JP2000305765A - Construction device for process control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a productivity in the engineering of system construction by connecting pointer means to parts objects based on connecting information concerning respective processings executed in a function block. SOLUTION: Computers 51 and 52 are connected to a network 40. A storage means 521 stores the parts objects 522a-522d for executing the processings executed in the function block in the computers 52. A communication means 523 executes communication between the computers with a network 40. In the computer 51, the pointer means 511a, 511b,... are arranged at every processing to be executed in the function block and the parts objects for executing the processing are designated. A connecting means 512 is provided with connecting information which indicates the connecting relation of the processings with the parts object for executing the processings. Then the pointer means 511a, 511b,... are connected to the parts objects 522a, 522b,... by a connecting means 512 based on connecting information concerning the respective processings executed in the function block.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process control system constructing apparatus for constructing a desired control system by combining functional blocks forming control units of a process control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a process control system as a system for controlling and operating a plant by controlling a process amount such as temperature and pressure existing in the plant. The process control system has a configuration in which the operation monitoring station and the control station are connected to a communication bus, the control station is in charge of controlling the plant, and the operation and monitoring station is in charge of operating and monitoring the plant. A plurality of control stations are distributed and arranged in the plant according to the scale of the plant to be controlled.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a process control system. In FIG. 12, the operation monitoring station IC
S and the control station FCS are connected on a communication bus BS. The control station FCS controls the plant PLT. A plurality of control stations are distributed according to the size of the plant.

In the operation monitoring station ICS, the display means 1 is constituted by a CRT or the like having a man-machine interface function. The display control means 2 controls the display means 1,
Various screens or windows required for control and monitoring of the plant are displayed on the display unit 1. The input means 3 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and performs data input and the like for performing plant operations and control operations. The monitoring means 4 monitors the plant. The operating means 5 performs an operation for controlling and operating the plant. The results of monitoring and operation are displayed on the display unit 1. The communication means 6 exchanges data with each control station via the communication bus BS in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0005] At the control station FCS, the control unit CU is responsible for controlling the plant PLT. An input / output unit (referred to as an I / O unit) 10 is a plant PLT.
Various signals are input and output between and. For example, 4-20m
A, input and output analog signals of 1 to 5 V, thermocouple signals, contact signals, and the like. The communication means 11 exchanges data with the operation monitoring station and each control station via the communication bus BS in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0006] In the plant PLT, a sensor SN detects a process value such as a temperature and a pressure. The opening of the valves V1 and V2 is controlled by an operation signal given from the control station FCS. Control station FCS is sensor SN
The process value data obtained from the above process is sent to the operation monitoring station ICS, and the operation monitoring station ICS displays the process value on a screen. As the process value changes every moment, the display value on the screen also changes. In this way, the state of the plant is monitored.

[0007] Problems in the construction of a conventional process control system will be described. (Conventional Example 1) In a process control system, a plurality of functional blocks operate in a control station FCS.
The control is performed in units of functional blocks. The function block is given a tag name. There are several types of functional blocks. Each functional block belongs to one of the functional block types.
A processing procedure programmed in advance for each functional block type is linked.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between function blocks and function block types. In FIG. 13, function blocks 21 to 23 are provided in the control station FCS. Further, two functional block types 31 and 32 are prepared. The function blocks 21, 22, and 23 have tag names "FIC001", "FIC002", and "FIC00".
3 "is attached. The processing algorithm and data structure for PID control are included in the function block type 31.
The processing block type 32 is associated with a processing algorithm and data structure for PVI control. PV
I control displays process value (PV) (Indicat
e) control to be performed.

The tag names "FIC001" and "FIC00"
The function block of “3” belongs to the function block type 31 because the function block type is PID. Tag name "FIC
The function block “002” belongs to the function block type 32 because the function block type is PVI.

