DE102022112860A1 - Method for recognizing an event across automation systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for detecting an event across automation systems, comprising: - Acquiring measured values by a large number of field devices that are distributed in a large number of automation systems (S100); - Transmitting the measured values to a central data point (S200); - Analyzing the measured values from different Field devices from different automation systems for at least one correlating event, with at least two different measured values from at least two different field devices arranged in different automation systems being analyzed for the correlating event (S300); - determining the event across automation systems in the case, that the correlating event is recognized in the analysis (S400).

Description

The invention relates to a method for recognizing an event across automation systems.

In automation technology, especially in process automation technology, field devices are often used in so-called automation systems, which are used to record and/or influence process variables. Sensors such as level measuring devices, flow measuring devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity measuring devices, etc. are used to record process variables, which record the corresponding process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value or conductivity. Actuators, such as drives, units, valves, pumps, are used to influence process variables and can be used to change the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the fill level in a container. Furthermore, in the present case, field devices are also to be understood as so-called analyzers, which are based on Raman spectroscopy, tunable diode laser technology or other optical methods, for example near-infrared or UV technology. Furthermore, wet chemical analyzers can also be used as field devices.

The sensor can be, for example, a pH, redox potential, also ISFET, temperature, conductivity, pressure, oxygen, in particular dissolved oxygen, or carbon dioxide sensor; an ion-selective sensor; an optical sensor, in particular a turbidity sensor, a sensor for optically determining the oxygen concentration, or a sensor for determining the number of cells and cell structures; a sensor for monitoring certain organic or metallic compounds; a sensor for determining a concentration of a chemical substance, for example a specific element or a specific compound; or a biosensor, e.g. a glucose sensor.

In particular, these are pH, redox potential, temperature, conductivity, pressure, flow, level, density, viscosity, oxygen, carbon dioxide or turbidity sensors.

In principle, field devices refer to all devices that are used close to the process and that supply or process process-relevant information, i.e. essentially process measurement or process control values. In addition to the previously mentioned sensors and actuators, field devices are also generally referred to as units that are directly connected to a fieldbus and are used for communication with higher-level units, such as remote I/Os, gateways, linking devices and wireless adapters.

A large number of such field devices are developed, manufactured and sold by the Endress + Hauser Group.

Nowadays, the data determined by the respective field devices, in particular the process measurement and/or process control values but also other data determined by the field device, are transmitted to a central data location, for example a cloud. This trend is further reinforced by the fact that more and more field devices are being designed with, in particular, wireless interfaces, e.g. wireless radio interfaces according to the 5G standard, or also wired Ethernet interfaces.

As part of Industry 4.0, or IIoT (“Industrial Internet of Things”), the data generated by the field devices is often collected directly from the field using so-called data conversion units, which are referred to, for example, as “edge devices” or “cloud gateways”. and automatically transmitted to a central data point, which can contain one or more applications. These applications, which, for example, offer functions for visualizing and further processing the data stored on the platform, can be accessed by a user via the Internet.

In addition, individual measuring points or logically related cluster data from a (single) automation system are now being examined for anomalies using intelligent and/or self-learning algorithms. The detection of an anomaly at the individual measuring point for a process or an individual automation system is now very reliable.

However, if the cause lies outside the process or outside the individual measuring point or the individual automation system, it usually remains unknown or can only be identified through subsequent workup. Efforts to discover the cause of the anomaly after the fact may be resource-intensive or may require turning off part of the automation system.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a remedy here.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the method according to claim 1.

• - Erfassen von Messwerten durch eine Vielzahl von Feldgeräten, die in einer Vielzahl von Automatisierungsanlagen verteilt angeordnet sind;
• - Übermitteln der Messwerte an eine zentrale Datenstelle;
• - Analyse der Messwerte von unterschiedlichen Feldgeräten aus unterschiedlichen Automatisierungsanlagen auf zumindest ein korrelierendes Ereignis hin, wobei zumindest zwei verschiedenen Messwerten von mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Feldgeräten, die in unterschiedlichen Automatisierungsanlagen angeordnet sind, auf das korrelierende Ereignis hin analysiert werden;
• - Feststellen des Automatisierungsanlagen übergreifenden Ereignisses in dem Fall, dass das korrelierende Ereignis in der Analyse erkannt wird.

The method according to the invention for recognizing an event across automation systems provides for the following steps:

• - Acquisition of measured values by a large number of field devices that are distributed in a large number of automation systems;
• - Transmitting the measured values to a central data point;
• - analyzing the measured values from different field devices from different automation systems for at least one correlating event, with at least two different measured values from at least two different field devices arranged in different automation systems being analyzed for the correlating event;
• - Determination of the event across automation systems in the event that the correlating event is recognized in the analysis.

According to the invention, a method is proposed in which it is made use of the fact that measured values that come from field devices from different automation systems are already available in central data points, in particular in cloud-based central data points. According to the invention, the measured values from field devices from different systems can therefore be analyzed for a correlating event (anomaly) in order to detect a cross-system event that is responsible for the correlating event.

