System for controlling an automation process

• US 20090027189A1
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: Strand, Martin, Isaksson, Alf
• Application Number:
  US12/153,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20090027189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25317 Control unit, sensor and actuator in one unit, module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31197 Near field communication nfc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31227 External network for proces data, internal network for transport, handling only
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33221 Drives, servo units, sensors, motors, on local network, ethernet, tcp-ip, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system for controlling a process. A a control unit includes a controller, capable of transmitting data to at least one actuator capable of affecting the process, which may be controlled by the controller. The controller also being capable of transmitting data to at least one sensor capable of measuring parameters of the process and transmitting data to the controller. The control unit is arranged for wireless communication over a wireless network. The controller and one of the at least one actuator or the at least one sensor are co-located such that communication between them is not transmitted over the wireless network.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a process, comprising:

a control unit including comprising

a controller, capable of transmitting data to

at least one actuator capable of affecting said process, which may be controlled by said controller,

at least one sensor capable of measuring parameters of said process and transmitting data to said controller, wherein said control unit is arranged for

wireless communication over a wireless network,

wherein said controller and one of said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are co-located such that communication between them is transmitted over a communication system other than the wireless network.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said controller and said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are arranged such as to enable near field communication techniques.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said controller and said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are arranged on a common printed circuit board.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said controller and said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are arranged in a common micro controller.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said controller and said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are arranged in one or several chips or other semiconductor substrates or encapsulated assembly.

6. The system according to claim 1, when the said controller is co-located with said at least one actuator, said at least one sensor is arranged with a data handler configured to handle measured data capable of transmitting information to said controller only if significant changes in the measured data occur.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said data handler comprises software for comparing measured data with preset ranges, limits, and/or rate of change.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operator station, capable of receiving and transmitting data from and to said control unit over the wireless network.

9. A controller device for controlling an process, said controller arranged capable of transmitting data to

at least one actuator capable of affecting said process, which may be controlled by said controller,

at least one sensor capable of measuring parameters of said process and transmitting data to said controller, wherein said control unit is arranged for wireless communication over a wireless network,

wherein said controller and one of said at least one actuator or said at least one sensor are co-located such that communication between them is transmitted over a communication system other than the wireless network.