EP3045726B1 - Measurement value standardisation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices, and a control / monitoring unit, the compressors and peripheral devices being arranged or connected in a specific configuration, according to the features of claim 1 and a compressor system according to claim 16.

Compressor systems are a system made up of a large number of compressors and peripheral devices of various types, which are coupled to one another via an air pipe network and, if heat recovery systems are used, via a water pipe network. In general, compressor systems are designed individually for the conditions on site. There is no general structure for compressor systems. The behavior of a specific compressor system can therefore only be analyzed and evaluated to a limited extent without knowledge of the structure of the compressor system.

• die Kompressoren und Peripheriegeräte der Kompressoranlage so anzusteuern, dass die benötigte Druckluft mit so wenig elektrischer Energie wie möglich erzeugt und/oder aufbereitet wird,
• die Kompressoren und Peripheriegeräte der Kompressoranlage zu überwachen und ggf. auf Fehler zu reagieren,
  • beispielsweise dadurch, dass fehlerhafte oder ausgefallene Kompressoren und/oder Peripheriegeräte für die Drucklufterzeugung und/oder Druckluftaufbereitung nicht mehr eingesetzt, sondern andere Kompressoren und/oder Peripheriegeräte stattdessen eingesetzt werden und/oder dadurch, dass Fehler oder Ausfälle von Kompressoren und/oder Peripheriegeräten als Störung oder Warnung an Personen oder andere technische Systeme gemeldet werden, beispielsweise per SMS, E-Mail, Netzwerknachricht, Meldefenster auf einem Display, etc.

In the field of compressed air technology, it is possible to equip compressor systems with a control / monitoring unit. The task of the control / monitoring unit can be, for example - cumulatively or alternatively:

• to control the compressors and peripheral devices of the compressor system in such a way that the required compressed air is generated and / or processed with as little electrical energy as possible,
• monitor the compressors and peripheral devices of the compressor system and, if necessary, react to errors,
  • For example, by the fact that faulty or failed compressors and / or peripheral devices for compressed air generation and / or compressed air preparation are no longer used, but other compressors and / or peripheral devices are used instead and / or by errors or failures of compressors and / or peripheral devices as a malfunction or warning to people or other technical systems, for example by SMS, email, network message, message window on a display, etc.

It may also be the task of the control / monitoring unit to collect measurement values occurring in the compressor system and to save them as time profiles or provided with a time stamp in order to evaluate these measurement values later in the control / monitoring unit or in other technical systems. It can be particularly interesting if a large number of different measured values are collected from inside or outside of the compressor system in order to be able to draw up analyzes from them and subsequently draw conclusions, in particular, for example, by forming correlations, etc.

Conventionally, however, one problem is that although a large number of measured values can often be generated or have already been recorded, these measured values are not standardized enough to be able to draw valid conclusions therefrom. In particular, these measured values are not accessible to automatic evaluation / processing.

• Jede Kompressoranlage verfügt über eine individuelle Konfiguration, also eine individuelle Konfiguration der Kompressoren und Peripheriegeräte.
• Darüber hinaus ist die in der Kompressoranlage installierte Sensorik ebenfalls individuell gegeben (sowohl hinsichtlich Menge als auch hinsichtlich Verschaltung) und somit in keinster Weise standardisiert.
• Kompressoren und Peripheriegeräte einer Kompressoranlage stammen üblicherweise von unterschiedlichen Herstellern und verfügen daher über herstellerspezifische (oder auch steuerungshardwarespezifische) Formate für die erfassten Messwerte.
• Selbst Kompressoren oder Peripheriegeräte gleichen Typs stellen mitunter unterschiedliche Messwerte zur Verfügung, beispielsweise da
  • die Kompressoren oder Peripheriegeräte gleichen Typs über unterschiedliche Technologien an die Steuerungs-/Überwachungseinheit angebunden sind (z.B. diskrete Verdrahtung vs. Verwendung eines Bussystems) und sich daher in der Menge der zur Verfügung gestellten Messwerte unterscheiden, oder
  • die Kompressoren oder Peripheriegeräte gleichen Typs mit unterschiedlicher Sensorik ausgestattet sind und sich daher in der Zusammensetzung der zur Verfügung gestellten Messwerte unterscheiden, oder
  • eine Mischung aus beiden vorgenannten Gegebenheiten vorliegt.

There are often the following, by no means exhaustively listed, challenges regarding the standardization of measured values in a compressor system:

• Each compressor system has an individual configuration, i.e. an individual configuration of the compressors and peripheral devices.
• In addition, the sensors installed in the compressor system are also given individually (both in terms of quantity and in terms of wiring) and are therefore not standardized in any way.
• Compressors and peripheral devices of a compressor system usually come from different manufacturers and therefore have manufacturer-specific (or also control hardware-specific) formats for the measured values recorded.
• Even compressors or peripheral devices of the same type sometimes provide different measured values, for example there
  • the compressors or peripheral devices of the same type are connected to the control / monitoring unit using different technologies (eg discrete wiring vs. use of a bus system) and therefore differ in the amount of the measured values provided, or
  • the compressors or peripheral devices of the same type are equipped with different sensors and therefore differ in the composition of the measured values provided, or
  • there is a mixture of both of the above conditions.

In the DE 10 2011 079 732 A1 or the DE 198 26 169 A1 concepts for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system are described in which additional standardized information (contexts) is available for operating parameters that are obtained as measured values during operation. This context assignment according to the prior art is, however, strongly case-by-case.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for a method for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system, according to which measured values can be standardized.

This object is achieved in terms of process technology with a method for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system according to the features of claim 1 and in terms of device technology with a compressor system according to the features of claim 14. Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims.

In this respect, a method for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system comprising several components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices and a control / monitoring unit, is proposed, the compressors and peripheral devices being arranged or connected in a specific configuration, whereby measured values are recorded in the compressor system or the components in a measured value acquisition step, context information being assigned to the measured value or values before, simultaneously or after the measured value acquisition in order to standardize the measured values, and wherein in a utilization step the the context information standardized measurement values are taken into account in a control, monitoring, diagnosis or evaluation routine, the context information being assigned to a measurement value via an assignment table.

Furthermore, a compressor system comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices and a control / monitoring unit, is also proposed, the compressors and peripheral devices being arranged or connected in a predetermined configuration, the control / monitoring unit being a measured value recording unit has or cooperates with a measured value acquisition unit, which is designed to acquire measured values within the compressor system or the components, the control / monitoring unit further comprising an assignment unit or interacting with an assignment unit, which is designed to assign context information to the measured values acquired to standardize the measured values and wherein the control / monitoring unit comprises an interface in order to pass on the measured values standardized by the context information or even in subsequent control, Use monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routines, the assignment unit being further designed such that the assignment of context information to a measured value takes place via an assignment table.

The assignment via an assignment table can generally be understood in such a way that the list or set of assignments is not immediately exactly in the form of a table, such as in an Excel table must be available, but can also be represented in formats such as XML or JSON.

