Filling Plant Measurement Control for Repeatable Target Volumes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling systems using measuring devices like flow meters or level meters exhibit increased measurement deviation and poorer repeatability when filling media different from the calibration medium, such as water.

Innovation Solution

A method that optimizes the repeatability of filling point measuring devices by performing multiple filling routines, determining repeatability through processing units, and adjusting parameters to achieve optimal performance, incorporating offset corrections based on medium properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the measuring device is calibrated with water before delivery, then the calibration is simple and quick, but the measurement deviation increases when filling media different from water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters of the filling point measuring device based on the specific medium being filled. The computing unit receives medium information, determines optimized parameters, and adjusts the measuring device to compensate for deviations caused by different medium properties, thereby maintaining measurement precision across various media while keeping calibration simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the control measuring device to continuously monitor and adjust the filling point measuring device performance. By comparing control measurements with filling point measurements, the system identifies deviations and applies corrections, ensuring accurate measurements for different media without complex recalibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple filling routines are performed to determine and optimize repeatability, then the repeatability of the filling point measuring device is improved, but the filling time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverepeatabilityVSAvoidfilling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs repeatability optimization in advance during setup or maintenance phases, determining optimal parameters before actual filling operations begin. This preliminary optimization ensures high repeatability during production while minimizing time loss during actual filling, as the parameter optimization is completed beforehand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic repeatability checks and optimizations at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This approach maintains high repeatability through regular optimization cycles while avoiding time loss during normal filling operations, balancing reliability with productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4653383A1Method for operating a filling system, and filling system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 KROHNE MESSTECHNICK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4653383A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653383A1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP4653383A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A method (1) for operating a filling plant (2) for filling a target volume of a first medium is described and illustrated, wherein the filling plant (2) has at least one filling point measuring device (3), at least one control measuring device (4) and at least one computing unit (5), wherein the filling point measuring device (3) controls the filling of the target volume, wherein the control measuring device (4) is arranged in the filling plant (2) such that it detects the target volume of the medium to be filled controlled by the filling point measuring device (3), and wherein the filling point measuring device (3) and the control measuring device (4) are connected to the computing unit (5).