Method and plug-in connection for informing a process control center about a sensor being disconnected from a measuring transducer

{
  "publication_number": "US9705568B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method and plug-in connection for informing a process control center about a sensor being disconnected from a measuring transducer",
  "abstract": "A method for informing a process control center about the fact that a sensor is being disconnected from a measuring transducer that is arranged spatially remote from the process control center and electrically connected with the process control center. The sensor is connected with the measuring transducer via a plug-in connection. A method involving automatic transmission of a signal to the process control center when the plug-in connection is opened is designed in such a way that, when opening a bayonet joint that covers the plug-in connection, or when disconnecting the plug-in connection, in order to disconnect the sensor from the measuring transducer, an electric signal is generated in the plug-in connection or the bayonet joint, which is transmitted to the process control center.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for informing a process control center about disconnection of a sensor from a measuring transducer that is arranged spatially remote from the process control center and connected with the process control center, whereby the sensor is connected with the measuring transducer via a plug-in connection, comprising: providing the plug-in connection whereby the sensor is connected to the measuring transducer via the plug-in connection, the plug-in connection having a plug element connected to the sensor and a counter plug connected to the measuring transducer, a bayonet joint that covers the plug-in connection for disconnecting the plug-in connection, or for separating the sensor from the measuring transducer, and a switch disposed at said bayonet joint and/or at said plug-in connection, wherein when said bayonet joint is opened or said plug-in connection is released, an information signal is issued from the switch to said process control center; opening the bayonet joint thereby changing the state of the switch; and issuing the information signal from the switch to the process control center.",
    "2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the electric signal is issued by a changed electrical contact inside or outside the plug-in connection when the bayonet joint is opened or the plug-in connection is disconnected.",
    "3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the electric signal is issued by a change in a magnetic field caused by the bayonet joint being opened or the plug-in connection being disconnected.",
    "4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the electric signal is issued by a change in an optical radiation caused by the bayonet joint being opened or the plug-in connection being disconnected.",
    "5. A plug-in connection for connecting a sensor to a measuring transducer that is arranged spatially remote from a process control center and connected with said process control center, comprising: a plug-in connection whereby the sensor is connected to the measuring transducer via said plug-in connection, said plug-in connection has a plug element leading to the sensor and a counter plug that is connected to the measuring transducer; a bayonet joint; and a switch disposed at said bayonet joint and/or at said plug-in connection, wherein when said bayonet joint is opened or when said plug-in connection is released, an information signal is issued from the switch to said process control center.",
    "6. The plug-in connection according to claim 5, wherein: said switch is an electromechanical switch, whereby a projecting piece is arranged on said plug element or said bayonet joint, which, in closed condition of said bayonet joint or of said plug-in connection, is attached to a switch contact that is positioned in said counter plug, and, when said bayonet joint is opened or said plug element is separated from said counter plug, said projecting piece releases said switch contact.",
    "7. The plug-in connection according to claim 5, wherein: said switch is a magnetic switch, whereby a permanent magnet is arranged either on said bayonet joint or on said plug element, which is connected to a magnetically triggered switch contact by means of an effective connection, said switch contact being arranged in or on said counter plug.",
    "8. The plug-in connection according to claim 5, wherein: said switch is an optical switch, whereby said bayonet joint or said plug element has a reflecting area arranged on an inner side, and said counter plug has a window arranged on it, through which an optical radiation falls on said reflecting area when said bayonet joint or said plug-in connection is closed, whereby the optical radiation that is reflected by said reflecting area is directed towards an electronic unit that is sensitive to radiation and that is arranged inside or on said counter plug.",
    "9. The plug-in connection according to claims 5, wherein: said bayonet joint is mounted on said counter plug in a turnable way.",
    "10. The plug-in connection according to claim 5, wherein: said plug-in connection includes an inductive interface inside said counter plug for data and/or energy exchange along with a complementary inductive sensor interface arranged inside said plug element."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to a method for informing a process control center about the fact that a sensor is being disconnected from a measuring transducer that is arranged spatially remote from the process control center and connected with the process control center, whereby the sensor is connected with the measuring transducer via a plug-in connection as well as a plug-in connection for performing the method.\n\nIn process control engineering, sensors are positioned in environments in order to measure their physical and/or chemical properties. In the area of the sensor, a measuring transducer is arranged, which transforms the sensor signal and processes it. The sensor and measuring transducer form a measuring chain, which in the following shall mean a transmission route of a primary sensor signal that depends on a parameter to be measured to a unit that is downstream of the sensor, wherein the downstream unit receives the sensor signal or an edited sensor signal in order to process it and to forward it in another form.\n\nThe measuring transducers are installed at the installation location and configured according to the measuring task and connected with a process control center. Disconnecting a sensor from a measuring transducer usually results in a fault signal in the process control center, unless a hold signal was initiated prior to intentionally disconnecting the sensor from the measuring transducer. However, manually initiating a hold signal at the measuring transducer is only possible if a direct control interface is provided locally on the measuring transducer.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04B 5/79",
    "G01D 11/00",
    "G01D 18/00",
    "G01D 21/00",
    "G08B 21/18",
    "G08C 19/00",
    "H01R 13/6205",
    "H01R 13/625",
    "H01R 13/66",
    "H01R 13/6683",
    "H01R 13/703",
    "H01R 13/7037",
    "H04B 5/0031",
    "H04B 5/0037",
    "H04B 5/24",
    "H04B 5/45"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01R 13/66",
    "H01R 13/62",
    "G01D 21/00",
    "G08B 21/18",
    "G08C 19/00",
    "H01R 11/30",
    "H01R 13/625"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Endress and Hauser Conducta GmbH and Co KG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Oliver Durm"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-12-01",
  "publication_date": "2017-07-11",
  "grant_date": "2017-07-11",
  "priority_date": "2014-12-08",
  "application_number": "US-201514955325-A",
  "family_id": "55974640",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
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    "EP1401060A1",
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  ]
}