Two-Wire Measuring Device for Simultaneous Multi-Variable Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-wire field devices in industrial process measurement technology are limited in transmitting multiple measured values simultaneously and face challenges with power variability and explosion safety, restricting their ability to fully utilize their potential and integrate seamlessly into existing industrial systems.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a measuring arrangement with two pairs of lines for current transmission, allowing the measuring device to transmit multiple measured values and manage power effectively, while ensuring explosion safety by using intrinsically safe designs and separate power supply for each line pair, enabling integration with existing fieldbus systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional two-wire field devices are used, then power consumption is limited and explosion safety is maintained, but the ability to transmit multiple measured values simultaneously is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission of multiple measured valuesVSAvoidpower management flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single two-wire connection into two separate two-wire connections (first and second two-wire connections), allowing independent power supply and data transmission channels. This segmentation enables multiple measured values to be transmitted simultaneously while maintaining intrinsically safe power levels on each individual connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimension (one two-wire connection) system to a multi-dimensional system by adding a second independent two-wire connection. This dimensional expansion allows parallel transmission of multiple measured values and provides separate power supply paths, resolving the contradiction between information transmission capacity and power management flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple measured values are transmitted simultaneously, then information completeness is improved, but power variability and explosion safety challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of measured valuesVSAvoidexplosion safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into two separate intrinsically safe two-wire connections, the patent maintains explosion safety on each individual connection while collectively enabling transmission of multiple measured values. Each connection operates within intrinsically safe power limits, preventing explosion hazards even when multiple values are transmitted simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If intrinsically safe designs are used, then explosion safety is ensured, but the potential and performance of measuring devices are not fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion safetyVSAvoidperformance utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two intrinsically safe two-wire connections into a unified measuring device system, merging their capabilities to achieve full performance utilization. Each connection operates at intrinsically safe power levels, but together they enable transmission of multiple measured values simultaneously, fully utilizing the device's measurement capabilities while maintaining explosion safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By adding the second two-wire connection dimension, the system expands from single-value transmission to multi-value simultaneous transmission while maintaining intrinsically safe operation on each connection. This dimensional expansion allows full utilization of the measuring device's performance potential without compromising explosion safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2115398B1Measuring system for detecting chemical and/or physical measurement variables and corresponding measuring device
Publication Date: 2015.11.18 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP2115398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2115398B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to at least one measuring device (1) which during operation iteratively generates especially digital measurement values representing that at least one measurement variable to be detected, using an internal measuring device electronics (20), and an electronic data processing system (2) which is superior to the measuring device, especially spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. The measuring device (1) and the data processing system (2) are interconnected by means of at least two line pairs (2L1, 2L2) through which a current (I1, I2) flows at least temporarily during operation. The invention is characterized in that the measuring device forwards the internally generated measuring variables to the data processing system via both line pairs, thereby allowing a plurality of measuring variables to be simultaneously transmitted even if each of the two line pairs is configured as a part of a two-wire current loop.