Field device with display
AssigneeEndressWetzer GmbH+Co. KG
InventorsMichael Konrad, Dieter Schmidt
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Abstract
A display for on-site visualization of conditions of an automated process is disclosed. It comprises a display controller which at least temporarily provides a state indication signal representing a constellation of states of at least two process data signals. At least one of the two process data signals is derived from a signal generated externally to the field device. The field device has a display element which responds to a change in the state indication signal with a significant change in its appearance, thus signaling the constellation of the states of the two process data signals in a visually perceptible manner. Therefore, the field device is particularly suited for on-site monitoring of entire plants or sections thereof by operating personnel.
Claims32
1-6. (canceled)
A field device installed in a plant implementing an automated process, said field device comprising:
- a display controller which receives at least a first process data signal representing a first process variable from said automated process and a second process data signal representing a second process variable from said automated process, at least said second process data signal being derived from an external signal generated externally to the field device;
- and
- a display element for on-site visualization of process data, said display element being controlled by said display controller based on said first and second process data signals, wherein:
- said display controller at least temporarily provides a value indication signal representing an instantaneous value of said second process data signal;
- and
- said display element at least temporarily presents said signal value in a visually perceptible manner.
A system for monitoring an automated process, said system comprising:
- at least two field devices installed in a plant implementing said automated process, a first one of said field devices generating a first process data signal representing a first process variable and a second one of said field devices generating a second process data signal representing a second process variable, wherein:
- the first one of said field devices derives from said first and said second process data signals a state indication signal representing a predefined process condition of said automated process.
A plant section, comprising:
- a tank having a discharge pipe;
- and
- at least two field devices communicating with each other, a first one of said field devices being installed on said discharge pipe of said tank and generating a first process data signal, which represents an outflow from said tank, and a second one of said field device being mounted above a maximum tank level and generating a second process data signal, which represents a fill level in said tank wherein:
- at least one of said two field devices includes a display element of variable appearance;
- and said display element is controlled based on said first and second process data signals.
A method for monitoring a tank, the method comprising steps of:
- using a first field device installed on a discharge pipe of said tank for generating a first process data signal representing an outflow from said tank;
- using a second field device mounted above a maximum tank level for generating a second process data signal representing a fill level in said tank;
- generating from said first and said second process data signals a state indication signal representing a predefined condition of said tank to be monitored;
- and
- using said state indication signal for controlling a display element of at least one of said first and second field devices visually signalling said predefined condition of said tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.