WO2016005121A2

WO2016005121A2 - Method for monitoring and/or controlling and/or servicing field devices

Info

Publication number: WO2016005121A2
Application number: PCT/EP2015/062701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Michael OLAF; Patrick FELBER; Philipp Ziegler; Benjamin GIAMPAPA; Nikolas SCHRIEDER; Stefan Ruf; Hakon ABT; Marius KORIOTH; Marc HENNEMANN; Christopher Walker; Matthias Altendorf
Original assignee: Endress+Hauser Infoserve Gmbh+Co. Kg
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2015-06-08
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: WO2016005121A3

Abstract

A method for monitoring and/or controlling and/or servicing field devices (1) in a hazardous area (2) in an automated plant (3) by means of a portable computer (4) with wireless communication means (5) comprises the following steps: - synchronising the portable computer (4) with a database system (6) via the wireless communication means (5) outside the hazardous area (2); - deactivating the wireless communication means (5) of the portable computer (4) outside the hazardous area (2); - carrying out a service intervention in the hazardous area (2), during which the portable computer (4) is switched between various modes (7, 8, 9) and information intended for each of the modes (7, 8, 9) is displayed on a head-up display (10) connected to the portable computer (4); - activating the wireless communication means (5) of the portable computer (4) outside the hazardous area (2); - resynchronising the database system with the portable computer (4) via the wireless communication means (5) outside the hazardous area (2).

Description

Method for monitoring and / or controlling and / or servicing

field devices

The invention relates to a method for monitoring and / or controlling and / or maintaining field devices in one

potentially explosive area of an automation system.

Automation systems such as those used in automation technology, for example, for monitoring and / or controlling a process, usually consist of a variety of system components.

Examples of such plant components are field devices, such as

Level gauges, mass flow meters, pressure and

Temperature measuring devices, etc., the sensors as the corresponding

Process variables level, flow, pressure or temperature of the

Capture the process.

But even analyzers should be understood as field devices. Such analyzers are used in process measurement technology, for example in

chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical and

Food Processes and in environmental metrology for

Determination of a measurand of a liquid sample for use.

For example, analyzers can be used to monitor and optimize the purification performance of a wastewater treatment plant, to monitor drinking water or to monitor the quality of food. For example, the content of the liquid sample in a specific substance, which is also referred to as analyte, is measured and monitored. Analytes may include, for example, ions such as ammonium, phosphate, silicate or nitrate, biological or biochemical compounds, e.g. Hormones, or too

Be microorganisms. Other quantities measured by analyzers in the

Process monitoring, especially in the field of monitoring of water, are the total content of organic carbon (TOC) or the chemical oxygen demand (COD). Analyzers can

be configured for example as a cabinet units or buoys. To influence process variables, field devices are actuators (eg, valves, pumps, etc.) that can be used, for example. B. allow the flow of a

Liquid in a pipe section or the level in one

Change container.

A variety of such field devices is manufactured and sold by the company Endress + Hauser.

Another example of such plant components are

Process control systems.

As a rule, field devices or the system components are over

Fieldbus systems (Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus, HART, etc.) with

parent units, eg. B. control systems or control units

connected. These are used for process control, process visualization, process monitoring or commissioning of the field devices. Often, such devices or field devices are located in potentially explosive areas and are subject to special rules of explosion protection. Explosion protection should be understood to mean measures for the protection of explosion hazards. So in that sense, preventing the ignition of the dangerous explosive atmosphere.

The flawless functioning of the field devices or all system components connected to a fieldbus system is of crucial importance for a smooth and safe process flow. Disruptions in the process due to events on individual plant components can cause considerable costs if they are not operational for a long time due to the event. Such events can, for example, an error message, a

Malfunction, a warning and / or a trend of a process variable or a field device specific variable. In the event of such an event, service must be performed on the appropriate field device. For this are

Device-specific information (blueprints, pictures, 3D models of the device, descriptions, animations, maintenance logs, etc.) on the field device on site, ie on the field device in the hazardous area.

