Remote Field Device Servicing for Process Parameterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The parametering of field devices in industrial plants is complex due to the large number of parameters, requiring significant effort and often necessitating the physical presence of service technicians, leading to costly and time-consuming travel for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remote-controlled servicing of field devices, allowing a service technician to access and service field devices from a distance using a communication network, with an application program like SmartBlue that enables parameterization, data visualization, and diagnostic tasks through a computer unit connected via a network, eliminating the need for on-site presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service technicians physically travel to field device locations for parametering and maintenance, then direct hands-on servicing is achieved, but travel time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the field device through a graphical user interface that replicates the device's parameters, settings, and operational states. Service technicians can interact with this virtual representation remotely, performing parametering, diagnostics, and maintenance tasks without physical presence at the field location, thereby eliminating travel time while maintaining full servicing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication network and software platform as intermediaries between the service technician and the field device. The graphical user interface acts as a mediator that translates technician commands into device operations and device status into visual representations, enabling remote interaction without direct physical connection.
2Ease of repair
If service technicians physically travel to field device locations, then on-site troubleshooting is achieved, but operational disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a real-time virtual copy of the field device through the graphical user interface, the system enables service technicians to perform troubleshooting and diagnostics remotely. This eliminates the need for technicians to travel to field locations, allowing process operations to continue uninterrupted while maintenance and troubleshooting activities are performed on the virtual representation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If field devices have comprehensive parametering options, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but complexity of parametering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive device parameters into organized categories and hierarchical groups within the graphical user interface. This segmentation allows service technicians to access and modify specific parameter groups relevant to their tasks without being overwhelmed by the complete set of device parameters, thereby maintaining device versatility while simplifying the parametering process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a method and a system for remote-controlled servicing of a field device of process automation, including establishing a communication connection between a service unit and the field device via a first network, sending via a second network an access request from a computer unit to an application program executed on the service unit, wherein the application program serves for servicing the field device, approving the access request via the application program, and establishing access of the computer unit to the application program via the second network upon approval of the access request, wherein, after established access, the servicing of the field device occurs from the computer unit.