A central idea of the present invention is based on the following guiding principle: In order to be able to process the measured values that are relevant and relevant to the compressor system in various questions, it is essential that the meaning of the measured values is defined and known at the latest when the measured values are evaluated. It can furthermore be advantageous that the measured values with defined and known meaning are prepared in advance, during or as a result of the method in such a way that they can be further processed in the control / monitoring unit but also in other technical systems.

The preparation can be understood as a measurement standardization. The standardization of measured values also has the advantage that measured values from various compressor systems can be processed without any compressor system-specific adjustments to the routines provided for processing the measured values.

According to a very specific aspect of the present invention, the measurement value standardization takes place by assigning context information to the measurement value itself, so that the context of the measurement value is defined at the latest when the measurement value is evaluated.

The context of the measured value can directly or indirectly define the location of the measured value acquisition and / or the medium (e.g. oil, compressed air, ambient air, cooling water, etc.) to which the measured value relates.

In exceptional cases, indirect context information can also be provided via a name definition, namely when this is sufficiently clear. This may be supported by the following example: If, for example, the manufacturer KAESER has determined that p _N always designates the machine outlet pressure, this convention indirectly determines the location of the measured value acquisition, hence the context for the measured value pressure. However, it must be taken into account that a name definition is only a very soft definition of the meaning of a measurement value, since it is very likely that the name definition will be used or interpreted differently by different people that a clear context for the measured value cannot necessarily be guaranteed via a name definition. In addition, a measured value can have several meanings that do not necessarily contradict each other and that can change depending on the compressor system or on the component. Preferred context information specifies the location of the measured value acquisition directly, for example using a model of the component or the compressor system.

A control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routine is generally intended to mean different control tasks, monitoring tasks, diagnostic tasks or evaluation tasks.

If it is said that the compressors and peripheral devices are arranged or connected in a predetermined configuration, this should be understood in the sense that this also includes several alternating states, for example an alternative configuration that can be achieved by switching a valve, a switch is. In this respect, a predetermined configuration is the set of all conceivable configurations that the compressor system can assume in different operating states.

A configuration can be defined, for example, in the form of an P&ID scheme and, in so far, capture the interrelationships of the compressors and peripheral devices or the elements of a component from different viewing angles or in different domains, with the acquisition of the interrelationships in a domain for the implementation of the invention, from a point of view is of course sufficient. As a possible domain or possible perspective, there are, for example, but not in conclusion, the compressed air technical interrelationships that can be reproduced in a P&ID scheme in the narrower sense, in particular a compressed air P&ID scheme, the heat recovery-related interrelationships that are contained in an P&ID scheme in the narrower sense, in particular in a heat recovery P&ID scheme, the cooling water cycle-related interrelationships that can be reproduced in a P&ID scheme in the narrower sense, in particular in a cooling water cycle P&ID scheme, and the power supply-related interrelationship that can be reproduced in an electrical one Schematic can be played into consideration.

An P&ID scheme within the meaning of the present invention can also be abstracted to the basic interrelationships when viewed from a direction / from a domain and does not have to include all the details of a P&I scheme that may otherwise be customary. Instead of the term P&ID scheme, a graphic representation of the interdependencies in a certain point of view / in a specific domain can also be understood, such as a graphical representation of the compressed air technical interrelationships, a graphic representation of the heat recovery-related interrelationships. In this respect, it is a flow diagram that shows the flow of energy and / or operating resources and / or compressed air between the individual compressors and the individual peripheral devices or between the individual elements of a component.

• welche Komponenten bzw. Elemente sind involviert,
• welche Verknüpfungen bzw. Verschaltungen stehen zwischen zumindest einem Teil der Komponenten bzw. zumindest einem Teil der Elemente sowie
• wo liegen vordefinierte Messstellen,

können vom Hersteller der Komponenten bzw. der Elemente und/oder vom Anlagenbauer und/oder vom Anlagenbetreiber, beispielsweise über eine Datei zur Verfügung gestellt werden.The P&ID scheme or partial information of a P&ID scheme, namely

• which components or elements are involved,
• what links or interconnections are between at least some of the components or at least some of the elements as well
• where are predefined measuring points

can be made available by the manufacturer of the components or elements and / or by the system builder and / or by the system operator, for example via a file.

In one possible embodiment, the measurement value acquisition step can include the measurement-technical direct acquisition of a measurement value and / or the use of already existing, in particular stored measurement values. In the case of the already existing, stored measured values, measured values from the compressor system which is the object at hand or external measured values come into consideration. External measured values can be comparison data from other compressor systems or ambient data, such as air humidity, air temperature of the outside or ambient air.

In a likewise preferred embodiment, the measurement value acquisition step includes, in addition to the direct measurement-based acquisition of the measurement values, also the storage of these measurement values in an assigned database, which in one or more components, can be implemented in the compressor system or externally.

In a further preferred embodiment, the standardization of the measured value by assigning context information specifically includes the clear assignment of the location of a measured value acquisition and / or the medium to which the measured value relates (for example oil, compressed air, ambient air, cooling water, etc.) to a measured value within an assignment step according to the invention. In the context of the present application, the location of the measured value acquisition should always be understood to mean the real location at which a measured value is acquired, whereas the term measuring point should always mean the location of this real location within an initial model. If the assignment of the location of a measured value acquisition is mentioned, this can be understood in such a way that the measured value can be assigned a specific location, but also two or more locations. Likewise, the assignment of the medium to which the measured value relates means that both a single medium and two or more media can be assigned to a measured value as context information.

In a particularly specific further development, the location of the measured value acquisition is defined by one or more output models of the specific compressor system or comparable compressor systems and / or one or more output models of the specific components or comparable components.

These initial models can be defined, for example, by the aforementioned P&ID diagrams of the compressor system or the aforementioned P&ID diagrams of the corresponding components.

• der Messwert selbst,
• die Zuordnung des Messwertes zu einer Kontextinformation bzw. einer Messstelle und
• das Ausgangsmodell, anhand dessen die Kontextinformation bzw. die Messstelle definiert sind,

bekannt sind und insofern in der nachfolgenden Steuer-, Überwachungs-, Diagnose- oder Auswertroutine Berücksichtigung finden.In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that at the latest immediately before or for the recycling step

• the measured value itself,
• the assignment of the measured value to context information or a measuring point and
• the initial model on the basis of which the context information or the measuring point are defined,

are known and are therefore taken into account in the following control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routine.

In this respect, for a valid interpretation of standardized measured values, it is not only necessary to know the measured value itself and the assignment of the measured value to context information or a measuring point, but also to know the reference model in which the measuring point or the context information is based is defined. In concrete embodiments, for example, all three components (measured value, assignment and model) could be stored in a control / monitoring unit, with the evaluation or the subsequent utilization step also taking place in this control / monitoring unit. Alternatively, the three components (measured value, assignment, model) can be read out from the control / monitoring unit in order to monitor the standardized measurement values in external systems, which do not have to be under control of the control / monitoring unit, with routines for monitoring (diagnosis, prediction a maintenance appointment or predictive maintenance, etc.).

