Radiometric Signal Processing for SIL2 Fill Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiometric measuring apparatuses face challenges in detecting fill levels, point levels, densities, and mass flows with high accuracy and reliability, particularly in ensuring functional safety and efficiency with limited signal processing units while maintaining low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A radiometric measuring apparatus comprising a scintillator device, optoelectronic sensor, first and second signal processing units, a setting unit, and an assessment unit, which processes sensor signals into measured and operating variable signals, with the second signal processing unit being adjustable and the assessment unit comparing signals to ensure correct processing and functional safety, allowing for alternating measurement and operation settings to enhance functional scope and safety integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple signal processing units are used to improve measurement reliability and functional safety, then the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions into a single integrated signal processing unit. This unit can operate in different modes (measurement mode and disturbance detection mode) to perform both measurement and safety assessment functions, thereby reducing the total number of hardware components while maintaining functional safety integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both primary measurement tasks and disturbance variable detection. By making the signal processing unit universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated units for each function, reducing device complexity while preserving reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple signal processing units operate continuously to ensure functional safety, then power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating the signal processing unit between measurement mode and disturbance detection mode in time intervals. This allows the unit to perform safety assessments periodically rather than continuously, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining functional safety integrity through regular monitoring cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing unit dynamically switches between different operational modes (measurement and disturbance detection) based on timing signals. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt its power consumption to the actual needs of the application, ensuring safety while minimizing energy usage during non-critical periods.
3Device complexity
If a single signal processing unit is used to reduce device complexity and power consumption, then the ability to detect both measured variables and disturbance variables simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to alternate between measurement mode and disturbance detection mode, allowing a single signal processing unit to handle both types of detection tasks sequentially. This approach maintains detection versatility while reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the signal processing unit with the capability to handle both measurement and disturbance detection functions. The unit is prepared in advance to switch between modes, ensuring that both detection capabilities are available when needed without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves a high functional scope and functional safety integrity level (SIL) of at least SIL2 with low power consumption, enabling efficient detection of measured variables while ensuring continued operation even under noise edge conditions, with the ability to adjust processing settings for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator device (2) configured to generate light pulses (LI) upon excitation by ionizing radiation (IS)
Implementation Method 2
an optoelectronic sensor device (3) configured to convert the light pulses (LI) into a sensor signal (SES)
Data Source
AI summary
A radiometric measuring apparatus detects a measured variable in the form of a fill level, a point level, a density and/or a mass flow, and includes a scintillator embodied to generate light pulses upon excitation by ionizing radiation, an optoelectronic sensor embodied to convert the light pulses into a sensor signal, a first signal processing unit embodied to process the sensor signal into a first measured variable signal, an adjustable second signal processing unit embodied in a measurement setting to process the sensor signal into a second measured variable signal, wherein the second measured variable signal corresponds to the first measured variable signal in the case of a correctly processing first signal processing unit and a correctly processing second signal processing unit, and embodied in at least one operation setting to process the sensor signal into at least one operating variable signal, wherein the at least one operating variable signal does not correspond to the measured variable signals, a setting unit embodied to set the second signal processing unit into the measurement setting in measured variable time intervals and into the at least one operation setting in operating variable time intervals that alternate with the measured variable time intervals, and an assessment unit embodied to compare the first measured variable signal and the second measured variable signal with one another and to assess the first signal processing unit and/or the second signal processing unit to be processing correctly or incorrectly, depending on a result of the comparison.