Functional relationship-based alarm processing

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866617

Corsberg, Daniel R ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A functional relationship-based alarm processing system and method analyzes each alarm as it is activated and determines its relative importance with other currently activated alarms and signals in accordance with the relationships that the newly activated alarm has with other currently activated alarms. Once the initial level of importance of the alarm has been determined, that alarm is again evaluated if another related alarm is activated. Thus, each alarm's importance is continuously oupdated as the state of the process changes during a scenario. Four hierarchical relationships are defined by this alarm filtering methodology: (1) level precursor (usually occurs when there are two alarm settings on the same parameter); (2) direct precursor (based on caussal factors between two alarms); (3) required action (system response or action) expected within a specified time following activation of an alarm or combination of alarms and process signals); and (4) blocking condition (alarms that are normally expected and are not considered important). The alarm processing system and method is sensitive to the dynamic nature of the process being monitored and is capable of changing the relative importance of each alarm as necessary.

• Research Organization: EG & G IDAHO INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Department (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4749985
• OSTI ID: 866617
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

functional
relationship-based
alarm
processing
method
analyzes
activated
determines
relative
importance
currently
alarms
signals
accordance
relationships
newly
initial
level
determined
evaluated
related
continuously
oupdated
process
changes
scenario
hierarchical
defined
filtering
methodology
precursor
occurs
settings
parameter
direct
based
caussal
factors
required
action
response
expected
specified
time
following
activation
combination
blocking
condition
normally
considered
sensitive
dynamic
nature
monitored
capable
changing
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process signals
time following
process changes
activated alarm
relationship-based alarm
relative importance
currently activated
functional relationship-based
activated alarms
method analyzes
/340/701/