JP2014137794A - Field equipment management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrate the configuration information of field equipment determined in a plurality of field equipment management devices without generating duplication.SOLUTION: An integrated equipment management system (MNG) 100 is connected to a communication line 5 between equipment management systems 1-1 and 1-2. The integrated equipment management system (MNG) 100 has a configuration information integrating function, and sets the configuration information of field equipment 7(7-1, 7-2) determined in the equipment management system 1-1 as first integrated configuration information, and adds, to the integrated configuration information, only the configuration information the definition information of whose communication protocol, device path and device tag is not coincident among the configuration information of the field equipment 7(7-1, 7-3, 7-4) determined in the equipment management system 1-2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a field device management apparatus that manages field devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a chemical plant or the like, a positioner is provided for a valve (control valve) used in the flow rate process, and the valve opening degree of the valve is controlled by this positioner. A device such as a positioner is called a field device, and a plurality of devices are provided in the plant and connected to a field device management apparatus via a communication line (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 shows a connection example between a field device and a device management system (field device management apparatus) in the plant A. In the figure, 1 is an equipment management system (MNG1) provided in the plant A, 2 is a valve (control valve) used for the flow rate process of the plant A, 3 is a positioner attached to the valve 2, and 4 is a controller (CNT1). ), The device management system 1 (MNG1) and the controller 4 are connected by a communication line (bidirectional communication line) 5, and the controller 4 and the positioner 3 are connected by a transmission line (two-wire transmission line). 6 is connected.

  In FIG. 7, as the simplest example, a valve 2-1 (positioner integrated valve) provided with a positioner 3-1 is used as a field device 7-1 and a valve 2- provided with a positioner 3-2 is provided. 2 (positioner integrated type valve) is a field device 7-2, the field device 7-1 and the controller 4 are connected by a transmission line 6-1, and the field device 7-2 and the controller 4 are connected by a transmission line. The example connected by 6-2 is shown.

  In this system, an opening degree setting signal is sent to the positioners 3-1 and 3-2 as a current signal of 4 to 20 mA through the transmission path 6-1 and 6-2 via the controller 4. The positioners 3-1 and 3-2 convert the opening degree setting signal into an air pressure signal and control the valve opening degree of the valves 2-1 and 2-2.

  The positioners 3-1 and 3-2 also have a diagnosis function for normality of the valves 2-1 and 2-2, and send data such as inspection results to the controller 4 through HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) communication. The controller 4 sends the data to the device management system 1 (MNG1).

  The HART communication is a communication protocol for transmitting data by superimposing a digital signal on a 4 to 20 mA analog signal. Communication protocols include HART communication and fieldbus communication.

  The device management system 1 (MNG1) acquires parameter information, maintenance information, maintenance information, solid information, and the like from the positioners 3-1 and 3-2 via the controller 4, and sets the field devices 7-1 and 7-2. to manage. In order to manage the field devices 7-1 and 7-2, the device management system 1 defines configuration information including definition information necessary for communication for each device of the field device 7.

  FIG. 8 illustrates configuration information for each device of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1 (MNG1). In FIG. 8, information on the first line indicates configuration information of the field device 7-1, and information on the second line indicates configuration information of the field device 7-2.

  This configuration information includes items (configuration items) such as “communication protocol”, “device path”, “device tag”, “diagnosis type”, and “status monitoring”. In the configuration item, “communication protocol” is definition information indicating a communication protocol with the field device 7 such as HART communication and fieldbus communication described above, and “device path” is a communication route to the field device 7. The “device tag” is definition information indicating a tag name determined according to a predetermined rule for the field device 7, and the “diagnosis type” is determined for the field device 7. Definition information indicating the type of diagnosis, and “status monitoring” is definition information indicating ON / OFF status of status monitoring for the field device 7.

  In this example, the “communication protocol” of the configuration information of the field device 7-1 is “HART”, the “device path” is “CNT1-1”, the “device tag” is “Device1”, and the “diagnostic type” is “B”. , C ”and“ status monitoring ”are set to“ OFF ”. The “communication protocol” of the configuration information of the field device 7-2 is “HART”, the “device path” is “CNT1-2”, the “device tag” is “Device2”, the “diagnostic type” is “B, C”, “Status monitoring” is set to “ON”.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of connection between field devices and device management systems in plants A and B. In this example, the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) of the plant A manages the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 via the controller 4-1 (CNT1), and the device management system 1-2 ( MNG2) manages field devices 7-1, 7-3, and 7-4 via the controller 4-2 (CNT2).

