US3795916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process operation error monitor and error message system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-14
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1989-11-14
Abstract
Abstract There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for monitoring predetermined happenings, such as defined errors, which occur during the operation of a dynamic process, for example a metallic strip rolling mill. The dynamic process is sequentially operative in a chain of functional units, each of which includes a defined input event and at least one defined response event. In addition, there may be one or more defined input variables associated with that input event and one or more defined response variables associated with each of those response events. An error monitor operation is provided whereby operational checks are established for at least one of a maximum time interval Tmax and/or a minimum time interval Tmin for each response event, and a maximum amplitude Amax and/or a minimum amplitude Amin relative to each of the defined response variables. A software program is disclosed for operation with a general purpose digital computer to effect a special purpose control computer entity for the purpose of accomplishing the desired error monitor function as well as providing output indications and/or process operation corrections where some defined error condition is found to have occurred.
Inventors
- 👤 F Wallace
- 👤 A Deramo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:55
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/048; B; B21; B21B; B21B37/00; B21B37/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In industrial process operation monitoring apparatus including a programmed digital computer and responsive to the occurrence of at least one sequential process event in relation to a predetermined functional unit, with each said functional unit having at least one defined input event and at least one related response event, that combination of means operative with said industrial process for providing a first input signal in response to the occurrence of said one input event of a given functional unit, means operative with said industrial process for providing a second input signal in response to the occurrence of said one response event for said given functional unit, and means including said programmed digital computer for establishing the desired operational maximum and minimum limits relative to a predetermined value parameter for each response event related to said input event and for providing a predetermined output signal related to the operation of said industrial process when said one response event was not within said desired operational limits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In industrial process operation monitoring apparatus including a programmed digital computer and responsive to the occurrence of at least one sequential process event in relation to a predetermined functional unit, with each said functional unit having at least one defined input event and at least one related response event, that combination of means operative with said industrial process for providing a first input signal in response to the occurrence of said one input event of a given functional unit, means operative with said industrial process for providing a second input signal in response to the occurrence of said one response event for said given functional unit, and means including said programmed digital computer for establishing the desired operational maximum and minimum limits relative to a predetermined value parameter for each response event related to said input event and for providing a predetermined output signal related to the operation of said industrial process when said one response event was not within said desired operational limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The industrial process operation monitoring apparatus of claim 1, with said means including said programmed digital computer being operative to establish desired operational maximum time limit Tmax and minimum time limit Tmin relative to the sensed occurrence time of said second input signal related to said input event, and with said means including said programmed digital computer being operative to compare the sensed occurrence time of said second input signal with said established limits Tmax and Tmin to determine that said one response event was within said desired operational limits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The indUstrial process operation monitoring apparatus of claim 1, with said means including said programmed digital computer establishing the desired operational maximum time limit Tmax and minimum time limit Tmin relative to a predetermined occurrence time To + Delta T for each response event related to the occurrence time To of said input event and where Delta T is a predetermined time delay between said time To and the occurrence time of each said response event.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The industrial process operation monitoring apparatus of claim 1, with said means including said programmed digital computer establishing the desired operational maximum time limit Tmax and minimum time limit Tmin relative to a predetermined time value parameter for each response event related to said input event, and with said means including said programmed digital computer comparing said time value parameter with said limits Tmax and Tmin for determining that each said response event was within said desired operational limits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The industrial process operation monitoring apparatus of claim 1, with said means for providing a predetermined output signal being operative to request a predetermined error indication message be provided when said response event was not within said desired operational limits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
In apparatus for monitoring a dynamic industrial process including at least one predetermined unit of sequentially operative happenings, means operative with said industrial process for providing a first input signal in response to a first of said happenings within each said one unit, means operative with said industrial process for providing a second input signal in response to at least one second happening within said one unit and related to a first happening within the same unit, and means for establishing a desired predictive relationship between said first happening and said second happening within said one unit and responsive to the provision of said first input signal and said second input signal for providing an output signal in response to said first input signal and in relation to said desired predictive relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
In apparatus for monitoring a dynamic industrial process including at least one predetermined unit of sequentially operative happenings, means operative with said industrial process for providing a first input signal in response to a first of said happenings within each said one unit, means operative with said industrial process for providing a second input signal in response to at least one second happening within said one unit and related to a first happening within the same unit, and means for establishing a desired predictive relationship between said first happening and said second happening within said one unit and responsive to the provision of said first input signal and said second input signal for providing an output signal in response to said first input signal and in relation to said desired predictive relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus for monitoring a dynamic industrial process of claim 6, with said means for establishing a desired predictive relationship being responsive to a defined input event as said first happening within each said unit for establishing a desired predictive relationship with at least one defined response event as said second happening within that same unit, and with said predictive relationship being in regard to the time occurrence of said first input signal in relation to said input event and the time occurrence of said second input signal in relation to said response event.