Automation actuator and a communication network of actuators

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (1) for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a gate valve or a valve in a pipeline, comprising: a motor (10) such as an electric motor or a fluid motor such as a pneumatic motor or hydraulic motor; a gearbox (20); an output (30) with an output shaft (31); an electronic operating circuit (40) for operating the motor; a communication device (50) for wired communication with electronic devices of a network (100), characterized by the fact that the communication device (50) is configured to check a state and / or a property of a connecting line (101) of the network (100) for electrical or optical data transmission or to provide measured values ​​of related measured quantities.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology for operating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a channel such as a pipeline. Such an actuator is shown, for example, in DE102011106372A1.

[0002] Actuators are often located in wired networks and communicate with other actuators or with higher-level units such as a gateway or an edge device. The proper functioning of this communication depends, among other things, on undamaged cables and correctly integrated and configured network participants.

[0003] The purpose of the invention is to enable and ensure the functioning of communication.

[0004] The problem is solved by an actuator according to independent claim 1 and by a network according to independent claim 11.

[0005] An actuator according to the invention for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a gate valve or a valve in a pipeline comprises: a motor such as an electric motor or a fluid motor such as a pneumatic motor or hydraulic motor; a gearbox; an output with an output shaft; an electronic operating circuit for operating the motor; a communication device for wired communication with electronic devices in a network, wherein the communication device is configured to check a state and / or a property of a network connection line for electrical or optical data transmission or to provide measured values ​​of related quantities.

[0006] In this way, for example, degradation of the connecting lines or a misconfiguration such as an incorrectly detected length of a connecting line can be detected.

[0007] In the electrical case, the connecting line can be, for example, a coaxial cable or an Ethernet cable; in the optical case, the connecting line can be based on fiber optic technology, for example.

[0008] The communication device can, for example, perform a check itself, or provide measured values ​​of parameters that enable such a check and make them available to a higher-level unit such as an edge device, gateway or control center.

[0009] In one embodiment, the communication device is configured to derive the state and / or property of the connecting line or related measured values ​​from at least one property of an electrical or optical pulse, such as a signal, received via the connecting line.

[0010] The temporal evolution of a signal pulse allows conclusions to be drawn about the properties or state of the connecting line carrying the signal. Changes or deviations from expected values ​​convey information regarding such properties or state.

[0011] In one embodiment, the communication device is configured to check or determine at least one of the following states or properties of the connecting line: Impedance, length of connecting cable, damage, type of damage, contamination, type of contamination.

[0012] In one embodiment, the impulse property is one of the following properties: Signal-to-noise ratio, propagation delay, distortion, attenuation, polarization and / or polarization change, frequency distribution, dispersion.

[0013] The transmission path length of a signal can be calculated from its travel time, provided the propagation speed of the signals or pulses is known. This speed is defined by the electromagnetic properties of the transmission line. Distortion, for example, visible as a rounding of the transition from signal edge to signal level, can indicate an unfavorable routing of the transmission line.

[0014] In one configuration, the signal is a test signal or a data signal.

[0015] Therefore, a signal can be created for testing, or data signals that are already being sent can be used for testing.

[0016] In one embodiment, the communication device is designed to compare measured properties of the pulse and / or the connecting line with reference values ​​and, if necessary, to trigger a warning message from the comparison if a deviation of a measured property from an associated reference value exceeds a limit value.

[0017] In one embodiment, the communication device is configured to emit an electrical or optical pulse, wherein the incoming pulse is a reflection of the emitted pulse.

[0018] The time it takes for a reflection to arrive allows conclusions to be drawn about the length of the connecting cable or the location of a defect within the cable. Defects lead to a reduction in signal transmission and, consequently, to partial signal reflection. The shape of the reflection allows conclusions to be drawn about the type of defect. For example, a clear fracture edge produces a signal reflection whose shape closely resembles the transmitted signal. An extensive defect zone, such as that caused by surface corrosion of the connecting cable, can result in a smeared or attenuated signal reflection.

