DE102005038607A1 - Field equipment e.g. for ultrasound sensor operation in process automation, has detector for detection of first acoustic signal with control unit executing work procedure as reaction to detected first acoustic signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The field equipment (100) has a detector (101) for the detection of a first acoustic signal. A control unit (104) executes a work procedure as a reaction to the detected first acoustic signal. The work procedure is based on parameterization, a functional inspection or a measured value inquiry. The acoustic signal has a parametric data for the execution of the parameterization. The queried measured values are stored in the memory of the field equipment. An independent claim is included for use of filed equipment, and a method for the operation of field equipment.

Description

The The present invention relates to process automation. Especially the present invention relates to a field device for process automation, the use of such a field device for level measurement and a method for the operation of such a field device.

In process automation technology uses field devices, which are used to capture and / or control process variables.

at such field devices are, for example, level gauges, pressure gauges, temperature gauges, Flow meter and the like, which with their sensors the appropriate process variables, such as level, pressure, temperature or Record flow.

Further examples for such field devices are so-called actuators, such as valves, heating elements, cooling elements or pumps through which process variables can then be influenced.

Farther can the field devices be implemented in the form of input or output units which the sensors or Actuators control or read.

Around such field devices To parameterize or interrogate, a process control system can be used which is over with a cable a corresponding interface is connected to the field device. Farther An input module can be permanently connected to the field device. For parameterization or query becomes the field device then open and the input unit is operated manually.

The DE 103 26 627 A1 relates to a method for displaying the function of a field device of process automation technology. Here, a radio signal is transmitted from a transmitting unit to the field device, which triggers a query of the field device status in the field device. A perceptible signal is generated according to the result of the device status polling.

It An object of the present invention is an improved operation of field devices.

According to one embodiment The present invention is a field device for process automation comprising a detector for detecting a first acoustic Signal and a control unit for performing a work step in response to the detected first acoustic signal, wherein the step a parameterization, a function check or includes a measured value query.

By the provision of a detector for the detection of acoustic signals the field device can be contactless be addressed. The data transmission takes place acoustically. So these are sound waves, which are picked up by the detector. Such sound waves are easy to produce and also widen through a housing wall of the field device into the interior of the field device out.

Farther is an operability of the field device without direct eye contact to the field device Corners around or even through barriers (such as a wall or the like) possible, as the sound waves also pass through masonry and around corners can spread.

According to one another embodiment of the present invention, the first acoustic signal parameterization data to carry out the parameterization.

Consequently can Data required for parameterizing the field device as acoustic signals externally contactless transmitted to the field device become.

According to one another embodiment of the According to the present invention, the field device further comprises a memory for storing measured values. The field device can in this case have a measuring unit or be connected to a measuring unit which the measured values supplies. For example, the measuring unit may be a level sensor act.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention, the first acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal. Due to the use of ultrasound signals can be due to the high frequency a relatively high data density is transmitted. Furthermore, ultrasonic signals are not in the audible spectrum, so that a noise pollution the environment is excluded.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention is the first acoustic signal of a Hand transmitter or a stationary one Computer generated.

By generating the acoustic signal by means of an electrical device, such as a mobile phone, handheld or a PC, it is possible to transmit precisely defined signal sequences. For example, certain keys of the handset ders trigger the transmission of certain signal sequences. Thus, a simple and trouble-free operation is guaranteed.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention is the first acoustic signal of a People can be produced.

For example Man can use a specific chain of command to trigger a functional check or pronounce a measured value query. It is also possible that the user (human) the parameterization of the field device orally performs. An additional one Remote control or an external computer to control the field device is thus not mandatory.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention, the detector to a sound transducer to Conversion of the first acoustic signal into an electrical signal on.

For example Thus, the detected sound signal can be digitized for further processing become.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention, the transducer has a piezoelectric Element on. By using a piezoelectric element is a simple and effective conversion of the acoustic signal given in an electrical signal.

