Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device, in which a plurality of spatially distributed functional units communicate with one another by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110) which has at least one associated clock generator (120) and a memory unit (150) and which is connected at least to a data source (140), which is designed to output a data byte stream to be transmitted. A first program for conversion of a data byte stream to be transmitted to a sequence of sample values of an adequate frequency-modulated line signal, and a second program for identification of a frequency-modulated line signal and for its sequential conversion to a received data byte stream are stored in the memory unit (150), with these programs being associated with the microcontroller (110). The first and the second program can be run alternately.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device, with which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which is assigned at least one clock generator (120) and one memory unit (150), and which is connected at least to one data source (140), which is designed to output a data bit-stream to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and a valve arrangement are provided for electronic wear state determination of the valve arrangement for controlling a process medium flow. A valve element, which is arranged so as to move axially within a valve housing, is moved via electrically drivable linear drive means on the basis of positioning regulation. The valve element has an essentially constant drive force applied to it, and a position speed profile over the switching travel of the valve element is determined by detecting the speed as a function of the current position of the valve element. A change profile is created by comparing the determined speed profile with previous position speed profiles, as a measure of the position-dependent wear state of the valve mechanism.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for data transmission between a field device and an operating device, wherein the field device is designed to communicate with a higher-level device using a fieldbus protocol in order to perform an automation engineering task, and wherein the operating device is designed as a master for bit-serial point-to-point communication using a packet-based transmission protocol. It is proposed to encode the data to be transmitted according to the specification of the fieldbus protocol, and to carry it over the transmission channel using the packet-based transmission protocol.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the drive type of an actuator, e.g., a pneumatic actuator, having a positioner for operating a final control element in a process engineering plant. The actuator is connected to the positioner by a mounting set, the positioner comprising an electronic control unit, which uses a microcontroller to receive one or more input signals, and to output actuating signals to control the flow of gas to or from the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensors are equipped with a rotational measuring system. During commissioning of the actuator, the relationship between the drive volumes and the position signal is found and compared with transfer characteristics of known drive types. Where there is a match between the transfer characteristic defined by the value pairs of the given actuator and one of the transfer characteristics of the known drive types, the identified drive type is assigned to the given actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device, with which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which is assigned at least one clock generator (120) and one memory unit (150), and which is connected at least to one data source (140), which is designed to output a data bit-stream to be transmitted. A sequential sequence of equidistant samples of a trapezoidal time profile is stored in the memory unit (150), such that it can be called up, in such a manner that the samples can be output either using the clock of the first clock generator or using the clock of the second clock generator, depending on the data bit-stream.

Abstract: A measurement device and method for diagnosing noise in fluidic systems. A microphone, which is arranged at least partially in the area of the flow medium, compensates for pressure surges in the flow medium. The microphone receives the noise via a membrane and converts it to an electrical signal for evaluation of the noise source by an electronic diagnosis unit. To compensate for pressure surges in the flow medium, the membrane of the microphone is arranged in a housing, which is open on both sides of the membrane and whose two openings have pressure applied to them by the flow medium as a sound source, with at least one of the two openings being provided, in order to detect noise, with filter means for attenuation and/or time delay of frequencies which are in an expected noise spectrum, while the filter means allows lower frequencies produced by the pressure fluctuations in the flow medium to pass through.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an arrangement for diagnosis of a final control element, which is actuated by a pneumatically operated actuating mechanism under the control of a control device, and which emits acoustic signals during conventional use. It is proposed to detect acoustic signals fed back into the pneumatic system of the actuating mechanism, and to derive from them the status data of the final control element. For this purpose, an acoustic sensor is arranged in the pneumatic-fluid supply line of the actuating mechanism, with the acoustic sensor being electrically connected to an analysis device. A pressure sensor is used as the acoustic sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process control system having measuring devices and actuators. All of the measuring devices and actuators process information and exchange data amongst themselves. All measuring devices and actuators are interconnected to enable a bi-directional data exchange. Several, or all of the measuring devices and actuators can exchange data with a service unit that can be connected to the devices and actuators. The invention also relates to a method for operating a process control system of this type.