Sequence Diagram Tool for Rocket Engine Hot-Fire Test Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating sequence diagrams for rocket engine hot-fire tests lack efficiency in linking valve actions, leading to potential sequence errors that can result in test failures due to misunderstandings of the linked logic.
Innovation Solution
A method involving inputting and linking multiple actions, specifically valve actions like opening oxygen, ignition, and fuel valves, with delays, to generate a test sequence diagram that maintains these linkages, using a Sequence Diagram Tool that operates with spreadsheet input and graphical user interfaces to visualize the test logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to generate sequence diagrams, then flexibility in creation is maintained, but sequence errors increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software system that acts as a mediator between the test logic definition and the sequence diagram generation. This software automatically processes the input data, manages the linking of actions, and generates the sequence diagram, thereby eliminating manual errors while maintaining system manageability through a structured intermediate layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the test logic in a structured format that can be automatically processed. By representing the test sequence as linkable actions in a software system, the logic can be copied, validated, and transformed into sequence diagrams without manual intervention, ensuring accuracy while reducing complexity through automation.
2Reliability
If automated linking of valve actions is implemented, then sequence errors are reduced, but the complexity of the generation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the software automatically performs the linking of valve actions based on predefined rules and input data. The system self-manages the complexity of tracking and linking multiple actions (oxygen valve, ignition valve, fuel valve) with their temporal relationships, eliminating the need for manual error-prone linking while keeping the interface simple for users.
3Reliability
If detailed linking of multiple valve actions with delays is maintained, then test safety is improved, but the time required to generate sequence diagrams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated processing where the software continuously maintains the linking of valve actions with their delays as data is input or modified. Rather than requiring time-consuming manual updates, the system continuously processes the relationships between actions (oxygen valve opening, ignition valve opening with delay, fuel valve opening with delay), ensuring test safety is maintained while generating diagrams rapidly through automated continuous processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a test sequence diagram includes: linking a first action of the plurality of actions with a second action of the plurality of actions and generating a test sequence diagram which maintains the linking.