Actuator and device comprising an actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to an automation technology actuator (1), comprising: an electronic operating circuit (10); an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive (20); an output (30) for operating a valve; a transmission (40), wherein the drive is designed to transmit force or torque to the output by means of the transmission; a housing assembly (60) having at least one housing, wherein the electronic operating circuit, the drive, the output and the transmission are arranged in the housing assembly, wherein the actuator has a digital communication interface (70), for example Modbus, by means of which the actuator is designed to communicate with network devices, for example control centers, SCADA systems or edge devices, by means of an address-based digital communication protocol, wherein the digital communication interface (70) is designed to connect with at least one measuring device (2) and to enable communication between the measuring device (2) and the network devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated actuator for operating valves in a pipeline, and an apparatus comprising such an actuator and a measuring instrument for measuring the properties of a medium located in the pipeline. Background Technology

[0002] An actuator for operating valves is known, for example, as shown in DE102004048366B4. This actuator operates by being connected to an electrical grid or powered by a battery. For example, the actuator can be operated via a local control button or a remote control center. Typically, a measuring instrument for measuring the properties of the medium located in the pipeline is also located functionally adjacent to it.

[0003] In some cases, operating such equipment in the field is difficult, and establishing a communication connection between the actuator or measuring instrument and the control center is extremely difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an actuator and a device having an actuator and a measuring instrument to facilitate communication between the actuator or device and network equipment, such as a control center.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the actuator according to independent claim 1 and by the device according to independent claim 6.

[0006] An automated actuator for operating valves, such as valves, in a piping system according to the present invention includes:

[0007] Electronic operating circuit;

[0008] Electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators;

[0009] The output end is used to operate the valve.

[0010] A transmission, wherein the drive is designed to transmit force or torque to the output via the transmission;

[0011] A communication interface is provided to enable the actuator to communicate wirelessly or wiredly with network devices, such as control centers, SCADA systems, or edge devices, using address-based digital communication protocols.

[0012] A housing assembly, wherein the electronic operating circuit, the driver, the output terminal, and the transmission are arranged within the housing assembly.

[0013] The actuator has a digital communication interface, such as Modbus, through which the communication interface and the electronic operating circuit are designed for communication.

[0014] The digital communication interface is designed to connect to at least one measuring device and enable communication between the measuring device and the network device.

[0015] In this way, actuators can form a network hub. Among them, the measuring equipment and electronic operating circuits of the actuators are essentially equally important.

[0016] SCADA is used here for monitoring and data acquisition.

[0017] In one design, the digital communication interface is designed to enable the transmission of digital information between network devices and measurement devices, especially without changing the data protocol and / or reducing the amount of data.

[0018] In one design, the communication interface is designed to establish and verify access permissions and access restrictions.

[0019] This can improve operator safety and meet legal requirements related to information security.

[0020] In one design, the communication interface is designed to exchange data with network devices in an encrypted manner.

[0021] This can improve operator safety and meet legal requirements related to information security.

[0022] An apparatus according to the present invention comprises:

[0023] An actuator according to the present invention for operating at least one valve in a piping system;

[0024] At least one measuring device, such as a measuring instrument or sensor, is used to detect a measured variable, such as the medium characteristics or pipe characteristics of a medium located in a pipe of a piping system, or the characteristics of the environment of the apparatus.

[0025] The measuring device is connected to the actuator's communication interface via wireless or wired means.

[0026] The actuator is designed to provide a communication connection with the network device to the measuring device via a communication interface.

[0027] In this way, the actuator functions as a local control center, network hub, communication node, or communication distributor, which can simplify and support operators of, for example, production facilities in monitoring and controlling their facilities.

[0028] In one design, at least one measuring instrument is connected to a digital communication interface, either wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0029] In one design, the digital communication interface is designed to enable the transmission of digital information between network devices and measurement devices, especially without changing the data protocol and / or reducing the amount of data.

[0030] In this way, communication transparency is improved.

[0031] In one design, the measuring device is designed to measure one of the following media properties:

[0032] Flow rate, liquid level, conductivity, pressure, sound velocity,

[0033] Or, among them, the measuring instrument is designed to measure one of the following trench characteristics:

[0034] Temperature, sound velocity, wall thickness,

[0035] Or, among them, the measuring instrument is designed to measure one of the following environmental characteristics:

[0036] Temperature, air pressure, humidity. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1a )and Figure 1b An exemplary actuator according to the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 2 An exemplary device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Figure 1a )and Figure 1b The diagram shows a schematic of actuator 1, which has an electronic operating circuit 10, a driver 20, a gearbox 40, an output terminal 30, and a communication interface 70. The driver, which may be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, is operated by the electronic operating circuit and is designed to drive the output terminal to operate valve 2. The gearbox 40 is designed to transmit force or torque from the driver to the output terminal. The operating circuit, driver, gearbox, output terminal, and communication interface are arranged in a housing assembly 60 having at least one housing 61. For example, the communication interface 70 arranged in the housing assembly 60 is designed to communicate with network device 5 (see [reference]) via an address-based digital communication protocol. Figure 2 For example, communication with a control center, SCADA system, or edge device. Communication interface 70 can be, for example, of Modbus type. Measuring device 2, such as measuring instrument 2.1 or sensor 2.2, can be connected to the communication interface; see [link to documentation]. Figure 2 The difference between measuring instruments and sensors lies, for example, in the evaluation of the measurement signal and the generation of measurement values ​​by the device itself.

