WO2019011695A1

WO2019011695A1 - Assembly and method for the contactless transmission of discrete values of a state variable

Info

Publication number: WO2019011695A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/067813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ortwin Keil; Christian KLETTNER; Ulrich SALOGA
Original assignee: Basf Se
Priority date: 2017-07-10
Filing date: 2018-07-02
Publication date: 2019-01-17

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for the contactless transmission of discrete values of a state variable of a device for carrying out a process. The assembly comprises at least two data carriers, on which information regarding the state variable is stored in such a form that the information can be detected using information technology by an external reader for evaluation. A unique value of the state variable is stored on each data carrier and the assembly also comprises a cover element which is designed in such a way that, depending on the state variable, only one data carrier or a predefined combination of data carriers can be detected by the reader for each value of the state variable.

Description

Arrangement and method for contactless transmission of discrete values of a state variable

description

The invention relates to an arrangement for the non-contact transmission of discrete values of a state variable of a process engineering device, wherein the arrangement has at least two data carriers, on which information about the state variable are stored in a form that the information from an external reading device can be detected by information technology for an evaluation ,

The acquisition of state variables such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, density, concentrations and the like forms the basis for monitoring and automation in process technology, for example in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry, the oil and gas industry, power plant technology or home automation. The trend towards the most complete automation leads to the fact that in the case of new plants, a comprehensive information technology recording of the relevant state variables is already provided.

However, with some process engineering devices, it is not readily possible to acquire certain state variables by means of information technology. An example of this is fittings or other field devices that are operated by hand. Such devices can still be found in old systems in many places, but are also planned in new systems if the cost of an information technology connection is not worthwhile, e.g. because these devices are operated only at long intervals, for example, to shut off parts of the system during routine maintenance.

If it later emerges that information about certain state variables is required, solutions for retrofitting and subsequent integration into the information technology infrastructure are required. For shut-off valves, in particular ball valves, solutions have been proposed in the prior art in order to determine the position of the shut-off, in particular of the ball valve, in the housing and thus to make a statement about the open position or closed position.

In the document WO 2015/128058 A1 it is proposed for a ball valve to mount sensors in the ball valve housing which are capable of reading position information made on the ball. In one example, these are proximity sensors that are mounted in blind bores in the housing and can detect recesses in the ball, so that a distinction can be made between an open position and a closed position.

In the utility model DE 20 2006 006 806 U1, a similar concept is proposed, wherein the sensor is an electrically, opto-electrically or magneto-electrically active component that can interact with a passive component on the rotating device. However, this assumes that it is a plastic valve, as in a metal housing, this concept is not applicable.

Another problem that may arise in process engineering devices relates to the information technology integration in a possible interruption-free or at least low-interruption information flow. This applies both to devices without any information technology detection, but also to those in which certain state variables are detected, but which are not permanently integrated into an information technology network, that is, for example, are not connected to a process control system or process control.

For this purpose, solutions have also been developed in recent years with the emergence of increasingly powerful mobile IT devices such as tablets or smartphones. For example, US 2016/0341333 A1 describes a display device (display) for a shut-off valve, which electronically converts information about state variables of the fitting into a graphic display, which can subsequently be recorded and further processed by a portable read-out device.

Furthermore, it is known to detect static information about process engineering devices using mobile readout devices, as described for example in the utility model DE 20 2012 102 138 U1.

Despite the advances in information technology, there is still a lack of a concept for the simple and reliable integration of process engineering devices that do not have a permanent information technology collection into automation systems. The focus is on process engineering devices in which the information of interest is limited to a few discrete values and which must be read only at certain intervals, such as shut-off valves, which now and again or regularly check whether they are in the open position or in the closed position.

It was an object to provide an arrangement for the non-contact transmission of discrete values of a state variable of a process engineering device, which is easy to implement and proves to be reliable and robust in operation.

This object is achieved by an arrangement according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the arrangement are specified in claims 2 to 8.

The arrangement according to the invention for the non-contact transmission of discrete values of a state variable of a process engineering device has at least two data carriers on which information about the state variable is stored in a form that the information from an external reading device detects in an IT-related manner for an evaluation. are bar. Each volume stores a unique value of state size. According to the invention, the arrangement further comprises a cover element, which is designed in such a way that, depending on the state variable, only one data carrier or a given combination of data carriers can be detected by the reading device for each value of the state variable.

