Method for ascertaining the threshold of a value range of an operating parameter of a device, method for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, and equipment for carrying out such methods
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024703291
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-30
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-10
AI Technical Summary
The increasing complexity of monitoring operating parameters in devices due to digitalization leads to a higher susceptibility to errors and impaired monitoring, particularly in bulk material conveying and processing systems, where manual management of settings is error-prone and inefficient.
A method for determining limit values of operating parameters using reference data and processing rules that account for both universal device properties and specific characteristics, allowing for automated and reliable monitoring without the need for manual expert knowledge, enabling efficient scaling and reduced risk of human error.
This approach enhances the reliability and cost-effectiveness of monitoring by eliminating manual entry of limit values, allowing for automated determination and maintenance of limit values across multiple devices and parameters, reducing the risk of false alarms and improving operational reliability.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024052156_08082024_PF_FP
Abstract
Description
[0001] Method for determining a limit value of a value range of an operating parameter of a device, method for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, devices for carrying out such methods
[0002] Description
[0003] field of technology
[0004] The present invention is used in condition monitoring systems for devices in the field of bulk material conveying, bulk material dosing, and bulk material processing. It relates to a method for determining a limit value of a value range of an operating parameter of a device, a method for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, devices, so-called condition monitoring systems, which are configured to perform such methods, and a data sequence.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] Due to the ever-increasing digitalization of devices, such as dosing devices, the amount of data from sensors and other electronics available for monitoring device operating parameters is also growing. On the one hand, this enables increasingly comprehensive monitoring of the device for an increasing number of operating parameters. On the other hand, however, the complexity of implementing and executing the monitoring itself is also increasing, so that manual management of the settings required for monitoring is associated with a greater susceptibility to errors and can therefore ultimately even impair the monitoring process.
[0007] Summary of the invention
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the described disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide means by which the operation of devices can be made more reliable.
[0009] The object is achieved by the invention according to a first aspect by proposing a method for determining at least one limit value of a permissible value range of an operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of the device. The method comprises the following steps:
[0010] Providing reference data of at least one specific operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of the device;
[0011] Determining at least one limit value of a value range of the specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device, wherein at least one processing rule defined or definable for the specific operating parameter is selected and the reference data is processed according to the selected processing rule, and the at least one limit value is obtained as a result of the processing. The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that monitoring of operating parameters of a device and thus also operation of the device is particularly reliable if limit values can be used to assess the operating parameter values which directly take into account the conditions inherent in the device, which may also be location-dependent or runtime-dependent.
[0012] This is achieved here by incorporating universal properties of a device type through a processing instruction and specific characteristics of the respective device through individual reference data. Both the processing instruction and the reference data are selected with reference to the respective operating parameters of the device.
[0013] By implementing such a combined approach with general and specific components for limit value determination for the first time, the inherent properties of the device with regard to the operating parameter under consideration can be taken into account particularly comprehensively both reliably and with little effort and can be reflected in the limit value.
[0014] In particular, the proposed method eliminates the need to rely on rigid limit values manually defined by the operating personnel for monitoring individual operating parameters. Once the processing instructions according to the invention are in place, expert device knowledge is no longer required to determine limit values, in contrast to the specification of fixed limit values. Instead, the properties of the individual device can advantageously be inherently taken into account. This also makes monitoring the device, including limit value determination, particularly cost-effective.
[0015] In addition, the operation of the device becomes more reliable because the risk of human error can be prevented or at least limited due to the elimination or at least reduction of manual entry of limit values.
[0016] The rule specified for an operating parameter can be applied across all devices for the respective operating parameter. This allows monitoring of a large number of operating parameters and even multiple devices to be implemented particularly easily yet reliably. The limit value determination can also be fully or at least partially automated. This enables significant time savings compared to the conventional manual maintenance of limit values. The proposed method allows limit values to be determined efficiently for a large number of parameters and a large number of devices. The method therefore scales particularly advantageously.
[0017] The maintenance of limit values, even for multiple devices, is now possible efficiently and fully or at least partially automated. Using conventional means, continuous maintenance of limit values is practically impossible with a reasonable amount of effort, especially with a large number of devices (approximately several dozen devices) and an ever-increasing number of operating parameters to be monitored.
[0018] For example, the limit value can be determined after the device has been put into operation, after a modification of the device, or at regular intervals as suggested. Regular, especially periodic, limit value determination allows changes to the device over its life cycle to be taken into account through updated reference data. False alarms can be avoided by adjusting the limit values accordingly.
