Turbine Control Redundancy Testing Wizard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbine systems require extensive training and experience for operators to perform redundancy tests on control systems due to complex procedures, making it difficult for inexperienced operators to ensure proper operation and predict controller failures effectively.

Innovation Solution

A computing device with a redundancy test wizard that automatically determines if test conditions are satisfied and displays the results to the user, allowing for simplified initiation of controller testing, enabling operators to perform redundancy tests efficiently and accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant control systems are implemented to ensure continuous operation, then system reliability is improved, but the complexity of performing redundancy tests increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system reliabilityVSAvoidredundancy test complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A computing device is introduced as an intermediary tool between the operator and the redundant control system. This device automatically performs redundancy tests by simulating controller failures and monitoring system responses, eliminating the need for operators to manually execute complex test procedures while ensuring continuous reliability verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The redundancy test system performs self-diagnosis and self-testing capabilities. The computing device automatically determines test conditions, executes failure simulations, monitors controller responses, and generates test results without requiring operator intervention in the actual testing process, thereby simplifying the complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual redundancy tests are performed with complex procedures, then test accuracy is maintained, but operator training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundancy test accuracyVSAvoidoperator training requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device serves as an intermediary that guides operators through the redundancy testing process. It automatically determines whether test conditions are satisfied, executes the actual failure simulations, and generates accurate test results, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the need for extensive operator training

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of performing redundancy tests is replaced with an automated computing device that handles test execution, condition monitoring, and result generation. This substitution maintains test accuracy while dramatically reducing the skill level required from operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If extensive training is provided to operators, then test performance quality is improved, but time to become operational increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest performance qualityVSAvoidtraining time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device performs self-service by automatically executing redundancy tests, determining test condition satisfaction, and generating results without requiring operator expertise. This eliminates the time loss associated with training while maintaining high test performance quality through automated verification processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9201113B2Systems and methods for performing redundancy tests on turbine controls

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A computing device for use in performing a redundancy test on a turbine assembly and a turbine control system including a plurality of controllers each configured to independently control operation of the turbine assembly is provided. The computing device configured to be coupled to the turbine control system and configured to determine whether a plurality of test conditions are satisfied, display to a user an indication of which test conditions are satisfied, and test, in response to a user input, the plurality of controllers.