Module installation method

Abstract

The present invention relates to installing a channel module that enables a control system to access a field device. In this solution, the channel module provides (402) inputs and outputs for the field device; information about the channel module, including the type of the channel module, is sent (404) to the control system, and the channel module disconnects the field device from a feed signal. The channel module waits (408) for operating parameters from the control system in response to the transmission, and when the operating parameters are received from the control system and correspond to the type of the channel module, the channel module connects (412) the feed signal to the field device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention generally relate to automation systems. Background Art

[0002] The following description of background technology may include insights, discoveries, understandings or disclosures, associations, and disclosures that were not known to the art prior to the present invention but are provided by the present invention. Some such contributions of the present invention may be specifically pointed out below, while other such contributions of the present invention will be apparent from their context.

[0003] Automation systems are widely used to measure and control various industrial processes, such as papermaking or chemical plants. Field devices, which are usually various sensors or actuators, are usually connected to the control system using input / output modules (also called channel modules). As the type of field device changes, the electrical performance of the device also varies greatly. Channel modules are designed to match the type of field device connected to the channel module. The wrong type of input and output can hinder the correct operation of the field device. The wrong type of input may even damage the device, which is usually located in the middle of the process to be controlled in a harsh environment. Therefore, it is important to use only the right channel module. In some prior art solutions, a module key type solution is used, in which physical elements prevent the wrong type of module from being installed. However, this is a cumbersome method. US2017206047 and US2002119706 disclose known solutions for connecting modules. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and an apparatus for implementing the method so as to reduce or avoid the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by a method as claimed in claim 1 and an apparatus as claimed in claim 8. Some embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0007] Figure 1 shows a general example of an environment in which some embodiments of the present invention may be utilized;

[0008] Figure 2 An example of an environment is shown in more detail;

[0009] Figure 3 An example of a channel module is shown; and

[0010] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The solution according to the invention is suitable for measuring and controlling any type of process in which field devices such as sensors and actuators are used. Figure 1 A general example of an environment in which some embodiments of the present invention may be utilized is shown.

[0012] In one embodiment, the environment can be generally divided into a site 100 environment and a system 102 environment, wherein the site includes a process 104 to be measured and / or controlled and the system includes the control portion. The process can be any type of industrial process, such as a paper or chemical plant or machinery.

[0013] The control section includes a control system 106 that is responsible for controlling the measurements and directing control based on the measurements. The control section also includes an I / O unit 108 connected 110 to the control system 106. The I / O unit is connected (inputs and outputs 112) to the process 104.

[0014] Figure 2 An example of an environment is shown in more detail. The process to be monitored is measured and controlled by a group of field devices 200. There may be various numbers of field devices in different parts of the process, and the types of field devices may vary. Some field devices can perform measurements, some field devices can control the process, and some field devices can be configured to perform both actions. Different types of field devices require different inputs from the control part. For example, some may require analog control signals (e.g., 4 to 20 mA), while others may require digital control. The same is true for the response signals output by the field devices. The field device can have its own power supply, and the feed signal can be related to controlling the device. The feed signal can also provide power to the field device.

[0015] The control section includes a channel module 202 that is connected to the field device and configured to communicate with the field device. The channel module must be able to communicate with the field device via input / output signals 206 that correspond to the signal type required by the field device. Figure 2 In the example shown in Figure 1, there are four types of field devices, each of which is connected to a corresponding type of channel module.

[0016] The control portion also includes a control application 204 in the control system 106. The control application 204 controls and communicates with the channel module. The application should correspond to the type of channel module. The control application 204 can be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of both.

[0017] The control application 204 in the control system 106 can periodically read inputs, execute programmed control algorithms, and write output values ​​as required by the control. The control application must have the correct sequence of channel modules to implement control.

[0018] Figure 3 An example of a channel module is shown. The channel module 300 is connected to the control system 106 and the field device 302.

[0019] The channel module may include a controller 302, which can control the operation of the module. The controller can be implemented using a microprocessor or any suitable combination of hardware and software. The controller may include memory for storing data and software. The memory may be internal or external. The controller may be configured to communicate with a control system. The control system may provide output 304 to the channel module. For example, output 304 may be control data related to field device 302. The channel module may provide input 306 to the control system. The input may be, for example, measurement results or other data related to the field device. In addition, the control system may provide parameters 308 to the channel module.