[0019] The specific operating parameter may, for example, be an operating parameter of the device as a whole, relate to a specific circumstance, such as a vibration of the device or one of its parts, and / or an operating parameter of a part of the device, such as a motor of the device.
[0020] A processing rule could, for example, be or represent a rule for processing the reference data and / or a calculation rule. Other forms of processing rules are also possible.
[0021] The processing instructions can advantageously be device-specific for the respective specific operating parameters. Thus, different device types may have the same operating parameters, but different processing instructions may apply.
[0022] In one embodiment, the selection and / or design process of the processing rule can be carried out on the basis of a historical fleet database by expert software and / or an expert system, in particular fully or partially automated.
[0023] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the step of providing the reference data of the specific operating parameter comprises the following sub-steps: - providing historical operating data of the device, in particular historical measurement data of the specific operating parameter, and selecting at least part of the data and providing the selected data and / or data derived therefrom, in particular by means of filtering, as the reference data of the specific operating parameter.
[0024] By using historical operating data of the device as reference data, the characteristic properties of the respective machine can be directly and inherently incorporated into the determination of the limit value. This makes monitoring the device, especially the respective operating parameter, particularly reliable with a limit value determined in this way.
[0025] Filtering can, for example, involve high-pass and / or low-pass filtering and / or moving averaging (especially over the measurement data of a time series). This can, for example, smooth the measurement data and reliably eliminate interference. This, in turn, allows more reliable limit values to be determined.
[0026] Preferably, the Nyquist-Shannon criterion is observed when collecting measurement data.
[0027] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the selected data comprise the historical data of a period in which the device was in standard operation, in particular at least with regard to the specific operating parameter.
[0028] This makes it particularly easy to determine a reliable limit value. If the device is in an operating state that deviates from standard operation during monitoring during productive use (especially with regard to the specific operating parameter), the unfavorable values of the specific operating parameter can be reliably identified by comparing them with a corresponding limit value.
[0029] The reference data are therefore historical measurement data from a sensor recorded during a previous operation of the device. The reference data preferably originate from an operating phase during which the device was in good condition (at least with regard to the specific operating parameter), i.e., during standard operation. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the reference data is obtained at least partially from a simulation of the device or parts thereof.
[0030] Simulation allows for particularly efficient and reliable reference data to be obtained. The use of simulation is also particularly advantageous because a simulation model of the device has often already been created for the development of the device, and this model can then be used directly to obtain reference data.
[0031] For example, the simulation may comprise a vibration analysis of the device or parts thereof and / or represent a standard operation of the device, in particular at least with respect to the specific operating parameter.
[0032] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the processing of the reference data according to the selected processing rule includes the inclusion of at least one statistical parameter, such as in particular a mean value and / or a standard deviation, of the reference data, wherein the at least one statistical parameter is calculated based on the reference data and / or the at least one limit value is determined based at least partially on the at least one statistical parameter.
[0033] By incorporating statistical parameters, particularly reliable limit values could be determined. Furthermore, statistical parameters can be efficiently determined based on the reference data.
[0034] For example, a limit value, in particular an upper limit value, of an operating parameter could be determined according to a processing rule "(Upper limit value of the specific operating parameter) = (Setpoint value of the specific operating parameter) + 5 * (Standard deviation of the specific operating parameter)". In this case, the setpoint value and the standard deviation of the specific operating parameter could be a mean value and a standard deviation of the reference data of the specific operating parameter, respectively, in particular from a time range of a good condition of the device. Both the setpoint value (or the mean value) and the standard deviation would be advantageous statistical parameters in this case. In this way, the scatter of the specific operating parameter can also be taken into account very simply yet reliably for the limit value calculation.
[0035] Similarly, a lower limit of the specific operating parameter could be determined according to a processing rule "(Lower limit of the specific operating parameter) = (Setpoint of the specific operating parameter) -5* (Standard deviation of the specific operating parameter)".
[0036] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that two or more than two limit values of the value range of the specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device are determined, wherein preferably for each limit value an individual processing rule defined or definable for the specific operating parameter is selected, and the respective limit value is obtained as a result of the processing of the reference data according to the respectively selected processing rule.
[0037] For example, an upper and lower limit can be determined. This allows the permissible value range of the operating parameter to be determined.
