Patent Publication Number: US-2013246037-A1

Title: Methods and apparatus for monitoring operation of a system asset

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates generally to power systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for use in monitoring operation of a system asset. 
     At least some known power systems include a plurality of components, such as generators, motors, fans, and/or other components. Such components are often stored or positioned within a building such as a power plant or a factory. A building may house a large enough number of components that it may be difficult for a user to locate desired components and/or navigate to desired components. For example, a desired component may be positioned behind and/or may be obscured by another component such that the desired component is not easily seen. 
     Moreover, during operation of the power system, one or more components may experience a failure, and/or may operate outside of predefined boundaries. Such a component may enter an alarm state to alert a user to the failure or the unacceptable operating conditions. 
     To monitor system components, at least some known systems are modeled using virtual representations of the system components. Such models may include representations of the system components and may display a status of the components. Although useful, such system models may not enable a user to view historical data of one or more system components while monitoring the operation of other system components. As such, the reliability and effectiveness of such system models in monitoring system components may be limited. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a device for use in monitoring operation of a plurality of system assets is provided that includes a storage device configured to store a model of a plurality of system assets and a processor coupled to the storage device. The model includes a plurality of asset images associated with the plurality of system assets. The processor is configured to display the plurality of asset images, select a first asset image of the plurality of asset images, receive an input representative of a first point in time and an input representative of a second point in time, and display a context of a first system asset associated with the first asset image between the first point in time and the second point in time. The context of the first system asset includes an asset image representative of the first system asset and asset measurement data representative of a measured operating condition of the first system asset. 
     In another embodiment, a system is provided that includes a data acquisition device for determining a status of a plurality of system assets and a computing device coupled to the data acquisition device. The computing device includes a storage device configured to store a model of the plurality of system assets and a processor coupled to the storage device. The model includes a plurality of asset images associated with the plurality of system assets. The processor is configured to display the plurality of asset images, select a first asset image of the plurality of asset images, receive an input representative of a first point in time and an input representative of a second point in time, and display a context of a first system asset associated with the first asset image between the first point in time and the second point in time. The context of the first system asset includes an asset image representative of the first system asset and asset measurement data representative of a measured operating condition of the first system asset. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of monitoring operation of a plurality of system assets is provided that includes displaying a model of a plurality of system assets on a display. The model includes a plurality of asset images, wherein each asset image of the plurality of asset images is representative of a system asset of the plurality of system assets. The method also includes selecting a first asset image of the plurality of asset images, receiving an input representative of a first point in time and an input representative of a second point in time, and displaying a context of a first system asset associated with the first asset image between the first point in time and the second point in time. The context of the first system asset includes an asset image representative of the first system asset, a status of the first system asset, and asset measurement data representative of a measured operating condition of the first system asset. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system including a plurality of system assets. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary two-dimensional view of a model of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary three-dimensional view of the model of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a timeline view of a portion of the model shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method that may be implemented to monitor the operation of a plurality of system assets used with the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system  100  that includes a plurality of system assets  102 . In the exemplary embodiment, system  100  may be, or may include, a factory, an industrial system or facility, a mill, a refinery, a manufacturing facility, a power generation plant or facility, and/or any other system that includes a plurality of system assets  102 . System assets  102  may include, but are not limited to only including, machines, motors, generators, pumps, fans, computer systems or devices, sensors, and/or any other device or machine that enables system  100  to function as described herein. 
     System assets  102  may be coupled together, for example, via one or more conduits  103  that facilitate channeling process flow between assets  102 . For example, conduits  103  may include one or more pipes, cables, wires, mechanical drive or coupling systems, and/or other connectors that enable process flow to be channeled between system assets  102 . Process flow may include combustion gases, steam, hydraulic fluid, water, fuel, electricity (e.g., a power output and/or a power consumption of an asset  102 ), and/or any other output from system assets  102  and/or input into system assets  102  that enables system  100  to function as described herein. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, at least one sensor  104  is coupled to at least one system asset  102  for use in measuring and/or monitoring an operating condition of asset  102 . For example, if asset  102  is a rotating machine, sensors  104  may measure a vibration of a drive shaft of the machine, a rotational frequency or speed of the drive shaft, a temperature of the machine, an operating pressure within the machine, and/or any other operating condition of any component or device that enables system  100  to function as described herein. Moreover, sensors  104  may be coupled to conduits  103  to measure and/or monitor conduits  103  and/or process flow channeled through conduits  103 . 
