PdM function for an organ pipe

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for setting and / or determining operating parameters within a pipe organ. The device comprises at least one sensor for measuring the operating parameters of the pipe organ, at least one adjustment device for setting and / or changing the operating parameters, in particular the operating parameters of an operating fluid and / or components of the pipe organ, wherein, by means of a comparison device, at least one operating parameter measured by the sensor is comparable with at least one operating limit value in a time-discrete or time-continuous manner, and based on this comparison, the comparison device controls the adjustment device such that the operating parameter remains, at least temporarily, within a permissible operating window during operation of the pipe organ.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a PdM function for an organ pipe.

[0002] Manufacturers of organs, especially large organs, face a high risk of failure, as they are liable for operational disruptions caused by malfunctions or failures of individual components, such as pipes or other fluid lines. This necessitates costly emergency repairs and results in dissatisfied listeners. The goal is to develop performance-based monitoring (PdM) functions using the simplest and most robust technology possible. Specifically, cumbersome monitoring systems, such as fluid quality checks or visual inspections of individual filters, are to be avoided. The idea was to measure only temperatures, if possible. Maintenance data was analyzed and further data was collected. This data was evaluated, and hypotheses were developed to predict potential failures and repairs.

[0003] In a series of tests, all failure correlations related to temperature changes were examined. The most frequent failure risks are crumbling fluid seals, filter blockages, or unusual temperature extremes (hot spots or cold spots). Various temperature rises were identified, primarily at the filter and at seals leading from the main organ case into the pipes. Values ​​within the organ case's interior, such as soundboards, were also taken into account. Further tests revealed timeframes for the probability of failure. Additionally, the occurrence of failure correlates with the amount or volume of fluid dispensed. A temperature sensor, a fluid flow meter, a control box, and a data transmission system were developed and installed for the confined space within the organ case to enable future integration of PdM (Power-to-Measures) functions into this organ case.A math machine learning program continuously analyzes the maintenance and, if necessary, points out required operational deficiencies, such as leaks or unusual temperature increases.

[0004] Conventional PdM functions are either purely flow-based and require shorter maintenance cycles to ensure reliable operational stability, or they collect optical, chemical, thermal, and operating-time measurements, resulting in high system costs and frequent false alarms. A purely thermal and flow-based PdM offers high system reliability, is cost-effective, and reliably indicates impending failures.

[0005] However, if the temperature sensor is positioned too close to an organ pipe inside the organ case, it heats up so much, especially when exposed to external heat sources, such as in the height of summer, or near a case heater, that it can no longer accurately measure the temperature of a fluid that is actually too warm (or vice versa). This problem was essentially solved using two approaches. Firstly, as part of a rough adjustment, the sensor was insulated against heat and cold to allow for a largely independent measurement of the fluid temperature inside the case and also within the pipes. In the fine-tuning phase, the software calculated and corrected any remaining temperature offset. This, in turn, was based on machine learning algorithms.Therefore, external influences were mechanically (insulation) and software-based factored out, so that the sensor can measure the fluid temperature in the housing, in resonance bodies and / or pipe bodies as independently as possible.

[0006] The goal is to develop PdM (Process by Measurement) functions using the simplest and most robust technology possible. Explicitly, cumbersome monitoring systems such as water quality checks or visual inspection of filter condition were to be avoided. The idea was to measure only temperatures whenever possible. Maintenance data was analyzed and further data was collected. This data was evaluated, and hypotheses were developed to draw conclusions about potential failures and repairs.

[0007] In a series of tests, all failure correlations related to temperature changes were examined. The most frequent failure risks are cooling function failure and filter clogging. Various temperature increases were identified, primarily at the condenser, evaporator, and the internal housing temperature. Further tests revealed timeframes for failure probabilities. Additionally, the occurrence of failure correlates with the dispensed water volume. Temperature sensors, a water flow meter, a control box, and a data transmission system were developed and installed for the limited installation space to enable future PdM (Process by Maintenance) functions for the water dispensers. A machine learning program continuously analyzes maintenance and, if necessary, identifies required production deficiencies.

