Application of orchestration mechanism within automation module

Abstract

The invention relates to a technical module (2), comprising:-a plurality of technical objects, which are each implemented and provided for executing technical functions (4, 5); a control unit (8) which implements and provides technical functions for controlling the individual technical objects; and-a communication unit (7) which is implemented and provided for data exchange with external communication partners (3, 6). The technical module (2) is characterized in that the control unit (8) has a computer-implemented execution service (9) with a configurable logic unit (10), the computer-implemented execution service (9) being designed to detect rules and interconnections from the external communication partners (3, 6) by means of the communication unit (7) and to configure the logic unit (10) on the basis of the detected rules and interconnections, the control unit (8) is designed to execute a control of a technical object in the technical installation (1) for operating the technical module (2) using the configured logic unit (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technical module, which has:

[0002] - a plurality of technical objects, each of which implements and is provided for performing a technical function,

[0003] - a control unit which implements and provides technical functions for controlling the respective technical object,

[0004] A communication unit which is implemented and provided for exchanging data with an external communication partner.

[0005] The invention also relates to a technical installation and a method for operating a technical module in a technical installation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program with program code instructions executable by a computer and to a computer-readable medium. Background Art

[0006] Firstly, in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries, there is a strong demand that operators of technical facilities can react quickly to changes in market requirements. Modular facilities enable facility operators to significantly shorten time to market and to react quickly to changing market conditions by reorganizing facilities at low cost. For this purpose, facility operators can set up a pool of modular units (e.g., process units) with the help of which they can assemble a specified facility by so-called coordination. If a facility is to be reorganized, individual modules are removed and replaced with other modules, e.g., more efficient modules.

[0007] In known automation systems such as "PCS 7" or "TIA Portal" from Siemens, the classical concept of automation is used to connect modules in terms of communication technology and to implement their functions. In this context, the communication connections are project engineered, operator displays are developed and higher-level execution sequences are created using languages ​​such as "S7-Graph" or "SFC (sequential flowchart)". This is complex and can only be implemented with difficulty due to the lack of relevant experience of the process technicians in the process.

[0008] In publication WO 2016 / 074730 A1, a method is described as to how a module technology facility can be created with the aid of self-describing information about the modules that is available online. However, during the coordination of the module facility, this information is typically not available (online), since planning occurs offline based on statistical type description information, such as, for example, module type packages (MTPs) (see proposal for the standard "VDI / VDE / NAMUR2658" published by the Association of German Engineers (VDI) on January 4, 2018).

[0009] All in all, the flexibility and adaptability of production systems are key factors for future production systems in turbulent markets. Production systems can be realized by orchestrating the coordination of intelligent technical modules (also referred to as "equipment components" or "complete units") for the facility into a facility. In this context, each technical module provides functionality that is parameterized by a superordinate coordination instance (also referred to as "coordination layer") and that can be called in the correct sequence. The more functions are divided into small parts, the more flexible the larger functions can be coordinated. However, functions divided into small parts require a higher level of effort in their coordination and engineering. If the technical modules provide functionality with a slightly lower granularity, the functionality is too specified for many use cases, which again limits flexibility.

[0010] In the process industry, process models are provided following the standards ISA-88 or IEC 61512, which are used for different levels of granularity of individual functions. Starting from the highest level "process" (often also called operating instructions), three further ones have a division into smaller and smaller parts ("unit process", "operation", "phase"). As the functions are divided into smaller parts, the costs for coordinating the functions increase. In addition to the association of processes, then, the association of supervision and locking also has greater significance.

[0011] Today, centralized and decentralized coordination schemes are used for the coordination of functions. Both variants work only on the process level, so that functions divided into small parts are brought together to form larger functions ("processes" or "unit processes").

[0012] In centralized coordination, "unit operation" is implemented by the facility operator in the coordination instance through coordination of functions divided into small parts, with the help of pure process associations, mostly solved via step conversion logic. In this case, the coordination in the coordination instance also needs to take into account supervision and mutual associations. The orchestration in the orchestration instance also needs to take into account supervision and locking associations. For this purpose, the coordination instance occupies the data hub, which reads values ​​from the source and where the data converges. Between reading and writing, there is the possibility of inserting configurable dialogues into the coordination instance. In addition to the cost for implementing "unit operation" in the coordination instance, the implementation and mutual association of the coordination and supervision of the functions divided into small parts brings high performance requirements and real-time requirements for the coordination entity.

