Structural unit to enable temporary measurements in existing technical energy or supply structures

Abstract

Structural unit for enabling temporary measurements in existing technical energy or supply structures, characterized by, that the structural unit, as an independent, physically formed unit of an existing technical system, is designed to provide a measurement capability by which at least one measurable quantity of the existing technical system can be temporarily recorded by an external measuring device, wherein the structural unit is designed to be functionally neutral in normal operation, is systemically prepared to enable temporary measurement and has at least one physically accessible contact, connection or tap point for detachable connection with the external measuring instrument.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of measurement and analysis support in existing technical energy or supply structures. It relates in particular to a structural unit that can be integrated into or retrofitted into existing technical systems and that enables temporary measurements of at least one measurable quantity without itself being designed as a measuring device or a permanently active measuring system. State of the art

[0002] In numerous technical energy and supply structures, particularly in industrial production environments, buildings, infrastructure facilities, or similar technical systems, there is a growing need to record energy consumption or other measurable parameters of individual machines, systems, or processes over a limited period. Such measurements are required, among other things, for energy analyses, process optimization, maintenance and repair purposes, and for determining sustainability indicators, for example, to calculate product-related CO2 footprints.

[0003] Common solutions for this predominantly involve permanently installed measuring devices or systems that are permanently integrated into the existing technical infrastructure and continuously record measurement data. Such solutions are regularly associated with considerable installation effort and costs, and are particularly disadvantageous economically when measurements are only required temporarily or on an ad-hoc basis. Alternatively, mobile measuring devices are used, which are connected to existing lines, connection points, or control cabinets for the duration of a measurement. In practice, this approach often requires modifications to existing technical infrastructure, access to safety-relevant areas, and the deployment of specialist personnel, and can lead to operational interruptions.

[0004] Furthermore, test contacts, measuring terminals, service ports, and maintenance interfaces are known from the prior art. However, such elements are typically limited to testing, commissioning, or maintenance purposes, designed for a specific function, and not systematically prepared to enable repeated, flexible, and temporary measurements using changing external measuring instruments during operation. In particular, a solution is lacking that creates a structural prerequisite for temporary measurements, independent of the specific measuring instrument, while remaining functionally neutral during normal operation. Specifically, in the prior art, the measurement location is not regularly designed as an independent, instrument-independent infrastructure role; rather, the measurement capability is either tied to a permanently integrated measurement system or to the respective ad hoc measurement setup. Object of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to provide a solution that enables temporary measurements to be carried out simply, flexibly, and with minimal intervention in existing technical energy or supply infrastructures. In particular, a structural unit is to be created that is systemically prepared to facilitate temporary measurements without itself performing measurement functions or permanently interfering with the operation of the technical system. At the same time, the solution should allow the repeated use of external measuring instruments at different measurement locations and be suitable for both new installations and existing technical systems. Solution to the task

[0006] This problem is solved by a structural unit with the features of claim 1. The structural unit according to the invention is designed to provide a measurement capability by which at least one measurable quantity of an existing technical system can be temporarily acquired by an external measuring device. The structural unit is functionally neutral in normal operation and is systemically prepared to enable temporary measurement. It does not perform any measurement itself and does not assume any permanent measurement or monitoring function.

[0007] This design achieves a functional and structural separation between the preparation of a measurement and the actual measurement procedure. The measurement is performed exclusively by an external measuring device, which is temporarily connected to the structural unit as needed and can be removed again after completion of the measurement.

[0008] The structural unit is not merely designed as a test or maintenance access point for commissioning or service purposes, but as a permanently integrated, function-neutral measurement readiness that enables the repeated temporary coupling of changing external measuring devices at a defined measurement location. Embodiments of the invention

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the structural unit is designed as an independent structure, separate from the external measuring device. This allows the structural unit to remain permanently present in the technical system, while the external measuring device can be inserted, replaced, or removed independently.