[0020] The channel module provides an input signal 324 and an output signal 320 to the field device 302. The channel module can receive operating power 310 from a power supply 312 connected to the channel module. The channel module can include a switch or connection unit 314 configured to connect the input signal 324 to the field device 302. The switch can operate under the control of a controller 316. In one embodiment, the channel module can provide power to the field device.

[0021] The connection between the channel module and the field device is usually a wired connection. However, in some embodiments, depending on the type of field device, a wireless connection is also possible.

[0022] The channel module may also include a protection unit 318 configured to receive a signal 320 from the field device. The signal may be a response signal to a feed signal. The signal 320 may be an analog signal (e.g., 4-20 mA) or a digital signal. The protection unit 318 may provide the signal 320 to the controller 302. In one embodiment, the protection unit may convert the signal into a different format. In some embodiments, the controller may send the signal 320 as an input to the control system.

[0023] The channel module may also include one or more indicators 322. The controller may be configured to use the indicators to indicate the status of the channel module. The indicators may be visual indicators, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0024] It should be understood that the apparatus is described herein as an example illustrating some embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus may also include other functions and / or structures, and not all of the functions and structures described are required. Although the apparatus is depicted as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0025] In one embodiment, the channel module may support Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) communication protocol.

[0026] In one embodiment, the channel module is a single I / O module. Input / output signals are provided directly from the field device to the corresponding channel module. Figure 2 In the case where there are a rack of channel modules side by side, the input / output signals to adjacent channel modules may be of different types. During the installation phase, there is a risk that the signals may be mixed up and hardware problems may occur. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an embodiment. The flow chart illustrates the operation of an apparatus of an embodiment during installation of the apparatus. The apparatus may be a channel module 300.

[0027] In step 400, the device is powered on. For example, it is installed in the appropriate slot and the power supply 312 receives power 310.

[0028] The controller of the device is configured to store data related to the device. In one embodiment, the controller stores data related to the type of the device, such as how the device communicates with the field device, or the types of input signals that the device can provide to the field device, and the types of output signals that the device can receive from the field device. Thus, the type of the device may indicate whether the device supports analog or digital input and output signals, or both, between the device and the field device.

[0029] In one embodiment, the device may support multiple input and output signal types, and the desired type may be selected via software (eg, via parameters sent by a control system).

[0030] In step 402, the apparatus is configured to provide input 324 and output 320 to the field device 302. At this stage, the apparatus can communicate with the control system. However, the input signal 324 is not connected to the field device, that is, the switch 314 is open and the input signal is disconnected from the field device.

[0031] In step 404, the device is configured to send information about the device, including the type of channel module, to the control system 106. Thus, the device can send information about the types of signals supported by the device and other characteristics of the device to the control system. Signal types can include, for example, analog input / output, digital input / output, current, voltage, temperature (resistance temperature detector (RTD)), and frequency.

[0032] In step 406, the device is configured with operating parameters from the control system in response to the transmission.

[0033] When the device has received operating parameters from the control system, the device is configured to determine whether the received operating parameters correspond to the type of device in step 408. If not, the process may be interrupted 410. The device may, for example, enter a standby mode.

[0034] In step 412 , the apparatus is configured to connect the input signal 324 to the field device when the operating parameter is received from the control system and the operating parameter corresponds to the type of channel module.

[0035] In one embodiment, the input signal 324 is connected to the field device when the correct parameters have been received from the control system 106. With respect to digital signals, the parameters of the input signal may include, for example, a current limit and a time delay to initiate a safe state.

[0036] When the channel module loses contact with the control system 106, then after a given time limit has elapsed, the channel module may be configured to initiate a safe state. Parameters from the control system may, for example, define the safe state configuration, such as voltage levels in the safe state.

[0037] Regarding analog signals, the parameters of the input signal may include, for example, time delay to enter a safe state, current limit, current / voltage value of the input signal, ramp parameters, doubling possibility, whether the Highway Addressable Remote Converter protocol is used.

[0038] In one embodiment, when the correct parameters have been received from the control system 106 , an output signal 320 is connected from the field device.

[0039] In one embodiment, in the case of digital signals, the operating parameters associated with the output signal from the field device include, for example, current limiting. If the current of the signal from the field device is too high, it can be cut off to reduce the risk of heating the channel module.