     System  100  also includes at least one data acquisition device  106  and at least one computing device  108  that is coupled to data acquisition device  106 . In the exemplary embodiment, data acquisition device  106  includes a processor  110  coupled to one or more memory devices  112 , a sensor interface  114 , a communication interface  116 , and one or more databases  118 . 
     Processor  110  includes any suitable programmable circuit including one or more systems and microcontrollers, microprocessors, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and any other circuit capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “processor.” 
     In the exemplary embodiment, memory device  112  is a storage device that includes a computer readable storage medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable memory. In the exemplary embodiment, memory device  112  includes data and/or instructions that are executable by processor  110  (i.e., processor  110  is programmed by the instructions) to enable processor  110  to perform the functions described herein. 
     Sensor interface  114  is coupled to sensors  104  for receiving signals representative of measured operating conditions of assets  102 . More specifically, sensor interface  114  receives signals from sensors  104  via a wireless connection and/or via a wired connection to sensors  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, sensor interface  114  converts and/or adjusts the signals received from sensors  104  for use with processor  110 . In one embodiment, sensor interface  114  includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts analog signals received from sensors  104  to digital data representative of the measured operating conditions (hereinafter referred to as “asset measurement data”), and the asset measurement data is transmitted to processor  110 . In the exemplary embodiment, data acquisition device  106  determines a status or condition of each system asset  102  based on the asset measurement data received. 
     Communication interface  116  may include, without limitation, a network interface controller (NIC), a network adapter, a transceiver, or any other communication interface or device that enables data acquisition device  106  to operate as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, communication interface  116  may connect to computing device  108  using any suitable wired or wireless network and/or communication protocol. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, databases  118  include a measurement database  120  and a model database  122 . Alternatively, databases  118  may include any other database, and/or measurement database  120  and model database  122  may be combined into a single database  118 . In one embodiment, databases  118  are included within one or more memory devices  112 . Alternatively, databases  118  are included within one or more remote storage devices, such as a network attached storage (NAS) device, an external hard drive, a remote computing device, and/or any other storage device that enables data acquisition device  106  to function as described herein. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, processor  110  stores asset measurement data received from sensors  104  in measurement database  120 . The measurement data includes historical asset measurement data for each asset  102  received during a predefined period of time. Moreover, processor  110  stores the status or condition of each asset  102  (also referred to herein as “asset status”) in measurement database  120 . For example, the asset status may indicate that asset  102  is in an alarm state, is operating normally, is operating at a particular efficiency level, and/or any other status associated with asset  102 . 
     Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor  110  (or another device) stores components of a model (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of system  100  and/or system assets  102  in model database  122 . In the exemplary embodiment, the model components include data associated with each system asset  102 . For example, the model components may include an image or a graphical representation of each asset  102 , a location of each asset  102 , an identifier for each asset  102 , one or more connections to other assets  102 , operating condition thresholds and/or alarm thresholds for each asset  102 , and/or any other data associated with system assets  102 . In one embodiment, a user or an administrator may input the model components into model database  122  for use in creating a model of system  100 . As used herein, the term “model” refers to a visual representation of a system or a component. For example, the model may be a computer-based representation that displays a graphical indicator representing a type, identity, location, and/or any other characteristic of the system or component. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, computing device  108  is coupled to data acquisition device  106  for receiving data from data acquisition device  106  and/or displaying a model of system  100 . Computing device  108  includes a processor  124  coupled to a memory device  126 , a communication interface  128 , a user input device  130 , and a display  132 . In the exemplary embodiment, computing device  108  is a mobile device, such as a laptop, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, and/or any other device that functions as described herein. Alternatively, computing device  108  is a desktop computer, a server computer, and/or any other computing device that enables system  100  to function as described herein. 
     Processor  124  includes any suitable programmable circuit including one or more systems and microcontrollers, microprocessors, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and any other circuit capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “processor.” 
     Memory device  126  includes a computer readable storage medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable memory. In the exemplary embodiment, memory device  126  includes data and/or instructions that are executable by processor  124  (i.e., processor  124  is programmed by the instructions) to enable processor  124  to perform the functions described herein. 
     Communication interface  128  may include, without limitation, a network interface controller (NIC), a network adapter, a transceiver, or any other communication interface or device that enables computing device  108  to operate as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, communication interface  128  may connect to data acquisition device  106  using any suitable wired or wireless network and/or communication protocol. 
