Arrangement on a container and / or a pipeline comprising at least one field device of automation technology

Abstract

Arrangement (1, 21) on a container and / or a pipeline (19, 39) comprising at least one field device (3, 23) of automation technology, which is arranged at a measuring point of the container and / or the pipeline (19, 39) and has at least one or more sensors (4, 24, 5, 25, 20) for detecting at least one measured value of an environmental parameter at the measuring point outside the container or the pipeline (19, 39), which environmental parameter is selected from at least the following parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, vibrations, position and / or electromagnetic radiation, characterized in that the arrangement (1, 21) has an evaluation unit which is equipped a) to compare at least one stored limit value relating to the one or more environmental parameters, and / or b) to compare a stored function which refers to the one or more environmental parameters with the measured value of the environmental parameter and wherein the evaluation unit is also equipped to output a numerical value for a measurement uncertainty as a function of the environmental parameter, wherein the measurement uncertainty relates to an output value determined by the field device (3, 23), which is also output.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement on a container and / or a pipeline comprising at least one field device of automation technology according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for detecting at least one operating state in a field device of automation technology and / or for predicting a failure probability of this field device according to the preamble of claim 8.

[0002] For field devices in automation technology, specific operating conditions have been defined up to now, e.g. by means of standards and guidelines, in order to comply with the manufacturer's specifications. For example, a pressure measuring device has defined temperature, climate and vibration resistance classes within which the pressure measuring device measures. In the context of the present invention, these parameters are referred to as environmental parameters because they are assigned to the environment of the field device and have an external effect on the field device. A field device is therefore purchased depending on the disturbances that occur, but the user or purchaser is usually not fully aware of all the disturbances that occur and their influence on the field device, which are related to the environmental parameters. For this reason, field devices are often used under environmental conditions that can lead to erroneous measurements or, in extreme cases, e.g. in the case of resonances, even to a failure of the field device.

[0003] Publication DE 10 2016200693 A1 describes a field device whose measured value output is modulated with an additional signal to communicate the state of the field device. Publication DE 102012016269 A1 addresses a monitoring device for monitoring the operating and environmental conditions of electrical machines, allowing the machine's failure probability to be derived based on this. Publication DE 103 15 106 A1 discloses a field device with an integrated sensor for humidity and temperature within the field device housing. Accordingly, an alarm signal is issued if corresponding limit values ​​are exceeded.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to monitor these environmental parameters of the field device and / or to take them into account when specifying the measurement uncertainty or the service life of the field device.

[0005] The present invention solves this problem by an arrangement having the features of claim 1 and by providing a method having the features of claim 8

[0006] An arrangement according to the invention, in particular a sensor arrangement, is arranged on a container and / or a pipeline. This arrangement comprises at least one field device of automation technology. This can be, for example, a flow meter, a level meter, or a pH meter.

[0007] The field device is located at a measuring point in the container and / or pipeline. This measuring point can be, for example, a section of the pipeline or an opening in the container wall.

[0008] In addition to the field device, the arrangement further comprises at least one or more sensors for recording at least one measured value of a parameter at the measuring point outside the container or pipeline. Sensors are already widely used in automation technology, for example, to determine the temperature of a medium or its pressure in addition to the flow rate. However, for this to happen, the sensors must come into contact with the medium. Consequently, corresponding temperature sensors and / or pressure sensors are arranged in a container wall or pipeline wall. In the present case, however, corresponding sensors are used outside the aforementioned objects in order to record and evaluate the effects of environmental disturbances on the electronics of the field device.The sensors used in the arrangement according to the invention thus detect parameters in the environment of the field device that can influence the field device's measurements and are referred to as environmental parameters in the context of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these parameters can relate to the electronic components of a measuring transducer assigned to the field device, the so-called transmitter, and can particularly preferably be arranged directly in a housing of the measuring transducer in order to perform a very local measurement there and thus detect the direct influence of the environmental parameters in this sensitive area of ​​the field device.

[0009] As previously stated, an environmental parameter is preferably one that can interfere with the field device's measurements. Electronic components are known to be subject to certain tolerances or operating conditions, which are defined by the manufacturer in the form of limit values ​​for operating or environmental parameters. If these limit values ​​are exceeded, the risk of incorrect measurements by the field device increases. Accordingly, the aforementioned environmental parameter preferably corresponds to an operating parameter of the field device.

