SYSTEM AND FIELD EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system comprising a feed-in device and a plurality of field devices electrically connected to the feed-in device.

[0002] This patent application claims priority from German patent application DE 10 2021 102 357.2, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] An automation system can comprise a plurality of sensors and actuators. A power supply unit electrically connected to such components can be used to supply electrical power. The power supply unit can also be configured to perform data communication with or control the components.

[0004] In one possible application, the sensors and actuators are located in a potentially explosive atmosphere (for example, Zone 0 / 20 according to the ATEX Directive; ATEX: Atmosphères Explosibles), and the power supply unit is located in a non-explosive or only slightly explosive atmosphere (for example, Zone 2 / 22 according to the ATEX Directive). To meet the explosion protection requirements, the power supply unit can be connected to the sensors and actuators via point-to-point connections or another connection type, such as parallel cabling. Special supply cables and connectors can be used for this purpose. For these components, designs or construction principles corresponding to the ATEX Directive can be applied to ensure explosion protection, also referred to as "type of protection." For example, a design according to the type of protection "flameproof enclosure" or "increased safety" is possible.Such measures can involve a lot of cabling and high costs.

[0005] The standard PD IEC / TS 60079-39:2015 "Explosive atmospheres - Part 39: Intrinsically safe systems with electronically controlled spark duration limitation" describes a system comprising at least one field device (Power-i field device) and a power source electrically connected to the field device. The power source serves to supply electrical power to the field device and is also used to monitor the electrical power supply. For this purpose, the power source is designed to detect the occurrence of a spark in the electrical power supply of the field device in order to shut down the power supply based on this. A market-ready implementation of the concept specified in this standard has not yet been achieved.

[0006] EP 3 444 912 A1 describes an automation system comprising control devices, input / output modules, and sensors and actuators. An intrinsic safety barrier is used with respect to the input / output modules. The safety barrier comprises an isolation module and an intrinsic safety barrier hardware. The isolation module has an inrush current limiter. The intrinsic safety barrier hardware has an energy-limiting circuit.

[0007] Further prior art is known from US 2015 / 0109077 A1 and US 6,397,322 B1.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution for an improved system with the aid of which components such as actuators and sensors, which may be located in an explosive area, can be supplied with electricity.

[0009] This object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a system is proposed which comprises a feed-in device and a plurality of field devices electrically connected to the feed-in device. The feed-in device is designed to provide electrical energy for supplying electrical energy to the field devices. The feed-in device has a monitoring device which is designed to detect the occurrence of a spark during the electrical energy supply and, based thereon, to switch off the electrical energy supply. The field devices each have a first device area with an input connection for connecting a supply line and a second device area. The electrical energy provided by the feed-in device can be supplied to the first device area via the input connection and transmitted from the first device area to the second device area via an electrical energy supply connection.The second device area has a connection device with at least one output line connection for connecting at least one output line to transmit the electrical power transmitted to the second device area. The electrical power supply connection of the first and second device areas has a power limiting device designed to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted from the first device area to the second device area during the energy transfer.

[0011] The field devices of the proposed system have a first device area with an input connection and a second device area with a connection device with at least one output line connection. The electrical energy provided by the system's feed-in device can be introduced into the first device area via the input connection and a supply line connected thereto. The first device area and the second device area are connected to one another via an electrical energy supply connection, via which the electrical energy supplied to the first device area can be further fed into the second device area. From there, the electrical energy can be passed on via the connection device of the second device area and at least one output line connected thereto. In this way, an external device orA component, such as a sensor or actuator, referred to below as a field component, can be electrically supplied. Depending on the design, several field components or several sensors and / or actuators can be connected to the connection device via several output lines and thus be supplied with energy.

[0012] In addition to providing electrical power, the system's power supply unit also monitors the electrical power supply to the field devices. For this purpose, the power supply unit is designed to detect a spark or arc occurring in the electrical power supply due to a fault as it occurs and, based on this, to shut down the electrical power supply with low latency in order to terminate the spark. The spark duration limitation achieved in this way can be used to prevent, with a high degree of reliability, a spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition in the area of ​​the input connections of the first device areas of the field devices as well as in the area of ​​the supply lines connected to the field devices in the event of a fault.

[0013] As described in more detail below, the first device area of ​​at least one field device can have at least one output terminal for connecting a further supply line to transmit the electrical energy supplied to the first device area. Accordingly, the spark duration limitation can reliably prevent the generation of a spark with sufficient energy for ignition in the area of ​​the at least one output terminal.

[0014] With regard to the second device areas of the field devices and the field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to them via output lines, reliable and safe protection can be achieved if the electrical power supply connection of the first and second device areas in the field devices has a power limiting device. With the help of the power limiting device, the electrical power that can be transmitted or the maximum transmittable power from the first device area to the second device area can be limited. In this way, it can be ensured that the electrical energy available at the connection devices or output line connections of the second device areas of the field devices is limited and is not sufficient to cause a spark or ignition spark in the area of ​​the connection devices or output line connections in the event of a fault.Output line connections of the second device areas, and thus also in the area of ​​the output lines and the field components connected to them.

[0015] Due to the aforementioned properties, the following application scenario is available for the system, for example. Field components (sensor and / or actuator components) connected to the second device areas of the field devices via output cables can be located in a potentially explosive area (e.g., Zone 0 / 20 according to the ATEX Directive). The field devices can be located in a less potentially explosive area (e.g., Zone 1 / 21 according to the ATEX Directive). The power supply unit can be located in a non-hazardous area or in a slightly explosive area (e.g., Zone 2 / 22 according to the ATEX Directive).

[0016] The protective mechanisms that can be provided by monitoring the electrical power supply of the field devices and by limiting the power within the field devices make it possible to provide simple and cost-effective designs for the supply and output lines used, as well as for the connectors arranged on the lines, which can be used to connect the lines to components such as the field devices and field components. Furthermore, it is possible to feed a relatively high electrical power into the first device areas of the field devices.

[0017] Further possible details and embodiments that may be considered for the system and its components are described in more detail below.

[0018] The electrical energy supplied by the power supply unit can be a direct current (DC). To provide the electrical energy, the power supply unit can be electrically connected to a power source or DC source and thus be electrically powered by the power source.

[0019] As described above, the system's field devices can be connected to field components such as sensors and / or actuators to supply them with electrical power. In this sense, the field devices can serve as power distributors for the field components. The field components can be assigned to the system and thus become components of the system. The same applies to cables used, such as supply lines and output lines, and their connectors.

[0020] Within the first and second device areas of the field devices, the electrical energy can be transported, among other things, via internal electrical conductors. Such a configuration can also apply to the electrical power supply connection of the first and second device areas, which can comprise corresponding electrical conductors in addition to the power limiting device. The electrical conductors can be in the form of conductor tracks, for example.

[0021] The connection device of the second device area of ​​the field devices serves, as described above, to connect at least one or more output lines, via which one or more field components (sensors and / or actuators) can be electrically supplied in a corresponding manner. For this purpose, the connection device has, as described above, at least one output line connection for connecting an output line.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, reliable limitation of the electrical power that can be transmitted from the first to the second device area can be achieved in that the power limiting device of the field devices is designed to bring about current limitation and voltage limitation. For this purpose, the power limiting device can have electrical components such as at least one resistor and at least one voltage-limiting component or semiconductor component such as a Zener diode. Furthermore, at least one fuse can be used, optionally together with an optional protective resistor. Current limitation can be achieved with the aid of at least one resistor. Voltage limitation can be effected with the aid of at least one voltage-limiting component. If a Zener diode is used for this purpose, it can be operated in the reverse direction.A fuse and, if used, a protective resistor can be used to provide protection, for example, with respect to the at least one voltage-limiting component. Instead of at least one Zener diode, at least one other semiconductor component suitable for voltage limiting, such as a thyristor, can also be used.

[0023] The connection device of the second device area of ​​the field devices can have a plurality of output line connections, whereby a plurality of output lines can be connected to the connection device. In this context, the power limiting device can be designed to cause a common current limit and voltage limit for the output line connections. The power limiting device can further be designed to cause a plurality of separate and possibly different current limits and / or to cause a plurality of separate and possibly different voltage limits. In this way, separate and possibly different current limits and / or voltage limits can be present with respect to individual or multiple output line connections.The power limiting device can, for example, be designed such that a common voltage limit and several small-scale or subdivided current limits are provided for the output line connections, ie that separate and possibly different current limits are provided with respect to individual and / or several output line connections or groups of output line connections.

[0024] According to the invention, the first device region of the field devices comprises a decoupling device configured to provide a predetermined input impedance for detecting spark generation. In this way, the field devices can have a known and predictable electrical behavior, which enables the feed-in device to detect spark generation in the event of a fault with high or sufficient reliability. The decoupling device can be arranged between the input terminal and the power limiting device. The decoupling device can comprise components such as an LC low-pass filter with an inductance and at least one capacitance. Furthermore, at least one component or semiconductor component, such as a diode, can be provided for specifying a current flow direction.Another possible component is a voltage limiting device, for example in the form of a clamping circuit constructed from voltage-limiting components or semiconductor components such as diodes, which can be connected in parallel to the inductance.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the first device area of ​​the field devices has an internal power supply, which can be supplied with electrical power via the electrical energy supplied to the first device area. With the help of the internal power supply of a field device, at least one internal device or component present in the field device, depending on its design, can be supplied with electrical power. This can include, for example, a control device such as a communications controller, as described further below. The communications controller can be a monolithic or discrete communications controller.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the first device area of ​​at least one field device, as mentioned above, has at least one output terminal for connecting a further supply line in order to transmit the electrical energy supplied to the first device area. The at least one output terminal can be electrically connected to the input terminal of the associated first device area. With reference to this embodiment, it is possible for a supply line connected to an output terminal of a field device to be connected to an input terminal of a further field device, so that the electrical energy can be transmitted from the one field device to the further field device.

[0027] Based on the aforementioned embodiment or in the case that several or all field devices of the system have at least one output connection, the following configuration for the system is also conceivable.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the power supply unit is connected to one of the field devices via a supply line, and the field devices are connected to each other via additional supply lines connecting two field devices each. This configuration can be characterized by minimal cabling effort. The supply lines connecting the field devices can be connected to input and output connections of field devices. The supply line connecting the power supply unit to one of the field devices can be connected to a power supply unit output connection of the power supply unit and to an input connection of the respective field device.

[0029] In the aforementioned embodiment, the electrical energy provided by the power supply device can be fed to a field device and then forwarded to the other field devices, i.e., from one field device to another. The field devices can further distribute the electrical energy thus made available to them to other field components (sensors and / or actuators) via output lines connected thereto.

