US 10,847,331 B2 · Electronic unit having a diagnostic function

Abstract

The application discloses an apparatus and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one predefined filling level of a medium in a container at least with a sensor unit and an electronic unit, wherein the electronic unit is configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, and wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one first computing unit which is configured to determine at least the predefined filling level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode, a second computing unit which is configured to make a statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode, at least one buffer which is configured to store the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and is electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit, and at least one switching element which can be used to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnostic operating mode.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A two-wire measuring device for determining and/or monitoring a predefined fill level of a medium in a container, comprising:

a sensor unit;
and
an electronic unit configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, the electronic unit including:
a current output interface configured according to the NAMUR standard;
a first computing unit configured to determine the predefined fill level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode;
a second computing unit configured to make a statement relating to a state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode;
a first buffer configured to store the statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit;
and
at least one switch element embodied to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnostic operating mode,
wherein the at least one switch element is further embodied so that the first computing unit is operated during the normal operating mode and the second computing unit is switched off during the normal operating mode, and the second computing unit is operated during the diagnostic operating mode and the first operating unit is switched off during the second operating mode.

7 more elements

A method for operating a two-wire measuring device for determining and/or monitoring a predefined fill level of a medium in a container, comprising:

providing the two-wire measuring device, the two-wire measuring device including:
a sensor unit and
an electronic unit configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, the electronic unit including:
a current output interface configured according to the NAMUR standard;
a first computing unit configured to determine the predefined fill level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode;
a second computing unit configured to make a statement relating to a state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode;
a first buffer configured to store the statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit;
and
at least one switch element embodied to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnostic operating mode,
wherein the at least one switch element is further embodied so that the first computing unit is operated during the normal operating mode and the second computing unit is switched off during the normal operating mode, and the second computing unit is operated during the diagnostic operating mode and the first operating unit is switched off during the second operating mode;
applying an excitation signal to the sensor unit and receiving a reception signal by the sensor unit;
determining the predefined fill level using the reception signal in a normal operating mode;
outputting the predefined fill level as an electric current signal according to the NAMUR standard;
making at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode;
storing the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit;
and
switching back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnostic operating mode.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic unit having a diagnostic function

Life of this patent

Electronic unit having a diagnostic function

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13