However, the conventional method of constructing a process control system has the following problems. In FIG. 13, the processing algorithm for each functional block type has a portion common to a plurality of functional block types. Conventionally, this common part has been shared as a very primitive part such as a subroutine, but has not been shared as a large part such as signal input processing and output processing. The behavior of the function block was determined when the function block type was assigned, and thereafter the behavior of the function block could not be changed dynamically.

(Conventional Example 2) As a concept for grouping functional blocks, there is a diagram expressing a connection between functional blocks called control drawing. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control drawing.

However, there are the following problems in the construction of a process control system making full use of control drawing. Although the control drawing shows the connection relationship between the functional blocks, it was not possible to collectively and abstractly monitor the operations. Although the control drawing could be displayed on the monitor screen, it could only be understood as a set of individual functional blocks. There is no concept of treating control drawing as a unit, and it cannot be reused as a unit.
Although it is possible to copy a control drawing and reuse it, the function blocks that make up the control drawing are copied, including their names. It takes.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and combines processing performed by functional blocks with a component object.
A process control system construction apparatus that can improve the engineering productivity of system construction by managing function block groups and function block names in a hierarchical structure using function blocks and function block groups in which the function blocks are combined as objects is realized. The purpose is to:

[0014]

The present invention is an apparatus for constructing a process control system having the following configuration.

(1) In a construction apparatus of a process control system for constructing a desired control system by combining functional blocks constituting control units of the process control system, storage means for storing component objects for executing processing performed by the functional blocks; The pointer is provided for each process performed by the function block, and has pointer means for designating a component object to execute the process, and connection information indicating a connection relationship between the process and the component object to execute the process. A connection unit for connecting the pointer unit and the component object based on the connection information for each process.

(2) The class to which the part object belongs is divided into a base class to which the part object having the standard structure belongs, and a derived class to which the part object which inherits the standard structure and adds a condition to the standard structure belongs. (1) The apparatus for constructing a process control system according to (1).

(3) Processes performed by one functional block are summarized, connection information indicating a connection relationship between these processes and a component object is defined, and a type name definition for assigning a function block type name to a set of these processes is provided. The construction apparatus of the process control system according to (1), further comprising:

(4) When a function block type name is assigned to a function block at the time of initialization, a block construction means for connecting a function block and a component object based on connection information of the function block type name is provided. (3) An apparatus for constructing a process control system according to (3).

(5) The process control system according to (1), further comprising changing means for changing a pointer stored in the pointer means to dynamically change the association between the functional block and the component object. apparatus.

(6) In a process control system construction apparatus for constructing a desired control system by combining functional blocks constituting control units of the process control system, a definition means for defining a functional block group combining a plurality of functional blocks. An object generating means for generating an object of a functional block and an object of a functional block group based on the definition information defined by the defining means; and a storage provided in an arbitrary computer for storing the object generated by the object generating means. Means for constructing a process control system.

(7) The object of the function block group and the object of the function block manage the name of the function block group and the name of the function block in a hierarchical structure, and the name of the function block group and the name of the function block are function blocks. The construction apparatus of the process control system according to (6), wherein a desired functional block is called when the function block is given to a group object.

(8) The process according to (6), wherein the specific function block has an alias, and when the alias is given to an object of the function block group, the specific function block is directly called. Control system construction equipment.

(9) The apparatus for constructing a process control system according to (6), wherein the object of the functional block group and the object of the functional block have a method for transmitting data in response to a request.

(10) The definition means defines another function block group in the external connection definition information, and the object generating means connects the function block groups based on the external connection definition information. 6) An apparatus for constructing a process control system according to the above.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the computer 5 is located on the network 40.
1, 52 are connected. In the computer 52, the storage unit 521 stores component objects 522a to 522d that execute processing performed by functional blocks. Communication means 5
23 performs communication between computers via a network 40.

In the computer 51, the pointer means 511
a, 511b, 511c,... are provided for each process performed by the functional block, and designate a component object for which the process is performed. The combining unit 512 has connection information indicating a connection relationship between a process and a component object that executes the process. The combining unit 512 includes pointer units 511a and 511 for each process performed by the functional block based on the combining information.
.. and the part objects 522a, 522b,.

