US 10,630,106 B2 · Multi-level controller systems and methods for controlling a physical asset

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure pertain to a system that includes a high-level controller coupled to a low-level controller in an arrangement that allows the high-level controller to cooperate with the low-level controller for controlling a power generation unit. The high-level controller generates supplementary signals and/or supplementary code that is provided to a surrogate controller. The surrogate controller uses the supplementary signals and/or supplementary code to generate control software that is provided to the low-level controller for controlling certain operational aspects of the power generation unit that cannot be independently controlled by the low-level controller. If the high-level controller is placed in an independent mode of operation for any reason, the surrogate controller continues to cooperate with the low-level controller for controlling various operations of the power generation unit that were being controlled by the low-level controller prior to the high-level controller entering the independent mode of operation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a low-level controller configured to execute a first version of control software for controlling at least a first operational aspect of a physical asset;
a high-level controller configured to generate one or more supplementary signals;
and
a surrogate computing element configured to receive the one or more supplementary signals from the high-level controller, utilize the one or more supplementary signals to generate a second version of control software, and to provide the second version of control software to the low-level controller, the low-level controller further configured to utilize the second version of control software to control at least a second operational aspect of the physical asset,
wherein the high-level controller is in communication with the low-level controller via the surrogate computing element, wherein the surrogate computing element discontinues providing the second version of control software to the low-level controller simultaneously with a high-level controller communication failure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-level controller systems and methods for controlling a physical asset

Life of this patent

Multi-level controller systems and methods for controlling a physical asset

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20