[0030] It is possible for at least one field device to be configured with multiple output connections. In this configuration, the field device in question can serve as a power distributor and transmit electrical power to multiple field devices via multiple supply lines.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the first device area of ​​the at least one field device provided with the at least one output connection has a switching device arranged between the input connection and the at least one output connection, with the aid of which switching device the forwarding of the electrical energy supplied to the first device area can be switched. If a configuration with multiple output connections is present, a switching device can be provided in a corresponding manner between the input connection and each of the output connections. This embodiment makes it possible to separate the input connection and the at least one output connection from one another and to control the forwarding of the electrical energy via the at least one output connection. The at least one switching device can be controlled, for example, using the communication controller described further below.

[0032] According to the invention, the first device area of ​​the field devices comprises an inrush current limiter designed to limit an inrush current at the start of the electrical power supply. This prevents a high or excessive inrush current from occurring in one or more field devices at the start of the electrical power supply, resulting in the supply device incorrectly shutting down the electrical power supply even though no sparks are generated.

[0033] The inrush current limiter can comprise components such as a transistor, a resistor connected in series with the transistor, and a regulator. The regulator can measure the current flowing through the resistor and, based on this, control the transistor, thus regulating the voltage drop across the transistor in such a way that excessive current is prevented from occurring.

[0034] In a possible embodiment not according to the invention, the inrush current limiter can be arranged between the decoupling device and the input terminal. In this embodiment, the inrush current limiter can be subject to safety requirements, for example, with regard to providing redundancy.

[0035] According to the invention, the inrush current limiter of the field devices is arranged between the decoupling device and the power limiting device. This allows for less stringent requirements regarding the inrush current limiter, which can thus be implemented in a simple design.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the field devices are galvanically isolated. This allows the electrical energy supplied to the first device area to be routed through separate electrical circuits. This embodiment promotes reliable and safe operation of the system. The galvanically isolated circuits can be formed at least partially by the field devices or components of the field devices.

[0037] Galvanic isolation can be implemented in the first device area and / or in the electrical power supply connection between the first and second device areas. In this context, it is possible to design the power limiting device with galvanic isolation. Components such as a transformer, an inverter arranged upstream of the transformer, a rectifier arranged downstream of the transformer, and a smoothing capacitor can be used to achieve galvanic isolation.

[0038] It is possible to provide galvanic isolation in the power supply unit. This allows the field devices to be designed without galvanic isolation.

[0039] With reference to the application scenario described above, in which field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to the field devices via output lines are arranged in a potentially explosive area and the field devices are arranged in a less potentially explosive area, the following embodiment can also be considered to enable safe operation of the system. Here, the connections of the first device area of ​​the field devices, i.e. the input connection of the first device area of ​​the field devices and, if present, at least one output connection of the first device area of ​​at least one field device, are designed according to a first type of protection. Furthermore, the connections of the second device area of ​​the field devices, i.e. the at least one output line connection of the second device area of ​​the field devices, are designed according to a second type of protection.The second type of protection corresponds to a higher level of protection than the first type of protection.

[0040] For example, it is possible for the second type of protection to be Intrinsic Safety Ex ia and for the first type of protection to be Intrinsic Safety Ex ib. The different types of protection can be met by ensuring that components such as internal components and electrical conductors in the area of ​​the respective connections of the first and second device areas of the field devices have designs that correspond to the types of protection, for example with regard to distances and redundancies. The monitoring function of the power supply device can also contribute to Intrinsic Safety Ex ib of the connections of the first device area of ​​the field devices. With regard to the connections of the second device area, the power limitation due to the power limiting device can contribute to Intrinsic Safety Ex ia.

[0041] To achieve a high level of system safety, it may also be considered, for example, to design the field devices with a potting encapsulation. The field devices or their housings can be filled with a potting compound, which can prevent the penetration of an explosive mixture into the field devices. In this way, the field devices can be designed according to the Ex mb type of protection. A further or equivalent type of protection for the field devices is also possible, for example, a design with a flameproof encapsulation. This allows the field devices to be designed according to the Ex db type of protection.

[0042] The system or its field devices can be used not only to supply electrical power to field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to the field devices, but also to perform data communication and control with respect to these components. In this sense, the system can be configured as an automation system. In this context, the configurations explained below can be applied.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the field devices are configured to carry out data communication, with the first device area having at least one communication port for connecting a data line for receiving and / or transmitting data signals and a communication controller connected to the at least one communication port. In this way, the communication controller can receive and / or transmit data signals via the communication port. The communication controller is connected to the connection device of the second device area via a communication connection in order to receive and / or transmit data signals via the connection device.The communication connection of the communication controller and the connection device has a barrier device which is designed to limit an electrical power that can be transmitted from the communication controller to the connection device during data communication and / or to provide galvanic isolation.

[0044] The aforementioned embodiment offers the possibility of conducting data communication via the field devices or their communication controllers with field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to the connection devices or output line connections via output lines. For example, sensor data or sensor signals can be read from sensors and forwarded via the field devices. Furthermore, control data or control signals can be transmitted to actuators.

[0045] In this context, the system may further comprise a higher-level control device which is suitably connected to the field devices, to which the field devices or their communication controllers transmit such data signals and / or from which the field devices or their communication controllers can receive such data signals.

[0046] At least one field device, or several or all field devices of the system, may further comprise several or two communication ports connected to the associated communication controller. In this way, data communication can also take place (each) via two field devices connected by a data line, or via several field devices connected by data lines.

[0047] In field devices configured for data communication, the communication connection between the communication controller of the first device area and the connection device of the second device area comprises a barrier device, as stated above. The barrier device can be used to limit the electrical power that can be introduced into the second device area of ​​the field devices during data communication. This ensures that data communication cannot cause sparks or ignition sparks in the area of ​​the connection devices or output line connections of the second device areas of the field devices, and thus also in the area of ​​the output lines and the field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to the field devices via the output lines.As a result, the application scenario described above, in which field components connected to the field devices are arranged in a potentially explosive area and the field devices are arranged in a less potentially explosive area, is available in a corresponding manner for the system with the field devices designed for data communication.

[0048] Within the first and second device areas of the field devices, data communication can take place, among other things, via internal data connections or data lines with corresponding electrical conductors. Such a configuration can also apply to the communication connection of the first and second device areas, which, in addition to the barrier device, can comprise corresponding data lines or electrical conductors. The electrical conductors can be in the form of conductor tracks, for example.

[0049] The barrier device of the communication link between the first and second device areas of the field devices can be implemented in the form of a digital isolator, such as an optocoupler or a magnetic coupler. In this way, reliable power limitation can be achieved together with galvanic isolation through the barrier device.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the connection device of the second device area of ​​the field devices has an input / output controller. The input / output controller can be designed to control the receiving and / or transmission of data signals via the connection device. In this way, reliable data communication with field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected to the connection devices or output line connections of the field devices via output lines is possible. The input / output controller can communicate with the associated communication controller of the first device area via the communication connection in order to send corresponding data signals to or receive data signals from the communication controller. The input / output controller can additionally or alternatively be designed to control the forwarding of electrical energy via the connection device.This allows the forwarding and thus distribution of electrical energy via the connection device to be flexibly determined. This can be controlled, for example, by the communication controller, which can transmit corresponding data signals or control data to the input / output controller. In the aforementioned cases, communication between the communication controller and the input / output controller can take place, for example, according to a predefined communication protocol and via corresponding interfaces of the communication controller and the input / output controller.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the field devices are configured to carry out data communication via the at least one communication port of the first device area according to a first communication protocol. The field devices are further configured to carry out data communication via the connection device of the second device area according to a second communication protocol that differs from the first communication protocol. This makes it possible to decouple the data communication between the field devices and field components (sensors and / or actuators) connected thereto via output lines from the remaining data communication, i.e., between the field devices themselves and between the field devices and the higher-level control device, which can optionally be carried out via the feed-in device, and thus to design it with regard to different requirements.For example, it can be provided that the data communication between the field devices and the field components connected to them takes place at a lower data transmission rate than the other data communication.

[0052] Data communication according to the various communication protocols can take place via corresponding interfaces or physical interfaces and, if necessary, additional internal devices or components, which can be arranged in the first and second device areas of the field devices. Such components can be assigned to or comprised by the communication controller of the first device area and the connection device or input / output controller of the second device area.

[0053] The first communication protocol can, for example, refer to Ethernet communication with a data transmission rate of, for example, 100 Mbit. This can be EtherCAT, for example. The second communication protocol can, for example, refer to communication according to HART or Profibus PA. It is possible for the second communication protocol to also refer to Ethernet communication, but with a lower data transmission rate than the first communication protocol, for example, 10 Mbit. In this case, the internal devices of the connection device or the input / output controller used for data communication can also be designed, for example, according to the future APL (Advanced Physical Layer) standard.

[0054] In a further embodiment, a physical interface is arranged between the communication controller and the at least one communication port of the first device area of ​​the field devices. With the aid of the physical interface, which can also be referred to as PHY and which can be implemented in the form of a physical interface module, processing in the form of encoding or decoding of data signals can take place. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier circuit is arranged between the communication controller and the at least one communication port of the first device area of ​​the field devices, which barrier circuit is designed to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted to the communication port of the first device area during data communication and / or to provide galvanic isolation.In this way, a high level of security with regard to data communication can be achieved, corresponding to the barrier device specified above. The barrier circuit can ensure that no spark or ignition spark can be caused by data communication in the area of ​​the communication port, and thus also in the area of ​​a data line connected to it. The barrier circuit can comprise electrical components such as at least one diode and at least one resistor for power limitation and / or a transformer or a capacitor for galvanic isolation.

[0055] In a design of a field device with several or two communication ports, a physical interface and / or a barrier circuit can be arranged between each of the communication ports and the communication controller.

[0056] If the field devices are designed to carry out data communication in addition to forwarding or distributing electrical energy as described above, the following configurations can also be used to keep the cabling effort as low as possible.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the input connection of the first device area of ​​the field devices is designed in the form of a hybrid connection comprising at least one communication connection, to which a supply line designed as a hybrid line can be connected. In this embodiment, the input connection can be used to feed in electrical energy for the power supply and to transmit data signals. Accordingly, the supply line connected to the input connection can simultaneously function as a data line, via which electrical energy for the power supply and data signals can be transmitted.

[0058] As stated above, the first device area of ​​at least one field device of the system can have at least one output connection. In a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one output connection is designed in the form of a further hybrid connection comprising a communication connection, to which a further supply line designed in the form of a hybrid line can be connected. In this embodiment, the output connection can be used to forward electrical energy for the power supply and to transmit data signals. Correspondingly, the supply line connected to the output connection can simultaneously function as a data line, via which electrical energy for the power supply and data signals can be transmitted.

