阅读说明：本技术 用于为物位测量装置提供信号颜色的设备和方法 (Device and method for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring device ) 是由 罗伯特·劳恩 于 2021-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于为物位测量装置提供至少一种信号颜色的设备(100),其中,设备(100)包括：参数化装置(10),其被设计为用于为物位测量装置组合提供信号颜色；传输装置(20),其设计为用于将提供的信号颜色作为信号颜色数据传输到物位测量装置组合。(An apparatus (100) for providing at least one signal color for a fill-level measuring device, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises: a parameterization device (10) designed for providing a signal color for the fill-level measuring device combination; a transmission device (20) which is designed to transmit the provided signal color as signal color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.)

1. An apparatus (100) for providing at least one signal color for a level gauging device, wherein said apparatus (100) comprises:

a parameterization device (10) designed for providing a signal color for the fill-level measuring device combination; and

a transmission device (20) which is designed to transmit the signal color provided to the fill-level measuring device combination as signal color data.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parameterizing device (10) is designed for providing the signal color as a color for identifying a master-slave combination of the level gauging devices.

3. The device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission means (20) are designed for transmitting the signal color data synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

4. The device (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the parameterization device (10) is further designed for providing the fill-level measuring device combination with at least one fault color, and the transmission device (20) is further designed for transmitting the provided fault color as fault color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the transmission means (20) are designed for transmitting the fault color data synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

6. The apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the signal color data for a level gauge is adapted to indicate that the level gauge belongs to the level gauge combination.

7. A level gauge (200) for determining a filling level of a medium, the level gauge (200) comprising:

-receiving means (210) designed for receiving color data from a device (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

8. The level gauging apparatus (200) according to claim 7, wherein said level gauging apparatus (200) further comprises:

-display means (220) designed for displaying the received signal color data and/or fault color data and outputting a signal color and/or a fault color.

9. The fill level gauge (200) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the display device (220) is designed as a light-emitting display of the fill level gauge (200) or as a backlight of a display of the fill level gauge.

10. A method for providing a signal color for a level gauging device, wherein said method comprises:

a step (S1) of providing at least one signal color for the level gauge combination; and

a step of transmitting the provided signal color as signal color data to the level gauging device combination (S2).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal color is also provided as a color for identifying a master-slave combination of a level gauging device.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the signal color data is transmitted synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one fault colour is provided for the level gauge assembly and the fault colour provided is transmitted as fault colour data to the level gauge assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fault color data is transmitted synchronously, asynchronously, or periodically.

15. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method according to any of the preceding claims 10 to 14.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to display coding for fill level measuring devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring device, a method for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring device and a corresponding data structure.

Background

DE 102018200261 a1 describes a display unit for a fill level measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a flow measuring device or a limit level sensor, which has a coding unit and a display. The encoding unit converts the measurement data and/or the status data of the measuring device or the sensor into a two-dimensional graphic code. The display is configured to display the graphic code such that the graphic code can be detected by a camera unit of an external terminal (e.g., a smartphone).

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide or provide an apparatus which is capable of displaying the state and the assembly hierarchy (Verbund-hierarchy) of a level gauging device as quickly and as error-free as possible.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description of the embodiments.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring apparatus, wherein the device comprises: a parameterization device designed for providing a signal color for the fill-level measuring device combination; and a transmission device, which is designed to transmit the provided signal color as signal color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

Advantageously, the present invention can provide a method for ensuring a consistent display of device states by uniform color illumination of the device in master-slave operation. In other words, the invention advantageously allows that the combined hierarchy of the level gauging devices may be a Master-Slave configuration (Master-Slave Konfiguration), a star configuration (Stern Konfiguration) or a cascaded network configuration (kaskaskadiert Netzwerk-struktur), wherein the combined hierarchy may comprise a controller.

Furthermore, the assembly hierarchy for the fill level measuring device can be configured asymmetrically in the transmission of requests, in the reception of requests (for example, master-slave configuration), or can also be designed symmetrically in the contention (konkurrenzbetrib).

The invention advantageously enables a color status display of the respective device to be represented, for example, by a luminous ring or a colored backlight.