[0040] According to the present invention, the digital communication interface 70 is designed to connect to at least one measuring device 2 and realize communication between the measuring device 2 and the network device 5. The digital communication interface can be designed to realize digital information transmission between the network device and the measuring device, especially without changing the data protocol and / or without reducing the data.

[0041] like Figure 1b As shown, the communication interface can be located in a housing chamber 62 that is different from the electronic operating circuit, or it can have its own housing 61. In this way, for example, an explosion-proof isolation can be established between the communication area and the operating area of ​​the actuator.

[0042] As shown in the figure, a wired communication connection 90 can be established between the communication interface 70 and the electronic operation circuit 10.

[0043] Figure 2 An exemplary device according to the invention is shown, comprising an actuator 1 for operating a valve 3 in a pipeline 4.1 of a pipeline system 4, such as a production facility, according to the invention. In such a pipeline, it is necessary, for example, to control or monitor the flow of a medium, wherein the actuator accordingly operates a valve 3, for example, designed as a valve or valve valve. The device also includes at least one measuring device 2, for example, for measuring the medium characteristics located in the pipeline system. These medium characteristics may be, for example, flow rate, liquid level, conductivity, pressure, and sound velocity. The measuring instrument may also be designed to identify corrosion in the valve area or to measure the torque applied to the valve. The measuring device 2 may be a sensor or a measuring instrument.

[0044] According to the present invention, the measuring device 2 is connected to the communication interface 70, and communication between the measuring device 2 and the control center 5 is realized through the communication interface 70. In this way, the actuator assumes the function of a local control center, or a network hub, or a communication node or communication distributor, which can simplify and support, for example, the supervision and control of the facilities by operators of production facilities.

[0045] To establish secure communication between the device and control center 5, communication interface 70 can be designed to establish access permissions and restrictions for the electronic operating circuit 10 and at least one measuring instrument 2. Furthermore, the communication interface can also be designed to exchange data with network devices, such as control center 5, in an encrypted manner. This may also include the management of security certificates.

[0046] Provided there are no physical or technical reasons preventing it, the different features shown in the embodiments can be substituted for and / or combined with each other.

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 1 Actuator

[0049] 2. Measuring equipment

[0050] 2.1 Measuring Instruments

[0051] 2.2 Sensors

[0052] 3 valves

[0053] 4 pipes

[0054] 5 Network devices

[0055] 10 Electronic Operating Circuits

[0056] 20 drives

[0057] 30 output terminals

[0058] 40 transmission

[0059] 60 housing assembly

[0060] 61 shell

[0061] 62 shell chambers

[0062] 70 communication interface

[0063] 90 communication connection

[0064] 100 devices

Claims

1. An automated actuator (1) for operating valves, such as valves, in a piping system, comprising: Electronic operating circuit (10); Electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator (20); For operating the output end (30) of the valve; A transmission (40), wherein the drive is designed to transmit force or torque to the output via the transmission; A housing assembly (60) having at least one housing, wherein the electronic operating circuit, the driver, the output terminal, and the transmission are arranged within the housing assembly. The actuator has a digital communication interface (70) through which it is designed to communicate wirelessly or wiredly with network devices (5), such as control centers, SCADA systems, or edge devices, using an address-based digital communication protocol. The digital communication interface (70) is designed to connect to at least one measuring device (2) and enable communication between the measuring device (2) and the network device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, in, The digital communication interface (70) is designed to enable digital information transmission between the network device and the measuring device (2), especially without changing the data protocol and / or reducing the data.

3. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The communication interface (70) is designed to establish access permissions and access restrictions.

4. The actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The communication interface (70) is designed to exchange data with the electronic device in an encrypted manner.

5. The actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, in, A wired communication connection (90) is established between the digital communication interface (70) and the electronic operation circuit (10).

6. An apparatus (100) comprising: A channel (4) for guiding the medium, such as a pipe or channel; Valve (3) used to control the flow of medium through the groove; An actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for operating the valve (3); At least one measuring device (2), such as a measuring instrument (2.1) or a sensor (2.2), is used to detect a measured variable, such as the medium characteristics or pipe characteristics of a medium located in a pipe of a piping system or the characteristics of the environment of the apparatus. The measuring device (2) is connected to the communication interface of the actuator wirelessly or via a wired connection. The actuator is designed to provide a communication connection with the network device to the measuring device via a communication interface (70).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, in, The measuring device is connected to a digital communication interface via wired or wireless means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, in, The digital communication interface (70) is designed to enable digital information transmission between the network device and the measuring device (2), especially without changing the data protocol and / or reducing the data.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in, The communication interface (70) is designed to establish access permissions and access restrictions for the at least one measuring device and / or the electronic operating circuit.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in, The communication interface (70) is designed to exchange data with the network device in an encrypted manner.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, in, The measuring device (2) is designed to measure one of the following media properties: Flow rate, liquid level, conductivity, pressure, sound velocity, Alternatively, the measuring instrument may be designed to measure one of the following trench characteristics: Temperature, sound velocity, wall thickness, Alternatively, the measuring instrument may be designed to measure one of the following environmental characteristics: Temperature, air pressure, humidity.

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