  In this case, in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) of the plant A, configuration information of the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 is determined as shown in FIG. In the system 1-2 (MNG2), as shown in FIG. 10B, configuration information of the field devices 7-1, 7-3, and 7-4 is defined.

  In FIG. 10A, the information on the first line indicates the configuration information of the field device 7-1, and the information on the second line indicates the configuration information of the field device 7-2. In FIG. 10B, information on the first line indicates configuration information of the field device 7-1, information on the second line indicates configuration information of the field device 7-3, and information on the third line. Indicates configuration information of the field device 7-4.

JP 2009-205243 A

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, a device management system 1-1 (MNG1) is provided for the plant A, and a device management system 1-2 (MNG2) is provided for the plant B. Here, it is desired that the field device 7 managed separately by the plant A device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the plant B device management system 1-2 (MNG2) is managed by one device management system. Suppose that a request arises.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the configuration information of the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) are defined. It can be considered that the configuration information of the field devices 7-1, 7-3, and 7-4 is added to form one configuration information (integrated configuration).

  However, the configuration information of the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the field devices 7-1 and 7-1 defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) If the configuration information 7-3 and 7-4 are simply added together, the configuration information of the field device 7-1 is duplicated, as indicated by hatching in FIG.

  Therefore, the configuration information of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the configuration information of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) are simply obtained. Only by adding, it is not possible to meet the demand for managing the field devices 7 managed separately by the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2) with one device management system. .

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The object of the present invention is to obtain configuration information of field devices defined in a plurality of field device management apparatuses without causing duplication. An object of the present invention is to provide a field device management apparatus that can be integrated.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides configuration information including definition information necessary for communication of each field device defined in the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) field device management apparatuses. The configuration information integration means includes configuration information integration means for integrating the configuration information, and the configuration information integration means has its configuration information defined by definition information of a predetermined configuration item included in the configuration information. After identifying field devices and eliminating duplication of configuration information of the same field devices, the configuration information of the field devices defined in the first to Nth (N ≧ 2) field device management apparatuses is integrated. It is characterized by that.

  For example, in the present invention, a field device whose configuration information is defined by the definition information of the communication protocol, device path, and device tag included in the configuration information is specified, and the configuration information of the specified field device is duplicated. And the configuration information of the field devices defined in the first to Nth field device management apparatuses is integrated.

  For example, the configuration information of the field device defined in the first field device management apparatus is set as the integrated configuration information, and the integrated configuration information includes the configuration information of other field device management devices to be integrated. Only configuration information that does not match the definition information of the communication protocol, device path, and device tag is added. In this way, configuration information that matches the definition information of the communication protocol, device path, and device tag is not added to the integrated configuration information, and duplication of configuration information of the same field device is eliminated. .

  According to the present invention, after identifying a field device whose configuration information is defined by definition information of a predetermined configuration item included in the configuration information and eliminating duplication of configuration information of the same field device. Since the configuration information of the field devices defined in the first to Nth field device management devices is integrated, the field devices defined in the plurality of field device management devices without causing duplication It is possible to integrate the configuration information.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the system using one Embodiment (integrated apparatus management system) of the field apparatus management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the configuration information integration function which an integrated apparatus management system has. It is a figure explaining the process of the integration process of the configuration information performed with an integrated apparatus management system. It is a figure explaining the process of the integration process of the configuration information performed with an integrated apparatus management system. It is a figure which shows that the configuration information and data of a device management system are linked | related by "communication protocol", "device path", and "device tag". It is a functional block diagram of an integrated equipment management system. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of the field apparatus in a plant A, and an apparatus management system. It is a figure which illustrates the configuration information for every apparatus of the field apparatus defined in the apparatus management system of the plant A. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of the field apparatus in plant A, B, and an apparatus management system. It is a figure which illustrates the configuration information for every apparatus of the field apparatus defined in the apparatus management system of the plant A, and the configuration information for every apparatus of the field apparatus defined in the apparatus management system of the plant B. It is a figure which shows one configuration information (integrated configuration) obtained by simply adding the configuration information of the field device defined in the device management system of the plants A and B.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration using an embodiment of a field device management apparatus according to the present invention. 9, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 9 denote the same or equivalent components as those described with reference to FIG. 9, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 9, one device management system wants to manage the field devices 7 managed separately by the plant A device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the plant B device management system 1-2 (MNG2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the device management system 100 (MNG) of the present embodiment is connected to the communication line 5 between the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the device management system 1-2 (MNG2).

  Hereinafter, in order to distinguish from the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2), the device management system 100 (MNG) of the present embodiment is referred to as an integrated device management system.

