Arrangement with vacuum device and method for its operation

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a vacuum device, a first bus system, and a control unit. To simplify servicing and replacing the vacuum devices, the invention proposes that a management unit be connected to the bus system, and that the bus system include communication means adapted for a first data exchange between the vacuum device and the control unit on the one hand, and a second data exchange between the vacuum device and the management unit on the other, wherein the first and second data exchanges are independent of each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a vacuum device, a first bus system, a second bus system arranged parallel to the first bus system, an administration unit, and a control unit. It also relates to a method for operating this arrangement.

[0002] The publications WITTGRUBER, Friedrich: Digital Interfaces and Bus Systems - Introduction for Technical Studies. uni-script, ISBN 3-528-07436-1. Braunschweig; Wiesbaden: Vieweg, 1999. Section 10.6.1: Fieldbuses - Overview, pp. 117-118, and DE 10 2004 036 046 A1 describe related arrangements and procedures.

[0003] Vacuum systems are essential in research and industry for product manufacturing and material analysis. Manufacturing processes have become increasingly complex and highly efficient, placing ever more diverse demands on these systems. To meet these demands, the possibilities for configuring vacuum devices and systems have increased, while the broad range of applications places stringent requirements on design and quality control.

[0004] Prior art arrangements include at least one vacuum device, one bus system, and one control unit. Vacuum devices can be, for example, turbomolecular pumps equipped with drive electronics, which today often incorporate programmable microprocessor units. They can also include pressure gauges, valve control devices, and more, provided they are electronically remotely controllable or monitorable. A control unit sends control data to the connected vacuum devices via a bus system, which is usually an installation of electrical conductors between the connected devices.

[0005] Due to the state-of-the-art design, a number of problems arise, meaning that the arrangements with vacuum devices no longer meet today's requirements.

[0006] Changes, for example to the operating software, generally require manual intervention on the respective vacuum device. This can disrupt communication with other vacuum devices and thus the process. Furthermore, manual intervention requires, for example, disconnecting and reconnecting connectors, such as those in the bus system, which can lead to errors and failures.

[0007] Access to one or more vacuum devices is often not possible to the extent desired by the user or manufacturer and necessary for adaptation to new operating conditions through an industrial bus system used by the user.

[0008] Setting up a data acquisition system within a vacuum device can become impossible if it is not considered during the user's planning phase. Furthermore, if this system needs to be inextricably integrated into the user's process, this will incur costs that the user may not be willing to bear. This is due, among other things, to the following: In compact devices, such as those commonly found in vacuum pumps, the number of connectors must be kept to a minimum for reasons of space and cost, so that various functions are implemented on a single connector. Users of larger systems, in particular, often pre-assemble their cables and connectors, making it complex to subsequently add functions that are already occupied by the user's connectors.

[0009] Another disadvantage is that vacuum devices in the described configurations are difficult to replace. This usually requires taking the entire system out of service. The vacuum device is then replaced with a new one, and all the settings of the old vacuum device are manually configured on the replacement device. This can take some time.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve conventional arrangements with vacuum devices in such a way as to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0011] This problem is solved by the patent claims.

[0012] According to one example, the arrangement includes an administrative unit connected to the bus system, the bus system being configured to have communication means adapted for a first data exchange between the vacuum device and the control unit on the one hand, and a second data exchange between the vacuum device and the administrative unit on the other, wherein the first and second data exchanges are independent of each other.

[0013] The operating procedure includes a step A in which, during the second data exchange, either the configuration data or the operating data or both together are transferred from the vacuum device to the management unit.

[0014] The independence between the first and second data exchanges makes it possible to read data from the vacuum devices and process it in the management unit without disrupting the operation of the arrangement, i.e., the system comprising the vacuum devices, the bus system, the management unit, and the control unit. The inventive method allows operating data to be collected and configuration data to be stored in the management unit. Depending on the application, it may be advantageous to process only operating data, configuration data, or both. Processing operating data allows users and / or manufacturers to perform statistical analyses over extended periods. This makes it possible, for example, to identify service issues early. It is also possible to retrieve the configurations and current operating data at any given time without interrupting system operation.

[0015] The dependent claims represent advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0016] The advantage of the measure of having the communication equipment have a second bus system lies in the ease of retrofitting systems where the administrative unit was not planned during construction.

[0017] It is advantageous to design the administration and control unit as part of a control unit. Fewer components are needed, meaning the system becomes less expensive. Furthermore, all functions are consolidated in one location.

