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Publication Number
US-12276971-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
In example embodiments, a multi-stage PFS diagram generation technique is used to iteratively define the layout of a PFS diagram from a subset of engineering data in a 3D model of an industrial process. The multi-stage PFS diagram generation technique may repeatedly call an automatic layout generator, which each time solves for one unknown quality of the PFS diagram (e.g., relative positions of components in the PFS diagram, positions on components in the PFS diagram, sizes of the components in the PFS diagram). The PFS diagram may be adapted based on user preferences, for example to define the subset of engineering data, or to constrain aspects of its layout. Updated PFS diagrams may be generated by selecting different user preferences.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to iteratively generating a process flow schema (PFS) diagram from engineering data by using an automatic layout generator in an application executing on a computing device. A subset of engineering data in a three-dimensional (3D) model of an industrial process describes a plurality of components, and the application generates a PFS diagram layout by determining relative positions of components from the subset of engineering data.
In the initially generated layout, the automatic layout generator allows unconstrained connection positions on components and any spacing of connections. The method then constrains connection positions on components in the PFS diagram and regenerates the layout based on the constrained connection positions. The method further changes sizes of the components to provide a minimum spacing of connections and regenerates the layout based on the changed component sizes that provide the minimum spacing of connections.
After determining the layout through iterative regeneration, the invention renders the PFS diagram based on the layout. The rendered PFS diagram is displayed in a user interface and/or stored to memory of the computing device. The document also describes systems and data handling in which a 3D model of an industrial process is maintained with versioning, including briefcases and changesets, supporting automatic diagram updates based on user preferences.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims. Across these claims, the core inventive features focus on iterative automatic layout generation from a subset of engineering data in a 3D model, including unconstrained-to-constrained connection placement and component resizing to achieve minimum connection spacing, followed by rendering and displaying or storing the result.
Iterative PFS layout generation from a 3D model subset
Accessing a subset of engineering data in a three-dimensional (3D) model of an industrial process, the subset describing a plurality of components; initially generating a layout of the PFS diagram by determining relative positions of components from the subset.
Unconstrained connection positions followed by constrained regeneration
Initially generating allows unconstrained connection positions on components and any spacing of connections; constraining connection positions on components in the PFS diagram; regenerating the layout based on the constrained connection positions.
Component resizing to provide minimum spacing of connections
Changing sizes of the components in the PFS diagram to provide a minimum spacing of connections; further regenerating the layout based on the changed sizes of the components that provide the minimum spacing of connections.
Render, display and/or store the generated PFS diagram
Rendering the PFS diagram based on the layout; displaying the rendered PFS diagram in a user interface and/or storing the rendered PFS diagram to memory of the computing device.
Solving for unknown layout qualities one at a time
Iteratively defining a layout of a PFS diagram by solving one at a time for a plurality of unknown qualities of the PFS diagram, including the sequence of initially generating with unconstrained connection positions, constraining connection positions, regenerating, changing component sizes for minimum spacing, and regenerating based on the changed sizes.
Non-transitory device instructions for the iterative workflow
A non-transitory electronic device readable medium having instructions stored thereon operable to access engineering data in a 3D model of an industrial process; initially generate a layout of a PFS diagram with unconstrained connection positions; constrain connection positions and regenerate; change component sizes for minimum spacing and further regenerate; and render the PFS diagram based on the layout.
Across the independent claims, the claims cover iterative automatic layout generation of a PFS diagram from a subset of engineering data in a 3D model. The main inventive aspects are an initially unconstrained placement of connection positions, constraining connection positions and regenerating, and resizing components to provide minimum spacing of connections followed by additional regeneration. The resulting layout is rendered, and the output is displayed and/or stored.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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