  The integrated device management system 100 (MNG) is realized by hardware including a processor and a storage device, and a program that realizes various functions in cooperation with these hardware, and is configured as a function unique to the present embodiment. Has an information integration function. The configuration information integration function of the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) has the configuration information of the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 shown in FIG. 2 (MNG2) includes configuration information of the field devices 7-1, 7-3, and 7-4 shown in FIG. 10B.

  When the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) is instructed to integrate the configuration information (YES in step S101), the field devices 7-1 and 7-2 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1). The configuration information of the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) is copied and used as the first integrated configuration information (step S103, FIG. 3A).

  Next, the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) reads the configuration information of the field devices 7-1, 7-3, 7-4 defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) (step S104). Then, the configuration information on the first line is read from the configuration information of the read device management system 1-2 (MNG2) (step S105). That is, the configuration information of the field device 7-1 is read (FIG. 3B).

  Then, the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) searches the integrated configuration information (FIG. 3A) (step S106), and the “communication protocol”, “device path”, “ It is checked whether or not the definition information of “device tag” matches the definition information of “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag” of the configuration information read in step S105 (step S107). ).

  If there is no matching configuration information (NO in step S107), the configuration information read in step S105 is added to the integrated configuration information (step S108). Then, it is confirmed whether or not all the rows of the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) have been read (step S109). If all the rows have not been read (NO in step S109), the process proceeds to step S105. Return.

  If there is matching configuration information (YES in step S107), step S108 is not executed. That is, the configuration information read in step S105 is not added to the integrated configuration information. Then, it is confirmed whether or not all the rows of the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) have been read (step S109). If all the rows have not been read (NO in step S109), the process proceeds to step S105. Return.

  In this case, the configuration information on the first line read out in step S105 is the configuration information of the field device 7-1 (FIG. 3B), and the “configuration information” in FIG. Since there is configuration information that matches the definition information of “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag”, that is, the configuration information of the field device 7-1 already exists in the integrated configuration information, so that reading is performed. The configuration information is not added to the integrated configuration information (FIG. 3C), and the process returns to step S105 via step S109.

  This processing is performed in the configuration information of the field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1), including “communication protocol” and “device” included in the configuration information. The field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) whose configuration information is defined by the definition information of “path” and “device tag” is specified, and when the integrated configuration information is created, the same field device 7 (7 This corresponds to elimination of duplication of configuration information in (-1).

  When the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) returns to step S105, the configuration information on the second line is read from the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) read in step S104. That is, the configuration information of the field device 7-3 is read (FIG. 4A).

  In this case, the integrated configuration information (FIG. 3C) matches the definition information of “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag” of the configuration information of the read field device 7-3. Since there is no configuration information (NO in step S107), the read configuration information is added to the integrated configuration information (FIG. 4B). In this case, “communication protocol” and “device tag” are the same, but “device path” is different, so they are added. Then, after step S109, the process returns to step S105.

  When the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) returns to step S105, the configuration information on the third line is read from the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) read in step S104 (step S105). That is, the configuration information of the field device 7-4 is read (FIG. 4C).

  In this case, the integrated configuration information (FIG. 4B) matches the definition information of “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag” in the configuration information of the read field device 7-4. Since there is no configuration information (NO in step S107), the read configuration information is added to the integrated configuration information (FIG. 4D). In this case, the “communication protocol” is the same, but “device path” and “device tag” are different, so they are added.

  Then, the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) confirms that the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) has been read from all the rows (YES in step S109), and a series of configurations. This completes the integration process.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, in the integrated device management system 100 (MNG), first, the field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1). ) Is the integrated configuration information, and the integrated configuration information includes field devices 7 (7-1, 7-3, 7) defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) to be integrated. In the configuration information of 7-4), only the configuration information of the field device 7 (7-3, 7-4) whose communication protocol, device path, and device tag definition information does not match is added. Field device 7 with the same definition information of communication protocol, device path, and device tag Configuration information 7-1) is not intended to be added, duplication of the same field device 7 configuration information (7-1) is to be eliminated.

  Thereby, without causing duplication, the configuration information of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2). The configuration information is integrated, and the field device 7 managed separately by the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) is managed by the integrated device management system (MNG) 100. To be able to do so.

  In the above-described embodiment, the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) integrates only the configuration information of the field device 7 defined in the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2). However, the field device 7 data collected in the past may be integrated together with the integration of the configuration information.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the configuration information and data of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1). In the device management system 1-1 (MNG1), not only the configuration information (FIG. 5 (a)) of the field device 7 but also the data such as the inspection result by “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag”. (FIG. 5B) is also associated. The same applies to the device management system 1-2 (MNG2). Therefore, by using “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag”, the data of the field device 7 collected in the past can be integrated together with the integration of the configuration information.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the simplest example, the configuration information of the field devices 7 defined in the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2) is integrated. However, the number of device management systems 1 to be integrated is not limited to two. That is, assuming that the number of device management systems 1 is N, the configuration information of the field device 7 defined in the device management system 1 is obtained for the device management system 1 with N ≧ 2 in the same manner as described above. It is possible to integrate.

