Pneumatic automation device, service unit, pneumatic system, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic automation device (5), comprising a guide portion (25) for guiding compressed air, and an acceleration sensor (18), which is vibrationally coupled to the guide portion (25), for providing an acceleration signal which images vibrations of the guide portion (25) caused by a flow (26) of the compressed air, further comprising a computing unit (20) which is designed, on the basis of the acceleration signal and using a machine learning model, to calculate both a pressure value related to the compressed air and a flow value related to the compressed air.

Description

[0001] Pneumatic automation device, maintenance setup, pneumatic system and process

[0002] The invention relates to a pneumatic automation device comprising a guide section for guiding compressed air.

[0003] WO 2021 / 148268 A1 relates to a device for identifying and / or detecting a condition of an air filter.

[0004] DE 10 2018 208 880 A1 relates to a method for detecting a state of at least one filter element.

[0005] DE 10 2018 133 316 B4 relates to a method for operating a field device in automation technology.

[0006] DE 10 2020 204 137 A1 relates to a device for detecting a condition of a filter medium.

[0007] DE 10 2018 212 097 B4 relates to a field device for recording a process measurement variable, which is used in particular as a level measuring device for recording a level of a

[0008] medium is executed.

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a simple way of determining a pressure value related to the compressed air and a flow value related to the compressed air using the pneumatic automation device.

[0010] The object is achieved by the pneumatic automation device according to claim 1. The pneumatic automation device comprises an acceleration sensor vibration-coupled to the guide section for providing an acceleration signal that maps vibrations of the guide section caused by a flow of compressed air. The pneumatic automation device further comprises a computer unit that is designed to calculate both a pressure value related to the compressed air and a flow value related to the compressed air on the basis of the acceleration signal and using a machine learning model.

[0011] Conventionally, two sensors are required to determine the pressure and flow values: a pressure sensor for determining the pressure value and a flow sensor for determining the flow value. According to the invention, both the pressure and flow values ​​can be determined with a single sensor—the acceleration sensor. Consequently, fewer sensors are required, making the pneumatic automation device easier to manufacture.

[0012] Advantageous further training is the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] The invention further relates to a maintenance assembly for compressed air preparation of a pneumatic system, comprising the pneumatic automation device. The invention further relates to a pneumatic system comprising a compressed air source, the maintenance assembly, and a pneumatic machine that is pneumatically connected to the compressed air source via the maintenance assembly.

[0014] The invention further relates to a method for operating the pneumatic automation device, the maintenance structure or the pneumatic system, comprising the steps of: providing the acceleration signal and calculating, using the machine learning model, the pressure value and the flow value based on the acceleration signal.

[0015] Further exemplary details and exemplary embodiments are explained below with reference to the figures.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic system,

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic automation device designed as a filter device,

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic automation device with a guide section designed as a pipe section,

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic automation device with a guide section designed as an angle section,

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic automation device with a guide section designed as a tapered section. Figure 1 shows a pneumatic system 1. The pneumatic system 1 is in particular an industrial pneumatic system, for example a pneumatic system for industrial automation. The pneumatic system 1 expediently comprises a compressed air source 2 (for example a compressor), a maintenance structure 3 and / or a pneumatic machine 4. The pneumatic machine 4 is pneumatically connected to the compressed air source 2 via the maintenance structure 3. Compressed air required for the operation of the pneumatic machine 4 is supplied to the pneumatic machine 4 from the compressed air source 2 via the maintenance structure 3.

[0021] The maintenance structure 3 can preferably also be provided on its own - that is to say in particular without the other components of the pneumatic system 1. The maintenance structure 3 serves to prepare the compressed air for the pneumatic system 1, in particular to prepare the supply compressed air for the pneumatic system 1. The maintenance structure 3 comprises, by way of example, a pneumatic inlet 10, for example a hose connection, via which the maintenance structure 3 is connected to the compressed air source 2 (in particular via a first hose 11) and / or a pneumatic outlet 12, for example a hose connection, via which the pneumatic machine 4 is connected to the maintenance structure 3 (in particular via a second hose 13). The maintenance structure 3 comprises a pneumatic automation device 5 and preferably at least one functional unit 6 pneumatically connected to the pneumatic automation device 5.By way of example, several functional units 6 are present. The functional units 6 and the pneumatic automation device 5 are expediently connected pneumatically in series. In particular, the maintenance structure 3 comprises, as functional units 6 (or as the automation device 5), a pressure control valve, a switch-on valve, a pressure build-up valve, a compressed air filter, a compressed air dryer, and / or a compressed air lubricator.

