Method for configuring a measuring point of an automation system

Abstract

1. The invention relates to a method for configuring a measuring point (MS) of an automation system, wherein at least one field device (FG1, FG2) for detecting and / or influencing at least one physical, chemical and / or biological measurement variable is provided at the measuring point (MS), said method having the steps of: - inputting application information (AI) for the measuring point (MS), the application information (AI) comprising in particular one or more measuring principles for the field device (FG1, FG2), a value range for the measurement variable, and / or at least one type and / or one property of a measurement medium; and - proposing at least one field device (FG1, FG2) for the measuring point (MS) on the basis of the application information (AI). The method is characterized in that the proposing step involves the process of outputting information (AN) relating to a space requirement for the field device (FG1, FG2), said information (AN) comprising length, height, and width information.

Description

[0001] Method for designing a measuring point in an automation system

[0002] The invention relates to a method for designing a measuring point of an automation system, wherein at least one field device is used in the measuring point for detecting and / or influencing at least one physical, chemical and / or biological measured quantity.

[0003] Field devices are already known from the state of the art and are used in industrial plants. They are widely employed in process automation as well as in manufacturing automation. In principle, field devices are defined as all devices used close to the process that provide or process process-relevant information. Thus, field devices are used to acquire and / or influence process variables. Measuring instruments or sensors are used to acquire process variables. These are used, for example, for measuring pressure and temperature, conductivity, flow rate, pH, level, etc., and acquire the corresponding process variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, level, and flow rate. Actuators are used to influence process variables.These include, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the fill level in a container. In addition to the aforementioned measuring devices and actuators, field devices also include remote I / Os, radio adapters, and generally any devices located at the field level.

[0004] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0005] In modern industrial plants, field devices are typically connected to higher-level units via communication networks such as fieldbuses (Profibus®, Foundation® Fieldbus, HART®, etc.). These higher-level units are usually control systems (DCS) or automation systems, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller). The higher-level units are used, among other things, for process control, process visualization, process monitoring, and commissioning of the field devices. The measured values ​​acquired by the field devices, especially sensors, are transmitted via the respective bus system to one (or possibly several) higher-level unit(s). Data transmission from the higher-level unit to the field devices via the bus system is also necessary, particularly for configuring and parameterizing field devices and controlling actuators.The complexity of systems in process automation is constantly increasing. More and more system components and field devices are being interconnected. But the field devices themselves are also increasing in complexity and software options (especially ordering options and / or activation codes for functions). This means that field devices often consist of a large number of subcomponents.

[0006] The design of field devices, or even entire measuring points, takes place during the so-called "engineering" phase. This involves selecting the optimal configuration for field devices during operation to obtain the calculated values, particularly when ordering them or planning measuring points. The design process thus includes configuration (generally the hardware-related design, e.g., regarding sensor type, nominal diameter, communication type, etc.) and parameterization (selection of values ​​for parameters that define the field device's measurement operation). The device is then ordered and delivered.

[0007] The design can be carried out, for example, by the manufacturer of the field devices. For this, they require precise information about the customer's application. Often, however, the request is limited to a desired measuring principle (e.g., flow rate). The desired measuring technology (e.g., Coriolis) and the process data (e.g., 30 m) may also be requested. 3 / h) and the measuring substance (e.g. water, oil, etc.).

[0008] However, the device manufacturer usually receives no information regarding the available space at the customer's premises, or whether, for example, a compact measuring device or something similar is desired.

[0009] For example, a magnetic-inductive flow meter is taller than a Coriolis flow meter.

[0010] Based on this problem, the invention aims to present a method that allows for a more suitable design of a field device.

[0011] The problem is solved by a method according to claim 1.

[0012] The method serves to design a measuring point of an automation system, wherein at least one field device is used in the measuring point to detect and / or influence at least one physical, chemical and / or biological measurement quantity, and wherein the method comprises:

[0013] Entering application information for the measuring point, whereby the

[0014] Application information shall include, in particular, one or more measurement principles for the field device, a range of values ​​for the measured quantity and / or at least one type and / or property of a measuring medium;

[0015] Suggestions for at least one field device for the measuring point based on the application information.

[0016] According to the invention, the proposal includes the output of information on the space requirements for the field device, wherein the information includes length, height and width specifications.

[0017] The core of the invention lies in the fact that, directly in the response, for example from the device manufacturer, regarding the device design, a dimensioned description of the field device is provided alongside a specific field device. This allows the requesting customer to verify whether a proposed field device actually fits physically into the measuring point.