[0040] In one embodiment, in the case of an analog signal, the operating parameters related to the output signal from the field device include, for example, current limit, parameter to be measured (e.g., current / voltage), ramp parameters, doubling possibility, and whether the highway addressable remote converter protocol is used.

[0041] In one embodiment, the controller 302 can indicate the status of the device using an indicator 322. The indicator can indicate when the device is waiting for operating parameters and whether the feed signal connection is successful. This indication can be given, for example, by the color of the indicator. Other possibilities exist, such as a flashing indicator, a display indicating the status using a message, or an audio indicator.

[0042] The indication may, for example, include the following different indications: "Verification", "I / O Type OK", and "I / O Type Mismatch".

[0043] In one embodiment, the instructions can be sent to the operator or maintenance personnel by wire or wirelessly. The sending can be performed by a device (e.g., an indicator including a wireless transmitter) or via a control system. The sent instructions can be visualized on a screen or on a handheld or wearable device.

[0044] The proposed solution is cost-effective since no physical elements are required to prevent the installation of the wrong type of channel module. Furthermore, if the field device is changed to a different type, the installation of the new type of channel module becomes easy.

[0045] An embodiment provides an apparatus that provides a control system with access to a field device, the apparatus comprising means for disconnecting the field device from a feed signal; means for initializing installation of the device by sending information about the device (the information including the type of the device) to the control system, and waiting for operating parameters from the control system as a response to the sending; and means for connecting the feed signal to the field device when the operating parameters are received from the control system and the operating parameters correspond to the type of channel module.

[0046] An embodiment provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following operations: sending information of a channel module to a control system, the information including the type of the channel module; waiting for operating parameters from the control system as a response to the sending; and connecting a feed signal to a field device when the operating parameters are received from the control system and the operating parameters correspond to the type of the channel module.

[0047] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways.The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of installing a channel module, wherein the channel module provides a control system for accessing a field device, the method comprising: The channel module provides (402) inputs and outputs for the field device, the channel module disconnecting the field device from the inputs and outputs; The channel module sends (404) information of the channel module to the control system, wherein the information includes the type of the channel module; The channel module receives (406) operating parameters from the control system in response to the transmission; determining whether the operating parameter corresponds to a type of channel module; When the operating parameters correspond to the type of channel module, the channel module connects (412) the input and output to the field device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The operating parameters include information about the inputs and outputs to be connected to the field device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The type of the channel module indicates the types of input and output supported by the channel module.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: After receiving the operating parameters, it is determined whether the parameters are suitable for the type of channel module. If not, the installation is interrupted.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Controls indicators to show when the channel module is waiting for operating parameters and whether the connection feed signal is successful.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The operating parameters related to the output of the field device include at least one of the following: current limit, voltage limit, parameter to be measured, control boundary, and whether to use a highway addressable remote converter protocol.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The operating parameters related to the input of the field device include at least one of the following: time delay for entering a safe state, current limit, output parameter, ramp parameter, and whether to use a highway addressable remote converter protocol.

8. An apparatus for a control system providing access to a field device, the apparatus comprising: inputs (320) and outputs (324) of field devices; a switch (314) configured to disconnect the input and output from the field device; The controller (302) is configured to initialize the installation of the device by sending information of the device to the control system, the information including the type of the device, and the controller (302) is configured to wait for operating parameters from the control system as a response to the sending, and determine whether the operating parameters correspond to the type of the channel module, and when the operating parameters correspond to the type of the channel module, connect the input and output to the field device.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein The operating parameters include information about inputs and outputs to be connected to the field device.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein The type of the device indicates the types of input and output supported by the device.

11. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein The controller (302) is further configured to: receiving operating parameters from a control system; Determine if the parameters are appropriate for the type of device and, if not, abort the installation.

12. The device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an indicator (322), the controller being configured to indicate with the indicator visually or audibly when the device is waiting for the operating parameters and whether the connection feed signal is successful.

13. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein The operating parameters related to the input of the field device include at least one of the following: current limit, voltage limit, parameter to be measured, control boundary, and whether to use a highway addressable remote converter protocol.

14. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein The operating parameters related to the output of the field device include at least one of the following: time delay for entering a safe state, current limit, output parameter, ramp parameter, and whether to use a high-speed addressable remote converter protocol.

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