Methods and procedures for remote management of compressed air distribution systems

Abstract

A computer implemented method for remotely managing a compressed air distribution system (107) by a control system (102, 208, 308, 408), the compressed air distribution system (107) comprising one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407), the computer implemented method comprising the steps of iteratively repeating; sharing respective status by the one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407) with the control system (102, 208, 308, 408) via a shared communications bus (201, 301); 1. A computer implemented method comprising: controlling one or more compressors (103, 207, 307, 407) in parallel by a control system (102, 208, 308, 408) via a shared communication bus (201, 301) based on a required pressure and / or flow rate; detecting a first device if the first device is connected to a compressed air distribution system (107); and integrating the first device, wherein the integration is performed simultaneously with the parallel control (310, 410) of one or more compressors (209, 309, 409).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of management and control of compressors in a compressed air distribution system by a control system, and more particularly to performing such management and control remotely.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to compress a gas in one or more stages using a compressor. This compressed gas is supplied to one or more pneumatic consumers via a pneumatic network. The entire compressor, consumer, and conduits connecting them to each other are also referred to as a compressed air distribution system.

[0003] Thus, a compressed air distribution system comprises one or more compressors for supplying a gas at a required pressure and / or flow rate to pneumatic consumers. This required pressure and / or flow rate can vary over time and is determined by various factors such as the intended application, time such as a day, a week, or a year.

[0004] The term compressor further includes any other machine configured to generate compressed air as well as vacuum.

[0005] A control system for controlling and managing the compressor is used to supply the gas at the required pressure and / or flow rate. Thus, the compressed air distribution system further comprises this control system. Controlling and managing the compressor by the control system means being able to turn the compressor on or off according to the capacity of the compressor and to switch the compressor between full load and partial load. For this purpose, the control system and the compressor exchange data, whereby the control system can determine or directly measure the respective status of the compressor. Based on this status in combination with the desired pressure and / or flow rate in the compressed air distribution system, the compressor is controlled such that as a result the supply of the compressor matches the desired demand of the consumers.

[0006] For this control, the compressed air distribution system may further include other measuring devices that exchange data with sensors and / or control systems.

[0007] Over time, the desired demand and / or flow rate may change to the extent that modifications to the compressed air distribution system are necessary. These modifications might include, for example, the installation of additional compressors to accommodate the increasing demand and / or flow rate. Alternatively, if a compressor proves to be over-equipped or in need of replacement, its removal can be considered.

[0008] Modifications to the compressed air distribution system may also occur, for example, when it is desirable to optimize its control by installing new sensors and / or other measuring instruments and / or by changing settings managed by the control system.

[0009] However, such changes to compressed air distribution systems have the drawback of meaning an interruption to optimal operation from a consumer perspective. Such interruptions should be minimized as they are undesirable for certain critical applications. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a method and system for connecting and / or disconnecting devices to a compressed air distribution system, and / or changing the settings of a compressed air distribution system, while minimizing inconvenience to the user of the compressed air distribution system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for connecting and / or disconnecting devices and / or changing the settings of a compressed air distribution system without interfering with, or at least minimizing, existing consumers in the compressed air distribution system.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this objective is achieved by providing a computer-operated method for remotely managing a compressed air distribution system by a control system, wherein the compressed air distribution system comprises one or more compressors, and the computer-operated method is repeated iteratively. The steps include: sharing the status of one or more compressors with the control system via a shared communication bus; The steps include: controlling one or more compressors in parallel via a shared communication bus by a control system based on their status and required pressure and / or flow rate; When the first device is connected to a compressed air distribution system and the devices can exchange data, A step of detecting a first device via a shared communication bus, The steps include: integrating a first device into a control system for data exchange, wherein the integration is performed simultaneously with the parallel control of one or more compressors; Includes.

[0013] A compressed air supply system comprises one or more compressors that supply compressed air or other gases to consumers. This can be done by operating different compressors simultaneously, and each compressor can operate at full load or partial load. It should be further understood that the compressors can be controlled to meet the demand with respect to the desired pressure and / or flow rate.

[0014] To ensure proper operation, the compressors share their respective statuses with the control system. These statuses may be, for example, "full load operation," "partial load operation," "off," or other indicators showing the current operation of each compressor at that time.

[0015] The status is further understood to mean the instantaneous setting of each compressor. This status, or these settings, can be read directly through the compressor and / or by sensor values, generated values, alarms, or other relevant data indicating the respective status.

[0016] The control system will manage the compressors and, if necessary, control them. Therefore, control includes turning one or more compressors on or off, or, if one or more compressors are suitable for this purpose, operating one or more compressors at full load or partial load.

[0017] Furthermore, the control system verifies or monitors the demand side, and then the control is adjusted to the desired demand.

