Field bus distribution unit

• US 20090076629A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Process Solutions AG
• Inventors: Da Silva Neto, Eugenio Ferreira
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/3
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31135 Fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A field bus distribution unit (VE) designed for use in process automation technology involving several field devices. The unit is equipped with a microcontroller μC, which is connected to the field bus (FB) and transmits device-specific information of the field devices that are connected to a field bus distribution unit (VE).

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A field bus distribution unit for connecting a field bus with a plurality of field devices, comprising:

a microcontroller, which is connected with the field bus;

a reader module for chip-tags; and

a distribution unit to which the field devices are connected via connecting cables, wherein;

device-specific information for the field devices is stored in the chip-tags and, said chip-tags being provided by said cables to the field devices;

the field bus serves for transmitting device-specific information of the field devices connected to said distribution unit; and

upon query of a superordinated unit to said distribution unit, said reader module reads-out the chip-tag associated with a field device and transmits desired information to the superordinated unit.

10. The field bus distribution unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the chip-tags are RF/ID-tags.

11. The field bus distribution unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said device-specific information for a field device includes location information, order code, device history.

12. The field bus distribution unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein;

said microcontroller is connected with a GPS-module.

13. The field bus distribution unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

field bus works according to one of the field bus standards (HART®

), Profibus®

, Foundation®

Fieldbus).