Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical quantity

• US 7,398,188 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Ag+Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Kirst, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau; Tung S
• Application Number:
  US10/523,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702/62, 702/122, 340/3.1, 700/9
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/02 Automatically-operated arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical quantity during a process. The apparatus comprises at least one field device which exchanges data with a remote monitoring station by means of a data connection. The apparatus is provided with at least one fuel cell which is electrically connected to the field device, but arranged at a distance from the field device, and at least partially covers the energy demand of the field device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical variable in a process, comprising:

a remote control station;

data connection;

at least one field device with a sensor for determining at least one physical process variable, said at least one field device exchanges data with said remote control station via said data connection; and

at least one fuel cell arranged at a remote location from said at least one field device and electrically connected with said at least one field device via said data connection,

wherein;

said at least one fuel cell at least partially covers the energy requirement of said at least one field device; and

replenishment of said at least one fuel cell occurs at said remote location.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said data connection between the control station and said at least one field device is accomplished wirelessly.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

multiple field devices are provided, which are electrically connected with said at least one fuel cell.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one fuel cell is arranged in said control station.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell are provided, and

said at least one field device is connected, at least at times, with said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

multiple fuel cells are combined into a fuel cell package.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one field device is positioned in an area where there is danger of explosion.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a monitoring unit, which issues a warning/error report as soon as the energy supplied by said at least one fuel cell falls beneath a predetermined limit value.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a fueling unit, via which said at least one fuel cell can be fueled.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said data connection between the control station and said at least one field device is accomplished via a data line.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one fuel cell is arranged in an explosion-protected zone.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a monitoring unit for said fuel cell, said monitoring unit signalling when a fuel supply of said fuel cell falls beneath a predetermined limit value.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

apparatuses for limit level detection, measuring apparatuses for determining a flow rate, measuring apparatuses for determining a pressure in a line, measuring apparatuses for determining a pressure in a container, and measuring apparatuses for determining a temperature of a medium.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one field device uses ultrasonic waves for determining a fill level of fill substance in a container.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said at least one field device uses electromagnetic waves for determining a fill level of fill substance in a container.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said data connection includes a field bus.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said data connection includes a two-wire line.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said at least one fuel cell is connected with field bus via a connection line.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said at least one field device is connected, at least at times, with only one of the two fuel cells.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said fuel cell supply the field device with energy from a remote, safe location.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said at least one fuel cell is connected with said at least one field device via said field bus.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said at least one fuel cell is connected with said at least one field device via said two-wire line.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

energy is supplied from said at least one fuel cell to the field bus via a connection line.