The type name definition means 513 summarizes the processes performed in one functional block, defines connection information indicating the connection relationship between these processes and the component objects, and assigns a functional block type name to a set of these processes. . When a function block type name is assigned to a function block at the time of initialization, the block construction means 514 links the function block and the component object based on the connection information of the function block type name.

The changing means 515 dynamically changes the association between the functional block and the component object by changing the pointer stored in the pointer means. The execution means 516 sequentially calls the component objects associated with the point means when a message is given to the function block. Thus, the component object executes the processing of the function block. The communication unit 517 performs communication between computers via the network 40.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 for constructing a functional block will be described. For simplicity of description, a case where the processing of the functional block includes input processing, control calculation processing, output processing, and alarm processing will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing of functional blocks and how to link component objects. Since the processing of the functional blocks includes input processing, control calculation processing, output processing, and alarm processing, pointer means P1 to P4 are provided for each processing. Part object A1,
A2, A3, and A4 are component objects that perform input processing, control calculation processing, output processing, and alarm processing, respectively. The pointers to the component objects A1, A2, A3 and A4 are stored for the pointer means P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively. As a result, pointer means for input processing, control calculation processing, output processing, and alarm processing are linked to component objects for input processing, control calculation processing, output processing, and alarm processing.

When a start command is given to a functional block,
The execution means 516 includes the component objects A1, A2, A
3, A4 are called in order, input processing, control calculation processing,
Processing is performed in the order of output processing and alarm processing. Thereby, processing as a functional block is executed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the class to which the part object belongs. As shown in FIG. 3, the class to which the component object belongs is a base class S and a derived class D1,
D2. The base class S is a class to which a component object having a standard structure belongs. Derived class D1, D
Reference numeral 2 denotes a class to which a component object that inherits the standard structure and adds a condition to the standard structure belongs.

FIG. 4 shows an example of function block type definition information.
FIG. In FIG. 4, input processing, control calculation processing,
An example of a function block type that performs output processing and alarm processing is shown.
are doing. If the model name is "PID A "and" PID 2 of "B"
There are two function block types. Function block type
First name "PID In the function block “A”, input processing and control
Calculation processing, output processing, alarm processing and "Input
1 "," Calc1 "," Output1 "," Ala "
rm1 ". "Inp
ut1 "," Calc1 "," Output1 "," A
“arm1” is an input process, a control operation process, an output process,
This is the name of the component object that performs alarm processing. This
Information on which objects to perform which processing
Is shown. Similarly, the function block type name "PID
In the functional block “B”, input processing, control arithmetic processing, output
Force processing, alarm processing and "Input 1", "Calc"
1 ”,“ Output1 ”, and“ Alarm2 ”
Is defined. These two functional blocks
Differs in the way alarm processing is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the definition information of the functional blocks. In FIG. 5, “FIC001”, “FIC00”
"2" and "FIC003" are names given to the function blocks. In the definition information, the function blocks “FIC001”,
Functional block type "PID002" and "FIC003" A "," PID B ”,“ PID "A" is assigned.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the substance of the functional blocks. As shown in FIG. 6, the functional block “FIC001”
Has a functional block type "PID A ”is added to the function block“ FIC002 ”and the function block type“ PID B "
However, the function block “FIC003” has a function block type “PID "A" are assigned to each other to form an instance.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how to change a component object associated with a functional block. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a component object for performing an alarm process is changed. When the part object is changed, a change instruction is given to the function block. At this time, the change unit 515 changes the pointer stored in the pointer unit P4 to the alarm processing component, and changes the component object associated with the pointer unit P4 from the component object A4 to the component object A5. This changes the way alarm processing is performed in the function block. In this way, the connection relationship between the functional block and the component object is dynamically changed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the computer 6 is located on the network 40.
1, 62 are connected. In the computer 61, the definition unit 611 defines a functional block group in which a plurality of functional blocks are combined. The storage unit 612 stores the structure information of the functional block group defined by the definition unit 611.