[0038] In particular, the reference data are each processed according to the selected processing rule, and each processing operation results in the respective limit value. Alternatively or additionally, the historical data and / or the reference data can also be time series data and / or measurement data from at least one highly dynamic sensor, preferably provided on the device, for example, a MEMS sensor, an acceleration sensor, and / or a vibration sensor.
[0039] A highly dynamic sensor is understood to be a sensor that samples at such a high frequency in compliance with the Nyquist-Shannon criterion that all relevant machine dynamics are measured, whereby the final operating parameters must be determined by signal analysis of the high-frequency sampled raw data - typically by using Fourier analysis as a signal analysis tool.
[0040] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that at least two specific operating parameters of the device are to be monitored during operation of the device, wherein a common database is provided, and wherein the common database is processed in a first way, and a result of the first data processing is provided as first reference data of the first of the at least two specific operating parameters, and wherein the common database is processed in a second way, and a result of the second data processing is provided as second reference data of the second of the at least two specific operating parameters,and wherein preferably for each of the at least two specific operating parameters, at least one limit value of a value range of the respective specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device is determined based at least on the reference data of the respective specific operating parameter by selecting a processing rule defined or definable for the respective specific operating parameter and processing the respective reference data according to the respectively selected processing rule and obtaining the at least one limit value as a result of the processing.
[0041] This allows a single database to be used particularly efficiently as the source data for reference data for multiple operating parameters. In other words, it is advantageously possible to record measurement data with a single sensor and convert this measurement data into different data sets, which can then be used as reference data for the two operating parameters.
[0042] For the first and second data processing, the options described in relation to general data processing may optionally be provided.
[0043] The options described for providing reference data based on the historical measurement data can also be provided here in order to obtain the common database based on the historical measurement data.
[0044] Preferably, one of the at least two specific operating parameters is derived from another of the at least two specific operating parameters. For example, one specific operating parameter can be a vibration amplitude at different measurement points, and the other, the derived, specific operating parameter can be the averaged vibration amplitude. In principle, the derived specific operating parameter can be an averaged value from several operating parameters determined at different measurement points.
[0045] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that (i) the common database is measurement data from a sensor, preferably a highly dynamic sensor, and / or the at least two specific operating parameters are selected from: the frequency, the harmonic and / or the amplitude of a respective vibration of the device or a part thereof, such as an imbalance or the structure-borne noise of a motor of the device, and / or (ii) the first and second data processing comprise data processing that is partially carried out jointly, and wherein preferably the database provided by the common data processing (a) corresponds to the first reference data or is processed by a first subsequent data processing in order to provide the first reference data, and / or (b) is processed by a second subsequent data processing in order to provide the second reference data.
[0046] A highly dynamic sensor, as described above, can be used advantageously to obtain a common database from which the reference data of several specific operating parameters can be obtained through different data processing.
[0047] For example, the shared database can consist of measured values from a (highly dynamic) vibration sensor. Each measured value is, for example, an acceleration value (unit m / s 2 Based on this database, the oscillation frequency, oscillation amplitude, and / or harmonics can be determined using various data processing methods. Preferably, several measured values are evaluated within the scope of each data processing step in order to obtain the relevant information, particularly in a time-dependent manner, in the overall view.
[0048] It has proven particularly advantageous if data, especially historical data, from a highly dynamic sensor, such as an acceleration sensor or vibration sensor, are provided and used as a common database for determining the first and second reference data of the two operating parameters.
[0049] The first and second data processing operations may be partially identical. For example, the first data processing operation may be entirely part of the second data processing operation. The second data processing operation may then, for example, begin with the first data processing operation. The first reference data may then be intermediate data from the second data processing operation.
[0050] Thus, for example, the first data processing can be identical to the joint data processing and / or consist of the joint data processing and the first subsequent data processing. Thus, for example, the second data processing can consist of the joint data processing and the second subsequent data processing. This is particularly efficient because identical data processing components only need to be executed once.
[0051] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the method further comprises storing the at least one determined limit value in a memory, in particular in a cloud storage.
[0052] This makes the limit value directly available for later use in monitoring.