[0018] Therefore, by sharing status and monitoring the demand side, the control system can control the demand side with respect to a desired pressure and / or flow rate.

[0019] Status control, monitoring, and sharing are performed via a shared communication bus. Data is exchanged between the compressor and the control system, and, if present, with other devices such as sensors and other measuring instruments, via this communication bus. This data is exchanged via communication protocols such as UDP, TCP, CAN, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, LonWorks, SocketCAN, Mk5UDP, OPCUA, Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet / IP, EtherCAT, BACnet, MQTT, AMQP, or other wired or wireless communication standards.

[0020] Furthermore, the control system is controlled in parallel. This means that datagrams and / or data packets can be sent via the communication bus by the control system and / or one or more compressors without the risk of conflict with other datagrams and / or data packets. In other words, communication between one control system and one or more compressors and other optional devices present on the other side occurs simultaneously.

[0021] Furthermore, it is not ruled out that different communication protocols may be used by different devices. In such cases, protocol conversion can be performed as needed.

[0022] Furthermore, additional devices can be added to the compressed air distribution system. Due to the expected higher consumption, this device can be, for example, an additional compressor to meet a changed user profile. Therefore, from the perspective of the compressed air distribution system, this is a new device.

[0023] The additional or new device can also be a sensor for further optimizing the control system and / or the compressed air distribution system itself. Other examples of additional devices are throttle valves, dryers, control valves, energy recovery devices, pressure gauges, flow meters, thermometers, compressed air consumption devices, or any other device that changes the configuration of the compressed air distribution system or the way the control system can manage and / or control the compressed air distribution system.

[0024] According to the innovative element of the present invention, this device is registered and integrated into the compressed air distribution system without interfering with the operation of existing devices. In other words, the device can be added to the control system without shutting down the compressed air distribution system or a part thereof. The control system integrates the device so that data can be exchanged, and at the same time controls the compressor. As a result, the inconvenience to existing consumers in the compressed air distribution system is minimized or virtually zero.

[0025] With the integration of the device, data can be exchanged between the control system and the device in order to control the device, request measurements, or perform other operations that the device is suitable for and configurable.

[0026] When the device is connected to the compressed air distribution system, this is detected by the control system via a shared communication bus. Therefore, it should be understood that the device is suitable for exchanging data with the control system via the communication bus.

[0027] In order to exchange data between the control system and the new device, if necessary, identify the communication protocol, and if it is different from the communication protocol of the control system, protocol conversion can be applied. This enables the control system to communicate with the device.

[0028] After the device is integrated into the control system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the device can be set by the control system, and this step is performed simultaneously with the parallel control of one or more compressors. To set means to set up the device so that it has the desired functions as a function of the control system and / or the compressed air distribution system. In other words, the set parameters of the device can be adjusted and / or changed after being incorporated into the compressed air distribution system.

[0029] On the other hand, according to one embodiment, the method executed by the computer further includes the step of detecting this disconnection when the device is disconnected from the compressed air distribution system, and then the step of removing the second device from the control system, and these steps are executed simultaneously in parallel with the control of one or more compressors.

[0030] The device to be disconnected can be a compressor, a sensor, or any other device that was initially connected to the compressed air distribution system and exchanged data with the control system.

[0031] Also, when disconnected, any existing consumer inconvenience is minimized or virtually zero.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the detection of the connected and / or disconnected device is initiated by the device itself. In the first case, this will occur after being connected to the compressed air distribution system, and in the second case, it will occur before being disconnected. Thereby, the device directly notifies the control system that there is a change in the compressed air distribution system.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the present invention comprises a data processing system including a processor configured to perform the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the present invention comprises a computer program product that, when executed on a computer, includes computer-executable instructions for performing the method according to the first aspect.

[0035] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention comprises a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program product according to a third aspect.

[0036] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention comprises a compressor including a data processing system according to a second aspect.

[0037] Next, the present invention will be described further with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a control system for managing a compressed air distribution system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a conventional step-by-step intervention plan for resetting the machine. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a phased intervention plan based on one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a step-by-step intervention plan according to an embodiment of the present invention in the event of an incident. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a control system for managing the compressed air distribution system 107. In this case, one or more machines can be controlled, and the machines are located in the compressed air distribution system 107. Thus, the machines are compressors, dryers, control valves, sensors, or any other machines that are present in and can be controlled by the compressed air distribution system 107.

[0040] The central control system 102 is configured to connect 111 to a cloud application 100 over a network such as the public internet 101. The connection or initiation of connection 111 is performed by the operator 106, and commands are sent to the cloud application 100 over the internet 101, and not directly to the control system 102 itself. This is indicated by the link or connection 110. This is because firewalls are more tolerant of outgoing communications than incoming communications.

