US 5,237,518 A · Optimization method for adaptive sensor reading scheduling and delayed alarm evaluation in real-time diagnostic systems

Abstract

An optimization method is used in a real-time diagnostic system that monitors alarm sources and detects possible sources of failure in an industrial process. When the diagnostic system detects one or more alarms, it determines which components are likely sources of failure. The system determines the level of criticality of certain other, currently off-line, alarms sources and schedules the off-line alarms for evaluation according to their levels of criticality. The system refines its analysis of likely sources of failure by evaluating the status of the previously off-line alarm sources Those previously off-line alarm sources are added to the grouping of possible sources of failure prior to repeating the evaluation process. The evaluation process is repeated, with the analysis of likely causes of failure being continually refined.

Claims18

Dependent claims

For use in a diagnostic system for analyzing operations of a monitored process, the system including

alarms at each of a selected number of monitoring locations for providing alarm signals indicative of a function being monitored,
a real-time monitoring method comprising the steps of:
selecting a first group of alarms to be monitored,
processing signals from said first group of alarms for determining the occurrence of process fault conditions and identifying potential fault sources of said conditions,
determining, upon the occurrence of at least one process fault condition, at least one other alarm to be selected from a group of alarms which are off-line,
dynamically processing signals from said first group of alarms and said at least one other alarm for determining, with expected greater accuracy, said potential fault sources, and,
wherein the alarms of said first group are on-line alarms and said other alarms are off-line alarms when said selecting and processing step is performed.

4 more elements

For use in a diagnostic system for analyzing operations of a monitored process, the system including alarms at each of a selected number of monitoring locations for providing alarm signals indicative of a function being monitored,

a real-time monitoring apparatus comprising
means for selecting a first group of alarms to be monitored,
means for processing signals from said first group of alarms for determining the occurrence of process fault conditions and for identifying potential fault sources of said conditions,
means for determining, upon the occurrence of at least one process fault condition, at least one other alarm to be selected from a group of alarms which are off-line,
means for dynamically processing signals from said first group of alarms and said at least one other alarm for determining, with expected greater accuracy, said potential fault sources, and
wherein the alarms of said first group are on-line alarms and said other alarms are initially off-line alarms.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optimization method for adaptive sensor reading scheduling and delayed alarm evaluation in real-time diagnostic systems

Life of this patent

Optimization method for adaptive sensor reading scheduling and delayed alarm evaluation in real-time diagnostic systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18