The number and type of discrete values of the state variable is generally dependent upon the particular process engineering device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the process-technical device is a shut-off device which comprises a housing with a passage for a material flow and a shut-off device arranged in the passage for opening and closing the passage with an actuating device arranged outside the housing connected is. The material flow may be any kind of transportable substances of different aggregate states. The stream is preferably a fluid which may be single-phase liquid or gaseous, but also multiphase, for example a plurality of liquid phases or liquid and gaseous. The invention encompasses both shut-off valves with a single passage with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the material flow, as well as shut-off fittings with a branched passage and a plurality of openings, for example a three-way fitting or in general a reusable fitting. A state size, which is of particular interest in shut-off valves, is the information about the position of the obturator. Discrete values of the state variable may be, for example, "open" and "closed", but also intermediate positions such as "half-open" or the like With a reusable fitting, a correspondingly larger number of state variables of interest may be present For example, in the case of a three-way fitting, the two inputs A and B and an output for the mass flow which are discrete values of state quantity: "connection from input A to output open", "connection from input B to output open", "no connection from input to output" or similar information about the position of the obturator in the valve. In a first preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention with a shut-off device, the actuating device comprises a handle by means of which the shut-off device can be moved manually between an open position and a closed position. The data carriers are mounted on the housing in such a way that in defined positions of the handle those data carriers are covered by the handle whose information is not to be detected. In an advantageous development of this first embodiment, the defined positions are exactly one open position and exactly one closed position. The shut-off valve has tabs which are mutually covered in the respective positions of at least part of the handle. The data carriers are attached to the tabs.

The tabs can be designed in different ways and attached to the shut-off valve. Several shut-off valves are on the supplier side of the housing equipped with tabs, which have a bore and are intended to fix the handle in a certain position, for example by means of a padlock or padlock.

As a result, a certain position of the obturator can be ensured and unintentional opening or closing of a shut-off valve can be prevented. In such shut-off valves, the attachment of the data carrier to the tabs can be advantageously realized by Aufsteckelemente, which include the data carrier and can be plugged onto the fitting-side tabs. With corresponding tabs, which have sufficient space for mounting a data carrier, the disk can also be applied directly to the tab.

The data carriers can be mounted on different materials, such as metals or plastics, which can be adapted to the environmental conditions to which the process engineering device is exposed. The fastening of the data carriers to the process-technical device is also preferably selected as a function of the respective conditions and can include, for example, gluing, screwing, riveting or other form-fitting or non-positive connections.

In a second preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention with a shut-off device, the actuating device comprises a shaft to which a disc with at least one opening is fastened. The data carriers are mounted on the housing such that in defined positions of the actuating device, the opening in the disk releases only one data carrier or a predetermined combination of data carriers for detection by the reading device.

An advantage of this embodiment is that, due to the design, only the data carriers which correspond to the respective discrete value of a state variable to be detected are readable. Accidental reading of another data carrier, for example, when the actuator is in an intermediate position between defined positions, is excluded. Another advantage is the fact that the disk are largely protected due to the cover through the disc from environmental influences such as pollution.

The disc can be designed differently and adapted to the particular requirements, such as the space available. In an advantageous embodiment, the disc is designed as a circular sector whose center angle is sufficiently large to ensure complete coverage of the disk, which should not be released in each case. For example, with an attachment of two data carriers at an angle of 90 ° to each other a center angle of about 190 ° to 210 ° sufficient to ensure the respective cover.

Depending on the application or manufacturing aspects, it may also be advantageous to perform the disc as a full circle. Other shapes of the radially outer edge of the disc are also possible, for example a polygon, e.g. Hexagon or octagon, or oval shapes.

The data carriers can be mounted directly on the housing, for example by gluing, screwing, riveting or other positive or non-positive connections. The data carriers can also be attached indirectly to the housing. An example of this is the attachment of the data carrier on a support plate which is fastened between the housing and the disk provided for the cover. Regardless of the specific embodiment of the data carriers and of the cover element, in a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention the data carriers also comprise information for identifying the process-technical device in addition to the state information. By means of this combination of status information and identification information, the respective discrete value of a state variable can be uniquely assigned to the associated process-technical device with a single read operation. A misallocation or confusion of devices is excluded. Suitable media are all media or components that can be detected by an external reader information technology for evaluation.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the data carriers are optically detectable codings. Particularly preferably, the data carriers are embodied as QR codes, matrix codes or bar codes.