[0053] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the at least one specific operating parameter is a current or a current change rate, a voltage or a voltage change rate, a distance or a distance change rate, an acceleration or an acceleration change rate, a temperature or a temperature change rate, a pressure or a pressure change rate, a speed or a speed change rate, a fan position, an amplitude or amplitude change rate, a frequency or a frequency change rate, and / or a harmonic, in each case of the device or a part thereof. For the aforementioned operating parameters, it is particularly advantageous if the reference data is recorded using one of the following sensors:
[0054] (i) Current or rate of change of current: current sensor;
[0055] (ii) Voltage or rate of change of voltage: voltage sensor;
[0056] (iii) Distance or rate of change of distance: distance sensor;
[0057] (iv) Acceleration or rate of change of acceleration: accelerometer, MEMS sensor;
[0058] (v) Temperature or rate of temperature change: temperature sensor;
[0059] (vi) Pressure or rate of pressure change: pressure sensor;
[0060] (vii) speed or rate of speed change: speed sensor;
[0061] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that the limit value is a lower or an upper limit value of the specific operating parameter.
[0062] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the device comprises or represents a conveying, measuring, weighing, grinding, mixing, filtering, screening, drying and / or dosing device, in particular for bulk material.
[0063] The object is achieved by the invention according to a second aspect in that a method for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, the method comprising:
[0064] Providing actual data of at least one specific operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of the device;
[0065] Generating at least one control signal which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the specific operating parameter from a value range of the specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device, which value range has at least one limit value determined by means of a method according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0066] The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that monitoring of operating parameters of a device and thus also operation of the device is possible in a particularly reliable manner if limit values are used to assess the operating parameter values which directly take into account the conditions inherent in the device.
[0067] By comparing the actual data against a limit value determined according to the first aspect of the invention, the device characteristics can be advantageously taken into account. This avoids false alarms on the one hand and excessive tolerance ranges on the other, thus achieving particularly reliable monitoring.
[0068] With regard to the further advantages, reference can also be made to the statements made regarding the first aspect of the invention, which apply here accordingly.
[0069] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the generation of the control signal comprises comparing the actual data with the at least one limit value, and wherein the generated control signal preferably represents a deviation of the actual data from a permissible value range if the actual data falls below or exceeds the limit value, in particular during a defined or definable period of time. For example, a temporary undershoot or overshoot of the limit value can be tolerated. By defining the period of time, a deviation is only detected if the limit value is undershot or exceeded for longer than this period.
[0070] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the method further comprises sending a notification via a notification interface, in particular to a control unit and / or an operator, as a function of the control signal, in particular if the generated control signal represents a deviation of the actual data from a permissible value range.
[0071] This allows a particularly reliable response to a deviation.
[0072] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that at least two specific operating parameters of the device are to be monitored during operation of the device, wherein a common database is provided, and wherein the common database is processed in a first way, and a result of the first data processing is provided as first actual data of the first of the at least two specific operating parameters, and wherein the common database is processed in a second way, and a result of the second data processing is provided as second actual data of the second of the at least two specific operating parameters, and wherein at least one control signal is generated for each of the at least two specific operating parameters,which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the respective specific operating parameter from a value range of the respective specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device, which value range has at least one limit value determined by means of a method according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0073] This allows a single database to be used particularly efficiently as the source data for actual data from multiple operating parameters. In other words, it is advantageously possible to record measurement data with a single sensor and convert this measurement data into different data sets, which can then be used as actual data for the two operating parameters.
[0074] For the first and second data processing, the options described in relation to general data processing may optionally be provided.
[0075] The options described for providing actual data based on the measurement data can also be provided here in order to obtain the common database based on the measurement data.
[0076] The limit values can preferably be provided, in particular retrieved from a storage, such as a cloud storage.
[0077] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that (i) the common database is measurement data from a sensor, preferably a highly dynamic sensor, and / or the at least two specific operating parameters are selected from: the frequency, the harmonic and / or the amplitude of a respective oscillation of the device or of a part thereof, such as a motor of the device, and / or (ii) the first and second data processing comprise data processing that is partially carried out jointly, and wherein preferably the database provided by the common data processing (a) corresponds to the first actual data or is processed by a first subsequent data processing in order to provide the first actual data, and / or (b) is processed by a second subsequent data processing in order to provide the second actual data.
[0078] A highly dynamic sensor, as described above, can be used advantageously to obtain a common database from which the actual data of several operating parameters can be obtained through different data processing.
[0079] For example, the shared database can consist of measured values from a (highly dynamic) vibration sensor. Each measured value is, for example, an acceleration value (unit m / s 2 Based on this database, the oscillation frequency, oscillation amplitude, and / or harmonics can be determined using various data processing methods. Preferably, several measured values are evaluated within the scope of each data processing step in order to obtain the relevant information, particularly in a time-dependent manner, in the overall view.