     User input device  130  includes, without limitation, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch-sensitive screen, a mouse, a scroll wheel, a pointing device, an audio input device employing speech-recognition software, and/or any suitable device that enables a user to input data into computing device  108  and/or retrieve data from computing device  108 . Display  132  includes, without limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, one or more LEDs, and/or any suitable visual output device capable of displaying graphical data and text to a user. In one embodiment, display  132  may be a touch-sensitive screen that incorporates aspects of user input device  130 , for example, by enabling a user to input data and/or commands through the screen. 
     During operation, sensor interface  114  of data acquisition device  106  receives sensor measurement signals from sensors  104  and converts the signals into asset measurement data that is stored (by processor  110 ) in measurement database  120 . Data acquisition device  106  also generates or receives data representative of the status of each asset  102  (i.e., data representative of the asset status). Moreover, data acquisition device  106  receives or generates a plurality of model components representative of one or more aspects of system assets  102 , and stores the model components in model database  122 . The model components, asset status, and asset measurement data are transmitted to computing device  108  via communication interface  116 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, computing device  108  receives the model components, asset status, and asset measurement data from data acquisition device  106  and stores the components and data (and/or a cached version of the components and/or data) in memory device  126 . Processor  124  retrieves the model components, asset status, and asset measurement data from memory device  126  and displays the model of system  100  on display  132  based on the model components, asset status, and/or asset measurement data. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary graphical representation or model  200  of a system, such as system  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). More specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates a two-dimensional (2D) view  201 , such as a top view  201 , of model  200 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a three-dimensional (3D) view  301  of model  200 . For example, model  200  may be a stereoscopic 3D display of asset images  202  that enables a user to view a virtual representation of system  100  on display  132 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, model  200  is generated from components and/or data stored within memory device  126  and/or displayed by display  132  of computing device  108  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Alternatively or additionally, model  200  may be stored within, and/or displayed by, at least one device or system remote from computing device  108 , such as data acquisition device  106 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, model  200  displays a representation or image (hereinafter referred to as an “asset image  202 ”) of at least one system asset  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) on display  132 . Moreover, model  200  displays a location  204  or relative position of each system asset  102  within model  200 , for example, by positioning each asset image  202  within model  200  at a location  204  corresponding to system asset  102  associated with asset image  202 . Accordingly, a position of each asset image  202  within model  200  corresponds to a relative position, within system  100 , of each system asset  102  associated with, or represented by, asset image  202 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, model  200  is generated by mapping each system asset  102  with a physical location. For example, a user may use a global positioning satellite (GPS) enabled camera and/or another device to identify a physical location of system asset  102 , and to automatically and/or to manually associate the physical location of system asset  102  with an associated asset image  202  within model  200 . In addition, data associated with system asset  102 , such as asset measurement data, operating conditions, process parameters, asset status, and/or any other details, may be associated with asset image  202 . The data associated with each system asset  102  may be accessed and/or displayed by selecting the associated asset image  202  within model  200 . For example, a user may select an asset image  202 , using user input device  130 , to receive data and/or a status associated with system asset  102 . 
     Asset images  202 , in the exemplary embodiment, are coupled together via one or more component connections  206  that are representative of process flow connections, such as conduits  103  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), between system assets  102  associated with images  202 . In the exemplary embodiment, when a system asset  102  is selected by a user, component connections  206  coupled to asset  102  are emphasized. Moreover, a graphical representation of the process flow entering and/or exiting system asset  102  via component connections  206  may be displayed, and/or data representative of characteristics of the process flow may be displayed, when asset  102  is selected. 
     As used herein, the term “emphasize” refers to displaying one or more asset images  202 , component connections  206 , and/or any other portion of model  200  in a more visible or pronounced manner as compared to a display of a non-emphasized, or “normal,” portion of model  200 . For example, one or more asset images  202  may be emphasized by highlighting asset image  202  in a brighter or more visible color in contrast to the color of other asset images  202  within model  200 , by increasing a contrast or brightness of asset image  202  with respect to other asset images  202 , and/or by any other manner that enables model  200  to function as described herein. 