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus for monitoring a dynamic industrial process of claim 6, with said means for establishing a desired predictive relationship being operative to make an amplitude comparison in relation to at least one second happening within that same unit, where the amplitude of that second happening is compared to a predetermined reference amplitude for that second happening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus for monitoring a dynamic industrial process of claim 6, with said means for establishing a desired predictive relationship being responsive to the occurrence time To of a defined input event as said first happening and establishing a desired predictive relationship To + Delta T with at least one second happening within that same unit, where that second happening is a defined response event associated with said input event and predicted to occur relative to said input event after a time delay Delta T.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process including a plurality of defined units of sequential events, the steps of providing a first input signal upon the occurrence of a first of said events, providing a second input signAl upon the occurrence of a second of said events, establishing a predetermined predictive relationship between said first event and at least said second said event within that same defined unit of events, requesting the provision of an output signal indication for each said unit in response to said first of said events and in relation to the satisfaction of said predictive relationship, and establishing for at least said second event within each unit of events that said predictive relationship is satisfied for preventing the provision of said output signal indication when said predictive relationship is satisfied.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process including a plurality of defined units of sequential events, the steps of providing a first input signal upon the occurrence of a first of said events, providing a second input signAl upon the occurrence of a second of said events, establishing a predetermined predictive relationship between said first event and at least said second said event within that same defined unit of events, requesting the provision of an output signal indication for each said unit in response to said first of said events and in relation to the satisfaction of said predictive relationship, and establishing for at least said second event within each unit of events that said predictive relationship is satisfied for preventing the provision of said output signal indication when said predictive relationship is satisfied.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 10, with said step of establishing a predetermined predictive relationship being operative to establish a first time interval between the occurrence of said first of said events and the predicted occurrence of said second of said events, with said step of establishing that said predictive relationship is satisfied being operative to establish a second time interval between the occurrence of said first of said events and the actual occurrence of said second of said events, and with said step of requesting the provision of an output signal indication being operative to prevent the provision of an output signal indication of a determined error condition in the operation of said dynamic process when said predictive relationship is satisfied by a comparison of the first time interval with the second time interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 10, with said step of establishing a predetermined predictive relationship being operative to establish in regard to the occurrence time of said first input signal a predictive relationship in regard to the occurrence time of said second input signal within the same defined unit of events.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 10, including a plurality of defined units of sequential events, with said step of establishing for at least said second event within each unit of events a comparison of the said predictive relationship with the occurrence time of said second input signal in relation to said second event to determine that said predictive relationship is satisfied by that occurrence time being within said predictive relationship.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 10, with said step of requesting the provision of an output signal indication being operative to request a process operation error output signal indication and to determine the actual provision of said error output signal indication when a predetermined characteristic of at least said second event within each unit of events does not occur in a desired manner to satisfy said predictive relationship.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
163 words
In the method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process having a plurality of defined units, with each said unit including first and second related events and with said second event having a measurable variable, the steps of providing a first input signal in relation to the sensed occurrence of said first event for each said unit, measuring the value of said variable, requesting the provision of an output signal indication for each said unit in response to said first input signal, establishing the operational limits of a predictive value for said measured variable of said second event in relation to the occurrence of said first event for each said unit, establishing the relationship between the measured value of said variable and said operational limits of said predictive value to determine when said measured value is within said operational limits, and providing an output signal indication for each said unit in relation to said measured value being within said operational limits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
163 words
In the method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process having a plurality of defined units, with each said unit including first and second related events and with said second event having a measurable variable, the steps of providing a first input signal in relation to the sensed occurrence of said first event for each said unit, measuring the value of said variable, requesting the provision of an output signal indication for each said unit in response to said first input signal, establishing the operational limits of a predictive value for said measured variable of said second event in relation to the occurrence of said first event for each said unit, establishing the relationship between the measured value of said variable and said operational limits of said predictive value to determine when said measured value is within said operational limits, and providing an output signal indication for each said unit in relation to said measured value being within said operational limits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dYnamic industrial process of claim 15, said method including the steps of, providing a second input signal in relation to the sensed occurrence of said second event for each said unit, determining a time interval between the occurrence of said first input signal and the occurrence of said second input signal, and providing said output signal indication of an error condition in the operation of said dynamic process only when said time interval has a predetermined difference in comparison with at least one of established operational maximum and minimum time limits.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 15, with said step of establishing the operational limits of a predictive value for said measured variable being operative to establish operational amplitude limits relative to the amplitude value of said variable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 15, with the step of establishing the operational limits being operative to establish operation amplitude limits of at least one of the maximum amplitude limit and the minimum amplitude limit, and with said step of requesting the provision of an output signal indication being operative to provide said output signal indication only when the amplitude of said measured variable is not within at least one of said operational amplitude limits.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 15, with said step of establishing the operational limits being operative to predictively specify the amplitude value limits for said measured variable, and with said step of requesting the provision of an output signal indication being operative to compare the actual amplitude value of said measured variable with the predictively specified amplitude value limits to determine the provision of said indication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