[0013] As part of decentralized coordination, "unit operation" is implemented natively in the (control) program of the controller of the technical module. Here, step conversion logic is also usually used. In this case, supervision and interrelated tasks can be implemented in the controller of the technical module. However, in this solution, flexibility is limited because the functions at the level of "unit operation" have to be highly specified for special use cases. In many cases, mechanical engineers who develop, produce, test and (in some industries) sell with corresponding validation certificates do not have the process knowledge in order to implement "unit operation" in the technical module. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention is based on the object of simplifying the integration of technical modules in a technical installation and operating the technical modules and making them more efficient.

[0015] This objective is achieved through a technical module having:

[0016] - a plurality of technical objects, each of which implements and is provided for performing a technical function,

[0017] - a control unit which implements and provides technical functions for controlling the respective technical object,

[0018] A communication unit which is embodied and configured for exchanging data with an external communication partner.

[0019] The technical module is characterized in that the control unit has a computer-implemented execution service with a configurable logic unit, wherein the computer-implemented execution service is implemented as follows:

[0020] - receives rules and interconnections from external communication partners by means of the communication unit, and

[0021] - performs configuration of logical units based on received rules and interconnections,

[0022] Therein, the control unit is implemented as a technical module which uses a configured logic unit to perform control of a technical object to operate in a technical installation.

[0023] A "technical module" is understood to mean a discrete technical unit which can be integrated into a (superior) control level of a technical installation. For example, such a technical module can be a combination of a plurality of measuring points or a relatively large part of a technical installation. A technical module can have any given combination of individual control elements, sensors, actuators or automatic components. For example, software-related mappings of individual control elements can also additionally be part of a technical module.

[0024] The technical module has a plurality of technical objects, the purpose of which is that a technical process can be carried out. For example, a technical object can be a boiler with which a liquid is heated, or a conveyor belt with which a medium or an object is conveyed.

[0025] In addition to the technical objects provided and implemented to carry out the process, the technical module has (at least) one control unit. It controls (and, if appropriate, regulates) the technical objects based on rules and interconnections, which can be stored in the technical module. These can partly be specified by the manufacturer of the technical module and stored in the technical module.

[0026] A technical module can be implemented to perform complex functions in a technical installation, for example, to perform controlled pumping of fluids, to heat water and maintain a specific temperature in a tank, to perform filtering functions, etc. For this purpose, a technical module can have, for example, valves, tanks, sensors, combinations of multiple single-degree objects, etc. as technical objects.

[0027] In this context, by means of technical objects contained in a functional module, rules and interconnections are used for the execution or flow of one or more processes within the functional module, which rules and interconnections can be implemented in a configurable logic unit of a computer-implemented execution service of a control unit. For example, rules can be specified as to how the control unit (or control units) of the functional module controls the technical objects, for example, as a function of a selected operating module.

[0028] In this context, (autocorrelated) rules and interconnections can be stored in the technical module for connecting individual technical objects to each other. For example, interconnections can be the identification and specifications of the individual technical objects, which must be known to the individual technical objects in each case in order to be able to interact with each other.

[0029] However, part of such an interconnection can also be, for example, the information that the stirrer in the tank is only allowed to rotate at a reduced speed (n rpm) starting from a certain fill level of the liquid in the tank.

[0030] The technical module has a communication unit for exchanging data with an external communication partner. The communication unit can have a server, in particular an OPC UA server.

[0031] The significant innovation relative to known technology modules is the implementation of configurable logic units and execution services in the technology module. In this context, "in the technology module" means that the logic units and execution services are computer-implemented on a computing unit / storage unit, which is a physical part of the technology module.

[0032] The execution service is implemented by receiving rules and interconnections from an external communication partner (e.g. a superior coordination tool of a technical facility) by means of a communication unit. For example, the rules and interconnections can include one or more process-related operations that are sequentially executed by the technical module. In this context, not only the operations themselves can be required. In addition, the processes and interconnections can also have associated parameters of the process-related operations. In particular, the rules and interconnections can have (process-related) operating instructions, which are executed in full or in part by the technical module.

