Control system for a technical installation

Abstract

In order to facilitate operation in a control system (14) for a technical installation, the visualization information for a graphical presentation of the step chains (SK) for an operator of the technical installation is expanded; for this purpose, the process objects (PO) are assigned an image reference (Ref) that is constructed as a data array (DA) and comprises at least two elements (E1,E2), wherein a first element (E1) has an assignment to a particular state transition object (ZÜ1,ZÜ2,ZÜ3) and a second element (E2) has an assignment to a particular installation image (1a,...,1f), wherein the visualization generator (2) is also configured to insert a particular installation image (1a,...,1f) into the detailed representation (30) or at a separate location by means of the image reference (Ref) for a particular state transition object (ZÜ1,ZÜ2,ZÜ3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Control system for a technical facility

[0003] The invention relates to a control system for a technical installation comprising an automation device which is designed to run previously projected or programmed step chains with previously projected or programmed modules for controlling a technical installation, the modules are assigned process objects, wherein the process objects comprise variables for process values, an operator station server and at least one operator station client connected to the operator station server, wherein the operator station server is designed to transmit visualization information to the operator station client, and wherein the operator station client is designed to display a graphical representation of the step chains for an operator of the technical installation by means of the visualization information,further comprising a visualization generator which is designed to display, on the basis of the previously projected or programmed blocks with their process objects, a view of states and state transitions of the step chains during the runtime of the step chains in a system image as state objects and state transition objects, further designed to display a detailed representation of the state transition of the respective state transition object upon operator interaction with a state transition object.

[0004] For the purposes of the invention, programming step sequences means creating a user program with the aid of an SFC editor for Sequential Function Charts (SFCs). Calculations can be projected in blocks or SFC blocks and implemented in steps, transitions or sequencers. In process automation, step sequencers or sequential controls are used for state- or event-controlled execution of production processes. The SFC sequence control controls functions created with CEC (Continuous Function Charts) via operating and state changes. SFCs are projected in an engineering station. The automation and operator station-specific components are compiled from a projected basis and loaded from the engineering station into the corresponding automation device and the corresponding operator station server.Using the visualization generator, operators can monitor the states of the step chains and the state transitions in the detailed displays, the so-called magnifying glasses, during runtime and also intervene manually if necessary.

[0005] During operation and monitoring, the step chains can be monitored by operators in order to be able to intervene manually in the processes in certain application cases - e.g. manually switching a transition, confirming a transition after an operator request, etc.

[0006] According to the state of the art, the visualized step chains (SFC Visu) offer, in addition to the actual step chains, also visualized magnifying glasses at runtime, through which the operator can recognize, on the basis of an interconnection, which conditions are required for the transition to the next step and to what extent they are currently already fulfilled.

[0007] EP 3 528 074 B1 describes a method for checking the relationship between a process alarm of a process object that is visually displayed on an operator client of a process control system and an acoustically output process alarm.

[0008] EP 3 067 768 B1 discloses an automation device with at least one automation device and an operator system for visualising and operating step chains of a sequential control system, wherein objects generated from the step chains are processed during RUN operation of the automation device, wherein the objects parameterise and activate CFC functions loaded into the automation device and created using a Continuous Function Chart editor, and wherein the interaction and linking between the objects and the CFC functions are effected via process values ​​and control signals.

[0009] EP 3 968 107 B1 shows a process monitoring system with at least one first operating unit which is connected to a server, and the server has a visualization service for monitoring an automation system.

[0010] EP 1 351 109 A1 describes a system and method for efficient programming of automation systems with high data consistency. The core of the invention is a data program executable on a data processing device that uses process-oriented logic. This logic is generated directly from a special flowchart that contains both the processes of the program to be executed and the associated logic.

[0011] A disadvantage of process monitoring systems is that it is often difficult for an operator to recognize from the magnifying glasses (signal flow plans) how and when a transition, i.e. a state change, will be fulfilled, since the logical interconnections in the known detailed image are often very complex and no trend can be derived from the current values ​​displayed.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to improve the operation of step chains.

[0013] The object is achieved in that an image reference is assigned to the process objects, which image reference is constructed as a data array and comprises at least two elements, wherein a first element has an assignment to a specific state transition object and a second element has an assignment to a specific system image, wherein the visualization generator is further designed to display a specific system image in the detailed representation or at a separate location by means of the image reference for a specific state transition object.

[0014] This invention introduces detailed magnifying glass of SFC step chains for more efficient and improved operation and monitoring of process engineering plants.

[0015] The inventor has recognized that the object model of the SFC magnifying glasses needs to be expanded and that the process objects need to be provided with an image reference so that in the visualization the operator not only has access to the complex interconnections of the magnifying glasses for the transitions in the detailed images using the display means, but also to visualizations that he knows from the plant images and that help him to assess the situation better and more efficiently.When a magnifying glass is opened for a state transition, extended information can now be accessed and the project engineer has made plant images created specifically for the SFC magnifying glass referenceable in a detailed magnifying glass display. The operator station server has a configuration memory in which the process objects extended by the image reference and the other plant images are saved. A visualization service is available which has a dynamization service, a screen object model and a representation service. The representation service is designed to access the information stored in the configuration memory when the operator opens the detailed display of a state transition object in the displayed step chain on the operator station client and to pass it on to the screen object model.