[0010] The aforementioned sensors are provided as part of the arrangement in addition to the existing field device. However, the arrangement can also be completely housed in a housing of the field device. In this case, the use of miniaturized sensors is recommended. The function of the field device, i.e., the determination of an output value, does not depend on the function of these sensors. They are intended solely to record the environmental parameters of the field device and can therefore be arranged outside or, in an advantageously compact design, within the field device. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensors can be installed in a housing of a measuring transducer of the field device and, at this point, monitor the environmental parameters of these components very close to the electronic components arranged there.

[0011] The aforementioned environmental parameter is selected from at least the following parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, vibrations, position, and / or electromagnetic radiation. Appropriate sensors for detecting these parameters are known and available in miniaturized designs. Temperature and pressure are preferably the ambient temperature in or around the field device. The same applies to the other parameters. In addition to the aforementioned parameters, it is also possible to detect further environmental parameters, e.g., UV radiation or other parameters, and to consider them in addition to the aforementioned environmental parameters. The environmental parameter can also comprise two or more of the aforementioned parameters.

[0012] Preferably, for optimal monitoring of the device-specific operating conditions of the field device or to determine the measurement uncertainty or service life, at least two sensors, particularly preferably even three sensors, are used in the arrangement, and at least three different ones of the aforementioned parameters are recorded. Thus, at least two or preferably three sensors can be used in the arrangement, with each of the sensors determining one or more measured values ​​of at least one environmental parameter that is different from the environmental parameters of the other sensor(s). Thus, one sensor determines the humidity, one sensor the temperature or ambient temperature, and possibly one sensor the electromagnetic radiation.

[0013] Optionally or alternatively, it is also possible to provide multiple sensors or sensor elements for determining various environmental parameters on a carrier component or carrier component and to use them in the arrangement according to the invention. Each of these sensors preferably determines the measured value(s) of a different one of the aforementioned parameters. For example, a multifunctional sensor can be used to record multiple measured variables. This can be configured, for example, as a MEMS component.

[0014] The arrangement can optionally include a process control system. The arrangement has an evaluation unit. This evaluation unit can advantageously be designed as a measuring transducer of a field device or as part of a process control system. The process control system can also have a so-called "cloud application," for example.

[0015] The aforementioned evaluation unit is equipped to compare at least one stored limit value of the environmental parameter with the determined measured value of the environmental parameter. This limit value or these limit values ​​of the environmental parameter or parameters can be stored as one or more data sets in a data storage device of the evaluation unit.

[0016] The aforementioned evaluation unit is equipped to compare at least one stored limit value of the environmental parameter with the determined measured value of the environmental parameter. This limit value or these limit values ​​of the environmental parameter or parameters can be stored as one or more data sets in a data storage device of the evaluation unit.

[0017] Alternatively or optionally, the aforementioned evaluation unit is equipped for comparing at least one stored function relating to the one or more environmental parameters with the determined measured value of the environmental parameter. This function or these functions of the environmental parameter(s) can be stored as one or more data sets in a data storage device of the evaluation unit. They can, for example, describe a curve of the measurement uncertainty or the service life of the measuring device versus the extent and / or duration of a vibration.

[0018] The evaluation unit is also equipped to generate a signal i) to issue a warning signal and / or ii) for outputting a numerical value for a measurement uncertainty as a function of the environmental parameter, wherein the measurement uncertainty relates to an output value determined by the field device (3, 23), which is also output and / or iii) for outputting a numerical value for a service life of the field device (3, 23) as a function of the environmental parameter.

[0019] A warning signal can be issued, for example, if the measured value exceeds the limit value for the respective environmental parameter.

[0020] The measurement uncertainty is typically defined for a field device under manufacturer-specified standard conditions for the environmental parameters, e.g., at atmospheric pressure, 23°C, and without vibration. This measurement uncertainty changes with changing environmental parameters. The relationship between measurement uncertainty and the respective environmental parameter can be determined using the stored function and, if necessary, summarized to form a total measurement uncertainty for all environmental parameters compared by measurement that deviate from the manufacturer-specified standard conditions. This also applies analogously to determining the service life of the field device.

[0021] The signal output by the evaluation unit can, for example, be a control signal for activating and / or deactivating an LED lamp for optically outputting a warning signal or for activating and / or deactivating a loudspeaker for outputting an acoustic signal as a warning signal.

[0022] However, the signal can also be a command to output a determined measurement uncertainty for an output value determined by the field device. This measurement uncertainty can, for example, be determined from the difference between the determined measured value and the specified limit value, and possibly also be a combined value from several differences of different environmental parameters. The same can also be done for the service life.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output value and the signal for outputting the numerical value of the measurement uncertainty and / or the warning signal and / or the service life are generated by the same evaluation unit.

[0024] The output value can preferably describe the behavior of a measuring medium in a process or a material property of this measuring medium. The behavior of the measuring medium in a process includes, among other things, the flow of the measuring medium through a pipeline, the fill level of this measuring medium in a container, the temperature of the measuring medium, or the pressure of the measuring medium against the pipeline or container wall. Material properties of the measuring medium include, for example, the thermal conductivity, the electrical conductivity, the viscosity, the ionic conductivity, the concentration of dissolved components in the measuring medium, the speed of sound, and the pH value of the measuring medium.

[0025] By detecting environmental disturbances through the sensors, which are arranged in addition to the field device in the housing of the field device or in the area of ​​the field device at the measuring point, it is possible to monitor the environmental parameters of the field device and the user is given the opportunity to initiate countermeasures promptly in the event of non-compliance with these environmental parameters.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement uncertainty and the lifetime of the measuring device can be adapted to the changing environmental parameters and communicated to the user.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0028] It is advantageous if the one or more limit values ​​and / or the one or more functions are stored in a data storage device of a transducer of the field device. This way, each field device, when linked to the rest of the system, can provide the limit value or function, for example, as a data set, which can be used either directly by the transducer of the respective field device or by a process control system for processing.

[0029] It is advantageous if the evaluation unit is designed as a measuring transducer for the field device or is part of a process control system. In the first variant, the monitoring of environmental parameters and / or the determination of measurement uncertainty and / or service life can be carried out by the field device itself. In the second variant, the aforementioned information can be provided to the user via a process control system, e.g., on a panel in a control center to which numerous other field devices are connected. This allows for both on-site and centralized information transfer.

[0030] In a particularly compact advantageous variant of the invention, the arrangement can be limited by the housing of the field device, wherein the sensors for detecting the measured value of the environmental parameter are arranged close to the electronic components of the field device in an electronics housing of the field device.

[0031] The evaluation device can advantageously be configured to determine the signal for outputting the warning signal, the numerical value for a measurement uncertainty and / or for a service life as a function of at least two, preferably at least three, of the environmental parameters which are selected from the aforementioned parameters, i.e. temperature, viscosity, etc. In this case, analogously to claim 1, measured values ​​are determined for each of these environmental parameters and compared with limit values ​​and / or functions of these environmental parameters.

[0032] The evaluation unit can also advantageously contain data sets on limit values ​​and functions of sensor-specific environmental parameters of one sensor, preferably of all sensors used in the arrangement. This means that in addition to compliance with the operating conditions, e.g., the maximum humidity, of the field device, compliance with these operating conditions, e.g., the maximum humidity, of the other sensors for detecting the environmental conditions, e.g., a temperature sensor or a vibration sensor, can also be checked. It may happen that the measured humidity is still within the operating conditions of the level measuring device, but outside the operating conditions of the vibration sensor.The evaluation unit can then output a signal that the operating conditions of the vibration sensor are outside the device-specific operating conditions and thus inform the user that an indication of a vibration-related fault in the field device can also be traced back to faulty operation of the vibration sensor.

[0033] A method according to the invention for detecting at least one operating state in a field device of automation technology and / or for predicting a failure probability of this field device is carried out by an arrangement comprising the field device, which arrangement is arranged on a container and / or a pipeline, and which arrangement comprises at least one or more sensors for detecting at least one measured value of an environmental parameter at a measuring point outside the container or the pipeline, wherein the method is characterized by the following steps: A Recording of at least one measured value of the environmental parameter at the measuring point outside the container or the pipeline, which environmental parameter is selected from the following parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, vibrations, position and / or electromagnetic radiation, B Comparison of the measured value determined in step A with at least one limit value or at least one function of the environmental parameter of the field device by an evaluation unit of the arrangement; and C Output of a signal i) to issue a warning signal and / or ii) to output a numerical value for a measurement uncertainty as a function of the environmental parameter, whereby the measurement uncertainty refers to an output value determined by the field device, which is also output and / or iii) for outputting a lifetime of the field device (3, 23) as a function of the environmental parameter.