The object generation means 613 generates a function block object and a function block group object based on the definition information defined by the definition means 611. The storage unit 614 stores the object generation unit 61
The object generated in step 3 is stored. Communication means 615
Performs communication between computers via the network 40.

The function block group objects and the function block group objects stored in the storage unit 614 manage the names of the function block groups and the names of the function blocks in a hierarchical structure. Thus, when the name of the functional block group and the name of the functional block are given to the object of the functional block group, a desired functional block in the functional block group is called. Similarly, the terminals in the functional block group are managed in a hierarchical structure. Also, specific functional blocks are given aliases. When an alias is given to an object of a function block group, a specific function block is directly called.

The object of the function block and the object of the function block group have a method for sending data on demand. The definition means 611 described above
Other function block groups may be defined in the external connection definition information. At this time, the object generation means 613
Connects functional block groups based on external connection definition information.

In the computer 62, the operation monitoring means 621
Performs operation and monitoring of the plant. The display unit 622 displays a screen for performing operation monitoring. Communication means 623
Performs communication between computers via the network 40.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block group. The functional block group BG in FIG. 9 is configured by combining functional blocks B1 and B2. The function block B1 has a name “subname1” and a function block type “FB T
1 ". The function block B2 has a name “subna
me2 ”and the function block type is“ FB ” T2 ".

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the definition information of the functional block group of FIG. 9 is stored. In FIG. 10, the storage unit 612 stores function block group definition information. The definition information is stored in a database. The definition information D1 is the definition information of the functional block group in FIG. In the definition information D1, “FBGRP “T1” is the type name of the functional block group. In addition to the model name, the definition information includes information on components, connections, and external terminals. The information of the component is stored in the function block type “FB” of the two function blocks constituting the function block group. T1 "," FB
T2 ”and the name of the functional block“ subnam ”
e1 "and information of" subname2 ". The connection information indicates that the output terminal of the function block “subname1” is connected to the SET terminal of the function block “subname2”.

The information of the external terminal is "se
t1 "," in1 "," in2 "," out "
These terminals are connected to S in the functional block "subname1".
The ET terminal is connected to the input terminal of the functional block “subname1”, the input terminal of the functional block “subname2”, and the output terminal of the functional block “subname2”.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which an object of a functional block group is generated based on the definition information of the functional block group. The structure of the functional block group defined by the definition unit 611 is stored as the definition information in the storage unit 6.
12, and the object generating means 613 constructs a functional block group based on the definition information.

In FIG. 11, the definition information D2 of the functional block group is “FBGRP “T1” type functional block groups “fbgrrpname1” and “FBGRP” T1 "
This is information that defines the connection of the type functional block group “fbgrpname2”. In the definition information of the external connection, the function block group “fbgrrpname”
1 "and the functional block group" fbgrpn "
a.2 "is defined. In the information of the name alias definition, the function block “sub” in the function block group “fbgrpname1”
It is defined that "FIC001" is added as an alias to "name1".

When an object of a function block group is generated based on such definition information D2, "FBGR
P “T1” type functional block group “fbgrrpna”
me1 ”object and“ FBGRP ” The configuration is such that the objects of the “T1” type functional block group “fbgrrpname2” are connected.

The functional block group itself is composed of objects, and the functional blocks in the functional block group are also composed of objects. The functional block group object and the functional block group object manage the names of the functional block groups and the names of the functional blocks in the functional block groups in a hierarchical structure. Similarly, the terminals in the functional block group are managed in a hierarchical structure.

By performing such management, the operation monitoring means 621 outputs, for example, “fbgrpname1.S”.
The terminal in the functional block group can be accessed using a hierarchized terminal name such as “ET”, “fbgrpname1.IN1” or the like.

For each functional block,
It can be accessed using a hierarchical name such as “fbgrpname1.subname1”.
Thus, even if the same function block group type is used for a plurality of function block groups, it is not necessary to change the names of the function blocks and terminals in the function block groups.

