Application of choreography mechanisms within an automated module

Abstract

The invention relates to a technical module (2) comprising: - a plurality of technical objects which are each designed and provided to carry out a technical function (4, 5); - a control unit (8) which is designed and provided to control the technical functions of the individual technical objects; and - a communication unit (7) which is designed and provided to exchange data with external communication partners (3, 6). The technical module (2) is characterized in that the control unit (8) comprises a computer-implemented execution service (9) having a configurable logic unit (10), wherein the computer-implemented execution service (9) is designed to - receive rules and interconnections from an external communication partner (3, 6) by means of the communication unit (7), and - configure the logic unit (10) on the basis of the received rules and interconnections, wherein the control unit (8) is designed to control, via the configured logic unit (10), the technical objects for operating the technical module (2) in the technical plant (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Application of choreography mechanisms within an automated module

[0003] The invention relates to a technical module comprising

[0004] - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function,

[0005] - a control unit designed and intended to control the technical functions of the individual technical objects,

[0006] - a communication unit that is designed and intended for data exchange with external communication partners.

[0007] The invention also relates to a technical system and a method for operating a technical module in a technical system. The invention also relates to a computer program with computer-executable program code instructions and a computer-readable medium.

[0008] Particularly in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries, operators of technical plants are faced with high demands to be able to respond quickly to changing market requirements. Modular plants enable plant operators to significantly shorten the so-called "time to market" and to respond quickly to changing market conditions through low-cost plant conversion. Plant operators can build a pool of modular units (e.g., process units) with which they can assemble a specific plant using so-called orchestration. If the plant needs to be converted, individual modules are removed and replaced with other, for example, more powerful modules.

[0009] In previously known automation systems such as "PCS 7" or the "TIA Portal" from Siemens, the modules are connected via communication technology and their functions are controlled using classic automation concepts. Communication connections are configured, operating screens are developed, and higher-level process sequences are created using languages ​​such as "S7 Graph" or "SFC (Sequential Flow Chart)." This is complex and difficult to implement due to the lack of relevant knowledge among process engineers.

[0010] Publication WO 2016 / 074730 A1 describes a method for creating a modular technical system using self-description information of the modules. This method is based on online self-description information of the individual modules. However, this information is generally not available (online) during the orchestration process of a modular system, as planning is carried out offline based on static type description information such as the Module Type Package (MTP) (see the draft of the standard "VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658" published by the Association of German Engineers (VDI) on January 4, 2018).

[0011] In general, the flexibility and adaptability of production systems represent a key factor for future production systems in volatile markets. They can be achieved by orchestrating intelligent technical modules (also known as "equipment assemblies" or "package units") into a plant. Each technical module offers functions that can be parameterized by a higher-level orchestration instance (also known as the "orchestration layer") and called in the correct sequence. The more detailed the functions are, the more flexibly larger functions can be orchestrated from them. However, smaller functions require greater effort for their coordination and engineering. If a technical module offers coarse-grained functions, these are too specific for many use cases, which in turn limits flexibility.

[0012] In the process industry, a procedural model based on the ISA-88 standard and IEC 61512 is available, which describes various levels of granularity for individual functions. Starting with the highest level of a "procedure," also commonly referred to as a recipe, there are three further levels with increasingly detailed functions ("unit procedure," "operation," "phase"). The more detailed the functions become, the greater the effort required to coordinate these functions. In addition to procedural relationships, regulatory and interlocking relationships also become more important.

[0013] Both centralized and decentralized orchestration approaches are used today to orchestrate functions. Both variants operate exclusively at the procedural level, combining smaller functions into a larger function (a "procedure" or "unit procedure").

[0014] With central orchestration, the plant operator implements the "unit operation" in the orchestration instance by orchestrating small-scale functions using purely procedural relationships, usually resolved via step transition logic. In this case, orchestration in the orchestration instance also requires consideration of regulatory and interlocking relationships. For this purpose, the orchestration instance has a data hub that reads values ​​from a source and writes them to a sink. Between reading and writing, the orchestration instance offers the option of inserting configurable conversions. In addition to the effort required to implement the "unit operation" in the orchestration instance, orchestrating the small-scale functions and implementing the regulatory and interlocking relationships place high performance and real-time demands on the orchestration instance.

