TW202228023A - Vacuum installation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment (10) of a vacuum installation, characterized in that it comprises an electronic communication module (1), said electronic module (1) comprising: - a non-volatile memory (3), - a processing unit (9) associated with the non-volatile memory (3) and configured to allow values of parameters associated with the equipment (10) in the non-volatile memory (3) to be read and backed up when the equipment (10) is powered by a general power supply of the equipment (10), - a passive wireless communication module (5) associated with the non-volatile memory (3) and configured to receive a power supply signal from a reader (7) external to the equipment (10) and to return to said reader (7) an information signal comprising the values of the parameters backed up in the non-volatile memory (3), the passive wireless communication module (5) being powered by the power supply signal from the external reader (7).

Description

vacuum equipment

The present invention relates to a device, more particularly, to a vacuum device device.

The vacuum unit includes a number of mechanical and electrical equipment that require tracking and regular maintenance to prevent any breakdowns. Therefore, when a failure occurs, it is appropriate to be able to quickly identify the root cause of the failure and allow for rapid repair of the device by accessing information related to the device (eg, a reference number to enable ordering of the defective part).

However, this tracking can be complex and take a considerable amount of time to retrieve certain information, such as the latest errors encountered by the device. Access to this information may not be possible in the event of a device failure. Additionally, it must be possible to restore these materials without restarting the device.

Therefore, it is suitable to provide a solution that can simplify the tracking and maintenance of the equipment of the vacuum plant and limit the time required for such tracking, to limit the number of failures and to allow a quick response in the event of a failure. Patent documents WO 2014197779 and EP 3451547 describe wireless communication devices that allow the transfer of data between a non-volatile memory of passive elements and an external reader.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is an apparatus for a vacuum device comprising an electronic communication module, the electronic module comprising: - non-volatile memory, - a processing unit, associated with the non-volatile memory and configured to allow parameter values associated with the device to be read and backed up in the non-volatile memory when the device is powered by the device's universal power supply, - a passive wireless communication module, associated with the non-volatile memory and configured to receive a power supply signal from a reader external to the device and return an information signal to the reader, the information signal including backup in the non-volatile memory The parameter value in the memory, the passive wireless communication module is powered by the power supply signal from the external reader.

The use of this electronic module in the equipment of the vacuum unit allows quick access to various pieces of information related to the equipment even when the equipment is not powered. In fact, for service, inventory management, service center, or field flow purposes, the configuration, identification, and operating parameters of equipment that can access vacuum units without starting the equipment (such as vacuum pumps or leak detectors or solenoid valves) can be useful , especially to track or control the operation of equipment. Such access to equipment parameters may, among other things, predict certain failures or facilitate maintenance of the equipment in the event of a failure. Simple and fast access to certain information, such as the serial number of the equipment, and operating parameters, such as the duration of its use or various errors that have occurred on the equipment, or even the values of certain operating parameters, allowing improved and facilitated tracking and maintenance become possible. Furthermore, without the use of such a mod, in the event of a device failure, powering up the device may take a considerable amount of time or may not be possible at all. In addition, since the power supply of the electronic module is provided by the signal transmitted by the external reader, there is no need to use batteries or cells that need to be charged and/or replaced regularly.

According to another aspect of the invention, the passive wireless communication module is configured to receive a power supply signal including parameter values associated with the device and to back up the parameter values in a non-volatile memory.

Such a feature can back up or modify certain parameters associated with the device even when the device is not powered, which allows for quick updates and avoids failures when restarting or configuring the device without power supply.

According to a supplementary aspect of the invention, the non-volatile memory includes at least one secure portion in which reading and/or backup of parameter values associated with the device by an external reader is authorized only to identified external readers and/or A password is required.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the passive wireless communication module uses a communication protocol from the following protocols: -near-field communication protocol, also known as NFC, - radiofrequency identification protocol, also known as RFID.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least some of the parameters whose values are backed up in the non-volatile memory are dynamic parameters whose values may vary over time, especially when the device is in operation.