[0059] The output line connections of the connection devices of the second device area of ​​the field devices can also be designed as hybrid connections, via which electrical energy and data signals can be transmitted. Similarly, the output lines that can be connected to these connections and can be used to connect the field devices to field components (sensors and / or actuators) can be designed as hybrid lines for transmitting electrical energy and data signals.

[0060] With regard to the system's feed-in device, the following configurations may also be considered.

[0061] The power supply unit can have a power supply input, via which the power supply unit can be electrically connected to a power source or direct current source, in order to be electrically powered by the power source. The power supply unit can further have a power supply unit limiting device configured to limit the electrical power supplied to the power supply unit via the power supply input. In this way, the electrical power provided by the power supply unit for supplying power to the field devices can be limited simultaneously. The power supply unit limiting device can be configured to effect current limitation and voltage limitation.

[0062] As indicated above, the power supply unit may have galvanic isolation. The galvanic isolation may be implemented in the power supply unit's limiting device.

[0063] In a further embodiment, the monitoring device of the feeder device has a first detector, a second detector, a feeder device switching device, and a control unit. The control unit can be connected to the two detectors and to the feeder device switching device. The first detector can be designed to detect a current change when a make-spark occurs. Such a spark can occur when a circuit is closed or short-circuited. The second detector can be designed to detect a current change when a break-spark occurs. Such a spark can occur when a circuit is opened or broken.During operation, the detectors can be used to detect a current change that indicates the generation of a spark, and based on this, the control unit can switch off the electrical power supply to the field devices by appropriately controlling the feed-in device switching device.

[0064] The power supply unit may further comprise a power supply unit output port for connecting a supply line. The power supply unit may be connected to one of the field devices via this supply line.

[0065] With regard to data communication, the system can have a higher-level control device as described above. In this context, it may be possible for the higher-level control device to be connected to the field devices via the power supply unit in order to communicate with them or exchange data signals.

[0066] For this purpose, the feeder device can be configured to carry out data communication. For this purpose, the feeder device can have a communication input via which the feeder device can be connected to the higher-level control device in order to receive data signals from the control device and / or send them to the control device. The feeder device can further have a feeder device communication controller, two physical feeder device interfaces for encoding and decoding data signals, a feeder device barrier circuit, and a feeder device communication port. The feeder device can be connected to one of the field devices via the feeder device communication port and a data line connected thereto in order to send data signals to and / or receive data signals from the field device.A first of the physical feeder interfaces can be arranged between the communication input and the feeder communication controller, and the second physical feeder interface can be arranged between the feeder communication port and the feeder communication controller. The feeder barrier circuit can be arranged between the feeder communication port and the second physical feeder interface. The feeder barrier circuit can be configured to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted during data communication and / or to provide galvanic isolation.

[0067] Depending on the field devices, the power supply unit's output connection can be configured as a hybrid connection that includes the power supply unit's communication connection, to which a supply line configured as a hybrid cable can be connected. In this way, electrical energy for power supply and data signals can be transmitted via the supply line.

[0068] As an example, a field device for a system with a feed-in device is proposed. The feed-in device is designed to provide electrical energy for supplying the field device with electrical energy and to detect sparks occurring during the electrical energy supply in order to shut down the electrical energy supply based thereon. The field device has a first device area with an input connection for connecting a supply line and a second device area. The electrical energy provided by the feed-in device can be supplied to the first device area via the input connection and transferred from the first to the second device area via an electrical energy supply connection.The second device area has a connection device with at least one output line connection for connecting at least one output line to transmit the electrical power transmitted to the second device area. The electrical power supply connection of the first and second device areas has a power limiting device designed to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted from the first device area to the second device area during the energy transfer.

[0069] The embodiments, features and details described above can be applied accordingly to the proposed field device. When the field device is used in a system, the advantages explained above can be achieved in the same way. In this sense, the system's feed-in device can be used to suppress the generation of a spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition in the area of ​​the input connection of the first device area of ​​the field device and in the area of ​​a supply line connected to the field device in the event of a fault. The power limiting device of the field device and the power limitation achieved thereby can ensure that in the event of a fault, no spark or ignition spark is generated in the area of ​​the connection device orof the at least one output line connection of the second device area, and thus also in the area of ​​at least one field component (sensor or actuator) connected to the connection device of the field device via an output line.

[0070] With regard to the system described above, which comprises several field devices, as well as with regard to the aforementioned field device, the following is also noted. The structure of the field devices explained above, with a first device area and a second device area, can be based on a circuit-related approach to the field devices. From an explosion protection perspective, a design with three areas can be used for the field devices. To distinguish them, these areas are referred to below as "device section", i.e., first device section, second device section, and third device section. The first device section comprises the input connection and, if present, at least one output connection, and the second device section comprises at least one output line connection of a field device. The third device section, which relates to the remaining field device orother components of a field device includes the circuit or circuit components connected to the respective terminals.

[0071] The first device section (input connection, output connection) can correspond to a first type of protection, the second device section (output line connection) can correspond to a second type of protection, and the third device section (remaining field device) can correspond to a third type of protection. The first, second, and third types of protection can differ from one another. According to the above description, the field devices or their connections can be designed such that the first type of protection is the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ib, and that the second type of protection is the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ia. The monitoring function of the feed-in device can also contribute to the intrinsic safety Ex ib of the first device section, and the power limitation achieved within the field devices can contribute to the intrinsic safety Ex ia of the second device section.With regard to the third type of protection, the field devices can be designed with a potting encapsulation or with another equivalent design, such as a flameproof encapsulation, so that the third type of protection can be type of protection Ex mb or Ex db.

[0072] The advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention explained above and / or reproduced in the subclaims can - except, for example, in cases of clear dependencies or incompatible alternatives - be used individually or in any combination with one another.

[0073] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the schematic drawings. They show: Figure 1 a system comprising a feed-in device, a plurality of field devices and a plurality of field components; Figure 2 an application scenario of the system in which the feed-in device, the field devices and the field components are located in different areas; Figure 3 a representation of the feed-in device; Figure 4 a representation of a field device according to an embodiment in which the field device has an input terminal and an output terminal; Figure 5 a decoupling device of a field device; Figure 6 an inrush current limiter of a field device; Figure 7 a disconnecting device of a field device; Figures 8 to 11 different designs of a power limiting device of a field device; Figure 12 a representation of a field device according to a further embodiment, in which the field device has an input connection; Figure 13a representation of a field device according to a further embodiment, in which the field device has an input terminal and a plurality of output terminals; and Figure 14 another representation of a field device which, from an explosion protection perspective, has three device sections.

[0074] Based on the following schematic figures, configurations of a system are described that can be used to supply power to field components such as actuators and sensors, as well as to communicate with and control the field components. The field components can be located in a potentially explosive atmosphere.

[0075] For further illustration, Figure 1A schematic representation of a system 50. The system 50 comprises a feeder device 400, a plurality of field devices 100 electrically connected to the feeder device 400, and a plurality of field components 600 electrically connected to the field devices 100. With regard to the field components 600, the connection is only indicated with respect to one of the field devices 100. The feeder device 400 is designed, among other things, to provide electrical energy for supplying electrical energy to the field devices 100 and also to the field components 600. The electrical energy is a direct electrical current.

[0076] According to the Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the system 50 comprises a series or string of three field devices 100, which are used to distinguish Figure 1are provided with the reference numerals 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, and which are also referred to below as the first field device 100-1, the second field device 100-2, and the third field device 100-3. Apart from this, the system 50 can comprise a different or larger number of field devices 100 (not shown).

[0077] The electrical connection between the feeder unit 400 and the field devices 100 or between the field devices 100 is established via supply lines 500. As in Figure 1 As shown, the feed-in device 400 is connected to the first field device 100-1 via a supply line 500. The first field device 100-1 is connected to the second field device 100-2 via a further supply line 500, and the second field device 100-2 is connected to the third field device 100-3 via a further supply line 500.

[0078] The supply lines 500 are connected to corresponding terminals of the feeder device 400 and the field devices 100. The feeder device 400 has a feeder device output terminal 420, via which the electrical energy provided by the feeder device 400 can be output. The field devices 100 have an input terminal 110 and an output terminal 111. The input terminal 110 of the field devices 100 is used to feed electrical energy into the field devices 100, and the output terminal 111 is used to forward the introduced electrical energy, or a portion thereof, to another field device 100.

[0079] The supply line 500 connecting the feeder device 400 to the first field device 100-1 is connected to the feeder device output terminal 420 of the feeder device 400 and to the input terminal 110 of the first field device 100-1. With respect to the connection between the first and second field devices 100-1, 100-2 and between the second and third field devices 100-2, 100-3, the respective supply line 500 is connected to the output terminal 111 of the first field device 100-1 and the input terminal 110 of the second field device 100-2, or to the output terminal 111 of the second field device 100-2 and the input terminal 110 of the third field device 100-3. The supply lines 500 may have electrical conductors or wires for transporting electrical energy and connectors with corresponding contacts at their ends (not shown), with the aid of which the supply lines 500 can be plugged in for connection to the respective terminals.

[0080] The field devices 100 are further configured to establish an electrical connection with the external field components 600 of the system 50, as shown in Figure 1 is illustrated only with reference to the first field device 100-1. In this way, the field components 600 can be supplied with electrical energy via the electrical energy provided by the feed-in device 400 and transmitted to the field devices 100. The field components 600 can be sensors and / or actuators of the system 50.

[0081] The field devices 100 have a plurality of output line connectors 165 for connecting output lines 510. Apart from the Figure 1In addition to the configuration shown with four output line connections 165 per field device 100, the field devices 100 can be configured with a different or larger number of output line connections 165 (not shown). A field component 600 can be connected to a field device 100 via an output line 510. Corresponding to the supply lines 500, the output lines 510 can have wires and connectors with corresponding contacts at their ends (not shown), with the aid of which the output lines 510 can be plugged in for connection to the output line connections 165 of the field devices 100 and corresponding connections of the field components 600.

[0082] The electrical energy provided by the feed-in device 400 can be introduced into the first feed-in device 100-1 via the supply line 500 connecting the feed-in device 400 to the first field device 100-1. From there, the electrical energy can be transmitted from the first field device 100-1 to the second field device 100-2, and from there to the third field device 100-3 via the supply lines 500 connecting the respective field devices 100. The electrical energy introduced into the individual field devices 100 can further be transmitted or distributed to the field components 600 via the output lines 510 connected to the field devices 100. The field devices 100 can serve as energy distributors for the field components 600.

