurement precision across diverse applications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter changes in the simulation model based on operating data and technical data to determine expected measured values. By adjusting simulation parameters according to actual operating conditions and component specifications, the system achieves high validation accuracy while managing complexity through parameter-based adaptation rather than requiring separate models for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4571436A1Validating a position intended for a sensor
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4571436A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571436A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571436A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for validating a position provided for a sensor (S) on a component (K) to be monitored, wherein the sensor (S) is designed to monitor the component (K) to be monitored, whereby at least one measured value (MD) to be validated is provided, wherein a sensor identifier (SI) is assigned to the at least one measured value (MD) to be validated, comprising the steps of: - using (S3) the at least one measured value (MD) to be validated, - using (S4) at least one expected measured value (ID), wherein the sensor identifier (SI) is also assigned to the at least one expected measured value (ID), wherein a component identifier (KI) is also assigned to the at least one expected measured value (ID), - validating (S7) based on a result of a comparison (S6) of the at least one measured value (MD) to be validated and the at least one expected measured value (ID).Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product, an analysis unit (AE) and a higher-level system.