Automated Reconfiguration of a Discrete Event Control Loop

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This invention describes a method and device for automatically reconfiguring discrete event control loops in automation systems, especially in the presence of malfunctions such as actuator or sensor failures. It systematically models both normal operation and potential faults in the control system, allowing for automated creation of fault-tolerant control algorithms. This approach aims to minimize the process impact of faults in discrete automation systems by integrating error-handling directly into the system models and generating correct control code automatically.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Industrial automation systems where continuous production and minimal downtime are crucial, such as manufacturing assembly lines.
• Automated warehousing and logistics systems managing conveyors, sensors, and actuators.
• Safety-critical domains like nuclear plants or aviation, where redundant and fault-tolerant controls are mandatory.
• Automotive or electronics production lines involving numerous interconnected devices with discrete event controls.
• Applications requiring rapid adaptation to component failures without manual intervention or lengthy downtime.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces downtime and productivity losses by allowing systems to continue operating safely during certain faults.
• Automates the design and synthesis of fault-tolerant control algorithms, reducing the risk of programming errors and the need for manual, error-prone interventions.
• Minimizes costs compared to traditional hardware redundancy solutions by relying on advanced software modeling and reconfiguration.
• Increases reliability and safety of automated systems through formal error modeling and correct-by-construction control logic.
• Facilitates easier integration of new or customized components via extendable model libraries and interfaces.
• Supports ongoing adaptation in rapidly changing or configurable production environments.

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Patent Abstract

The method and the device deal exclusively with dynamic operations which can be dominantly represented by discrete event processes and for the dynamics of which logical sequences of symbols are the deciding factors rather than time. The method and the device deal in detail with the specifics of the discrete event problems. The device for designing and implementing automated reactions to the malfunctioning of actuators and sensors in discrete automation technology systems ensures that the impact of these malfunctions on the process remains minimal. The invention also relates to a method which permits said faults to be systematically integrated into discrete event models in order to design fault-tolerant discrete event control systems on this basis.