[0080] It has proven particularly advantageous if, in particular, current data from a highly dynamic sensor, such as a vibration sensor, are provided and these are used as a common database for determining the first and second actual data of the two operating parameters.
[0081] The first and second data processing operations may be partially identical. For example, the first data processing operation may be entirely part of the second data processing operation. The second data processing operation may then, for example, begin with the first data processing operation. The first actual data may then be intermediate data from the second data processing operation.
[0082] Thus, for example, the first data processing can be identical to the joint data processing and / or consist of the joint data processing and the first subsequent data processing. Thus, for example, the second data processing can consist of the joint data processing and the second subsequent data processing. This is particularly efficient because identical data processing components only need to be executed once.
[0083] The data processing operations described in relation to the second aspect of the invention in connection with the actual data (such as first and second data processing operations, first and second follow-up data processing operations and joint data processing operations) may each be identical to the corresponding data processing of the same name described in relation to the first aspect of the invention in connection with the reference data, but do not have to be.
[0084] The object is achieved by the invention according to a third aspect in that a device for determining at least one limit value of a permissible value range of an operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of a device, wherein the device is configured to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention and preferably to output the determined at least one limit value as a data sequence.
[0085] The statements made with regard to the first aspect of the invention also apply to the third aspect of the invention, unless the context indicates otherwise. Therefore, they need not be repeated here. Instead, reference can be made to the previous statements.
[0086] The device can be implemented, for example, in software, in hardware, or a combination of both. The device can alternatively or additionally comprise a memory, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), or any combination thereof. The device can, for example, be programmable and / or programmed to execute corresponding routines (in particular those for which the device is configured). In one embodiment, the device can be or comprise an FPGA (field programmable gate array). The device can be connected or connectable to a sensor (in particular as used in the first aspect of the invention) and receive measurement data from it.
[0087] In one embodiment, the device is part of the device itself. Therefore, according to a further preferred aspect of the invention, a device comprising such a device can also be proposed.
[0088] The object is achieved by the invention according to a fourth aspect in that a device for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, wherein the device is configured to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the invention and / or to receive or provide actual data of at least one specific operating parameter of the device which is to be monitored during operation of the device and to generate at least one control signal which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the specific operating parameter from a value range of the specific operating parameter which is permissible during operation of the device and which value range has at least one limit value determined by means of a method according to the first aspect of the invention and / or by means of a device according to the third aspect of the invention, is proposed.
[0089] The statements made with regard to the second aspect of the invention also apply accordingly to the fourth aspect of the invention, unless the context indicates otherwise. Therefore, they need not be repeated here. Instead, reference can be made to the previous statements.
[0090] The device can be implemented, for example, in software, in hardware, or a combination of both. The device can alternatively or additionally comprise a memory, a processor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), or any combination thereof. The device can, for example, be programmable and / or programmed to execute corresponding routines (in particular those for which the device is configured). In one embodiment, the device can be or comprise an FPGA (field programmable gate array). The device can be connected or connectable to a sensor (in particular as used in the first aspect of the invention) and receive measurement data from it.
[0091] In one embodiment, the device is part of the device itself. Therefore, according to a further preferred aspect of the invention, a device comprising such a device can also be proposed.
[0092] The object is achieved by the invention according to a fifth aspect in that a data sequence is proposed which has at least one limit value determined or ascertainable by means of a method according to the first aspect of the invention and / or determined, ascertainable, output or outputtable by means of a device according to the third aspect of the invention, and wherein preferably with the data sequence the at least one limit value can be provided in a method according to the second aspect of the invention and / or a device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.
[0093] For example, the signal sequence is an analog and / or digital data stream, which can be transmitted via cable and / or radio. For example, the data sequence can be transmitted via a network, such as the Internet. Brief description of the drawings
[0094] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to schematic drawings.
[0095] Showing:
[0096] Fig. 1a is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the first aspect of the invention in a first embodiment;
[0097] Fig. lb is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the first aspect of the invention in a second embodiment;
[0098] Fig. 2a is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the second aspect of the invention in a first embodiment;
[0099] Fig. 2b is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the second aspect of the invention in a second embodiment;
[0100] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a device according to the third aspect of the invention; and
[0101] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.