174 words
An operation monitoring apparatus for a dynamic industrial process having a plurality of functional units, with each functional unit including at least one response event associated with an input event, said monitoring apparatus comprising, means for providing a first input signal in relation to said input event, means for providing a second input signal in relation to one response event, means for determining for each said functional unit a time delay interval between the occurrence of said second input signal related to said one response event after the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event, means for comparing for each said functional unit said time delay interval with at least one of a predetermined maximum time interval Tmax and a predetermined minimum time interval Tmin, and means for providing an error condition output signal indication for a detected error condition for at least one said functional unit when the time delay interval is one of greater than a predetermined maximum time interval and less than a predetermined minimum time interval.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
174 words
An operation monitoring apparatus for a dynamic industrial process having a plurality of functional units, with each functional unit including at least one response event associated with an input event, said monitoring apparatus comprising, means for providing a first input signal in relation to said input event, means for providing a second input signal in relation to one response event, means for determining for each said functional unit a time delay interval between the occurrence of said second input signal related to said one response event after the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event, means for comparing for each said functional unit said time delay interval with at least one of a predetermined maximum time interval Tmax and a predetermined minimum time interval Tmin, and means for providing an error condition output signal indication for a detected error condition for at least one said functional unit when the time delay interval is one of greater than a predetermined maximum time interval and less than a predetermined minimum time interval.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The operation monitoring apparatus for a dynamic industrial process of claim 20, with said means for providing an error condition output signal indication being operative to correct the operation of said dynamic process relative to said detected error condition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
The operation monitoring apparatus for a dynamic industrial process of claim 20, said monitor apparatus including means for requesting that a predetermined error message be displayed in relation to said output signal indication at a predetermined time if said means for comparing establishes that the time delay interval is one of greater than said maximum time interval or less than said minimum time interval.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The operation monitoring apparatus for a dynamic industrial process of claim 20, with said means for providing an error condition output signal indication being operative when the desired sequence of the occurrence of said events is not followed due to tHe failure of said response event to occur as desired.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
82 words
The operation monitoring apparatus of claim 20, with said monitoring apparatus including, means for determining a first time T1 when at least said first input signal in relation to said input event occurs, means for determining a second time T2 when at least said second input signal in relation to said one response event occurs, and with said means for determining for each said functional unit a time delay interval being operative with said first time T1 and said second time T2.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The operation monitoring apparatus of claim 24, with said means for determining for each said functional unit a time delay interval being operative to establish a time delay interval Delta T in accordance with the relationship T2 - T1 Delta T.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The operation monitoring apparatus of claim 25, said monitoring apparatus including, means for comparing said time delay interval Delta T with at least one of a predetermined maximum time limit or a minimum time limit to establish that said error condition is present.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
The operation monitoring apparatus of claim 20, said monitoring apparatus including means for determining for each said functional unit the amplitude of at least said second input signal related to said one response event, and means for comparing for each said functional unit said amplitude with predetermined amplitude limits to establish that an operational error condition is present.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
221 words
A monitor apparatus for a dynamic industrial process operative in a plurality of functional units, with each of said units having an input event and at least one associated response event, said apparatus comprising, means for providing for each functional unit a first input signal in relation to said input event, means for providing for each functional unit a second input signal in relation to said one response event, means for determining for each functional unit a first time interval between the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event and the actual occurrence of at least said second input signal related to said one response event associated with that input event, means for establishing for each functional unit at least a second time interval in accordance with a desired relationship between the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event and the desired occurrence of at least said second input signal related to said one response event associated with that input event, and means for providing for each functional unit an output signal indication of a predetermined error condition relative to the operation of said dynamic process, with said error condition being determined by said first time interval being one of greater than said second time interval or less than said second time interval.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
221 words
A monitor apparatus for a dynamic industrial process operative in a plurality of functional units, with each of said units having an input event and at least one associated response event, said apparatus comprising, means for providing for each functional unit a first input signal in relation to said input event, means for providing for each functional unit a second input signal in relation to said one response event, means for determining for each functional unit a first time interval between the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event and the actual occurrence of at least said second input signal related to said one response event associated with that input event, means for establishing for each functional unit at least a second time interval in accordance with a desired relationship between the occurrence of said first input signal related to said input event and the desired occurrence of at least said second input signal related to said one response event associated with that input event, and means for providing for each functional unit an output signal indication of a predetermined error condition relative to the operation of said dynamic process, with said error condition being determined by said first time interval being one of greater than said second time interval or less than said second time interval.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