[0019] In one embodiment, the communication device is a Single Pair Ethernet communication device (SPE) or an Advanced Physical Layer communication device (APL).

[0020] In one embodiment, the communication device comprises a measurement / evaluation circuit and a communication circuit. The measurement / evaluation circuit can, for example, be part of a PHY of the communication device or separate from a PHY of the communication device. The communication circuit can, for example, include a MAC.

[0021] In an inventive network of actuators with a plurality of inventive actuators and with at least one higher-level unit such as a gateway or an edge device or a control center, the at least one higher-level unit and the actuators span at least two hierarchically arranged network levels, wherein the at least one higher-level unit is arranged at a higher network level than the actuators. wherein the actuators are configured to transmit a state and / or a property of a connecting line of the network, such as a line length to at least one neighbor and / or to an associated superior unit of a particularly higher network level.

[0022] The invention will be described below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sketch of an exemplary actuator according to the invention for automation technology; Fig. Figure 2 shows exemplary embodiments of networks with actuators according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary actuator 1 according to the invention for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a gate valve or a valve in a pipeline. The actuator 1 has a motor 10, which can be designed, for example, as an electric motor or a fluid motor. The motor is configured to provide a torque or force to actuate the output shaft of an output 30 of the actuator. A gearbox 20 is configured to transmit the torque or force from the motor to the output and, if necessary, to convert it. An electronic operating circuit 40 is configured to operate the motor. The actuator additionally has a communication device to communicate in a network, for example, with other actuators or a higher-level unit such as a gateway 110 ( Fig. 2) or an Edge Device 120 ( Fig. 2) to communicate. The communication device is configured to check the status and / or a property of a network connection line for electrical or optical data transmission or to provide measured values ​​of related quantities. In this way, for example, degradation of the connection lines or a misconfiguration, such as an incorrectly detected length of a connection line, can be detected. The communication device can, for example, perform a check itself or provide measured values ​​of quantities that enable such a check and make them available to a higher-level unit such as an edge device, gateway, or control center.

[0024] For this purpose, the communication device 50 can be configured to monitor the status and / or characteristics of the connecting line 110 ( Fig. 2) or to derive related measured values ​​from at least one property of an incoming electrical or optical pulse, for example, a signal, via the connecting line. The following measured quantities of a signal or a signal pulse, for example, can be used for this purpose: signal-to-noise ratio, propagation delay, distortion, attenuation, polarization and / or polarization change, frequency distribution, dispersion. In particular, if reference values ​​or target values ​​are known, an undesired condition can be detected in the event of a deviation from a reference value, and a warning message can be triggered if necessary.

[0025] Incoming data signals or test signals can be used for verification. For example, the communication device can be configured to send test signals, such as pulses, and to draw conclusions about the properties or condition of the connecting line from the reflection. The time it takes for the reflection to arrive allows conclusions to be drawn about the length of the connecting line or the location of a defect in the connecting line. Defects lead to a reduction in signal transmission and consequently to partial reflection of the signal. The shape of the reflection allows conclusions to be drawn about the type of defect. For example, a clear fracture edge produces a signal reflection whose shape closely resembles the transmitted signal. An extensive defect zone, for example, caused by surface corrosion of the connecting line, can, for instance, result in a smeared or...cause dampened reflection of the signal.

[0026] The communication device 50 can be, for example, a Single Pair Ethernet communication device (SPE) or an Advanced Physical Layer communication device (APL).

[0027] The communication device can, for example, comprise a communication circuit 51 and a measurement / evaluation circuit 52, as shown here. The measurement / evaluation circuit is configured to generate and, in particular, evaluate measured values ​​for the above-mentioned measured quantities. The connecting line 101 can, for example, be connected to the measurement / evaluation circuit 52, as shown here, or to the communication circuit 51.