     In one embodiment, processor  124  adjusts an asset image  202  to graphically display the status of system asset  102  associated with image  202 . In one embodiment, processor  124  may cause asset image  202  to move back and forth, i.e., a type of oscillation, to display a vibration of system asset  102 . Processor  124  may increase the rate of movement of asset image  202  if the vibration of system asset  102  increases, and may decrease the rate of movement of asset image  202  if the vibration of system asset  102  decreases. In another embodiment, processor  124  may adjust asset image  202  by displaying asset image  202  in a color representative of a temperature of system asset  102 . Processor  124  may increase a brightness, depth, saturation, and/or hue of the color, and/or may change any other characteristic of the color if the temperature increases, and may decrease the brightness, depth, saturation, and/or hue of the color, and/or may change any other characteristic of the color if the temperature of system asset  102  decreases. 
     Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor  124  displays a location of a plurality of sensors  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) within model  200  using a plurality of sensor images  214 . Accordingly, the location of each sensor image  214  within model  200  corresponds to a location of each associated sensor  104  within system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of users may access and/or interact with model  200  and/or asset images  202 . For example, model  200  may represent a virtual reality environment in which a plurality of technicians and/or other users may collaborate and/or troubleshoot issues relating to system assets  102  represented within model  200 . Each user may access model  200  through a network connection. Moreover, each user may be represented within model  200  by a user image  216 , and each user may interact with every other user within model  200 . Users may also interact with system assets  102  by selecting, or virtually accessing, asset images  202  associated with system assets  102 . As used herein, the term “virtually accessing” refers to controlling user image  216  such that a portion of image  216 , such as a representation of a user&#39;s hand, contacts asset image  202  within model  200 . For example, a first user may select an asset image  202  by virtually accessing asset image  202 , and the status of system asset  102  represented by asset image  202  may be displayed within model  200  such that each user may view the displayed status. 
     Moreover, one or more images and/or video feeds, may be incorporated within model  200  and/or may be linked to model  200 . For example, a user may select an asset image  202  to display images and/or video captured by one or more cameras (not shown) positioned to record system asset  102  associated with asset image  202 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary timeline view  400 , or timeline  400 , of a portion of model  200  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) including an asset context  402  of a plurality of assets  102  within system  100  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ) over time  404 . In the exemplary embodiment, each asset context  402  includes asset measurement data  406 , asset image  202 , and/or an asset status  408  at a point in time  410 . 
     Asset status  408 , in the exemplary embodiment, includes the status of asset  102  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . Accordingly, asset status  408  includes data indicative of whether asset  102  is in an alarm state, is operating normally, is operating at a particular efficiency level, and/or any other status associated with asset  102 . In one embodiment, a graphical representation of asset status  408  is included within asset image  202 . For example, asset image  202  may be shaded or imbued with a color, such as red, to indicate asset status  408  (e.g., that asset  102  is in an alarm state). 
     In the exemplary embodiment, images and data associated with each asset  102  (e.g., asset measurement data  406 , asset image  202 , and asset status  408 ) are stored in memory, such as memory device  112  and/or memory device  126  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), at each point in time  410  within a recording period  412 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment, an asset image  202 , or a change to asset image  202  (if applicable), is stored at each point in time  410  for each asset  102 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, recording period  412  is a period of time between a startup of an asset  102  and/or system  100  until a shutdown of asset  102  and/or system  100 . Alternatively, recording period  412  may be any other time period defined and/or input by a user, a device, and/or a system. Recording period  412  includes a plurality of points in time  410  at which data and/or images are stored in memory for each asset  102 . The data is compiled into an asset context  402  for each asset  102  and is displayed to the user, for example, via display  132  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Accordingly, at a first point in time  414 , an asset context  416  of a first asset  102  (referred to as “first asset context  416 ”), an asset context  418  of a second asset  102  (referred to as a “second asset context  418 ”), and an asset context  420  of a third asset  102  (referred to as a “third asset context  420 ”) are stored and/or displayed to the user within model  200 . In a similar fashion, first asset context  416 , second asset context  418 , and third asset context  420  are stored at a second point in time  422  and a third point in time  424 . It should be recognized that, although asset contexts  402  for three assets  102  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , asset contexts  402  for any number of assets  102  may be stored and/or displayed to the user. Third point in time  424  is later in time than second point in time  422 , and second point in time  422  is later in time than first point in time  414 . 
     Moreover, asset image  202  may be selected to display asset context  402  associated therewith. For example, a first asset image  426  may be selected to display first asset context  416 , a second asset image  428  may be selected to display second asset context  418 , and a third asset image  430  may be selected to display third asset context  420 . 