[0010] In another embodiment, the structural unit does not have integrated sensors for acquiring the measurable quantity. The measurable quantity is acquired exclusively by the external measuring device. Alternatively, the structural unit can additionally include sensors, but these are not essential for performing the measurement, do not provide an independent measurement value as a replacement for the external measuring device, and the temporary acquisition is still carried out by the external measuring device.

[0011] The structural unit may include a connection option for the temporary attachment of an external measuring device. The specific design of this connection option is not restricted and may include mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, optical, wireless, or other connection methods. The connection option is designed in such a way that it allows for the temporary coupling of the external measuring device, independent of any specific plug or connector type.

[0012] In another embodiment, the structural unit is arranged close to, alongside, or in the vicinity of an energy or supply line, without necessarily being part of the line itself. This allows the structural unit to be integrated into existing energy pathways without permanently interrupting, modifying, or functionally altering them.

[0013] Preferably, the structural unit is designed such that it can be integrated or retrofitted without permanent structural changes to the existing technical system. In particular, the connection and removal of the external measuring device can be carried out without significantly affecting the ongoing operation of the technical system. Industrial applicability

[0014] The structural unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in industrial production environments, for example in production halls with multiple machines, tools or production lines. It enables the temporary recording of energy consumption or other measurable parameters of individual machines, production steps or product cycles, for example for the duration of a production run or a defined measurement period.

[0015] Furthermore, the structural unit is also applicable in buildings, technical infrastructures, supply systems or similar systems where temporary or event-related measurements are required without the need to install a permanent measurement infrastructure.

Claims

[1] Structural unit to enable temporary measurements in existing technical energy or supply structures, characterized by , that the structural unit, as an independent, physically formed unit of an existing technical system, is designed to provide a measurement capability by which at least one measurable quantity of the existing technical system can be temporarily recorded by an external measuring device, wherein the structural unit is designed to be functionally neutral in normal operation, is systemically prepared to enable temporary measurement and has at least one physically accessible contact, connection or tap point for detachable connection with the external measuring instrument. [2] Structural unit according to claim 1, characterized by that the structural unit is designed as an independent structure, separate from the external measuring device. [3] Structural unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the structural unit does not have integrated sensors for capturing the measurable quantity. [4] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit does not perform any permanent data collection, data storage or data transmission. [5] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the structural unit may additionally have at least one sensor, whereby the sensor is not necessarily required to carry out the measurement and the measurement is still temporarily carried out by an external measuring device. [6] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit provides a connection option for an external measuring device. [7] Structural unit according to claim 5, characterized bythat the connection is detachable, temporary and repeatedly re-establishable. [8] Structural unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the connection option is designed independently of the specific type of connection and includes mechanical, electrical, contactless, wireless, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, optical or future connection forms. [9] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit is designed to enable measurement exclusively for a limited period of time or a defined occasion. [10] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit is functional regardless of whether an external measuring device is connected. [11] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the structural unit is located on or in close proximity to an energy, electricity, media or supply path of a technical system. [12] Structural unit according to claim 10, characterized by that the structural unit is arranged close to, alongside, or functionally related to the path. [13] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit is designed in such a way that the existing energy or supply flow of the technical system is not functionally altered by its arrangement. [14] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit can be integrated or retrofitted without permanent structural changes to the existing technical system. [15] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the structural unit can be connected to different external measuring devices. [16] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit can be used multiple times in succession for temporary measurements on the same or on different technical structures. [17] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the measurable quantity includes an electrical, energetic, thermal, mechanical, media-related or signal-related quantity. [18] Structural unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural unit is arranged in a technical system that includes a machine, a plant, a production line or a comparable technical functional unit. [19] System comprising at least one structural unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and at least one external measuring device configured to be temporarily connected to the structural unit. [20] System according to claim 18, characterized by that the external measuring device is separable from the structural unit after completion of a measurement and can be connected to a further structural unit according to one of claims 1 to 17. [21] Use of a structural unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17 for the temporary acquisition of measured values ​​in an existing technical system without the installation of a permanent measurement infrastructure.