[0083] In addition to the feed-in device 400, the field devices 100, and the field components 600, the system 50 has a higher-level control device 700 used to control the system 50. The control device 700 serves, among other things, to control actuators using control data or control signals, which is carried out, among other things, on the basis of sensor data or sensor signals from sensors. The system 50 is accordingly designed to carry out data communication in order to enable data exchange, among other things, between the control device 700 and the field components 600. Data communication can take place between the field devices 100 and the field components 600 connected thereto, between the field devices 100 among themselves, between the first field device 100-1 and the feed-in device 400, and between the control device 700 and the feed-in device 400.In this sense, the feeder device 400 can serve as a communication mediator between the control device 700 and the field devices 100, and the field devices 100 can in turn serve as a communication mediator between the feeder device 400 and the field components 600.

[0084] To minimize cabling, data communication between the feeder unit 400 and the field devices 100, or between the feeder unit 400 and the first field device 100-1, as well as between the field devices 100 among themselves, as well as data communication between the field devices 100 and the field components 600, takes place via the same interfaces and lines used for electrical power supply. In this respect, the feeder unit output connection 420 of the feeder unit 400 and the input connections 110, output connections 111, and output line connections 165 of the field devices 100 serve as hybrid connections, via which both electrical energy for power supply and data signals can be transmitted. Correspondingly, the supply lines 500 and output lines 510 serve as hybrid lines for transmitting electrical energy and data signals.Further details will be explained in more detail below.

[0085] Figure 2illustrates a possible application scenario that can be considered for the system 50. Here, the field components 600 connected to the field devices 100 are located in a first area 10. The first area 10 is a potentially explosive area. In the first area 10, a dangerous explosive atmosphere as a mixture of air and flammable gases, vapors, mists, or dusts can be present continuously, for long periods of time, or frequently. The first area 10 can, for example, be a Zone 0 / 20 according to the ATEX Directive. The field devices 100 are arranged in a second area 11. In contrast to the first area 10, the second area 11 is a less potentially explosive area. In the second area 11, a dangerous explosive atmosphere as a mixture of air and flammable gases, vapors, mists, or dusts can occasionally form. The second area 11 can, for example, be a Zone 1 / 21 according to the ATEX Directive.The power supply unit 400 is located in a third area 12. Unlike the other areas 10 and 11, the third area 12 is a non-explosive or only slightly explosive area. In the third area 12, a dangerous explosive atmosphere, consisting of a mixture of air and flammable gases, vapors, mists, or dusts, cannot occur, or only rarely and for a short time. The third area 12 can, for example, be a Zone 2 / 22 according to the ATEX Directive.

[0086] The Figure 2The application scenario shown can be made possible by, on the one hand, monitoring the electrical power supply of the field devices 100 in order to extinguish any spark that may occur in the event of a fault by quickly switching off the power supply, and, on the other hand, by providing a power-limiting design for the field devices 100. In this context, the power supply device 400 and the field devices 100 can be configured as described below.

[0087] Figure 3shows a representation of the feeder device 400 of the system 50 according to a possible embodiment. The feeder device 400 has, with regard to the provision of electrical energy, a power supply input 401, via which the feeder device 400 can be electrically connected to a power source or direct current source (not shown), and in this way can be electrically powered by the power source. A further component is a feeder device limiting device 403. The feeder device limiting device 403 is designed to limit the electrical power supplied to the feeder device 400 via the power supply input 401, before it is supplied to the field devices 100 (or according to the representation of Figure 1to the first field device 100-1 and, via this, to the other field devices 100). Current limitation and voltage limitation can be achieved with the aid of the feed-in device limiting device 403. Furthermore, the feed-in device 400 can have galvanic isolation, which can be implemented in the feed-in device limiting device 403.

[0088] The feed device 400 further comprises a monitoring device 410, which is configured to detect a spark occurring in the electrical power supply to the field devices 100 due to a fault and, based on this, to shut down the electrical power supply. The detection and shutdown occur with a low latency to prevent a spark or ignition spark from being generated with relevant energy or with energy sufficient for ignition.

[0089] The monitoring device 410 has, as in Figure 3is shown, a first detector 411, a second detector 412, a feeder switching device 413 and a control unit 414 connected to the two detectors 411, 412 and the feeder switching device 413. The first detector 411 can be designed to detect a current change when a make-spark occurs. Such a spark can be caused by closing or short-circuiting an electrical circuit. The current change that occurs here can be an increase in the electrical current over time (i.e. +di / dt). The second detector 412 can be designed to detect a current change when a break-spark occurs. Such a spark can be generated by opening or breaking an electrical circuit. The current change that occurs here can be a reduction in the electrical current over time (i.e. -di / dt).

[0090] During operation of the monitoring device 410, a current change characteristic of a spark generation, and thus the spark generation, can be detected with the aid of the first and second detectors 411, 412. Based on this, the control unit 414 can switch off the electrical power supply to the field devices 100 by appropriately controlling the feed-in device switching device 413. This extinguishes the spark and, consequently, limits the spark duration.

[0091] In Figure 3Internal electrical conductors 471 of the feed-in device 400 are indicated, via which the electrical energy can be transported within the feed-in device 400 and via which components of the feed-in device 400, including the feed-in device output connection 420, are connected to one another. With reference to the feed-in device output connection 420, two internal conductors 471 are routed to and connected to two connection contacts 421 of the feed-in device output connection 420. The connection contacts 421 can be derived from contacts of a plug-in connector of a supply line 500 provided for connection to the feed-in device output connection 420 (cf. Figure 1 ) (not shown), whereby the electrical energy provided by the feed-in device 400 can be forwarded via the relevant supply line 500.

[0092] Figure 4shows a representation of a field device 100 of the system 50 according to a possible first embodiment. This representation, as well as the following description, can be applied to all field devices 100 of the system 50. The field device 100 has a first device area 101 and a second device area 102. The first device area 101 has the connections described above and used for connecting supply lines 500, i.e., the input connection 110 and the output connection 111. The electrical energy provided by the feed-in device 400 can be introduced into the first device area 101 of the field device 100 via the input connection 110. The electrical energy can be output via the output connection 111 and transmitted to another field device 100. In Figure 4Also indicated are internal electrical conductors 171 of the field device 100, via which the electrical energy can be transported or forwarded within the field device 100, and via which components of the field device 100, such as the input terminal 110 and the output terminal 111, are connected to one another. The internal conductors 171 can be in the form of conductor tracks.

[0093] The input terminal 110 has two connection contacts 115, which are connected to two internal electrical conductors 171. The output terminal 111 also has two connection contacts 116, which are connected to two internal electrical conductors 171. The connection contacts 115, 116 of the input terminal 110 and the output terminal 111, which are used for the electrical power supply, can each be formed by contacts of connectors of supply lines 500 used for connection to the input terminal 110 and the output terminal 111 (see Figure 1 ) (not shown), whereby the electrical energy can be fed in or forwarded via the respective supply line 500.

[0094] The second device area 102 has, as in Figure 4shown, a connection device 160, which comprises the output line connections 165 used to connect output lines 510. The field device 100 can be connected to field components 600 via the output line connections 165 and output lines 510 connected thereto (cf. the Figures 1 , 2). The connection device 160 further comprises an input / output controller 161 connected to the output line connections 165, which can be used in the context of data communication as described further below. The first device area 101 and the second device area 102 are connected via an electrical power supply connection 170, via which the electrical energy fed into the first device area 101 via the input connection 110 can be transmitted to the second device area 102, and thus to the connection device 160 with the output line connections 165. The electrical energy introduced into the second device area 102 can, as in Figure 4As indicated, the electrical energy can be routed via the input / output controller 161 or through the input / output controller 161, or past the input / output controller 161 or parallel to the input / output controller 161 (not shown), to the output line terminals 165. From there, the electrical energy can be forwarded to the field components 600.

[0095] The electrical power supply connection 170 of the field device 100 comprises, as shown in Figure 4, in addition to internal electrical conductors 171, a power limiting device 300. The power limiting device 300, which is located between the input terminal 110 and the connection device 160 or the input / output controller 161, is designed to limit the maximum electrical power that can be transmitted from the first device area 101 to the second device area 102 during the energy transfer. Current and voltage limitation can be achieved with the aid of the power limiting device 300. The power limitation is configured such that the electrical energy available, taking into account all downstream energy storage devices (not shown), is insufficient to generate a spark or ignition spark in the event of a fault.Possible designs of the power limiting device 300 are described below with reference to . Figures 8 to 11 explained in more detail.

[0096] With regard to the electrical power supply, the system 50 uses different protection mechanisms that each provide a high level of security, whereby the Figure 2shown application scenario is possible. With the help of the monitoring device 410 of the feed-in device 400, a spark occurring in the electrical power supply of the field devices 100 due to a fault in the area of ​​the input connections 110 and output connections 111 of the first device areas 101 of the field devices 100 and in the area of ​​the supply lines 500 connected thereto can be reliably detected as it arises. Based on this, the electrical power supply can be switched off with a low latency in order to extinguish the spark. As described above, the spark duration limitation achieved in this way prevents the generation of a spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition in the area of ​​the input connections 110, output connections 111 and supply lines 500. In this way, the field devices 100 can be used in Zone 1 / 21 according to the ATEX Directive (second area 11 according to Figure 2 ) should be arranged.

[0097] With regard to the second device areas 102 of the field devices 100, the power limiting device 300 is used to limit the maximum electrical power that can be transmitted from the first device area 101 to the second device area 102. This ensures with a high degree of reliability that the available electrical energy is limited in such a way that, in the event of a fault, no spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition can be generated in the area of ​​the connection devices 160 or output line connections 165 of the second device areas 102 of the field devices 100, the output lines 510 and the field components 600 connected to the field devices 100 via the output lines 510. As a result, the field components 600 can be used in Zone 0 / 20 according to the ATEX Directive (first area 10 according to Figure 2 ) should be arranged.

[0098] Due to the monitoring of the electrical power supply of the field devices 100 and the power limitation within the field devices 100, it is also possible to provide simple and cost-effective designs for the supply lines 500 and output lines 510, as well as for the connectors arranged on the lines 500, 510. It is also possible to introduce a relatively high electrical power into the first device areas 101 of the field devices 100.