[0015] Within the framework of a decentralized orchestration, the "unit operation" is implemented natively in a (control) program of a controller of the technical module. Here, too, step transition logic is usually used. Regulatory and locking tasks can in this case be implemented within the controller of the technical module. However, the flexibility of this solution is limited because the function at the "unit operation" level must be very specific to a certain application case. In many cases, the mechanical engineer who develops, manufactures, tests, and (in some industries) sells the technical module with corresponding validation certificates does not even have the process knowledge to implement the "unit operation" in the technical module.

[0016] The invention is based on the object of simplifying and making more efficient the integration of a technical module into a technical system and the operation of the technical module.

[0017] This task is solved by a technical module, comprising - a plurality of technical objects, each of which is designed and intended to carry out a technical function,

[0018] - a control unit designed and intended to control the technical functions of the individual technical objects,

[0019] - a communication unit that is designed and intended for data exchange with external communication partners.

[0020] The technical module is characterized in that the control unit has a computer-implemented execution service with a configurable logic unit, wherein the computer-implemented execution service is designed to

[0021] - to receive rules and interconnections from an external communication partner using the communication unit, and

[0022] - to configure the logic unit on the basis of the received rules and interconnections, wherein the control unit is designed to use the configured logic unit to control the technical objects for operating the technical module in the technical system.

[0023] A "technical module" is understood to be a self-contained technical unit that can be integrated into a (higher-level) control level of the technical system. Such a technical module can be, for example, a combination of several measuring points or a larger part of the technical system. A technical module can comprise any combination of individual control elements, sensors, actuators, or automation components. In addition, software-based technical representations of, for example, individual control elements can also be part of a technical module. The technical module comprises a plurality of technical objects with the help of which a technical process can be carried out. For example, a technical object can be a boiler with which a liquid can be heated, or a conveyor belt with which a medium or an object can be transported.

[0024] In addition to the technical objects designed and configured to carry out the process, the technical module includes (at least) one control unit. This unit controls (and, if necessary, regulates) the technical objects based on rules and interconnections stored or storable in the technical module. These can be specified in part by a manufacturer of the technical module and stored in the technical module.

[0025] The technical module can be configured to perform a complex function in the technical system, such as the controlled pumping of liquid, heating water and maintaining a specific temperature in a tank, performing a filter function, and the like. For this purpose, the technical module can comprise, for example, valves, tanks, sensors, combinations of several individual objects, and the like as technical objects.

[0026] Rules and interconnections that can be implemented in the configurable logic unit of the control unit's computer-implemented execution service serve to execute one or more processes within the functional module using the technical objects contained in the functional module. For example, rules can be specified for how the control unit (or control units) of the functional module should control the technical objects, for example, depending on a selected operating mode.

[0027] The (automation-related) rules and interconnections stored in the technical module serve to link the individual technical objects with each other. Parts of the interconnections can, for example, be identifications and specifications of the individual technical objects, which must be known to the individual technical objects in order to interact with each other.

[0028] However, part of such a circuit can also be, for example, the information that the stirrer in a tank may only rotate at a reduced speed of n rpm once the fluid in the tank has reached a certain fill level.

[0029] The technical module has a communication unit that is used to exchange data with external communication partners. This communication unit can comprise a server, in particular an ORC UA server.

[0030] A significant innovation compared to existing technical modules is the implementation of the configurable logic unit and the execution service within the technical module. "Within the technical module" means that both the logic unit and the execution service are computer-implemented on computing / storage units that are physically part of the technical module.

[0031] The execution service is designed to receive the rules and interconnections from an external communication partner, for example, a higher-level orchestration tool of the technical system, via the communication unit. The rules and interconnections can, for example, be one or more process-engineering operations that are to be executed sequentially by the technical module. Not only the operation itself can be requested, but parameters associated with the process-engineering operation can also be included in the rules and interconnections. In particular, the rules and interconnections can comprise a (process-engineering) recipe that is to be executed completely or partially by the technical module.

