Shared Graph Model for Multi-Step Plant Design Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant design systems require separate creation of diagrams and 3D models, leading to inefficiencies as data is prepared and created individually for each design step.
Innovation Solution
A design support apparatus and system that utilizes a shared graph structure data model, where components are defined as nodes and connections as edges, allowing data to be updated and refined across multiple design steps, enhancing data sharing and granularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate diagrams are created for each design step, then each diagram can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall design efficiency is reduced due to redundant data preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate diagrams (P&ID, 3D model, etc.) into a single unified graph structure data that serves all design steps. The graph structure data contains nodes representing components and edges representing connections, which can be used across process flow diagram creation, piping and instrumentation diagram creation, and three-dimensional model creation, eliminating redundant data preparation and improving overall design efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The graph structure data is designed as a universal data structure that can be applied to multiple design steps and purposes. It serves as the foundational data for creating process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, and three-dimensional models, allowing one data structure to perform multiple functions across different design phases
2Reliability
If data is prepared individually for each design step, then each step has complete and accurate data, but the time required for data preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a unified graph structure data that contains component information and connection relationships before they are needed for specific design steps. This preliminary data structure is then updated and refined as needed for different design phases, eliminating the need to prepare data from scratch for each step while maintaining data accuracy through systematic updates
3Productivity
If graph structure data is shared across multiple design steps, then data redundancy is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the complexity of data management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the graph structure data to be dynamically updatable across different design steps. The data structure can evolve from a basic component-connectivity representation to include detailed attributes, spatial information, and other step-specific information while maintaining the same underlying structure, making data management more manageable despite the increased functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A design support apparatus is provided and includes: a storage unit for storing a graph structure data in which a component to be provided in a plant being designed are defined as a node, and a connection relationship between two components is defined as an edge; an acquiring unit for acquiring the graph structure data from the storage unit in response to an acquisition request from a terminal apparatus that performs each of multiple design steps; an output unit for outputting the graph structure data to the terminal apparatus; and an updating unit for updating the graph structure data stored in the storage unit based on output data of a design step performed by the terminal apparatus using the graph structure data. The graph structure data is shared among multiple design steps, and becomes more detailed from an upstream step toward a downstream step of the plant design.