[0008] Conventional PdM functions are either purely flow-based and require shorter maintenance cycles to ensure reliable operational stability, or they collect optical, chemical, thermal, and operating-time measurements, which result in high system costs and often trigger more frequent false alarms. A purely thermal and flow-based PdM offers high system reliability, is cost-effective, and reliably indicates impending failures.

[0009] In particular, the device described and claimed herein for setting and / or determining operating parameters within an operating device, especially within a pipe organ device, comprises at least one sensor device for measuring the operating parameters of the operating device, at least one setting device for setting and / or changing the operating parameters, especially the operating parameters of an operating fluid and / or components of the operating device, wherein, by means of a comparison device, at least one operating parameter measured by the sensor device is comparable with at least one operating limit value in a time-discrete or time-continuous manner, and on the basis of this comparison, the comparison device controls the setting device in such a way that the operating parameter remains at least temporarily within a permissible operating window during operation of the operating device.

[0010] The device in question may be a pipe organ device. Conversely, all features disclosed in this application for the pipe organ device are also deemed to be disclosed for the operating device in the general sense.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a corresponding method for setting and / or determining operating parameters within an operating device. This means that all features disclosed in this application for the device for setting and / or determining operating parameters within an operating device are disclosed not only for, for example, a pipe organ unit, but also for the above method, and vice versa.

[0012] The term "operating parameter" therefore refers to any value that can be measured physically on or within the operating device and that arises and / or can be measured during regular operation.

[0013] An operating limit is a predefined value that is assigned to at least one operating parameter. If a measured operating parameter lies above or below such an operating limit, the comparison device can detect an abnormal, i.e., impermissible, value. Therefore, if this operating parameter lies above or below its assigned operating limit, the comparison device generates at least one electronic signal, in particular an electronic control signal, which activates the adjustment device. It is therefore conceivable that, in order to change the abnormal operating parameter, the adjustment device includes adjustment elements that can modify the operating parameter.

[0014] An example of an adjustment element could be a heating element, which, depending on the limit value, can be controlled or regulated by the adjustment device to adjust the operating parameter, in particular the temperature of the operating fluid and / or the temperature of an element of the pipe organ mechanism. Such an element of the pipe organ mechanism could be a fluid line within which the operating fluid is conveyed from a blower to an element, for example, a pipe.

[0015] Operating fluid refers to the fluid used to produce sound within, for example, a pipe organ mechanism. However, the operating fluid can also be, or additionally, the fluid used to drive a pneumatic blower.

[0016] The basic structure of a pipe organ device described here is as follows: Wind power plant:

[0017] The supplied compressed air, the so-called wind, was generated until the end of the 19th century by large bellows (scoop and wedge bellows) that were pumped by foot. Depending on the size of the organ, up to twelve bellows operators were needed.

[0018] Afterwards, electric blowers (wind generators) were increasingly used. However, a reservoir bellows is always necessary for regulating and stabilizing the wind pressure. From this bellows, the wind is channeled through wind channels, usually made of wood, into the windchests. A reservoir bellows can sometimes be omitted in organs with folded or wedge bellows (when retrofitted with an electric blower) or if (in smaller organs) the wind pressure is stabilized by windchest bellows located beneath the windchests.

[0019] Electric blowers are still used in contemporary organ building. However, in the restoration of pre-modern instruments and in new organ constructions in a pre-modern style, bellows systems historically appropriate to the respective instrument type are increasingly being employed. It is possible to additionally install an electric blower or to operate the bellows via an electric motor instead of a manual bellows pedal. For older music, the resulting liveliness and tranquility (inertia) of the organ wind – often described as the organ breathing – is valued, while for music from the late 19th century onward, absolute wind stability is preferred. Windlade:

[0020] The heart of the organ's mechanics is the windchest, upon which the pipes stand. Within it, the switching operations take place to make the pipes desired by the player sound. From the console, the pressing of the keys is transmitted via the action to the tone valves in the windchest, which are assigned to each key. Depending on the previously engaged (activated) stops, wind can flow into the corresponding pipes, causing them to sound (or conversely, silencing them). The number of windchests in an organ depends on the type of organ and the number of stops it contains.