[0032] The execution service configures the logic unit based on the rules and interconnections received from the communication partner, thus specifying the rules and interconnections for the individual technical objects. In the simplest case, the received rules and interconnections are adopted 1:1 and inserted into the logic unit. However, it is also possible for the execution service to make (minor) adjustments to the received rules and interconnections to meet the specific requirements of the logic unit.

[0033] The logic unit can comprise computer-implemented function blocks that are configured accordingly by the execution service. It is possible that certain rules and interconnections for the individual technical objects are already stored in the technical module, and that the configuration of the logic unit leads to a revised interconnection of the technical objects that is (only) valid for the execution of the instructed operation(s). It can be provided that rules and interconnections already stored in the technical module, which were created, for example, by the manufacturer of the technical module, cannot be changed based on the received external rules and interconnections.

[0034] The inventive design of the technical module makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to realize an advantageous compromise between decentralized choreography and central orchestration.

[0035] The logic unit can include a memory in which the rules and interconnections generated by the triggering of the execution service can be stored. A separate memory or a memory of the control unit can be used as a shared memory. Thanks to the execution service and the configurable logic unit, the technical module is designed to be adaptive and can effectively adapt to changing usage conditions within a technical system (or when switching to another technical system).

[0036] The communication unit can have a server, in particular an ORC UA server, for communication with external communication partners such as a control system. Furthermore, the communication unit can have an archive in which information regarding communication with external communication partners can be stored, for example, the network addresses of the communication partners.

[0037] Within the scope of an advantageous development of the invention, one or more technical functions can be addressed by the control unit as a service that can be performed in accordance with the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard. This standard is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the context of modular production or manufacturing, which allows a correspondingly designed technical module to be particularly easily integrated into the automation of a technical system.

[0038] Preferably, the communication unit is configured to receive rules and interconnections from the external communication partner, for example, an orchestrating control system, and forward them to the control unit, specifying which service or services should be performed. For example, a recipe, i.e., a sequence of specific process engineering or manufacturing steps, can be specified, which requires the processing of one or more services offered by the technical module.

[0039] The above-stated object is also achieved by a technical system, in particular a manufacturing or processing system, comprising at least one technical module according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one higher-level control unit formed separately from the technical module.

[0040] A technical facility can be a facility in the process industry, such as a chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, or food and beverages industry. This also includes any technical facility in the manufacturing industry, such as factories where cars or other goods of all kinds are produced. Wind turbines, solar systems, or power plants for energy generation are also included in the term "technical facility."

[0041] The technical system preferably comprises a visualization system designed to visualize the rules and interconnections used to control the technical objects of the technical module. With the help of such a graphical representation, the technical module can be integrated or orchestrated more easily and efficiently into the technical system for carrying out a technical process. The visualization system makes it possible to obtain an overview of the rules and interconnections currently applicable or active in the technical module and to supplement these if necessary. The visualization information required for the visualization can be transmitted to the visualization system in a format according to the aforementioned VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard.

[0042] The higher-level control unit can be designed as a control system that includes an operator station server for the visualization and / or orchestration of the technical module. In this context, an "operator station server" is understood to be a server that centrally records data from an operating and monitoring system, as well as generally alarm and measured value archives from the control system of the technical plant, and makes them available to users. The operator station server generally establishes a communication link to the automation systems of the technical plant and forwards data from the technical plant to so-called clients, which are used to operate and monitor the operation of the individual functional elements of the technical plant. The operator station server can have client functions to access the data (archives, messages, tags, variables) of other operator station servers.This allows images of the operation of the technical plant on the operator station server to be combined with variables from other operator station servers (server-to-server communication). The operator station server can be, but is not limited to, a SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstation Server from SIEMENS. The previously formulated problem is also solved by a method for operating a technical module in a technical plant, in particular a production or process plant, the technical module comprising:

[0043] - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function,

[0044] - a control unit designed and provided to control the technical objects on the basis of rules and interconnections of the individual objects, and which has a configurable logic unit,

[0045] - a communication unit which is designed and provided for data exchange with external communication partners, the method comprising: a) integrating the technical module into the technical system, in the course of which a communication connection is set up between the technical module and a higher-level control unit of the technical system, in particular a control system of the technical system, b) transmitting rules and interconnections to the communication unit by the higher-level control unit as an external communication partner of the technical module and forwarding them to a computer-implemented execution service of the control unit, c) automated configuration of the configurable logic unit on the basis of the received rules and interconnections by the computer-implemented execution service, d) controlling the technical objects by the configured logic unit to operate the technical module in the technical system.

[0046] Method step b is preferably carried out on the basis of a server, in particular an OPC UA server. Within the scope of a further development of the method explained above, the communication unit receives information regarding a communication unit of the external communication partner, in particular regarding a network address of the communication unit of the external communication partner, and stores this information in an archive of the communication unit of the technical module.

[0047] The rules and interconnections used to control the technical objects of the technical module can be visualized by means of a visualization system, in particular an operator station server or client of a control system of the technical plant.

[0048] The object is further achieved by a computer program with computer-executable program code instructions for implementing a previously described method, and by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a previously described method.

[0049] 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 clearly understood in connection with the following description of embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

[0050] The figure shows a modular technical system 1. The technical system 1 comprises a technical module 2 and a higher-level control unit 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the higher-level control unit 3 represents an operator station of a control system for the technical system. The operator station has at least one operator station server and one operator station client, by means of which the technical system can be operated and monitored with the technical module 2. However, a single-user system (single station) can also be used as the higher-level control unit 3.

[0051] The technical module 2 is designed for modular use in the technical system. For this purpose, it comprises a plurality of technical objects such as sensors and actuators designed to perform technical functions 4, 5. A technical function can, for example, represent heating, stirring, moving, measuring, or the like.

[0052] The higher-level control unit 3 has a communication unit 6, by means of which it can transmit rules and connections to a communication unit 7 of the technical module 2. In the opposite direction, the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 can transmit data to the communication unit 6 of the higher-level control unit 3. The transmission towards the higher-level control unit 3 can originate from the communication unit 6 of the technical module 2 or be requested by the communication unit 7 of the higher-level control unit 3.

[0053] A control unit 8 is implemented in the technical module 2, which is designed and intended to control the technical objects of the technical module 2 on the basis of rules and interconnections of the individual objects. The control unit 8 has a computer-implemented execution service 9, which has access to a configurable logic unit 10 of the control unit 8. A method for operating the technical module 2 in the technical system 1 is explained below: First, the technical module 2 is integrated into the technical system 1. In the process, logistical steps not explained in detail here are carried out (cables, power supply, placement, etc.). During the setup process, a communication connection is also set up from the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 to the communication unit 6 of the higher-level control level 3 of the technical system.

[0054] Rules and interconnections are transmitted automatically or by manual input from an operator of the technical system from the communication unit 6 of the higher-level control level 3 to the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2. The rules and interconnections can comprise a recipe 11. Recipe 11 contains one or more steps to be processed by the technical module 2. Recipe 11 also includes parameters relevant for processing the individual steps. For example, a recipe 11 can contain the following information:

[0055] - Fill 100 liters of fluid A from inlet 1 into a container X

[0056] - Heat the fluid to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius

[0057] - Mix the heated fluid A with 10 liters of fluid B from inlet 2

[0058] - Allow the mixture of fluid A and fluid B to cool to a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius

[0059] - Pour the cooled mixture into a container Y.

[0060] The communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 forwards the received rules and interconnections to the computer-implemented execution service 9 of the control unit 8. This configures the configurable logic unit 10 based on the received rules and interconnections. The rules and interconnections can at least partially follow the formal structure according to the VID / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard and address individual "services" that the technical module 2 offers as a "service." The task of the computer-implemented execution service 9 is to transfer the requirements for performing specific services internally to the individual technical functions 4, 5, using the configurable logic unit 10, which it configures according to the rules and interconnections.