Several alternatives are preferably conceivable for determining the location of the measured value acquisition. In a first conceivable variant, a preconfigured measuring point on a component or on an element of a component is assigned to the measured value, a link between the component and other components or a link between the elements and other elements being ignored. In a second variant, as compared to the definition according to the first variant, it is additionally permitted that the measuring point on a component or on an element of a component is freely configurable, with a link between the component and other components or a link between the component and other components is not taken into account here. In a third variant, the connection of the components via an output model of the compressor system or the connection of the elements via an output model of the component is known. In this third variant, the measured value is assigned a preconfigured measuring point in this output model. In a fourth variant, the measurement value can finally be assigned a freely configurable measuring point in the output model, which takes into account the components or elements linked to one another.

By specifying the measuring point to which a measured value refers, in the form of the assigned context information and by knowing the model on which the context information is based, the standardized measurement value can be correctly evaluated or analyzed in later evaluation routines or analysis steps and in others Routines.

1. a) mindestens eine Komponente,
2. b) ggf. Verknüpfungen bzw. Verschaltungen zwischen zumindest einem Teil der Komponenten (es kann auch Komponenten ohne Verknüpfung geben) sowie
3. c) ggf. Messstellen.

Components of the initial model of a compressor system are included

1. a) at least one component,
2. b) if necessary, links or interconnections between at least some of the components (there may also be components without links) and
3. c) measuring points if necessary.

With regard to the definition of the model, it should be noted that both a), b) or c) can be predetermined / predetermined, but can also be determined in whole or in part before, during or after starting up the compressor system. The example is purely exemplary EP 13159618 directed. There it is proposed, among other things, to define a model of the compressor system by the user / system builder entering the given P&ID scheme into the control / monitoring unit via an editor during commissioning.

1. a) mindestens ein Element,
2. b) ggf. Verknüpfungen bzw. Verschaltungen zwischen zumindest einem Teil der Elemente (es kann auch Elemente ohne Verknüpfungen geben) sowie
3. c) ggf. Messstellen.

With regard to the initial model of a component, the following should be noted: The components of the initial model of a component include

1. a) at least one element,
2. b) if necessary, links or interconnections between at least some of the elements (there may also be elements without links) and
3. c) measuring points if necessary.

• Elementen,
• Verknüpfungen/Verschaltungen,
• Messstellen

so anpassen, dass sie für die konkreten Komponenten in der Kompressoranlage zutreffend/anwendbar sind.The starting model of a component can be predetermined / predetermined as far as a), b) or c) is concerned, but it can also be defined in whole or in part, during or after commissioning of the compressor system. A concrete example could be configured as follows: General component models (ie component models that fit many applications) are stored in the control / monitoring unit. The operator of the compressor system can add or remove the component models

• elements,
• Shortcuts / interconnections,
• measuring points

Adjust so that they are applicable / applicable to the specific components in the compressor system.

• Der Betreiber einer Kompressoranlage ordnet die Kontextinformationen von Messwerten manuell zu. Dies könnte z.B. bei der Inbetriebnahme geschehen.
• Die Kontextinformation wird vom Anlagenbauer (oder Komponentenhersteller) beispielsweise über eine Datei, zur Verfügung gestellt.
• Eine Komponente, also ein Kompressor oder ein Peripheriegerät überträgt selbst, zusätzlich zu den Messwerten, die Kontextzuordnung (und falls notwendig auch das Ausgangsmodell, in dem die Kontextinformation definiert ist), an die Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit.

Regardless of whether the assignment of context information takes place via an assignment table or otherwise, it should be noted that different variants are conceivable for the specific determination of the assignment of the context information to a measured value, in particular on the basis of an initial model. In no way conclusive, but for example, the following conceivable variants are mentioned:

• The operator of a compressor system manually assigns the context information of measured values. This could happen, for example, during commissioning.
• The plant manufacturer (or component manufacturer) provides the context information, for example via a file.
• A component, i.e. a compressor or a peripheral device itself, in addition to the measured values, transmits the context assignment (and if necessary also the output model in which the context information is defined) to the control / monitoring unit.

The measured values recorded in the measured value acquisition step can include physical or logical quantities, for example values recorded by sensors within the compressor system or within the components and / or values recorded by sensors outside the compressor system (e.g. public climate database, weather station, ambient air thermometer, others) Measured values, etc. and / or actuator positions and / or ready states of machines and / or operating states and / or control variables made available to compressor systems.

Although this can in no case be mandatory and even disadvantageous in terms of data technology, it is of course possible to store the measured value itself and the associated context information together as a data pair. It could be much more elegant, however, to measure values and assigned context information only in the step of evaluation, analysis, etc., that is, if there is a specific utilization requirement for the measured values.

In one possible embodiment, it is conceivable that, as additional context information, the superordinate state of the compressor system and / or individual components at the time of data acquisition can also be assigned to the respective measured value (s). This ensures that non-undifferentiated measured values of a compressor in the starting behavior are compared with measured values of a compressor in the stable operating state, without these different boundary conditions also being taken into account in such a comparison. The superordinate state of the compressor system can also be taken into account, for example, in that, as additional context information, one or more other measured values of the compressor system are also assigned to the measured value or values, from which the state of the compressor system or a partial state of the compressor system can be derived. If this further measured value or these further measured values are provided with a time stamp, for example, the assignment of these further or these further measured values to the measured value under consideration can also take place at a later point in time, since then measured values with the same or comparable time stamp in the measured value under consideration Can be considered and assigned.

While it was described above that multiple context information can be assigned to a measurement value within the framework of a (single) model, it is also conceivable in a further possible embodiment that a context can be assigned to a measurement value simultaneously in several output models. For example, one could imagine that for a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor, there is an output model (component output model) for the pure air circuit and an output model (component output model) for the pure oil circuit. To standardize the measured value of the compression end temperature (VET), the same measured value would then be assigned to the context "temperature on the pressure side of the compressor block" in both output models.

In a specifically preferred embodiment, the measured value also includes a time stamp. The link with a time stamp or the continuous recording of time allow statements about the development of individual Measured values or the relevant components or the entire compressor system.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it can further be provided that in a first processing step of the measured value it is checked whether the measured value including the type of size and (physical) unit has been recorded and, if not, the measured value in this first processing step of the type and unit, in particular on can be assigned to a stored output model, manually or automatically using an assignment table.

Furthermore, it is considered a preferred embodiment of the method if, in particular, the control / monitoring unit also stores a history of output models and / or a history of context assignments in order to store which output models or which context assignments are valid at a given time were. In this way, it is possible to determine for each measurement value recorded with a specific time stamp what meaning or which context information a measurement value must have based on a combination of the initial model valid for this time stamp with the context assignments valid for this time stamp.