The invention is therefore based on the object of access

device-specific information on the field device in potentially explosive areas.

The object is achieved by a method for monitoring and / or controlling and / or maintaining field devices in one

explosion-risk area of an automation system by means of a portable computer with wireless communication means, the method comprising the following steps:

- Synchronizing the portable computer with a database system via the wireless communication means outside the hazardous area of the automation system, wherein at synchronization at least a serial number of the field device, geographical coordinates of the field device and service instructions for the field device are provided on the portable computer;

- Disabling the wireless communication means of the portable

Computers outside the hazardous area

Automation equipment;

- Carrying out a service operation in the hazardous area of the automation system, which is switched to perform the service use at least between a job selection mode, a navigation mode and a maintenance and documentation mode of the portable computer and information that is intended for each mode on a head-up Display connected to the portable computer;

- Activation of the wireless communication means of the portable computer outside the hazardous area of the automation system;

- Resynchronization of the database system with the portable computer over the wireless communication outside the

potentially explosive area of the automation system, whereby any changes that were made in the service operation on the

Database system to be provided.

The purpose of the invention is to allow a user the hands-free view of device-specific information in an explosion protection system or in a hazardous area. The

Device-specific information can, for example, from a ggfl. originated from the free Internet-segregated central plant asset management server. In this case, the retrieval of the required data via synchronization with a computer, which is located in the corresponding network and has a connection to the Plant Asset Management server, as well as directly from the portable computer via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection to the Plant -Asset management network from any mobile network or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) done.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the control of the portable computer is performed via gestures of a user and / or pressing at least one push-button of the portable computer. In particular, the embodiment provides that a manual switching between

Job selection mode, the navigation mode and the maintenance and documentation mode via manual operation by gestures or

Pressing the at least one push button takes place.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the

Synchronization and / or the dubbing over a VPN connection is performed.

Again, a further advantageous embodiment provides that a camera, in particular a gooseneck camera, which is connected to the portable computer, a scanning of an optical

Identification feature, in particular a barcode, for identifying the field device, which is navigated in the navigation mode performed becomes. In particular, it is provided that, in the case of a successful identification, an automatic switchover from the navigation mode into the maintenance and documentation mode is carried out. It is very special

provided that video and / or audio recording is performed via the camera during the service operation and the video and / or audio recording is provided in the dubbing on the database system.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that can be set by the user of the portable computer, in which area which information should be displayed on the head-up display. In particular, this embodiment provides that it is freely configurable, which information is displayed in which area of the head-up display (10). A further advantageous embodiment provides that when synchronizing authenticity information is provided to the field device on the portable computer and wherein in the implementation of the service use, in particular in the navigation mode and / or the maintenance and

Documentation mode based on the authentication information

Authentication of the field device is performed.

A last advantageous embodiment provides that in the implementation of the service, in particular in maintenance and documentation mode, an automatic detection of security conditions that are signaled on the field devices, takes place, according to the recognized

Security state of the field device maintenance-specific information on the head-up display, which is connected to the portable computer, are displayed.

Such safety states can on the field device in particular via a specific switch position, for example. On, off or switch up or down, at least one light emitting diode, eg. By a specific color or by flashing the LED or a display on the field device, eg. By displaying a specific color, the display flashes, an output language code or a displayed error code, signaled and therefore recognized.

By the automatic detection of safety conditions on the field device and the stored for the detected safety state

maintenance-specific information, can provide one operator with one for the

Safety status is displayed on the head-up display of the portable computer, thus avoiding hazards.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of an automation system,

2 shows a side view of a helmet with a head-up display,

3 shows a cross-section of the helmet construction with hardware components, FIG. 4 shows a field of view (and division into sectors) of the head-up display from the perspective of a user,

5 shows a demo view of the field of view in the order selection mode, FIG. 6 shows a demo view of the field of view in the navigation mode, and FIG