[0034] Recording the operating status includes issuing a warning signal if, for example, the measurement signal exceeds a limit, or issuing a measurement uncertainty if the field device deviates from a manufacturer-specific standard condition. Alternatively or additionally, a failure probability can also be output, i.e., a predicted service life of the measuring device. For this purpose, the determined environmental parameters are recorded and evaluated.

[0035] Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0036] The measurement uncertainty can advantageously include numerically all environmental parameters for which the measured value exceeds the limit value. This is, of course, only possible for those environmental parameters for which a sensor is provided in the system that records a corresponding measured value, thus enabling a comparison of this measured value with the respective specified limit value.

[0037] It is advantageous if a function is stored to determine the service life of the field device based on one or more environmental parameters. This stored function can be accessed, for example, from a data storage device in the evaluation unit to determine the service life of the field device.

[0038] It is advantageous if a function is stored to determine the measurement uncertainty of the field device as a function of one or more environmental parameters. This stored function can be accessed, for example, from a data storage device in the evaluation unit to determine the measurement uncertainty of the field device when determining an output value.

[0039] The respective environmental parameters can interfere with the field device's measurements to varying degrees. It is therefore advantageous to consider the environmental parameters with different weightings when determining the measurement uncertainty and / or the service life of the field device.

[0040] It is also advantageous if the period during which the measured value meets a manufacturer-specific standard value for the respective environmental parameter, for which the measurement accuracy is usually specified by the manufacturer, is recorded and output. This, together with the extent of the deviation, allows for a particularly good adaptation of the measurement inaccuracy to the environmental conditions in which the electronic components of the field device are located.

[0041] Overall, within the scope of the invention, the probability of failure of the field device used in the arrangement can be determined within the scope of so-called predictive maintenance.

[0042] The evaluation unit can advantageously have at least two different limit values ​​for each environmental parameter, with the arrangement issuing a first warning signal when the first limit value is exceeded and a second warning signal different from the first warning signal when the second limit value is exceeded. This allows for a categorization of the extent of the disturbance to the field device's measurement.

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. The description of the two exemplary embodiments serves to facilitate understanding of the invention, which, however, is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0044] They show: Fig. 1 first embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 2 second embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement 1 which is arranged on a pipeline 19, wherein the pipeline 19 is flowed through by a measuring medium in the flow direction FI and a field device 3 arranged thereon, which in the present case is designed, for example, as a magnetic-inductive flow meter.

[0046] However, the invention is not exclusively limited to an arrangement 1 on a pipeline 19, but can also be arranged on a container. Alternatively, an arrangement according to the invention can, for example, be an arrangement on a tank in which the fill level is to be monitored.

[0047] The arrangement 1 has at least one field device of automation technology 3. In automation technology, particularly in process automation technology, field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Sensors integrated, for example, into level measuring devices, flow measuring devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH-redox potential measuring devices, conductivity measuring devices, etc., are used to record process variables. These sensors record the corresponding process variables: level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value, or conductivity. Actuators, such as valves or pumps, are used to influence process variables and can be used to change the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the fill level in a container. Field devices are essentially all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information.In the context of the invention, field devices also include remote I / Os, wireless adapters, and generally electronic components arranged at the field level. A large number of such field devices are manufactured and distributed by Endress + Hauser.

[0048] A field device is in particular selected from a group consisting of flow measuring devices, level measuring devices, pressure measuring devices, temperature measuring devices, point level measuring devices and / or analytical measuring devices.

[0049] Flow meters include, in particular, Coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, thermal and / or magnetic inductive flow meters.

[0050] Level measuring devices include, in particular, microwave level measuring devices, ultrasonic level measuring devices, time domain reflectometric level measuring devices (TDR), radiometric level measuring devices, capacitive level measuring devices, inductive level measuring devices and / or temperature-sensitive level measuring devices.

[0051] Pressure measuring instruments are in particular absolute, relative or differential pressure devices.

