IT202300019524A1 - INTELLIGENT AND SAFE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF A NUMBER OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES ACQUIRED THROUGH SENSORS - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention entitled:

?INTELLIGENT AND SAFE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A MULTIPLE PHYSICAL QUANTITIES ACQUIRED THROUGH SENSORS?

Description

Field of technology

This invention concerns the field of calibration, measurement, testing, sampling, and analysis, which requires the ability to measure physical, chemical, and/or environmental quantities. More specifically, the intelligent and safe measurement system allows the acquisition, recording, and management of data collected by sensors and/or probes located in cramped, unsafe, and dangerous environments without the operator being exposed to any risk.

Known art

A common problem today in sensor data acquisition is the simultaneous management of multiple sensors or measuring probes, each measuring different quantities. This requires managing specific interfaces to collect data and then accessing and processing the data according to specific needs. To address this problem, thanks in particular to technological advances in recent years, several solutions have been proposed. One of these is patent application WO2008100489, which concerns a car-sharing network capable of processing and matching transport capacity with available vehicles in an electronic register. Another patent is US 2016353679, which, although it concerns a limited range of quantities, includes a system and method for humidity control. This system includes a computer, a probe controller connected to the computer, a set of probes connected to the probe controller, a sprinkler controller connected to the computer, and a set of sprinklers connected to the sprinkler controller. Additionally, the probe array is inserted into the ground according to a series of predetermined positions already stored in the computer.

It is clear that the above-mentioned patents are profoundly limited compared to our invention. Over time, the need to simultaneously manage a plurality of sensors and measurement probes, relating to different quantities, installed or to be installed on systems, machines, premises, and even hazardous environments, has increased, as has the need to position said probes in difficult-to-reach and very large areas (landslides, woods, etc.).

To meet these needs, the type of connections used is a great help, as demonstrated by patent application CN104121936 A; however, a series of associated problems often need to be addressed, for example:

- to the control, verification, calibration, and adjustment of such equipment, which is difficult to access, for example because it is installed in dangerous factory areas or on continuously operating systems or on landslides or in woods, etc.;

- the large number of probes that detect quantities, even different ones, with the need to create separate measurement and survey systems, which are difficult to integrate and manage on a single platform, with the consequent further difficulty regarding management and continuous monitoring, which require very expensive systems;

- to battery-powered measurement systems, which unfortunately have limited autonomy; and again

- communication between probes and data acquisition devices and/or displays, located at very long distances, even several kilometres.

The purpose of this patent application is to overcome the aforementioned problems by proposing an intelligent and secure measurement system that can not only manage, collect, and process data relating to different physical quantities from multiple sensors and/or probes, but also ensure complete operator protection by allowing remote access to the sensors via an interactive column and special transmission devices.

Description of the invention

The subject of this invention is an innovative system capable of maintaining unchanged the characteristics related to the ability to acquire and process data relating to a plurality of physical quantities through specific measurement sensors, and a multi-channel data acquisition device physically connectable to said probes and/or sensors for data acquisition, as well as an interactive column and transmission devices, engaged at each probe and/or sensor, implemented for the remote management of said probes and/or sensors. Thanks to an integrated GPS within the transmission devices, it is possible to acquire the geographic coordinates of the various sensors and/or probes; similarly, the interactive column and the multi-channel data acquisition device are also equipped with GPS, allowing not only a web system/application to acquire their position, but also to associate it with photos and documents to be attached to the detected measurement.

Even more advantageously, the invention includes the aforementioned web/application portal, present in the interactive column and advantageously usable on external devices such as smartphones and tablets, capable of storing and processing the acquired data: the data transmission is structured so that it can be "decoded" by the web/application portal, preferably Java and installed on a cloud platform, which displays all the information from the sensors and/or probes sent by the various transmission devices and/or those collected via the multi-channel data acquisition system. Specifically, this involves serial transmission, with formatting specifically created for this use, i.e., an encoding that allows the system to synchronize with the equipment (i.e., both the multi-channel data acquisition system and the interactive column and the transmission devices) and determine which probes are connected and their values.

In this question, when referring to the measurements of the various quantities, we mean those that are carried out by probes of various types:

- standard, i.e. a probe that detects a specific quantity (temperature probe, pressure probe, etc.);

- special, i.e. a probe that can detect multiple quantities simultaneously (temperature, pressure, speed, etc.);

- multiple, a probe equipped with a camera that allows the simultaneous detection of not only the quantity of interest (body temperature, etc.) but also the image of the point/body being detected.

