A plant control supporting apparatus includes a segment selector configured to select, from among a plurality of segments defined in a plant, a segment for which learning for acquiring an optimal value of at least one parameter representing an operation state is executed, a reward function definer configured to define a reward function used for the learning, a parameter extractor configured to extract at least one parameter that is a target for the learning in the selected segment on the basis of input and output information of a device used in the plant and segment information representing a configuration of a device included in the selected segment, and a learner configured to perform the learning for acquiring the optimal value for each segment on the basis of the reward function and the at least one parameter.

A method for monitoring an operating state of an energy supply network connects a data processing cloud to selected communication units at a query time over long-range communication connections. Selected communication units transmit measured values and/or values derived therefrom to the data processing cloud over a long-range connection. To receive measured values and/or values derived therefrom, each communication unit is connected, over a short-range communication connection, to at least one sensor on or in a high-voltage device of the network for capturing measured values. The data processing cloud determines the network operating state within an analysis based on measured values and/or values derived therefrom. To provide a simple and cost-effective analysis of the entire network operating state, the data processing cloud during analysis uses measured values and/or values derived therefrom from at least two selected communication units at different locations.

Methods and systems for monitoring a brush holder assembly and/or detecting wear of a brush in a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes sending data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations to a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a marker tracking longitudinal movement of the brush may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush, such as the wear rate, wear state, or life expectancy of the brush.

A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a big data apparatus including a data storage area configured to store, using a common data schema, multiple types of process data and/or plant data (such as configuration and real-time data) that is used in, generated by or received by the process control system, and one or more data receiver computing devices to receive the data from multiple nodes or devices. The data may be cached and time-stamped at the nodes and streamed to the big data apparatus for storage. The process control system big data system provides services and/or data analyses to automatically or manually discover prescriptive and/or predictive knowledge, and to determine, based on the discovered knowledge, changes and/or additions to the process control system and to the set of services and/or analyses to optimize the process control system or plant.

Systems, methods and apparatus for modifying a data collection trajectory for conveyors are described. An example system may include a data acquisition circuit to interpret a plurality of detection values, each corresponding to at least one of a plurality of input sensors communicatively coupled to the data acquisition circuit. The system may further include a data storage circuit to store specifications and anticipated state information for a plurality of conveyor types and an analysis circuit to analyze the plurality of detection values relative to specifications and anticipated state information to determine a conveyor performance parameter. A response circuit may initiate an action in response to the conveyor performance parameter.

Systems, methods and apparatus for modifying a data collection trajectory for centrifuges are described. An example system may include a data acquisition circuit to interpret a plurality of detection values, each corresponding to at least one of a plurality of input sensors communicatively coupled to the data acquisition circuit. The system may further include a data storage circuit to store specifications and anticipated state information for a plurality of centrifuge types and an analysis circuit to analyze the plurality of detection values relative to specifications and anticipated state information to determine a centrifuge performance parameter. A response circuit may initiate an action in response to the centrifuge performance parameter.

Systems, devices and methods for bearing analysis in an industrial environment are disclosed. A data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values corresponding to a plurality of input sensors coupled to the data acquisition circuit, a data storage for storing specifications and anticipated state information for a plurality of bearing types and buffering the plurality of detection values for a predetermined length of time, and a bearing analysis circuit to analyze buffered detection values relative to specifications and anticipated state information resulting in at least one bearing parameter are described. Analysis may include filtering the detection values through a high pass filter, identifying rapid changes in detection values, identifying frequencies at which spikes occur and comparing frequencies and spikes in amplitude relative to an anticipated state information and specification.

Systems and methods for changing a sensed parameter group include a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input sensors, each of the plurality of input sensors operatively coupled to a one of a mixer or an agitator, wherein the one of the mixer or the agitator comprises a component of an industrial environment; a controller, comprising: a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values corresponding to a sensed parameter group, wherein the sensed parameter group comprises at least a portion of the plurality of input sensors; a pattern recognition circuit structured to determine a recognized pattern value in response to the plurality of detection values; and a sensor learning circuit structured to update the sensed parameter group in response to the recognized pattern value.

A system for changing a sensed parameter group for a motor includes a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input sensors, each of the plurality of input sensors operatively coupled to a motor, wherein the motor comprises a component of an industrial environment; a controller, comprising: a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values corresponding to a sensed parameter group, wherein the sensed parameter group comprises at least a portion of the plurality of input sensors; a pattern recognition circuit structured to determine a recognized pattern value in response to the plurality of detection values; and a sensor learning circuit structured to update the sensed parameter group in response to the recognized pattern value.

Methods and systems for data collection in an industrial refining environment with haptic feedback and data storage control are disclosed. A system may include a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input channels, wherein the data collector collects data based on a selected data collection routine, a data storage structured to store a plurality of collector routes and collected data, wherein the plurality of collector routes each include a different data collection routine, a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret the collected data and determine an occurrence of an anomalous condition, a data analysis circuit to evaluate a data storage constraint of the monitoring system and to adjust a volume of collected data stored in response to the evaluation, and a haptic user device for generating a haptic stimulation in response to an occurrence of a specified anomalous condition in the refining environment.