[0052] Temperature measuring devices are in particular measuring devices with thermocouples and temperature-dependent resistors.

[0053] Point level measuring devices are in particular ultrasonic point level measuring devices and / or capacitive point level measuring devices.

[0054] Analytical measuring devices include, in particular, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, oxygen and active oxygen sensors, (spectro)photometric sensors, and / or ion-selective electrodes.

[0055] Typically, the aforementioned field devices are divided into a sensor unit 6 and a transmitter unit 7. These two units can be spaced apart from each other and connected by a so-called sensor neck. This serves, among other things, to thermally decouple the transmitter from the measuring point. However, field devices are also known in which the sensor unit and transmitter unit are combined in a compact housing.

[0056] Both the sensor unit and the transmitter unit contain electronic components. Typical electronic components of the sensor unit can be associated with sensor elements and can be, for example, coils of a magnetic system, a measuring resistor for determining the medium temperature, ultrasonic transducers of a bimorph drive, and / or the like. Electronic components of the transmitter unit can be, for example, measuring amplifier components, data storage units, CPU or computer units, and / or the like.

[0057] These electronic components react sensitively to changing environmental influences that affect the measuring device. Such environmental influences are defined as disturbance 2 within the scope of the present invention. Environmental influences can include, for example, changes in temperature, pressure, vibrations, humidity, and / or the installation position on the container and / or pipeline.

[0058] The aforementioned environmental influences can, in the form of disturbances, disrupt the function of electronic components, e.g. due to thermal expansion, vibrations and the like, to a certain extent and thus also negatively influence the measurement of the field device.

[0059] To detect and, if necessary, adapt the field device to the aforementioned disturbances, a monitoring function is provided within the scope of the present invention in the field device or in a process control system communicating with the field device. This monitoring function can be stored, for example, in the form of a computer program product, in particular software, on the memory unit of a measuring transducer or the process control system.

[0060] If the field device exceeds an operating range for which it is approved due to the interference, a message is issued. This can be visual or audible on the field device itself and / or on a customer interface, e.g., by transmission via the HART protocol.

[0061] To evaluate the disturbances, or whether the field device is operating within the permitted operating range, individual variables such as ambient temperature, vibrations, position, pressure, etc. are required. This can be achieved using two different approaches. In the first approach, the evaluation is performed using sensors integrated into the field device and an evaluation program executed by the transmitter, particularly by a processing unit within the transmitter.

[0062] In a second embodiment, the evaluation can be performed by mutually monitoring field devices or by a monitoring process control system that communicate with each other via a process control system. An evaluation program can be executed by a process control system and / or by a transducer of a field device, or by a processing unit integrated into the process control system or the transducer.

[0063] To detect the disturbances, the arrangement in Fig. 1 comprises a temperature sensor 4 for determining the ambient temperature and a vibration measuring device 5, e.g., using a piezo element, for detecting mechanical vibrations. The mechanical vibrations can be transmitted, among other things, from the pipeline 19 to the field device 3. Therefore, the vibration measuring device 5 can be arranged either on or in the field device 3 or on the pipeline 19. The same applies to the temperature sensor 4.

[0064] However, the temperature sensor 4 is intended only for determining the ambient temperature and not for determining the medium temperature within the pipeline. Therefore, the temperature sensor is preferably arranged on a side of the pipeline 19 facing away from the medium and not inside the pipeline.

[0065] Alternatively and preferably, however, the temperature sensor 4 and / or the vibration sensor 5 are arranged in an electronics housing of the field device 6 and particularly preferably in the measuring transducer 7, and check the working conditions of the electronic components in this area.

[0066] Depending on the measuring point, the disturbances 2 can include, for example, vibrations 8 or a temperature change 9, whereby these disturbances are detected by the vibration sensor 5 and the temperature sensor 4. These transmit corresponding measurement signals on signal paths 10 and 12 to a process control system 13. This process control system 13 can then evaluate these measurement signals and transmit them to the field device via signal path 18. An evaluation program and a database with limit values ​​relating to the environmental parameters of the field device 3 can be stored in the field device 3, in particular in a memory unit of the measuring transducer 7. These limit values ​​are, for example, a maximum value and a minimum value for the ambient temperature up to which the field device or its associated electronic components are certified and / or a maximum vibration up to which the field device and in particular its electronic components can be operated and delivers measurement results within the device's specifications.In addition, an output value is transmitted from the field device to the process control system 13 via a signal path 12.