Furthermore, the probes can be defined and classified based on the type of connection with the multi-channel data acquisition system, namely:

- internal, fixed probes incorporated and engaged on the same multi-channel acquirer;

- external, probes connectable via cable to the multi-channel data acquisition device;

- external isolated ones, or the most important ones according to the present inventive concept, where the transmission devices are installed and connected.

The latter, advantageously, allow communication (via wireless, Wi-Fi, radio frequencies of various frequencies, etc.) of the data collected by the probes to the interactive column, to the multi-channel data acquisition system itself, and/or to the devices connected to it. Furthermore, thanks to the same transmission devices, external probes, whether isolated and/or inserted into the system and/or machine and/or territory, can be located, at the time of acquisition, at a distance greater than 20 km from the interactive column and/or multi-channel data acquisition system while it is connected to external devices.

A fundamental feature of the invention is that the interactive column of this system is installed in an easily accessible and strategic area, that is, it is distant from each of the said transmission devices within a radius of 0 to 40 km, so as to receive data from all the probes. Should it be the case that it is not possible for the interactive column to be connected to all the transmission devices due to greater distances, the invention preferably provides for the installation of multiple interactive columns.

Advantageously, the multi-channel data acquisition device is an acquisition device that can be connected to probes/sensors for the acquisition and processing of data for a large number of physical quantities; in addition, it can be operationally connected to the interactive column, to the support device and/or to an external device, such as a tablet, via wireless connections and on which the web/application portal described above is implemented. Even more advantageously, the multi-channel data acquisition device can be associated with the data of the operator to whom it is supplied: in this way, the same acquisition device, when used on the interactive column and/or connected to the support device and external devices, will communicate the operator's data to the web/application portal, allowing recognition; in addition, each individual multi-channel data acquisition device is configured for remote connection and the connection is password protected. In a preferred version of the invention, the multi-channel data acquisition device can include a haptic recognition device, associated with the operator to whom it is supplied. It was supplied as standard, so that the connection could be accessed remotely.

The transmission devices are the system devices that are connected to each of the measurement probes, whether new or existing, of any type and brand. This device communicates continuously with the multi-channel data acquisition system and the interactive column (via wireless, multi-frequency radio, Wi-Fi, etc.) and allows the following remote activities to be performed, which would otherwise be impossible in high-risk situations, such as areas prone to landslides, inaccessible locations, or even in facilities with a high risk of bacteriological contamination:

- calibration of the probe to which it is connected;

- tuning and calibration;

- verify;

- digital tagging;

- continuous monitoring of one or more quantities.

These operations can be performed via the interactive column or via the support device and/or external devices connected to the multichannel acquisition system. Specifically, the present invention ensures that the management and processing of all input signals requires the analog input level to be discretized and converted to digital; it is then scaled with respect to the measurement range provided for that specific input and, depending on the capabilities of the A/D converter, a value representing the best approximation of the data is returned, with its declared engineering unit already included.

Structurally, each transmission device consists of a protective case, preferably made of expanded nitrile rubber to protect it from impacts and atmospheric agents, and an internal battery. During connection, this transmission device has a locking system that makes it impossible to remove it from the connected probe except through a special security key provided. The transmission device can only be disconnected by inserting this security key into a dedicated connection slot, with a female USB connector and located on the surface of the protective case. Specifically, the security key is also advantageously equipped with a male USB connector so that it can collect data contained within a memory cell installed internally in the transmission device. This memory cell, by continuously recording data from the probes, is able to store such data for a period of up to two hours before a malfunction of the probe and/or transmission device occurs, or when the internal battery is exhausted. This ensures complete data acquisition without any loss; This is a very important factor that can provide useful information on any faults in the probes and/or transmission device. Preferably, the connectors of the connection compartment and the safety key are interchangeable, maintaining the male-female pairing.

Additionally, the system includes a replacement module near each transmission device. This consists of a compartment containing a mechanical arm, appropriately adjusted and automated to perform specific actions, such as removing and replacing the transmission device.

Being equipped with a safety key at the free end, it is able to remove any malfunctioning and/or discharged transmission device, placing it safely in the compartment, and replace it with a spare one appropriately stored inside the same compartment.

This replacement module can be activated directly from the interactive column and/or from devices connected to the multi-channel data acquisition system. In a preferred embodiment, this replacement module is activated directly from the web portal/application when a malfunction of the probe and/or transmission device is detected, or when the transmission device's internal battery is depleted.

Preferably, the replacement module may comprise a drone equipped with a safety key, and appropriately adjusted and automated to perform the same actions as the mechanical arm, which can be used when there are multiple transmission devices adjacent to and/or not reachable by said mechanical arm.