An advantage of this type of data carriers is that due to their standardization, a large number of readers exist, such as QR code scanners or bar code scanners, which mostly work on the basis of laser scanning or photo evaluation.

In an alternative, likewise preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the data carriers are electromagnetically detectable components, particularly preferably RFID components (Radio-Frequency Identification). In this embodiment, the cover is made of a material that prevents the electromagnetic data transmission for the covered disk.

Particularly suitable as readers are mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, laser scanners or RFID scanners with corresponding devices for detecting the respective type the information stored on the data carriers are equipped. Examples include cameras and application programs (apps) in tablets or smartphones, which can capture, for example, QR codes, matrix codes or bar codes and convert them into information that can be processed in terms of information technology. Functional modules for detecting and processing RFI D signals, for example, can also be integrated in smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices. In principle, stationary readers can also be used within the scope of the invention. However, preferred are mobile readers.

Preferably, the readers continue to have facilities that allow a non-contact transmission of the collected information, for example via WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), mobile or Bluetooth.

The arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to transmit discrete values of a state variable of a process-technical device without contact, which can not be transferred with known measures or only at great expense. This provides a cost-effective and easy-to-implement option for the automation-technical connection and integration of, in particular, manual fittings. Due to the technically simple implementation, the arrangement is also low maintenance and robust, even in demanding industrial environments.

Another object of the invention is a method for information technology acquisition and processing of discrete values of a state variable of a process engineering device. In a first method step, information from a data carrier of an arrangement according to the invention is read out by a reading device. Different data on the process engineering device concerned may be present on the reading device, for example nominal values or limit values for state variables, general information about the device or also operating instructions, manuals, maintenance instructions or the like. This data may already be stored on the reader or, if needed, retrieved from an external database that is not on the reader.

In a second method step, the values read from the data carriers are processed in the reading device, for example by comparing a read-out actual value with a setpoint stored in the reading device. The processing may include further actions, e.g. a graphical or audible indication or output of the read value or information resulting from the processing of the read value. For example, in the case of a read-out actual value, which deviates from the stored nominal value, a colored marking or another indication can be displayed on the reading device.

In a third method step, the read-out values and possibly further information resulting, for example, from the processing of the read-out values are transmitted to the external database. It is also possible that the operator of the reader controls actions, for example, depending on read or processed data.

In a preferred variant of the method, a reading device is used to compare actual discrete values of a state variable of a process-engineering device with associated desired values which are stored in an external database. Particularly preferably, the method comprises the following steps:

(a) importing setpoints for at least one state variable of a process engineering device from an external database to a reader device;

(b) reading at least one data carrier of an arrangement according to the invention which codes a discrete value of the at least one state variable as the actual value;

(c) comparison of the read actual value with the imported set value;

(d) in the event of a deviation of the actual value from the nominal value, if appropriate, correction of the actual state of the process-technological device by the operator and read-out of the now-changed actual value;

(e) transfer of the actual value to the external database.

The external database can be a decentralized or central computer. Preferably, the database is integrated in a process control system or laboratory control system or can communicate with it. The data transmission between the database and the reading device is preferably carried out without contact, for example via WLAN, mobile radio or Bluetooth.

The method according to the invention makes it possible, inter alia, to check and set defined states of a process-technical plant comprising process-technical devices. Compared to prior art testing and tuning, which is mostly based on manual list processing, sources of error are significantly reduced or even eliminated altogether.

Advantages of the method and the arrangement according to the invention are in particular:

- The process engineering device is unmistakably identified.

The nominal state can be displayed on the reading device suitably and unmistakably to the information which has been read out and thus matching the respective process-technological device.

The last read represents the current state of the process engineering device.

- Work plans or test schemes can be easily loaded onto the reader, for example in the form of a table that an operator has to process in order. By comparing values read out with values stored in the reader, it is possible, inter alia, to ensure that process-engineering devices which are not part of the current work plan or check schema, for example, are not present in the table to be processed, are ignored. Reading out values of such a device then triggers no action in the reader, or it can be an indication that this device is not relevant.