[0067] If these limit values ​​are exceeded, the evaluation program detects this and transmits a corresponding signal to the process control system 13, which transmits a) a warning signal 17, e.g. an optical warning signal via an LED traffic light circuit, and / or b) an output of the value 16 determined by the field device 3 together with a measurement uncertainty, e.g. about the type and level of the environmental parameter in deviation from the manufacturer-specific standard conditions, via the signal path 15 to a display unit of the process control system 13 via a signal path 14.

[0068] The type and level of the exceeded limit can be indicated, for example, by the display “Exceeding the maximum permissible temperature for the device - by 5 Kelvin”.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, a corresponding warning signal 17 and / or a corresponding output of the determined value 16 with the measurement uncertainty and / or the service life can also be provided on the field device 3.

[0070] In a variant of the invention, only the determined value 16 needs to be output together with the warning signal 17 on the process control system 13 and / or on the field device 3.

[0071] In a variant of the invention, the evaluation program can also be located in a memory unit of the process control system. In this case, the signal path 18 can be omitted, and instead the field device 3 transmits its database containing the limit values ​​to the process control system 13 once, e.g., upon connection to the process control system 13, or several times.

[0072] A further embodiment of the invention is described in Fig. 2. Analogous to Fig. 1, the order 21 in Fig. 2 comprises a field device 23, which is arranged on a pipe 39 together with a temperature sensor 24 and a vibration sensor 25. However, the temperature sensor 24 and the vibration sensor 25 do not necessarily have to be arranged on the pipe 39. Preferably, these sensors 24 and 25 can be arranged in an electronics housing of the field device 23, e.g., in a measuring transducer 27, where they monitor the ambient temperature and the vibrations acting on the electronic components.

[0073] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensors 4, 24 and / or vibration sensors 5, 25 can be designed as MEMS sensors (microelectromechanical system) with a sensor volume of preferably less than 8 mm 3 be designed. Corresponding miniaturized sensors are known per se.

[0074] Based on a disturbance 22, individual components of the disturbance, e.g. a change in the ambient temperature 29 and / or a vibration 28, are detected by the temperature sensor 24 and / or the vibration sensor 25 and transmitted via the signal paths 30 and 31 to the field device 23, in particular to the measuring transducer 27 of the field device 23. At the same time, a measuring sensor 26 of the field device 23 determines measured values ​​or measuring signals, which the measuring transducer 27 converts into an output value. In the case of Fig. 2, the field device 23 is configured as a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, and the measurement signals are a voltage tapped at measuring electrodes, from which the measuring transducer determines a flow velocity of the measuring medium and / or a flow rate as an output value 36. This can be transmitted, for example, via the signal path 35 to a display unit integrated in the measuring transducer 27 and output to a user.

[0075] The measuring signals of the temperature sensor 24 and the vibration sensor 25 are compared with limit values ​​analogous to the Fig. 1 described embodiment variant and if the limit values ​​are exceeded, a warning signal 37 is forwarded via the signal path 34 to an optical and / or acoustic output device.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement uncertainty in determining the measured value 36 and / or the service life of the field device can also be indicated with the output of the measured value 36.

[0077] Compared to the variant of Fig. 1 is carried out in the version of the Fig. 2 the reception of the measurement data, the output of the warning signal and / or the measurement uncertainty and / or the lifetime and / or the comparison with the limit value and / or the function by the measuring transducer 27 of the field device 23 and not by a process control system.

[0078] Optionally, both the versions of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a ready signal, e.g. a traffic light in the colour “green”, can also be issued, provided that the measured values ​​for the ambient conditions recorded by the sensors 4, 5, 24, 25 are within the device-specific specification or within the specified limit value range.