According to a supplementary aspect of the invention, the parameters include operating parameters of the device, in particular at least one of the following parameters: - the duration of operation of the equipment or components of the equipment, - the number of cycles of the device, - the power or power integral of the device, - failures encountered by the equipment, - the temperature of the components of the equipment, - vibration levels measured on components of the equipment, - the current threshold of the device, - the date when the equipment was maintained or the technician was involved in the equipment, - Servo control parameters of the device, - the bias current of the device, - the operating values of the equipment, in particular the latest operating values, prior to triggering the failure of the equipment or the interruption of the general power supply of the equipment.

According to a complementary aspect of the invention, the processing unit of the electronic module is connected to the general processing unit of the device by means of a communication bus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device is a vacuum pump or a leak detector or a solenoid valve.

The following examples are examples. Although the following description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that every reference refers to the same embodiment or that the features are only applicable to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined or exchanged to provide other embodiments.

The present invention relates to equipment for vacuum installations. A vacuum device is understood to mean any device that includes a pumping mechanism that enables a sub-atmospheric pressure to be obtained in a part of the device.

The equipment of the vacuum apparatus is, for example, a vacuum pump, a leak detector or a solenoid valve, and includes an electronic communication module specially configured to allow data associated with the equipment to be recovered by a remote reader without the need for the The device is powered up.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 10 including a vacuum device of an electronic communication module 1 . The electronic communication module 1 includes a non-volatile memory 3 configured to back up parameter values associated with the device 10, in particular when the device 10 is running, eg when the device 10 is powered on.

Different types of parameters can be backed up in the non-volatile memory 3 , such as the reference number of the device 10 or reference numbers of parts of the device 10 , the date of intervention of the device maintenance service, and the configuration or operating parameters of the device 10 . These parameters may be dynamic parameters that may change over time as the device 10 operates. These dynamic parameters correspond, for example, to the duration of operation of the device 10 or a component of the device 10, the operating power or power integral of the device 10 or a component of the device 10, a fault encountered by the device 10 or a component of the device 10, the Temperature or temperature change, vibration or vibration level measured on a component of the device or the number of operating cycles of the device 10 .

The parameters stored in the non-volatile memory can therefore depend on the equipment of the vacuum device. Thus, in the case of a vacuum pump, the stored parameter would be the current threshold in the pump or the temperature of the bearings supporting the rotor of the vacuum pump or the operating power of the pump. In the case of solenoid valves, the parameters would be able to be, for example, multiple openings and/or closures in the case of on/off solenoid valves for isolating chambers, or in the case of regulating flow rates, in particular gas flow rates or Servo control coefficient in the case of a solenoid valve that regulates gas pressure. In the case of a leak detector, eg a sniffer mode leak detector, the component to be tested is pressurized with a tracer gas, and a sniffer probe connected to the gas analyzer is located near the component to be tested to detect the presence of tracer gas Presence or spray mode leak detector, using a spray gun to spray tracer gas to the component to be tested, the volume inside the component to be tested is connected to the gas analyzer, the parameters can also include the bias current of the gas analyzer.

The electronic communication module 1 also includes a processing unit 9 associated with the non-volatile memory 3 and configured to allow the parameter values associated with the device 10 to be read and backed up in the non-volatile memory 3 . The processing unit 9 is implemented, for example, by a microcontroller or a microprocessor.

The processing unit 9 is connected to the general processing unit 11 of the device 10, for example via a communication bus 13 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) type data bus. Alternatively, the processing unit 9 and the general purpose processing unit may be combined in a single general purpose processing unit of the device 10 .

Therefore, when it is running, the device 10 can write or read parameter values such as the above-mentioned parameters in the non-volatile memory 3 through the communication bus 13 and the processing unit 9 .

The electronic communication module 1 further includes a passive wireless communication module 5 associated with the non-volatile memory 3 . The passive wireless communication module 5 and the non-volatile memory are, for example, arranged on a common printed circuit or connected by wires.

The passive wireless communication module 5 is configured to receive a power supply signal from a reader 7 (visible in FIG. 2 ) external to the device 10 and return an information signal including at least some parameters stored in the non-volatile memory 3 to The reader 7 responds to the power supply signal. The passive wireless communication module 5 includes, for example, an antenna configured to receive electromagnetic waves emitted by the reader 7 .