[0018] Further development of the process allows the configuration data of the vacuum devices, and thus the system configuration, to be stored centrally at any time. This makes it possible to view the configuration without checking each individual vacuum device. It is advantageously possible to do this even during operation.

[0019] One measure allows the configuration data of one or more vacuum devices within the management unit to be compared with similar data. Sources of this comparison data can be configuration data or parts thereof from other vacuum devices. However, the comparison data can also enter the management unit in other ways, for example, through manual user input or by connecting the management unit to a computer network. The comparison advantageously allows changes and / or deviations in the configurations to be identified.

[0020] One measure simplifies the replacement of a vacuum unit. A replacement vacuum unit can be installed in place of the old one, and the configuration data is transferred from the control unit. This eliminates the need for lengthy on-site configuration work, making the replacement much faster and saving both time and money. Furthermore, it guarantees that the configuration of the replacement vacuum unit truly matches that of the previous unit. This prevents errors that could ultimately lead to technical failure.

[0021] Data exchange between the vacuum device and the control unit can occur cyclically. This is advantageous for generating statistics on operational data. It is also beneficial for routinely saving the configuration and thus having the current system state in the configuration data store.

[0022] It can be advantageous to perform the exchange of configuration data, operational data, or both together in an event-driven manner. This allows, for example, a service technician to initiate the exchange in order to read the configuration data of a vacuum device into the management unit immediately before replacing the device.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail using examples. These will show: Fig. 1: Schematic representation of a first arrangement with a vacuum device. Fig. 2: Schematic representation of a second arrangement with a vacuum device. Fig. 3: Schematic representation of a third arrangement with a vacuum device.

[0024] In the following Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 3 shows a receiver 1 to which vacuum devices are connected via flanges. The receiver can be a simple vacuum chamber, a multi-chamber system, or part of a complex vacuum system, with the vacuum devices being located at different points in the system. The vacuum devices shown are: Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 3 shows a first vacuum pump 2, a second vacuum pump 3, and a measuring device 4. The vacuum pump 2 has a pump section 2a with the pumping system for generating a vacuum and an operating unit 2b. This operating unit 2b contains the control electronics for driving the electrical and electronic components of the pump section 2a, in particular the drive motor. The power supply unit and power supply can also be located in the operating unit 2b. The vacuum device 3 is a vacuum pump in which the pump section 3a with a pumping system and the operating unit 3b are separate from each other and are connected to each other via one or more cables. In the examples, the vacuum device 4 is designed as a measuring device, for example, a pressure gauge, and contains at least one electronic unit from which measured values ​​are transmitted to connectable devices. A control unit 6 serves to control the vacuum devices in a known manner.Here, for example, individual vacuum devices can be switched on and off centrally, depending on the process taking place in the vacuum system. A bus system 5 is provided for communication between the vacuum devices and the control unit. The control unit and vacuum devices are connected to this bus system, for example, via a cable connection 5a. Addresses are assigned to the connected devices and units, making them reachable for communication. Cables and wireless links can be used as communication means for the bus system. Standard protocols and methods can be used for communication itself, such as internet protocols or those used in the field of industry-standard programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

[0025] In the first example after Fig. 1. An administrative unit 7 is connected to the bus system 5 via a cable connection 5b. This administrative unit collects and distributes configuration data from the vacuum devices. In this example, the bus system is designed to allow parallel communication. In particular, the bus system must be designed to permit quasi-simultaneous operation with multiple so-called masters. Examples of such bus systems are Ethernet and the Process Field Bus (Profibus). The administrative and control unit is the master in this context.

[0026] In the second example after Fig. The management unit 7 has a radio module and communicates via a radio link 5b' with a radio module connected to a second bus system 5'. The second bus system is arranged in parallel to the first bus system 5, so that data exchange can take place via both. Using the radio link 5b' as a connection to the bus system, a temporarily connectable management unit can be implemented particularly easily. It could then, for example, take the form of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or be a portable computer ("laptop") equipped with a radio module. It is also conceivable to build the entire bus system 5' or parts thereof via radio links.

[0027] In the third example of the arrangement according Fig.3. The control unit and the management unit are parts of a control unit 9, which is connected to the bus system 5 via a connection 5b". This connection can consist of several cables, as shown. Alternatively, it is conceivable to use a single cable onto which the data from both units 6 and 7 are transmitted by suitable means. The management unit can receive and send data via an external connection 10. Such a connection could, for example, be a computer network connection such as an intranet or the internet.

