U.S. patent application number 11/961939 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for system and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to William G. Barrus, John L. Ferenczi.
Application Number | 20080105039 11/961939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39332435 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferenczi; John L. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING FAILURES IN A FLUID DELIVERY
SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for detecting defects in a fluid delivery line is
provided, the system comprising a plurality of sensors disposed in
a fluid delivery line, wherein each one of the plurality of sensors
comprises a mote coupled to a plurality of sensing devices disposed
in a film system, wherein a first mote being configured to receive
data from at least one second mote, wherein the first mote being
further configured to transmit data collected from the plurality of
sensing devices coupled the first mote and received data from the
at least second mote, a communications hub configured to receive
sensor data from at least one mote, and a processor coupled to the
antenna, the processor being configured to analyze sensor data
received from the at least one mote.
Inventors: |
Ferenczi; John L.; (Cary,
NC) ; Barrus; William G.; (Cary, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKERMAN SENTERFITT
P. O. BOX 3188
WEST PALM BEACH
FL
33402-3188
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
39332435 |
Appl. No.: |
11/961939 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11557304 |
Nov 7, 2006 |
|
|
|
11961939 |
Dec 20, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 23/0229
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
073/040 |
International
Class: |
G01M 3/04 20060101
G01M003/04 |
Claims
1. A system for detecting defects in a fluid delivery line, the
system comprising: a plurality of sensors which can be disposed in
a fluid delivery line, wherein each of said sensors comprises a
mote coupled to a plurality of sensing devices disposed in a film
system, wherein said sensing devices comprise an array of pressure
sensing devices configured to generate a plurality of signals,
wherein the plurality of signals generated varies in response to
variations in pressure, wherein a first mote associated with a
first of said sensors is configured to receive data from at least
one other mote associated with another of said sensors, wherein the
first mote is further configured to transmit data collected from
the plurality of sensing devices associated with said first
sensor-and to transmit data received from said at least one other
mote; a communications hub configured to receive data transmitted
from at least one of said sensors; and a processor coupled to the
communications hub, the processor being configured to predict
possible failures in said fluid delivery system by analyzing data
received from said sensors, wherein said analysis comprises
searching for one or more patterns in said received data associated
with said array of pressure sensing devices for at least a portion
of said sensors disposed downstream to a component of said fluid
delivery line, wherein at least a portion of said patterns are
associated with a known type of failure in said component.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensing devices
comprises a plurality of activating devices coupled to plurality of
corresponding signaling devices, wherein the response of one of the
plurality of activating devices activates a corresponding one of
the plurality of signaling devices.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein a signal produced by at least a
first one of the plurality of signaling devices is different from a
signal produced by a second one of the plurality of signaling
devices.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a first one of the
plurality of activating devices is adapted to respond differently
from a second one of the plurality of activating devices.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the film system further comprises
at least two layers of film, wherein the plurality of sensing
devices is disposed therebetween.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the film system further comprises
a middle layer of film disposed between the plurality of activating
devices and the plurality of corresponding devices.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein each one of the plurality of
signaling devices comprises a RF tag.
8. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a
computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by
a computer for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
transmitting sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed in a
fluid delivery line, wherein each one of the plurality of sensors
comprises a mote coupled to a plurality of sensing devices disposed
in a film system, wherein said sensing devices comprise an array of
pressure sensing devices configured to generate a plurality of
signals, wherein the plurality of signals generated varies in
response to variations in pressure, wherein a first mote associated
with a first of said sensors is configured to receive sensor data
from at least one other mote associated with another of said
sensors, wherein the first mote is further configured to transmit
data collected from the plurality of sensing devices associated
with said first sensor and to transmit data received from said at
least one other mote; collecting sensor data from said sensors
using a communications hub configured to receive data from at least
one of said sensors; and forwarding the collected sensor data to a
processor coupled to the communications hub and predicting possible
failures in said fluid delivery system by analyzing the collected
sensor data using the processor, wherein said analysis comprises
searching for one or more patterns in said collected data
associated with said array of pressure sensing devices for at least
a portion of said sensors disposed downstream to a component of
said fluid delivery line, wherein at least a portion of said
patterns are associated with a known type of failure in said
component.
