Entity type templates in process simulation

Abstract

A system simulates a process entity. Software instructions stored on a memory device and executable by a processor creates an entity type object that generically represents a type of process entity. Instructions create a simulation representing a process and instantiate an entity type instance in the simulation based on the entity type object. The entity type instance represents a specific process entity in the process. Additionally, instructions simulate the functionality of the specific process entity by the entity type instance in the simulation.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system for simulating a process entity in an industrial process, the system comprising:
 one or more computers comprising one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable media, the one or more non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the one or more computers to:   display, by the one or more processors, a model editor on a user interface;   create, by the one or more processors, an entity type object that generically represents a process entity type;   create, by the one or more processors, a simulation representing the process and instantiating an entity type instance in the simulation based on the entity type object;   display, by the one or more processors, one or more parameters associated with the entity type object on a canvas of the model editor;   evaluate, by the one or more processors, a condition of the one or more parameters defined in the entity type object;   configure, by the one or more processors, behavior of the entity type instance based on the evaluating;   create, by the one or more processors, an entity simulation simulating a functionality of a specific process entity by the entity type instance having the configured behavior in the entity simulation to solve for one or more undefined parameters;   execute, by the one or more processors, an examination of at least one of the one or more defined parameters and at least one of the one or more solved undefined parameters to locate one or more inefficiencies in the specific process entity; and   send, by the one or more processors, commands to controllers to adjust the operation of at least a portion of the industrial process based on the examination.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a model.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a fluid, the fluid comprising at least one of air, cooling water and steam.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a port.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the entity type object is a custom, company-specific entity type object.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the entity type object is created by further defining one or more variables therein, and wherein the one or more variables are specified for a particular simulation mode of the simulation.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the one or more parameters are constant and defined within the entity type instance based on their setting in the entity type object.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the one or more parameters are connected such that a value of one parameter is automatically propagated to another parameter.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the system is configured to enable a user to configure individual variables to appear at different levels of zoom.   
     
     
         22 . A method for simulating a process entity in a process, the method comprising:
 providing one or more computers comprising one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable media, the one or more non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the one or more computers to execute one or more steps including:   displaying, by the one or more processors, a model editor on a user interface;   creating, by the one or more processors, an entity type object that generically represents a process entity type;   creating, by the one or more processors, a simulation representing the process and instantiating an entity type instance in the simulation based on the entity type object;   displaying, by the one or more processors, one or more parameters associated with the entity type object on a canvas of the model editor;   evaluating, by the one or more processors, a condition of the one or more parameters defined in the entity type object;   configuring, by the one or more processors, behavior of the entity type instance based on the evaluating;   creating, by the one or more processors, an entity simulation simulating a functionality of a specific process entity by the entity type instance having the configured behavior in the entity simulation to solve for one or more undefined parameters;   executing, by the one or more processors, an evaluation of at least one of the one or more defined parameters and at least one of the one or more solved undefined parameters to locate one or more inefficiencies in the specific process entity; and   sending, by the one or more processors, commands to controllers to adjust the operation of at least a portion of the industrial process based on the examination.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a model.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a fluid, the fluid comprising at least one of air, cooling water and steam.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the entity type object generically represents a port.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the entity type object is a custom, company-specific entity type object.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the entity type object is created by further defining one or more variables therein, and wherein the one or more variables are specified for a particular simulation mode of the simulation.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the one or more parameters are constant and defined within the entity type instance based on their setting in the entity type object.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the one or more parameters are connected such that a value of one parameter is automatically propagated to another parameter.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 enabling a user to configure individual variables to appear at different levels of zoom.