[0033] Based on the rules and interconnections received from the communication partner, the execution service performs the configuration of the logical unit and thus the rules and interconnections specific to the individual technical objects. In this context, in the simplest case, the received rules and interconnections are adopted 1:1 and inserted into the logical unit. However, it is also possible that a (slight) adaptation of the received rules and interconnections is performed by the execution service in order to meet the specific requirements of the logical unit.

[0034] In this context, the logic unit can have computer-implemented function blocks that are configured in a corresponding manner by the execution service. It is possible that special rules and interconnections for individual technical objects are already stored in the technical module, and that the configuration of the logic unit leads to modified interconnections of the technical objects, which are valid (only) for the execution of the indicated operation(s). It is possible that rules and interconnections that are already stored in the technical module are created by the manufacturer of the technical module, for example, and that these rules and interconnections cannot be changed due to external rules and interconnections received.

[0035] Through the embodiments of the present invention of the technology module, it is possible to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and achieve the advantages of the compromise between decentralized orchestration and centralized coordination.

[0036] The logic unit can have a memory in which it is possible to store the rules and interconnections generated by triggering the execution service. In this context, a separate memory or the memory of the control unit can be used as a shared memory. With the help of the execution service and the configurable logic unit, the technical module is implemented in an adaptive manner and can effectively adapt to the changing conditions of use within the technical installation (or in the case of changes to another technical installation).

[0037] The communication unit can further have a server, in particular an OPC UA server, for communicating with an external communication partner, such as a control system. The communication unit can also have an archive in which it is possible to store information about the communication with the external communication partner, for example the network address of the communication partner.

[0038] In an advantageous development of the invention, one or more technical functions can be addressed by the control unit as services that can be executed according to the standard VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658. In particular in the context of modular production or manufacturing, the mentioned standard is becoming increasingly acceptable, whereby correspondingly implemented technical modules can be integrated into the automation of a technical installation in a particularly simple manner.

[0039] Preferably, the communication unit is designed to receive rules and connections from an external communication partner (e.g. a coordinated control system) and forward them to the control unit as to which service or services are to be executed. For example, it is possible to obtain specific operating instructions (i.e. a specific sequence of process-related or manufacturing-related steps) which require the execution of one or more services provided by the technical module.

[0040] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a technical installation, in particular a production installation or a process installation, which has at least one technical module according to one of the preceding claims and at least one higher-level controller unit is implemented separately from the technical module.

[0041] Technical facilities can include facilities from the process industry, for example chemical, pharmaceutical or petrochemical facilities, or facilities from the food and beverage industry. The context also includes any technical facilities from the production industry, factories, where, for example, cars and goods of all kinds are produced. Wind turbines, solar facilities or power stations for producing energy are also included by the term technical facilities.

[0042] Preferably, the technical installation has a visualization system which is implemented to visualize the rules and interconnections of the technical objects for controlling the technical modules. The purpose of this graphical representation is to enable the integration and coordination of the technical modules into the technical installation in a simpler and more efficient manner for the performance of the technical processes. By means of the visualization system, an overview of the rules and interconnections currently applicable or active in the technical modules is obtained and the interconnections and rules can be supplemented if necessary. The visualization information required for the visualization can be transferred to the visualization system in the format of the above-mentioned standard VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658.

[0043] The superordinate controller unit can be implemented as a control system with an operator server for visualization and / or coordination of the technical modules. In this case, an "operator server" is understood in this context to mean that the server centrally acquires the data of the operator control and monitoring system and usually also the alarm archive and measured value archive of the control system of the technical facility, and makes this information available to the user. The operator server usually establishes a communication connection to the automation system of the technical facility and forwards the data of the technical facility to the so-called client, which is used to control and monitor the operation of the individual functional elements of the technical facility. The operator server can have a client function in order to access the data (archives, messages, tags, variables) of other operator servers. This means that the operation of the technical facility on the operator server can be combined with the variables of other operator servers (server-server-communication). . The operator server can be a SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstation Server from Siemens, but is not limited to this.