[0021] There are various types of windchests. Basically, depending on the arrangement of the valves for tone and stop action, a distinction is made between tone-track chests (slider chests, spring chests), stop-track chests (cone-valve chests, pouch chests, membrane chests), and box chests (without channels). In a tone-track chest, all pipes belonging to a single key are located on one channel; in a stop-track chest, all pipes belonging to a single stop are located on one channel; and in a box chest, all pipes are located on a single windchest without channels. The oldest windchest design with individually registerable ranks of pipes is the slider chest, which, due to its robustness and tonal advantages, is now used almost exclusively in modern organs. The wind system described here therefore includes the valve actuation mechanism and also the organ's pressure reservoir.

[0022] However, it has been observed that even after only a short period of operation, for example, the inner surface of the windchest becomes infested with spores and fungi. This is due to the sometimes high humidity of the ambient air drawn in by the blower. This fungal infestation, and especially the air leaving the organ (which is contaminated with fungal residues and spores), poses a health hazard. The air exiting the pipes also typically exhibits a high level of fungal infestation. Furthermore, the fungal infestation is distributed throughout the entire system by the operation of the pipes, so that after only a short time, the entire system is affected by these fungi.

[0023] Based on this, it is therefore an application / object of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem and thus to provide a device for adjusting and / or determining operating parameters within a pipe organ assembly and a pipe organ unit, whereby spore and fungal infestation is avoided in a particularly simple manner. It is also an object of the present device to prevent internal corrosion of the pipe organ assembly.

[0024] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0025] In order to provide a device for setting and / or determining operating parameters within a pipe organ device, in which spore and fungal infestation within a pipe organ device is avoided, the present invention makes use, among other things, of the idea that, based on a comparison of an operating parameter with an operating limit value preferably uniquely assigned to this operating parameter, the comparison device controls the setting device in such a way that the operating parameter remains at least temporarily within a permissible operating window during operation of the operating device, for example, a pipe organ device.

[0026] The operating window is a numerical operating range within which the operating parameter should or must remain to prevent the aforementioned fungal growth. In other words, the feedback of the operating parameter to the operating limit, as described above, ensures that no unwanted spore growth develops and / or mold growth is prevented or / and reduced. The size and numerical position of the operating window are therefore chosen to prevent the aforementioned problem from occurring.

[0027] The operating window described here can be defined either by a single operating value or by at least two numerically spaced numerical values. If the operating window is defined by only one numerical value, it can be defined as an operating interval from greater than zero up to and including the operating value.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment, the device described here for setting and / or determining operating parameters within, for example, a pipe organ device, comprises at least one sensor device for measuring the operating parameters of the pipe organ device, at least one setting device for setting and / or changing the operating parameters, in particular the operating parameters of an operating fluid and / or components of the pipe organ device, wherein, by means of a comparison device, at least one operating parameter measured by the sensor device is comparable with at least one operating limit value in a time-discrete or time-continuous manner, and on the basis of this comparison, the comparison device controls the setting device in such a way that the operating parameter remains, at least temporarily, within a permissible operating window during operation of the pipe organ device.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment, the sensor device has at least one temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is designed and intended to be attached within the, for example, pipe organ device, to a, for example, fluid line and / or to a pipe in order to measure a temperature there.

[0030] Temperature or other predefined limits can be measured and transmitted on another basis, for example electrical signals.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment, the sensor device has at least one humidity sensor, wherein the humidity sensor is configured and provided to be attached to a fluid line and / or to a pipe within the pipe organ device in order to measure fluid humidity and / or surface humidity.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment, the temperature and / or humidity sensor is mounted on an outer or inner wall of the pipe and / or on an outer or inner wall of, for example, the fluid line. The inner wall, for example of a pipe organ assembly, is therefore an inner surface of the corresponding component and / or pipe that defines a cavity.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment, the comparator controls the adjustment device and / or the sensor device with respect to the measured operating parameter as a function of a controlled variable. The controlled variable can be the operating parameter itself. The controlled variable is the quantity to be kept constant or selectively variable by the control system. Its desired value is the setpoint (or the reference variable if it varies over time), and its instantaneous value is the actual value, also known as the process value.

[0034] According to at least one embodiment, this control can be implemented based on a temperature and / or humidity limit. This can mean that the temperature and / or humidity limit is a reference variable within the control loop.

