An agent-based framework for collaboration among critical mechanical devices working in a cluster

Abstract

Critical mechanical devices, such as high-pressure air compressors, are crucial for industrial production. Critical mechanical devices are independently distributed devices that work in a cluster, but have high power requirements and need large amounts of space. Thus, the efficient control and coordination of a cluster of critical mechanical devices to achieve task goals is beset with difficulties. Motivated by an example of high-pressure air compressors in a cluster, this paper proposes an agent-based framework for realizing collaboration among critical mechanical devices that work in a cluster. The proposed agent-based framework endows critical mechanical devices with abilities such as autonomy, interaction and collaboration. The framework comprises three core components: (i) an agent-based control approach to the design of critical mechanical device agents to create autonomy; (ii) a type of critical mechanical device agent communication language to create interaction among critical mechanical devices; and (iii) a total working time-based collaboration algorithm that fully considers the physical characteristics of critical mechanical devices to create collaboration among critical mechanical device clusters. A type of critical mechanical device agent controller is implemented using the proposed approach. The agent-based framework has been successfully applied and evaluated in a real-world project. The results obtained in that case study show that the proposed framework can achieve collaboration among critical mechanical device clusters allowing them to realize their predefined goals efficiently and safely.