[0022] Optionally, the pneumatic system 1 comprises a control device 7, which comprises, for example, a higher-level controller, in particular a PLC (programmable logic controller). The control device 7 is used, for example, to control and / or diagnose the pneumatic system, in particular the maintenance structure 3 and / or the pneumatic machine 4. Optionally, the control device 7 can be designed as a cloud server or comprise a cloud server. Furthermore, the control device 7 can be designed as a mobile device (for example a smartphone or tablet computer) or comprise a mobile device. Furthermore, the control device 7 can comprise a communication unit which is communicatively connected to the maintenance structure 3, in particular the pneumatic automation device 5.

[0023] The pneumatic machine 4 comprises, by way of example, a valve device 8 and / or a pneumatic actuator 9. By way of example, the compressed air provided by the compressed air source 2 (and guided via the maintenance structure 3) is supplied to the pneumatic actuator 9 via the valve device 8. Purely by way of example, the pneumatic actuator 9 comprises a pneumatic drive cylinder.

[0024] Figures 2 to 5 show exemplary embodiments of the pneumatic automation device 5. Unless otherwise stated, the following explanations preferably apply to all embodiments of the pneumatic automation device 5.

[0025] The pneumatic automation device 5 can be provided on its own—that is, in particular, without the other components of the maintenance structure 3 and / or the pneumatic system 1. Optionally, the pneumatic automation device 5 can represent the maintenance structure 3 on its own—that is, in particular, be pneumatically connected between the compressed air source 2 and the pneumatic machine 4.

[0026] The pneumatic automation device 5 is expediently used in industrial automation. Preferably, the pneumatic automation device 5 is used in the maintenance structure 3 (which serves to prepare compressed air for the pneumatic system 1).

[0027] Optionally, the pneumatic automation device 5 comprises a housing 14, which in particular represents the outer housing of the pneumatic automation device 5. The pneumatic automation device 5 comprises a compressed air inlet 15 which is arranged (in particular on the housing 14) and is designed, for example, as a hose connection. The pneumatic automation device 5 further comprises a compressed air outlet 17 which is arranged (preferably on the housing 14) and is designed, for example, as a hose connection. The pneumatic automation device 5 expediently further comprises a compressed air channel 16 which is arranged (in particular in the housing 14). By way of example, the compressed air channel 16 runs from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17.By way of example, the pneumatic automation device 5 is connected with its compressed air inlet 15 to a first functional unit 6 of the maintenance structure 3 and / or is connected with its compressed air outlet 17 to a second functional unit 6 of the maintenance structure 3.

[0028] The pneumatic automation device 5 comprises a

[0029] 5 Guide section 25 for guiding compressed air. By way of example, the guide section 25 defines the compressed air channel 16 or a section of the compressed air channel 16. For example, the guide section 25 forms at least one channel wall or a section of a channel wall of the compressed air channel 16. 0 The pneumatic automation device 5 further comprises an acceleration sensor 18, which is preferably vibration-coupled to the guide section 25. The formulation that the acceleration sensor 18 is "vibration-coupled" to the guide section 25 means that the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged relative to the guide section 25 and / or is coupled to it in such a way that mechanical vibrations of the guide section 25 can be detected by the acceleration sensor 18, for example by the mechanical vibrations being transmitted to the acceleration sensor 18.For example, the acceleration sensor 18 is fastened in or on the guide section 25. The acceleration sensor 18 is preferably arranged on an outer side of the guide section 25. For example, the guide section 25 has a first side, in particular an inner side, on which the compressed air is guided and which, for example, forms a channel wall of the compressed air channel 16, and a second side, in particular the outer side, which faces away from the first side and / or on which the compressed air is not guided, and the acceleration sensor 18 is expediently arranged on the second side of the guide section 25. By way of example, the pneumatic automation device 5 has an electronic arrangement 30, which preferably comprises the acceleration sensor 18.Optionally, the electronics assembly comprises a printed circuit board on which the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged and / or an electronics housing in which the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged. By way of example, the electronics assembly 30 is arranged on the guide section 25, in particular fastened thereto, preferably on the second side of the guide section 25, in particular on the outer side.