[0035] In control engineering, the reference input is the variable to which the controlled variable is to be adjusted. It is specified externally by the operator or another technical system. The control system compares the controlled variable with the reference input by calculating the control difference between the two. The system to be controlled is then influenced accordingly via the actuator. Within the control loop, the adjustment device can therefore be identified as the actuator.

[0036] According to at least one embodiment, the device comprises at least one gas purification device, in particular a sterile filter, and further in particular a HEPA filter, which is designed and intended to filter the operating fluid transported within the operating device, for example, the pipe organ device, in particular to a sterile state. Such an embodiment makes it possible to filter the operating fluid supplied to the respective pipe. Any contaminants already contained in the operating fluid can thus be retained. This also prevents the introduction of impurities into the pipes or other components of the pipe organ device.

[0037] According to at least one embodiment of the device, the at least one gas conditioning unit is arranged in a service fluid line through which the service fluid can be discharged from or supplied to a pipe. Such an embodiment primarily serves to prevent contamination of the area surrounding the pipe organ. This gas conditioning unit can be a catalyst. For this purpose, the gas conditioning unit can be connected to a pressure outlet of a pipe.

[0038] Since hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a particularly frequently used oxidative disinfectant / sterilizing agent, in a preferred embodiment of the device at least one catalyst is a catalyst which is suitable for reducing the amount of H2O2 in the gas.

[0039] The high bactericidal effect of H₂O₂, its environmental compatibility, and the ease of implementing disinfection / sterilization with H₂O₂ make it a preferred oxidative disinfectant / sterilizing agent. Through the use of various catalysts, H₂O₂ can be converted into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂), thereby rendering it harmless.

[0040] It would also be possible to use several catalysts connected in series to remove or reduce multiple oxidative components from the airflow. While the disinfectant / sterilizing agent can be used as a building material for wood, which is often used in organs, experience has shown that during maintenance of the system, the disinfectant / sterilizing agent only minimally attacks the wood, but is all the more effective at eliminating unwanted fungi and bacteria on the wood.

[0041] In a particular embodiment of the device, the at least one catalyst comprises a metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of platinum (for example, in the form of a platinum mesh), palladium, nickel, gold, silver, copper, rhodium, cobalt, osmium, iron, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, cerium, samarium, zinc, manganese, combinations thereof, and the like. Besides the frequently used catalysts containing platinum or platinum group metals, manganese-containing catalysts are also suitable. For example, manganese dioxide (MnO2) is known as an efficient and cost-effective catalyst for the splitting of H2O2 into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2).

[0042] According to at least one embodiment, at least one of the filters, which are inert to the disinfectant or sterilizing agent, is integrated into a line that leads directly to one of the many pipes. Preferably, these lines run from a distribution system, such as a ring duct or the wind chest, to the respective pipe. This arrangement significantly reduces the amount of gas passed through each individual filter, and the cleaning or disinfection intervals can be extended. Furthermore, this embodiment allows for smaller sterile filters, resulting in cost reduction. In the event of a filter failure, it can be replaced at a comparatively low cost.

[0043] In this context, various arrangements of the ring channel within the device are conceivable.

[0044] One option involves placing a central sterile filter upstream of the annular channel. The individual gas flows can then be regulated via various valves. Downstream of the annular channel, the various connecting pipes lead from the channel to each individual pipe. The annular channel is separate from the windchest. It is conceivable that the annular channel could even be located upstream of the windchest. Therefore, one or more of the connecting pipes could lead into the windchest. The remaining connecting pipes could then lead to another windchest, for example, in a neighboring organ.

[0045] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the device has a large number of sterile filters, with each sterile filter installed in its own associated connecting line. This results in the annular channel being located upstream of the sterile filters in the direction of flow.

[0046] To monitor the cleaning performance, a preferred embodiment of the device incorporates a measuring device in at least one of the gas lines downstream of at least one filter or catalyst. This measuring device is capable of measuring the cleaning performance of the upstream filter or catalyst. This allows for continuous monitoring of the operating fluid quality and, based on these measurements, the determination of the interval time for necessary cleaning cycles of the upstream filter or catalyst, or even the entire device. The number of cleaning or disinfection cycles can thus be reduced. Furthermore, the arrangement of multiple measuring devices makes it possible to pinpoint the location of contamination and thereby limit maintenance work to specific segments of the pipe organ system.It may be sufficient to replace a single gas treatment unit to restore adequate quality to the operating fluid and gas piping systems.

