Method for controlling machines and an information system for operating a machine

• US 7,028,226 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2001
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG (GEA Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG (GEA Group AG)
• Inventors: Fleuter, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guyton, Philip
• Application Number:
  US10/275,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,830 Days
• Field of Search: 714/47, 714/48, 202/204, 702/183, 702/188, 700/30, 700/95, 700/110, 700/204, 700/273, 210/739, 210/742, 210/85, 210/746, 494/10
• US Class Current: 714/48
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31457 Factory remote control, monitoring through internet

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling machines (20), especially decanters and separators, according to which operational states (30 36), such as current consumption, temperature, conveying speeds, etc. are detected on the machine and are compiled and stored in a computer (5). The data is subsequently transmitted to a second computer (10) in order to be able to analyze this data. The analysis involves the comparison of the actual state with a set state in order to, in the case of a deviation located outside of the tolerance zone, generate an error message that is then automatically output by the second computer (10) to a peripheral unit and/or to additional computers. To this end, an adaptive multi-layer mathematical model of the machine and of the process is generated. According to the invention, an information system for operating a machine (20) is also provided with which the control method can be executed. Potential error states on the machine can be identified early by the automatic detection and relaying of the operational states so that they can be intervened with before damage occurs.

Claims

1. A method for controlling systems and/or machines, having the following steps:

detecting operating conditions data, including one or more machine specific parameters;

collecting and storing the detected data in a data bank of a first computer;

transmitting the data to a memory of a second computer;

analyzing the data by and comparison with the desired conditions of a multilayer mathematical model of the machine and of a process performed by the machine;

detecting the actual condition and generating a fault message if the actual condition deviates from desired conditions; and

automatically outputting the fault message by the second computer to an addressee which includes one or more of a peripheral unit and another computer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automatic output of the fault message takes place as e-mail.

3. The method according to claim 1, including adapting the desired operating data to actual conditions during the analysis of the data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analysis of the data takes place by neural FUZZY logic methods, and the machine specific parameters are weighted in their significance.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second computer generates control commands which are transmitted to the first computer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for the automatic output of the fault message, the addressee is determined which is situated in a country with current daytime working hours.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fault message is addressed to an expert for corrective action.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for pre-determined fault conditions, the fault message includes corrective action.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fault message is for a potential fault.

7. An information system for the operation of a machine, the system comprising:

measuring devices for the detection of operating conditions data, including one or more machine specific parameters;

a first computer connected with the measuring devices, for storing the detected data in a memory;

a transmission device by means of which the stored data can be transmitted to a second computer;

an analyzing unit which compares the transmitted data concerning the operating conditions with defined data of a multilayer mathematical model and of a process performed by the machine; and

an output unit which, when the operating conditions deviate from a given value range of the defined data, emits a fault message.

8. The information system according to claim 7, wherein the analyzing unit comprises a data memory in which a plurality of fault conditions are stored with the pertaining operating conditions in the form of an adaptive multilayer mathematical model.

9. The information system according to claim 7, wherein, when certain fault conditions have been met, control commands are generated by the analyzing unit.

10. The information system according to claim 7, wherein the machine is a decanter or separator, and the measuring devices on the machine detect one or more of the machine specific parameters including current consumption, temperature at predetermined measuring points and rotational speed of a drum.

14. A method for controlling systems and/or machines, having the following steps:

detecting operating conditions data, including one or more of the following parameters;

current consumption, temperature and conveying speeds at the machine;

collecting and storing the detected data in a data bank of a first computer;

transmitting the data to a memory of a second computer;

analyzing the data by and comparison with the desired conditions of a mathematical model of the machine;

detecting the actual condition and generating a fault message if the actual condition deviates from desired conditions;

automatically outputting the fault message by the second computer to an addressee which includes one or more of a peripheral unit and another computer; and

wherein the analysis of the data takes place by neural FUZZY logic methods, and the individual parameters are weighted in their significance.

15. An information system for the operation of a machine, the system comprising:

measuring devices for the detection of operating conditions data, including one or more of the following parameters;

current consumption, temperature and conveying speeds at the machine;

a first computer connected with the measuring devices, for storing the detected data in a memory;

a transmission device by means of which the stored data can be transmitted to a second computer;

an analyzing unit which compares the transmitted data concerning the operating conditions with defined data of a mathematical model;

an output unit which, when the operating conditions deviate from a given value range of the defined data, emits a fault message; and

wherein the analyzing unit employs neural FUZZY logic methods, and the parameters are weighted on the basis of their importance.