• - das Anlagenübergreifende korrelierende Ereignis wird überhaupt erkannt,
• - ein Taggen des Ereignisses kann, ggfl. auch manuell, zeitnah durchgeführt werden,
• - ein Abschalten der Automatisierungsanlage kann unter Umständen vermieden werden, da das Ereignis nicht auf einen Fehler innerhalb einer Automatisierungsanlage zurückzuführen ist, und/oder
• - die Kenntnis, dass die Ursache für das korrelierende Ereignis nicht auf die Automatisierungsanlage zurückzuführen ist, kann für eine vorausschauende Wartung und/oder eine automatisierte Warnung von Servicemitarbeitern, die für die Wartung der Anlage verantwortlich sind, genutzt werden, die andernfalls die Ursache innerhalb der Anlage suchen würden.

The method according to the invention can result in the following advantages:

• - the cross-system correlating event is recognized at all,
• - Tagging the event can, if necessary. can also be carried out manually, in a timely manner,
• - a shutdown of the automation system can be avoided under certain circumstances because the event cannot be traced back to an error within an automation system, and/or
• - knowledge that the cause of the correlated event is not attributable to the automation system can be used for predictive maintenance and/or automated alerting of service personnel responsible for maintaining the system, who would otherwise identify the cause within the would look for a facility.

• - Übermitteln eines Hinweises auf das Automatisierungsanlagen übergreifende Ereignis, insbesondere an zumindest einen Anlagenbetreiber von einer der Automatisierungsanlagen, in dem Fall, dass das Ereignis erkannt wurde.

An advantageous embodiment can provide that the method further comprises the following step:

• - Transmitting an indication of the event across automation systems, in particular to at least one system operator of one of the automation systems, in the event that the event was detected.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that artificial intelligence is used to analyze and/or detect the event that affects automation systems.

Yet another advantageous embodiment can provide that a cloud-based platform is used as the data point.
The terms cloud-based platform, cloud and server are to be understood as synonymous in the context of this application. A cloud application (program) can run on the cloud-based platform or be integrated into it. The cloud can be accessible via the Internet, for example. A user can connect to the cloud-based platform via the Internet and make modifications in the corresponding cloud applications of the cloud-based platform and/or operate them, i.e. write data into the cloud applications, read data from the cloud applications and/or edit this data, for example to carry out analysis of the data.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that a natural disaster, in particular an earthquake, a storm, an explosion or a radiation accident, is identified as a correlating event.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that the detected event across automation systems is further evaluated and/or classified.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that a “tag” (mark/note) is assigned to the detected event across automation systems.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that a suitable measure is initiated in relation to at least one of the automation systems in response to the detected event across automation systems.

• - Herunterfahren und/oder Drosseln zumindest von Teilen von zumindest einer Automatisierungsanlage,
• - Umstellen des Transports von Gütern, die in der Automatisierungsanlage verarbeitet oder hergestellt werden,
• - Umstellen von Gütern, die in der Automatisierungsanlage verarbeitet werden, derartig, dass für eigentlich angedachte Güter alternative Güter bereitgestellt werden, und/oder
• - Informieren von Personen oder Personenkreise, die nicht der Automatisierungsanlagen zurechenbar sind, insbesondere Rettungskräfte, Hilfsorganisation und/oder der Bevölkerung.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that the suitable measure depends on the detected event across automation systems, in particular depending on the classification and/or the tag is selected. In particular, the embodiment can provide that the suitable measure is selected from the following measures:

• - Shutting down and/or throttling at least parts of at least one automation system,
• - changing the transport of goods that are processed or manufactured in the automation system,
• - Changing goods that are processed in the automation system in such a way that alternative goods are provided for the goods actually intended, and/or
• - Informing people or groups of people who are not attributable to the automation systems, in particular rescue workers, aid organizations and/or the population.

• 1: eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrensablaufs,
• 2: exemplarisch den Signalverlauf von zwei durch in unterschiedlichen Automatisierungsanlagen befindlichen Feldgeräten erfassten Messwerten, und
• 3: exemplarisch einen Druckstoß in unterschiedlicher Entfernung.

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

• 1 : a schematic representation of the process sequence according to the invention,
• 2 : an example of the signal curve of two measured values recorded by field devices located in different automation systems, and
• 3 : an example of a pressure surge at different distances.

1 shows a schematic representation of the process flow according to the invention. The method for detecting an event across automation systems provides for the following method steps: In a first method step S100, measured values 1 are recorded by a large number of field devices. The recorded measured values 1 come from field devices that are located in different automation systems and not from field devices that are located in an automation system. A (single) automation system includes all field devices that are used to automate a (single) technical process or a technical operation in an industrial environment.

In a second method step S200, the measured values 1 recorded by field devices located in different automation systems are transmitted to a central, preferably cloud-capable, data point. The central data point can be, for example, a cloud-based platform.

In a subsequent third method step S300, the measured values 1, which come from field devices from different automation systems, are analyzed for a correlating event 2 (anomaly). For example, artificial intelligence can be used for analysis.

