Expert overseer for mass spectrometer system

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:867879

Filby, Evan E ^[1]; Rankin, Richard A ^[2]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID
2. Ammon, ID

An expert overseer for the operation and real-time management of a mass spectrometer and associated laboratory equipment. The overseer is a computer-based expert diagnostic system implemented on a computer separate from the dedicated computer used to control the mass spectrometer and produce the analysis results. An interface links the overseer to components of the mass spectrometer, components of the laboratory support system, and the dedicated control computer. Periodically, the overseer polls these devices and as well as itself. These data are fed into an expert portion of the system for real-time evaluation. A knowledge base used for the evaluation includes both heuristic rules and precise operation parameters. The overseer also compares current readings to a long-term database to detect any developing trends using a combination of statistical and heuristic rules to evaluate the results. The overseer has the capability to alert lab personnel whenever questionable readings or trends are observed and provide a background review of the problem and suggest root causes and potential solutions, or appropriate additional tests that could be performed. The overseer can change the sequence or frequency of the polling to respond to an observation in the current data.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE IDAHO NUCLEAR CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-84ID12435
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5025391
• OSTI ID: 867879
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

expert
overseer
mass
spectrometer
operation
real-time
management
associated
laboratory
equipment
computer-based
diagnostic
implemented
computer
separate
dedicated
control
produce
analysis
results
interface
links
components
support
periodically
polls
devices
data
fed
portion
evaluation
knowledge
base
heuristic
rules
precise
parameters
compares
current
readings
long-term
database
detect
developing
trends
combination
statistical
evaluate
capability
alert
lab
personnel
whenever
questionable
observed
provide
background
review
suggest
root
causes
potential
solutions
appropriate
additional
tests
performed
change
sequence
frequency
polling
respond
observation
knowledge base
control computer
mass spectrometer
current data
dedicated computer
expert overseer
/706/702/