Fig. 7: a demo view of the field of view in the maintenance and

Documentation mode. 1 shows a schematic representation of an automation system 3 comprising a plurality of field devices 1, which are connected via a bus system 25 (not shown in FIG. 1) to a higher-level unit 13. As an example, a part of the field devices 1 a is shown in a potentially explosive area 2. This explosion-prone area 2 is in Fig. 1 via a dashed box indicated. The inventive method is intended in particular for monitoring and / or monitoring and / or maintenance of the field devices 1 a in the hazardous area 2 of the

Automation system 3 by means of a portable computer 4, with wireless communication means 5, by a user 1 1 application find. Partly for the sake of the provision, in part for its own intention, to ensure the greatest possible safety, as well as to be able to use the invention in all systems, the portable computer 4 can, for example, in one

existing DIN industrial helmet, in which the visor serves as a head-up display 10, are integrated. The visor can be either a transparent display or a specially prepared for this purpose technically

Be projection screen.

The portable computer 4 in the form of a helmet communicates via the wireless communication means 5 with a database system 6, for example a Plant Asset Management System (PAM). Typically, the wireless communication (in Fig. 1 via the curved lines

indicated) for synchronization and / or for synchronization performed via a VPN connection. Thus, the method according to the invention can be carried out as follows:

Synchronizing the portable computer 4 with a

Database system 6 via the wireless communication means 5 outside the hazardous area 2 of the

Automation system 3, wherein at least one serial number of the field device 1, geographical coordinates of the field device 1 and service instructions for the field device 1 are provided on the portable computer 4 during synchronization. An advantageous effect with regard to the detection of pirated field devices or also improperly changed field devices, for example by modification of the software, can be achieved if in the synchronization of the portable computer 4 with the database system 6

Authenticity information to the field device 1 on the portable

Computer 4 are provided. These can then be at the

Carrying out the service, in particular in the

Navigation mode 8 and / or the maintenance and Documentation mode 9 can be used to perform an authenticity check.

Deactivation of the wireless communication means 5 of the portable computer 4 outside of the hazardous area 2 of the automation system. 3

- Carrying out a service operation in the hazardous area 2 of the automation system 3, wherein for performing the service use at least between an order selection mode 7, a navigation mode 8 and a maintenance and

Documentation mode 9 of the portable computer 4 is switched and information intended for the respective mode 7, 8, 9, on a head-up display 10, which is connected to the portable computer 4, are displayed. Furthermore, the method may optionally provide that, when carrying out the service,

in particular in the navigation mode 8 and / or in the maintenance and documentation mode 9 on the basis of the previously made available on the portable computer authentication information performs an authenticity check. Authentication in this sense is understood to mean a test which gives information as to whether the field device is a pirated copy or not and / or provides information as to whether an improper modification of the field device, such as, for example, the internal software, is present.

Activation of the wireless communication means 5 of the portable

Computer 4 outside the hazardous area 2 of the automation system. 3

- Resynchronization of the database system 6 with the portable computer 4 via the wireless communication means 5 outside the hazardous area 2 of the automation system 3, with any changes that were performed in the service use on the database system 6 are provided.

Furthermore, it may be provided in an advantageous manner that in the

Implementation of the service, in particular in maintenance and

Documentation mode 9, automatic detection of Security states that are signaled on the field device 1 takes place, the more so according to the detected security state of the field device 1 maintenance-specific information on the head-up display 10, which is connected to the portable computer 4, are displayed. As already described at the outset, such security states can be signaled, for example, in one of the following ways on the field device 1 and thus also recognized:

A specific switch position of a switch on the field device, for example on, off, up or down;

- At least one light emitting diode, for example, in a specific color lights, if necessary. also flashing,

- A specific display on a display on the field device,

For example, the flashing or flashing of a specific

Background color, a language code or an error code that is displayed.

In the other figures, the portable computer 4 is further illustrated.