[0061] For example, the configurable logic unit 10 can be configured to specify that the status of a valve has a direct influence on the locking of a pump. The logic unit 10 can also specify that the valve is locked if the pump has been reported as defective.

[0062] Finally, the technical module 2 is operated in the technical system 1. Data (measured values, diagrams, messages, etc.) can be transmitted via the communication unit 7 of the technical module 2 to the higher-level control level 3, which serves to operate and monitor the technical module 2.

[0063] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Technical module (2) , comprehensive, - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function (4, 5), - a control unit (8) designed and provided to control the technical functions of the individual technical objects, - a communication unit (7) which is designed and provided for data exchange with external communication partners (3, 6), characterized in that the control unit (8) has a computer-implemented execution service (9) with a configurable logic unit (10), wherein the computer-implemented execution service (9) is designed to - to receive rules and interconnections from an external communication partner (3, 6) by means of the communication unit (7), and - to carry out a configuration of the logic unit (10) on the basis of the received rules and interconnections, wherein the control unit (8) is designed to carry out a control of the technical objects for operating the technical module (2) in the technical system (1) with the configured logic unit (10).

2. Technical module (2) according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit (7) comprises a server, in particular an OPC UA server, for bidirectional communication between the technical module (2) and the external communication partner (3, 6).

3. Technical module (2) according to claim 1 or 2, in which one or more technical functions (4, 5) are the control unit (8) can be addressed as a service that can be carried out in accordance with the standard VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658.

4. Technical module (2) according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit (7) is designed to receive rules and interconnections from the external communication partner (3, 6) and to forward to the control unit (8) which service or services are to be carried out.

5. Technical system (1), in particular a manufacturing or processing system, comprising at least one technical module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one higher-level control unit (6) formed separately from the technical module (2).

6. Technical system according to claim 5, wherein the higher-level control unit (6) comprises a computer-implemented editing tool which is designed and provided for specifying the rules and interconnections, wherein the higher-level control unit (6) a communication unit (3) for transmitting the rules and interconnections to the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2).

7. Technical system (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the higher-level control unit (6) is designed as a control system which comprises at least one operator station server.

8. Technical installation (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, which is designed to provide the rules and connections for an operator of the technical installation (1) to visualize.

9. Procedure for operating a technical module (2) in a technical installation (1), in particular a manufacturing or process plant, the technical module (2) comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function (4, 5), - a control unit (8) which is designed and provided for controlling the technical objects of the individual objects, - a communication unit (7) which is designed and provided for data exchange with external communication partners (3, 6), the method comprising: a) integrating the technical module (2) into the technical system (1), in the course of which a communication connection of the technical module (2) to a higher-level control unit (6) of the technical system (1), in particular a control system of the technical system (1), is established, b) transmitting rules and interconnections to the communication unit (7) by the higher-level control unit (6) as an external communication partner (3, 6) of the technical module (2) and forwarding them to a computer-implemented execution service (9) of the control unit (8), c) automated configuration of the configurable logic unit (10) on the basis of the received rules and interconnections by the computer-implemented execution service (9),d) Controlling the technical objects by the configured logic unit (10) to operate the technical module (2) in the technical system (1).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method step b is carried out on the basis of a server architecture, in particular an OPC UA server architecture.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2) inform- information relating to a communication unit (3) of the external communication partner (3, 6), in particular relating to a network address of the communication unit of the external communication partner (3, 6), and stored in an archive of the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2).

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein one or more technical functions (4, 5) can be addressed by the control unit (8) as an executable service according to the standard VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the communication unit (7) of the technical module (2) receives the rules and interconnections from the higher-level control unit (6) and forwards them to the control unit (8) in such a way that the rules and interconnections specify which service or services are to be carried out.

14. A computer program comprising computer-executable program code instructions for implementing a method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

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