Patent EP0444801A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0444801A1
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A hierarchical process control system and method
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1991-02-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a real-time hierarchical process control system. The system comprises a multiple-level architecture, each level including a monitor for receiving and monitoring a plurality of input signals. The monitor produces a first request if at least one input signal exceeds a predetermined range. A guardian receives the first request, issues a second request and determines a course of action to take. A consultant receives the second request, performs an analysis and produces information for aiding the determination of a course of action.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne Anthony Dorchak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:27
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/406; G05B19/4063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/903; Y10S706/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A real-time hierarchical process control system comprising: a monitor for receiving and monitoring a plurality of input signals, said monitor producing a first request if at least one input signal exceeds a predetermined range; a guardian for receiving said request and determining a course of action, said guardian producing a second request; and a consultant for receiving said second request, performing an analysis and producing information for aiding said determination of a course of action.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said monitor produces a third request and said consultant receives said third request, performs an analysis and produces information for aiding said determination of a course of action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitor is coupled to a subject, said plurality of input signals originating from said subject.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitor, guardian and consultant control a piece of equipment, said equipment being coupled to a plurality of sensors producing said plurality of input signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitor, guardian and consultant control a process, said process including the operation of a plurality of pieces of equipment, and said process monitor being coupled to a plurality of equipment monitors, said plurality of equipment monitors producing said plurality of input signals received by said process monitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitor, guardian and consultant control a facility, said facility including the operation of a plurality of processes, and said facility monitor being coupled to a plurality of process monitors, said plurality of process monitors producing said plurality of input signals received by said facility monitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 6, further comprising a knowledge base containing knowledge pertaining to one of an equipment, a specific process and a specific facility.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 7, wherein said guardian accesses knowledge stored in said knowledge base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 7, wherein said consultant accesses knowledge stored in said database.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 6, further comprising a performance - history database containing performance history pertaining to one of an equipment, a specific process and a specific facility.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 10, wherein said consultant accesses performance history stored in said performance history database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 11, wherein said consultant performs analytic computations such as trend analysis, simulation, optimization and the like.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A real-time hierarchical process control system comprising: at least one first level controller for monitoring a first plurality of input signals received from a subject and for controlling said subject; at least one second level controller coupled to at least one first level controller for monitoring a second plurality of input signals received therefrom and controlling said first level controller; and a third level controller coupled to at least one second level controller for monitoring a third plurality of input signals received therefrom and controlling said second level controller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 13, further comprising at least one sub-level controller coupled to a second level controller for monitoring and controlling at least one first level controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 13 or 14, wherein at least one of said first level controller, said second level controller, said third level controller, and said sub-level controller comprises: a monitor coupled to a plurality of sensors for receiving and monitoring said input signals from said sensors, said monitor producing a first request if at least one input signal fails a predetermined criteria; and a guardian for receiving said first request and determining a course of action.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 15, wherein at least one of said first level controller, said second level controller, said third level controller, and said sub-level controller comprises a consultant, said guardian producing a second request, and said consultant for receiving said second request, performing an analysis and producing information for aiding said determination of a course of action.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 15 or 16, wherein said monitor produces a third request and said consultant receives said third request, performing an analysis and producing information for aiding said determination of a course of action.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
60 words
The system, as set forth in any one of Claims 13 to 17, wherein said subject of said first level controller is a piece of equipment, said equipment being a part of a process, said second level controller controls and monitors said process, said process being part of a facility, and said third level controller controls and monitors said facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 18, further comprising a knowledge database coupled to each of said first, second and third level controllers containing knowledge pertaining to said equipment, process and facility, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 19, wherein said guardians of first, second and third level controllers make inferences by accessing knowledge stored in said knowledge database.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 18, further comprising a performance history database coupled to each of said first, second and third level controllers containing performance history pertaining to said equipment, process and facility, respectively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 16 or 17, wherein said subject of said first level controller is a piece of equipment, said equipment being a part of a process, said second level controller controls and monitors said process, said processing being part of a facility, said system further comprises a performance history database coupled to each of said first, second and third level controllers containing performance history pertaining to said equipment, process and facility, respectively, and said consultant makes inferences by accessing performance history stored in said performance history database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system, as set forth in Claim 22, wherein said consultant performs analytic computations such as trend analysis, simulation, optimization and the like to predict probable future problems.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A real-time hierarchical process control method, comprising the steps of: monitoring a first plurality of input signals originating from at least one first level subject, said first level subject being part of a second level subject; monitoring a second plurality of input signals originating from said second level subject, said second level subject being part of a third level subject; monitoring a third plurality of input signals originating from said third level subject; recognizing a problem if one or more input signals from said first, second and third level subjects fail predetermined criteria; diagnosing said recognized problem; and advising a recommended course of action.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method, as set forth in Claim 24, wherein said diagnosing step comprises the steps of: applying a set of pre-established rules; accessing a database containing knowledge pertaining to one of said first, second and third level subjects.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method, as set forth in Claim 24, wherein said diagnosing step comprises the steps of: accessing a database containing performance history pertaining to one of said first, second and third level subjects; performing an analysis on said data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
WO1989003073A1
Cited
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