2 shows a side view of the helmet, in which the visor 16 is designed as a head-up display. The helmet is, as already mentioned, a DIN industrial helmet 14, which has at least one print head 15 and a touchpad 17 or touch display. By means of the push button 15 and the touchpad 17, the control of the portable computer 4 via gestures of the user 1 1 and / or pressing the at least one push button 15 perform.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the helmet construction with hardware components. In this case, an accumulator 19, a computing unit 18 and projector means 20 for displaying the information on the head-up display 10 is integrated in the helmet area 22. Helmet area 22 is the area between the helmet outer shell and the helmet shell.

Besides these hardware components, other components such as Bluetooth module, GSM module, gyro sensor and acceleration sensors are needed, which are located near the processor unit. Of Furthermore, a front-facing camera 12 and a microphone (not shown in FIG. 3) are located at the front of the helmet 14 in the middle.

Alternatively, a swan camera can be connected to the helmet 14. The design of the electronic hardware of the helmet 14 with the head-up display 10 is designed according to the standard EN 60079.

The software operating concept of the portable computer 4 is divided into three operating modes - the order selection mode 7, the navigation mode 8 and the maintenance and documentation mode 9. Depending on the selected mode, the user 1 1 on the head-up display 10 corresponding

Information shown.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example a field of view (and division into sectors) of the head-up display 10 from the perspective of a user 11. The view on the field of view is subdivided into different sighting sectors or areas 24 for structural reasons, as well as for reasons of security (prevention of the blocking of the field of view by content). Thus, the field of view is divided according to a matrix with, for example, 3 rows and 4 columns. The field of view in FIG. 4 thus has 3 lines, ie an upper, a middle and a lower line. It also has 4 columns, ie a left-top, a center-left-top, a middle-left

Right-Up and Right-Up Columns on. The individual areas 24a to 241 are then divided according to the associated column and row.

In Fig. 5 is for clarity a demo view of the field of view in

Job selection mode 7 is shown. The job selection mode 7 shows on the head-up display 10 a list of the locally downloaded

Job data (indicated in Figure 5 as "job 1, job 2", etc.) These jobs are stored locally on the portable computer so that they are available even when disconnected from the database system The individual elements of the list can be switched through on the touchpad 17 upwards or downwards - the respective active element is highlighted by a changed font color and, if necessary, another font With a simple pressure on the side pushbutton 15, the active element is selected and changed to navigation mode 8. If the mode has been changed accidentally, it can be switched back to the order mode 7 with a 5-second pressure on the side button 15. In Fig. 6 is for clarity a demo view of the field of view in

Navigation mode 8 is shown. The navigation mode 8 is intended to navigate the user 1 1 in the appendix 3 to the corresponding device 1. He shows the user 1 1 by means of an arrow on the lower field of view edge (field of view MRU sector - see Fig. 4), in which direction the target device is located.

In addition, the remaining distance to the corresponding device 1, as well as its appearance and the device type (field of view sector MLU - see Fig. 4) are displayed. In the center of the field of view, the position of device 1 (direct line of sight) is displayed with a marker. This mark can be a frame, as well as a coloring of the field of vision - the color should stand out strongly from the underground. In order to make navigation as exact as possible, a large number of physical measurement data come together. For example, gyro sensors, acceleration sensors, a camera for visual field recognition and a GPS module are needed for the navigation. The change to the maintenance and documentation mode 9 is made via the scan of the respective device barcode, which also gives feedback on the maintenance on the correct device. Alternatively, the mode by pressing the push button 15

change. If the mode was changed unintentionally, the employee can switch back to navigation mode via a 5-second press on the side button.

In Fig. 7 is a demo view of the field of view in the maintenance and

Documentation mode 9 shown. In maintenance and

Documentation mode 9, information supporting maintenance is displayed. The contents are classified into categories which are displayed at the top of the field of view (sectors MRO, MLO, see Fig. 4). With a vertical swipe on the side touchpad 17, the user 1 1 can scroll through the categories - the respective active category is in the middle. To prevent the field of view from being blocked, the selected content should only be presented in the page areas of the field of view become. With horizontal swipe on the side touchpad 17, the (multi-page) contents can be reviewed. With the two-finger gesture "pinch-to-zoom in", in which two fingers resting on the touchpad 17 are moved apart, the contents that are normally displayed on the sides of the field of view can be viewed for a closer view in the field of view

entire field of view are displayed. Further zooming is also possible - if the content is too large to be completely visible from the field of view, swiping through the page touchpad 17 can be used to move the content two-dimensionally to allow the entire content to be viewed. With the two-finger gesture "pinch-to-zoom out", in which the two resting on the touchpad 17 fingers are moved towards each other, the content can be reduced again, and finally brought back to its original shape on the sides of the field of view.

