General-Purpose Turbine Sequencer Software Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sequencing software modules for industrial gas and steam turbines are custom-developed for specific models, leading to high costs, time-consuming development, and inefficiencies, with limited adaptability to other turbine models, introducing risks during adaptation and requiring extensive knowledge of each module's unique software structure.

Innovation Solution

A general-purpose sequencer software module with standardized settings allows for configuration across a wide range of turbines, enabling transition between defined operational states without altering the software structure, reducing development time and costs by leveraging predefined options and a unified software architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom sequencing software modules are developed for each specific turbine model, then the software can be precisely tailored to control that specific model, but the development time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware control precisionVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single general-purpose sequencing software module that can control multiple turbine models. The software uses a standardized interface and configuration files to adapt to different turbine models without requiring custom development for each model, thus reducing development time while maintaining control precision through model-specific configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the sequencing software to be configured with model-specific parameters through configuration files. These parameters define turbine-specific characteristics, operational states, and transition criteria, enabling the same software code to adapt to different turbine models by changing parameters rather than rewriting code.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware control precisionVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single general-purpose sequencing software module that can control multiple turbine models. This eliminates the need to hire specialized programmers for each turbine model, reducing software development costs while maintaining control precision through configuration-based adaptation to different models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating template configuration files that can be copied and adapted for different turbine models. Instead of writing custom software from scratch for each model, the system copies a base configuration and modifies parameters to match specific turbine characteristics, significantly reducing development cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If sequencing software is adapted ad hoc to work on other turbine models, then the software can be made more versatile, but the reliability of sequencing the new turbine decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware adaptabilityVSAvoidsequencing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a sequencing software module with a standardized interface that works across multiple turbine models. This structured approach to versatility ensures reliability by using consistent state definitions and transition logic, while model-specific behavior is controlled through validated configuration files rather than ad hoc modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If different sequencing modules are used for different turbine models, then each model can be optimized, but operator training and knowledge requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel optimizationVSAvoidoperator training requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by implementing a standardized sequencing interface that operates consistently across different turbine models. Operators learn a single set of commands and procedures that work for all models, while model-specific optimizations are handled internally by the software through configuration files, significantly reducing training requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8626420B2Gas turbine sequencing method and system

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A method to develop a software based sequencer for a turbine including: selecting a general purpose sequencer software module having standardized software for sequencing turbines through defined states of operation; selecting options from predefined settings presented by the sequencer software module, wherein the selected options define operational events of the turbine which trigger the sequencer to transition the turbine from one of the defined states to the next defined state, and using the general purpose sequencer software configured with the selected options for the settings.