[0041] Therefore, the operator or technician 106 can similarly connect 110 to the same cloud application 100, and if the correct security information is provided, a connection 111 can be established between the two data streams, namely connection 110 and connection 111. This allows the technician 106 to manage and / or (re)configure the control system 102.

[0042] Control and / or (re)setting is understood to mean that commands can be given to machines 103-105 within the compressed air distribution system 107. These machines are, for example, other machines such as the compressor 103, the dryer 104, and the sensor 105, which can be controlled by the control system 102.

[0043] The engineer 106 and the compressed air distribution system 107 can each be located independently of each other. The only requirement is that both have access to the internet 101.

[0044] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a step-by-step plan of a conventional intervention to reset machine 207 within the compressed air distribution system 107. In this case, the technician 200 would intervene in machine 207 via a conventional central control system 208. Machine 207 may be, for example, a compressor. Furthermore, the compressed air distribution system 107 accommodates other machines, indicated by 209.

[0045] In Figures 2, 3, and 4, dotted lines with arrows at both ends represent commands issued from the central operating system to each machine, and status updates and / or acknowledgments returned from the machine to the central operating system. The management by the central operating system and the feedback from the machine through status updates and / or acknowledgments are further referred to as a feedback loop.

[0046] The central control system 208 controls the compressor 207 and other machines 209 in a permanent or continuous feedback loop, as further indicated by the control bus 201. If a technical intervention is required, either by the central control system 208 or by the machine 207 itself, for example, to change the settings of the compressor 207, the technician 200 will have the central control system 208 shut down the operation of the machine 207. Furthermore, it is understood that the intervention may also include adding or disconnecting the machine 207 from the compressed air distribution system 107. This operation also applies to all other machines 209 present in the compressed air distribution system 107. An instruction to stop all machines is shown in instruction 202. These machines will then return to local control, in other words, they will no longer be centrally controlled, as indicated in 203. Since these machines are no longer centrally controlled, the entire compressed air distribution system 107 will no longer operate optimally. After returning to local control, settings can be changed locally or reset at will.

[0047] Subsequently, the engineer 200 locally carries out the intervention indicated by module 204, and from there to machine 207. In contrast, and, To the central control system 208 In contrast, instruction 211 is given to local 212. It can be given.

[0048] After the settings of machine 207 are changed or reset, the central control system 208 can once again control 205 of the compressed air distribution system 107, and the feedback loop becomes operational again. The compressed air distribution system 107 is once again managed by the central control system 208.

[0049] However, the problem with this conventional intervention is that, due to the continuous interactions, technicians 200 must perform the intervention on-site or in the field. In addition, other machines present will not operate optimally during the duration of the intervention.

[0050] This problem is solved by the method of the present invention shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 schematically shows a step-by-step plan of intervention according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a similar diagram in the presence of an incident.

[0051] In both Figures 3 and 4, the compressed air distribution system 107 includes technicians 300, 400, machines 307, 407 on which intervention is performed, a central control system 308, 408, and other machines 309, 409.

[0052] In the phased plan shown in Figure 3, the engineer 300 connects to the compressed air distribution system 107, and intervention is carried out on machine 307. In contrast to the conventional strategy shown in Figure 2, the execution tasks and commands given by the central control system 308 are carried out in parallel. This is indicated by the control bus 301. In other words, as will be further explained, while intervention is being carried out on machine 307, the other machine 309 remains under the control of the central control system 308.

[0053] Since tasks and instructions are executed in parallel, the engineer 300 only needs to remove machine 307 from the feedback loop, while the other machine 309 is central control It remains under the control of System 308.

[0054] Instruction 302 to remove machine 307 from the feedback loop can be given on the public internet network 311. Machine 307 can then be individually repaired, reconfigured, added, and / or disconnected, as indicated by the local control bus 303.

[0055] After the repair and / or resetting is complete, instruction 304 may be given to allow the central control system 308 to manage the machine 307 again or for the first time, so that the entire compressed air distribution system 107 may once again operate optimally (305).

[0056] As shown in paragraphs 210 and 310 respectively, in conventional phased plans, the feedback loop is temporarily interrupted during interventions, but it should be noted that according to the method of the present invention, the feedback loop with machine 309 continues to run. In other words, the other machine 309 is not affected by the intervention with machine 307.

[0057] Finally, to further explain this method based on Figure 4, Incident 404 occurs during the intervention.

[0058] Technician 400 again orders intervention on machine 407 via the internet 411 (402). Subsequently, control of machine 407 is taken over locally (403). Subsequently, incident 404 involves the loss of connection to the internet 411.