• wobei die Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit eine Messwerterfassungseinheit aufweist bzw. mit einer Messwerterfassungseinheit zusammenwirkt, die zur Erfassung von Messwerten innerhalb der Kompressoranlage oder der Komponenten ausgebildet ist,
• wobei Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit weiterhin eine Zuordnungseinheit umfasst bzw. mit einer Zuordnungseinheit zusammenwirkt, die dazu ausgebildet ist, den erfassten Messwerten jeweils eine Kontextinformation zuzuordnen, um die Messwerte zu standardisieren
• und wobei die Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit eine Schnittstelle umfasst, um die durch die Kontextinformation standardisierten Messwerte weiterzugeben bzw.

selbst in nachfolgenden Steuer-, Überwachungs-, Diagnose- oder Auswertroutinen einzusetzen.The invention further relates to a compressor system comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices, and a control / monitoring unit, the compressors and peripheral devices being arranged or connected in a predetermined configuration,

• the control / monitoring unit having a measured value acquisition unit or interacting with a measured value acquisition unit which is designed to acquire measured values within the compressor system or the components,
• wherein the control / monitoring unit further comprises an assignment unit or cooperates with an assignment unit which is designed to assign context information to the measured values acquired in order to standardize the measured values
• and wherein the control / monitoring unit comprises an interface in order to pass on the measurement values standardized by the context information or

can even be used in subsequent control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routines.

Figur 1

eine beispielhafte Konfiguration einer Kompressoranlage, die mit erfindungsgemäßen Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit zusammenwirkt.

Figur 2

ein Ausgangsmodell, das die Kompressoranlage in ihrer konkret gegebenen Konfiguration in Gestalt eines R&I-Schemas darstellt.

Figur 3

eine Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung eines mittelbar definierten Ortes einer Messwerterfassung über eine Namensdefinition.

Figur 4

ein Ausgangsmodell zur Festlegung der Kontextinformation bei einem stationären, öleingespritzten Schraubenkompressor gemäß einer ersten Variante.

Figur 5

eine Veranschaulichung der Zuordnung von Messwerten zu konfigurierten Messstellen einer Komponente, wie anhand von Figur 4 veranschaulicht.

Figur 6

ein Ausgangsmodell zur Festlegung der Kontextinformation bei einem stationären, öleingespritzten Schraubenkompressor gemäß einer zweiten Variante.

Figur 7

vereinfachtes R&I-Schema als Ausgangsmodell eines stationären, öleingespritzten Schraubenkompressors ohne Anbautrockner.

Figur 8

vereinfachtes R&I-Schema als Ausgangsmodell eines stationären, öleingespritzten Schraubenkompressors mit Anbautrockner.

The invention will also be explained in more detail below with regard to further features and advantages on the basis of the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show here:

Figure 1

an exemplary configuration of a compressor system which interacts with the control / monitoring unit according to the invention.

Figure 2

an initial model that represents the compressor system in its specific configuration in the form of an P&ID scheme.

Figure 3

a representation to illustrate an indirectly defined location of a measured value acquisition via a name definition.

Figure 4

an initial model for determining the context information in a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor according to a first variant.

Figure 5

an illustration of the assignment of measured values to configured measuring points of a component, such as using Figure 4 illustrated.

Figure 6

an initial model for determining the context information in a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor according to a second variant.

Figure 7

Simplified P&ID diagram as the starting model for a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor without an add-on dryer.

Figure 8

Simplified P&ID diagram as the starting model for a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor with add-on dryer.

In Figure 1 is an exemplary configuration of a compressor system is illustrated, which cooperates with a control / monitoring unit. The Compressor system illustrated by way of example comprises three compressors 11, 12, 13 arranged parallel to one another. Each compressor 11, 12, 13 is uniquely assigned a filter 14, 15, 16, which is arranged downstream of the associated compressor 11, 12, 13. Two dryers 19, 20 are connected downstream of the filters 14, 15, 16. The compressed air downstream of the first filter should always flow through the first dryer 19. The compressed air downstream of the second filter can be passed via two valves 17, 18 either over the first dryer 19 or over the second dryer 20. The two valves 17, 18 are designed or controlled in such a way that they are never open at the same time, that is to say when the first valve 17 opens, the second valve 18 remains closed or when the second valve 18 opens, the first valve 17 remains closed.

A compressed air reservoir 21 is arranged downstream of the two dryers 19, 20. A pressure sensor 28 is also arranged on the downstream side of the compressed air reservoir 21 for detecting the operating pressure given there.

To control and / or monitor the compressor system, a control / monitoring unit 22 is provided which, with the compressors 11, 12, 13 and the filters 14, 15, 16, the valves 17, 18, the dryers 19, 20, and the compressed air reservoir 21 and the pressure sensor 28 is operatively connected. The filters 14, 15, 16, the valves 17, 18, the dryers 19, 20, the compressed air reservoir 21 and the pressure sensor 28 form peripheral devices of the compressor system. Together with the compressors 11, 12, 13, these peripheral devices form the components of the compressor system.

The control / monitoring unit 22 is still operatively connected to a memory section 24 and an editor 23. The storage section 24 and / or the editor 23 can, however, also be an integral part of the control / monitoring unit 22. The control / monitoring unit 22 can perform control functions, monitoring functions or control and monitoring functions.

In the present case, monitoring is to be understood to mean any form of evaluation, that is to say, in addition to monitoring for malfunctions, unusual operating states, alarm situations, etc., also a diagnosis, in particular if an error message is already present, an analysis or evaluation, for example with regard to an optimization or an evaluation to forecast a next maintenance appointment (predictive maintenance).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the control / monitoring unit 22 comprises a measured value acquisition unit 25 and an assignment unit 26, which here are both components of the control / monitoring unit 22. However, it is also possible, in other exemplary embodiments, to provide the measured value acquisition unit 25 completely or partially separately from the control / monitoring unit 22. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the assignment unit 26 completely or at least partially separately from the control / monitoring unit 22.

In the present embodiment, the control / monitoring unit 22 acquires measured values within the compressor system or within the components in the operation of the compressor system or in the operation of the components, in start-up and / or shutdown phases or in idle states. Different data can be considered as measured values, namely physical variables or variables derived therefrom or also logical variables, for example values detected by sensors within the compressor system or within the components and / or values recorded by sensors outside the compressor system (for example public climate Database, ambient air thermometer, measured values from other compressor systems, measured values transmitted by compressed air consumption units, etc.) and / or actuator positions and / or ready states of machines and / or operating states and / or control variables.

With the measured value acquisition unit 25, the control / monitoring unit 22 acquires such measured values, be it through actual measurement within the compressor system or through transmission from the components to the control / monitoring unit, be it through targeted interrogation at individual components within the compressor system or through targeted Query of measured values, for example, in databases external to the compressor system or in databases assigned to the compressor system. However, the measured value as such is unusable for a subsequent control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routine, provided that its meaning is not defined, meaning that contextual information can be assigned to the measured value. For this reason, the context information is assigned to a measured value in the assignment unit 26 in order to standardize this measured value.

Such an assignment in an assignment step can take place beforehand simultaneously with or after the measured value acquisition. By marking the measured value with context information, this data pair can be taken into account as a standardized measured value in the subsequent control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routines. The context information defines an assignment of the location of a measured value acquisition and / or the medium to which the measured value relates.

In a specific preferred embodiment, one or more output models of the specific compressor system or comparable compressor systems are taken into account when assigning the location of the measured value acquisition and / or the medium to which the measured value relates. Only if the context in which the measured value was determined is known can the measured value obtained be used in a meaningful manner.

The compressor system after Figure 1 can be followed, for example, in an P&ID scheme Figure 2 describe. The P&ID scheme according to Figure 2 in this respect replicates an initial model for the compressor system Figure 1 by determining the interrelationships within the compressor system. Will a measured value acquisition within such a model as it follows the P&ID scheme Figure 2 defined, located, the context information of the measured value is clear and, in so far, the meaning of the measured value is defined.

