Monitoring state of vibration sensor
By detecting the comparison of electronic device signals and reference values of the field equipment, the existence of conductive substances is determined, which solves the problem of reliability and ease of use of the equipment under various environmental conditions, improves safety and availability, and supports predictive maintenance and diagnosis .
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380039337.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-11
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-10
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
AI Technical Summary
Field equipment is difficult to maintain high reliability and ease of use under a variety of environmental conditions, especially due to the inconvenience of fully potted electronic devices in some cases.
By detecting the comparison of the input and output signals of the electronic device with the predefined reference values, the existence of conductive substances is judged, thereby improving the functional safety and reliability of the equipment and avoiding unnecessary process execution.
It enables improved safety and availability of field equipment under a variety of environmental conditions, supports predictive maintenance and diagnosis, and avoids unwanted process execution due to the presence of conductive substances.
Smart Images
Figure CN119173789A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for operating an apparatus for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, a computer program for carrying out the method according to the invention, and a computer program product on which the computer program according to the invention is stored. The medium is preferably located in a container, for example in a tank or a tube. Background Art
[0002] Field devices are used to monitor and / or determine at least one (e.g. chemical or physical) process variable of a medium. Within the framework of this application, all measuring devices that are used in close proximity to a process and supply or process process-related information are referred to as field devices in principle, including remote I / Os, wireless adapters and general electronic components at the field level. The companies of the Endress+Hauser Group produce and distribute a wide range of such field devices.
[0003] For example, the field device can be a filling level measuring device, a flow measuring device, a pressure and temperature measuring device, a pH and / or pH redox potential measuring device, and a conductivity measuring device, which is used to detect the corresponding process variable in each case, such as filling level, flow rate, pressure, temperature, pH value, redox potential or conductivity. The underlying measuring principles are sufficiently known from the prior art and are not listed separately at this point. The flow measuring device is in particular a Coriolis, ultrasonic, eddy current, thermal and / or magnetic inductive flow measuring device. Specifically, the filling level measuring device is in turn a microwave filling level measuring device, an ultrasonic filling level measuring device, a time domain reflectometry filling level measuring device (TDR), a radiation measurement filling level measuring device, a capacitive filling level measuring device, a conductive filling level measuring device and / or a vibration filling level measuring device. In contrast, the pressure measuring device is preferably referred to as an absolute pressure device, a relative pressure device or a pressure difference device, while the temperature measuring device may have, for example, a thermal element or a temperature-dependent resistor for determining the temperature.
[0004] A field device comprises at least one sensor unit which is at least partially and at least temporarily in contact with the process, and electronics, for example, for detecting, evaluating and / or supplying signals. The electronics can be attached directly to the sensor unit, or they are placed at a spatial distance from the field device and can be connected to the field device. For many applications, in particular safety-critical applications, it is necessary for a particular field device to operate as reliably as possible and can be exposed to various environmental conditions, such as prevailing temperature and / or moisture fluctuations.
[0005] In order to ensure high reliability under such environmental conditions, electronic components are therefore often potted to prevent, for example, moisture from entering. On the other hand, with fully potted electronic components, problems sometimes arise regarding ease of use. Summary of the invention
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a possibility by which a field device can be operated reliably under a wide variety of environmental conditions and at the same time easy operation is ensured.
[0007] The object is achieved by a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for operating an apparatus for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, wherein the apparatus comprises a sensor unit and electronics, wherein the electronics has at least one component with a binary input and / or output, and wherein the input and / or output signal of the component has a first state or a second state corresponding to a first predefinable reference value or a second predefinable reference value of the input or output signal of the component. The method comprises the following method steps:
[0008] - detecting a first value and / or a second value of the input and / or output signal corresponding to the first state and / or the second state,
[0009] - comparing the first value and / or the second value with a first predefinable reference value and / or a second predefinable reference value for the first state and / or the second state, and
[0010] - Based on the comparison, detecting the presence of a conductive substance in a region of the component.
[0011] According to the invention, the input and / or output signal of the component is detected and a specific value is compared with a reference value of the first state and / or the second state. Based on the comparison, for example, if the deviation from the limit value exceeds a predefinable threshold value, it can be inferred that a conductive substance is present in the region of the component.
[0012] The method according to the invention serves to increase the functional safety and reliability of a field device in a simple manner. In particular, a field device designed to carry out the method according to the invention can achieve a higher level of safety or a higher level of availability. Structural measurements on a specific field device are not necessary. Diagnostics can be prepared and predictive maintenance can be carried out.
[0013] For example, it is conceivable that the components of the electronic device with binary inputs and / or outputs are freely accessible, while several, in particular all other components of the electronic device are potted. In this case, it is advantageous that a highly reliable electronic device is possible with a simultaneously easy and economically feasible operation via the electronic device with binary inputs and / or outputs.