[0099] Based on the Figure 4 The field device 100 shown in FIG. 1 shows further features and details that may be considered for the field devices 100 of the system 50. According to the Figure 4In the embodiment shown, the first device area 101 has a switching device 180. The input connection 110 used to introduce electrical energy into the first device area 101 and the output connection 111 used to output or forward the electrical energy are connected to one another via the switching device 180 and internal electrical conductors 171. The forwarding of the electrical energy can be switched with the aid of the switching device 180. In this embodiment, by appropriately controlling the switching device 180 arranged between the input connection 110 and the output connection 111, the input connection 110 and the output connection 111 can be connected and disconnected, whereby the forwarding of the electrical energy via the output connection 111 can be flexibly controlled.

[0100] The first device area 101 of the Figure 4The field device 100 shown further includes a decoupling device 200, which is arranged between the input terminal 110 and the power limiting device 300. The decoupling device 200 is configured to provide a predetermined input impedance of the field device 100 with respect to the detection of spark generation. This allows the field device 100 to have a known and predictable electrical behavior, allowing the feed-in device 400 to detect spark generation in the event of a fault with high reliability and accuracy.

[0101] Figure 5shows a possible embodiment of the decoupling device 200. The decoupling device 200 comprises an LC low-pass filter with an inductor 230 and a capacitive assembly 240, which is connected in parallel to one end of the inductor 230, and via which a conduction path comprising the inductor 230 is connected to another conduction path. At an opposite end of the inductor 230 there is a further assembly 210 connected in series with the inductor 230. The further assembly 210 comprises, according to the Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, two series-connected diodes 211, and can therefore also be referred to as a diode assembly. Another component of the decoupling device 200 is a voltage limiting device connected in parallel with the inductance 230, which is designed according to the Figure 5The embodiment shown is implemented in the form of a clamping circuit 220 comprising two strings of serially connected diodes 211, wherein the strings and the diodes 211 are connected in parallel. The capacitive assembly 240 has two capacitors 241 connected in parallel.

[0102] The specified input impedance is determined by the inductor 230 and the capacitive component 240 of the decoupling device 200. The additional component 210 serves to specify a current flow direction. The voltage limiting device or clamping circuit 220 serves to specify a maximum voltage drop across the inductor 230 and, in the event of a voltage overshoot, for example, due to an interruption of an internal electrical conductor 171 at one end of the inductor 230, to convert the excess voltage into heat.

[0103] Figure 5 further illustrates the possibility of Figure 4shown field device 100 (and thus all field devices 100 of the system 50) to provide an inrush current limiter 250 in the first device area 101. The inrush current limiter 250 can be arranged between the decoupling device 200 and the input terminal 110, as in Figure 5 by a position above or on the input side of the decoupling device 200. Alternatively, the inrush current limiter 250 can be arranged between the decoupling device 200 and the power limiting device 300, as in Figure 5 is indicated by a position below or on the output side of the decoupling device 200.

[0104] The inrush current limiter 250 is designed to limit an inrush current at the start of the electrical power supply. This prevents a high or excessive inrush current from occurring in one or more field devices 100 at the start of the electrical power supply, resulting in the feed-in device 400 used for monitoring incorrectly shutting off the power supply even though no spark is generated. With the help of the inrush current limiter 250, for example, a slow charging of any local capacitances (not shown) that may be present can be achieved.

[0105] When the inrush current limiter 250 is arranged between the decoupling device 200 and the input terminal 110 (upper position in Figure 5), the inrush current limiter 250 may be subject to safety requirements, for example with regard to providing redundancy. In contrast, if the inrush current limiter 250 is arranged between the decoupling device 200 and the power limiting device 300 (lower position in Figure 5 ) less stringent requirements apply to the inrush current limiter 250, which can thus be implemented according to a simple design.

[0106] Figure 6shows a possible design of the inrush current limiter 250. The inrush current limiter 250 has a resistor 251 and a transistor 252, which are connected in series. The transistor 252 can be a normally-off n-channel FET (field-effect transistor). Another component of the inrush current limiter 250 is a regulator 253. The regulator 253 is designed to measure the current flowing through the resistor 251 and, depending on this, to regulate the voltage drop across the transistor 252 by appropriately controlling the gate of the transistor 252 in such a way that the occurrence of an excessive current is avoided.

[0107] For the field devices 100 of the system 50, a design with galvanic isolation may also be considered. For illustration purposes, Figure 4A possible configuration of the first device area 101 of the field device 100 with a separating device 131 is indicated, which is arranged between the decoupling device 200 and the power limiting device 300 and can achieve galvanic isolation. In this way, the electrical energy fed into the first device area 101 can be conducted on separate electrical circuits, which can promote reliable and safe operation of the system 50.

[0108] Figure 7shows a possible embodiment of the isolating device 131. The isolating device 131 has an inverter 335 arranged on the input side and an isolating assembly 330 arranged downstream of the inverter 335, which assembly comprises a transformer 331 providing galvanic isolation and, downstream of this, a rectifier 332 and a smoothing capacitor 333 connected in parallel with the rectifier 332. With the aid of the inverter 335, the electrical energy present as direct current can be converted into alternating current and fed to the transformer 331. The alternating current output by the transformer 331 can be rectified and smoothed with the aid of the rectifier 332 and the smoothing capacitor 333, so that a direct current is again present on the output side of the isolating device 131.

[0109] As indicated above, a galvanic isolation can also be implemented in the feed-in device 400, for example in the feed-in device limiting device 403 (cf. Figure 3 ). In this way, the field devices 100 can also be implemented without galvanic isolation and thus without the isolating device 131. In the case of a design of the feed-in device 400 with galvanic isolation, this can be implemented according to the Figure 7 shown circuit diagram.

[0110] The Figure 4 The field device 100 shown or its first device area 101 further comprises an internal power supply 132, which can be supplied with electricity via the electrical energy supplied to the first device area 101. A current branch leading to the internal power supply 132 and formed by internal electrical conductors 171 can, as shown in Figure 4As shown, it can be formed between the decoupling device 200 or the isolating device 131 and the power limiting device 300. The internal power supply 132 can be used to supply electrical energy to internal devices of the field device 100, for example, a communication controller 150 used in the context of data communication and described further below.

[0111] Based on the following Figures 8 to 11Possible configurations of the power limiting device 300 of the field devices 100, which is connected to the connection device 160 of the second device area 102, are described. In this context, it is pointed out that the circuit diagrams shown are to be regarded as schematic circuit diagrams. Therefore, it is possible to replace components and devices shown in the individual circuit diagrams with other components and devices with the same function and / or to provide a different configuration or arrangement for the components and devices shown.

[0112] Figure 8 shows a possible design of the power limiting device 300 as used in Figure 4The field device 100 shown (and thus all field devices 100 of the system 50) can be considered. Current limitation and voltage limitation can be achieved with the aid of the power limiting device 300. The power limiting device 300 has a protective device 310 arranged on the input side, a voltage limiting device 320 arranged downstream of the protective device 310, and a first current limiting device 311 arranged downstream of the voltage limiting device 320 on the output side. The protective device 310, which is connected in series with the first current limiting device 311, comprises an optional protective resistor 317 and a fuse 316 connected in series with the protective resistor 317. The protective resistor 317 can also be omitted. The first current limiting device 311 comprises a resistor 315.The voltage limiting device 320, via which a conduction path comprising the protective device 310 and the first current limiting device 311 is connected to a further and, as shown in . Figure 8 The circuit is connected by a conduction path comprising only one internal electrical conductor 171 and comprises two voltage-limiting components or semiconductor components connected in parallel. In the embodiment shown here, these are two Zener diodes 321.

[0113] At the Figure 8In the power limiting device 300 shown, the resistor 315 of the first current limiting device 311 serves to effect current limitation. The voltage limiting device 320 and its Zener diodes 321 can be protected via the fuse 316 and the optional protective resistor 317 of the protective device 310. Regarding voltage limitation, the Zener diodes 321 in the power limiting device 300 are operated in the reverse direction, so that the voltage applied to the two conduction paths is limited to a limit voltage predetermined by the Zener diodes 321. In the event of a voltage overshoot, the Zener diodes 321 become conductive, allowing the excess voltage to be converted into heat.

[0114] Figure 9 shows a further design of the power limiting device 300 as used for the Figure 4shown field device 100 (and thus all field devices 100 of the system 50) can be used. The power limiting device 300 serves to effect current and voltage limitation and also has galvanic isolation. Figure 9 The configuration shown comprises a combination of the Figures 7 and 8 shown circuit diagrams.

[0115] As in Figure 9 As shown, the power limiting device 300 comprises an inverter 335 on the input side, which is followed in succession by a protective device 310, a separation module 330 and a combination of a second current limiting device 312 and a voltage limiting device 320. The protective device 310 has the above-described Figure 8 explained structure with an optional protective resistor 317 and a fuse 316 connected in series. The separation assembly 330 has the above-mentioned Figure 7 explained structure with a transformer 331, a rectifier 332 connected thereto and a smoothing capacitor 333 connected in parallel thereto. The second current limiting device 312 comprises a fuse 316 and a resistor 315 connected in series with the fuse 316. The voltage limiting device 320 has, according to the Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, two voltage-limiting components connected in parallel, here again in the form of Zener diodes 321, via which a conduction path comprising the second current-limiting device 312 is connected to another conduction path. The Zener diodes 321 are connected to the conduction path comprising the second current-limiting device 312 in a region between the fuse 316 and the resistor 315 of the second current-limiting device 312.

[0116] At the Figure 9In the power limiting device 300 shown, the galvanic isolation is realized by the transformer 331 of the isolation module 330. With the help of the inverter 335, the electrical energy present as direct current can be converted into an alternating current and fed to the transformer 331 via the protective device 310. The alternating current output by the transformer 331 can be rectified and smoothed with the help of the rectifier 332 and the smoothing capacitor 333, whereby a direct current is present on the output side of the isolation module 330, and thus also on the output side of the power limiting device 300. The resistor 315 of the second current limiting device 312 serves to effect the current limitation.The transformer 331 can be protected via the fuse 316 and the optional protective resistor 317 of the protective device 310, and the voltage limiting device 320 can be protected via the fuse 316 of the second current limiting device 312. The voltage limiting device 320, in which the Zener diodes 321 are operated in the reverse direction, serves to effect voltage limitation.

[0117] With the help of the power limiting device 300 of the Figure 4 shown field device 100, a common current limit and voltage limit can be induced with respect to the output line terminals 165 of the connection device 160. This can be done with the aid of the Figures 8 and 9 shown embodiments of the power limiting device 300. The electrical energy transported via the power limiting device 300 can, as in Figure 4shown, are further routed via the input / output controller 161 connected to the power limiting device 300 to the output line terminals 165 in order to electrically supply field components 600 via output lines 510 connected thereto (cf. the Figures 1 , 2 ). For this purpose, the input / output controller 161 or the connection device 160 can have a suitable configuration with electrical conductors to conduct the electrical energy through the input / output controller 161 to the individual output line terminals 165. In an alternative configuration, the electrical energy can be conducted via corresponding electrical conductors past the input / output controller 161 or parallel to the input / output controller 161 to the output line terminals 165 (each not shown).