[0102] Description of the embodiments
[0103] Fig. 1a shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 100 according to the first aspect of the invention in a first embodiment.
[0104] Method 100 can be used to determine a limit value of a permissible value range for a rotational speed of a discharge element of the dosing device to be monitored during operation of the dosing device. The rotational speed of the discharge element is an operating parameter of the device and, as the relevant operating parameter here, a specific operating parameter. The discharge element is implemented, for example, in the form of a screw that can rotate within the dosing device.
[0105] In 101, reference data of the speed of the discharge element of the dosing device are provided.
[0106] The reference data consists of historical measurement data from a speed sensor recorded during a previous operation of the dosing device. The reference data originates from an operating phase during which the dosing device was in good condition (at least with regard to speed), i.e., during standard operation.
[0107] In 103, a processing instruction defined for the rotational speed is selected. This was previously provided for the device type "dosing device" and applies to all dosing devices. This processing instruction thus captures universal properties of a dosing device with regard to the operating parameter "rotational speed" of the discharge device. In this case, the processing instruction contains an instruction for determining the upper limit of a permissible value range for the rotational speed, according to which: "Upper limit" = "Mean value of the reference data" + 5*"Standard deviation of the reference data". In 105, the reference data is processed according to the processing instruction. For this purpose, first a mean value and then the standard deviation of the reference data are determined according to the processing instruction.These statistical parameters, since they are determined on the basis of the respective dosing device, allow the characteristic properties of the respective dosing device to be taken into account.
[0108] In 107, the upper limit of the permissible value range of the rotational speed during operation of the device is obtained from the determined mean value plus five times the standard deviation as a result.
[0109] Fig. 1b shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 200 according to the first aspect of the invention in a second embodiment.
[0110] Using method 200, a limit value for a vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the motor of the dosing device to be monitored during operation of a dosing device can be determined. Both vibration amplitude and vibration frequency are specific operating parameters of the dosing device. The motor can, for example, be the drive motor of the device's discharge element.
[0111] A common database is provided in 201. The common database consists of historical measurement data from a vibration sensor recorded during a previous operation of the dosing device. The reference data originates from an operating phase during which the dosing device was in good condition (at least with regard to vibration amplitude and frequency), i.e., during standard operation.
[0112] In 203a, the measurement data is processed in a first manner, and the result of the processing is the amplitude values of the oscillation during the measurement time. These represent (first) reference data for the oscillation amplitude.
[0113] In 205a, a processing instruction defined for the vibration amplitude is selected. This was previously provided for the device type "dosing device" and applies to all dosing devices. This processing instruction thus captures universal properties of a dosing device with regard to the operating parameter "vibration amplitude" of the engine. In this case, the processing instruction contains an instruction for determining the upper limit of a permissible value range for the vibration amplitude, according to which: "upper limit" = "mean value of the reference data" + 2*"standard deviation of the reference data".
[0114] In 207a, the (first) reference data are processed according to the processing instructions provided in 205a. For this purpose, a mean value and then the standard deviation of the reference data are first determined according to the processing instructions. These statistical parameters, since they are determined based on the respective dosing device, allow the characteristic properties of the respective dosing device to be incorporated.
[0115] In 209a, the upper limit of the range of values of the vibration amplitude permissible during operation of the device is obtained from the determined mean value plus twice the standard deviation as a result.
[0116] In 203b, the measurement data is processed in a second way, and the result of the processing is the vibration frequencies during the measurement time. These represent (second) reference data for the vibration frequency. In 205b, a processing rule defined for the vibration frequency is selected. This was previously provided for the device type "dosing device" and applies to all dosing devices. This processing rule thus captures universal properties of a dosing device with regard to the operating parameter "vibration frequency" of the motor. In this case, the processing rule contains an instruction for determining the upper limit of the permissible value range for the vibration frequency, according to which: "upper limit" = "mean value of the reference data" + 3 * "standard deviation of the reference data".
[0117] In 207b, the (second) reference data are processed according to the processing instructions provided in 205b. For this purpose, a mean value and then the standard deviation of the reference data are first determined according to the processing instructions. These statistical parameters, since they are determined based on the respective dosing device, allow the characteristic properties of the respective dosing device to be incorporated.
[0118] In 209b, the upper limit of the range of values of the oscillation frequency permissible during operation of the device is obtained from the determined mean value plus three times the standard deviation as a result.
