DE102011085317A1 - Device for maintaining automation systems for monitoring e.g. control variables, has central data center and external processing units forming virtual central warehouse for replacement equipment and/or spare parts for field devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has multiple field devices (4) for determining, monitoring and controlling process variables. A central data center (1) comprises networked servers (5) with external processing units (2) connected with different locations, organizations, and/or inventory assigned by requesting and/or offering participants through an Internet site (6). The external processing units have information about inventory of spare equipment. The central data center and the external processing units form a virtual central warehouse for a replacement equipment and/or spare parts for the field devices.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the maintenance of automation systems.

In automation technology, in particular in process automation technology, field devices are often used which serve to detect and / or influence process variables. Sensors such as level gauges, flowmeters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH redox potential measuring devices, conductivity measuring devices, etc., which record the corresponding process variables level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH or conductivity, are used to record process variables. To influence process variables are actuators, such as valves or pumps, via which the flow of a liquid in a pipe section or the level in a container can be changed. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process process-relevant information. In the context of the invention, field devices are thus also understood as remote I / Os, radio adapters or general devices which are arranged on the field level. A variety of such field devices is manufactured and sold by the company Endress + Hauser.

Unplanned downtime in an automation system is usually associated with high costs. Therefore, plant operators are very interested in having a replacement device available immediately in the event of a meter failure. The on-site maintenance department is responsible for the availability and management of replacement equipment and spare parts. Possibly. this task will be handed over to a subcontractor. The spare parts and replacement devices are stored on site and, if necessary, ordered from the manufacturer.

The storage of spare parts and replacement devices is associated with costs, since on site the corresponding storage space must be made available. Furthermore, the provision of spare parts and replacement devices binds capital. On the other hand, if the replacement unit or spare part is not kept on site, it must be ordered from the manufacturer. Often delivery can not be as fast as necessary to eliminate downtime. Critical in this context is that the field device or the spare part is no longer manufactured and may no longer be available.

The invention has for its object to minimize the cost of storage or procurement of spare parts and / or replacement devices.

The object is achieved by a system for the maintenance of automation systems, in which a plurality of field devices for the determination, monitoring and control of process variables are arranged. The system is assigned a central data center, which consists of one server or several servers networked with each other. The central data center is connected via an Internet portal with a variety of external computing units or connectable. In addition, the external computing units are assigned to different locations, organizations and / or inventories of requesting and / or offering subscribers. The external processing units have information regarding the stock of replacement devices and spare parts for the field devices at the appropriate location, organization and / or warehouse. Thus, the central data center and the external computing units form a virtual central warehouse (e-shelf) for replacement devices and / or spare parts for field devices. This central warehouse is accessible via internet. The individual components of the system according to the invention combine a common message exchange method.

• – Da das Vorhalten von Feldgeräten und/oder Ersatzteilen vor Ort entfällt, werden die Kosten des Anlagenbetreibers minimiert,
• – Der Zugang zu Austauschgeräten und Ersatzteilen wird beschleunigt;
• – Es lassen sich auch Feldgeräte und Ersatzteile zügig beschaffen, die nicht mehr produziert werden;
• – Lieferengpässe bei den Geräteherstellern lassen sich überbrücken;
• – Die Weiterverwendung bereits gebrauchter Feldgeräte oder Ersatzteile dient der Nachhaltigkeit.

The system according to the invention offers the following advantages:

• - Since the provision of field devices and / or spare parts on site is eliminated, the costs of the system operator are minimized,
• - Access to replacement devices and spare parts is accelerated;
• - It is also possible to quickly procure field devices and spare parts that are no longer produced;
• - Delivery bottlenecks at the equipment manufacturers can be bridged;
• - The re-use of already used field devices or spare parts serves sustainability.

An advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention provides that the data center is assigned a control program, wherein the control program determines the locality, the organization or the inventory in the case of a request of a subscriber for a replacement device or a spare part for a field device, the / in accordance preferably comes with at least one predetermined or predetermined criterion for the delivery of the replacement device or the spare part for a field device in question.

Furthermore, it is proposed in connection with the system according to the invention that the criterion is, for example, the delivery time of the offering subscriber, the rating of the offering subscriber or the cost of the service Replacement device or the replacement part for the field device.

An advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention provides a firewall which protects the server or the networked servers against unauthorized access by unauthorized external computing units.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the external computing units of the requesting and / or offering subscribers are authorized via an access authorization to transmit information about their stock to the data center, to place orders or to receive orders. Preferably, the requesting and / or offering subscriber is a logistics center, a service provider, a device manufacturer, an end user or an intermediary or a broker.

• – Registrierung und Verwaltung von Ersatzfeldgeräten und Ersatzteilen für Feldgeräte;
• – Suchanfragen für Austauschgeräte und Ersatzteile für Feldgeräte; Verwaltung der Anzahl, des Zustandes und der Historie von Feldgeräten bzw. von Austauschgeräten und/oder Ersatzteilen von Feldgeräten, wobei die Austauschgeräte bzw. die Ersatzteile auch durchaus gebraucht sein können;
• – Vermittlung und/oder Auftragsabwicklung zwischen dem anfragenden und dem anbietenden Teilnehmer.

According to an advantageous development of the system according to the invention, an information exchange method is provided between the servers of the data center and the external computing units of the subscribers, which comprises at least one of the following functions:

• - Registration and management of replacement field devices and spare parts for field devices;
• - queries for replacement devices and spare parts for field devices; Management of the number, the condition and the history of field devices or of replacement devices and / or spare parts of field devices, whereby the replacement devices or the spare parts can also be quite used;
• - Mediation and / or order processing between the requesting and the offering participant.

• – Zugangskontrolle;
• – Vertragsverwaltung;
• – Ratingfunktionen – sowohl Teilnehmer- als auch Ersatzteil- bzw. Feldgerätebezogen; Verrechnungsfunktion, z. B. e-Currency;
• – Vermittlung eines günstigsten Vorschlags;
• – Vermittelung unterschiedlicher Kriterien, wie Lieferzeit, Rating des anbietenden Teilnehmers, Kosten, usw.

In addition, the datacenter provides the following functions:

• - access control;
• - contract management;
• - rating functions - both subscriber and spare part or field device related; Billing function, z. Eg e-currency;
• - mediation of a favorable proposal;
• - Mediation of different criteria, such as delivery time, rating of the offering participant, costs, etc.

• – Teilnehmerbewertung aufgrund der Qualität der bisher getätigten Dienstleistungen, Lieferzeiten und Verfügbarkeit;
• – Qualität der Austauschgeräte bzw. der Ersatzteile für die Feldgeräte;
• – Lagergröße;
• – Prozesskritikalität auf Seiten des anfragenden Teilnehmers und des anbietenden Teilnehmers;
• – Qualität der Ersatzteile;
• – Bereitschaft zum Informationsaustausch zwischen dem anfragenden Teilnehmer und dem anbietenden Teilnehmer;
• – Qualität der Erfassungsdaten und der Übermittlung des Austauschgeräts oder des Ersatzteils für ein Feldgerät. Insbesondere lassen sich in diesem Zusammenhang die Aktualisierungszeit und die Fehleranfälligkeit reduzieren, da Eingaben durch eine Person auf ein Mindestmaß beschränkt sind.

Furthermore, it is provided that the rating functions are, in particular, at least one of the following functions:

• - Participant evaluation based on the quality of the services provided so far, delivery times and availability;
• - Quality of the replacement devices or spare parts for the field devices;
• - bearing size;
• - process criticality on the part of the requesting participant and the offering participant;
• - quality of spare parts;
• - willingness to exchange information between the requesting participant and the offering participant;
• - Quality of the acquisition data and the transmission of the replacement device or spare part for a field device. In particular, the update time and the susceptibility to errors can be reduced in this context, since inputs by a person are kept to a minimum.

The invention is based on the following figure 1 explained in more detail. 1 shows a schematic representation of the system according to the invention for the maintenance of an automation system 3 , In the automation system 3 For example, for monitoring and controlling a chemical or other process, a plurality of field devices 4 arranged for the determination, monitoring and control of process variables. Examples of field devices are already mentioned in the introduction to the description. According to the invention is a central data center 1 provided that is from a server 5 - Case shown - or composed of several networked servers together. The central data center 1 is via an internet portal 6 with a variety of external processing units 2 connected or connectable, wherein the external computing units 2 different locations, organizations and / or stocks of requesting and / or offering participants are assigned. One of the requesting and / or offering subscribers is, for example, a logistics center, a service provider, a device manufacturer, an end user, a partner or an intermediary or a broker. Of course it can also be the operator of another automation system 3 act.