[0044] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for operating a technical module in a technical facility, in particular a production facility or a process facility, the technical module having:

[0045] - a plurality of technical objects, each of which implements and is provided for performing a technical function,

[0046] - a control unit which implements and provides for controlling the technical objects based on the rules and interconnections of the individual objects and which has a configurable logic unit,

[0047] - a communication unit which implements and provides for data exchange with an external communication partner,

[0048] This method has:

[0049] a) integrating the technical module into the technical installation, wherein, in this respect, a communication connection between a higher-level controller unit of the technical installation (in particular a control system of the technical installation) and the technical module is configured,

[0050] b) the rules and interconnections are transmitted by a superordinate controller unit as an external communication partner of the technical module to the communication unit and forwarded to a computer-implemented execution service of the control unit,

[0051] c) automatically configuring the configurable logic units based on the received rules and the interconnections by means of a computer-implemented execution service,

[0052] d) Controlling technical objects through configured logic units to operate technical modules in technical facilities.

[0053] Preferably, in this context, method step b. is performed based on a server, in particular an OPC UA server.

[0054] In a further development of the above method, the communication unit receives information about the communication unit of the external communication partner, in particular about the network address of the communication unit of the external communication partner, and stores it in an archive of the communication unit of the technical module.

[0055] The rules and interconnections of the technical objects for controlling the technical modules can be visualized with the aid of a visualization system, in particular an operator station server or client of the control system of the technical installation.

[0056] The object is also achieved by a computer program having program code instructions which can be executed by a computer to implement the above method, and is implemented by a computer-readable medium which contains commands which, when executed by a computer, drive the computer to perform the above method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The above-mentioned characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner in which they are achieved become clearer and more apparent in conjunction with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The accompanying drawings show a technical facility 1 with a modular structure. The technical facility 1 has a technical module 2 and a superordinate controller unit 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the superordinate controller unit 3 represents an operator station for the control system of the technical facility. The operator station has at least an operator station server and an operator station client, by means of which the technical facility can be controlled and monitored using the technical module 2. However, a single user system (single station) can also be used as a superordinate control unit 3. The technical module 2 is implemented for modular use in the technical facility. For this purpose, the technical module has a plurality of technical objects, such as sensors and actuators, which are implemented for performing technical functions 4, 5. For example, the technical functions can represent heating, stirring, moving, measuring, etc.

[0059] The superordinate control unit 3 has a communication unit 6, by means of which it can transmit rules and interconnect to the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2. The communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 can transmit data in the reverse direction to the communication unit 6 of the superordinate control unit 3. In this context, the transmission in the direction of the superordinate control unit 3 can come from the communication unit 6 of the technical module 2 or can be presented by the communication unit 7 of the superordinate control unit 3.

[0060] A control unit 8 is implemented in the technical module 2, which implements and provides for controlling the technical objects of the technical module 2 based on the rules and interconnections of the individual objects. The control unit 8 has a computer-implemented execution service 9 which has access to a configurable logic unit 10 of the control unit 8.

[0061] The method for operating a technical module 2 in a technical installation 1 is explained below: First, the technical module 2 is integrated into the technical installation 1. In this context, logical steps are performed, which are not explained in more detail here (cabling, energy supply, placement, etc.). As part of the configuration, a communication connection between a communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 of the technical installation and a communication unit cloud 6 of the superordinate controller level 3 is configured.

[0062] The rules and interconnections are transmitted automatically or by manual specification by the operator of the technical installation from the communication unit 6 of the superordinate control level 3 to the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2. In this context, the rules and interconnections can have operating instructions 11. The operating instructions 11 contain one or more steps, which should be processed by the technical module 2. In this context, the operating instructions 11 also have parameters, which are relevant for the processing of the individual steps. For example, the operating instructions 11 can have the following information:

[0063] - Fill 100 liters of fluid A from inlet 1 into container X

[0064] - Heat the fluid to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius

[0065] - Mix heated fluid A with 10 litres of fluid B from inlet 2

[0066] - Cool the mixture consisting of fluid A and fluid B to a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius

[0067] - Pour the cooled mixture into container Y.

[0068] The communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 forwards the received rules and interconnections to a computer-implemented execution service 9 of the control unit 8. Based on the received rules and interconnections, the communication unit configures the configurable logic unit 10. In this context, the rules and interconnections can at least partially follow a formal structure according to the standard VID / VDE / NAMUR 2658 and address individual "services", which provide the technical module 2 as "services". The purpose of the computer-implemented execution service 9 is to internally transmit the requirements for the performance of a particular service to the individual technical functions 4, 5, wherein the computer-implemented execution service configures them according to the rules and interconnections.

[0069] For example, it can be stored in the configurable logic unit 10 that the state of the valve has a direct influence on the blocking of the pump. If the pump reports a fault, it can also be stored in the logic unit 10 that the valve is then blocked.

[0070] Finally, the technical module 2 is operated in the technical installation 1 . In this context, it is possible to transmit data (measured values, diagrams, reports, etc.) via the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 to a superordinate controller level 3 , which serves for operator control and monitoring of the technical module 2 .

[0071] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail using preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not restricted to the examples given and other variants can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A technical module (2), comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each of which implements and is provided for performing a technical function (4, 5), - a control unit (8) which implements and provides the technical functions for controlling the respective technical object, - a communication unit (7) which implements and provides for data exchange with an external communication partner (3, 6), It is characterized in that The control unit (8) has a computer-implemented execution service (9) with a configurable logic unit (10), wherein the computer-implemented execution service (9) is implemented to: - receiving rules and interconnections from external communication partners (3, 6) by means of the communication unit (7), and - performing configuration of said logic unit (10) based on said received rules and interconnections, The control unit (8) is implemented to use the configured logic unit (10) to perform control of the technical object to operate the technical module (2) in the technical facility (1).

2. The technical module (2) according to claim 1, wherein: For bidirectional communication between the technical module (2) and the external communication partner (3, 6), the communication unit (7) has a server, in particular an OPC UA server.

3. The technical module (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: One or more technical functions (4, 5) as services executable in accordance with the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard can be addressed by the control unit (8).

4. The technical module (2) according to claim 3, wherein: The communication unit (7) is designed to receive rules and interconnections from the external communication partners (3, 6) and to forward these rules and interconnections to the control unit (8), which rules and interconnections relate to which service or services are to be executed.

5. A technical installation (1), in particular a manufacturing installation or a processing installation, comprising at least one technical module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one superordinate control unit (6) which is implemented separately from the technical module (2).

6. The technical facility according to claim 5, wherein: The superior controller unit (6) comprises a computer-implemented editing tool which implements and provides for specifying the rules and interconnections, wherein the superior controller unit (6) has a communication unit (3) for transmitting the rules and interconnections to the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2).

7. The technical installation (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The superordinate control unit (6) is designed as a control system which comprises at least one operator station server. 8 . The technical installation ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , which is designed to visualize the rules and the interconnections for an operator of the technical installation ( 1 ).

9. A method for operating a technical module (2) in a technical facility (1), the technical facility being in particular a manufacturing facility or a process facility, the technical module (2) comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each of which implements and is provided for performing a technical function (4, 5), - a control unit (8) which implements and provides the technical object for controlling the individual objects, - a communication unit (7) which implements and provides for data exchange with an external communication partner (3, 6), The method comprises: a) integrating the technical module (2) into the technical installation (1), wherein in this respect a communication connection between a superordinate controller unit (6) of the technical installation (1) and the technical module (2) is configured, in particular the superordinate controller unit of the technical installation is a control system of the technical installation (1), b) transmitting the rules and the interconnections to the communication unit (7) by means of the superordinate control unit (6) as an external communication partner (3, 6) of the technical module (2) and forwarding them to a computer-implemented execution service (9) of the control unit (8), c) automatically configuring the configurable logic unit (10) based on the received rules and the interconnections by means of the computer-implemented execution service (9), d) controlling the technical object by means of the configured logic unit (10) for operating the technical module (2) in the technical installation (1).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: Method step b is performed based on a server architecture, which is in particular an OPC UA server architecture.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The communication unit (7) of the technical module (2) receives information about the communication unit (3) of the external communication partner (3, 6), in particular information about the network address of the communication unit of the external communication partner (3, 6), and stores the information in an archive of the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2).

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: One or more technical functions (4, 5) as services executable in accordance with the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard can be addressed by the control unit (8).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The communication unit (7) of the technical module (2) receives the rules and interconnections from the superordinate control unit (6) and forwards them to the control unit (8), so that the rules and interconnections specify which service or services are to be executed. 14 . A computer program having program code instructions executable by a computer for implementing the method according to claim 9 .

15. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

Images