[0119] Although steps 205a-209a and 205b-209b run in parallel in the flowchart 200, they could alternatively run sequentially, i.e., first steps 205a-209a and then steps 205b-209b.
[0120] Fig. 2a shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 300 according to the second aspect of the invention in a first embodiment.
[0121] In method 300, the limit values determined in method 100 are used to monitor the speed of the discharge element of the dosing device.
[0122] Actual speed data of the discharge device is provided in 301. This can be current measured speed data during a specific measurement period.
[0123] In step 303, the actual data is compared with the previously determined upper limit. The permissible speed range is limited by the upper limit.
[0124] A control signal is generated in 305. This indicates that the actual speed data has exceeded the upper limit.
[0125] Fig. 2b shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 400 according to the second aspect of the invention in a second embodiment.
[0126] In method 400, the limit values determined in method 200 are used to monitor the vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the motor of the dosing device.
[0127] A shared database is provided in 401. This shared database consists of current measurement data from a vibration sensor. This sensor can be attached to the engine, for example.
[0128] In 403a, the measurement data is processed in a first manner, and the result of the first processing is the amplitude values during the measurement period. These represent (first) actual data for the vibration amplitude.
[0129] In 405a, the first actual data are compared with the previously determined upper limit of the vibration amplitude (in 209a). The permissible value range of the vibration amplitude is limited by the upper limit. In 407a, a control signal is generated. This signal indicates that the first actual data of the vibration amplitude exceeds the upper limit.
[0130] In 403b, the measurement data is processed in a second way, and the result of the second processing is the oscillation frequency values during the measurement period. These represent (second) actual data for the oscillation frequency.
[0131] In 405b, the second actual data is compared with the previously determined upper limit of the oscillation frequency (in 209b). The permissible value range of the oscillation frequency is limited by the upper limit.
[0132] A control signal is generated at 407b. This signal indicates that the second actual data of the oscillation frequency has exceeded the upper limit.
[0133] Although steps 403a-407a and 403b-407b run in parallel in the flowchart 400, they could alternatively run sequentially, i.e., first steps 403a-407a and then steps 403b-407b.
[0134] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a device 501 according to the third aspect of the invention.
[0135] The device 501 is configured to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention, such as the method 100 described with reference to Fig. 1a or the method 200 described with reference to Fig. 1b.
[0136] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a device 503 according to the fourth aspect of the invention.
[0137] The device 503 is configured to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the invention, such as the method 300 described with reference to Fig. 2a or the method 400 described with reference to Fig. 2b.
[0138] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.
[0139] List of reference symbols
[0140] 100 Flowchart
[0141] 101 Providing reference data of the rotational speed as a specific operating parameter of the device
[0142] 103 Selecting a processing specification for the specific operating parameter
[0143] 105 Processing of the reference data in accordance with the processing regulations
[0144] 107 Obtaining an upper limit of a permissible range of values of the specific operating parameter as a result of processing
[0145] 200 Flowchart
[0146] 201 Providing a common database
[0147] 203a Processing the common database in a first manner and obtaining first reference data for the vibration amplitude as a first specific operating parameter of the device
[0148] 203b Processing the common database in a second manner and obtaining second reference data for the oscillation frequency as a second specific operating parameter of the device
[0149] 205a Selecting a processing specification for the first specific operating parameter
[0150] 205b Selecting a processing specification for the second specific operating parameter
[0151] 207a Processing the first reference data according to the first
[0152] Processing instructions
[0153] 207b Processing the second reference data according to the second processing rule
[0154] 209a Obtaining an upper limit of a permissible value range of the specific operating parameter as a result of processing the first reference data
[0155] 209b Obtaining an upper limit of a permissible value range of the specific operating parameter as a result of processing the second reference data
[0156] 300 Flowchart
[0157] 301 Providing actual speed data as a specific operating parameter of the device
[0158] 303 Comparing actual data with an upper limit
[0159] 305 Generating a control signal Flowchart Providing a common database a Processing the common database in a first manner and obtaining first actual data for the vibration amplitude as a first specific operating parameter of the device b Processing the common database in a second manner and
[0160] Obtaining second actual data for the oscillation frequency as a second specific operating parameter of the device a Comparing the first actual data with an upper limit value b Comparing the second actual data with an upper limit value a Generating a control signal b Generating a control signal Device Device
Claims
Patent claims 1. A method for determining a limit value of a permissible value range of an operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of a device, the method comprising: Providing reference data of a specific operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of the device; Determining a limit value of a value range of the specific operating parameter that is permissible during operation of the device, wherein a processing instruction defined or definable for the specific operating parameter is selected and the reference data are processed according to the selected processing instruction and the limit value is obtained as a result of the processing, wherein the selection and / or design process of the processing instruction is carried out fully or partially automatically by expert software and / or an expert system, preferably a machine learning model, wherein the reference data of the device and / or the reference data of a fleet of this device serve as training data.