For example the detector can be arranged inside the housing of the field device so that the detector is largely resistant to outside influences protected is.

Especially Is it possible, the housing pressure-tight to design, so that an electronics mounted therein together protected with the detector even in extreme external conditions.

Especially leads the Attach the detector inside the case to make sure there are no holes for cable glands or the like must be provided. The sensor is completely in Interior of the housing attached and the data transfer between the external remote control or the external computer or User and the detector is non-contact through the wall of the Housing. Viewing windows, bushings or the like are not necessary. This can improve the stability of the field device, its robustness and durability are significantly increased.

According to one another embodiment of the The present invention is the detector directly on an inner wall of the housing appropriate. For example, the detector may be in the form of a piezoelectric Having elements which is glued to the inner wall and thus vibrations or vibrations of the inner wall, which by the impact from the outside Sound is generated, absorbs and into a corresponding electrical Signal converts.

The casing may be made of a shielding material, such as a metal or a ferromagnetic material containing the Avoid transmission of radio waves or magnetic signals would.

According to one another embodiment of the The present invention is the detector within an electronics unit appropriate. For example, you can Detector and evaluation or control and regulating electronics in one casing within the field device be arranged. Furthermore, it is possible that the detector at least Part of an integrated circuit is which part the electronics of the field device is.

According to one another embodiment of the According to the present invention, the detector comprises a laser for detection from mechanical vibrations, whereby the mechanical vibrations through the first acoustic signal is generated.

By Such a laser makes it possible to have minimal To detect vibration amplitudes. Through an optical detection of mechanical vibrations (for example, the housing wall) a sensitive detection possible. For example, the laser light can be directed to the housing interior, at the it is then reflected. The reflected signal can then be from a photodiode, z. B. interferometrically, measured and subsequently analyzed become.

According to one another embodiment of the According to the present invention, the field device further comprises a transmitter for Emitting a second acoustic signal, the second acoustic signal Signal query data resulting from the query performed, or Functional test data those from the carried out Function check result, having.

Consequently is a bidirectional data exchange between the field device on the a page and a user or equivalent device on the other side possible, which is based on acoustic signals.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the detector and the transmitter form a functional unit. Thus, the detector and transmitter can be the same device (for example a piezo-crystal), which alternately is used for detection and transmission.

According to one another embodiment of the Present invention is the use of a field device accordingly the above embodiments for level measurement specified. Thus, you can Level gauges non-contact be parameterized, checked or interrogated by acoustic signals.

According to one another embodiment of the The present invention is a method for operating a field device indicated comprising a detection of a first acoustic signal and a Parameterization, function check or measured value query in response to the detected first acoustic signal.

According to this embodiment The present invention, for example, a first acoustic External signal and then received inside the field device, whereupon, for example, a parameterization of the field device is performed.

For this purpose points the acoustic signal, according to a another embodiment of the present invention, parameterization data, wherein the parameterization based on the parameterization data.

Consequently The data required for the parameterization are acoustically displayed transmit the field device. Also, a function check or a Measured value query be triggered by an acoustic signal.

In For example, in a simple case, the acoustic signal may be to act a spoken command.

According to one another embodiment of the present invention, a second acoustic signal is emitted, which query data resulting from the measured value query, having.

Farther For example, the second audible signal may include functional verification data which from the carried out Function check result.

Consequently So can communication between an external user, handset or computer and the field device performed acoustically become. The communication can be unidirectional or bidirectional be. The field device is acoustically parameterized or queried. As reaction For example, a feedback signal can be sent to the parameterization Becoming successful or unsuccessful documented a parameterization.

Further embodiments The present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

in the The following will be preferred embodiments with reference to the figures of the present invention.

1 shows an external operating unit and a field device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 shows an external operating unit and a field device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3 shows two external control units and a field device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 shows an external operating unit and a field device with optical detection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 shows an external operating unit and a field device with a wireless interface according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In The following figure description will be for the same or similar Elements use the same reference numbers.