[0118] Furthermore, configurations are conceivable for the power limiting device 300, with which several separate and possibly different current limits and / or several separate and possibly different voltage limits can be implemented. In this way, separate and possibly different current limits and / or voltage limits can be provided with respect to individual or multiple output line terminals 165.

[0119] For example, it is possible to design the power limiting device 300 in such a way that, with respect to the output line connections 165, there is a common voltage limit and several small or divided current limits. For illustration purposes, Figure 10 a further possible embodiment of the power limiting device 300, as described for the Figure 4shown field device 100 (and thus all field devices 100 of system 50) is conceivable. The power limiting device 300 has a protective device 310 on the input side, which is followed by a voltage limiting device 320 and a third current limiting device 313.

[0120] The protective device 310 has the above-mentioned Figure 8 explained structure with an optional protective resistor 317 and a fuse 316 connected in series thereto. The voltage limiting device 320 comprises, according to the Figure 8In the embodiment shown, two voltage-limiting components, here again in the form of Zener diodes 321, via which a conduction path comprising the protective device 310 is connected to a further conduction path. With respect to the third current-limiting device 313, which comprises a plurality of resistors 315 connected in parallel, a division or subdivision of the conduction path comprising the protective device 310 is formed into a plurality of further conduction paths, each of which has a resistor 315 of the third current-limiting device 313 and which are each provided for connection to one or more output line terminals 165 of the connection device 160.

[0121] At the Figure 10In the power limiting device 300 shown, the resistors 315 of the third current limiting device 313 serve to effect current limitation, and the reverse-biased Zener diodes 321 of the voltage limiting device 320 serve to effect voltage limitation. The voltage limiting device 320 can be protected via the fuse 316 and the optional protective resistor 317 of the protective device 310. The split third current limiting device 313 can be used to create separate and, if resistors 315 of different sizes are used in the third current limiting device 313, also different current limits with respect to individual and / or multiple output line terminals 165 or groups of output line terminals 165.

[0122] With reference to the Figure 10It is also possible to design the power limiting device 300 with an additional galvanic isolation. For this purpose, analogous to the power limiting device 300 shown in Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, additional components such as an inverter 335 and a disconnection assembly 330 are used. In this case, the inverter 335 can be arranged upstream of the protective device 310, and the disconnection assembly 330 can be arranged between the protective device 310 and the voltage limiting device 320. Furthermore, a fuse 316 (not shown in each case) can be arranged upstream of the voltage limiting device 320.

[0123] As indicated above, the power limiting device 300 of the field devices 100 can also be designed such that, in addition to a current limit (i.e., a common current limit or several separate current limits), several separate and possibly different voltage limits can be induced with respect to individual or several output line connections 165. For this purpose, the power limiting device 300 can have several divided or split line paths and several voltage limiting devices 320, which may effect a different voltage limit, via which two line paths are connected in each case. In a corresponding manner, it is possible to provide additional galvanic isolation, for example, using Figure 9 shown components (not shown in each case).

[0124] It is also pointed out that it is possible to provide no galvanic isolation for either the field devices 100 or the feed-in device 400 of the system 50. In such a case, the field devices 100 can be designed with a ground connection to enable safe operation. The ground connection can be provided in the area of ​​the power limiting device 300. For illustration, Figure 11 shows a further design of the power limiting device 300, as used for the Figure 4 shown field device 100 (and thus all field devices 100 of the system 50) can be used. The power limiting device 300 of Figure 11 essentially agrees with the Figure 8 shown embodiment, and additionally has a ground connection 325 on an internal electrical conductor 171 or on a conduction path. If a power limiting device 300 with a structure corresponding Figure 10or another structure, a corresponding ground connection 325 can also be formed here (not shown).

[0125] As indicated above, the system 50 serves not only to supply energy to the field devices 100 and the field components 600 connected thereto, but also to carry out data communication, for example to transmit control data or control signals, which can be output by the higher-level control device 700, to actuators, as well as to receive sensor data or sensor signals from sensors and to transmit them to the control device 700.

[0126] For this purpose, the field devices 100 may have a structure and components as described in Figure 4for one of the field devices 100. Here, the first device area 101 has a first communication port 120, a second communication port 121, and a communication controller 150. The communication controller 150 can be monolithic or discrete. Data signals can be sent and received via the first communication port 120, as well as via the second communication port 121. The first communication port 120 is connected to the communication controller 150 via a first barrier circuit 140, a first physical interface 145, and internal data lines 176 of the field device 100. The second communication port 121 is connected to the communication controller 150 via a second barrier circuit 141, a second physical interface 146, and internal data lines 176 of the field device 100.This allows the communication controller 150 to send and receive data signals via both the first communication port 120 and the second communication port 121.

[0127] The internal data lines 176 of the field device 100 can have a plurality of electrical conductors, for example in the form of conductor tracks (not shown). The first and second barrier circuits 140, 141 are designed to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted to the first and second communication ports 120, 121 of the first device area 101 during the data communication and / or to cause galvanic isolation. The occurrence of a spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition in the area of ​​the communication ports 120, 121 due to the data communication can therefore be avoided. In this way, a high level of security with regard to the data communication can be achieved, which is advantageous in view of the Figure 2The application scenario shown is an arrangement of the field devices 100 in Zone 1 / 21 of the ATEX Directive (second area 11 according to Figure 2 ) possible. For the purpose of power limitation, the first and second barrier circuits 140, 141 can comprise electrical components such as at least one diode and at least one resistor. Galvanic isolation can be realized by configuring the first and second barrier circuits 140, 141 with a transformer or a capacitor (not shown in each case). The first and second physical interfaces 145, 146, which can be designed in the form of physical interface modules, are used for processing, ie for encoding or decoding data signals. If necessary, the first and second physical interfaces 145, 146 can each have an additional energy-limiting barrier circuit (not shown).

[0128] Figure 4further shows that the input connection 110 is implemented in the form of a hybrid connection, which includes the first communication connection 120. Similarly, the output connection 111 is designed in the form of a further hybrid connection, which includes the second communication connection 121. In this embodiment, the input connection 110 and the output connection 111 can be used both for feeding in or transmitting electrical energy for power supply and for transmitting data signals. Similarly, the supply lines 500 connected to the input connection 110 and output connection 111 (cf. Figure 1) simultaneously function as data lines, via which electrical energy for power supply and data signals can be transmitted. Accordingly, the supply lines 500 can have corresponding electrical conductors or wires for data transmission, and the connectors provided at the ends of the supply lines 500 can have communication ports corresponding to the communication ports 120, 121 (not shown). This makes it possible to keep the cabling effort in the system 50 low.

[0129] The field devices 100 of the system 50 or their communication controller 150 can receive and send data signals via the input connection 110 and the output connection 111. In this way, data communication is possible between the field devices 100 and between the field devices 100 and the feed-in device 400. The latter can take place via the first field device 100-1 of the system 50, which, as shown in Figure 1 shown is connected to the feed-in device 400 via a supply line 500 connected to the input terminal 110.

[0130] Figure 4 further shows that the communication controller 150 of the first device area 101 is connected via a communication connection 175 to the connection device 160 of the second device area 102 or to the input / output controller 161. This enables the communication controller 150 to receive and send data signals via the connection device 160. In this way, data communication is possible between the communication controller 150 and field components 600, which can be connected via output lines 510 to output line terminals 165 of the connection device 160 (see FIG. Figure 1 ). Data communication can take place via the input / output controller 161 of the connection device 160.

[0131] As in Figure 4As shown, the communication connection 175 comprises, in addition to corresponding internal data lines of the field device 100, which may comprise electrical conductors in the form of conductor tracks (not shown), a barrier device 155. The barrier device 155 is designed to limit an electrical power that can be transmitted from the communication controller 150 to the connection device 160 during data communication and / or to cause galvanic isolation.

[0132] The use of the barrier device 155 in the field devices 100 of the system 50 also serves to provide a high level of security with regard to data communication. With the aid of the barrier device 155, it can be achieved that the electrical power that can be introduced into the second device areas 102 of the field devices 100 during the data communication is limited. This can ensure that, as a result of the data communication, no spark or ignition spark with sufficient energy for ignition can be caused in the area of ​​the connection devices 160 or output line connections 165 of the second device areas 102 of the field devices 100, the output lines 510, and the field components 600 connected to the field devices 100 via the output lines 510. As a result, the field components 600 can be protected according to the Figure 2 illustrated application scenarios in Zone 0 / 20 of the ATEX Directive (first area 10 according to Figure 2 ) and the field devices can be located in Zone 1 / 21 of the ATEX Directive (second area 11 according to Figure 2 ) condition.

[0133] The barrier device 155 of the communication link 175 can be implemented in the form of a digital isolator, such as an optocoupler or a magnetic coupler (not shown). In such a configuration, the barrier device 155 can achieve reliable and secure power limitation along with galvanic isolation.

[0134] The Figure 4The input / output controller 161 shown, via which the communication controller 150 can communicate with field components 600, can be configured to control the transmission and reception of data signals via the connection device 160 or via its output line connections 165. The input / output controller can previously receive such data signals from the communication controller 150 via the communication connection 175 or subsequently forward them to the communication controller 150.

[0135] Data signals (e.g., control data) originating from the communication controller 150 and received by the input / output controller 161 can be forwarded to field components 600 (e.g., actuators) using the input / output controller 161. Furthermore, data signals (e.g., sensor data) originating from field components 600 (e.g., sensors) and received by the input / output controller 161 can be forwarded to the communication controller 150 using the input / output controller 161. If necessary, the input / output controller 161 can also convert or process the received data signals before forwarding them.

[0136] The input / output controller 161 can further be configured to control the forwarding of electrical energy to field components 600 via the output line connections 165, as part of the electrical energy supply. In this way, the distribution of electrical energy via the connection device 160 can be flexibly determined. This can be controlled, for example, by the communication controller 150, which can transmit corresponding data signals or control data to the input / output controller 161 for this purpose. Such control data can be generated by the higher-level control device 700 of the system 50 or can be based on control data generated by the control device 700.In the aforementioned applications, communication between the communication controller 150 and the input / output controller 161 can take place, for example, according to a predetermined communication protocol, as well as via interfaces of the communication controller 150 and the input / output controller 161 (not shown).