Both the mechanical arm and the drone can be manually controlled remotely via buttons on the interactive column.

Preferably, the protective casing of the transmission device can include floats so that it can be connected to probes immersed in water: in this case, the transmission device can be connected to the probes via reinforced, watertight cables, while the device itself remains on the water surface thanks to the floats; in this version, it can also be picked up by the described drone. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the multi-channel data acquisition system is incorporated within the interactive column so that all management, recording, and processing occurs continuously and without the assistance of operators; preferably, the system can also include a remote control station capable of commanding and managing the interactive column via a PLC connected to the interactive column.

The advantages offered by the present invention are evident in light of the description set forth thus far and will be even clearer thanks to the attached figures and the relative detailed description.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described below in at least one preferred embodiment for explanatory and non-limiting purposes with the aid of the attached figures, in which:

- FIGURE 1 shows a schematic view of an intelligent and safe measurement system for managing a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors according to one of the embodiments of the present patent application;

- FIGURE 2 illustrates a perspective view of a detail of an interactive column 10 included in the intelligent and safe measurement system for managing a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors;

- FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 connected to an external device 21 according to the intelligent and safe measurement system for managing a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors; - FIGURE 4 shows a perspective view of the detail of a transmission device 40 used in a system 32 according to the intelligent and safe measurement system for managing a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be illustrated purely by way of example but not in a limiting or binding way, with reference to the figures which illustrate some embodiments relating to the present inventive concept.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the components of an intelligent and safe measurement system for managing a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors according to the present invention are shown. Specifically, FIG.

1, through a schematic view, it is possible to see how the operator 200 equipped with a multi-channel data acquisition device 20 is approaching the interactive column 10, so as to be able to receive data from multiple stations 30-31-32, to then transmit them to the dedicated web/application portal 100; in FIG. 2, a detail of the interactive column 10 is illustrated while a multi-channel data acquisition device 20 is about to be positioned; in FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrates the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 while it is connected to an external device 21 that allows the use of the web/application portal 100; FIG. 4, a perspective view shows the transmission device 40 installed at the plant 32, while a mechanical arm 43, emerging from the compartment 42 of the replacement module, is picking up the aforementioned transmission device 40 using the safety key 44.

It should be noted that by stations 30-31-32 we generically mean the place where the sensors and/or probes are operational. In the specific case of FIG. 1, this refers to a hospital 30, an industry with a bacteriological risk 31, and a factory 32, located in an extreme position on a difficult-to-reach peak. In each of said stations 30-31-32, there is at least one transmission device 40, at least one for each sensor and/or probe. Also in FIG. 1, it is possible to see 3 bidirectional arrows D between stations 30-31-32 and the interactive column 10 indicating both the data exchange and the distance of 20 km. The probes contemplated can be both new and existing, of any type, characteristic, and brand. On all external isolated probes, both new and existing, the transmission device 40 is installed which allows communication with the multi-channel data acquisition device 20, via a wireless system or radio system of various frequencies.

This configuration ensures that, for example by using the interactive column 10, the operator 200 does not have to go to such dangerous stations 30-31-32, but directly accesses the data transmitted by the transmission devices 40 by transferring them to the web/application portal 100; in addition, the replacement module makes it possible to replace malfunctioning and/or discharged transmission devices 40 with new ones and collect the latest detected data via said security key 44, which can be retrieved subsequently (for example when such stations 30-31-32 are not operational and/or are safe).

The data transfer operation can take place by connecting the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 to an external device 21 and to the various transmission devices 40, or, via said interactive column 10, when the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 has been placed in the housing 11, and connected via special connectors 11?. The interactive column 10 is constantly connected both to each of the transmission devices 40 located within a radius of 20 km and to the web/application portal 100, facilitating data acquisition by the operator 200 and significantly reducing the times. The interactive column 10 has a power saving mode, which guarantees the aforementioned connections, and is able to activate at full capacity only once the data acquisition device 20 has been correctly connected: at that point the same interactive column 10 will acquire the data of the operator 200, previously associated with the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 provided, and, after verification by the web/application portal 100, will give access to the data to the operator 200. The operator 200, using a screen 13 and keypads 12, will be able to manage, receive and send the data coming from the connected transmission devices 40. The interactive column 10 has an internal compartment 14, in which a support device 15 is stored, equipped with a capacitive screen, which is able to automatically connect, via wireless networks, to the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 that has been engaged on the interactive column 10: through the support device 15 the operator 200 can remotely manage the data of the multi-channel data acquisition device 20 via the web/application portal 100 as if he were using an external device 21. The interactive column 10 is configured to issue a digital plate containing information on the calibration and/or certification of the connected probes.