[0079] The Fig. 1 and Fig.The design variants shown in Figure 2 can be supplemented by additional sensors for detecting the ambient conditions. These can preferably be humidity sensors, position sensors, sensors for detecting electromagnetic radiation (EMC sensors) and / or pressure sensors. These sensors also have permissible operating ranges within a limit value range. Within the scope of the present invention, the sensor-specific limit values ​​of the sensors for detecting the ambient conditions are also stored on the measuring transducer or in the process control system, and these sensors are also checked in the event of faults to determine whether each of the sensors used is still operating within the permitted operating conditions. If this is not the case, it can be specified for this sensor by what amount or what percentage the permissible limit value, e.g. for the temperature, is exceeded when determining the respective environmental condition, e.g.when determining humidity or vibration.

[0080] For this purpose, the respective sensors used can transmit their operating range or the device-specific limit values, e.g. for humidity, temperature, EMC, etc., to the measuring transducer of the field device 3, 23 or to the process control system 13 once, e.g. when the sensor is connected, or several times, or this data is stored as information in the field device and / or in the process control system.

[0081] A measurement uncertainty, which can be specified with the output value determined by the field device, preferably encompasses all environmental parameters. Often, more than one environmental parameter deviates from the manufacturer-specific standard conditions during a measurement. The measurement uncertainty preferably defines the extent of all deviations from the standard conditions determined by the system.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the invention allows the user to be informed whether the measurement by the field device was carried out in the device-specific range of this device and by how much the respective limit value for individual environmental parameters or operating parameters was exceeded.

[0083] The device-specific range is the range of an environmental parameter in which the field device can measure according to the manufacturer's specifications.

[0084] When adjusting the measurement uncertainty, the deviation of the measured value from a manufacturer-specific standard value can also be taken into account. This standard value corresponds to the value at which the field device was calibrated, for example, 23°C and atmospheric pressure, etc. For all of these standard values, the manufacturer typically specifies a measurement uncertainty for the field device. However, within the scope of the present invention, this uncertainty can be adapted to environmental parameters that have changed compared to the standard conditions.

[0085] The environmental parameters can advantageously be weighted differently. For example, an exceedance of a limit value for humidity can have a different weighting than an exceedance of a limit value for temperature. The extent to which the limit value is exceeded can then be weighted and included in the specification of a value with regard to the confidence interval. The confidence interval can have multiple threshold values. This means that, for example, if a first threshold value for the confidence interval is exceeded, the field device or the process control system can issue a warning signal in the form of a traffic light. The color "yellow" indicates a state in which the measurement of the field device lies outside the device-specific operating conditions or parameters. This can, for example, signal a confidence interval with a 10-25% deviation of the actual output value from the determined output value.

[0086] However, the color “red” may also be displayed if a second threshold is exceeded, which indicates a deviation of more than 25%.

[0087] The weighting of the respective environmental parameters of the field device also depends on whether the sensor, for example, the temperature sensor 4, 24 and the vibration sensor 5, 25, is within the standard conditions for the environmental parameters specified for these sensors. If this is not the case, a weighting of the environmental parameter of the field device can be taken into account when determining the measurement uncertainty of the sensor's measurement if the limit value is exceeded or even if there is a deviation from the standard value, and can be increased or decreased accordingly.

[0088] In a further embodiment of the invention, the field device 3, 23 and / or the process control system 13 can record the time interval over which the field device or individual sensors have been operating to detect environmental influences outside of their manufacturer-specific standard conditions. This enables, for example, a prediction of the impending period of an expected failure of an individual sensor or the entire field device and an adaptation of the measurement uncertainty. This prediction and / or adaptation can be output to the user by the field device and / or the process control system.

[0089] In one embodiment of the invention, the period of the occurring fault or deviation from the standard conditions can also be additionally output to the user. The period of the fault or deviation can then be evaluated using a further evaluation program, and an estimate of the service life of the field device 3, 23 or another sensor 4, 5, 24, 25 of the arrangement 1 or 21 can be made. For example, if the field device is designed as a pH electrode or an ion-selective electrode, an electrolyte solution can decompose or be consumed if this electrode is operated for an extended period outside of the operating specifications. By recording the period and type of fault

[0090] For this purpose, the process control system and / or the field device can have a so-called data logger, which is preferably designed as a trailing indicator.

[0091] The previously described variants enable the user to better analyze and optimize the respective process in which the field device is used. Process problems and adverse environmental conditions that affect the device's measurements (e.g., vibrations) can be displayed, allowing the user to initiate prompt countermeasures. Data analysis options regarding the field device's probability of failure, known as predictive maintenance, and internal monitoring of individual sensors are also available.