[0137] The control of the Figure 4 The switching device 180 shown for forwarding the electrical energy via the output terminal 111 of the field device 100 can be carried out, for example, with the aid of the communication controller 150. This can also be based on control data generated by the higher-level control device 700, which the communication controller 150 can receive.

[0138] The feeder unit 400 of the system 50 is, as stated above, included in the data communication. For this purpose, the Figure 3The structure shown can be used for the feed-in device 400. The feed-in device 400 has a communication input 405. The feed-in device 400 can be connected to the higher-level control device 700 of the system 50 via the communication input 405, which can be implemented in the form of a connection of the feed-in device 400. In this way, the feed-in device 400 can receive data signals from the control device 700 and transmit them to the control device 700. The feed-in device 400 further has a feed-in device communication connection 425, via which data signals can be sent and received, and via which the feed-in device 400 can communicate with the field devices 100, i.e. with the first field device 100-1 and via this with the other field devices 100 (cf. Figure 1). Another component of the feeder device 400 is a feeder device communication controller 450, which is connected to the communication input 405 via a first physical feeder device interface 445 and internal data lines 476 of the feeder device 400. Furthermore, the feeder device communication controller 450 is connected to the feeder device communication port 425 via a second physical feeder device interface 446, a feeder device barrier circuit 430, and internal data lines 476. In this way, the feeder device communication controller 450 can send and receive data signals via the communication input 405 and the feeder device communication port 425.

[0139] The first and second physical feeder interfaces 445, 446 serve to encode and decode data signals, respectively. The feeder barrier circuit 430 is configured to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted to the feeder communication port 425 during data communication and / or to provide galvanic isolation. This can further promote the secure implementation of data communication. The feeder barrier circuit 430 can include components such as at least one diode and at least one resistor for power limitation and / or a transformer or a capacitor for galvanic isolation (not shown).

[0140] Corresponding to the field devices 100, the feeder device output connection 420 is implemented in the form of a hybrid connection, which includes the feeder device communication connection 425. Therefore, the feeder device output connection 420 can be used to transmit electrical energy and data signals. Furthermore, a supply line 500 designed in the form of a hybrid line can be connected to the feeder device output connection 420, which can have a connector with a communication connection corresponding to the feeder device communication connection 425 (not shown). As a result, the feeder device 400 can be connected to one of the field devices 100 (or according to Figure 1 connected to the first field device 100-1) to enable transmission of electrical energy and exchange of data signals.

[0141] The Figure 3The structure of the feed-in device 400 shown makes it possible to establish data communication between the feed-in device 400 and the control device 700, as well as between the feed-in device 400 and the field devices 100 (via the first field device 100-1, cf. Figure 1 ). The field devices 100 can also communicate with each other and with the field components 600 connected thereto. In this way, data communication between the control device 700 and the field components 600 is possible via the feed-in device 400 and the field devices 100.

[0142] Further possible variants and configurations are described below, which may be considered with regard to components of the system 50, such as the field devices 100. Corresponding features and details, as well as identical and identically acting components, are not described in detail again below. For details, reference is instead made to the above description. Furthermore, aspects and details mentioned with regard to one configuration can also be applied with regard to another configuration, and features of two or more configurations can be combined with one another.

[0143] With regard to the field devices 100 of the system 50, Figure 4 Different designs with a different number of connections used to connect supply lines 500 may be considered.

[0144] For illustration purposes, Figure 12a representation of a field device 100 according to a second embodiment. Figure 12 The field device 100 shown in FIG. 1 has, in contrast to the field device Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment does not have an output terminal 111. Accordingly, components such as the switching device 180, the second communication terminal 121, the second barrier circuit 141 and the second physical interface 146 are also missing. The input terminal 110 of the field device 100 of Figure 12 can, according to the design of Figure 4 , for feeding electrical energy into the field device 100 or into its first device area 101 and for data communication.

[0145] The Figure 12The field device 100 shown can serve as a terminal device and, for example, be used at the end of a series or string of field devices 100 to simply transmit the energy supplied to the field device 100 to field components 600 and to carry out data communication via the field device 100 with the field components 600. In this respect, for example, for the Figure 1 shown third field device 100-3 has a design corresponding Figure 12 be used.

[0146] Figure 13 shows a representation of a field device 100 according to a third embodiment. Figure 13 The field device 100 shown in FIG. 1 has, in contrast to the field device Figure 4The illustrated embodiment has (at least) one further output connection 112. The further output connection 112 is designed in the form of a hybrid connection, corresponding to the output exclusion 111, and has, in addition to connection contacts 117 used for the electrical power supply, a further communication connection 122. The further communication connection 122 is connected to the communication controller 150 via a further barrier circuit 142, a further physical interface 147, and internal data lines 176 of the field device 100. In this way, the communication controller 150 can also send and receive data signals via the further communication connection 122.The further barrier circuit 142 is configured, in accordance with the first and second barrier circuits 140, 141, to limit the electrical power that can be transmitted to the further communication port 122 of the first device area 101 during data communication and / or to provide galvanic isolation. The further physical interface 147 is used for processing, ie, for encoding or decoding data signals.

[0147] The Figure 13 The field device 100 shown can be connected to two further field devices 100 (not shown) via the first output terminal 111 and the further output terminal 112, as well as using two supply lines 500 connected thereto. Electrical energy can be transmitted and data communication can take place via both output terminals 111, 112 and the corresponding supply lines 500. Figure 13The field device 100 shown can be used in this sense as a distributor for power supply and data communication.

[0148] Using one or more field devices 100 with a configuration according to Figure 13 and several field devices 100 with a design according to Figure 4 Thus, a system 50 can be constructed with several branched rows or strands of field devices 100. At the end of such a strand, a field device 100 with a configuration according to Figure 12 are used (not shown in each case).

[0149] At the Figure 13In the embodiment shown, the first device area 101 further comprises a further switching device 181. The input terminal 110 and the further output terminal 112 of the field device 100 are connected to one another via the further switching device 181 and internal electrical conductors 171 of the field device 100. In this way, the forwarding of the electrical energy via the further output terminal 112 can be controlled.

[0150] With reference to the Figure 13 In the field device 100 shown, it is possible to provide several further output connections 112, each with a further communication connection 122, and correspondingly several further barrier circuits 142 and physical interfaces 147 for the respective connection of the further communication connections 122 to the communication controller 150, as shown in Figure 13is indicated by points in an area between the barrier circuits 141, 142. In a corresponding manner, several further switching devices 181 can be provided, via which the input terminal 110 and a further output terminal 122 are each connected in order to control the forwarding of the electrical energy.

[0151] With regard to data communication, it is also possible to implement the following design with regard to the Figures 4 , 12 and 13The field devices 100 can be configured to carry out data communication via the communication ports 120, 121, 122 and the physical interfaces 145, 146, 147 of the first device area 101 according to a first communication protocol, and to carry out data communication via the connection device 160 of the second device area 102 according to a second communication protocol that differs from the first communication protocol. For this purpose, the connection device 160 or the input / output controller 161 can have corresponding interfaces or physical interfaces (not shown).

[0152] In this way, the data communication between the field devices 100 and the field components 600 can be decoupled from the remaining data communication, which can include the data exchange between the field devices 100 among themselves as well as between the field devices 100 and the higher-level control device 700 via the feed-in device 400. This enables, for example, a different design with regard to different requirements. For example, the data communication between the field devices 100 and the field components 600 can take place at a lower data transmission rate than the remaining data communication.

[0153] The first communication protocol can, for example, refer to Ethernet communication with a data transmission rate of, for example, 100 Mbit, such as EtherCAT. The second communication protocol can, for example, refer to communication according to HART or Profibus PA. The second communication protocol can also refer to Ethernet communication, wherein, in contrast to the first Ethernet communication protocol, a lower data transmission rate of, for example, 10 Mbit is used. In this context, internal components of the connection device 160 or the input / output controller 161 used for data communication can, if appropriate, be designed according to the future APL (Advanced Physical Layer) standard.

[0154] With regard to the Figure 2In the application scenario shown, the following features can also be applied to the field devices 100 of the system 50. The connections of the first device area 101 of the field devices 100, i.e., the input connection 110 and, if present, the output connection(s) 111, 112, can be designed according to a first type of protection, and the output line connections 165 of the second device area 102 of the field devices 100 can be designed according to a second type of protection, wherein the second type of protection corresponds to a higher level of protection than the first type of protection. The second type of protection can be the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ia, and the first type of protection can be the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ib.

[0155] To meet the different types of protection, components such as internal components and electrical conductors located in the area of ​​the respective terminals 110, 111, 112, 165 of the first and second device areas 101, 102 can have designs that meet the types of protection, for example with regard to distances and redundancies. Figures 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 and 11The circuit diagrams shown also contain redundant configurations which can contribute to the types of protection or to the intrinsic safety Ex ib and Ex ia of the terminals 110, 111, 112, 165. In this sense, the further assembly 210 has two diodes 211, the capacitive assembly 240 has two capacitors 241, the clamping circuit 220 has two strings of diodes 211, and the voltage limiting device 320 has two Zener diodes 321. The monitoring of the power supply of the field devices 100 implemented with the aid of the feed device 400 can also contribute to the intrinsic safety Ex ib of the terminals 110, 111, 112 of the first device area 101. With respect to the output line connections 165 of the second device area 102, the power limitation achievable with the aid of the power limiting device 300 and barrier device 155 can contribute to intrinsic safety Ex ia.

[0156] To achieve a high level of safety for system 50, field devices 100 can also be designed, for example, with a potting encapsulation (protection type Ex mb). In this embodiment, field devices 100 or their housings can be filled with a potting compound, which can prevent the penetration of an explosive mixture into field devices 100. It is also possible to design parts of field devices 100 according to increased safety (protection type Ex eb). Furthermore, a further protection type for field devices 100 is conceivable, for example, a design with a flameproof encapsulation (protection type Ex db).

[0157] A potting encapsulation (protection type Ex mb) or a flameproof encapsulation (protection type Ex db) and a partial design according to increased safety (protection type Ex eb) can also be considered for the feed-in unit 400.

[0158] The field components 600 can be intrinsically safe field components and can be designed according to the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ia.

[0159] With reference to the field devices 100 of the system 50, the following is additionally noted. The above-described structure of the field devices 100 with a first device area 101 and a second device area 102 can refer to a circuit-related view of the field devices 100. From the perspective of explosion protection, the field devices 100 can also be assigned three areas, which are referred to below as the first device section 801, the second device section 802, and the third device section 803. As in Figure 14As indicated with reference to a field device 100, the first device section 801 comprises the input terminal 110 and, depending on the design of the field device 100, one or more output terminals 111, 112. The second device section 802 comprises the output line terminals 165 of the field device 100. The third device section 803, which relates to the field device 100 itself, comprises components such as the circuit or circuit components of the field device 100 connected to the respective terminals 110, 111, 112, 165.