[0030] The acceleration sensor 18 serves to provide an acceleration signal. The acceleration signal represents vibrations of the guide section 25 which are caused by a flow 26 of compressed air, in particular by a flow 26 along the guide section 25. The flow 26 is indicated by arrows in the figures. By way of example, the flow 26 runs through the compressed air channel 16, in particular from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17. The compressed air flowing through the guide section 25 causes the guide section 25 to vibrate, and these vibrations are detected by the acceleration sensor 18 and converted into the acceleration signal.

[0031] The pneumatic automation device 5 further comprises a computer unit 20, which is designed, for example, as a microcontroller and is arranged in particular in the housing 14. The computer unit 20 has a machine learning model 27, which is expediently stored in a memory of the computer unit 20. The machine learning model can also be referred to as a machine learning model and comprises, for example, an artificial neural network. The computer unit 20 is designed to calculate, on the basis of the acceleration signal and using the machine learning model 27, both a pressure value related to the compressed air and a flow value related to the compressed air. The pressure value related to the compressed air preferably describes a pressure of the compressed air in the pneumatic automation device 5, in particular in the compressed air channel 16, for example at a predetermined point in the compressed air channel 16.The pressure value describes, for example, an absolute pressure or a relative pressure of the compressed air in the pneumatic automation device 5. In particular, the pressure value is not a differential pressure value.

[0032] Optionally, the computer unit 20 is designed to calculate a differential pressure value related to the compressed air on the basis of the acceleration signal and using the machine learning model. For example, the pressure value is the differential pressure value. Alternatively, the computer unit 20 calculates the differential pressure value in addition to the pressure value. The differential pressure value preferably describes a pressure difference between two pressures of the compressed air in the pneumatic automation device 5, in particular in the compressed air channel 16, for example between a first pressure of the compressed air at a first predetermined point in the compressed air channel 16 and a second pressure of the compressed air at a second predetermined point downstream of the first predetermined point with respect to the flow 26.

[0033] The flow value related to the compressed air preferably describes a flow, in particular a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of the compressed air in the pneumatic automation device 5, in particular in the compressed air channel 16, for example at a predetermined point in the compressed air channel 16.

[0034] The machine learning model 27 can be trained in particular on the basis of training data, for example on the basis of acceleration values, pressure values ​​and flow values ​​recorded by means of an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor (for example a training setup) and / or on the basis of simulated training data, in particular a simulated acceleration signal, simulated pressure values ​​and simulated flow values.

[0035] The pneumatic automation device 5, in particular the computer unit 20, is expediently designed to calculate the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value) exclusively on the basis of the acceleration signal. Expediently, the acceleration signal is the only input variable, in particular the only measured variable, on the basis of which the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value) are calculated. In particular, the pneumatic automation device 5 does not have a pressure sensor and / or a flow sensor, and / or no sensor signal detected by means of a pressure sensor and / or a flow sensor is included in the calculation of the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value).

[0036] Preferably, the machine learning model represents the

[0037] Acceleration signal to the pressure value and the

[0038] Flow value. Optionally, the machine learning model maps the acceleration signal to the pressure value, the flow value, and the differential pressure value.

[0039] The computer unit 20 is expediently designed to calculate the pressure value, the flow value and / or the differential pressure value repeatedly, in particular periodically, on the basis of the respective current acceleration signal using the machine learning model.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the computer unit 20 is designed to calculate a frequency spectrum of the acceleration signal, and the machine learning model maps the frequency spectrum to the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value). For example, the computer unit 20 is designed to perform a Fourier transform of the acceleration signal to calculate the frequency spectrum. The computer unit 20 is designed to calculate the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value) based on one and the same frequency spectrum using the machine learning model. The computer unit 20 is expediently designed to calculate the frequency spectrum repeatedly, in particular periodically, based on the respective current acceleration signal.

[0041] The acceleration signal preferably comprises one, two, or three acceleration signal components. For example, each acceleration signal component describes a detected acceleration with respect to a different spatial direction. The computer unit 20 is configured to calculate the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value) using the machine learning model (in particular exclusively) based on the one acceleration signal component, the two acceleration signal components, or the three

[0042] To calculate acceleration signal components.