[0059] Machine 407 is a central control system 408 Although no longer included in the feedback loop, the compressed air supply system 107 will continue to operate optimally because the other machines 409 are still managed by the central control system 408.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the machine 407 can be put into a safe state by a central control system 408. This is shown by an instruction 405 that the central control system 408 gives to the machine 407.

[0061] Instruction 405 to put machine 407 into a secure state is, for example, after the connection to the Internet 411 is lost (404), after a predetermined period of time, central control System 408 can start autonomously. In this case, no interaction from engineer 400 is required.

[0062] After the connection to the Internet 411 is restored (406), the technician 400 can resume technical interventions without affecting, or with minimal, the operation of, other machines 409.

[0063] Figure 5 shows a computer system 500 for managing the compressed air distribution system 107. The computer system 500 is generally configured as a suitable general-purpose computer and comprises a bus 510, a processor 502, local memory 504, one or more optional input interfaces 514, one or more optional output interfaces 516, a communication interface 512, a memory element interface 506, and one or more memory elements 508. The bus 510 may include one or more conductors that enable communication between components of the computer system. The processor 502 may include some type of conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes programming instructions. The local memory 504 is random access memory (RAM) or some other type of dynamic memory device that stores information and instructions for execution by the processor 502, and / or the processor 502The input interface 514 may include read-only memory (ROM) or some other type of static storage device for storing statistical information and instructions for use by the computer system 500. The input interface 514 may include one or more conventional mechanisms that enable an operator to input information into the computer system 500, such as a keyboard 520, a mouse 530, a pen, voice recognition, and / or a biometric mechanism. The output interface 516 may include one or more conventional mechanisms that output information to an operator, such as a display 540. The communication interface 512 may include some transmit / receive mechanism, such as two 1Gb Ethernet interfaces, that enables the computer system 500 to communicate with other devices and / or systems, such as a mechanism for communicating with one or more other computer systems. The communication interface 512 of the computer system 500 may be connected to other computer systems 560 by a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, in which case the other computer systems may include, for example, a suitable web server. The storage element interface 506 may include a storage interface such as a SATA interface (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) for connecting the bus 510 to one or more storage elements 508, one or more local drives such as 1TB SATA disk drives, and for controlling the reading and writing of data to and from these storage elements 508. Although the storage elements 508 are described above as local disks, other computer-readable media such as removable magnetic disks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs, SSDs, and flash memory cards can generally be used.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described and illustrated, and the methods performed by the compressor, user equipment, and computer according to the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method performed by a computer for remotely managing a compressed air distribution system (107) via a control system (102, 308, 408), The compressed air distribution system comprises two or more machines (103, 104, 105, 307, 309, 407, 409) including a compressor, and the method executed by the computer is repeated iteratively. The steps include sharing the status of each of the two or more machines with the control system via a shared communication bus (301), The steps include: controlling the two or more machines in parallel via the shared communication bus by the control system based on the status and the required pressure and / or flow rate (310, 410); When the first machine (307) among the two or more machines is connected to the compressed air distribution system, and the first machine can exchange data with the control system, The steps include detecting the first machine via the shared communication bus, The step of integrating the first machine into the control system in order to exchange the aforementioned data, wherein the integration is performed simultaneously with the parallel control of the other machine (309) among the two or more machines, The steps include, following the integration step, configuring the first machine via the control system, wherein the configuration is performed simultaneously with the parallel control of the other machine, A method performed by a computer, including [this].

2. The detection step, in which the detection is performed by a computer according to claim 1, is initiated by the first machine.

3. The aforementioned integration step is, The steps include identifying the communication protocol of the first machine, If the communication protocol of the control system differs from the communication protocol of the first machine, the step of assigning a protocol conversion so that the control system can communicate with the first machine, The method performed by a computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The method executed by a computer according to claim 3, wherein the communication protocol of the first machine and / or the control system includes one of the following: UDP, TCP, CAN, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, LongWorks, SocketCAN, Mk5UDP, OPCUA, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet / IP, EthernetCAT, BACnet, MQTT, AMQP.

5. The first machine comprises a compressor, and the method is performed by a computer according to claim 1.

6. The method performed by a computer according to claim 1, wherein the first machine includes one of the group consisting of a sensor, a valve, a dryer, an energy recovery device, a pressure gauge, a flow meter, and a thermometer.

7. When a second machine (407) of the two or more machines capable of exchanging data with the control system is disconnected from the compressed air distribution system, The steps include detecting the disconnection of the second machine, A step of removing the second machine from the control system, wherein the removal is performed simultaneously with the parallel control of the other machine (409) among the two or more machines, The method performed by a computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The method, performed by a computer according to claim 7, wherein the second machine includes a compressor.

9. A data processing system (500) comprising a processor (502) adapted to perform a computer-based method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A compressed air distribution system (107) comprising the data processing system (500) according to claim 9.

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