Target and actual states of the process engineering devices can be stored in databases of process control systems and further processed and visualized there, for example in the form of time diagrams or flow diagrams. They can also be used as condition-dependent conditions for interconnections, e.g. for releases, in the process control system or programmable logic controllers.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood as schematic representations. They do not represent a limitation of the invention, for example with regard to specific dimensions or design variants. Show it:

1 longitudinal section through a first arrangement according to the invention (shut-off valve)

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the open position

Fig. 3 top view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the closed position

Fig. 4 disc of a second arrangement according to the invention

Fig. 5 arrangement of the data carriers on the housing of the second arrangement according to the invention

Fig. 1 shows schematically a longitudinal section through a first preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, in which it is a shut-off valve as process engineering device. The shut-off valve 1 comprises a housing 2 with a passage 3 for a flow of material, for example a gaseous or liquid medium. In the passage 3 a shut-off device 4 is arranged, which is configured in the example shown as a ball with a passageway. The obturator 4 is connected to a shaft which protrudes from the housing 2. At the located outside of the housing 2 end of the shaft is a

Fixed handle 6, by means of which the shaft can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Shaft and handle 6 form an actuating device 5, by means of which on the obturator 4, the passage 3 can be opened and closed. The state variable to be detected in this example is the opening degree of the passage 3, which can be defined, for example, as an angular position of the passageway in the ball relative to the axis of the passage 3. If the axis of the passage is parallel to the axis of the passage 3, or if the two axes coincide, the valve is fully open and in the open position. However, if the axis of the passage of the obturator 4 is perpendicular to the axis of the passage 3, the valve is completely closed and is in the closed position. Between the open position and the most closed! - a continuous adjustment of the opening degree is possible. In the illustrated example, however, only two discrete values of the state-size "opening degree" are of interest: the open position as the first discrete value and the closed position as the second discrete value The open position is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The handle 6 points in the direction of 3 shows the same armature in the closed position, in which the ball is rotated by 90 °, the handle 6 is perpendicular to the axis of the passage 3rd

In the example shown, two data carriers 8 are present, which are designed as QR codes. Alternatively, the data carriers can also be designed as matrix codes, bar codes or other optically detectable codes. The media 8 are attached to two tabs 7, which in turn are fixedly mounted on the housing 2 of the shut-off valve 1. Stationary means that the tabs do not rotate with a rotation of the shaft, but maintain their position with respect to the housing 2. The tabs 7 may for example be attached to the housing 2, screwed, riveted or welded. The tabs 7 and the attached to the disk 8 are arranged such that the one tab in the open position and the other tab in the closed position of the handle 6 at least partially, preferably completely covered. Thus, depending on the state variable, only one data carrier 8 is visible for each value of the state variable and thus optically detectable by a reading device, since the QR code is an optically detectable coding. In the open position shown in Fig. 1 and 2, only the disk is visible, which is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the passage 3. On this disk information is encoded representing the open position. In the closed position shown in Fig. 3, only the disk is visible, which is arranged in the direction of the axis of the passage 3. On this disk information is encoded representing the closed position. An unambiguous value of the state-size "opening degree" is stored on each of the two data carriers 8. The handle 6 as cover element hides in defined positions which correspond to the respective discrete values of the state variable, the data carrier whose information is not to be detected.

The information stored on the data carriers 8 as QR code can be detected by an external reading device, for example a smartphone or tablet with a camera and corresponding image processing software or application (app), for informational purposes for an evaluation.

4 and 5 show schematically an exemplary embodiment of the second preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, which in the example is likewise a shut-off valve as a process-engineering device. The shut-off valve itself is not shown. However, it may be, for example, a shut-off valve, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein instead of the tabs 7 there present a support plate 14 as shown in FIG. 5 and a disc 10 of FIG. 1 and 3, two discrete values of the state variable "opening degree" are of interest: the open position as the first discrete value and the closed position as the second discrete value in which the respective information is encoded, in the example as a QR code The data carriers 8 are fastened on a carrier plate 14, which is made of a dimensionally stable material, for example of metal or plastic The data carriers 8 can be placed on the carrier plate in any desired manner They may also be applied directly to the carrier plate, eg by means of a printing technique The carrier plate 14 has in its center a recess 15 which is dimensioned at least so large that the shaft of the actuating device (reference numeral 5 in FIG Fig. 1) can be performed by this recess 15, without impairing the rotational mobility of the shaft Furthermore, in this example, the support plate 14 has four holes 16a-16d, are guided by the screws to connect the support plate 14 with the housing (reference numeral 2 in Fig. 1) of the shut-off valve firmly.