In the present invention, it is advantageous if a plurality of devices are coupled to one another by a bus, either wired or wirelessly, so that a system of devices can be produced with a plurality of devices that together perform a measurement task and an overall status that is generally determined by the master device.

Since the main apparatus does not have to be in a position where it can be seen by the operator or it is not clear which devices are contained in the system, it is useful to have all devices that together perform the measurement task emit light in the same color.

The present invention has the advantage that all fill level measuring devices which are involved in the measuring task and emit light in the same color can be easily distinguished from other devices.

Another advantage of the present invention is that in the event of a fault, all devices are marked with the faulty color and it is immediately possible to see which system is faulty and to provide an effective and reliable display coding for the fill-level measuring device.

Another advantage of the present invention is that if the fill-level measuring device is a device causing a malfunction, the device can be indicated by an additional blinking or changing color (system color and/or malfunction color) so that the user can visually locate the malfunction.

For this purpose, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the current system color is transmitted to the master device and also to all participating slave devices, for example periodically.

The present invention advantageously enables a consistent and uniform color status display of field devices in a connected device (e.g., in master-slave operation).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the parameterization device is designed for providing the signal color as a color for identifying the master-slave combination of the fill-level measuring device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the transmission means are designed for transmitting the signal color data synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the parameterization device is further designed for providing the fill-level measuring device combination with a fault color, and the transmission device is further designed for transmitting the provided fault color as fault color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the transmission means are designed for transmitting the fault color data synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the signal color data for the level gauging device is adapted to indicate that the level gauging device belongs to a level gauging device combination.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a fill level measuring device for determining a filling level of a medium, comprising: receiving means designed for receiving color data from the device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or according to the first aspect.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the level gauging apparatus further comprises: a display device designed for displaying the received signal color data and/or fault color data and outputting the signal color and/or fault color.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device is designed as a light-emitting display of the fill level measuring device or as a backlight of a display of the fill level measuring device. The display device may comprise an electrical lighting device such as an LED or segment or matrix display.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the display device is designed to be used as a NAMUR signal display.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring device, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: providing signal color for the level measuring device combination; and transmits the provided signal color as signal color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a signal color is provided as a color for identifying a master-slave combination of the level gauging device.

According to embodiments of the present invention, signal color data is transmitted synchronously, asynchronously, or periodically.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fault color is provided for the level gauge combination and the provided fault color is transmitted as fault color data to the level gauge combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fault color data is transmitted synchronously, asynchronously or periodically.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a data structure for data transmission between an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and at least two level gauging devices, wherein the data structure has: signal color data and/or fault color data.

The features described above and below can also be implemented in other measuring device circuits. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the features described in connection with the method can be implemented by means of the measuring device circuit and the elements of the various fill-level radar systems.

For example, a radiometric system may be used as a level radar system, which determines density, limit level or mass flow, filling level of a tank by measuring variables.

The design and modification examples may be combined with each other as needed.

Other possible designs, further development examples and embodiments of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with respect to the embodiments, which are not explicitly mentioned.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention.

The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the concepts of the invention.

Other embodiments and many of the advantages described are presented in view of the accompanying drawings. The elements shown in the figures are not necessarily to scale relative to each other.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an apparatus for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a level gauging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally identical elements, components, parts, or method steps, unless otherwise indicated.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, the term "parameterization" as used in the present invention is to be understood as a term specifying all custom, initialization or calibration actions of color parameters or color values set or specified by the fill level measuring device or any combination of fill level measuring devices.

As shown in fig. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, a container 1 is irradiated by a radiation source 2.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the external radiation detection sensor 3 is designed with a lighting device, wherein the lighting device may be designed as a light ring and for example emit a signal color of purple.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fill-level measuring device 4 can be designed as a slave of a master-slave device and can be designed with an illumination device, wherein the illumination device can be designed as a light ring and emits, for example, a purple signal color.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fill-level measuring device 5 can be designed as a master of a master-slave device and can be designed with an illumination device, wherein the illumination device can be designed as a light ring and emits, for example, a purple signal color.