  By using the integrated device management system 100 (MNG) of the present embodiment and integrating the configuration information of the field devices 7 managed by a plurality of device management systems 1, several units can be obtained because the plant is large-scale. In the case of starting up sequentially by dividing the system into parts, it is divided and managed first, and integrated management when everything starts up gives flexibility in the period and order of the start-up process. It becomes possible to make it. It can also be used in the case where integrated management is carried out after the introduction of each factory in different locations. In addition, there is also an advantage that the device management system 1 can be easily started to be used in a small unit in consideration of future enlargement.

  Further, if the integrated device management system 100 according to the present embodiment is used, all the configuration information of the field devices 7 managed by the plurality of device management systems 1 can be integrated by an offline operation. 7 can be integrated even if it is not in a state where communication with the terminal 7 is possible.

  In the embodiment described above, the positioner-integrated valve is a field device, but the field device is not limited to such a positioner-integrated valve. For example, a transmitter (a sensor such as a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor) may be a field device, or the positioner 3 alone may be a field device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration information of the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) is copied as the first integrated configuration information, but the configuration information of the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) is changed. The first integrated configuration information may be copied. In this case, the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) is the first field device management device referred to in the present invention.

  In the configuration information of the field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1), “communication protocol” and “device path” included in the configuration information. The field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) whose configuration information is defined by the definition information of “device tag” is specified, and the field device defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2) 7 (7-1, 7-3, 7-4), the configuration information is defined by the definition information of “communication protocol”, “device path”, and “device tag” included in the configuration information. Specified field device 7 (7-1, 7-3, 7-4) is specified Configuration information of the field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1) and the field device 7 (defined in the device management system 1-2 (MNG2)) In the integration with the configuration information 7-1, 7-3, 7-4), duplication of configuration information of the same field device 7 (7-1) may be eliminated.

  FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of the integrated device management system (MNG) 100. The integrated device management system (MNG) 100 is a configuration information integration unit 100A that integrates configuration information for each device of the field device 7 defined in the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2). It has.

  The configuration information integration unit 100A reads configuration information of the field device 7 (7-1, 7-2) defined in the device management system 1-1 (MNG1), and also reads the device management system 1-2 (MNG2). ), The configuration information of the field device 7 (7-1, 7-3, 7-4) defined in the configuration information is read, and the configuration is determined by the communication protocol, device path, and device tag definition information included in the configuration information. The field device 7 in which the information is defined is specified, the configuration information of the same field device 7 (7-1) is eliminated, and the device management systems 1-1 (MNG1) and 1-2 (MNG2) Configuration information of field device 7 defined in To integrate.

[Extension of the embodiment]
The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  1 (1-1 (MNG1), 1-2 (MNG2)) ... Device management system, 2 (2-1, 2-2) ... Valve, 3 (3-1, 3-2) ... Positioner, 4 (4 -1 (CNT1), 4-2 (CNT2)) ... Controller, 5 ... Communication line, 6 ... Transmission path, 7 (7-1 to 7-4) ... Field device, 100 (MNG) ... Device management system (integrated) Device management system), 100A... Configuration information integration unit.

Claims (4)

Field device provided with configuration information integration means for integrating configuration information including definition information required for each device of field devices defined in first to Nth (N ≧ 2) field device management devices A management device,
The configuration information integration means includes:
The field device in which the configuration information is determined by the definition information of the predetermined configuration item included in the configuration information is specified, and the duplication of the configuration information of the same field device is eliminated. A field device management apparatus characterized by integrating configuration information of field devices defined in an Nth (N ≧ 2) field device management device. In the field device management apparatus according to claim 1,
The configuration information integration means includes:
A field device management apparatus characterized by identifying a field device whose configuration information is defined by communication protocol, device path, and device tag definition information included in the configuration information. In the field device management apparatus according to claim 2,
The configuration information integration means includes:
The configuration information of the field device defined in the first field device management apparatus is set as the integrated configuration information, and the communication among the configuration information of other field device management devices to be integrated into the integrated configuration information. A field device management apparatus that adds only configuration information that does not match the definition information of protocol, device path, and device tag. In the field device management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The configuration information integration means includes:
A field device management apparatus that integrates field device data collected in the past together with integration of field device configuration information defined in the first to Nth field device management devices.

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