[0043] Preferably, the computer unit 20 is configured to calculate diagnostic information based on the pressure value and / or the flow value and / or the differential pressure value. The diagnostic information relates, for example, to a condition, such as a wear condition and / or a contamination condition, of the pneumatic automation device 5.

[0044] Optionally, the pneumatic automation device 5 comprises a communication interface 22 (in particular arranged on the housing 14), which serves in particular to output the pressure value, the flow value, the differential pressure value and / or the diagnostic information. The communication interface 22 is in particular digital and / or analog. By way of example, the pneumatic automation device 5 is connected to the control device 7 via the communication interface 22.

[0045] The pneumatic automation device 5 expediently comprises a display 23, for example a graphic display, and / or an operating device 24. For example, the pneumatic automation device 5 displays one or more flow values ​​and / or pressure values ​​and / or differential pressure values ​​and / or the diagnostic information via the display 23. A user can perform a user input via the operating device 24.

[0046] Optionally, the pneumatic system 1, in particular the pneumatic automation device 5, is designed to carry out an action, a control and / or a diagnosis based on the pressure value and / or the flow value and / or the differential pressure value.

[0047] Preferably, the pneumatic automation device 5, the maintenance structure 3, and / or the pneumatic system 1 do not comprise a pressure sensor and / or a flow sensor. In particular, the calculation of the pressure value and the flow value based on the acceleration signal replaces an otherwise required measurement of the pressure with a pressure sensor and the flow with a flow sensor.

[0048] In the following, the exemplary embodiments of the pneumatic automation device 5 shown in Figures 2 to 5 will be discussed in more detail.

[0049] Preferably, the pneumatic automation device 5 is designed as a pneumatic filter device 5A. Figure 2 shows an example of such a filter device 5A. The pneumatic automation device 5 comprises a filter bowl 28 and a filter 29 located in the filter bowl 28.

[0050] By way of example, the filter shell 28 defines a particularly cylindrical shell space 31 in which the filter 29 is arranged. The filter shell 28 is, for example, hollow-cylindrical. The filter 29 serves to clean compressed air flowing through the filter device 5A. The filter 29 preferably comprises porous material through which the compressed air flows on the way from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17 and is thereby cleaned. By way of example, the filter 29 is hollow-cylindrical.

[0051] The guide section 25 is expediently part of the filter shell 28. In particular, the filter shell 28 defines a part of the compressed air channel 16. For example, a section of an inner side of the filter shell 28 forms a channel wall or a section of a channel wall of the compressed air channel 16, and the compressed air expediently flows along this channel wall (i.e., along the filter shell 28), for example, before the compressed air passes through the filter 29.

[0052] The electronics arrangement 30 comprising the acceleration sensor 18 is preferably arranged on the filter shell 28, in particular on an outer side of the filter shell 28. The acceleration sensor 18 is vibration-coupled to the filter shell 28. The flow of compressed air from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17 causes the filter shell 28 to vibrate, and the acceleration sensor 18 detects these vibrations and provides the acceleration signal based on the detected vibrations. The computer unit 20 calculates the pressure value and the flow value (and optionally the differential pressure value) on the basis of the acceleration signal using the machine learning model 27. The pressure value describes, for example, a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 at a point before or after the filter 29.The differential pressure value describes, for example, a difference between a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 at a point in front of the filter 29 and a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 at a point behind the filter 29.

[0053] Optionally, the computer unit 20 is designed to determine a wear and / or contamination state of the filter 29 on the basis of the pressure value, the flow value and / or the differential pressure value and to output it, for example, via the communication interface 22 and / or the display 23. Figure 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the pneumatic automation device 5. In this embodiment, the guide section 25 is a pipe section 25B, for example a straight pipe section. The flow 26 of the compressed air runs internally through the pipe section 25B from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17.The electronic arrangement 30 having the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged on the outside of the pipe section 25B, so that the acceleration sensor 18 is vibrationally coupled to the pipe section 25B and the vibrations of the pipe section 25B caused by the flow 26 can be transmitted to the acceleration sensor 18 and detected by the latter.