[0092] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the arrangement 1, 21 can be supplemented by a humidity sensor 20 (not shown). List of reference symbols 1, 21 arrangement 2, 22 Disturbance 3, 23 field device 4, 24 temperature sensor 5, 25 Vibration sensor 6, 26 Sensor of a field device 7, 27 Transmitter of a field device 8, 28 Disturbance component (vibration) 9, 29 Disturbance component (temperature) 10, 30 Signal path 11 Signal path 12 Signal path 13 Process control system 14, 34 Signal path 15, 35 Signal path 16, 36 Output value 17, 37 warning signal 18 Signal path 19, 39 pipeline 20 Humidity sensor FI flow direction

Claims

[1] Arrangement (1, 21) on a container and / or a pipeline (19, 39) comprising at least one field device (3, 23) of automation technology, which is arranged at a measuring point of the container and / or the pipeline (19, 39) and has at least one or more sensors (4, 24, 5, 25, 20) for detecting at least one measured value of an environmental parameter at the measuring point outside the container or the pipeline (19, 39), which environmental parameter is selected from at least the following parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, vibrations, position and / or electromagnetic radiation, characterized by that the arrangement (1, 21) has an evaluation unit which is equipped a) to compare at least one stored limit value relating to the one or more environmental parameters, and / or b) to compare a stored function which refers to the one or more environmental parameters with the measured value of the environmental parameter and wherein the evaluation unit is also equipped to output a numerical value for a measurement uncertainty as a function of the environmental parameter, wherein the measurement uncertainty relates to an output value determined by the field device (3, 23), which is also output. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the one or more limit values ​​and / or the one or more functions are stored in a data memory of a measuring transducer (7, 27) of the field device (3, 23). [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the evaluation unit is designed as a measuring transducer (7, 27) of the field device (3, 23) or is part of a process control system (13). [4] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the evaluation device is set up to determine the signal for outputting the warning signal, the numerical value for a measurement uncertainty and / or for a service life as a function of at least two, preferably at least three, of the environmental parameters which are selected from the parameters according to claim 1. [5] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the arrangement (1, 21) has at least two sensors (4, 5, 20, 24, 25), preferably at least three sensors, wherein each of the sensors (4, 5, 20, 24, 25) detects a measured value of at least one parameter, which parameter is different from the parameters of the other sensor or the other sensors (4, 5, 20, 24, 25). [6] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the arrangement (1, 21) is limited by the housing of the field device (3, 23), wherein the sensors (4, 5, 20, 24, 25) for detecting the parameter are particularly preferably arranged in an electronics housing of the field device (3, 23). [7] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that several sensors (4, 5, 20, 24, 25) for detecting at least one measured value of a parameter are arranged on a carrier component. [8] Method for detecting an operating state in a field device (3, 23) of automation technology and / or for predicting a failure probability of this field device by an arrangement (1, 21) comprising the field device (3, 23), which arrangement (1, 21) is arranged on a container and / or a pipeline (19, 39), and which arrangement (1, 21) comprises at least one or more sensors (4, 24, 5, 25, 20) for detecting at least one measured value of an environmental parameter at a measuring point outside the container or the pipeline (19, 39), characterized by the following steps: A detecting at least one measured value of the environmental parameter at the measuring point outside the container or the pipeline (19, 39), which environmental parameter is selected from the following parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, vibrations, position and / or electromagnetic radiation, B comparing the measured value determined in step A with at least one stored limit value or a stored function of the environmental parameter by an evaluation unit of the arrangement (1, 21); and C Output of a warning signal and / or a numerical value for a measurement uncertainty with regard to an output value output by the field device (3, 23) and / or a numerical value for a service life of the field device (3, 23). [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the measurement uncertainty and / or the service life is determined depending on the environmental parameters for which the measured value deviates from manufacturer-specific standard values. [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the environmental parameters are taken into account with different weightings when determining the measurement uncertainty and / or the lifetime. [11] Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized bythat the period and the extent to which the measured value deviates from the standard values ​​is recorded and output. [12] Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by that the evaluation unit has at least two different limit values ​​for each environmental parameter, wherein the arrangement outputs a first warning signal when the first limit value is exceeded and outputs a second warning signal different from the first warning signal when the second limit value is exceeded.

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