[0014] In one embodiment of the method, the first value and / or the second value of the input and / or output signal is recorded as a function of time. In this way, a time evaluation of the signal curve can be performed and, in particular, a time correlation and also a pattern recognition can be performed. This in turn allows an improved and extended diagnosis.
[0015] In another embodiment, the component is a switch element which can be switched between a first switching state and a second switching state. For example, it is a push button switch, an opener, a closer or a changeover contact.
[0016] In this context, it is advantageous if the first value and the second value of the input and / or output signal of the switching element correspond to the first switching state and the second switching state of the switching element. By comparing the values of the input and / or output signal according to the invention with specific predefinable reference values, for example, an unwanted switching of the switching element can be detected.
[0017] In another embodiment of the method, the component is a digital interface.
[0018] In this context, it is in turn advantageous if the first value and the second value of the input and / or output signal of the interface correspond to the first state and the second state of the interface.
[0019] Another embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises that the conductive substance is a conductive liquid, such as water, in particular permeating moisture. Thus, the method can be used to detect the presence of moisture or condensation in the area of a component.
[0020] It is advantageous if a message is issued about the presence of conductive substances in the region of the component. In this respect, diagnostics and predictive maintenance are conceivable.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is determined whether the difference between the first value and / or the second value of the input and / or output signal exceeds or falls below a first predefinable threshold value. Above a certain deviation from a predefinable reference value, a reliable function of the component is in principle no longer ensured from the target value of the input and / or output signal. Such a comparison can lead to a more reliable evaluation than a direct comparison of the individual values.
[0022] Another embodiment comprises that the process that the component is intended to perform is not executed as long as the conductive substance is present in the region of the component, i.e. as long as the value of the input and / or output signal exceeds or falls below a predefinable limit value. Thus, as long as the substance (e.g. moisture) is present in the region of the component, for example in the region of a switching element or an interface, a specific action or a specific process will therefore not be executed. In this way, an unwanted execution of a specific process due to the presence of the substance can be avoided. In this respect, the switching element can be, for example, a switching process and the interface can be a signal transmission.
[0023] In particular, it is advantageous in this context if the component is used to execute a process that it performs when the difference between the first value and / or the second value of the input and / or output signal does not exceed or fall below a predefinable first limit value or a predefinable second limit value. As soon as the predefinable first limit value is exceeded or not reached, the process is no longer executed. Only when the first limit value or, for example, the predefinable second limit value is no longer exceeded or not reached, is the process executed again.
[0024] The object forming the basis of the invention is also achieved by a computer program for determining at least one process variable of a medium, having computer-readable program code means which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the invention.
[0025] The following objects of the invention are likewise achieved by a computer program product having a computer program according to the invention and at least one computer-readable medium on which the computer program is stored.
[0026] The method can be implemented in particular on a microcontroller.
[0027] The method is preferably used in a device for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, wherein the device comprises a sensor unit and an electronic device, which is at least partially potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing, in particular tightly potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing, and wherein at least one component with a binary input and / or output, such as a switching element or a digital interface, is not potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing, in particular not tightly potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing. In this context, it is advantageously possible to increase the safety level of a field device using the method according to the invention without having to implement structural measurements for this purpose. This enables the creation of a cost-effective field device with a high level of safety. The method is also used to detect conductive substances in the area of a component when the housing of the corresponding device is not sealed, for example because a cover has been removed, etc. In this case, it is not important that the component in question is not potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing, in particular not tightly potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Refer to the following figure ( Figures 1 to 4 ) describes the present invention and its advantages in more detail. In the accompanying drawings:
[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a field device having a sensor unit and electronics having components with binary inputs and / or outputs;
[0030] Figure 2is a time curve of an input and / or output signal of a component in the form of a switching element as a function of time;
[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a digital interface; and
[0032] Figure 4 The time curve of an input and / or output signal of a component in the form of a digital interface as a function of time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Figure 1 A field device 1 is shown having a sensor unit 2 and an electronics system 3 having components 4 with binary inputs and / or outputs.
[0034] With the method according to the invention, it is possible to detect the presence of conductive substances S in the region of a component 4, for example condensation on the component 4. For example, it is conceivable that the component is a component of the electronic device 3 accessible from the outside, while one or all other components of the electronic device 3 may be potted, encapsulated or surrounded by a housing.
[0035] The method according to the invention is based on the comparison of the value of the input E and / or the output signal A with a reference value R corresponding to the first state and the second state Z. Figure 2 A first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown. Figure 2 In the case of , component 4 is a switching element which switches back and forth between a first switching state and a second switching state.