Further, important function blocks are given other names. Thus, a specific function block can be directly accessed. In the example of FIG. 11, the functional block “fbgrpname1.subname1” is given an alias “FIC001”. Also known as “FIC00
By using “1”, the function block “subname1” can be directly accessed. By giving an alias, an important function block can be made specially conscious from the operation monitoring system.

[0052]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the processing performed by the functional block is linked to the component object, the processing performed by the functional block can be made into a component and shared, and the engineering productivity can be improved. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each component object inherits a basic portion and only needs to mount a portion that needs to be changed, so that an applied component can be easily created.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the connection relationship between the functional block and the component object can be reused for the functional blocks performing the same processing.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connection relationship between the function block and the component object can be dynamically changed.
When a defect occurs in a component object, the component object can be easily replaced. Further, the contents of the processing performed by the functional blocks can be easily changed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a functional block group obtained by combining a plurality of functional blocks can be reused as a component unit, so that engineering productivity can be improved. In addition, since a functional block group can be handled in the same manner as a single functional block, a process control system can perform operation monitoring with a high degree of abstraction.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the names of the function block groups and the names of the function blocks in the function block groups are managed in a hierarchical structure, so that the function block groups and the function blocks can be easily called. it can. Further, even if the same function block group type is used for different function block groups, it is not necessary to change the names of the function blocks in the function block group.

According to the invention of claim 8, a specific function block can be directly operated and monitored.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, data can be obtained from a functional block group by a uniform access method.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to easily combine functional block groups.

As described above, according to the present invention, an apparatus for constructing a process control system capable of improving the engineering productivity of system construction can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a process control system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a functional block and a functional block type.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control drawing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 511a, 511b, 511c, ... pointer means 512 combining means 513 type name definition means 514 block construction means 515 changing means 521, 612, 614 storage means 522a to 522d component objects 611 definition means 613 object generation means

Claims (10)

[Claims] An apparatus for constructing a process control system for constructing a desired control system by combining functional blocks forming control units of a process control system, comprising: storage means for storing a component object for executing a process performed by the functional block; Pointer means is provided for each process performed in the function block, and has pointer information for designating a component object to execute the process, and connection information indicating a connection relationship between the process and the component object to execute the process. Connecting means for linking the pointer means and the component object based on the connection information for processing. 2. A class to which a part object belongs is defined as:
A base class to which the standard structure part object belongs,
2. The process control system construction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said standard structure is inherited and divided into a derived class to which a part object having a condition added to said standard structure belongs. 3. A type name definition unit that summarizes processes performed by one functional block, defines connection information indicating a connection relationship between these processes and a component object, and assigns a functional block type name to a set of these processes. The construction device for a process control system according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. A block construction means for connecting a function block and a component object based on connection information of a function block type name when a function block type name is assigned to the function block at the time of initialization. An apparatus for constructing a process control system according to claim 3. 5. The process control system construction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising changing means for changing the pointer stored in said pointer means to dynamically change the association between the functional block and the component object. . 6. A process control system construction apparatus for constructing a desired control system by combining function blocks forming control units of a process control system, wherein: a definition means for defining a function block group in which a plurality of function blocks are combined; An object generating means for generating an object of a functional block and an object of a functional block group based on the definition information defined by the defining means; and a storage means provided in an arbitrary computer for storing the object generated by the object generating means. And a construction apparatus for a process control system. 7. The function block group object and the function block object manage the name of the function block group and the name of the function block in a hierarchical structure. The name of the function block group and the name of the function block are stored in the function block group. Given to the object
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a desired function block is called. 8. The process control according to claim 6, wherein an alias is assigned to the specific function block, and when the alias is given to an object of the function block group, the specific function block is directly called. System construction equipment. 9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the object of the function block group and the object of the function block have a method for transmitting data in response to a request. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the definition unit defines another function block group in the external connection definition information, and the object generation unit connects the function block groups based on the external connection definition information. 7. The construction device of the process control system according to 6.