Measuring device for process automation in the industrial environment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12399043-B2
Application number	US-201917772757-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 31, 2019
Priority date	Oct 31, 2019
Publication date	Aug 26, 2025
Grant date	Aug 26, 2025

Abstract

A measuring device for process automation in an industrial environment is provided, the measuring device including: a first sensor device configured to detect a process variable; a position detection device configured to detect a position of the measuring device; a second sensor device configured to acquire environmental data; and a controller configured to analyze the acquired environmental data, determine, based on the analysis, whether or not a current position of the measuring device should be detected, and instruct the position detection device to detect the current position of the measuring device when the analysis of the environmental data has determined that the current position should be detected. A method for determining a position of a measuring device is also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fill level sensor for process automation in an industrial environment, the measuring device comprising:
a first sensor device configured to detect a process variable;
a position detection device configured to detect a position of the measuring device;
a second sensor device configured to acquire environmental data;
an energy storage device;
a switch configured to close a connection between the energy storage device and the position detection device, such that the current position of the fill level sensor is detected by the position detection device, and to open the connection after the current position of the fill level sensor has been detected;
a controller configured to
analyze the acquired environmental data,
determine, based on the analysis, whether or not a current position of the measuring device should be detected, and
only when the analysis of the environmental data has determined that the fill level sensor has been moved and is now stationary, operate the switch to close the connection between the energy storage device and the position detection device to detect the current position of the fill level sensor.

2. The fill level sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a data memory configured to store the current position of the fill level sensor.

3. The fill level sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to detect a pattern of movement of the fill level sensor from the analysis of the environmental data.

4. The fill level sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the second sensor device comprises an acceleration sensor, a position determination device by means of mobile radio signals, a compass, and/or a current meter.

5. The fill level sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the fill level sensor is configured to measure a process variable in a mobile container.

Assignees

• Grieshaber Vega Kg

Inventors

• Hoferer Christian
• Kaufmann Manuel

Classifications

• G01P1/06

  Indicating or recording devices, e.g. for remote indication (indicating or recording in general G01D; registering or indicating working conditions of vehicles G07C5/00) · CPC title

• G01L5/22

  for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers · CPC title

• G01F23/284

  Electromagnetic waves · CPC title

• G01F15/068

  with electrical means (G01F15/063 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01C17/00

  Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes (using gyroscopic effect G01C19/00) · CPC title