Data base organization and retrieval techniques for steam turbine engineering

Abstract

The data base organization and information retrieval techniques described in this paper are used by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation's Large Turbine Division at Lester, Pennsylvania to store and retrieve engineering and descriptive information pertaining to the entire life of a steam turbine from the original design of the unit through the latest overhaul. The large volume of data generated during the design, manufacture and subsequent operation of a steam turbine requires the use of a computer for effective data management. Manual record keeping has become increasingly inadequate to cope with the task of relating this ever growing data to sound management and engineering decisions. An operational computer-oriented data bank system has been installed to fulfill the following data storage and retrieval needs: (1) Quicker and more comprehensive retrieval of failure data to assist in service work. (2) Organized and efficient feedback of failure information to the Engineering Department. (3) An integrated data reference source for turbine history. (4) Greater insight into reliability problems to provide statistics for design guidance and manpower allocation. (5) Greater insight into proper turbine operating techniques and maintenance schedules. The system is built upon a master “Generic Profile” data base; all other files and reports are derived from it. Indexed sequential data sets are used throughout, providing complete random access to any information in the data base. A substantial number of types of retrieval are available, and within each type the user is able to request any combination of data he may require. In some instances retrieval requests of the same type are processed simultaneously, thereby reducing file access and overall execution time. Topics covered in the paper include data base content, data base organization and access methods, types of retrieval available, and retrieval techniques. The system employs an IBM 360 Model 50 computer operating under MVT and OS. The largest program requires approximately 150 K of core storage for execution. All programs are written in ANS COBOL.