The web/application portal 100 is natively installed in the interactive column 10 and in the support device 15. The web/application portal 100 also provides the following functions: managing the parameters and choosing the type of probe/sensor to use, % power supply, discharge time prediction, alarms, etc., and indications relating to the status of the input channels, reporting any errors in connection, power supply, parameters, etc.

The multi-channel data acquisition device 20 can be encoded at the time of construction and configuration of the device with the data of the operator 200, that is, a password can be set for the various types of connection. The multi-channel data acquisition device 20 is configured to receive signals from the various transducers up to 1000 channels, convert them to digital or manage them in analog, scaling the physical quantities to bring them back into engineering units, managing the calibrations as needed, and then sending them, via the interactive column 10 or the external devices 21, to the web/application portal 100. The data are sent by the connected transmission devices 40 in a pre-established order and synchronism, and can be imported from the web/application portal 100, through which it is possible to choose whether to use them as raw data or correct the measurement, interpolating with respect to the calibration data of an accredited calibration certificate, and returning the measurement with the best possible approximation. its recalculated uncertainty. The 20 multi-channel data acquisition system uses probe calibration and certification protocols, as well as standard communication protocols and 20 standard analog inputs, to provide up to 1000 separately manageable channels, ensuring the connection of probes for homogeneous or different quantities, including: temperature, pressure, force, relative humidity, level, flow rate, conductivity, current, voltage, etc.

In FIG. 4 it is possible to observe the presence of one of the transmission devices 40 on whose protective case there is a connection compartment 41: the latter, after inserting a safety key 44 inside it, allows the transmission device 40 to be disengaged from the connected probe. The connection to the probe can also only take place when the safety key 44 is inserted inside the connection compartment 41. In the same FIG. 4 it is possible to see how a mechanical arm 43, protruding from a compartment 42, is in the act of inserting the safety key 44 in such a way as to replace the transmission device 40: the mechanical arm 43 is equipped, in its free terminal portion, with two clamps 45 and the aforementioned safety key 44; furthermore it is programmed and automated to perform the operations of picking up and replacing the transmission device 40. In particular, the mechanical arm 43 inserts the safety key 44 into the connection compartment 41 and, using the pliers 45, picks up the transmission device 40 to be replaced; subsequently, after having placed the transmission device 40 just picked up inside the compartment 42, it inserts the key into a further and new transmission device (not visible in the figure) placed inside the compartment 42; finally, it will proceed with the engagement and connection of this new device. In the immediate vicinity of said transmission device 40, a camera 46 is installed, the footage of which is visible, in real time, on said interactive column 10, on the external devices 21 connected to the multi-channel acquirer 20 and on the web/application portal 100.

The transmission devices 40, in addition to capturing the signal detected by the connected probe and sending it to the multi-channel acquisition device 20, contain fixed points consisting of reference constants, defined experimentally in the laboratory, for each type of probe, which allow the system to perform remote calibration of the probe.

The fundamental function of the multi-channel acquisition device 10 is therefore to receive signals from the various transmission devices 40, convert them into digital or manage them in analog by scaling the physical quantities to bring them back into engineering units, managing the calibrations according to the need, and then finally sending them to the specific web portal/application 100. For the acquired data it is possible to choose whether to use them as raw data or correct the measurement, interpolating with respect to the calibration data of your accredited calibration certificate and returning the measurement with the best approximation plus its recalculated uncertainty.

Finally, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations obvious to a person skilled in the art may be made to the invention described herein without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

