DISTRIBUTED DATABASE

Abstract

A distributed database and a kit containing such distributed database and a data source, the distributed database containing a smart contract, wherein the distributed database is adapted to receive and store data from at least one associated data source collecting data regarding a component of a machine, wherein the distributed database is protected against manipulation. A method of monitoring a machine and the use of a distributed database to improve the utilization of a component of a machine is provided.

Claims

1. A distributed database, comprising: a smart contract, wherein the distributed database is adapted to receive and store data from at least one associated data source collecting data regarding a component of a machine, wherein the distributed database is protected against manipulation.

2. The distributed database according to claim 1, wherein the at least one data source comprises at least one processing unit.

3. The distributed database according to claim 1, wherein the at least one data source is connected to or part of a sensor collecting data of a machine.

4. The distributed database according to claim 1, further comprising: data regarding the manufacturing of a component received from a data source, wherein the data source is part of or connected to an additive manufacturing device used to manufacture the component, or wherein the distributed database is connected to a data source being connected to or part of a machine containing the component.

5. The distributed database according to claim 1, further comprising: maintenance data and/or operating data of a component, wherein the data source provides data with regard to said component.

6. The distributed database according to claim 1, wherein the smart contract is adapted to trigger an action based on data provided by the data source, and wherein the action includes triggering an examination, repair or maintenance action or wherein the distributed database is adapted to process the data received by the data source based on optionally included priority data attached to or provided along the data of the data source.

7. A kit, comprising: a distributed database according to claim 1, and at least one data source, wherein the data source is adapted to collect data of a component of a machine, wherein the distributed database and the at least one data source are adapted to provide a data exchange between the data source and the distributed database being protected against manipulation.

8. A manufacturing device comprising: a data source of a distributed database according to claim 1.

9. The manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein the manufacturing device is an additive manufacturing device.

10. A power plant element, comprising: a data source of a distributed database according to claim 1.

11. A method of monitoring a machine, comprising: using a distributed database according to claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises: agreeing on a defined condition of the machine to be maintained, and collecting, by at least one associated data source, data monitoring the compliance with the agreement.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: performing a financial transaction step based on the collected data.

14. A non-transitory computer readable media, comprising: a distributed database according to claim 1 stored thereon.

15. (canceled)

16. A non-transitory computer readable media, comprising: program commands stored thereon and adapted to perform the method according to claim 11.

17. The distributed database according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing unit comprises a hardware oracle.

18. The distributed database according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing unit comprises a blockchain chip.

19. The distributed database according to claim 3, wherein the machine comprises an additive manufacturing machine or a streaming engine.

20. A manufacturing device, comprising: a kit according to claim 7.

21. A power plant element, comprising: a kit according to claim 7.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an example of the inventive distributed database 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an example of the inventive distributed database 1, wherein said distributed database 1 is protected against manipulation. For this reason a blockchain is selected as distributed database 1 to allow an easy introduction of new data from different parties while ensuring the data security of the data already contained in the distributed database 1. Based on the references of the blocks of the blockchain to each other it becomes possible to easily detect a manipulation of the blockchain.

[0066] Said distributed database 1 contains a smart contracts 2 being able to process the data originating from data sources received by and stored in the distributed database 1. Such data is, for example, generated by a sensor 8 contained in a machine 3 utilizing the component 6. The machine 3 as shown in FIG. 1 is a streaming engine, more specifically a gas turbine, containing blades as example of the component 6. These blades contain a sensor 8 representing a first data source providing data to be transmitted to the distributed database 1. Herein, the sensor 8 contained in the blade is connected to a hardware oracle by a data connection being protected against manipulation. Said hardware oracle being a blockchain chip allows to provide a manipulation free data source enabling, for example, to build up a data stock being point of review in case of malfunction that have to be clarified. Also a further component 9 of the machine 3 being a burner contains a sensor 8 representing a second data source to monitor the usage of the component 6 during its use. The sensor 8 of component 6 also contains such hardware oracle and directly transmits the protected data to further increase the data security of the acquired data. Herein, the data acquired by the different sensor 8 of the machine 3 as shown in the figure are interrelated and allow to not only more specifically monitor the usage of the component 6, but also to increase data security by correlating the data to each other. For example, comparing the usage profile of the burner with the temperature profile of the blade allows to detect a manipulation of the data stream by feeding simulated or copied data being provided to the data storage 10 as an endless loop. Also it allows to detect a malfunction of a sensor 8 based on irregular data received. Herein, such malfunction can maybe be even rectified simply by triggering a recalibration of the sensor 8 by a command originating from the distributed database 1. This allows to greatly increase the security of the operator as it prevents incorrect data to be used by the operator to incorrectly operate the machine 3.

[0067] The acquired data is at least temporarily stored along the data regarding the unique identifier 7 of the component 6 in a data storage 10 being part of the machine 3. Herein, said data can also be directly processed in said data storage 10 by a processing unit 12 being part of the data storage 10. Based on smart contracts 2 being downloaded and at least temporarily stored on the data storage 10 an action can be triggered like a data exchange, or transmitting a signal or a command to the controls 11 of the machine 3. This allows to directly trigger a response to react to a specified situation even without waiting for the data to be processed by the distributed database 1. Such way dangerous situations like unexpected overuse of the component 6 resulting from extraordinary situations can be averted or the operator can at least be informed that such handling requires some immediate action.

[0068] Said acquired data is transmitted to the distributed database 1 either consistently during usage or at least regularly based on a predefined scheme. The smart contract 2 is adapted to review the data and analyze it whether, for example, an adaption of the service intervals is required. Also it reviews the usage of the component 6 and provides additional data to the controls 11 of the machine 3, if required.

[0069] Furthermore, the distributed database 1 is connected to an analysis device 4 being adapted to analysis the component 6 using an analysis unit 13, for example, after maintenance or during maintenance. This allows updating the data of said component 6 by measured data to replace theoretical data or to provide current data to monitor the wear of the component 6. Herein, the data acquired by the analysis unit 13 is processed by a processing unit 12 to provide a cryptographic checksum. Said data and its checksum are transmitted to the distributed database 1 through an interface 14 of the analysis device. Said interface contains a data storage 10 to at least temporarily store the acquired data. The interface 14 and its data storage 10 are connected to the distributed database 1 regularly to transmit the acquired data and store it in the distributed database 1.

[0070] Additionally, the distributed database 1 is connected to a manufacturing device 5 being a 3D-printing device using selective laser melting being adapted to manufacture the component 6. Herein, a laser 15 generates a beam 16 being directed onto a powder bed using a mirror to selective melt said powder layerwise. Building up layer by layer creates the 3-dimensional component 6.

[0071] Said 3D-printing device contains a data source being a detection unit 18 providing data with regard to the manufacturing process of the component 6. The data is transmitted to the distributed database 1 through an interface 14 to be stored in the distributed database 1. Herein, said data is not only used to monitor the manufacturing process. Furthermore, said data acquired during the manufacturing process is also used to adapt the models contained in the smart contract 2 to predict the behavior and wear of the component 6 during usage. Furthermore, unexpected stresses resulting from unplanned uses detected by sensors 8 in the machine 3 can be simulated and the maintenance plan can be adapted accordingly. In case such simulation indicates that a danger might result this can also trigger a notification or even an action being transmitted to the controls 11 of the machine 3 to directly interact and prevent the operator to endanger the machine 3 or operator working on the machine 3. Also it can provide a suggestion to perform an examination of specific parts of the machine 3 to ensure an extraordinary stress of the component 6 did not result in a damage requiring attention. Herein, minor requests of examination requests can also be collected to provide a check list during some regular tests.

[0072] The data exchange between the manufacturing device 5 and the distributed database 1 is encrypted to prevent a third party to acquire unauthorized access to data regarding the manufacturing process. This is especially beneficial in case of manufacturing by a third party on demand, wherein the manufacturing data contains strictly confidential data with regard to a highly advanced and optimized product. Protecting such data like for the sophisticated components of a streaming engine becomes especially important in case manufacturing methods like 3D-printing used in this context allows to easily copy such component 6 based on the manufacturing data.

[0073] The data provided by the manufacturing device 5 and the machine 3 are accompanied by priority data provided by the corresponding device. This allows to prioritize processing data in certain circumstances. For example, in case the sensor 8 of the manufacturing device 5 notes a situation leading to grave damages of the component 6 manufactured rendering it useless. In such case processing such data is beneficially processed with higher priority to preferably cancel the manufacturing process and avoid unnecessary costs. Also such priority can be beneficial for the utilization in the machine 3 to process corresponding data with high priority in case, for example, the data indicates that the current situation leads to grave problems or even dangers. For example, the operator can be immediately informed in case his current usage leads to a significant decrease of the maintenance intervals resulting in unplanned downtimes and additional costs.

[0074] The present invention was only described in further detail for explanatory purposes. However, the invention is not to be understood being limited to these embodiments as they represent embodiments providing additional benefits to solve specific problems or fulfilling specific needs. The scope of the protection should be understood to be only limited by the claims attached.