     It should be recognized that recording period  412  and/or timeline  400  are not limited to only including first, second, and third points in time  414 ,  422 , and  424 . Rather, any number of points in time  410  may be included within recording period  412  and/or timeline  400 , and any number of points in time  410  may be included between first, second, and/or third points in time  414 ,  422 , and/or  424 . For example, first, second, and/or third points in time  414 ,  422 , and/or  424  may not be sequential points in time  410 , but may be separated by one or more time intervals  432  such that asset contexts  402  are stored and/or displayed after each time interval  432  has elapsed to reduce processing and/or data storage requirements. In one embodiment, asset context  402  is displayed at each point in time  410  between first point in time  414 , second point in time  422 , and/or third point in time  424 . 
     In a similar manner, a context  434  for each conduit  103  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) (referred to as a “conduit context  434 ”) is also recorded and/or displayed at each point in time  410  in a similar manner as asset contexts  402 . Conduit contexts  434  each include a process flow measurement  436  representative of the measured or calculated process flow through conduit  103 , component connection  206  associated with conduit  103 , and/or any other data and/or image that enables system  100  and model  200  to function as described herein. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a user may interact with model  200  and cause model  200  to display timeline  400  of system  100  (e.g., of one or more assets  102  and/or conduits  103 ). More specifically, the user may cause model  200  to display one or more asset contexts  402  and/or conduit contexts  434  at a plurality of points in time  410  (e.g., past or historical points in time  410 ) in a virtual “playback” mode of operation. Accordingly, the user may cause model  200  to “rewind” or “playback” asset context  402  of one or more assets  102  and/or conduit context  434  of one or more conduits  103  from past data and/or images stored in memory. For example, a plurality of asset contexts  402  may be displayed synchronously with respect to each other during a playback of timeline  400 . In a further example, first asset context  416  may be displayed at the same point in time  410 , such as first point in time  414  (i.e., synchronously) as second asset context  418  and/or third asset context  420 . Moreover, as a user causes the playback of timeline  400  to progress, first asset context  416 , second asset context  418 , and/or third asset context  420  may be displayed synchronously at second point in time  422  and/or third point in time  424 . At each point in time  410 , model  200  displays the historical values of each asset context  402  for the associated point in time  410  (i.e., the values stored in memory during the actual time represented by point in time  410 ). 
     A user may observe a progression of failures or other asset status  408  as time  404  progresses, such as a progression of assets  102  entering an alarm state (shown by shading asset images  202  within  FIG. 4 ) as time  404  progresses. For example, a first system asset  102  may enter the alarm state at second point in time  422  and first asset image  426  is adjusted as described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  to indicate the alarm state of first system asset  102 . At third point in time  424 , a second system asset  102  may enter the alarm state as a result of first system asset  102  entering the alarm state, and second asset image  428  is adjusted to indicate the alarm state of second system asset  102 . Accordingly, the troubleshooting and/or diagnostics of system  100  and/or system assets  102  may be facilitated by model  200 . 
     Moreover, the user may cause model  200  to display timeline  400 , or a portion thereof, forwards in time (i.e., in a time direction from first point in time  414  towards third point in time  424 ) or backwards in time (i.e., in a time direction from third point in time  424  towards first point in time  414 ). Moreover, the user may cause the virtual playback of timeline  400  (i.e., of asset context  402 ) to be displayed at one or more time intervals  432  to “fast-forward” or “fast-rewind” through timeline  400 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the user may cause model  200  to display real-time data (e.g., asset context  402 ) for one or more assets  102  within system  100  while simultaneously causing model  200  to playback asset context  402  of one or more different assets  102  within system  100 . As used herein, the term “real-time” data refers to data that represents a current operation condition of a machine or component, such as asset  102 . In contrast, “historical” data refers to data that represents an operation of the machine or component, such as asset  102 , at a point in time  410  in the past, such as at first point in time  414 , second point in time  422 , or third point in time  424 . 
     Moreover, the user may cause model  200  to “freeze” the display of asset context  402  of one or more assets  102  (i.e., cause asset context  402  to be displayed at an unchanging point in time  410 ) while causing model  200  to display a virtual playback of asset context  402  of one or more different assets  102  within system  100 . Accordingly, during the playback of timeline  400 , the user may easily view asset measurement data  406 , asset image  202 , and/or asset status  408 , and changes therein, as time progresses and/or regresses through timeline  400 . 
