Integration of a field device in an installation control system

• US 6,970,771 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ABB Research Ltd. (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: der Mauer, Dominik Auf, Preiss, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US09/698,234
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: 700 2- 4, 700/9, 700/19, 700/275, 700/286, 710 8- 11, 710 15- 16, 710/72, 709220-224, 709/201, 709/217, 340/3.9, 340/825.22, 340/3.1, 340/3.5, 340/825.52
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A method and a system for integration of a field device in an installation control system having a communications network and a control station functions in that a field device transmits a functional description of device functions to the control station in a standardized form, whereupon functions associated with the field device are installed on the control station, and communications links are set up between the device functions of the field device and the functions of the control station. In one preferred version of the invention, device functions are automatically or manually combined with an installation structure. The invention is preferably used with high voltage or medium voltage switchgear assemblies and leads to a considerable reduction in the complexity for specification and commissioning of installation internal communications links and to higher quality of a resulting installation control system.

Claims

1. A method for integration of a field device in an installation control system, wherein the installation control system has a communications network and a control station, and wherein prior to integration of the field device, the control station contains information about a structure of the installation, the method comprising:

a) transmitting, by the field device, a standardized functional description of its device functions to the control station;

b) installing functions associated with the field device on the control station; and

c) configuring communications links between the device functions and functions of the control station.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein before integration of the field device, the control station contains information about an identity of the field device and/or about an identity of primary units which are associated with the field device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one function of the control station is installed automatically on the basis of the nature of this function.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the functional descriptions of the field device use a description language in accordance with IEC Standard for Communication Networks and Systems in Substations, IEC 61850-6, or its draft.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein generic functions of the control station associated with the field device are stored in the control station before a physical installation of the field device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein functions of the control station that are associated with the field device are transmitted by the field device to the control station during a physical installation of the field device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein generic functions of the control station that are associated with the field device are transmitted to the control station during physical installation of the field device using an address.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the address is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the installation control system controls a high-voltage or medium-voltage switchgear assembly.

10. An installation control system which has a control station and a communications network for communication with a field device, wherein the control station contains information about a structure of the installation before integration of any field device, the installation control system comprising:

a) means for receiving a standardized functional description of at least one device function of the field device;

b) means for installation of functions of the control station which are associated with the at least one device function of the field device; and

c) means for configuration of communications links between the at least one device function of the field device and the functions of the control station.

11. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein the device functions of the field device are described in a description language in accordance with IEC Standard for Communication Networks and Systems in Substations, IEC 61850-6, or its draft.

12. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein the control station contains information about an identity of the field device and/or about an identity of primary units which are associated with the field device before integration of the field device.

13. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein at least one function of the control station is installed automatically.

14. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein generic functions of the control station that are associated with the field device are stored in the control station before a physical installation of the field device.

15. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein functions of the control station that are associated with the field device are transmitted by the field device to the control station during a physical installation of the field device.

16. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein generic functions of the control station that are associated with the field device are transmitted to the control station during physical installation of the field device using an address.

17. The installation control system of claim 16, wherein the address is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

18. The installation control system of claim 10, wherein the installation control system controls a high-voltage or medium-voltage switchgear assembly.