System for Flexible Operation of an Automated Plant

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016246294-A1
Application number	US-201415027494-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 15, 2014
Priority date	Oct 7, 2013
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for flexible operation of an automated plant, comprising at least one computer and a plurality of field devices for determining and/or monitoring physical or chemical, process variables. The computer and the field devices are embodied to be network capable and are connected, with one another via a network. A unique address in the network is associated, with each computer and each field device and communication occurs via a defined network protocol. Associated with the network capable computer is at least one plant model, which virtually maps plant topology, plant function and interaction of the field devices with one another and with the computer, wherein the plant model is so embodied that it is adapatable flexibly to different plant topologies, different plant functions and/or different interaction of the field devices with one another and with the computer, and wherein the computer controls via the plant model the automated plant corresponding to current plant topology, current plant function and/or current interaction of the field devices with one another and with the computer.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A system for flexible operation of an automated plant, comprising:
at least one computer; and a plurality of field devices for determining and/or monitoring physical or chemical, process variables, wherein: said at least one computer and the field devices are embodied to be network capable and are connected, respectively connectable, with one another via a network; a unique address in the network is associated, respectively associable, with each computer and each field device and wherein communication occurs via a defined network protocol; associated with said network capable computer, respectively the network capable computers, is at least one plant model, which virtually maps plant topology, plant function and interaction of said field devices with one another and with said at least one computer; said plant model is so embodied that it is adapatable flexibly to different plant topologies, different plant functions and/or different interaction of said field devices with one another and with said at least one computer; and said at least one computer controls via said plant model the automated plant corresponding to current plant topology, current plant function and/or current interaction of said field devices with one another and with said at least one computer.

22 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
a plurality of computers are provided, which are embodied redundantly and/or diversely, said computers work redundantly or in combination with one another.

23 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
for the case, in which the automated plant is running a production process, in which said at least one computer so controls the production rate by adapting current plant functions and/or current interaction of said field devices with one another and with said at least one computer that energy consumption of the automated plant is optimized.

24 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
for the case, in which the automated plant is running a production process, in which said at least one computer so controls production process that yield of the produced products is maximum and/or that the amount of occurring waste products is minimum.

25 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
said at least one computer detects, based on diagnostic data of said field devices malfunctions and/or predictable or actual loss of defective field devices and transfers the plant function of a malfunctioning or lost field device to at least one field device, which is able to perform the plant function of the malfunctioning or lost field device.

26 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
a display on said field device or on a service tool, via which said field device is maintained, especially adjusted, calibrated or verified; and a mobile service tool, which maintains, especially adjusts, calibrates or verifies said field device via said at least one computer.

27 . The system as claimed in claim 23 , wherein:
said at least one computer during the course of production performs a verification phase; and information concerning verified course of production is stored in at least one memory unit associated with said computer.

28 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
associated with said network capable computer, respectively said network capable computers are a plurality of plant models, which virtually map plant topology, plant function and interaction of said field devices with one another and with the at least one computer for different automated plants and/or production processes; and said computer, respectively said computers, so controls/control the production plant that a selected plant model is used and the corresponding production process can run in the automated plant.

29 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
field device-specific or field device type-specific drivers, wherein said at least one computer so parameters said field devices via said drivers that they are applicable in the production process and/or in the automated plant corresponding to the selected plant model.

30 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
electronics associated with each of the field devices, wherein: said electronics is embodied either as a minimum electronics, which provides raw data of said field devices, or said electronics is embodied as an evaluating electronics and provides conditioned and/or evaluated data.

31 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
a coupler, which is so embodied that a field device with an analog current output is network capable.

32 . The system as claimed in claim 30 , wherein:
for the case, in which said electronics is a minimum electronics, said at least one computer performs conditioning and/or evaluation of the provided data.

33 . The system as claimed in claim 30 , wherein:
for the case, in which said electronics is an evaluating electronics, said field device transmits raw data available in said field device and conditioned and/or evaluated data to said at least one computer, said computer conditions and/or evaluates the raw data and compares the provided conditioned and/or evaluated data with the data conditioned and/or evaluated by said computer.

34 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
firmware and/or device drivers of the individual field devices are/is associated with said at least one computer.

35 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
firmware and/or device drivers of the individual field devices in at least two different versions, a first version and a successor version, are/is associated with the at least one computer; wherein: said at least one computer replaces the first version during operation of the automated plant with the successor version, as soon as the successor version works faultlessly.

36 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
said plant model, respectively said plant models, is/are constructed modularly; and in the case of a plurality of computers said modularly embodied plant model, respectively said plant models, are divided among said computers.

37 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
said plant model, respectively said plant models, is/are developed on a test system and tested with virtual field device models; and said developed plant model is copied, respectively is transmitted, to at least one analog, automated plant after the test phase.

38 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
a tested plant model, respectively tested plant models, of an automated plant are copied, respectively transmitted, to identical automated plants.

39 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
the system is integrated into an internal company network, or for the case, in which communication is at least partially via an external, freely accessible network, at least one VPN tunnel structure is provided for the communication.

40 . The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:
there is integrated at least in a part of said field devices a web server, via which servicing of said field devices occurs via said computers or via a mobile operating, or servicing, tool.

Assignees

• Endress & Hauser Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Girardey Romuald
• Jahl Gunter
• Freimark Harald
• Robl Stefan

Classifications

• G05B2219/32019

  Dynamic reconfiguration to maintain optimal design, fabrication, assembly · CPC title

• G05B2219/42155

  Model · CPC title

• G05B19/41845 Primary

  characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity · CPC title

• Y02P80/10

  Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier · CPC title

• Y02P90/80

  Management or planning · CPC title