The external computing units 2 have information regarding the stock of replacement devices and spare parts for the field devices 2 at the appropriate location, organization and / or stock. Thus form the central data center 1 and the external processing units 2 a virtual central warehouse for replacement devices and / or spare parts for field devices 4 ,

This is the data center 1 a control program is assigned, which in case of a request of a subscriber for a replacement device or a spare part for a field device 4 Locality, organization or inventory determined, the / in accordance with at least one predetermined or predetermined criterion for delivery of the replacement device or the spare part for a field device 4 preferred in question. The criterion is, for example, the delivery time of the offering participant, the rating of the offering participant or the cost of the replacement device or the replacement part for the field device 4 ,

To the server 5 or the networked servers against unauthorized access by unauthorized external computing units 2 to protect, a suitable firewall is provided.

Claims (9)

System for the maintenance of automation systems ( 3 ), in which a large number of field devices ( 4 ) are arranged for the purpose of determining, monitoring and controlling process variables, whereby a central data center ( 1 ), which consists of a server ( 5 ) or of several interconnected servers, the central data center ( 1 ) via an internet portal ( 6 ) with a multiplicity of external computing units ( 2 ) is connected or connectable, wherein the external computing units ( 2 ) are assigned to different locations, organizations and / or inventories of requesting and / or offering subscribers, and wherein the external arithmetic units ( 2 ) on information regarding the stock of replacement devices and spare parts for the field devices ( 2 ) at the appropriate location, organization and / or stock, so that the central data center ( 1 ) and the external arithmetic units ( 2 ) a virtual central warehouse for replacement devices and / or spare parts for field devices ( 4 ) form. The system of claim 1, wherein the data center ( 1 ) is assigned a control program, wherein the control program in case of a request of a subscriber for a replacement device or a spare part for a field device ( 4 ) determines the location, the organization or the inventory, which in accordance with at least one predetermined or predetermined criterion for the delivery of the replacement device or the spare part for a field device ( 4 ) is preferred. The system of claim 2, wherein the criterion is, for example, the delivery time of the offering subscriber, the rating of the offering subscriber or the cost of the replacement device or spare part for the field device ( 4 ). System according to one or more of claims 1-3, wherein a firewall is provided, which supports the server ( 5 ) or the networked servers against unauthorized access by unauthorized external computing units ( 2 ) protects. System according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the external computing units ( 2 ) of the requesting and / or offering participants are authorized via an access authorization, information about their stock to the data center ( 1 ), to place orders or to receive orders. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a requesting and / or offering subscriber is for example a logistics center, a service provider, a device manufacturer, an end user, a partner or an intermediary or a broker. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an information exchange procedure between the servers ( 5 ) of the data center ( 1 ) and the external processing units ( 2 ) the subscriber is provided, which comprises at least one of the following functions: - Registration and management of replacement devices and spare parts for field devices ( 4 ); - Searches for replacement devices and spare parts for field devices ( 4 ); Management of the number, the state and the history of field devices ( 4 ) or of replacement field devices and / or spare parts of field devices ( 4 ); - Mediation and / or order processing between the requesting and the offering participant. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data center ( 1 ) provides the following functions: - access control; - contract management; - rating functions - both subscriber and spare part or field device related; Billing function, z. Eg e-currency; - mediation of a favorable proposal; - Mediation of different criteria, such as delivery time, rating of the offering participant, costs, etc. The system according to claim 8, wherein the rating functions are, in particular, the following functions: Subscriber evaluation based on the quality of the previous service, time and availability; - Quality of the replacement devices or spare parts for the field devices ( 4 ); - bearing size; - process criticality on the part of the requesting participant and the offering participant; - value of spare parts; - willingness to exchange information between the requesting participant and the offering participant; - Quality of the acquisition data and the transmission of the replacement device or spare part for a field device ( 4 ).

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