[0054] Figure 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the pneumatic automation device 5. In this embodiment, the guide section 25 is an angled section 25C, for example with an angle of 90 degrees. The angled section 25C comprises a first (in particular straight) pipe section 32C and a second (in particular straight) pipe section 33C. The two pipe sections 32C, 33C converge at an angle, for example 90 degrees, and together form the angled section 29C. The flow 26 of the compressed air runs internally through the angled section 29C, in particular the first pipe section 32C and the second pipe section 33C, from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17.The electronic arrangement 30 comprising the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged externally on the angled section 25C, for example the first pipe section 32C, so that the acceleration sensor 18 is vibrationally coupled to the angled section 25C, in particular the first pipe section 32C, and the vibrations of the angled section 25C, in particular of the first pipe section 32C, caused by the flow 26 can be transmitted to the acceleration sensor 18 and detected by the latter. The differential pressure value expediently calculated by the computer unit 20 describes, for example, a difference between a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 in the first pipe section 32C and a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 in the second pipe section 33C.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the pneumatic automation device 5. In this embodiment, the guide section 25 is a tapered section 25D. In the tapered section 25D, the diameter of the compressed air channel 16 tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter. The tapered section 25D comprises a first (in particular straight) pipe section 32D and a second (in particular straight) pipe section 33D. The second pipe section 33D has a smaller diameter than the first pipe section 32D. The two pipe sections 32D, 33D are connected to one another via a connecting section 34. The flow 26 of compressed air runs internally through the tapered section 25D, in particular the first pipe section 32D, the connecting section 34 and the second pipe section 33D, from the compressed air inlet 15 to the compressed air outlet 17.The electronic arrangement 30 having the acceleration sensor 18 is arranged on the outside of the tapered section 25D, for example the first pipe section 32D, so that the acceleration sensor 18 is vibrationally coupled to the tapered section 25D, in particular the first pipe section 32D, and the vibrations of the tapered section 25D, in particular of the first pipe section 32D, caused by the flow 26 can be transmitted to the acceleration sensor 18 and detected by the latter. The differential pressure value expediently calculated by the computer unit 20 describes, for example, a difference between a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 in the first pipe section 32D and a pressure of the compressed air in the compressed air channel 16 in the second pipe section 33D.

Claims

Claims 1. Pneumatic automation device (5), comprising a guide section (25) for guiding compressed air, and an acceleration sensor (18) vibration-coupled to the guide section (25) for providing an acceleration signal that maps vibrations of the guide section (25) caused by a flow (26) of compressed air, further comprising a computer unit (20) that is designed to calculate both a pressure value related to the compressed air and a flow value related to the compressed air on the basis of the acceleration signal and using a machine learning model (27).

2. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to claim 1, wherein the machine learning model (27) maps the acceleration signal to the pressure value and the flow value or the computer unit (20) is designed to calculate a frequency spectrum of the acceleration signal and the machine learning model (27) maps the frequency spectrum to the pressure value and the flow value.

3. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic automation device (5) is designed as a pneumatic filter device (5A).

4. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to claim 3, comprising a filter bowl (28) and a filter (29) located in the filter bowl (28), wherein the guide section (25) is part of the filter bowl (28).

5. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide section (25) is a pipe section (25B), angle section (25C) or tapered section (25D).

6. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer unit (20) is designed to calculate a differential pressure value related to the compressed air on the basis of the acceleration signal and using the machine learning model.

7. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acceleration signal comprises one, two or three acceleration signal components, and the computer unit (20) is designed to calculate the pressure value and the flow value using the machine learning model (27), in particular exclusively on the basis of the one acceleration signal component, the two acceleration signal components or the three acceleration signal components.

8. Pneumatic automation device (5) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pneumatic automation device (5) has no pressure sensor and no flow sensor.

9. Maintenance structure (3) for compressed air preparation of a pneumatic system (1), comprising a pneumatic Automation device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Pneumatic system (1) comprising a compressed air source (2), a maintenance structure (3) according to claim 9 and a pneumatic machine (4) which is pneumatically connected to the compressed air source (2) via the maintenance structure (3).

11. A method for operating a pneumatic automation device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 8, a maintenance structure (3) according to claim 9 or a pneumatic system (1) according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: providing the acceleration signal and calculating, using the machine learning model, the pressure value and the flow value on the basis of the acceleration signal.

Images