Method for monitoring sensor function
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the functioning of a sensor which measures and monitors a state parameter of liquids or gases, comprising the steps of:
- placing the sensor in a test state at time intervals;
registering test parameters at time intervals or at time intervals during the course of registering measured values;
storing the registered test parameters;
evaluating a backward-looking chronological development of the stored test parameters in order to perform functional monitoring by using an non-linear interpolation method for evaluating the historical development over time of the stored test parameters in order to obtain function parameters of a function describing the sensor behavior;
predicting from said evaluations the development of sensor behavior to be expected in the future; and
obtaining thereby, by a processor, information concerning the duration of the remaining disturbance-free operation of the sensor,wherein the sensor is a potentiometric, amperometric, photometric, or spectrometric sensor.
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Abstract
A method for monitoring the functioning of sensors for the measurement and monitoring of state parameters of liquids or gases, especially in the field of process measurement technology, for example of electrochemical, electrophysical or optical sensors, wherein the sensor is placed into a test state at time intervals and test parameters are registered, or these test parameters are registered at time intervals in the course of the measured value registration. The registered parameters are stored and a backwards-looking, chronological development of the stored test parameters is evaluated for performing the functional monitoring and the development of sensor behavior to be expected in the future is predicted therefrom and information concerning the duration of the remaining, disturbance-free operation of the sensor is obtained.
14 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the functioning of a sensor which measures and monitors a state parameter of liquids or gases, comprising the steps of:
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placing the sensor in a test state at time intervals; registering test parameters at time intervals or at time intervals during the course of registering measured values; storing the registered test parameters; evaluating a backward-looking chronological development of the stored test parameters in order to perform functional monitoring by using an non-linear interpolation method for evaluating the historical development over time of the stored test parameters in order to obtain function parameters of a function describing the sensor behavior; predicting from said evaluations the development of sensor behavior to be expected in the future; and obtaining thereby, by a processor, information concerning the duration of the remaining disturbance-free operation of the sensor, wherein the sensor is a potentiometric, amperometric, photometric, or spectrometric sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A measuring setup, comprising:
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a sensor adapted to measure and monitor state parameters of liquids or gases, the sensor comprising a signal output; a calculating and storage unit, adapted to receive signals from said sensor; and a display and operating unit connected to the calculating and storage unit; wherein said measuring setup is adapted to; register and store test parameters at time intervals; evaluating a backward-looking chronological development of the stored test parameters in order to perform functional monitoring by using a non-linear interpolation method for evaluating the historical development over time of the stored test parameters in order to obtain function parameters of a function describing the sensor behavior; predicting from said evaluations the development of the sensor behavior to be expected in the future, and obtaining thereby information concerning the duration of the remaining disturbance-free operation of said sensor; and determining by a processor a predictive point in time for replacement of the sensor, wherein the sensor is a potentiometric, amperometric, photometric, or spectrometric sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for monitoring the functioning of a sensor which measures and monitors a state parameter of liquids or gases, comprising the steps of:
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placing the sensor in a test state at time intervals; registering test parameters at time intervals or at time intervals during the course of registering measured values; storing the registered test parameters; evaluating a backward-looking chronological development of the stored test parameters in order to perform functional monitoring by using a non-linear interpolation method for evaluating the historical development over time of the stored test parameters in order to obtain function parameters of a function describing the sensor behavior; predicting from said evaluations the development of sensor behavior to be expected in the future; and obtaining thereby, by a processor, information concerning the duration of the remaining disturbance-free operation of the sensor, based on said information determining and issuing or displaying a predictive point in time for replacement of the sensor, a sensor liquid, or of wear parts of the sensor, wherein the sensor is a potentiometric, amperometric, photometric, or spectrometric sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification