CycleWatch FAQ_

I already have support from the OEM.  What does CycleWatch add?
SmartSignal is the proven leader in detecting failures in your mountains of data.  It brings problems to your direct attention exceptionally early so you can do something about them.  CycleWatch now extends the value of SmartSignal to the unique and dynamic conditions of CT startup – allowing you to catch even more issues, even earlier.  The predictive and proactive CycleWatch solution will help you prevent the trips and outages that still occur, even with your OEM services.     

Return to top

What’s so special about startup?
Startup is a critical time that places maximum stress on your turbines.  Startup's dynamic conditions, when parameters across the CT are changing rapidly, can provide the very earliest precursors of many failures.  Detecting and mitigating these issues will avoid maintenance allocations from failed starts and trips and assure that your CTs are available to meet their dispatch commitments.

Return to top

Why is CycleWatch a separate product?
SmartSignal EPI*Center is a proven solution for detecting problems when your plant is running.  SmartSignal CycleWatch extends the value of SmartSignal’s early failure detection to the stresses of CT startup cycles.  It is a new application that leverages staff-years of research, design, innovative deployment tools and processes, and new advanced modeling technology: Variable Similarity-Based Modeling (VBM).

Return to top

  
What is VBM?
VBM is a patented advanced technology innovation developed by SmartSignal’s research scientists.  It analyzes a large reference data set and builds a new model for each new observation.  It finds the ideal subset of your “golden” startup data to represent the exact conditions of the current moment.  This allows CycleWatch to dynamically model the rapidly changing startup cycle, with exceptional accuracy and robustness. 

Return to top

How do I integrate CycleWatch into my operations?
CycleWatch will provide insights to the health and operating status of your CTs on each startup.  It will point out subtle changes from your reference “golden” starts.  By analyzing the indications from a startup, you will know where to look during your valuable maintenance window.  This actionable insight will allow you to take the steps to ensure your next startup is a success.

Return to top

Our cycles are all different.  Starting temperatures, load ramping…how can you account for this?
CycleWatch provides comprehensive modeling, across your CTs and across time.  It puts SmartSignal’s years of research and design experience to work for your team.  Special design tools, developed specifically for CycleWatch, ensure your models cover the full range of expected startup behavior.  VBM understands the normal performance for each ambient and load condition, compares it to the current startup data, and identifies the subtle, potential problems.    

Return to top

Things change so fast in startup…how fast does CycleWatch sample?
CycleWatch models your CTs at a ten-second observation rate.  This higher observation rate, VBM technology, and SmartSignal’s advanced model designs ensure that the dynamics of startup are accounted for, and subtle problems detected.

Return to top

Why is CycleWatch hosted and managed by SmartSignal?
Release 1.0 of your CycleWatch solution will be hosted and managed by SmartSignal.  This will ensure a robust implementation of this high-speed solution, available to bring value to your operations from the outset.  On a future release, hosting and management of your CycleWatch solution will be able to transition to your team.  As always, SmartSignal’s engineering and support teams will work side-by-side with your team every step of the way – ensuring your success.

Return to top

Does CycleWatch cover shutdown as well?
CycleWatch will model CTs during startup and shutdown conditions.  Critical mechanical, combustion, and control issues are all detected.  In future releases, additional value cases will be added, including coast-down time.

Return to top

Is CycleWatch related to EPI*Center?
CycleWatch leverages SmartSignal’s flagship EPI*Center platform in a new application encompassing the latest SmartSignal innovations.  The EPI*Center platform is SmartSignal’s foundation for delivering new innovative products which will be introduced over time.  All will share the same common goal: creating value in customers’ operations.

Return to top