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the reference data of the specific operating parameter comprises providing historical operating data of the device, in particular historical measurement data of the specific operating parameter, and selecting a portion of the data and providing the selected data as the reference data of the specific operating parameter.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected data comprises the historical data of a period in which the device was in standard operation with respect to the specific operating parameter.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein processing the reference data according to the selected processing rule comprises including a statistical parameter, such as a mean value and / or a standard deviation, of the reference data, wherein the one statistical parameter is calculated based on the reference data and / or the one limit value is determined based on the one statistical parameter.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the historical data and / or the reference data are time series data and / or measurement data of a highly dynamic sensor, preferably provided on the device, such as a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a distance sensor, a MEMS sensor, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, a fan position sensor and / or a vibration sensor.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two specific operating parameters of the device are to be monitored during the operation of the device, wherein a common database is provided, and wherein the common database is processed in a first way, and a result of the first data processing is provided as first reference data of the first of the two specific operating parameters, and wherein the common database is processed in a second way, and a result of the second Data processing is provided as second reference data of the second of the two specific operating parameters, and wherein for each of the two specific operating parameters a limit value of a value range of the respective specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device is determined based on the reference data of the respective specific operating parameter by selecting a processing rule defined or definable for the respective specific operating parameter and processing the respective reference data according to the respectively selected processing rule and obtaining the one limit value as a result of the processing.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein (i) the common database is measurement data of a sensor, preferably a highly dynamic sensor, and / or the two specific operating parameters are selected from: the frequency, the harmonic and / or the amplitude of each vibration of the device or a part thereof, such as a motor of the device, and / or (ii) the first and second data processing operations comprise data processing which is partially carried out jointly, and wherein preferably the database provided by the joint data processing operation (a) corresponds to the first reference data or is processed by a first follow-up data processing operation to provide the first reference data, and / or (b) is processed by a second follow-up data processing operation to provide the second reference data.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one specific operating parameter is a current or a current change rate, a voltage or a voltage change rate, a distance or a distance change rate, an acceleration or an acceleration change rate, a temperature or a temperature change rate, a pressure or a pressure change rate, a speed or a speed change rate, a fan position, an amplitude or amplitude change rate, a frequency or a frequency change rate and / or a harmonic, in each case of the device or a part thereof.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises or represents a conveying, measuring, weighing, grinding, mixing, filtering, screening, drying and / or dosing device, in particular for bulk material.
10. A method for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, the method comprising: Providing actual data of at least one specific operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of the device; Generating at least one control signal which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the specific operating parameter from a value range of the specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device, which value range has at least one limit value determined by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein generating the control signal comprises comparing the actual data with the at least one limit value, and wherein preferably the generated control signal represents a deviation of the actual data from a permissible value range when the actual data fall below or exceed the limit value, in particular during a defined or definable period of time.
12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein two specific operating parameters of the device are to be monitored during operation of the device, wherein a common database is provided, and wherein the common database is processed in a first manner, and a result of the first data processing is provided as actual data of the first of the two specific operating parameters, and wherein the common database is processed in a second manner, and a result of the second data processing is provided as actual data of the second of the two specific operating parameters, and wherein for each of the two specific operating parameters, a control signal is generated which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the respective specific operating parameter from a value range of the respective specific operating parameter permissible during operation of the device,which value range has a limit value determined by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 9., 13. Device for determining at least one limit value of a permissible value range of an operating parameter of the device to be monitored during operation of a device, wherein the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 and preferably to output the determined at least one limit value as a data sequence.
14. Device for monitoring an operating parameter of a device, the device being set up to carry out a method according to one of claims 10 to 12 and / or to receive or provide actual data of at least one specific operating parameter of the device which is to be monitored during operation of the device and to generate at least one control signal which is indicative of a deviation of the actual data of the specific operating parameter from a value range of the specific operating parameter which is permissible during operation of the device, which value range has at least one limit value determined by means of a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 and / or by means of a device according to claim 13.