JPH04225118A - Apparatus and method for analyzing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To detect the trouble and functional paralysis of respective components by detecting one point without providing a sensor to the respective constitutional parts of a complicated system. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for analyzing a system having a plurality of components and a generator 12 supplying energy to the respective constitutional parts has four elements. A detector 24 is provided to detect the energy supplied to one selected component. A processor 30 is provided to compare a signature signal with a stored signature signal to decide whether there is difference between two signals. The sequencer 36 related to the processor 30 is provided to successively select the components to be analyzed. The indicator 34 responding to the processor 30 is provided to clear any difference.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to control systems for complex multi-component devices, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for analyzing systems.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Complex systems, such as those found in airplanes, large computers, and state-of-the-art semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment, typically require support for electrical, fluidic, or pneumatic devices. It has multiple components such as sensors, indicators, and actuators. Very costly machine malfunctions can occur due to failure of any of these components. In many cases, the cause of the malfunction is difficult to discover, especially when working in ultra-clean room environments or when the failure is intermittent. Therefore, there is a need for a method to analyze the detailed operation of each component of such a system and to do so continuously. Prior art systems are known in which there is one sensor or monitoring element for each component within the system. This includes:
It has the disadvantage of greatly increasing the complexity of the system and introducing a new set of reliability issues associated with the large number of sensors. Other disadvantages of the prior art include the need to locate the detection device or detector away from the supervisory device. Another disadvantage of the prior art is the inability to predict component failure in advance of actual failure, which can result in catastrophe, for example in the case of airplanes. These and other problems of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.

0003

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by eliminating the need to provide sensors for each component of a complex system. The purpose is to obtain a signature signal through single-point detection and compare that signal with other components of the same type or with signals taken from the same component when it is found to be working properly. This is achieved by comparison with a memory specimen.

According to the invention, an apparatus for analyzing a system;
In this case, the system has a plurality of components and a generator for supplying energy to each of the components, and the device has three elements. A detector is provided to detect energy delivered to a selected one of the components. This detector produces a signature signal representative of the energy delivered to the selected component. A processor is provided to compare the signature signal to the stored signature signal and determine if there is a difference between the two signals. A processor responsive indicator is provided to identify any differences. In other embodiments, a sequencer associated with the processor is provided to sequentially select components for analysis.

A technical advantage of the present invention is that complex systems consisting of multiple components can be monitored and each component analyzed to detect failure or malfunction of any component. Another technical advantage is that complex systems can be monitored remotely from the location of the component being analyzed. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that it continuously analyzes individual components and compares their operation to components that are known to be functioning properly, thereby detecting failures before they actually occur. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and method for predicting. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that it provides a complex system analysis apparatus and method that can be adapted to a wide variety of systems and different component types within a single system. These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the accompanying drawings and description of the embodiments.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the invention will first be described, followed by a description of the operation of such an embodiment. Referring first to FIG. 1, system 10 is schematically depicted in dashed lines. System 10 can be, for example, an electrical system, a hydraulic system, or a pneumatic system. An energy generator 12 is provided, which can correspondingly be an electrical power source, a hydraulic pump, or a gas compressor. Output 14 of generator 12 is switched through input/output module 20 to inputs 16a-16c of components 18a-18c. Only three components 18 are shown for clarity, but the actual number may vary depending on the configuration of system 10.

The output 14 of generator 12 is likewise connected to the input 22 of detector 24. An output 26 of detector 24 is also connected to an input 28 of processor 30. A processor 30 is provided with associated signal storage 32, indicators 34, and sequencer 36. Although shown as a selecting device, sequencer 36 may be a component of the basic device being monitored and allows processor 20 to communicate with input/output module 20 .

The detector 24 is the energy generator 1
monitors energy passing through selected components 18 from 2 and responsively communicates information to processor 30; This information represents a "signature" of the system and is automatically compared by processor 30 to a "signature" previously stored in signal storage 32. The stored signatures may have been generated by a monitoring system similar to system 10 or by monitoring system 10 itself when it was found to be operating correctly. Processor 30 can then analyze the comparison between the signatures and reveal any abnormal operation within system 10 on indicator 34 for the machine operator.

Processor 30 can then monitor each component 18 by sequentially sampling the energy provided to each component 18. This operation is performed by the processor 3 using the sequencer 36.
Executes under the control of 0. Sequencer 36 provides input/output to sequentially switch the energy output from energy generator 12 to each component 18.
Instruct the output module 20. At the same time, processor 3
0 analyzes the signature of the energy provided to each selected component 18. A flow chart illustrating this process is depicted in FIG.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example is depicted in which system 10 is an electrical system and component 18a is a solenoid valve. For purposes of comparison between FIGS. 1 and 2, similar components have been similarly numbered. Analysis of this system can be explained by reference to FIG. 3, which depicts selected modes of operation of solenoid valve 18a. In this case, the detector 24
and processor 30 monitors and analyzes the current drawn from power supply 12 and operates the armature of solenoid valve 18a.