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control device which is answered by the control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being issued as a function of the current process sequence at the armature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device, with which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which is assigned at least one clock generator (120) and one memory unit (150), and which is connected at least to one data source (140), which is designed to output a data bit-stream to be transmitted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation device (100, 100?), with which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which is assigned at least one clock generator (120) and one memory unit (150), and which is connected at least to one data source (140), which is designed to output a data bit-stream to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and a valve arrangement are provided for electronic wear state determination of the valve arrangement for controlling a process medium flow. A valve element, which is arranged so as to move axially within a valve housing, is moved via electrically drivable linear drive means on the basis of positioning regulation. The valve element has an essentially constant drive force applied to it, and a position speed profile over the switching travel of the valve element is determined by detecting the speed as a function of the current position of the valve element. A change profile is created by comparing the determined speed profile with previous position speed profiles, as a measure of the position-dependent wear state of the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A measurement device and method for diagnosing noise in fluidic systems. A microphone, which is arranged at least partially in the area of the flow medium, compensates for pressure surges in the flow medium. The microphone receives the noise via a membrane and converts it to an electrical signal for evaluation of the noise source by an electronic diagnosis unit. To compensate for pressure surges in the flow medium, the membrane of the microphone is arranged in a housing, which is open on both sides of the membrane and whose two openings have pressure applied to them by the flow medium as a sound source, with at least one of the two openings being provided, in order to detect noise, with filter means for attenuation and/or time delay of frequencies which are in an expected noise spectrum, while the filter means allows lower frequencies produced by the pressure fluctuations in the flow medium to pass through.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the drive type of an actuator, e.g., a pneumatic actuator, having a positioner for operating a final control element in a process engineering plant. The actuator is connected to the positioner by a mounting set, the positioner comprising an electronic control unit, which uses a microcontroller to receive one or more input signals, and to output actuating signals to control the flow of gas to or from the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensors are equipped with a rotational measuring system. During commissioning of the actuator, the relationship between the drive volumes and the position signal is found and compared with transfer characteristics of known drive types. Where there is a match between the transfer characteristic defined by the value pairs of the given actuator and one of the transfer characteristics of the known drive types, the identified drive type is assigned to the given actuator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for identification of the drive type of an actuating drive, e.g., a pneumatic actuating drive, having a position regulator in order to control an actuating member in a process installation. The actuating drive is connected by means of an attachment to the position regulator, with the position regulator having control electronics which receive one or more input signals with the aid of a microcontroller and emit actuating signals in order to ventilate or vent the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensor system is equipped with a rotational measurement system. The actuating range of the actuating drive is passed through completely while setting it up. The angle positions signaled back are recorded. The drive type is determined from the range between the limit angle positions at the actuating range limits of the actuating drive.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control device which is answered by the control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being issued as a function of the current process sequence at the armature.

Abstract: An automation device is disclosed, in which a multiplicity of physically distributed functional units communicate with each other by means of a common transmission protocol. The device has a microcontroller (110), which has a group of associated input/output connections which are connected to a resistor network. The resistances of the resistors follow a sequence, the resistance respectively being doubled from the less significant to the next most significant bit. Each input/output connection is actively switched to the associated logic level in order to output a first logic state and is connected as a high-impedance input in order to output the inverse, second logic state.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for data transmission between a field device and an operating device, wherein the field device is designed to communicate with a higher-level device using a fieldbus protocol in order to perform an automation engineering task, and wherein the operating device is designed as a master for bit-serial point-to-point communication using a packet-based transmission protocol. It is proposed to encode the data to be transmitted according to the specification of the fieldbus protocol, and to carry it over the transmission channel using the packet-based transmission protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic method for a final control element (2) driven by auxiliary power, in which the auxiliary power is supplied by means of an actuator for converting an electrical manipulated variable into a physical variable of the auxiliary power, where the elements of the actuator form a control loop. It is proposed to operate the actuator as a sensor in a direction of action of the signal flow that is opposite to its conventional direction.