The communication protocol used to establish the communication between the passive wireless communication module 5 and the reader 7 is, for example, one of the following protocols: - Near Field Communication Protocol, also known as NFC, - Radio Frequency Identification Protocol, also known as RFID.

The transmission of the parameters stored in the non-volatile memory 3 by the passive wireless communication module 5 to the reader 7 is accomplished by, for example, modulating the power supply signal received from the reader 7, which The modulated signal is then returned to the reader 7 as an information signal.

The passive wireless communication module 5 may also be configured to receive a power supply signal from the reader 7 including parameter values associated with the device 10 and may be configured to back up these values in the non-volatile memory 3 . For example, this relates to the values of configuration parameters of the device 10 that will be used by the device 10, for example, when the device 10 is subsequently operated. These parameters may correspond to at least some of the parameters previously described.

The electronic communication module 1 is thus powered by the general power supply of the device 10 when the device 10 is operating, and powered by the power supply signal emitted by the reader 7 when the device 10 is not operating, and is powered off by turning off the general power supply. The reader 7 can also be used to read and/or write parameter values associated with the device 10 when the device 10 is powered by its universal power supply.

The non-volatile memory 3 can be partially (for some stored parameters only) or fully (for all stored parameters) protected in read or write mode. Such protection involves, for example, password-required access to the non-volatile memory 3 or access granted only to one or more predefined identification readers, or a combination of these methods. Other methods known to those skilled in the art for protecting the non-volatile memory 3 can also be used. Certain parameter values in the non-volatile memory 3 can also be accessed only in read mode and cannot be modified. For example, this may involve the value of a static parameter, such as the reference number of the device 10 . The reader 7 may be configured to be authorized to read and/or write data associated with a plurality of electronic components 1 incorporated in different equipment 10, such as vacuum equipment or all of the production sites including such equipment. equipment.

In the case of dynamic parameters, such as the duration of operation of the device or a component of the device (eg an electric motor), the parameter value may be updated periodically or only at predetermined times, eg when the device 10 is switched off.

In operation, when the device 10 , eg the vacuum pump 10 , is powered, eg through the power supply of the device, the values of various operating parameters may be periodically backed up in the non-volatile memory 3 . These backups are performed, for example, by the general processing unit 11 of the vacuum pump 10 sending signals including the updated values of these parameters to the electronic communication module 1 via the data bus 13 . These parameters relate, for example, to the operating time of the vacuum pump 10 and the failures that the vacuum pump 10 experiences. These backups are, for example, performed every second, every minute, or cyclically when the state of the vacuum pump changes, for example, when it is powered off. The non-volatile memory 3 also includes static parameters, such as the reference number of the vacuum pump 10 and configuration parameters of the vacuum pump 10, such as the maximum operating power.

The values of all or some of the parameters stored in the non-volatile memory 3 are restored by the external reader 7 when the vacuum pump is turned off and powered down, eg after a vacuum pump failure. A dialog can be established between the external reader 7 and the electronic communication module 1 so that the user of the external reader 7 can select the parameters that must be returned to the external reader 7 .

To allow reading of these parameters backed up in the non-volatile memory 3, the external reader 7 is placed near the vacuum pump 10, for example within a radius of between a few centimeters and 10 meters, depending on the communication protocol used range, and the communication protocol of the reader 7 is activated in order to transmit the power supply signal to the electronic device 1 . In response to the power supply signal from the reader 7 , the electronic device 1 returns an information signal including the value of the selected parameter stored in the non-volatile memory 3 .

The parameter value recovered by the reader 7 can show the fault recently encountered by the vacuum pump 10 (such as overheating or overspeed of the motor of the vacuum pump 10 ), which makes it possible to quickly detect the cause of the fault of the vacuum pump 10 , thereby reducing the need for maintenance of the vacuum pump 10 time.

Therefore, if the fault is due to overheating due to the high maximum operating power of the vacuum pump 10 , the parameter value corresponding to the maximum operating power of the vacuum pump in the non-volatile memory 3 can also be modified, for example by the power to be transmitted to the external reader 7 . The new value of the parameter corresponding to the maximum operating power in the supply signal is sent to the electronic communication module 1 .