Curve A indicates a normally operating solenoid valve 18.
a, where the change in current with respect to time is constant until closure of the solenoid armature at 11 milliseconds, when sufficient current is obtained. Curve B shows abnormal operation of solenoid valve 18a, during which armature closure is delayed to 17 milliseconds. This delay may indicate that the actuator in solenoid valve 18a was being blocked because more current was required to close the armature. Curve C similarly depicts abnormal operation of solenoid valve 18a. In this case, armature closure is delayed to 17 milliseconds, but the force (current) remains the same and the time constant increases. This curve may indicate that there is overheating within the solenoid valve 18a (high solenoid coil resistance is shown).

Curve D represents the abnormal mode in which solenoid valve 18a is not closed. Curve E shows a fault mode in which the solenoid of solenoid valve 18a or the connecting cable associated with solenoid valve 18a is short-circuited. Finally, curve F depicts the abnormal mode in which the solenoid in solenoid valve 18a or the associated connecting cable is open.

A curve, such as the one depicted in FIG.
The signals are stored in signal storage 32 and define the signature of the operation of system 10. System 10 being monitored and analyzed
shows the same signal during operation, a fault is indicated and
Appropriate action will be taken. In a similar fashion, pneumatic and hydraulic actuators can be monitored for leaks, slow response, and clogged lines. All of these likewise have corresponding energy generators 12
It is possible to use a single pressure sensor or flow sensor.

The present invention can also be used to monitor and record information over time so that components that are deteriorating in function can be detected before eventual failure. There is. Furthermore, the processor 30
It can be configured to analyze in real time or to store signatures of the operating system 10 for post-mortem analysis.

From the above description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention allows complex systems of multiple components to be monitored with a common power source. Information representing the current operation of the system and its respective components is thereby obtained and, using a stored program calculator, any significant deviations of the components from their expected performance can be determined. can. Although the invention has been described with particular reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Dew.

Regarding the above description, the following sections are further disclosed.

(1) An apparatus for analyzing a system, wherein the system includes a plurality of component parts and a generator that supplies energy to each of the component parts, and the apparatus is configured to analyze the selection of the component parts. a detector for detecting the energy delivered to the selected component and producing a signature signal representative of the energy delivered to the selected component; and comparing the signature signal to a stored signature signal and determining a difference. An apparatus including a processor for determining and an indicator responsive to the processor for identifying the difference.

(2) The apparatus according to item (1), wherein the system is an electrical system.

(3) The device according to item (2), wherein the generator is an electric power source.

(4) The apparatus according to item (1), wherein the system is a hydraulic system.

(5) The apparatus according to item (4), wherein the generator is a hydraulic pump.

(6) The apparatus according to item (1), wherein the system is an air system.

(7) The apparatus according to paragraph (6), wherein the generator is a gas compressor.

(8) A method for analyzing a system, wherein the system includes a plurality of components and a generator for supplying energy to each of the components, the method comprising: detecting the energy delivered to the selected component; generating a signature signal representative of the detected energy; and comparing the signature signal to a stored signature signal. and identifying differences between the compared signals.

(9) The method described in item (8), wherein the system is an electrical system.

(10) The method described in item (9), wherein the generator is an electric power source.

(11) The method according to item (8), wherein the system is a hydraulic system.

(12) The method described in item (11), wherein the generator is a hydraulic pump.

(13) The method described in item (8), wherein the system is an air system.

(14) The method according to item (13), wherein the generator is a gas compressor.

(15) An apparatus for analyzing a system, wherein the system includes a plurality of components and a generator for supplying energy to each of the components, and the apparatus is configured to analyze one of the components. a sequencer associated with the generator and the sequencer for detecting the energy delivered to the selected component and producing a signature signal representative of the detected energy; , a processor that receives the signature signal, compares the signature signal with stored signature signals, and identifies differences between the compared signals.

(16) The apparatus according to item (15), wherein the processor is a program storage type computer.

(17) The apparatus according to item (16), wherein the system is an electrical system.

(18) The apparatus according to item (17), wherein the detector is an analog-to-digital converter.

(19) The apparatus according to item (16), wherein the system is a hydraulic system.

(20) The apparatus according to item (16), wherein the system is an air system.

(21) A plurality of component parts and a generator 1 that supplies energy to each of the component parts.
An apparatus for analyzing a system having 2 and 4 elements has 4 elements. A detector 24 is provided to detect energy delivered to a selected one of the components. processor 30
is provided and compares the signature signal with the stored signature signal to determine if there is a difference between the two signals. A sequencer 36 associated with processor 30 is provided to sequentially select components to be analyzed. An indicator 34 responsive to processor 30 is provided to reveal any differences.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system analysis device made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the invention with respect to a single component.

FIG. 3 shows a graph depicting multiple modes of operation of the components shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method performed in accordance with the present invention.

[Explanation of main symbols]

10 System 12 Generator 24 Detector 30 Processor 32 Signal storage device 34 Indicator 36 Sequencer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for analyzing a system, wherein the system comprises a plurality of components and a generator for supplying energy to each of the components, the apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting the energy delivered to the selected component and producing a signature signal representative of the energy delivered to the selected component; and comparing the signature signal to a stored signature signal to determine a difference. and an indicator responsive to the processor for identifying the difference. 2. A method of analyzing a system, wherein the system comprises a plurality of components and a generator for supplying energy to each of the components, the method comprising: selecting, detecting the energy delivered to the selected component, generating a signature signal representative of the detected energy, and comparing the signature signal to a stored signature signal. and identifying differences between the compared signals.