9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the
plurality of sensing devices comprises a plurality of activating
devices coupled to plurality of corresponding signaling devices,
wherein the response of one of the plurality of activating devices
activates a corresponding one of the plurality of signaling
devices.
10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein a
signal produced by at least a first one of the plurality of
signaling devices is different from a signal produced by a second
one of the plurality of signaling devices.
11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein at
least a first one of the plurality of activating devices is adapted
to respond differently from a second one of the plurality of
activating devices.
12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the
film system further comprises at least two layers of film, wherein
the plurality of sensing devices is disposed therebetween.
13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the
film system further comprises a middle layer of film disposed
between the plurality of activating devices and the plurality of
corresponding devices.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and accordingly
claims the benefit from, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/557,304, now issued U.S. patent Ser. No. ______, which was filed
in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 7, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to the field of sensing
devices and more particularly, to sensing and monitoring conditions
for fluid delivery systems
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The detection of problems in a fluid delivery system is
generally problematic. The most common problems leading to
catastrophic failures in such systems, such as minor leaks,
contamination, or pump or other equipment breakdown, are generally
undetectable until a severe failure occurs, often resulting in
large costs associated not only with the ensuing repairs, but also
associated with the subsequent clean up of the material released as
a result of the failure of the fluid delivery system. In many
cases, clean up costs can escalate quickly, especially for
potentially volatile or hazardous substances, such as fuel products
or cleaning products. However, clean up costs comprise only one
aspect of the financial loss to the business. In industries relying
on fluid delivery systems, a catastrophic event represents not only
a repair and clean up cost associated with the event, but also a
loss on the goods being transported in the fluid delivery system.
Therefore, businesses involved in such an enterprise are often
seeking ways to minimize such types of losses by attempting to
predict when catastrophic failures will occur and planning
accordingly by exchanging parts out on a regular basis or budgeting
for such events. However, even such measures do not always protect
the business adequately, as the result and frequency of such events
is often unpredictable.
[0004] In general, in order to prevent failures, businesses rely on
careful monitoring of a fluid delivery system in order to detect
any variation in the performance of the system. Such monitoring of
fluid delivery systems generally comprises monitoring of the
various components at all times. For example, pressure gauges may
be installed at various points in the delivery system.
Additionally, equipment performance, such as pump temperature or
pump rotation speed, may also be monitored. Another method of
monitoring fluid delivery systems is the manual inspection of the
various components of the system. However, a manual inspection of
the various components can be not only time-consuming, but also
difficult where components of the system may be installed such that
a thorough inspection is physically difficult to accomplish. In
either case, once a problem is detected, the system is shutdown and
the problem is verified and repaired if necessary.
[0005] However, the difficulty in using such systems is that any
subtle signals that may signal an impending failure are often
difficult, if not impossible to discern from the normal variation
in performance of the system. Furthermore, these types of
monitoring systems rely on statistical analysis and action is
generally only taken when the data being monitored exceeds a
predetermined tolerance range or the calculated useful lifetime of
a component has elapsed. Therefore, such systems are incapable of
detecting subtle changes that may be precursors of a severe
failure.
[0006] One method of differentiating between normal fluctuations
and indicators of impending failure is an extended analysis of the
monitored data. Experiments in many fields have found that patterns
of impending damage in many types of networks start to form hours,
perhaps days before a crisis situation occurs. The method of
detecting these patterns in such networks has been very limited
until recent years. It also been demonstrated that continuous
pattern sampling and analysis can show that even for systems only
demonstrating apparently random fluctuations, once a problem exists
in a network, the underlying organizing patterns associated with a
failure will eventually reach a terminal, perhaps crisis
situation.
[0007] For example, studies of the human brain show that the
natural disharmonic state of human brainwaves tends to harmonize to
a single frequency pattern prior to the occurrence of some types of
seizures. In such individuals, it has been demonstrated that the
movement of the brain to such a harmonious state can sometimes be
detected hours, even days, before a seizure episode.
[0008] In a fluid delivery system, the same phenomena can occur.
However, detecting such problems in real time and identifying the
failure point is problematic. Even if data from various existing
monitoring devices could be collected and analyzed, because of the
subtle variations sought to be detected, existing instrumentation,
such as pressure gauges, flow meters, and thermometers, is often
insufficient. Furthermore, when dealing with fluid delivery lines
that extend over long distances, perhaps over hundreds of miles,
the cost of constructing, maintaining, installing, and monitoring
such devices can be costly and cumbersome. Therefore, there is a
need for utilizing newer technologies, capable of deployment over
long distances and having lower cost of operation, such as
miniature sensors, wireless data acquisition, and advanced
computing methods, for use in failure prediction systems for fluid
delivery systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides for monitoring of fluid
delivery systems using a system of remote sensing devices. The
remote sensing devices can be configured to detect minor variations
in the flow of material being transported. The remote sensing
devices collect data that can be analyzed using a computing device,
which can then determine when a pattern predicting an impending
failure emerges.
[0010] One embodiment of the invention is a system including a
plurality of sensors disposed in a fluid delivery line, where each
one of the plurality of sensors consists of a mote coupled to a
plurality of sensing devices disposed in a film system. In the
system, a first mote can be configured to receive data from other
motes. The first mote can be further configured to transmit data
collected from the plurality of sensing devices coupled to the
first mote and received data from the at least second mote. The
system can also include a communications hub configured to receive
signal carrying sensor data from at least one mote. The system can
also include a processor coupled to the communications hub, where
the processor can be configured to analyze sensor data received
from the at least one mote.
[0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensing devices can
include a plurality of activating devices coupled to plurality of
corresponding signaling devices, where the response of an
activating device activates a corresponding signaling device. In
some embodiments, a signal produced by at least a first one the
signaling devices is different from a signal produced by at least
another of the signaling devices. In some embodiments, the
signaling devices can consist of RF tags. In some embodiments, at
least a first one activating devices is adapted to respond
differently than another of the activating devices.
[0012] In various embodiments, the film system consists at least
two layers of film, where the sensing devices are disposed
therebetween. In some embodiments the film system further includes
a middle layer of film between the plurality of activating devices
and the plurality of corresponding devices.
[0013] Other embodiments, when configured in accordance with the
inventive arrangements disclosed herein, can include methods or
computer-readable storage medium having computer code for
performing the various processes and processes disclosed
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are
presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a sensor in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an array of sensing devices in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a sensor in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] With reference now to the various figures in which like
elements are identically numbered throughout, a description of the
various embodiments of the present invention will now be provided.
While the invention is disclosed in the context of a single
arrangement, it can be appreciated that the invention can include
numerous modifications from the presented embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 100 for
monitoring pressure patterns in a fluid delivery system 110. The
system 100 illustratively includes a plurality of sensors 120 that
collect data regarding the flow of a product 130 through the fluid
delivery system 110. In the various embodiments, the product 130
can comprise any gas, liquid, or solid materials that can be
delivered via a fluid delivery system 110, such as water, oil,
natural gas, and semi-fluid solid substances such as grains.
Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a sensor 120 is
configured to detect changes in pressure. In other embodiments, the
sensors 120 can be adapted to chart other physical properties of
the product 130, including, but not limited to, temperature,
density, pH, color, transparency, or chemical composition.
[0021] The system 100 in FIG. 1 further illustratively includes a
communications hub 140 configured to communicate with at least one
of the sensors 120, where at least one sensor 120 can be configured
to transmit product 130 property data to the communications hub
140. The system 100 further illustratively includes a processor 150
or other computing system coupled to the communications hub 140,
used to perform a pattern search analysis on the sensor data
received by the communications hub 140. In the illustrative system,
the processor 150 can be further coupled to a terminal or other
notification system 160 to provide one or more users with
notification of a pattern predicting impending failure emerging in
the data being collected by the sensors 120. In the various
embodiments, the various connections between a sensor 120, the
communications hub 140, the processor 150, and the notification
system 160 can be configured to comprise any combination of wired
and/or wireless collections.
[0022] In the various embodiments, a sensor 120 can comprise an
array of sensing devices 210 disposed in a film system 220, as
shown in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 2. Use of such film
systems 220 including embedded pressure sensing devices 210 allow
for simple and consistent installation of the sensor 120 on the
inner surface of pipes or other components of the fluid delivery
system 110. In some embodiments, a thin film system can be used to
minimize thickness of the sensor 120. In such embodiments, the use
of a thin film system 220 applied to the inner wall generally does
not affect flow of the product 130 through the fluid delivery
system in any significant way. In the various embodiments, the film
system 220 can also be constructed using materials which are
impervious or resistant to damage from the product 130 being used
or from materials that do not tend to interact physically or
chemically with any of the materials present in the product
130.
[0023] The use of a film system 220 to construct the sensor 120 is
advantageous in several respects. First, during construction of a
pipe or other component of a fluid delivery system 110, the
application of the film system 220 to the inner surface of a
component can become a part of the manufacturing process, reducing
costs associated with installation of convention devices. Second,
in embodiments where the film system 220 is attached during
assembly of the fluid delivery system 110, the location of sensors
120 can be evaluated or modeled to determine critical points of the
fluid delivery system 110 that need to be monitored or that may
need additional monitoring. Finally, older fluid delivery systems
110 can be retrofitted to use the present invention by simply
adding the additional sensors 120 without having to change any
other configuration of the fluid delivery system 110 and without
significantly affecting the performance of the fluid delivery
system 110.
[0024] In the various embodiments of the invention, the sensor 120
can comprise an array of sensing devices 210 embedded in the film
system 220. In the illustrated embodiment, by way of example, not
by way of limitation, an array of activators and microscopic
(micro) Radio Frequency (RF) tags is used. In the illustrated
embodiment, the sensors operate as follows: the activators deform
under pressure and press down on a larger surface of micro RF tags
below to active them. Once the pressure abates, the pressure on the
activators is released and the micro RF tags are deactivated.
[0025] In the various embodiments, when an RF tag is activated, the
RF tag emits a signal. In some embodiments, the RF tags can be
adapted to emit a signal that will correspond to a signal at a
specific frequency or intensity, creating a tuned RF tag. In other
embodiments, the RF tag may be configured to emit a signal that
will correspond to a signal at several frequencies or intensities,
depending on the amount of pressure used to activate the RF tag. In
some embodiments, the array of sensing devices 210 may be divided
into areas of identically tuned RF tags, so that when pressure is
placed on an area of the sensor, a signal corresponding to the area
of the array of sensing devices 210 is emitted. In other
embodiments where more precision is required the areas may comprise
only a few or even just one RF tag tuned to emit at a specific
frequency, so that when pressure is placed on an area of the sensor
120, a signal pattern, rather than a single discrete signal, is
generated by the sensor. Therefore, in the various embodiments,
pressure upon any given set of RF tags can cause a "chord" of
signal to be generated, as each tag produces a particular signal it
has been tuned for. Therefore, as the activators deform, becoming
either larger or smaller, the pressure against the micro RF tags
can be associated with a harmonic or "chord" indicating the
pressure gradient.
[0026] Similarly, the activator can be adapted to begin to deform
at specific pressures. In other embodiments, the amount of
deformation may be dependent on the amount of pressure. In some
embodiments, the array of sensing devices 210 may be divided into
areas of similarly deforming activators, so that when pressure is
placed on the sensor, only some areas of activators will deform. In
other embodiments where more precision is required, the areas may
comprise only a few or just one activator adapted to deform at a
specific pressures. In some embodiments, the array of sensing
devices can comprise both differently tuned RF tags and differently
deforming activators, depending on the application. It can be
appreciated that in the various embodiments, the types and amount
of activator deformation and the type and amount of RF tag response
at various pressures can be configured to adjust sensitivity of the
sensor 120.
[0027] For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an array of sensing devices
210, in a sensor 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, detecting different amounts of pressure across its
surface. The inner dashed circle 310 can delineate a region where
the sensing devices 210 are adapted so that a very limited
footprint of activation at the lowest point of pressure upon the RF
tags from the activator can occur. Similarly, the outer dashed
circle 320 can delineate a much larger area that can be adapted to
be compressed as the activator is compressed by an increase in
pressure. Therefore the sensor can be configured such that the
lower the pressure, the fewer RF tags contacted and respectively,
the higher the pressure, the more tags compressed. As before, the
pattern of compressed tags defines a "chord". As stated previously,
the different sensing areas can then be formed using different
actuators, different tuned RF tags, or a combination of both.
[0028] It can be appreciated that in the various embodiments, an
active system may be used, that is the RF tag or other signaling
device may be configured to normally emit a signal. In such
embodiments, the pressure or other detected physical parameter
causes the activator to "deactivate" the signaling device.
[0029] In the various embodiments the sensor 120 further comprises
a mote 230, as shown in FIG. 2. Motes, or smartdust, are miniature,
often microscopic computers, generally incorporating a wireless
receiver/transmitter, used to create remote sensors. In the
illustrated embodiment, the mote 230 operates as a wireless
receiver/transmitter, which in combination with the array of RF
tags, allows the sensor 120 to operate as a remote sensor in which
the mote 230 operates to transmit data collected from the sensor
120. In the various embodiments, the mote 230 can perform a number
of functions. In some embodiments, the mote 230 can monitor the
array of RF tags to detect the signals emitted by the RF tags. In
some embodiments, the mote 230 also has the capacity to transmit
radio signals to an external device. In other embodiments the mote
230 can be configured to continuously transmit sensor data to a
device outside the fluid delivery system 110, either through a wire
to the outside, or through a radio transmitter integrated into the
mote 230. In other embodiments, the mote 230 can be configured to
communicate with another mote 230 on another sensor 120, placed in
the fluid delivery system 110. In other embodiments, the mote 230
can be configured to transmit any data it receives from any other
mote 230, along with the data collected by the array of sensing
devices 210 associated with the mote. In the various embodiments,
the mote 230 can be powered by vibration with piezoelectric
sources, by internal battery, or through the wire from the outside
to a photoelectric cell or other power source.
[0030] As shown in the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the
film system 220 can comprise a plurality of stacked layers, which
together constitute each of the sensors 120 for insertion into the
fluid delivery system 110, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments
where a rigid film system is used to support the array of RF tags
210, the sensor 120 may be shaped to conform to the dimensions of
the component of the fluid delivery system 110 it is to be attached
to.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the first
layer 401 can comprise a protective top coating. The first layer
401 can be adapted to prevent or resist damage to the array of
sensing devices 210 from damage caused by the product 130 being
transported through the fluid delivery system 110. Additionally,
the first layer 401 can further be adapted so that it preferably
does not react, chemically or physically, with the compound or
compounds comprising the product 130. For example, the first layer
401 can be adapted to resist corrosion where corrosive materials
are being used. The second layer 402 can contain an array of
activators which can be adapted to deform in response to the
pressure in the fluid delivery system. The bottom layer 403 can be
an array of tuned, micro RF tags. Therefore, as the activators from
the second layer respond to the changes in pressure within the
pipeline by deforming their shape, they press against a number of
tuned, micro RF tags disposed on the bottom layer 403. By using
multiple layers, the sensor 120 can be customized for a particular
application by adjusting the response of the activators or the
frequencies emitted by the RF tag or other signaling device being
used in the sensor 120. In some embodiments, the mote 230 can also
be incorporated into the sandwich structure.
[0032] In operation, the system 100 in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention functions as follows. First, the
plurality of sensors 120 is placed on the inner wall of various
components of the fluid delivery system 110. As the product 130
begins to flow through the fluid delivery system 110, the product
130 will place pressure on one or more of the plurality of sensors
120. As pressure is placed on the sensors 120, the array of sensing
devices 210 begins to be activated. In the illustrated
arrangements, each RF tag would be activated by the action of the
corresponding activator. In accordance with some embodiments of the
invention, a "chord" corresponding to the conditions detected would
be generated and sent to the mote 230 associated with each sensor
120. In the various embodiments, the "chord" for a sensor 120
comprises a representation of all the signals emitted by the all
the RF tags in the array of sensing devices 210 to the product 130
flow in the fluid delivery system 110. The mote 230 could then
connect to another mote 230 or to the communications hub 140 and
transmit the data collected from the sensor 120.
[0033] In some embodiments, motes 230 on the external length of the
fluid delivery system 110 can be configured to automatically set up
an ad-hoc network, in that elements of the network, such as sensors
120 and associated motes 230, can be added or replaced at will.
Additionally, as shown in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1, one
of the motes 230 can be terminal point 170 in a length of the fluid
delivery system 110. In such embodiments, the motes 230 can be
configured to create an ad-hoc network in that the motes 230 find
other nearby motes 230 and the motes 230 communicate in a serial
fashion, passing data on to the communications hub 140 or a
terminal point 170.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, a mote 230 operating as a
terminal point 170 in the ad-hoc network can connects to a
wireless, communications hub 140. In some embodiments the
communications hub can further include connection management
software, which when executing passes along the data being sent
through the ad-hoc network to the processor 150. Once the data is
received by the processor 150, the processor 150 performs a
continuous analysis of the incoming data. In some embodiments, the
processor 150 can use a pattern recognition algorithm to detect
pattern formation. By combing the sensor data from sensors 120 over
extended stretches of the fluid delivery system 110, patterns can
emerge that can indicate problems developing within the fluid
delivery system 110. In the various embodiments the aim of the
processing is to detect subtle or subliminal patterns within the
data being collected, where the emerging pattern can produce a
"sub-chord" that will appear in the collected data.
[0035] In the various embodiments the pattern recognition algorithm
can use a statistical or structural pattern recognition approach.
Statistical pattern recognition is based on statistical
characterizations of patterns, assuming that the patterns are
generated by a probabilistic system. Structural pattern recognition
is based on the structural interrelationships of features. A wide
range of algorithms can be applied for pattern recognition, from
very simple Bayesian classifiers to much more powerful neural
networks. The methods and algorithms discussed above are presented
by way of example, not by way of limitation, and the use of other
pattern recognition approaches and algorithms is contemplated by
this disclosure.
[0036] In some embodiments, the detection of "sub-chords" can be
enhanced by "teaching" the processor 150 to ignore background
noise. In these embodiments, once a fluid delivery system 110 is
assembled and product 130 begins to flow, measurements may be taken
to collect a background "chord" that represents the steady-state
conditions for the fluid delivery system 110. This background
"chord" will then provide training set for the pattern recognition
algorithm to use to detect anomalies in the data collected from the
sensors 120. Based on this training set, the processor 150 can then
be configured to detect "sub-chords" by differentiating them from
the background "chord".
[0037] In other embodiments, the detection of "sub-chords" may not
require a learning process for the processor 150. In some
embodiments, the pattern recognition algorithm may simply perform
real time statistical analysis of the incoming data and identify
any anomalies in the data or data point that exceed the calculate
variance for the process. In some embodiments, a processor 150
processing "chord" data from a large number of sensors in series
may detect the emergence of a difference in the "chord" data
emerging at a specific location along the fluid delivery system
110.
[0038] Furthermore, in embodiments where the sensors 120 are
located within the fluid delivery system 110 at regular spacing
intervals, the sensors 120 could detect subtle pressure changes in
excess or insufficiency of a steady state. In such embodiments, the
data collected from the sensors 120 could constitute segments of a
wave pattern. When such data is available, continuous examination
of wave patterns can identify subtle shifts in pressure more
accurately than a series of single points of data. Furthermore, by
use of algorithms incorporating chaos mathematics methods, the
processor 150 can use the sensor data to predict failures in the
fluid delivery system 110 before they occur.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, once an emerging pattern is
detected, intelligent notification software can be incorporated
into the processor 150, which can be used to activate one or more
devices to notify one or more users of an impending problem.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sensor data collected can be
used to identify which sensors 120 have been affected, in order to
determine the location of the impending failure, allowing the user
an opportunity to inspect and prevent the damage before a
catastrophic event occurs.
[0040] In some embodiments, the detection of certain types of
"sub-chords" may signal certain types of failures. In such
embodiments, aside from recognition of "sub-chords" to generally
detect problems in the fluid delivery system 110, the processor 150
may be configured to recognize the emergence of such "sub-chords"
that signal to the user to certain types of failures. Such
embodiments are advantageous, as the type of failure may require
different levels of response on the part of the user or a response
from different types of users. In some embodiments, the processor
150 may also be configured to report only certain types of failures
to certain users, based on the several types of recognizable
"sub-chords". In other embodiments, the processor 150 could be
configured to notify users of only major failures and ignore minor
failures that are not anticipated to require immediate attention or
result in a catastrophic failure.
[0041] The present invention may be realized in hardware, software,
or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention
may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or
in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across
several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer
system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods
described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and
software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer
program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer
system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
[0042] The present invention also may be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0043] This invention may be embodied in other forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims,
rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope
of the invention.
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