Therefore, when the vacuum pump 10 resumes operation, the general processing unit 11, through the processing unit 9, reads the value of the maximum operating power in the non-volatile memory 3 of the electronic communication module 1, and therefore, when the vacuum pump 10 is restarted Adjust its power set point, which makes it possible to prevent new overheating due to too high maximum operating power (adaptation of parameters).

Use of the electronic communication module 1 (the electronic communication module 1 on the one hand comprises a non-volatile memory 3 associated with the processing unit 9 to read and/or back up the parameters associated with the equipment 10 of the vacuum device, and, On the other hand, includes a passive wireless communication module 5) configured to communicate with an external reader 7 so that the data stored in the non-volatile memory 3 can be read even when the device 10 is not running or the power is not turned on the value of the parameter. Such electronic communication module 1 may also allow parameter values associated with the device to be backed up in the non-volatile memory 3 when the device 10 is not operating or powered on. Thus, such an electronic communication module 1 enables simple and fast access to data associated with the device 10 without requiring the device 10 to be powered on.

1: Electronic communication module 3: Non-volatile memory 5: Passive wireless communication module 7: Reader 9: Processing unit 10: Equipment 11: General processing unit 13: Data bus

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description and drawings, given by way of illustration and non-limiting example, wherein:

[FIG. 1] A simplified diagram showing an apparatus of a vacuum apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 2] A simplified diagram showing the apparatus of Fig. 1 and an external reader.

In these figures, the same components have the same reference numerals.

1: Electronic communication module

3: Non-volatile memory

5: Passive wireless communication module

7: Reader

9: Processing unit

10: Equipment

Claims (9)

A device (10) for a vacuum device, characterized by comprising an electronic communication module (1), the electronic module (1) comprising: non-volatile memory (3), a processing unit (9) associated with the non-volatile memory (3) and configured to allow reading and backup of the non-volatile memory when the device (10) is powered by the device's (10) universal power supply the parameter values associated with the device (10) in the body (3), A passive wireless communication module (5) associated with the non-volatile memory (3) and configured to receive power supply signals from a reader (7) external to the device (10) and return information signals to the reader a reader (7), the information signal includes the parameter values backed up in the non-volatile memory (3), the passive wireless communication module (5) is supplied by the power of the external reader (7) Signal powered, characterized in that the non-volatile memory (3) comprises at least a secure part in which the reading and/or backup of the parameter values associated with the device (10) by an external reader (7) is authorized only for External reader (7) recognized and/or password required. The apparatus (10) of a vacuum apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passive wireless communication module (5) is configured to receive a power supply signal comprising the parameter values associated with the apparatus (10) and to transmit The parameter values are backed up in the non-volatile memory (3). The device (10) for a vacuum device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the passive wireless communication module (5) uses a communication protocol from the following protocols: Near Field Communication Protocol, also known as NFC, Radio Frequency Identification Protocol, also known as RFID. Device (10) for a vacuum device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the parameters whose values are backed up in the non-volatile memory (3) are dynamic parameters whose values can vary over time , especially when the device (10) is running. The device (10) for a vacuum device according to claim 4, wherein the parameters include operating parameters of the device (10), in particular at least one of the following parameters: the duration of operation of the device (10) or a component of the device (10), The number of cycles of the device, the power or power integral of the device (10), The device (10) encounters a failure, the temperature of the components of the device (10), Vibration levels measured on components of the device (10), the current threshold of the device (10), the date of maintenance of the device (10) or the date of intervention of the device (10) by a technician, Servo control parameters of the device (10), The bias current of the device (10), The operating value of the device (10) prior to triggering a failure of the device (10) or an outage of the general power supply to the device (10). The device (10) of a vacuum device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit (9) of the electronic module (1) is connected to the general purpose of the device (10) by means of a communication bus (13). processing unit (11). The apparatus (10) of a vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus (10) is a vacuum pump. The apparatus (10) of a vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus (10) is a leak detector. The device (10) of a vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (10) is a solenoid valve.

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