With the simple press of the push button 15, a video recording with sound can be started. The demo image of the camera 12 will be displayed at the bottom of the field of view. With another pressure on the

Push button 15 recording is stopped and stored locally. If a swan camera 12 is connected, the

Video signal from this camera is displayed and saved.

List of Reference Signs a Field devices in potentially explosive atmospheresb Field devices in non-hazardous areas

Hazardous area

automation system

Portable computer

Wireless communication media

Database system

Order selection mode

navigation mode

Maintenance and documentation mode

0 head-up display

1 user

2 camera

3 Parent unit

4 DIN industrial helmet

5 push button

6 visor

7 touchpad

8 arithmetic unit

9 accumulator

0 projector means

1 helmet cover

2 helmet area

3 helmet outer shell

4 areas of the head-up display

5 bus system

Claims

claims

1 . Method for monitoring and / or checking and / or servicing field devices (1) in a potentially explosive area (2)

Automation system (3) by means of a portable computer (4) with wireless communication means (5), the method comprising the following steps:

Synchronizing the portable computer (4) with a database system (6) via the wireless communication means (5) outside the

at least one serial number of the field device (1), geographical coordinates of the field device (1) and service instructions for the field device (1) are provided on the portable computer (4) during synchronization;

Deactivation of the wireless communication means (5) of the portable computer (4) outside the potentially explosive area (2) of the

Automation system (3);

- Carrying out a service operation in the hazardous area (2) of the automation system (3), wherein for carrying out the

Service at least between an order selection mode (7), a navigation mode (8) and a maintenance and

Documentation mode (9) of the portable computer (4) is switched and information intended for each mode (7, 8, 9), on a head-up display (10) connected to the portable computer (4) is to be displayed;

- Activation of the wireless communication means (5) of the portable

Computer (4) outside the potentially explosive area (2) of the automation system (3);

- Resynchronizing the database system with the portable computer (4) via the wireless communication means (5) outside the

explosive area (2) of the automation system (3), wherein any changes that were performed in the service operation on the database system (6) are provided.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control of the portable

Computer (4) via gestures of a user (1 1) and / or pressing at least one push button of the portable computer (4) is performed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a manual switching between order selection mode (7), the navigation mode (8) and the maintenance and documentation mode (9) via manual operation by gestures or pressing the at least one push button.

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization and / or the post-synchronization is performed via a VPN connection.

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a camera (12), in particular a camera with gooseneck, which is connected to the portable computer (4) is a scanning of an optical identification feature, in particular a barcode, for identifying the field device ( 1) to navigate in navigation mode (8).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in a successful identification, an automatic switching from the navigation mode (8) in the maintenance and documentation mode (9) is performed.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein via the camera (12) a video and / or audio recording is performed during the service operation and the video and / or audio recording in the dubbing on the database system (6) is provided.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein by the user (1 1) of the portable computer (4) can be set in which area which information on the head-up display (10) should be displayed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein is freely configurable, which

Information in which area of the head-up display (10) are displayed

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein authenticity information is provided to the field device on the portable computer during synchronization and wherein in the implementation of the service use, in particular in the navigation mode (8) and / or the maintenance and documentation mode (9) the authenticity information is a authenticity check of the field device is performed.

1 1 .Verfahren according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in the implementation of the service, in particular in the maintenance and documentation mode (9), an automatic recognition of

Security states that are signaled on the field device (1) takes place, according to the detected security state of the field device (1) maintenance-specific information on the head-up display (10), which is connected to the portable computer (4) are displayed.