Such a correlating event 2 can, for example, be an event caused by a natural disaster, in particular an earthquake, a storm, an explosion or a radiation accident, which is reflected in the measured value 1 of the respective field device. 2 shows an example of pressure measurement signals from two field devices located in different systems that have such a correlating event 2. The correlating event 2 is in 2 marked by the dashed oval circle. In 2 the measured values 1 are shown as an example for an earthquake. However, correlating events 2 can also cause fluctuations in measured values for levels in bodies of water, sewage systems or open tanks in the event of a flood catastrophe. A simultaneous increase in measured values 1 as a correlating event 2 from radiometric sensors can, for example, be an indication of a radiation accident.

In a subsequent fourth method step S400, when such a correlated event 2 is detected, a cross-system event is determined. Furthermore, the method can provide that the correlating event 2 is evaluated and/or classified. Evaluating the correlated event 2 can provide additional information, for example what kind of event (earthquake, explosion, radiation accident, etc.) it actually is. The invention is based on the idea that the signal shape is characteristic of the system-wide event. Each event has its own signature, so to speak, which is reflected in the measured values 1. For example, the pressure curve of an earthquake (earthquake) has a different shape than that of an explosion.

Furthermore, further information can be used for further evaluation of the correlating event 2. For example, if the geographical location of a field device from which the measured values 1 come is known, the epicenter and/or the severity can be determined from the time course and the amplitude of the measured value 1. 3 shows an example of a pressure surge at different distances. You can clearly see a weakening of the measured values 1 and the temporal offset of the pressure surge as the distance from the epicenter increases.

As a further optional step, the method can provide that the detected automation system-spanning correlating event 2 classified and/or a tag or marking element is assigned to it. For example, the type of event, e.g. earthquake, storm, explosion or radiation accident, can be assigned to the correlating event 2 by the day (mark/note). The classification can, for example, be based on severity and location.

In a subsequent optional fifth method step S500, it can be provided that an indication of the correlating event 2 across automation systems is transmitted. The notice can, for example, be transmitted to the system operator(s) in order to inform them almost in real time. Alternatively or additionally, the notice can also be transmitted to people or groups of people who are not attributable to the automation systems (system operators, service and/or maintenance personnel, etc.). Such people or groups of people include rescue workers, aid organizations and/or the general public.

• - Herunterfahren und/oder Drosseln zumindest von Teilen der Feldgeräte von zumindest einer Automatisierungsanlage,
• - Umstellen des Transports von Gütern, die in der Automatisierungsanlage verarbeitet oder hergestellt werden,
• - Umstellen von Gütern, die in der Automatisierungsanlage verarbeitet werden, derartig, dass für eigentlich angedachte Güter alternative Güter bereitgestellt werden.

In a subsequent optional step, provision can be made for a suitable measure to be initiated in relation to at least one of the automation systems in response to the detected event across automation systems. Examples of such measures are:

• - Shutting down and/or throttling at least parts of the field devices of at least one automation system,
• - changing the transport of goods that are processed or manufactured in the automation system,
• - Changing goods that are processed in the automation system in such a way that alternative goods are provided for goods that were actually intended.

It can also be advantageous if the suitable measure is selected depending on the detected automation system event, in particular depending on the classification and/or the tag.

Using the method according to the invention, the plant operators can be informed promptly about events that may have an impact on their processes running in the plant or the delivery and delivery of goods for the process. This in turn can prevent you from producing rejects or damaging the system by shutting down or throttling the processes in a controlled manner. Furthermore, changes to the supply chains can also be made to avoid production downtimes.

Reference symbol list

S100

1st procedural step

S200

2nd procedural step

S300

3rd procedural step

S400

4th procedural step

S500

5th procedural step

1

Measurements

2

Correlating event

Claims (10)

Method for recognizing an event across automation systems, comprising: - Acquisition of measured values by a large number of field devices that are distributed in a large number of automation systems (S100); - Transmission of the measured values to a central data point (S200); - Analysis of the measured values from different field devices from different automation systems for at least one correlating event, with at least two different measured values from at least two different field devices arranged in different automation systems being analyzed for the correlating event (S300); - Determination of the event across automation systems in the event that the correlating event is recognized in the analysis (S400). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the following step: - transmitting an indication of the event across automation systems, in particular to at least one system operator of one of the automation systems, in the event that the event was recognized (S500). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , whereby artificial intelligence is used to analyze and/or detect the event across automation systems. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a cloud-based platform is used as the data point. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a natural disaster, in particular an earthquake, a storm, an explosion or a radiation accident, is determined as the correlating event. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the detected event across automation systems is further evaluated and/or classified. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a tag is assigned to the detected event across automation systems. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a suitable measure is initiated in relation to at least one of the automation systems in response to the detected event across automation systems. Method according to at least one of the Claims 6 until 8th , whereby the suitable measure is selected depending on the detected event across automation systems, in particular depending on the classification and / or the tag. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the suitable measure is selected from the following measures: - Shutting down and/or throttling at least parts of at least one automation system, - changing the transport of goods that are processed or manufactured in the automation system, - Changing goods that are processed in the automation system in such a way that alternative goods are provided for the goods actually intended, and/or - Informing people or groups of people who are not attributable to the automation systems, in particular rescue workers, aid organizations and/or the population.

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