Although an initial model in the form of an R&I scheme, as described in Figure 2 for the compressor system Figure 1 reproduced, a particularly suitable model is defined in order to give context information for a measured value that is as precise as possible, weaker context information that encodes the location of the measured value acquisition is also conceivable and sensible. A first conceivable coding could be done via a name definition, but only if this name definition is sufficiently clear.

This is described below with reference to Figure 3 are explained. If, for example, the manufacturer KAESER has determined that p _{N should} always refer to the machine outlet pressure, then the name of the measurement value acquisition is indirectly determined via this name definition, thus the context for the measurement value pressure is defined.

In Figure 3 However, two variants for compressors are illustrated, both first of all an inlet valve 29, a compressor block 30 with a screw compressor, downstream of the compressor block 30 an oil separator 31, which transfers the heated compressed air to an air cooler 32. In an oil circuit 33, oil is supplied to cool the compressor block 30 and to ensure a lubricating film on the screw in the compressor block, the oil mixed under pressure generated compressed air being discharged again in the already mentioned oil separator 31 and returned to the compressor block 30, one via a Thermo valve 34 adjustable partial flow can be performed via an oil cooler 35 to reduce the oil temperature. The two in Figure 3 However, compressors illustrated using an P&ID scheme differ in that the compressor shown above is equipped without an internal add-on dryer 36 (variant A), while the compressor shown below is equipped with an internal add-on dryer 36 (variant B).

The naming convention now specifies that p _N denotes the machine outlet pressure; However, it cannot be derived from this naming convention whether or not the compressed air was previously passed through an attached dryer 36 of the compressor (variant B) or variant (variant A).

In this respect, it makes sense to encode the P&ID scheme of the compressor - at least in broad terms - in a more precise context information of the measured value recorded at the pressure sensor 28, so that it is clear from this model-based context information whether the pressure recorded at the pressure sensor 28 measures compressed air, which has flowed through an add-on dryer 36 (variant B) or is output by the compressor without an add-on dryer 36 (variant A).

In Figure 4 is a simplified model for determining the context information for a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor is illustrated, whereby the interrelationships between the individual elements compressor block 30, oil separator 31, air cooler 32, inlet 37, outlet 38 are not defined. Relative to the element compressor _{block 30} , pressure and temperature can be recorded on the suction side as well as on the pressure side (T _suction , p _suction , VET, p _pressure ). For the oil separator 31, on the other hand, only the detection of a pressure (p _i ) is provided, but not, for example, the detection of a temperature.

The standardization of the meaning of measured values now takes place by assigning one or more measuring points to a measured value in the model for standardizing the meaning of measured values.

The basic principle is based on Figure 5 illustrated. The measured values recorded for a component have - at least after an initial preparation of the measured values - a standardization with regard to the content that the physical quantity type (pressure, temperature, ...) and the unit (Pa, K, ...) are also known. Context information is now to be assigned to the measured values of pressure 1, pressure 2, temperature 1 prepared in a first step. For this purpose, the initial model of a component, specifically the stationary, oil-injected screw compressor, is followed Figure 4 , which in principle defines for this component, namely a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor without add-on dryer, which measuring points are basically predefined. These are each in Figure 5 reproduced in the "Context information" field. The measured value or values, specifically pressure 1, pressure 2, temperature 1, is now assigned to one in the output model of the component according to FIG Figure 4 predefined measuring point, this assignment being made here specifically by a connecting line between the respective measured value and the context information. This assignment of the measured value to an intended measuring point in the output model now defines the meaning of the measured value with regard to the context.

Please note that a measured value can also be assigned to two measuring points (illustrated here using the example of "Pressure 2"). In the case of multiple assignment of a measured value to measuring points, a partial meaning for a measured value is assigned (here specifically: "pressure downstream of the air cooler" and "machine outlet pressure"). With this type of context information, this is necessary in many cases, since in reality a measuring point can also sit between two components (and is therefore related to both components). However, if you add an initial model Figure 4 the causal relationships between the components are not modeled.

That based on the Figure 4 However, the method for standardizing the meaning of measured values explained has the limitation that only measuring points in the Starting model after Figure 4 (size type at certain connection of a component) can be used for the standardization of the meaning of measured values. In order to soften this limitation, the method can further provide that own measuring points can be defined in initial models of components in order to use them for the standardization of the meaning of measured values. When defining context information, it should also be noted that the components are defined in advance and that the linking of the components is not taken into account.

In an improvement in the standardization of the measured values, an output model for a component is now in accordance with Figure 6 which not only defines the individual elements of the component itself, but also defines the link between the individual elements. A concrete, oil-injected screw compressor without an add-on dryer was used here as a concrete example for a corresponding starting model.

Again, the predefined measuring points are identified in the initial model. The measuring points correspond to the measuring points in Figure 4 , However, the initial model, which now also encodes the functional relationships of the individual elements, already contains the information that p _cold = p _N and thus p _cold can be omitted as a preconfigured measuring point. The assignment step for individual measured values can then be as with Figure 5 in connection with the initial model Figure 4 described.

In a further expansion stage of the original model Figure 5 it is possible to freely configure the measuring points for a type of size at certain connections of an element.

The definition of a measuring point and the assignment of measured values to a measuring point using an initial model were explained above using the example of a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor without a built-on dryer. It goes without saying that this procedure can also be applied to any other component of a compressor system or to the compressor system itself. Transfer the original model Figure 4 for a single component on the entire compressor system, essential or all components of a compressor system would be without their concrete interdependencies defined. Pre-configured measuring points on the individual components would be predefined for different measured variables. Context information could be assigned in the same way in each case to the measured values acquired. Of course, it is also possible not only to provide preconfigured measuring points on the individual components of a compressor system in a modification, but also to allow corresponding measuring points to be freely configured.

In a modified embodiment, not only the essential or all of the components are defined for a compressor system, but also the operative connections between the components are known, for example using an P&ID scheme, such as using an exemplary compressor system according to Figure 2 illustrated. In this case too, preconfigured measuring points can be defined in a corresponding output model. In a further modification, however, it is also possible for such measuring points to be freely configurable within the initial model. It is crucial that specific context information can be assigned for each of the measured values acquired using such output models.

• in Simulationsmodellen für den ersten Simulationsschritt einen Anfangswert vorgeben zu können,
• bei einer Diagnoseroutine reale Messdaten mit über ein Modell abgeleiteten Daten zu vergleichen,
• Analysen über die Zuverlässigkeit einzelner Komponenten bzw. der gesamten Kompressoranlage, beispielsweise unter dem Aspekt des Energieverbrauchs, durchzuführen,
• eine Prognose für die Durchführung der nächsten Wartungsmaßnahmen unter möglichst akkuraten Messdaten aus der Vergangenheit zu erstellen, etc.

The use of standardized data is fundamentally diverse. Standardized measurement data can be used, for example,

• to be able to specify an initial value in simulation models for the first simulation step,
• to compare real measurement data with data derived from a model in a diagnostic routine,
• Carry out analyzes of the reliability of individual components or the entire compressor system, for example from the point of view of energy consumption,
• create a forecast for the next maintenance measures using the most accurate measurement data from the past, etc.

Overall, it is a prerequisite for the case-independent analysis of the measurement data (sensor values, characteristic values, etc.) that each field has a well-defined meaning and, if necessary, a well-defined unit (e.g. temperature in ° C or pressure in Pa). If the meaning and / or unit of a date is unknown, an analysis is, apart from statistical Analyzes, generally not possible. In particular, analysis results cannot be interpreted. By using domain-specific models, it becomes possible to assign measurement data a well-defined meaning with regard to one or more aspects. This is done by defining the location of the measured value acquisition using a domain-specific model. The meaning of a date can then be deduced from the analysis of the domain-specific model.

This becomes clear when you look at the P&ID diagram of a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor without an add-on dryer (cf. Figure 7 ) with the P&ID scheme of a stationary, oil-injected screw compressor with add-on dryer (cf. Figure 8 ) compares. The same number of sensors is installed in both compressors. The sensors are also named the same. However, no meaning can be derived from naming the sensors alone. This becomes clear on the sensor that delivers the measured value T _Aus . In the compressor without add-on dryer, the sensor has the meaning "temperature downstream of the air cooler" and "temperature at the outlet of the compressor". In the compressor with add-on dryer, the sensor has the meaning "temperature downstream of the dryer" and "temperature at the outlet of the compressor". This difference in meaning is relevant for the analysis. The assignment of the corresponding context information via a defined output model is decisive in order to be able to use the measured values sensibly in further control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routines.

• den zeitlichen Wertverlauf eines Messwerts und
• die Bedeutung eines Messwerts

können getrennt voneinander erfasst und gespeichert werden. "Getrennt" kann hierbei sowohl zeitlich als auch örtlich zu verstehen sein (alternativ und kumulativ). Beispielhaft seien folgende Szenarien angegeben:
Unter Anwendung eines auf einem R&I-Schema beruhenden Ausgangsmodell der Kompressoranlage und mehrerer auf R&I-Schemata beruhender Ausgangsmodelle der Komponenten der Kompressoranlage wird die Messwertbedeutung bzw. die Kontextinformation der von der Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit erfassten Messwerte in der Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit oder extern, beispielsweise in einem Speicherabschnitt 24 hinterlegt. Das Hinterlegen der Kontextinformationen (Messwertbedeutungen) geschieht z.B. bei der Inbetriebnahme der Kompressoranlage bzw. bei der Inbetriebnahme der Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit. Die Kontextinformationen (Messwertbedeutungen) können z.B. in Form einer Tabelle in der Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit hinterlegt werden.As described above, it is relevant to know the meaning of the measured values at the latest when analyzing measured values. However, for many applications it is not necessary to know the meaning of a measured value at the time the measured value is recorded. The information about

• the temporal course of a measured value and
• the meaning of a measurement

can be recorded and saved separately. "Separated" can be understood here both temporally and locally (alternatively and cumulatively). The following scenarios are given as examples:
Using an output model of the compressor system based on an P&ID diagram and several output models of the components of the compressor system based on P&ID diagrams, the meaning of the measured values or the context information of the measured values recorded by the control / monitoring unit is determined in the control / monitoring unit or externally, for example stored in a storage section 24. The context information (measured value meanings) is stored, for example, when the compressor system is started up or when the control / monitoring unit is started up. The context information (measured value meanings) can be stored, for example, in the form of a table in the control / monitoring unit.

The measured values recorded by the control / monitoring unit are typically stored in the control / monitoring unit as a process image (current values) and as a process data history (historical values). The storage can (but does not have to) take place without context information (information about the meaning of the measured value), since the context / information is available at any time in the control / monitoring unit and can be assigned to the measured values at a desired point in time. The assignment of context information to a measured value takes place via an assignment table. The context table stores which context information is assigned to the measured values. The same measured value can have several (contradictory) meanings at the same time, and the same meaning can of course be associated with several measured values.

A double assignment of measured value meanings can be useful if the reliability or accuracy of the measured value acquisition is to be increased. If, for example, one of two sensors fails to record the measured values, the measured value of the other sensor can be used for further processing. If measured values from both sensors are available, which ultimately produce measured values with the same meaning as measured values, the accuracy of the measured value acquisition can be increased by calculation (averaging, maximum value formation, minimum value formation).

Before processing measured values, if not already done during storage, measured values and context information (measured value meanings) are merged. By merging measured values and context information, the models used to define the Context information was used, an automatic evaluation possible. Analysis routines are used for the evaluation.

If the analysis routines run in the control and monitoring unit, or if the system that executes the analysis routines is connected to the control and monitoring unit for data processing purposes, an automatic evaluation is also possible in real time.

With regard to the development of base models for compressor systems, reference is made to the EP 13159618.1 referenced, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. At the same time, the data standardized according to the present invention can also contribute to the EP 13159618.1 refine the definition of interdependencies between components of a compressor system in the form of an P&ID scheme.

The data standardized according to the present invention can also be used in the development of derived models, as in EP 13159616.5 described, take into account, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a compressor system, that is to say for excess pressure, all the principles can be applied to a vacuum system in which pumps interact instead of compressors.

1. 1. Verfahren zum Steuern und/oder Überwachen einer Kompressoranlage umfassend mehrere Komponenten, nämlich ein oder mehrere Kompressoren (11, 12, 13) und ein oder mehrere Peripheriegeräte (14 bis 21), sowie eine Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit (22),
   wobei die Kompressoren (11, 12, 13) und Peripheriegeräte (14 bis 21) in einer bestimmten Konfiguration angeordnet bzw. verschaltet sind,
   • wobei in einem Messwerterfassungsschritt Messwerte innerhalb der Kompressoranlage oder der Komponenten erfasst werden,
   • wobei in einem Zuordnungsschritt dem oder den Messwerten vorher, gleichzeitig oder nach der Messwerterfassung jeweils eine Kontextinformation zugeordnet wird, um die Messwerte zu standardisieren, und
   • wobei in einem Verwertungsschritt der oder die durch die Kontextinformation standardisierten Messwerte in einer Steuer-, Überwachungs-, Diagnose- oder Auswertroutine Berücksichtigung finden.
2. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Messwerterfassungsschritt das messtechnische unmittelbare Erfassen eines Messwertes und/oder das Zurückgreifen auf gespeicherte Messwerte umfasst.
3. 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Messwerterfassungsschritt die messtechnisch unmittelbar erfassten Messwerte in einer zugeordneten Datenbank, die innerhalb der Komponenten, in der Kompressoranlage oder extern implementiert sein kann, abgespeichert werden.
4. 4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Standardisierung des Messwertes durch Zuordnen einer Kontextinformation konkret die eindeutige Zuordnung des Ortes einer Messwerterfassung und/oder des Mediums, auf das sich der Messwert bezieht, umfasst.
5. 5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Zuordnung des Ortes der Messwerterfassung und/oder des Mediums, auf das sich der Messwert bezieht, ein oder mehrere Ausgangsmodelle der konkreten Kompressoranlage bzw. vergleichbarer Kompressoranlagen und/oder ein oder mehrere Ausgangsmodelle der konkreten Komponenten bzw. vergleichbarer Komponenten Berücksichtigung finden.
6. 6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass spätestens unmittelbar vor oder für den Verwertungsschritt
   • der Messwert selbst,
   • die Zuordnung des Messwertes zu einer Kontextinformation bzw. einer Messstelle und
   • das Ausgangsmodell, anhand dessen die Kontextinformation bzw. die Messstelle definiert sind,
   bekannt sind und insofern in der nachfolgenden Steuer-, Überwachungs-, Diagnose- oder Auswertroutine Berücksichtigung finden.
7. 7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ort der Messwerterfassung in einem Ausgangsmodell der Kompressoranlage definiert ist,
   • bei dem vordefinierte Messstellen an einzelnen nicht miteinander verknüpften Komponenten definiert sind oder
   • bei dem frei konfigurierbare Messstellen an einzelnen nicht miteinander verknüpften Komponenten definierbar sind oder
   • bei dem vordefinierte Messstellen bei miteinander zu einer Kompressoranlage verknüpften Komponenten definiert sind oder
   • bei dem frei konfigurierbare Messstellen innerhalb von zu einer Kompressoranlage verknüpften Komponenten definierbar sind.
8. 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5 oder 6,
   wobei die Komponenten der Kompressoranlage jeweils mehrere in Wirkverbindung stehende Elemente (29 bis 36) umfassen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ort der Messwerterfassung in einem Ausgangsmodell der Komponente(n) definiert ist,
   • bei dem vordefinierte Messstellen an einzelnen nicht miteinander verknüpften Elementen definiert sind oder
   • bei dem frei konfigurierbare Messstellen an einzelnen nicht miteinander verknüpften Elementen definierbar sind oder
   • bei dem vordefinierte Messstellen bei miteinander zu einer Kompressoranlage verknüpften Elementen definiert sind oder
   • bei dem frei konfigurierbare Messstellen innerhalb von zu einer Kompressoranlage verknüpften Elementen definierbar sind.
9. 9. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuordnung einer Kontextinformation zu einem Messwert über eine Zuordnungstabelle erfolgt.
10. 10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die im Messwerterfassungsschritt erfassten Messwerte physikalische und/oder logische Größen, beispielsweise
    • von Sensoren erfasste Werte innerhalb der Kompressoranlage bzw. innerhalb der Komponenten und/oder
    • von Sensoren erfasste Werte außerhalb der Kompressoranlage (z.B. öffentliche Klima-Datenbank, Wetterstation, Umgebungsluft-Thermometer, o.ä.) und/oder
    • Aktuatorstellungen und/oder
    • Bereitschaftszustände von Maschinen und/oder
    • Betriebszustände und/oder
    • Regelgrößen
    umfassen.
11. 11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Messwert und zugeordnete Kontextinformation gemeinsam als Datenpaar abgespeichert werden.
12. 12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass als weitere Kontextinformation dem oder den Messwerten auch der zum Zeitpunkt der Datenerfassung übergeordnete Zustand der Kompressoranlage und/oder einzelner Komponenten zuordenbar ist.
13. 13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Messwert auch einen Zeitstempel umfasst.
14. 14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in einem Erstaufbereitungsschritt des Messwertes überprüft wird, ob der Messwert inklusive Größenart und Einheit erfasst ist und, falls nicht, dem Messwert in diesem ersten Aufbereitungsschritt Größenart und/oder Einheit, insbesondere basierend auf einem hinterlegten Ausgangsmodell, zugeordnet werden.
15. 15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Historie von Ausgangsmodellen und/oder eine Historie von Kontextzuordnungen abgelegt wird, um zu hinterlegen, welche Ausgangsmodelle bzw. welche Kontextzuordnungen zu einem jeweils gegebenen Zeitpunkt gültig waren.
16. 16. Kompressoranlage umfassend mehrere Komponenten, nämlich ein oder mehrere Kompressoren und ein oder mehrere Peripheriegeräte, sowie eine Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit,
    wobei die Kompressoren (11, 12, 13) und Peripheriegeräte (14 bis 21) in einer vorbestimmten Konfiguration angeordnet bzw. verschaltet sind,
    • wobei die Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit (22) eine Messwerterfassungseinheit (25) aufweist bzw. mit einer Messwerterfassungseinheit (25) zusammenwirkt, die zur Erfassung von Messwerten innerhalb der Kompressoranlage oder der Komponenten ausgebildet ist,
    • wobei Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit (22) weiterhin eine Zuordnungseinheit (26) umfasst bzw. mit einer Zuordnungseinheit (26) zusammenwirkt, die dazu ausgebildet ist, den erfassten Messwerten jeweils eine Kontextinformation zuzuordnen, um die Messwerte zu standardisieren
    • und wobei die Steuer-/Überwachungseinheit (22) eine Schnittstelle (27) umfasst, um die durch die Kontextinformation standardisierten Messwerte weiterzugeben bzw. selbst in nachfolgenden Steuer-, Überwachungs-, Diagnose- oder Auswertroutinen einzusetzen.

Particular embodiments of the invention are:

1. 1. A method for controlling and / or monitoring a compressor system comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors (11, 12, 13) and one or more peripheral devices (14 to 21), and a control / monitoring unit (22),
   the compressors (11, 12, 13) and peripheral devices (14 to 21) being arranged or connected in a specific configuration,
   • whereby in a measured value acquisition step, measured values are acquired within the compressor system or the components,
   • wherein context information is assigned to the measurement value (s) before, simultaneously or after the measurement value acquisition in order to standardize the measurement values, and
   • wherein in a utilization step the measurement value or values standardized by the context information are taken into account in a control, monitoring, diagnosis or evaluation routine.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurement value acquisition step comprises the metrological direct acquisition of a measurement value and / or the use of stored measurement values.
3. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the measurement value acquisition step, the measurement values acquired directly in terms of measurement technology are stored in an assigned database, which can be implemented within the components, in the compressor system or externally.
4. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the standardization of the measured value by assigning context information specifically includes the clear assignment of the location of a measured value acquisition and / or the medium to which the measured value relates.
5. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that for assigning the location of the measured value acquisition and / or the medium to which the measured value relates, one or more output models of the specific compressor system or comparable compressor systems and / or one or more output models of the specific Components or comparable components are taken into account.
6. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at the latest immediately before or for the recycling step
   • the measured value itself,
   • the assignment of the measured value to context information or a measuring point and
   • the initial model on the basis of which the context information or the measuring point are defined,
   are known and are therefore taken into account in the following control, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluation routine.
7. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the location of the measured value acquisition is defined in an output model of the compressor system,
   • where predefined measuring points are defined on individual components that are not linked to each other or
   • where freely configurable measuring points can be defined on individual components that are not linked to each other or
   • at which predefined measuring points are defined for components linked together to form a compressor system or
   • at which freely configurable measuring points can be defined within components linked to a compressor system.
8. 8. The method according to claim 5 or 6,
   wherein the components of the compressor system each comprise a plurality of elements (29 to 36) that are operatively connected, characterized in that the location of the measured value acquisition is defined in an output model of the component (s),
   • where predefined measuring points are defined on individual elements that are not linked to each other or
   • where freely configurable measuring points can be defined on individual elements that are not linked to each other or
   • at which predefined measuring points are defined for elements linked together to form a compressor system or
   • in which freely configurable measuring points can be defined within elements linked to a compressor system.
9. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the assignment of context information to a measured value takes place via an assignment table.
10. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measured values recorded in the measured value acquisition step include physical and / or logical variables, for example
    • Values recorded by sensors within the compressor system or within the components and / or
    • Values recorded by sensors outside the compressor system (e.g. public climate database, weather station, ambient air thermometer, etc.) and / or
    • Actuator positions and / or
    • Standby states of machines and / or
    • Operating states and / or
    • control variables
    include.
11. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measured value and associated context information are stored together as a pair of data.
12. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, as further context information, the superordinate state of the compressor system and / or individual components at the time of data acquisition can also be assigned to the measured value or values.
13. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the measured value also includes a time stamp.
14. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in a first preparation step of the measured value it is checked whether the measured value including size type and unit is recorded and, if not, the measured value in this first preparation step size type and / or unit, in particular based on a stored initial model.
15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a history of output models and / or a history of context assignments is stored in order to store which output models or which context assignments were valid at a given time.
16. 16. Compressor system comprising several components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices, as well as a control / monitoring unit,
    wherein the compressors (11, 12, 13) and peripheral devices (14 to 21) are arranged or connected in a predetermined configuration,
    • wherein the control / monitoring unit (22) has a measured value acquisition unit (25) or interacts with a measured value acquisition unit (25) which is designed to acquire measured values within the compressor system or the components,
    • wherein the control / monitoring unit (22) further comprises an assignment unit (26) or interacts with an assignment unit (26) which is designed to assign context information to the measured values in order to standardize the measured values
    • and wherein the control / monitoring unit (22) comprises an interface (27) in order to pass on the measurement values standardized by the context information or to use them even in subsequent control, monitoring, diagnosis or evaluation routines.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11, 12, 13

compressors

14, 15, 16

filter

17, 18

valves

19, 20

dryer

21

Compressed air storage

22

Control / monitoring unit

23

editor

24

storage section

25

Data acquisition unit

26

allocation unit

27

interface

28

pressure sensor

29

intake valve

30

airend

31

oil separator

32

air cooler

33

Oil circuit

34

thermovalve

35

oil cooler

36

cultivation dryer

37

entrance

38

output

Claims (14)

1. A method for controlling and/or monitoring a compressor plant comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors (11, 12, 13) and one or more peripheral devices (14 to 21), as well as a controlling/monitoring unit (22),
   wherein the compressors (11, 12, 13) and peripheral devices (14 to 21) are arranged, respectively interconnected in a determined configuration, and

   - wherein, in a measured value acquisition step, measured values are acquired within the compressor plant or the components,

   - wherein in an assignment step, the measured value(s) each are assigned a context information prior to, simultaneously with, or after the measured value acquisition in order to standardize the measured values, and

   - wherein, in an exploitation step, the measures value(s) standardized by the context information are taken into account in a controlling, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluating routine,

   characterized in that
   the assignment of context information to a measured value is performed via an assignment table.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measured value acquisition step comprises directly detecting a measured value by measurement technology and/or referring to stored measured values.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the measured value acquisition step, the measured values directly detected by measurement technology are stored in an assigned database which may be implemented within the components, in the compressor plant or externally.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the standardization of the measured value by assigning context information specifically comprises the unique assignment of the site of the measured value acquisition and/or of the medium to which the measured value is related.
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that for assigning of the site of measured value acquisition and/or of the medium to which the measured value is related, one or more initial models of the specific compressor plant, respectively comparable compressor plants and/or one or more initial models of the specific components, respectively comparable components are taken into account.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at the latest immediately prior to or for the exploitation step

   - the measured value itself,

   - the assignment of the measured value to context information, respectively a measurement site, and

   - the initial model by means of which the context information, respectively the measurement site are defined,

   are known and are in this respect taken into account in the controlling, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluating routine.
7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the site of measurement acquisition is defined in an initial model of the compressor plant,

   - in which predefined measurement sites at single components that are not interlinked are defined, or

   - in which freely configurable measurement sites at single components that are not interlinked are definable, or

   - in which predefined measurement sites with components interlinked to a compressor plant are defined, or

   - in which freely configurable measurement sites within components linked to a compressor plant are definable.
8. The method according to claim 5 or 6,
   wherein the compressor plant's components each comprise a plurality of elements (29 to 36) being in operative connection, characterized in that the site of measurement acquisition is defined in an initial model of the component(s),

   - in which predefined measurement sites at single elements that are not interlinked are defined, or

   - in which freely configurable measurement sites at single elements that are not interlinked are definable, or

   - in which predefined measurement sites with elements interlinked to a compressor plant are defined, or

   - in which freely configurable measurement sites within elements interlinked to a compressor plant are definable.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the measured values acquired in the measured value acquisition step comprise physical and/or logical parameters such as

   - values detected by sensors within the compressor plant, respectively within the components and/or

   - values detected by sensors outside the compressor plant (e.g. public climate database, weather station, ambient air thermometer or similar) and/or

   - actuator positions and/or

   - standby modes of machines and/or

   - operating states and/or

   - control variables.
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measured value and assigned context information are stored in common as a data pair.
11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the higher-level state of the compressor plant and/or of single components at the time of data acquisition are also assignable to the measured value(s) as further context information.
12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the measured value also comprises a time stamp.
13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the definition of the site of the measured value acquisition is performed either

    - by assigning the measured value a preconfigured measurement site at a component, respectively at an element of the component, wherein a linkage of the component to other components, respectively a linkage of the elements to other elements is not taken into account, or

    - by the measurement site at a component, respectively at an element of the component being freely configurable, wherein a linkage of the component to other components, respectively a linkage of the elements to other elements is not taken into account, or

    - by the interconnection of the component being known from an initial model of the compressor plant, respectively the interconnection of the elements being known from an initial model of the component so that the measured value is then assigned a preconfigured measurement site in this initial model.
14. A compressor plant comprising a plurality of components, namely one or more compressors and one or more peripheral devices, as well as a controlling/monitoring unit,
    wherein the compressors (11, 12, 13) and peripheral devices (14 to 21) are arranged, respectively interconnected in a predetermined configuration,

    - wherein the controlling/monitoring unit (22) exhibits a measured value acquisition unit (25), respectively cooperates with a measured value acquisition unit (25) which is designed to acquire measured values within the compressor plant or the components,

    - wherein the controlling/monitoring unit (22) furthermore comprises an assigning unit (26), respectively cooperates with an assigning unit (26) which is designed to assign context information in each case to the acquired measured values in order to standardize the measured values,

    - and wherein the controlling/monitoring unit (22) comprises an interface (27) to transmit the measured values standardized by context information, respectively use them itself in subsequent controlling, monitoring, diagnostic or evaluating routines,

    characterized in that
    the assigning unit (26) furthermore is designed such that the assignment of context information to a measured value is performed via an assignment table.

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