[0016] The dynamization service is designed to dynamize the system images displayed in the detailed display or at a separate location.

[0017] Accordingly, the screen object model of the SFC step sequences has been expanded with the image reference to enable the embedding of plant image elements or entire plant images in the magnifying glass. The representation service accesses the stored information on the plant image elements and plant images when the operator opens the magnifying glass of a transition and feeds this information into the screen object model for visualizing the step sequence view.

[0018] Usability is further improved if the additional system images displayed are designed to provide the operator with visual feedback as to when a threshold for the state transition of the state transition object is reached. This invention allows, for example, a trend curve to be inserted into the magnifying glass, which allows the operator to accurately estimate when the threshold will be reached.

[0019] Furthermore, operating elements for operating the process objects or for changing the variables for the process values ​​can be displayed in the detailed display or at a separate location.

[0020] 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 an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] FIG 1 shows a control system according to the invention in a schematic representation,

[0022] FIG 2 a data structure and

[0023] FIG 3 graphical interfaces of the control system.

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a control system 14 for operating and monitoring a technical system configured as a process plant. The control system 14 comprises an operator station server 15 and an operator station client 16. The operator station server 15 and the operator station client 16 are connected to one another via a terminal bus 17 and optionally to other components of the control system 14 (not shown), such as an archive server or an engineering station server.

[0025] For the purpose of operating and monitoring, an operator can access the operator station server 15 via the operator station client 16 using the terminal bus 17. The terminal bus 17 can, for example, be configured as Industrial Ethernet, without being limited thereto.

[0026] The operator station server 15 has a device interface 18 connected to a system bus 19. Via this device interface 19, the operator station server 15 is connected to an automation device 20 and to other components of the process plant, such as peripheral devices 21, 22, and can communicate with them. The system bus 19 can, for example, be configured as an Industrial Ethernet, without being limited thereto.

[0027] A visualization service 23, a process image 24, and a configuration memory 25 are implemented (among other things) on the operator station server 15. The visualization service 23 integrated in the operator station server 15 initiates a transmission of visualization information to the operator station client 16. The operator station client 16 is designed to display a visualization, i.e., a graphical representation, in particular graphical representations of technical objects, for operating and monitoring the process plant.

[0028] The automation device 20 is designed to control the technical system. For this purpose, previously projected or programmed step sequences SK are executed using previously projected or programmed blocks FB in the automation device 20. Process objects PO are assigned to the blocks FB, with the process objects PO including variables var for process values ​​PW.

[0029] The visualization generator 2 is designed to display a view of states and state transitions, see FIG 3, of the step chains SK during runtime of the step chains SK in a plant image 1 as state objects Z01, Z02, Z03, Z04 and state transition objects ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3, ZÜ4 on the basis of the previously configured or programmed blocks FB with their process objects PO, and is further designed to display a detailed representation 30 of the state transition of the respective state transition object ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3 when the operator interacts with a state transition object ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3.

[0030] According to FIG 1, the process objects PO are assigned an image reference Ref, which is constructed as a data array DA, see FIG 2 and comprises at least two elements E1, E2, wherein a first element E1 has an assignment to a specific state transition object ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3 and a second element E2 has an assignment to a specific plant image la,...,lf, wherein the visualization generator 2 is further designed to use the image reference Ref for a specific state transition object ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3 to also display a specific plant image la,...,lf in the detailed representation 30 or at a separate location.

[0031] The process objects PO, extended by the image reference Ref, and the additional plant images la,...,lf are stored in the configuration memory 25. The visualization service 23 cooperates with the dynamization service 26, the screen object model 27, and a representation service 28. The representation service 28 is configured to access the information stored in the configuration memory 25 when the operator opens the detailed representation 30 of a state transition object ZÜ1,ZÜ2,ZÜ3 in the illustrated step sequence SK on the operator station client 16, and to forward the data, in particular the image reference Ref, to the screen object model 27. The dynamization service 26 is configured to dynamize the plant images la,...,lf displayed in the detailed representation 30 or at a separate location.

[0032] The data array DA is shown in FIG. 2. The data array DA is constructed as a two-dimensional data array DA with a first element E1 and a second element E2. The first element E1 contains an assignment to a specific state transition object ZÜ1,...,ZÜ6. The second element E2 has an assignment to a specific plant diagram 1a,...,1f. Specifically for this data array DA, six state transition objects ZÜ1,...,ZÜ6 can be assigned to six different plant diagrams 1a,...,1f.

