The present invention is a component monitoring system which includes all sensor and plant component monitoring at distributed plant locations close to the sensors which are the source of the signals to be analyzed. Minimally preconditioned analog sensor signals are multiplexed and further conditioned by a sensor signal preprocessor that adjusts the gain and filters the sensor signals before being applied to an analog-to-digital converter controlled by a data acquisition computer. The analog sensor signals are converted into digital samples and stored in a data memory of a digital signal processor using a direct memory access technique. The data acquisition computer also controls the selection of sensors, gain, etc., based on commands from a controller. The digital signal processor, once sufficient sensor data has been collected, performs appropriate processing using known digital signal processing techniques. This processed data is then sent to the controller for analysis to determine plant component condition. The analysis and processing routines can be changed by downloading a new routine from the controller. Once a sensor signal is processed, the controller selects the next sensor by transmitting an appropriate command to the data acquisition computer.

Smart sensor system for diagnostic monitoring

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths. In an embodiment, the sensors are magnetic field sensors, and the systems and/or methods are configured to meet or exceed relevant safety or other industry standards, such as SIL standards. For example, a monolithic integrated circuit sensor system implemented on a single semiconductor ship can include a first sensor device having a first signal path for a first sensor signal on a semiconductor chip; and a second sensor device having a second signal path for a second sensor signal on the semiconductor chip, the second signal path distinct from the first signal path, wherein a comparison of the first signal path signal and the second signal path signal provides a sensor system self-test.

Sensor self-diagnostics using multiple signal paths

The Advanced Logic System (ALS) is a complete control system architecture, based on a hardware platform rather than a software-based microprocessor system It is significantly different from other PLC-type control system architectures, by implementing a FPGA in the central control unit Standard FPGA logic circuits are used rather than a software-based microprocessor which eliminate problems with software based microprocessor systems, such as software common-mode failures It provides a highly reliable system suitable for safety critical control systems, including nuclear plant protection systems The system samples process inputs, provides for digital bus communications, applies a control logic function, and provides for controlled outputs The architecture incorporates advanced features such as diagnostics, testability, and redundancy on multiple levels It additionally provides significant improvements in failure detection, isolation, and mitigation for the highest level of integrity and reliability

Advanced logic system

A reactor protection system having four divisions, with quad redundant sensors for each scram parameter providing input to four independent microprocessor-based electronic chassis. Each electronic chassis acquires the scram parameter data from its own sensor, digitizes the information, and then transmits the sensor reading to the other three electronic chassis via optical fibers. To increase system availability and reduce false scrams, the reactor protection system employs two levels of voting on a need for reactor scram. The electronic chassis perform software divisional data processing, vote 2/3 with spare based upon information from all four sensors, and send the divisional scram signals to the hardware logic panel, which performs a 2/4 division vote on whether or not to initiate a reactor scram. Each chassis makes a divisional scram decision based on data from all sensors. Each division performs independently of the others (asynchronous operation). All communications between the divisions are asynchronous. Each chassis substitutes its own spare sensor reading in the 2/3 vote if a sensor reading from one of the other chassis is faulty or missing. Therefore the presence of at least two valid sensor readings in excess of a set point is required before terminating the output to the hardware logic of a scram inhibition signal even when one of the four sensors is faulty or when one of the divisions is out of service.

Fault-tolerant reactor protection system

A safety qualified interface device is interposed between an operator manned control position having an operator interface and qualified safety system logic monitoring and control devices. This microprocessor driven interface incorporates a memory carrying a library collection of valid safety directives as well as valid parameter inputs and permissible parameter deviation ranges. Control or parameter requests are asserted by the operator from non-safety related but conveniently positioned interface devices at the control position which are treated as trial inputs which are matched at the interface with memory retained valid directives and parameters. Where a match between memory retained data and the trial input signals occurs, then the operator is apprised through a qualified safety related display and a corresponding acknowledgment is made to the interface. The interface then transmits either the directive or parameter request to the associated divisional safety related components for execution and/or retrieval.

System and method for monitoring and control of safety-related components of a nuclear power plant

Signals from redundant sensors located throughout a pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant are processed in four independent channel sets each of which includes a plurality of independent microcomputers which calibrate, convert to engineering units and calculate partial trip signals and engineered safeguard actuation signals from the sensor signals for use in the conventional voting logic of a plant protection system. The primary and secondary partial trip and engineered safeguard actuation functions associated with various postulated abnormal events are allocated to different independent microcomputers in the channel set for reliability. A test unit common to the channel set automatically, rapidly bypasses and tests each protection function independently while the other protection functions in the channel set remain on-line and also continually tests each microcomputer through a dummy test function performed along with the assigned protection functions. Signals representative of the analog value of the sensor signals are stored by the microcomputers and are transmitted by a serial data link through a common electrical isolation unit to a common analog output device for use by the plant control and monitoring systems under the control of a communication processor common to a group of microcomputers in the channel set.

Distributed microprocessor based sensor signal processing system for a complex process

The Westinghouse Process Protection Upgrade System (Eagle 21TM) is a functional replacement for the existing analog process protection equipment used to monitor nuclear generating stations and actuate the reactor trip and engineering safeguards systems as required. However, the Eagle 21TM system does more than merely replace the existing analog hardware; it exploits the power of a functionally decentralized architecture with multiple independent microprocessorbased subsystems to increase plant availablity, reduce test time, reduce reconfiguration time, and increase the amount of information available to the operator and to new diagnostic systems. The architecture of the system is described and the major benefits are highlighted.

Microprocessor-Based Architecture for a Modular Process Protection Upgrade System

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Distributed microprocessor based sensor signal processing system for a complex process

Microprocessor-Based Architecture for a Modular Process Protection Upgrade System