[0018] Alternatively, the customer can lay out the field device(s) themselves, for example using a tool provided by the field device manufacturer, such as an ordering tool or an applicator.

[0019] During the design process, a unique identification identifier is assigned to the field device. This is known from DE102023 122 741 A1. The design data, i.e., the selected process parameters, the field device components, etc., are then linked to this identification information. Advantageously, it can now be implemented to use this data as a reference for calibration during production and the associated calibration of the field device. Thus, calibration can be performed based on this data. No further manual data entry or similar steps are required, enabling a seamless digital workflow. Field devices can be calibrated directly based on their design data. Subsequent calibrations can be performed based on the original design. Replacement devices can be calibrated based on the original design of the devices being replaced.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the procedure, the application information includes details about available space, which is then used to suggest suitable field devices. The requesting customer can advantageously specify directly how much space is available at the measuring point for the installation. The suggested field device takes this into account and proposes one or more suitable devices for initial installation based on the available space. A further development of the procedure provides for different operating phases of the field device, with corresponding space requirements assigned to each phase. This takes into account the various life cycles of field devices.The operating phases of the field device can include, for example, installation of the field device at the measuring point, one or more maintenance cycles, removal of the field device from the measuring point, decommissioning of the field device and / or one or more calibration cycles.

[0021] Depending on the operating phase, different space requirements are specified, which can even exceed the space required for the initial installation. For example, a calibration device or calibration system would need to be connected for calibration. During maintenance, space must be provided for the operating and repair equipment.

[0022] According to one aspect of the procedure, the specifications for the operational phase requiring the most space are provided during the proposal process. The field device is therefore planned based on the largest space requirement, and this space must be available for a suitable field device.

[0023] Alternatively, the proposal process could include the space requirements for each operational phase, particularly in tabular and / or machine-readable format. This would allow the customer to determine which operational phases are critical in terms of space requirements and, if necessary, to import the machine-readable data into their own planning tools.

[0024] According to one implementation of the process, a cloud-based platform is provided for the input of application information and / or for the proposal step and / or for the output step. This cloud-based platform is accessible via the internet and is set up on one or more servers. One or more applications can be stored and executed on such a platform, designed, for example, to process data and to perform the aforementioned steps.

[0025] The field device manufacturer accesses the cloud-based platform for design purposes. Alternatively, the customer can be granted access to the cloud-based platform themselves for design purposes.

[0026] Such applications can obtain information regarding space requirements, for example, from

[0027] Obtain and / or calculate from the documentation and / or design data of the field devices. A computer algorithm may also be provided that generates space requirement data, for example, from the design data of a field device and / or generates data for different operating phases.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figure. It shows

[0029] Fig. 1 : an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a measuring point MS of a process automation system. This consists of system components in the form of a tank and a pipeline leading from the tank.

[0031] During the planning phase of the measuring point (MS), the planning staff defines specific requirements for the measuring point and uses them for its design. For example, it is determined that the measuring point (MS) relates to an application in which a beer tank is provided, the volume and flow of which are to be monitored. Accordingly, the measuring point (MS) consists of the tank and the pipeline for the outflow of the measuring medium (beer).

[0032] The volume of container AK is to be determined metrologically using the fill level. To measure the fill level of the container, a field device FG1, for example a radar level gauge, is designed during the planning phase and mounted on the container. To measure the flow velocity of the process medium flowing through the pipeline as the outflow from the container, the measuring point MS will include a field device FG2, for example a Coriolis flow meter, which will be mounted on the pipeline.

[0033] Each of the field devices FG1 and FG2 is to be in communication with a higher-level PLC via a 4-20 mA current loop or, alternatively, a fieldbus. The PLC queries the measured values ​​of the field devices FG1 and FG2 and transmits them to the control center (LS) of the plant via another network segment. The entirety of all network segments (the 4-20 mA current loops or the fieldbus, and the other network segment) is referred to below as the communication network (CN).

[0034] The field devices FG1 and FG2 are to be designed according to the requirements and receive a specific configuration and parameterization during the ordering process to fulfill the measurement tasks. After production and delivery of the field devices FG1 and FG2, they are to be installed at the measuring point and put into operation. The method according to the invention will be explained below using the design of the flow meter, i.e., field device FG2, as an example. The explanations are to be considered exemplary. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further applications and examples using the method are conceivable, which are not explicitly described below.