1 shows an external operating unit 104 and a field device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The field device 100 has a housing 102 on, in which there is a detector 101 for the detection of an acoustic signal 105 located. Furthermore, the field device 100 an element 103 on, for example, it is a sensor, such as an antenna for determining a level. Of course, the sensor may also be a mass flow meter or a pressure sensor, or another sensor. Also, it may be at the element 103 to act on an actuator that actively affects process variables, such as a valve for adjusting a flow of a liquid in a pipe section or a pump to change a level.

The external operating unit 104 is for sending out acoustic waves 105 designed for signal transmission between the external control unit 104 and the field device 100 serve.

The acoustic waves 105 , which are, for example, ultrasonic waves or sound waves in the audible range, penetrate through the housing 102 in the interior of the case 102 and finally reach the detector 101 which detects the received waves.

Here, the detector converts 101 the detected sound z. B. in an electronic signal, which is subsequently passed to a control unit. The control unit is part of the detector, for example 101 or another component 107 , which via a data line 112 with the detector 101 is connected (s. 3 ).

The control unit serves to carry out a work step in response to the detected first acoustic signal 105 ,

This step can be, for example, a parameterization of the field device 100 act. This includes the acoustic signals 105 Parameterization data for carrying out the parameterization.

Furthermore, the working step may be a functional check of the field device 100 or its functional components or functional processes. In this case, the function check by the acoustic signal 105 triggered and then expires automatically.

The result of such a functional check may then be provided subsequently by the detector 101 in the form of a second acoustic signal 106 be broadcast. This is in 2 shown. In the in 2 As shown, the detector is used 101 not only for the detection of the first acoustic signals 105 , but also for emission or emission of the second acoustic signals 106 , So this is not just a detector, but also a transmitter.

For example, the detector 101 be implemented in the form of a piezoelectric element which converts the sound waves into electrical signals. Conversely, electrical signals can be converted into corresponding sound waves via the piezoelectric element.

Of course, transmitter and detector can 101 also be two separate units. For example, the detector may be a microphone or even a piezo-crystal. The transmitter may be a speaker or the like. In case of that detector 101 and transmitters are executed separately, a detection can take place simultaneously with a corresponding transmission of a second acoustic signal (bidirectionality).

The emitted acoustic signal 106 penetrates the housing wall 102 and is from the external control unit 104 receive. In the case of a functional check, the second acoustic signal comprises 106 Information about whether the field device is working properly or which errors have been detected. In the case of a measured value query, which by the external control unit 104 can be triggered, include the second acoustic signals 106 corresponding measured values, which previously from the sensor 103 were detected and, for example, in a memory of the field device (not shown in 2 ).

As in 2 to recognize is the detector 101 inside the case 102 arranged. The housing can thus be completely closed. Feedthroughs or inspection windows for the detection of the parameterization data are not required. As a result, the stability, robustness and resistance of the housing can be significantly increased, so that, for example, an explosion protection in the form of a pressure-tight design is possible.

Especially can the case shielding executed be so sensitive devices inside the case from external influences (such as external electromagnetic or magnetic fields).

3 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the detector 101 on an inside of the housing 102 is mounted so that vibrations of the inside of the housing can be detected directly. The detector 101 is via a data line 112 to a control unit 107 connected, which signals of the detector 101 (based on the detected acoustic signals) receives. The control unit 107 serves to carry out work steps in response to the detected acoustic signals. For example, the control unit 107 the sensors 108 . 109 over the data lines 110 . 111 to control and regulate. Furthermore, the control unit 107 the sensors 108 . 109 query or check. The measured data of the sensors 108 . 109 can over the data lines 110 . 111 . 112 be transmitted to the detector / transmitter, which then a corresponding acoustic signal 106 generated. The acoustic signal 106 will go in the direction 114 sent to the external control unit and detected by her.