[0160] The first device section 801 can be designed according to a first type of protection, the second device section 802 can be designed according to a second type of protection, and the third device section 803 can be designed according to a third type of protection. The first, second, and third types of protection can differ from one another. As stated above, the field devices 100 or their connections 110, 111, 112, 165 can be designed such that the first type of protection is the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ib, and that the second type of protection is the type of protection intrinsic safety Ex ia. Monitoring the power supply to the field devices 100 by the feed-in device 400 can also contribute to the intrinsic safety Ex ib of the first device section 801. The power limitation within the field devices 100 that can be achieved with the aid of the power limitation device 300 and barrier device 155 can contribute to the intrinsic safety Ex ia of the second device section 802.With regard to the third device section 803 and the third type of protection, it is possible to design the field devices 100 with a potting encapsulation or with an equivalent design such as a flameproof encapsulation, so that the third type of protection can be the type of protection Ex mb or Ex db.

[0161] In addition to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures, further embodiments are conceivable, which may include further modifications and / or combinations of features.

[0162] One possible variation is, for example, to use the Figures 4 and 13The field devices 100 shown in the drawing can be designed without a switching device 180, 181. In this way, an input terminal 110 can be connected to an output terminal 111, 112 only via internal electrical conductors 171, and the transmission of electrical energy via the output terminal 111, 112 cannot be controlled.

[0163] With reference to connections shown in the figures, such as the input connections 110 and output connections 111, 112 of the field devices 100 and the feeder device output connection 420 of the feeder device 400, it is possible that these connections have an additional ground contact in addition to two connection contacts 115, 116, 117, 421.

[0164] For voltage limitation, a power limiting device 300 (see the Figures 8 , 9 , 10 , 11) instead of Zener diodes 321 other components suitable for voltage limitation or semiconductor components such as thyristors are used.

[0165] Regarding the Figure 5 With the decoupling device 200 shown, it is possible to replace the diodes 211 of the further assembly 210 and / or the clamping circuit 220 with other components or semiconductor components.

[0166] With reference to the Figure 3 For the illustrated feed-in unit 400, it is pointed out that for the Figure 3 The feed-in device limiting device 403 shown and used for energy limitation has a structure corresponding to that shown in Figure 8 or 9 shown circuit diagram can be used.

[0167] With regard to the feed-in device 400, it is also possible to use it differently from Figure 2also to be arranged in Zone 1 / 21 according to the ATEX Directive (second area 11 in Figure 2). The power supply unit 400 can be designed accordingly. Furthermore, measures such as the use of an explosion-proof connector on a supply line used to connect to the power supply input 401 of the power supply unit 400, via which the power supply unit 400 can be connected to a power source, can be used.

[0168] In the cases described above and in the Figures 1 , 4 , 12 and 13 In the field devices 100 shown, data communication between the field devices 100 and with the power supply unit 400 is implemented in the form of a point-to-point connection. The field devices 100 and the power supply unit 400 can also be implemented such that data communication can also take place via a bus structure.

[0169] In a further modification, the field devices 100 and the feed device 400 can be designed such that the electrical energy supply and the data communication are not carried out using hybrid lines and hybrid connections, but instead are carried out using separate supply lines and data lines, as well as separate connections for the energy supply and data communication.

[0170] In a further modification, a feed-in device 400 can be used which is designed to supply electrical energy to field devices 100 and monitor the electrical energy supply, but not for data communication, and therefore does not serve as a communication interface between the field devices 100 and the higher-level control device 700. In this case, the field devices 100 or one of the field devices 100 can be connected in a suitable manner to the control device 700 in order to enable data communication with the control device 700. For this purpose, for example, an additional device connected to the control device 700 can be used. The additional device can be connected to the feed-in device 400 via a supply line designed solely for the electrical energy supply, and to one of the field devices 100 via a supply line designed as a hybrid line.The additional device can combine the electrical power supply and data communication. The electrical power provided by the feed-in device 400 can be transmitted to the field devices 100 via the additional device, and data communication can take place between the control device 700 and the field devices 100. The field devices 100 can also be connected to one another via supply lines designed as hybrid lines.

[0171] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by claim 1. List of reference symbols

[0172] 10First area 11Second area 12Third area 50System 100Field device 101First device area 102Second device area 110Input connection 111Output connection 112Further output connection 115Connection contact 116Connection contact 117Connection contact 120First communication connection 121Second communication connection 122Further communication connection 131Isolation device 132Internal power supply 140First barrier circuit 141Second barrier circuit 142Further barrier circuit 145First physical interface 146Second physical interface 147Further physical interface 150Communication controller 155Barrier device 160Connection device 161Input / output controller 165Output line connection 170Power supply connection 171Internal conductor 175Communication connection 180Switching device 181Further switching device 200Decoupling device 210Further assembly 211Diode 220Clamping circuit 230Inductance 240Capacitive assembly 241Capacitance250 Inrush current limiter 251 Resistor 252 Transistor 253 Regulator 300 Power limiting device 310 Protection device 311 First current limiting device 312 Second current limiting device 313 Third current limiting device 315 Resistor 316 Fuse 317 Protection resistor 320 Voltage limiting device 321 Zener diode 325 Ground connection 330 Isolation assembly 331 Transformer 332 Rectifier 333 Smoothing capacitor 335 Inverter 400 Feeder 401 Power supply input 403 Feeder limiting device 405 Communication input 410 Monitoring device 411 First detector 412 Second detector 413 Feeder switching device 414 Control unit 420Feeder output terminal 421Connector contact 425Feeder communication terminal 430Feeder barrier circuit 445First physical feeder interface 446Second physical feeder interface 450Feeder communication controller 471Internal conductor 476InternalData line 500Supply line 510Output line 600Field component 700Control device 801First device section 802Second device section 803Third device section

Claims

1. A system (50) comprising a feed-in device (400) and a plurality of field devices (100) electrically connected to the feed-in device (400), wherein the feed-in device (400) is configured to provide an electrical energy for electrical energy supply to the field devices (100), wherein the field devices (100) each comprise a first device section (101) having an input terminal (110) for connecting a supply line (500), and a second device section (102), wherein the electrical energy provided by the feed-in device (400) may be supplied to the first device section (101) via the input terminal (110) and may be transmitted from the first device section (101) to the second device section (102) via an electrical energy supply connection (170), wherein the second device section (102) comprises a terminal device (160) having at least one output line terminal (165) for connecting at least one output line (510) to forward the electrical energy transmitted to the second device section (102), and wherein the electrical energy supply connection (170) of the first and second device sections (101, 102) comprises a power limiting device (300) configured to cause a limitation of an electrical power transmittable from the first device section (101) to the second device section (102) in the course of the energy transmission, and wherein the first device section (101) of the field devices (100) comprises an inrush current limiter (250), which is configured to limit an inrush current at a start of the electrical energy supply, characterized in that the feed-in device (400) comprises a monitoring device (410) which is configured to detect a spark generation in the electrical energy supply and, based on this, to switch off the electrical energy supply, the first device section (101) of the field devices (100) comprises a decoupling device (200) configured to provide a predetermined input impedance for detecting the spark generation, and the inrush current limiter (250) of the field devices (100) is arranged between the decoupling device (200) and the power limiting device (300).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the power limiting device (300) of the field devices (100) is configured to cause current limiting and voltage limiting.

3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device section (101) of the field devices (100) comprises an internal power supply device (132), which may be electrically supplied via the electrical energy supplied to the first device section (101).

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device section (101) of at least one field device (100) comprises at least one output terminal (111, 112) for connecting a further supply line (500) to forward the electrical energy supplied to the first device section (101).

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the first device section (101) of the at least one field device (100) comprises a switching device (180, 181) arranged between the input terminal (110) and the at least one output terminal (111, 112), with the aid of which the forwarding of the electrical energy supplied to the first device section (101) is switchable.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the field devices (100) comprise a galvanic isolation so that the electrical energy supplied to the first device section (101) is conducted on separate electrical circuits.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a galvanic isolation is formed in the first device section (101) and / or in the electrical energy supply connection (170) of the first and second device sections (101, 102).

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input terminal (110) of the first device section (101) of the field devices (100) and, if present, at least one output terminal (111) of the first device section (101) of at least one field device (100) is configured according to a first type of ignition protection, wherein the at least one output line terminal (165) of the second device section (102) of the field devices (100) is configured according to a second type of ignition protection, and wherein the second type of ignition protection corresponds to a higher level of protection than the first type of ignition protection.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the field devices (100) are configured to carry out data communication, in that the first device section (101) comprises at least one communication terminal (120) for connecting a data line for receiving and / or transmitting data signals and a communication controller (150) connected to the at least one communication terminal (120), wherein the communication controller (150) is connected to the terminal device (160) of the second device section (102) via a communication connection (175) for receiving and / or transmitting data signals via the terminal device (160), and wherein the communication connection (175) of the communication controller (150) and of the terminal device (160) comprises a barrier device (155) which is configured to cause a limitation of an electrical power transmittable from the communication controller (150) to the terminal device (160) during data communication and / or a galvanic isolation.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the terminal device (160) of the field devices (100) comprises an input / output controller (161) configured to control at least one of the following: receiving and / or transmitting data signals via the terminal device (160); and forwarding electrical energy via the terminal device (160).

11. The system according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the field devices (100) are configured to carry out data communication via the at least one communication terminal (120) of the first device section (101) according to a first communication protocol, and wherein the field devices (100) are configured to carry out data communication via the terminal device (160) of the second device section (102) according to a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol.

12. The system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein at least one of the following is arranged between the communication controller (150) and the at least one communication terminal (120) of the first device section (101) of the field devices (100): a physical interface (145); and a barrier circuit (140) configured to cause a limitation of an electrical power transmittable to the communication terminal (120) of the first device section (101) during data communication and / or a galvanic isolation.

13. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the input terminal (110) of the field devices (100) is configured as a hybrid terminal comprising the at least one communication terminal (120), to which a supply line (500) configured as a hybrid line may be connected.

14. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, as far as it refers back to claim 4, wherein the at least one output terminal (111, 112) of the at least one field device (100) is configured as a further hybrid terminal comprising a communication terminal (121, 122), to which a further supply line (500) configured as a hybrid line may be connected.

15. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed-in device (400) is configured to perform data communication, and / or wherein the feed-in device (400) is connected to one of the field devices (100) via a supply line (500), and wherein the field devices (100) are connected to one another via further supply lines (500) connecting two field devices (100) in each case.