[0033] FIG 3 shows different views as they can appear in a plant diagram 1 of an operator station client 16. A block view 31 shows a standardized interface for controlling an SFC by the user program or a user. In technical terms, the block view 31 is also called a faceplate. In the block view 31 there is then, for example, a button in an alarm line with which a step sequence view 32 can be called. In the step sequence view 32 a step sequence SK is shown. The step sequence SK or the sequencer always starts with a start state and ends with an end state. In this example, the start forms a first state object ZO1 and the end a fourth state object ZO4. In between there are a second state object ZO2 and a third state object ZO3.In order to get from the first state object ZO1 to the second state object ZO2, a state transition object ZÜ1 must be traversed. In order to get from the second state transition object ZO2 to the third state transition object ZO3, a fourth state transition object ZÜ4 must be traversed, which also reaches the end of the step chain SK. In the selected example, there is a second state transition object ZÜ2 between the first state object ZO1 and the third state transition object ZÜ3, which represents a second transition. Assuming the process is currently in the second state transition object ZÜ2 with its process objects PO and its variables var, an operator can now interact with the second state transition object ZÜ2 and call up a detailed display 30 accordingly. However, given the state of the art, an operator could not do much with the detailed display 30.According to the invention, a first system image 1a and a second system image 1b are now additionally displayed in the detailed view 30 by means of the image reference Ref.

[0034] As shown, this invention, with the additional system images 1a, 1b, can present the operator with a trend curve, which allows him to accurately estimate when the expected transition threshold is reached. Additionally, the second system image 1b shows that this is a tank.

[0035] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the benefits and application of the invention. The state change in the step sequence SK depends on a tank fill level being exceeded, as shown in the magnifying glass. By displaying the current fill level in the magnifying glass, the operator can see how high it currently is; however, it is difficult for them to estimate when the threshold will be reached. By additionally displaying the trend curve, they can now estimate this more accurately.

[0036] Further advantages are that zoom views of step sequences can be made more detailed for operation and observation. Transitions and state transitions can be operated and observed more efficiently because, in addition to the visualized SEO with a block view 31 with step sequence SK and zoom view, no further system images, controls, etc. are necessary to efficiently and reliably observe or operate transitions, because these are now all available and can be displayed using the image reference.

[0037] A data array DA could be written as follows: Display Ref = { ( Transitionl , Plant Displayl ) ; ( Transition! , PlantDisplay2 )}

[0038] Definition:

[0039] A step chain is an alternating sequence of steps, each of which triggers specific actions, and transitions, which cause the transition from one step to another as soon as the corresponding transition condition is met. Each step chain has exactly one start step and one end step, as well as any number of intermediate steps, each of which is connected by directed edges via intermediate transitions.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A control system (14) for a technical installation comprising an automation device (20) which is designed to control a technical installation by executing previously designed or programmed step sequences (SK) with previously designed or programmed blocks (FB), the blocks (FB) are assigned process objects (PO), wherein the process objects (PO) comprise variables (var) for process values ​​(PW), an operator station server (15) and at least one operator station client (16) connected to the operator station server (15), wherein the operator station server (15) is designed to transmit visualization information to the operator station client (16), and wherein the operator station client (16) is designed to display a graphical representation of the step sequences (SK) for an operator of the technical installation by means of the visualization information,further comprising a visualization generator (2) which is designed to display, on the basis of the previously configured or programmed blocks (FB) with their process objects (PO), a view of states and state transitions of the step chains (SK) during the runtime of the step chains in a plant image (1) as state objects (ZO1, ZO2, ZO3) and state transition objects (ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3), further designed to display, upon interaction of the operator with a state transition object (ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3), a detailed representation (30) of the state transition of the respective state transition object (ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3), characterized in that the process objects (PO) are assigned an image reference (Ref), which is constructed as a data array (DA) and comprises at least two elements (E1, E2), wherein a first element (El) an assignment to a specific state transition object ( ZÜ1 , ZÜ2 ,ZÜ3 ) and a second element (E2) has an assignment to a specific system image (la, ..,lf), wherein the visualization generator (2) is further configured to display a specific plant image (la,...,lf) in the detailed display (30) or at a separate location by means of the image reference (Ref) for a specific state transition object (ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3), wherein the operator station server (15) has a configuration memory (25) in which the process objects (PO) extended by the image reference (Ref) and the further plant images (la,...,lf) are stored, wherein a visualization service (23) is present which has a dynamization service (26), a screen object model (27) and a representation service (28), the representation service (28) is configured to access the stored information in the configuration memory (25) when the operator on the operator station client (16) in the displayed step sequence (SK) a state transition object ( ZÜ1 , ZÜ2 , ZÜ3 ) is opened and passed on to the screen object model (27).

2. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the dynamization service (26) is designed to carry out a dynamization of the plant images (la,...,lf) displayed in the detailed display (30) or at a separate location.

3. Control system according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the further displayed system images (la,...,lf) are designed to give the operator visual feedback as to when a threshold value for the state transition of the state transition object (ZÜ1, ZÜ2, ZÜ3) is reached.

4. Control system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein operating elements for operating the process objects (PO) or for changing the variables (var) for the process values ​​(PW) are displayed in the detailed display (30) or at a separate location.

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