80 words
The monitor apparatus for a dynamic industrial process of claim 28, with said means for establishing at least a second time interval being operative to establish one of a maximum time interval or a minimum time interval, and with said means for providing an output signal indication of a predetermined error condition being operative to determine said error condition when said first time interval is one of greater than the maximum time interval or less than the minimum time interval.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of monitoring a dynamic industrial process operative in at least one functional unit, with said one unit having an input event and at least one associated response event, said method including the steps of, providing a first input signal in relation to said input event, providing a second input signal in relation to said one associated response event, establishing a comparison for said functional unit for each response event between said first and second input signals in regard to at least one of a predetermined maximum time interval and a predetermined Minimum time interval, determining an error condition for said functional unit in the operation of said dynamic process by said comparison when the time delay interval between the occurrence of said input event and said resonse event is one of greater than said maximum time interval or less than said minimum time interval, and providing an output signal indication for said functional unit of a determined error condition when said error condition has been determined to have occurred.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of monitoring a dynamic industrial process operative in at least one functional unit, with said one unit having an input event and at least one associated response event, said method including the steps of, providing a first input signal in relation to said input event, providing a second input signal in relation to said one associated response event, establishing a comparison for said functional unit for each response event between said first and second input signals in regard to at least one of a predetermined maximum time interval and a predetermined Minimum time interval, determining an error condition for said functional unit in the operation of said dynamic process by said comparison when the time delay interval between the occurrence of said input event and said resonse event is one of greater than said maximum time interval or less than said minimum time interval, and providing an output signal indication for said functional unit of a determined error condition when said error condition has been determined to have occurred.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
154 words
The method of monitoring a dynamic industrial process of claim 30, with said functional unit having at least one response variable associated with each response event and with the amplitude of said second input signal being related to the amplitude of said one response variable, said method including the steps of, establishing a second comparison for said functional unit for each response variable in regard to at least one of a predetermined maximum amplitude and a predetermined minimum amplitude of said second input signal, determining a second error condition for said functional unit in the operation of said dynamic process by said second comparison when the amplitude of said second input signal is one of greater than said maximum amplitude or less than said minimum amplitude, and providing for an output signal indication for said functional unit of a determined error condition when one of said error conditions has been determined to have occurred.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of monitoring a dynamic industrial process of claim 30, with said step of establishing a comparison for each response event being in regard to at least one of a maximum time interval Tmax and a minimum time interval Tmin relative to said time delay interval between the occurrence of each said response event after the occurrence of said input event.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process having at least one defined functional unit, with said functional unit including an input event and an associated response event, said method comprising the steps of, sensing the occurrence time of said input event, sensing the occurrence time of said associated response event, determining for said functional unit at least one time delay for comparison with at least one of a maximum time interval and a minimum time interval between the occurrence time of said input event followed by the occurrence time of said response event, requesting for said functional unit a process operation error output signal indication to be provided, and comparing for said functional unit said time delay with at least one of said maximum time interval and said minimum time interval to control the provision of said requested error output signal indication.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process having at least one defined functional unit, with said functional unit including an input event and an associated response event, said method comprising the steps of, sensing the occurrence time of said input event, sensing the occurrence time of said associated response event, determining for said functional unit at least one time delay for comparison with at least one of a maximum time interval and a minimum time interval between the occurrence time of said input event followed by the occurrence time of said response event, requesting for said functional unit a process operation error output signal indication to be provided, and comparing for said functional unit said time delay with at least one of said maximum time interval and said minimum time interval to control the provision of said requested error output signal indication.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 33, with said input event occurring at time To and with said step of determining at least one time delay being in accordance with a desired relationship To + Delta T between input event time To and the time delay interval Delta T between the occurrence time of said input event followed by the occurrence time of said response event.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 33, with said step of determining at least one time delay being in accordance with at least one of a maximum time interval limit Tmax and a minimum time interval limit Tmin, respectively, and where To is the occurrence time of the input event and Delta T is the desired time interval between the occurrence time of said input event and the occurrence time of said response event.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
113 words
The method of monitoring the operation of a dynamic industrial process of claim 33, with said step of determining at least one time delay being operative to predict a desired relationship between the occurrence time of said input event followed by the occurrence time of said response event, and including the step of determining for said functional unit at least one second time delay in accordance with the relationship between the actual occurrence time of said input event followed by the actual time occurrence of said response event, and with said step of comparing being operative to compare the respective time delays to control the provision of said requested error output signal indication.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |