US 7,624,002 B2 · Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations

Abstract

A software application implementable on a computer system is used to create a model of a hydraulic system to perform calculations. The user visually constructs a two-dimensional (2-D) connectivity model in the computer system. The 2-D connectivity model has a plurality of node points defined at various elements (sources, outlets, equipment, and junctions) of the hydraulic system and has segments interconnecting the node points. The user visually constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) segment model for each segment so that each segment model has the 3-D layout of the piping and the fittings for the segment. A 3-D system model of the entire hydraulic system is visually created in the computer system by combining the 3-D segment models. The software application performs calculations using the 3-D system model, and the 3-D system model can be visually or automatically verified to determine whether the model substantially corresponds to the 3-D layout of the hydraulic system, and has been laid out without errors.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, comprising:

(a) defining nodes and two-dimensional (2D) segments interconnecting the nodes in a 2D model having a 2D user interface for the hydraulic system in the computer system;
(b) generating a plurality of user interfaces, each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces respectively corresponding to one of the 2D segments in the 2D model and generated via a user selection of the corresponding 2D segment in the 2D model, each user interface comprising a dropdown adapted to provide a user-selectable list of pipes and fittings to define each corresponding 3D segment model and build a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section for the corresponding 3D segment model, and each user interface also adapted to provide an orientation section that allows the user to select an orientation for each section of piping with respect to each of three displayed mutually perpendicular axes and further adapted to allow the user, via setting an axis using a 45 degree orientation button, to select compound angles for each corresponding 3D segment model with respect to said each of three displayed mutually perpendicular axes;
(c) constructing a 3D segment model respectively for each of the 2D segments in the 2D model via the corresponding user interface by defining a three-dimensional layout for the constructed 3D segment model and displaying a shaded realistic representation of a solid form of the constructed 3D segment model in the corresponding user interface;
(d) creating the 3D system model via an automatic combination of each 3D segment model constructed in step (c);
and
(e) displaying the created 3D system model.

3 more elements

A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, comprising:

(a) constructing a two-dimensional (2D) model of the hydraulic system in the computer system using a 2D interface, the two-dimensional model having a plurality of nodes and 2D segments interconnecting the nodes;
(b) generating a plurality of user interfaces, each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces respectively corresponding to one of the 2D segments in the 2D model and generated via a user selection of the corresponding 2D segment in the 2D model, each user interface comprising a dropdown adapted to provide a user-selectable list of pipes and fittings to define each corresponding 3D segment model and build a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section for the corresponding 3D segment model;
(c) constructing a 3D segment model respectively for each of the 2D segments in the 2D model via the corresponding user interface by defining a 3D layout for the constructed 3D segment model and displaying a shaded realistic representation of a solid form of the constructed 3D segment model in the corresponding user interface, and splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section of the user interface corresponding to the selected 3D segment model, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models;
(d) creating the three-dimensional system model of the hydraulic system in the computer system via an automatic combination of each 3D segment model constructed in step (c);
and
(e) verifying an accuracy of the three-dimensional system model of the hydraulic system by visually or automatically determining whether a first portion of the three-dimensional system model of the hydraulic system occupies a same or substantially the same location as a second portion of the three-dimensional system model of the hydraulic system.

3 more elements

A computer-readable medium having instructions to perform a method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, the method comprising:

(a) defining nodes and two-dimensional (2D) segments interconnecting the nodes in a 2D model having a 2D user interface for the hydraulic system in the computer system;
(b) generating a plurality of user interfaces, each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces respectively corresponding to one of the 2D segments in the 2D model and generated via a user selection of the corresponding 2D segment in the 2D model, each user interface comprising a dropdown adapted to provide a user-selectable list of pipes and fittings to define each corresponding 3D segment model and build a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section for the corresponding 3D segment model;
(c) constructing a 3D segment model respectively for each of the 2D segments in the 2D model via the corresponding user interface by defining a 3D layout for the constructed 3D segment model and displaying a shaded realistic representation of a solid form of the constructed 3D segment model in the corresponding user interface, and splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section of the user interface corresponding to the selected 3D segment model, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models;
(d) creating the three-dimensional system model via an automatic combination of each 3D segment model constructed in step (c);
and
(e) displaying the three-dimensional system model.

3 more elements

A computer-readable medium having instructions to perform a method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, the method comprising:

(a) constructing a two-dimensional (2D) model of the hydraulic system in the computer system using a 2D interface, the 2D model having a plurality of nodes and 2D segments interconnecting the nodes;
(b) generating a plurality of user interfaces, each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces respectively corresponding to one of the 2D segments in the 2D model and generated via a user selection of the corresponding 2D segment in the 2D model, each user interface comprising a dropdown adapted to provide a user-selectable list of pipes and fittings to define each corresponding 3D segment model and build a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section for the corresponding 3D segment model;
(c) constructing a 3D segment model respectively for each of the 2D segments in the 2D model via the corresponding user interface by defining a 3D layout for the constructed 3D segment model, and displaying a shaded realistic representation of a solid form of the constructed 3D segment model in the corresponding user interface, and splitting a selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models, upon receiving a user-selection of a position in the list of pipes and fittings in the fittings section of the user interface corresponding to the selected 3D segment model, by inserting a junction at a location in the selected 3D segment model corresponding to the position in the list to split the selected 3D segment model into two split 3D segment models;
(d) creating the 3D system model of the hydraulic system in the computer system via an automatic combination of each 3D segment model constructed in step (c);
and
(e) verifying accuracy of the 3D system model of the hydraulic system by visually or automatically determining whether a first portion of the 3D system model of the hydraulic system occupies a same or substantially the same location as a second portion of the 3D system model of the hydraulic system.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37