[0047] However, it would also be possible to position a central measuring device, for example, on a return air collection tank. Alternatively, the measuring device could be integrated directly into or built into the catalytic converter.

[0048] According to at least one embodiment, the device comprises at least one moisture filter which is designed and intended to dry the operating fluid transported within the pipe organ device. Operating fluid that is as dry as possible minimizes the likelihood of fungal and / or bacterial colonization within the device.

[0049] According to at least one embodiment, the device comprises at least one control module which is in data communication with the adjustment device, sensor device, and / or comparison device, at least temporarily. One or more of these aforementioned devices can be controlled or even regulated, preferably only, via this control module.

[0050] It is conceivable that a control variable and / or a reference variable can be set and / or monitored via the control device. The control module can be a remote control that communicates wirelessly (i.e., via Wi-Fi, the mobile network, or the internet) with the setting device, sensor device, and / or comparison device. The control module can also include a monitoring screen on which operating parameters of the operating fluid, the temperature of the operating fluid, and / or the surface humidity of the inner and / or outer surfaces of individual fluid lines or even the pipes themselves can be monitored and / or changed.

[0051] Furthermore, the present application relates to a pipe organ unit which includes at least one device for setting and / or determining operating parameters within the pipe organ device, according to at least one of the preceding embodiments.

[0052] According to at least one embodiment, the pipe organ device is arranged within a sterile room, wherein a sterile internal atmosphere of the sterile room can be maintained by means of an airlock system. The pipe organ unit therefore comprises not only the pipe organ device but also the sterile room.

[0053] The sterile room can therefore be separated from the surrounding atmosphere by static walls. These walls can then be designed as self-supporting walls. However, it is also conceivable that at least one of the walls of the sterile room is made of a plastic film.

[0054] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention are explained with reference to the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which an exemplary pipe organ unit according to the invention is shown.

[0055] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a pipe organ unit according to the invention. Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a pipe organ unit according to the invention.

[0056] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a pipe organ unit 1000 shown here.

[0057] The pipe organ unit 1000 includes a device 10 for setting and / or determining operating parameters BX within a pipe organ device 100.

[0058] Furthermore, the device 10 comprises at least a sensor device 1 for measuring the operating parameters BX of the pipe organ device 100 and an adjustment device 2 for adjusting and / or changing the operating parameters BX, in particular the operating parameters BX of an operating fluid and / or of components of the pipe organ device 100.

[0059] By means of a comparison device 3, at least one operating parameter BX measured by the sensor device 1 is compared with at least one operating limit value BX-T in a time-discrete or time-continuous manner, wherein, based on this comparison, the comparison device 3 controls the adjustment device 2 such that the operating parameter BX remains within a permissible operating window at least temporarily during operation of the pipe organ device 100. The operating limit value BX-T is preferably stored in the comparison device 3.

[0060] The sensor device 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor 11 and at least one humidity sensor 12. The temperature sensor 11 measures the humidity of the operating fluid and / or the internal surface humidity of an internal surface of a pipe in the pipe organ unit 1000. The same applies to the humidity sensor 12.

[0061] Furthermore, the pipe organ unit 1000 includes at least one sterile filter 13, in particular a HEPA filter, which is designed and intended to sterilely filter the operating fluid transported within the pipe organ device 100. For this purpose, the sterile filter 13 is arranged within a fluid line that leads to one or more of the pipes.

[0062] In the Fig. 2. The pipe organ unit 1000 additionally includes a sterile room 200, which, through separate walls, prevents the surrounding atmosphere from penetrating the pipe organ unit 1000.

[0063] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that these features, individually or in combination, are novel compared to the prior art. Reference symbol list 1 sensor device 2 Adjustment device 3. Comparison device 10 Device 11 Temperature sensor 12 humidity sensors 13 Gas processing device 20 moisture filters 100 pipe organ devices 101 Fluid line 102 Pipe 200 sterile room 1000 pipe organ units BX operating parameters BX-T operating limit

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