In the external control unit 104 it is, for example, a hand-held transmitter or hand-held receiver (such as a mobile phone or a handheld), or even to a stationary computer or a corresponding computer interface.

As in 3 to recognize, become the first acoustic signals 105 directly from the user 113 in the direction 115 towards the field device 100 sent out. These signals are, for example, spoken commands which are then received by the detector 101 be detected. In order to evaluate the spoken commands, the detector is connected, for example, to a computing unit on which a corresponding word recognition program runs. This arithmetic unit is for example in the control unit 107 integrated, but can also be separated from the control unit 107 be arranged.

4 shows a further embodiment of the field device according to the present invention. In this case, the detector comprises a laser 1011 , which is a laser beam 1013 towards the housing 102 sending out. Because the case 102 from the external control unit 104 with acoustic signals 105 is irradiated, finds a stimulus of the housing 102 to mechanical vibrations instead. These mechanical vibrations can be transmitted via the laser beam reflected on the inside of the housing 1014 with a detector arrangement 1012 be detected. Of course, other optical methods for detecting the housing vibrations are possible.

5 shows another embodiment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As in 5 to recognize is the detector 101 within the control unit 107 arranged. Furthermore, the control unit 107 with a transmitting unit 116 provided, which is designed for the wireless transmission of measurement data or other signals to a process control system by means of wireless communication. The transmitter 116 can also be designed as a transmitting / receiving unit.

The described field device 100 is particularly suitable for use for level measurement.

Especially good is the invention for Level gauges suitable, but by no means limited to this field of application. she can be used anywhere, where field devices parameterized, checked or must be queried.

In addition to that noted that "comprising" no other elements or excludes steps and "one" or "one" does not exclude a multitude. Further It should be noted that features or steps with reference to one of the above embodiments have been described, also in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above can. Reference signs in the claims are not as a limitation to watch.

Claims (22)

field device for process automation, comprising: a detector for detection a first acoustic signal; a control unit for performing a Step in response to the detected first acoustic Signal; wherein the step a parameterization, a function check or includes a measured value query. field device according to claim 1, wherein the first acoustic signal parameterization data to carry out has the parameterization. field device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a memory; in which the requested measured values are stored in the memory of the field device are. field device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the first acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal is. field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first acoustic Signal from a transmitter or a stationary computer can be generated. field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first acoustic Signal is generated by a human being. field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector has a Sound transducer for converting the first acoustic signal into an electronic one Signal has. field device according to claim 7, wherein the sound transducer is a piezoelectric element having. field device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: one Casing; in which the detector inside the case is arranged. field device according to claim 9, wherein the detector is mounted directly on an inner wall of the housing is appropriate. field device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector within the control unit is mounted. field device according to one of the claims 9 to 11, with the case pressure tight is. field device according to one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the detection of the first acoustic signal by a wall of the housing he follows. field device according to one of the preceding claims, the detector having a laser for detecting mechanical vibrations; in which the mechanical vibrations due to the first acoustic signal be generated. field device according to one of the claims 2 to 14, further comprising: a transmitter for sending a second acoustic signal; the second acoustic signal Query data resulting from the measured value query, or function check data, those from the carried out Function check result has. field device according to claim 15, wherein the detector and the transmitter have a functional Form unity. Use of a field device according to one of claims 1 to 16 for level measurement. Method for operating a field device, the Method comprising the steps: Detection of a first acoustic signal; Parameterization, function check or measurement request as Reaction to the detected first acoustic signal. Method according to claim 18, the first one having acoustic signal parameterization data; where the parameterization based on the parameterization data. The method of claim 18 or 29, wherein the queried Measured values are stored in a memory of the field device. The method of any of claims 18 to 20, further comprising the step: Emitting a second acoustic signal; in which the second acoustic signal query data resulting from the measured value query result. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the second acoustic signal function check data, those from the carried out Function check result, having.