Fig. 2 shows an apparatus for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The device 100 for providing a fill-level measuring device with a signal color comprises a parameterization device 10 and a transmission device 20.

The parameterization device 10 is designed to provide signal colors for the fill-level measuring device combination.

The transmission device 20 is designed for transmitting the provided signal color as signal color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

In an embodiment of the invention, the filling level of the container is determined by a plurality of PROTRAC devices.

The term "PROTRAC" refers here to a device for limit level detection by means of radiometry. The radioactive limit level detection is effected by a radiation source emitting a beam of gamma rays. The radiation is received by detectors on opposite sides of the container. If the fill material blocks the radiation, the detector receives less or no radiation. The relay communicates this change in intensity as a signal.

To this end, according to another embodiment of the invention, three SOLITRAC devices (summation) and another device for external radiation detection are interconnected.

The term "SOLITRAC" refers here to a device or a radioactive sensor for continuous measurement of liquids and bulk materials with PVT rod detectors. It is suitable for filling level measurements at extreme process temperatures, in media with critical product properties or corrosive properties, and is therefore very suitable for use in cylindrical vessels, reactors, autoclaves, separators and mixing vessels.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric lighting device emits light in a certain color in a normal state.

Exemplary embodiments and scenarios

According to another embodiment of the invention, for example, if a certain connection (for example, a data transmission connection from a master device to a summing slave device of a master-slave device of the fill-level measuring device) is interrupted, the system will recognize the interruption and the master device of the master-slave device of the fill-level measuring device fails or enters a failure mode and the display, for example, converts the color to a color value "red".

In an embodiment of the invention, the new color value is transmitted to the other devices still present on the bus by data transmission, and the field device is also designed to change the color to another hue or another color value (e.g. red) as well.

In an embodiment of the invention, in which, for example, on a liquid container, the illumination devices of three fill level gauging devices emit light in the color value "red", the identification of faulty measurements will be achieved more reliably than if such emission is indicated by only a single illumination device of the fill level gauging device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the fill-level measuring device serving as the master device or its electrical lighting device can also flash alternately with a color value "red" and a color value "purple". Therefore, it can be advantageously recognized that the master device has caused a failure.

The level gauge no longer located on the bus will continue to emit light with the color value "purple" and can recognize that the master device is no longer able to contact the level gauge.

In an embodiment of the invention, all level gauging devices in the master/slave system emit light with a color value "purple" to display the signal color.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external radiation means detect external radiation and are designed for putting the device in a respective fault state and displaying a fault color or fault color value accordingly.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external radiation device flashes in a fault color. This makes it possible to clearly see the presence or action of external radiation on the sensor of the fill-level measuring device.

FIG. 3 shows a level gauging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The fill level measuring device 200 for determining a filling level of a medium comprises a receiving device 210 and a display device 220.

The receiving means 210 are designed to receive color data from the device 100.

The display device 220 is designed to display the received signal color data and/or fault color data and to output the signal color and/or fault color.

For example, the display device 220 is designed to function as a NAMUR signal display.

Herein, the term "NAMUR" refers to "the standardization association of measurement and control technologies in the chemical industry".

The consortium has primarily supported the process industry's attention in standardization, equipment, measurement methods, and the like. The term "NAMUR signal display" also includes, in the sense of the description of the present patent application, electronic components designed to display a color defined or standardized according to NAMUR and/or to output a color or symbol defined or standardized according to NAMUR.

Furthermore, the term "NAMUR signal display" includes electronic display components that operate at defined minimum or maximum current or power values.

Furthermore, the term "NAMUR signal display" includes an electronic display component capable of displaying signal levels and fault information, e.g., measurement transducer faults, connection line faults, auxiliary power supply faults, etc., from digital sensors having analog output signals of colors defined or standardized according to NAMUR. The fault information indicates a fault present in the measurement system.

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for providing signal colors for a fill-level measuring device.

The method for providing a signal color for a fill-level measuring device comprises the following method steps:

as a first step S1 of the method, a signal color is provided for the fill-level measuring device combination.

As a second step S2 of the method, the provided signal color is transmitted as signal color data to the fill-level measuring device combination.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from international patent application PCT/EP2020/061905, filed on 29/4/2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.