Fig. 4 shows a disc 10 which is made of an opaque material, for example of metal or a non-transparent plastic. The disc 10 has in its center a recess 12 which is designed as a slot. The shape of this recess 12 is matched to the outer contour of the shaft of the actuating device 5, on which the disc 12 is placed. About the recess 12, the disc 10 is rotatably connected to the shaft, so that the disc 10 rotates according to a rotation of the actuator 5 accordingly. The disc 10 further has an opening 11, which is dimensioned and positioned such that it releases one of the two data carriers 8 on the carrier plate 14 for detection by a reading device in defined positions of the actuating device.

In the disc 10, two recesses 13 are also provided, each having the shape of a ring segment. They are dimensioned and arranged so that they can interact with components to restrict the rotational movement of the disc 10. Such components may be, for example, the screws 16b and 16d for fixing the support plate 14, if these two screws are designed so that they protrude beyond the support plate 14 into the recesses 13. However, this limitation of the rotational movement of the disk 10 - and thus also of the actuating device 5 - is not required for the operation of the arrangement according to the invention, but merely represents a special embodiment.

In the position shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the upper data carrier 8 can be detected through the opening 11 with a reading device. This position corresponds to one of the two discrete values of the state variable, for example the open position. If the actuating device 5 is moved counterclockwise in the illustration, the disc 10 initially covers both data carriers 8 until the actuating device reaches the second defined position, in the example the closed position. Then, the opening 1 1 releases the left in Fig. 5 arranged data carrier 8 for reading, which encodes the corresponding information about this position. Thus, only in the defined positions "open position" and "closed position" of the respectively assigned volume 8 for reading by a reader, such as a QR code scanner released. During the transition from one defined position to the other, however, both data carriers 8 are at least partially covered by the disk so that read-out is prevented.

List of reference numbers used

1 . , Shut-off

2. , Housing of the shut-off valve

3. , Passage for a flow of material

4. , shutoff

5. , actuator

6. , Handle

7. , flap

8th . , disk

10. , disc

1 1. , Opening in the disk

12. , Notch for connecting the disc to the shaft

13. , Recesses in the disc

14. , support plate

15. , Recess in the carrier plate

16. , Holes in the carrier plate

Claims

claims

Arrangement for the contactless transmission of discrete values of a state variable of a process engineering device, wherein the arrangement has at least two data carriers on which information about the state variable is stored in a form that the information can be detected by an external reading device for evaluation, characterized that a unique value of the state variable is stored on each data carrier, and that the arrangement further comprises a cover element which is designed so that only one data carrier or a predetermined combination of data carriers can be detected by the reading device depending on the state variable for each value of the state variable ,

Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the process-technical device is a shut-off valve (1) comprising a housing (2) with a passage (3) for a flow of material and a shut-off device (4) arranged in the passage for opening and closing the passage is connected to an outside of the housing arranged actuating means (5).

Arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the actuating device (5) comprises a handle (6) by means of which the obturator (4) is manually movable between an open position and a closed position, and further wherein on the housing (1) the data carriers (8) are attached, that in defined positions of the handle (6) those data carriers (8) are covered by the handle whose information is not to be detected.

Arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the defined positions are precisely one open position and exactly one closed position, furthermore the shut-off fitting (1) has tabs (7) which mutually overlap each other in the respective positions of at least part of the handle (6) are, and wherein the data carriers (8) are attached to the tabs (7).

Arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the actuating device comprises a shaft to which a disc (10) with at least one opening (1 1) is fixed, and further on the housing, the data carrier (8) are mounted such that in defined positions of Actuating the opening (1 1) in the disc (10) only one data carrier (8) or a predetermined combination of data carriers (8) for detecting by the reader releases.

Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data carrier (8) in addition to the state information also include information for identifying the process engineering device. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data carriers (8) are optically detectable codes, in particular QR codes, matrix codes or bar codes.

Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data carriers (8) are components that can be detected electromagnetically, in particular RFI D components, and wherein the cover element is made of a material that transmits the electromagnetic information for the data carriers covered in derogation.