Claims 1. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes placed in a plurality of stations (30-31-32), possibly dangerous for the health of an operator (200); said system being able to ensure the complete protection of the operator (200) by allowing him to access the various functions remotely; said system being characterised by the fact that it comprises: - at least one web portal/application (100), preferably in Java and installed on a cloud platform, capable of storing and processing the acquired data, and allowing the visualization of all the information from the sensors and/or probes sent by the transmission devices (40) and/or those collected via a multi-channel acquirer (20); - a plurality of said transmission devices (40), each connected to a probe at said stations (30-31-32), capable of continuously communicating with said multi-channel data acquisition device (40) and with an interactive column (10) via wireless and/or radio of various frequencies and/or Wi-Fi; said transmission devices (40) being capable of allowing at least the following activities to be carried out remotely via said interactive column (10): calibration of the probe to which it is connected, set-up and calibration, verification, digital tagging, continuous monitoring of one or more quantities; said transmission devices (40) comprising a protective case, preferably made of expanded nitrile rubber, equipped with a connection compartment (41); said connection compartment (41) being capable of allowing connection with the probe only when a safety key (44) is inserted inside; said connection compartment (41), after insertion of said security key (44) inside it, being able to allow the disengagement of said transmission devices (40) from each connected probe; said connection compartment being equipped with a female connector; said security key (44) being a male connector so as to be able to collect the data contained within a memory cell installed internally to each of said transmission devices (40); said memory cell, continuously recording the data coming from the probes, is able to store such data included in a predetermined time frame, for example up to two hours, before a malfunction of the probe and/or of said transmission devices (40) occurs, or when the internal battery is exhausted; - at least one replacement module, engaged in each of said transmission devices (40); said replacement module comprising a mechanical arm (43), protruding from a compartment (42), able to insert said security key (44) so as to replace said transmission devices (40); said mechanical arm (43) being equipped, in a free terminal portion thereof, with two clamps (45) and with said safety key (44); said mechanical arm (43) being programmed and automated to carry out the operations of picking up and replacing said transmission devices (40); - at least one said interactive column (10) installed in such a way as to be distant from each of said transmission devices (40) engaged within a radius between 0 and 40 km, in such a way as to receive data from the probes connected to said transmission devices (40); said interactive column (10) being connected to said web/application portal (100); said interactive column (10) being configured to issue a digital plate containing information on the calibration and/or certification of the connected probes; said interactive column (10) comprising a housing (11) suitable for allowing connection to a multi-channel data acquisition device (20) via special connectors (11?); said interactive column (10) comprising a screen (13) and keypads (12) suitable for allowing the operator (200) to manage, receive and send data coming from the connected transmission devices (40); said interactive column (10) comprising an internal compartment (14), in which a support device (15) is stored, equipped with a capacitive screen; said support device automatically connecting, via wireless networks, to the multi-channel acquirer (20) when it is connected to said interactive column (10) allowing the operator (200) to remotely manage the data of the multi-channel acquirer (20) via said web portal/application (100); - at least one said multi-channel acquirer (20) capable of being connected to probes/sensors via standard analogue inputs (20?) for the acquisition and processing of data for a high number of physical quantities; said multi-channel acquirer (20) being codified with the data of said operator (200), or by assigning a password for the various types of connection; said multi-channel acquirer (20) being connected on said interactive column (10), to the support device (15) and/or to an external device (21) via wireless connections and on which said web/application portal (100) is implemented; said multi-channel acquirer (20) being capable of receiving signals from said transmission devices (40), converting them into digital or managing them in analogue by scaling the physical quantities to bring them back into engineering units, managing the calibrations according to the need, and then sending them to said web/application portal (100). 2. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to the previous claim 1, characterised in that said multi-channel acquirer (20), when it is engaged on said interactive column (10) and/or is connected to the support device (15) and external devices (21), is able to communicate the operator's data to said web/application portal (100) allowing recognition; said connection being protected by a password. 3. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to the previous claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said multi-channel acquirer (20) comprises a haptic recognition device, associated with the operator to whom it has been supplied, in such a way as to allow him to access the connection remotely. 4. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said connectors of said connection compartment (41) and of the security key (44) are invertible with respect to each other, maintaining the male-female combination and are of the USB type. 5. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said substitution module can be activated directly from said interactive column (10) and/or from said devices (15-21) connected to said multi-channel acquirer (20). 6. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said replacement module is activated directly from said web portal/application (100) when a malfunction of the probe and/or of said transmission device (40) is detected, or when the internal battery is exhausted. 7. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said replacement module comprises a drone equipped with said safety key (44), and appropriately regulated and automated to perform the same actions as said mechanical arm (43). 8. Intelligent and safe measuring system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to the previous claim 7, characterised in that said mechanical arm (43) and said drone are manually controlled remotely via said button panels (12) present on said interactive column (10). 9. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said transmission devices (40) comprise floats so that they can be connected to probes engaged in water. 10. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said interactive column (10) has an energy saving state, guaranteeing connections, and capable of activating at full capacity only once said multi-channel acquirer (20) has been correctly connected. 11. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises, in the immediate vicinity of said transmission device (40), a camera (46) whose shots are visible, in real time, on said interactive column (10) and/or on said external devices (21) connected to said multi-channel acquirer (20) and on said web/application portal (100). 12. Intelligent and safe measurement system for the management of a plurality of physical quantities acquired via sensors and/or probes, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said multi-channel acquirer (20) is incorporated within said interactive column (10) in such a way that all management, recording and processing occurs continuously and without the aid of operators (200); said system providing a remote control station capable of commanding and managing said interactive column (10), via a PLC connected to said interactive column (10).