[0028] The data exchanges between the vacuum device and the control unit on the one hand, and between the vacuum device and the management unit according to the invention on the other, are independent of each other. This means, in particular, that the management unit can read data from the vacuum device without significantly impairing the data exchange between the vacuum device and the control unit. This is ensured by the arrangement described above. The data transmitted in the data exchange consists of control data, operating data, and configuration data. The control data includes, in particular, control commands and instructions that are transmitted from the control unit to the vacuum device and trigger actions such as reading a measured value, changing the rotational speed, and the like. The operating data comprises the actual values ​​of the vacuum device and is only read by the control and / or management unit.This includes, for example, rotational speed, pressure, or temperature. Configuration data encompasses information such as pump type, software version, parameter settings like the number and duration of measurement cycles, temperature from temperature management systems, coolant flow, and the like. The sum of all configuration data for a vacuum device forms a configuration dataset, which describes the configuration of the vacuum device.

[0029] The procedure for operating the arrangement described above is explained below by way of example.

[0030] The control unit sends data via the bus system to one or more vacuum devices. This data is received by the operating devices on the vacuum devices, interpreted as commands, and the corresponding actions are triggered. If the vacuum device is a vacuum pump, such an action could be, for example, accelerating from a standby state with reduced rotor speed to its maximum speed. Since the process in the receiver requires specific actions and states of the vacuum devices, the operating devices of the vacuum devices send operating data to the control unit describing their state. This transmission can occur at regular, predefined intervals or in response to a corresponding command from the control unit. The transmission of data between the operating devices and the control unit constitutes a data exchange.

[0031] The management unit according to the invention sends and receives data, with this data exchange taking place with the vacuum devices and not interfering with the data exchange described above. This data consists of configuration data, operating data, or both. This data can be used in a variety of ways; for example, it can be displayed on a display device, stored in a data memory, or transmitted via a computer network. An example of the application of the method is that a vacuum pump contains a temperature sensor, the temperature signal of which is sent to the management unit as part of the operating data. The management unit stores each temperature value or only a predefined subset of the temperature values ​​and simultaneously displays them on a display device, for example, a screen.It is also possible for the administrative unit to display all or part of the current operational and configuration data of the arrangement, thus representing and visualizing its state.

[0032] In another example, the management unit sends a command to the vacuum device, which then transmits its configuration data. In step B of the process, this data is stored in the management unit, specifying the vacuum device's address within the bus system, thus assigning the configuration data to the vacuum device. The vacuum device is then replaced with an identical model. The management unit again sends a command to the vacuum device's address and receives configuration data in response. The management unit then compares all or part of the configuration data set.If the comparison reveals that the configuration data of the new vacuum device does not match that of the old vacuum device, the configuration data stored in the memory of the management unit will be transferred in whole or in part to the vacuum device, so that it can subsequently perform the function of the old vacuum device.

[0033] Step A of transferring configuration data, operational data, or both from a vacuum device to the management unit can be event-driven or cyclical. Cyclical means that the step is repeated after a predefined time interval. This time interval is stored in the management unit or the vacuum device and can be fixed or variable. An example of event-driven transfer is when a user operates the management unit and thereby triggers the data exchange.

Claims

[1] Arrangement comprising a vacuum device (2, 3, 4), a first bus system (5), a second bus system (5') arranged parallel to the first bus system (5), an administration unit (7) and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) and the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) are connected to the first bus system (5) so that an initial data exchange can take place between the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) and the control unit (6), wherein the management unit (7) has a radio module and communicates via a radio link (5b') with a radio module connected to the second bus system (5'), so that a second data exchange can take place between the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) and the management unit (7), wherein the first and second data exchanges are independent of each other. [2] Method for operating an arrangement with all the features according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a step A in which, in the second data exchange, either the configuration data or the operating data or both together are transferred from the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) to the management unit (7). [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein in step B the configuration data is stored in a configuration data storage, wherein an assignment to the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) from which the configuration data originates takes place. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the management unit (7) compares the configuration data transmitted in the second data exchange wholly or partly with similar configuration data available in the management unit (7). [5] Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in a further step the management unit (7) transmits either configuration data or operating software or both together to the vacuum device (2, 3, 4) in the second data exchange. [6] Method according to claim 2, wherein step A is repeated cyclically. [7] Method according to claim 2, wherein step A is event-driven.

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