[0036] exist Figure 2 In a, the input signal E is shown as a function of time t. At time t0, the switching process is triggered. At this time t0, the input signal E changes from the first value E1 to the second value E2. The output signal A is Figure 2 b as a function of time t. The output signal A also changes from the first value A1 to the second value A2 at the time point t0. The first value corresponds to the first switching state and the second value corresponds to the second switching state. However, the recorded value A2 of the output signal A corresponding to the second state of the switching element is greater than the predefinable reference value R1 for the output signal A. From this deviation or from the comparison with the reference value R1, it can be inferred that an electrically conductive substance S, in particular water, such as condensate, is present in the region of the switching element 4.
[0037] The signal curve of input E and output signal A is Figure 2 c shows again an enlarged view at time t0.
[0038] exist Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , an optional additionally available reference value R2 is also shown. Figure 2b It can be seen that the output signal A in the presence of the conductive substance S in the second switching state (t>t0) is not constant but shows various jumps. Therefore, the additional comparison with the second reference value R2 enables hysteresis etc. to be taken into account when changing back to the first switching state and also prevents undesired switching in this respect.
[0039] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic representation of a digital interface 5 with external control elements or a communication unit 6, an analog-to-digital converter 7 and a computing unit 8. Such an interface 5 can also be a component 4 with digital inputs and / or outputs within the meaning of the present invention.
[0040] Similar to Figure 2 For Figure 4 In the component 4 in the form of a digital interface 5, the input signal E and the output signal A are each shown as a function of time t. The input signal E changes from a first state corresponding to a first value E1 of the input signal E and a second state corresponding to a first value E2 of the input signal E. Figure 4 a) changes back and forth periodically. This situation is consistent with the output signal A ( Figure 4 b) Analogously. However, in any case, a predefinable first reference value R1 is not exceeded in each case, which is why it is inferred that no electrically conductive substance S is present in the region of the interface 5 .
[0041] Reference numerals
[0042] 1 Field equipment
[0043] 2 Sensor unit
[0044] 3 Electronic devices
[0045] 4 Components
[0046] 5 Digital Interface
[0047] 6 External control components, communication units
[0048] 7 Analog-to-digital converter
[0049] 8 Computational Units
[0050] E Input signal
[0051] A Output signal
[0052] R Reference value
[0053] S Substance
Claims
1. A method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for operating a device (1) for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, in, The device (1) comprises a sensor unit (2) and an electronic device (3) having at least one component (4) with a binary input and / or output, and wherein at least a first value and a second value of an input (E) and / or output signal (A) of the component corresponds to a first state and / or a second state of the component (4), The method comprises the following method steps: - detecting a first value (E1, A1) and / or a second value (E2, A2) of said input and / or output signal (E, A) corresponding to said first state and / or second state, - comparing said first value (E1, A1) and / or second value (E2, A2) with a first predefinable reference value (R1) and / or a second predefinable reference value (R2) for said first state and / or second state, and - Based on said comparison, detecting the presence of a conductive substance (S) in a region of said component (4).
2. The method according to claim 1, in, The first value (E1, A1) and / or second value (E2, A2) of the input and / or output signal (E, A) is detected as a function of time (t).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, The component (4) is a switching element which can be switched between a first switching state and a second switching state.
4. The method according to claim 3, in, The first value (E1, A1) and the second value (E2, A2) of the input and / or output signal (E, A) of the switching element correspond to the first switching state and the second switching state of the switching element.
5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in, The component (4) is a digital interface (5).
6. The method according to claim 4, in, The first value (E1, A1) and the second value (E2, A2) of the input and / or output signal (E, A) of the interface (5) correspond to a first state and a second state of the interface (5).
7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in, The conductive substance (S) is a conductive liquid, in particular water, in particular permeable moisture.
8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in, A message is issued regarding the presence of the electrically conductive substance (S) in the region of the component (4).
9. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in, It is determined whether a difference between the first value (E1, A1) and / or the second value (E2, A2) of the input and / or output signal (E, A) exceeds or falls below a predefinable first limit value.
10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in, As long as the electrically conductive substance (S) is present in the region of the component (4), the process for which the component (4) is intended to be carried out is not carried out.
11. The method according to claim 10, in, The process for which the component (4) is intended to be executed is executed when the difference between the first value (E1, A1) and / or the second value (E2, A2) of the input and / or output signal (E, A) exceeds or falls below a predefinable first limit value or a predefinable second limit value. 12 . A computer program for determining at least one process variable of a medium, having computer-readable program code elements which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to at least one of the preceding claims.
13. A computer program product comprising a computer program according to claim 11 and at least one computer readable medium on which at least the computer program is stored.