     In one embodiment, model  200  may display a baseline, or stored version, of asset context  402  (e.g., from a prior or expected operation of system  100  and/or asset  102 ) for one or more assets  102  while simultaneously displaying either the real-time asset context  402  or asset context  402  at a point in time  410  within timeline  400 . Moreover, model  200  may display asset context  402  of one or more assets  102  if a predefined condition is met. For example, model  200  may display first asset context  416  if a system asset  102  associated therewith enters an alarm state and/or if an operating condition of asset  102  exceeds a predefined first threshold or falls below a predefined second threshold. 
     Accordingly, the playback function of model  200  may facilitate enabling the user to diagnose asset failures and/or operational inefficiencies by visually depicting the changes of asset context  402  over time  404  and/or by visually displaying asset context  402  at the same time a prior asset context  402  is displayed. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method  500  that may be implemented to monitor operation of a plurality of assets of a system, such as system assets  102  of system  100  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ). In the exemplary embodiment, method  500  is embodied within a plurality of computer-executable instructions stored within memory device  126  of computing device  108  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ), and is executed by processor  124  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of computing device  108 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a model (such as model  200  shown in  FIG. 2 ) of a plurality of asset images  102  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that are each representative of one of a plurality of system assets  102  is stored in memory device  126 . Model  200  is displayed  502  on a display, such as display  132  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     A first asset image  202  is selected  504 , for example, by receiving a user input (or an input from a device) via user input device  130  and/or via communication interface  128  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, a user may manipulate user input device  130  to select first asset image  202  within model  200 , and the input is transmitted to processor  124 . Processor  124  selects  504  first asset image  202  based on the input, and may display data of a system asset  102  associated with first asset image  202 . 
     Moreover, an input representative of a first point in time  414  and an input representative of a second point in time  422  (both shown in  FIG. 4 ) are received  506  via user input device  130  and/or via communication interface  128 . In one embodiment, first point in time  414  represents a start time for a virtual playback of an asset  102  associated with first asset image  202 , and second point in time  422  represents an end time for the virtual playback. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a context  402  of a first system asset  102  associated with first asset image  202  is displayed  508  between first point in time  414  and second point in time  422 . Context  402  includes asset image  202  that is representative of system asset  102 , asset status  408  that is representative of the status of first system asset  102 , and asset measurement data  406  that is representative of a measured operating condition of first system asset  102 . In one embodiment, processor  124  also displays asset context  402  of at least one other system asset  102  (i.e., of at least one asset  102  that is not associated with a selected asset image  202 ) within model  200 . 
     For example, processor  124  may cause model  200  to display  508  asset context  402  of first system asset  102  from first point in time  414  to third point in time  424 , from third point in time  424  to first point in time  414 , or from or to any other points in time  410 . In one embodiment, processor  124  receives input from the user, via user input device  130 , to select parameters for the playback, such as a playback direction (e.g., forwards in time or backwards in time), a start point in time  410 , an end point in time  410 , and/or a time interval  432  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). While method  500  has been described with respect to a playback of asset context  402  of a selected system asset  102 , it should be understood that method  500  may be used to playback asset contexts  402  of a plurality of system assets  102  at the same time. 
     A technical effect of the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein includes at least one of (a) displaying a model of a plurality of system assets on a display, the model including a plurality of asset images, wherein each asset image of the plurality of asset images is representative of a system asset of the plurality of system assets; (b) selecting a first asset image of a plurality of asset images; (c) receiving an input representative of a first point in time and an input representative of a second point in time; and (d) displaying a context of a first system asset associated with a first asset image between a first point in time and a second point in time, wherein the context of the first system asset includes an asset image representative of the system asset, a status of the first system asset, and asset measurement data representative of a measured operating condition of the first system asset. 
     The system described herein efficiently and robustly displays an asset context for a plurality of system assets. A model of the system assets is provided and displayed on a display. A plurality of asset images is included within the model, and each asset image represents a system asset. A plurality of conduits coupled to the system assets are represented within the model as a plurality of component connections. A user may select an asset image to display the asset context of the system asset associated with the asset image. Moreover, the user may select a first, or start point in time, and a second, or end point in time. The model displays historical asset measurement data, asset images, and/or asset status associated with the system asset between the start point in time and the end point in time. Accordingly, a user may quickly and efficiently obtain historical information for the system assets in the system, thus facilitating troubleshooting and analysis of the system. 
     Exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatus for use in monitoring operation of a plurality of system assets are described above in detail. The systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the apparatus and/or systems, and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the computing device described herein may also be used in combination with other systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the system or the data acquisition device as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other power system or industrial applications. 
     Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.