[0035] The customer provides the field device manufacturer with the details of the planned application, as described above. An employee of the field device manufacturer enters this information as application information (AI) into a computer unit (RE). The computer unit has access to a cloud-based platform (CP) on which a software application (SA) runs.

[0036] Alternatively, the customer receives access to the software application SA and can enter the application information AI himself.

[0037] Based on the application information entered (AI), the software application (SA) generates one or more suggestions (VO) for suitable field devices. These suggestions can be retrieved by the software application (SA) from the customer or the field device manufacturer, and / or retrieved by them from the cloud-based platform (CP).

[0038] The proposals VO contain, in addition to a field device type suitable for the application, information AN on the space requirement for the respective field device FG.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a corresponding proposal for a flow meter based on the inductive-magnetic measuring principle, where the frame represents the relevant dimensions AN for the space requirements. Additional dimensions (A to M) for the field device FG2 are also shown.

[0040] The customer can now select the appropriate device type depending on the available space at the measuring point (MS). For example, in this case, the customer is shown two options: the field device based on the magnetic-inductive measuring principle, as previously shown, and a field device based on the Coriolis measuring principle. The space requirements differ between the two. The field device based on the Coriolis measuring principle requires more space during installation than the field device based on the magnetic-inductive measuring principle, because the Coriolis field device is longer, while the magnetic-inductive field device is taller.

[0041] Once the customer has selected the magnetic-inductive field device FG2, it is manufactured according to the specifications, delivered to the customer, and commissioned after installation. Alternatively, the available space at the measuring point (MS) can be transmitted to the software application (SA) as part of the application information (AI). The proposal (VO) then already includes a check to determine whether the field device types are suitable for installation at the measuring point (MS). In this particular case, only a single proposal (VO) might be generated, as, for example, the field device based on the Coriolis measuring principle is unsuitable for installation at the measuring point (MS) due to its length.

[0042] Furthermore, the proposals may include several specifications regarding space requirements, depending on different operating phases of the field device FG2 throughout its life cycle. These operating phases may include, for example: the installation of the field device FG2 at the measuring point MS, one or more maintenance cycles, the removal of the field device FG2 from the measuring point MS, decommissioning of the field device FG2, and / or one or more calibration cycles.

[0043] It may also be stipulated that only those details regarding space requirements are included in the proposal where the most space is needed.

[0044] For example, it is evident from the proposal shown in Fig. 2 that the dimensions AN, represented by the frame, are larger than the other dimensions (A to M) of the field device. Therefore, the space requirement of the field device FG2 may, under certain circumstances – in this case due to the installation or removal phases – be larger than the actual dimensions of the field device FG2 would suggest.

[0045] Reference symbol list

[0046] AI Application Information

[0047] Information on the space requirements of a proposed

[0048] Field device

[0049] CP Cloud-based platform

[0050] FG1. FG2 Field devices

[0051] KN Communication Network

[0052] LS control center of the MS measuring station

[0053] RE computer unit

[0054] SA Software Application

[0055] PLC control unit

[0056] Proposal for a regulation

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for designing a measuring point (MS) of an automation system, wherein at least one field device (FG1, FG2) is provided in the measuring point (MS) for recording and / or influencing at least one physical, chemical and / or biological measured quantity, comprising: Input of application information (AI) for the measuring point (MS), wherein the application information (AI) includes in particular one or more measuring principles for the field device (FG1, FG2), a range of values ​​of the measured quantity and / or at least one type and / or property of a measuring medium; Proposals for at least one field device (FG1 , FG2) for the measuring point (MS) based on the application information (AI), characterized in that the proposal includes an output of information (AN) on a space requirement for the field device (FG1 , FG2), wherein the information (AN) includes length, height and width data.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the application information (AI) includes information about an available space, wherein the information about an available space is taken into account for proposing the field device (FG1, FG2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that different operating phases of the field device (FG1 , FG2) are provided, wherein corresponding information (AN) on the space requirement is assigned to each operating phase.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating phases of the field device (FG1 , FG2) comprise installation of the field device (FG1 , FG2) in the measuring point (MS), one or more maintenance cycles, removal of the field device (FG1 , FG2) from the measuring point (MS), decommissioning of the field device (FG1 , FG2) and / or one or more calibration cycles.

5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, during the proposal process, the information (AN) of the operating phase for which the greatest space requirement is provided is output.

6. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, during the proposal process, the space requirement information (AN) for each of the operational phases is output, in particular in tabular and / or machine-readable form.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cloud-based (CP) platform is provided, via which the application information (AI) is inputted and / or which performs the proposal step and / or via which the output is generated.

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