US4926364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for determining weighted average of process variable
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1988-07-25
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Granted: 1990-05-15
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Expires: 2008-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining a weighted average of three input values under the control of a processor includes a step of determining which of the three input values is the median value, with the remaining input values being first and second values. Then, first and second weighting factors are calculated based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the three input values. Finally, a weighted average is calculated based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second input values and the median input value. The three input values may be sensed values provided by a temperature sensor in a nuclear power plant.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Brotherton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:31
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B29/00; G08B29/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of three input sensor values corresponding to a single process variable under control of a processor, comprising the steps of: (a) determining which of the three input sensor values is a median input value, the input sensor values other than the median input value being first and second input values; (b) calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the three input sensor values; and (c) producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second input values and the median input value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of three input sensor values corresponding to a single process variable under control of a processor, comprising the steps of: (a) determining which of the three input sensor values is a median input value, the input sensor values other than the median input value being first and second input values; (b) calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the three input sensor values; and (c) producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second input values and the median input value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step (b) comprises the substeps of: (b1) calculating first and second absolute values which are equal to absolute values of differences between the median input value and the first and second input values, respectively; (b2) calculating the first weighting factor based on the predetermined median weighting factor and the first and second absolute values; and (b3) calculating the second weighting factor based on the first weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step (c) comprises calculating the weighted average by adding together results of multiplying the predetermined median weighting factor times the median input value, multiplying the first weighting factor times the first input value, and multiplying the second weighting factor times the second input value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein: said substep (b2) comprises performing the calculation f/(1+(A 1 /A 2 ) 2 ) to obtain the first weighting factor, where f is equal to the predetermined median weighting factor, and A 1 and A 2 are the calculated first and second absolute values; and said substep (b3) comprises calculating the second weighting factor based on the first weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein a sum of the first weighting factor, the second weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor is 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein a sum of the first weighting factor, the second weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor is 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step (b) comprises the substeps of: (b1) calculating first and second absolute values which are equal to absolute values of differences between the median input value and the first and second input values, respectively; (b2) calculating the first weighting factor based on the predetermined median weighting factor and the first and second absolute values; and (b3) calculating the second weighting factor based on the predetermined median weighting factor and the first and second absolute values.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said step (c) comprises calculating the weighted average by adding together results of multiplying the predetermined median weighting factor times the median input value, multiplying the first weighting factor times the first input value, and multiplying the second weighting factor times the second input value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein: said substep (b2) comprises performing the calculation f/(1+(A 1 /A 2 ) 2 )) to obtain the first weighting factor, where f is equal to the predetermined median weighting factor, and A 1 and A 2 are the calculated first and second absolute values; and said substep (b3) comprises performing the calculation f/(1+(A 2 /A 1 ) 2 )) to obtain the second weighting factor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the three input sensor values correspond to a sensed process variable, and wherein said step (b) comprises the substeps of: (b1) calculating first and second absolute values which are equal to absolute values of differences between the median input value and the first and second input values, respectively; (b2) calculating the first weighting factor based on the predetermined median weighting factor and the first and second absolute values; and (b3) calculating the second weighting factor based on the first weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step (c) comprises calculating the weighted average by adding together results of multiplying the predetermined median weighting factor times the median input value, multiplying the first weighting factor times the first input value, and multiplying the second weighting factor times the second input value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein: said substep (b2) comprises performing the calculation f/(1+(A 1 /A 2 ) 2 ) to obtain the first weighting factor, where f is equal to the predetermined median weighting factor, and A 1 and A 2 are the calculated first and second absolute values; and said substep (b3) comprises calculating the second weighting factor based on the first weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the sum of the first weighting factor, the second weighting factor and the predetermined median weighting factor is 1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of three input sensor values corresponding to a single process variable, comprising: means for providing the three input sensor values; and a processor for receiving the three input sensor values, for determining which of the three input sensor values is a median input value, the input sensor values other than the median input value being first and second input values, said processor for calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the three input sensor values, and for producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second input values, and the median input value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of three input sensor values corresponding to a single process variable, comprising: means for providing the three input sensor values; and a processor for receiving the three input sensor values, for determining which of the three input sensor values is a median input value, the input sensor values other than the median input value being first and second input values, said processor for calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the three input sensor values, and for producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second input values, and the median input value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said means for providing the three input sensor values comprises first, second and third sensors for sensing a process variable and for providing the three input sensor values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of a process variable for a nuclear power plant, comprising: first, second and third sensors for measuring a process variable corresponding to operation of a portion of the nuclear power plant, and for generating respective sensed values; and a processor for receiving the sensed values, for determining which of the sensed values is a median value, the sensed values other than the median value being first and second sensed values, said processor for calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the second values, and for producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second sensed values and the median value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for converting sensor signals into a combined sensor signal which is a weighted average of a process variable for a nuclear power plant, comprising: first, second and third sensors for measuring a process variable corresponding to operation of a portion of the nuclear power plant, and for generating respective sensed values; and a processor for receiving the sensed values, for determining which of the sensed values is a median value, the sensed values other than the median value being first and second sensed values, said processor for calculating first and second weighting factors based on a predetermined median weighting factor and the second values, and for producing the combined sensor signal by calculating a weighted average based on the first and second weighting factors, the predetermined median weighting factor, the first and second sensed values and the median value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-11-13 | 1994-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-14 | 1997-11-13 | 1998-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-14 | 2001-11-13 | 2002-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |