Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-12
2004-05-11
Patel, Ramesh (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C700S028000, C700S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06735490
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to automated design systems and more particularly to a design integration system that integrates existing subprocess models into a single automated design process.
A complex engineering design analysis may require that multiple interdependent analysis subprocesses be integrated into a single overall process. The analysis subprocesses are typically interdependent in that a first subprocess may require inputs from a second subprocess, which will, in turn, be impacted by the output of the first subprocess. Complex design processes may involve a large number of subprocesses that have interdependent parameters but otherwise involve disparate analyses. For example, an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant design analysis requires the integration of a number of engineering and economic analysis processes. These analytical processes consist of the evaluation models for the performance of its various physical units and models for costing, operation and maintenance and plant economics.
Unfortunately, the various analytical models for complex processes such as the design of an IGCC power plant may reside on separate processing platforms or may be owned by distinct entities with differing interests. This complicates and slows the design process and typically requires human intervention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing a design using predetermined analysis models. The method may be carried out on an automated design system including an integration server in communication with a plurality of subprocess servers. Each subprocess server may be configured for conducting a subprocess analysis using one of the analysis models. The method comprises receiving at the integration server an analysis request including a set of desired performance parameters and constructing a set of design characteristics for meeting the desired performance parameters. The method further includes determining a set of design performance results associated with the set of design characteristics using the analysis models of the subprocess servers. The step of determining may comprise passing input information from the integration server to the plurality of subprocess servers and processing at least a portion of the input information to a format usable in the analysis model of each of the plurality of subprocess servers. The step of determining may further comprise passing output information from each of the plurality of subprocess servers to the integration server and using the output information to determine the design performance results.
The step of determining a set of design performance results in a method of the invention may include converting the output information to a predetermined format. The method may further comprise comparing the set of design performance results to the set of desired performance parameters to determine if the design performance results are within a range of acceptability. Responsive to a determination that the design performance results are not within the range of acceptability, the method may include adjusting the set of design characteristics and repeating the steps of determining a set of design performance results and comparing the set of design performance results.
In methods of analyzing a design according to the present invention, at least a portion of the output information from a first one of the plurality subprocess servers may be included in the input information passed to a second one of the plurality of subprocess servers.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of analyzing a design using predetermined analysis models. The method is carried out using an automated design system that includes an integration server in communication with at least one subprocess server configured for conducting a subprocess analysis using one of the analysis models. The method comprises receiving at the integration server an analysis request including a set of desired performance parameters and constructing a set of design characteristics for meeting the desired performance parameters. The method further comprises constructing a first set of analysis input information comprising input data required by a first one of the at least one subprocess server to conduct an analysis using a first analysis model. The input data is determined using the design characteristics. The method still further comprises communicating the first analysis input information to the first subprocess server and processing the input data to a format usable by the first subprocess server. First subprocess analysis output data is generated using the first analysis model and the input data and a first set of analysis output information is formed. The first set of analysis output information includes the first subprocess analysis output data. The formation of the first set of analysis output information may include conversion of the first subprocess analysis output data to a predetermined format. The method also comprises transferring the first set of analysis output information to the integration server; and determining a set of design performance results using at least a portion of the first set of analysis output information.
The step of processing the first analysis input information may include the step of converting the first analysis input information to the usable format, responsive to a determination that the first analysis input information as communicated by the integration module is not in a usable format.
The above method of analyzing a design according to the invention may comprise the steps of comparing the set of design performance results to the set of desired performance parameters to determine if the design performance results are within a range of acceptability and responsive to a determination that the design performance results are not within the range of acceptability, adjusting the set of design characteristics and repeating the steps of communicating, processing, generating, forming, transferring and determining.
The automated design system of a method of the invention may include a plurality of subprocess servers each configured for conducting a subprocess analysis using one of the analysis models. The step of determining a set of design performance results using at least a portion of the first set of analysis output information may include creating a second set of analysis input information including at least a portion of the subprocess analysis output data. The second set of analysis input information may comprise second analysis input data required by a second one of the plurality of subprocess servers to conduct an analysis using a second analysis model. The method may further comprise transmitting the second set of analysis input information to the second subprocess server and processing the second analysis input data to a format usable by the second subprocess server. The method may still further comprise generating second subprocess analysis output data using the second analysis model and the second analysis input data. A second set of analysis output information including the second subprocess analysis output data may be formed. The formation of the second set of analysis output information may include converting the second subprocess analysis output data to a predetermined format. The method may also comprise transferring the second set of analysis output information to the integration server and determining the set of design performance results using at least a portion of the second set of analysis output information.
The step of processing the second analysis input information may include the step of converting the second analysis input information to the usable format, responsive to a determination that the second analysis input information as communicated by the integration module is not in a usable format.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides an automated design integration system for integrating a plurality of analysis subprocesses into a single
Anand Ashok Kumar
Berry Brian Jacob
Boey Johnny Yit
Jandrisevits Michael
May Patrick King Wah
General Electric Company
Hartman Jr. Ronald D
Hunton & Williams LLP
Patel Ramesh
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