[0028] The electronic operating circuit, the motor, the gearbox, the communication device, and the output are arranged in a housing assembly 60. The housing assembly 60 can, as shown here, comprise a housing 61 and one or more housing chambers (not shown). It is also conceivable that several housings are provided, with, for example, the electronic operating circuit 40 being arranged in a different housing than the motor.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 outlines an exemplary network 100 according to the invention, comprising several actuators 1, each of which is arranged to a higher-level unit 110, such as a gateway 111, an edge device 112, or a control center 113, forming, for example, a star topology. The connecting line 101 between an actuator 1 according to the invention and an associated gateway is the subject of the verification described above. In this example, the network has three hierarchically arranged network levels, with the actuators 1 being arranged at a lowest level. The gateways 111, which connect the actuators to the edge device 112 or the control center 113, are arranged at a middle network level, and the edge device 112 or the control center 113 at a higher network level. Above the level described in Figure 2, the network comprises several actuators 111, an edge device 112, or a control center 113. Fig. In addition to the higher-level unit 110 shown in the second diagram, further network levels can be set up.

[0030] Fig. 2 is purely exemplary and should not be interpreted restrictively. Reference symbol list 1 actuator 10 Motor 20 gearboxes 30 downforce 31 Output shaft 40 electronic operating circuit 50 Communication device 51 Communication circuit 52 Measuring / evaluation circuit 60 Housing arrangement 61 cases 100 network 101 Connecting line 110 Parent unit 111 Gateway 112 Edge Device 113 Emergency call center QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102011106372A1

[0001]

Claims

[1] Actuator (1) for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a gate valve or a valve in a pipeline, comprising: a motor (10) such as an electric motor or a fluid motor such as a pneumatic motor or hydraulic motor; a gearbox (20); an output (30) with an output shaft (31); an electronic operating circuit (40) for operating the motor; a communication device (50) for wired communication with electronic devices of a network (100), characterized by , that the communication device (50) is configured to check a state and / or a property of a connecting line (101) of the network (100) for electrical or optical data transmission or to provide measured values ​​of related measured quantities. [2] Actuator according to claim 1, wherein the communication device (50) is configured to derive the state and / or property of the connecting line (110) or related measured values ​​from at least one property of an electrical or optical pulse, for example a signal, received via the connecting line. [3] Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication device (50) is configured to check or determine at least one of the following states or properties of the connecting line (110): Impedance, length of connecting cable, damage, type of damage, contamination, type of contamination. [4] Actuator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the impulse property is one of the following properties: Signal-to-noise ratio, propagation delay, distortion, attenuation, polarization and / or polarization change, frequency distribution, dispersion. [5] Actuator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the signal (200) is a test signal or a data signal. [6] Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device (50) is configured to compare measured properties of the pulse and / or the connecting line with reference values ​​and, if necessary, to issue a warning message based on the comparison. [7] Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the communication device (50) is configured to send an electrical or optical pulse, wherein the incoming pulse is a reflection of the emitted pulse. [8] Actuator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device (50) is a Single Pair Ethernet communication device (SPE) or an Advanced Physical Layer communication device (APL). [9] Actuator device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device (50) comprises a measuring / evaluation circuit (52) and a communication circuit (51). [10] Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator has a housing arrangement (60) with at least one housing (61), wherein the motor (10), the gearbox (20), the output (30), the electronic operating circuit (40) and the communication device (50) are arranged in the at least one housing. [11] Network (100) of actuators with a plurality of actuators (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with at least one superior unit (110) such as a gateway (111) or an edge device (112) or a control center (113), wherein the at least one superior unit and the actuators span at least two hierarchically arranged network levels, wherein the at least one superior unit is arranged at a higher network level than the actuators, wherein the actuators are configured to transmit a state and / or a property of a connecting line (101) of the network, such as a line length to at least one neighbor and / or to an associated superior unit of a particularly next higher network level.

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