Patents Assigned to Endress + Hauser Process Solution AG
  • Patent number: 8995915
    Abstract: A method for integrating a field device of automation technology into a radio network composed of a plurality of field devices, wherein the field device to be integrated switches, or is switched, at start-up, respectively, first start-up, into a special start-up mode, wherein, in the special start-up mode, a peer to peer connection to a service device or to a selected field device is produced on a specific channel and wherein integration data are transmitted from the service device or the selected field device to the field device to be integrated and/or diagnostic data of the field device are transmitted to the service device or to the selected field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Ingo Laible, Christian Seiler, Stefan Probst, Werner Thoren
  • Patent number: 8976498
    Abstract: A field device for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable in automation technology. The field device comprises: at least one microcontroller; a supply unit of limited capacity as primary voltage supply; and a detection circuit, which signals the microcontroller of a failure of the supply unit so early by means of a detection signal that sufficient time is available to take suitable safety measures, in order to avoid loss of data. The detection circuit is so embodied that a reference voltage required for detection of a voltage decline of the supply unit has an almost constant offset from the supply voltage of the supply unit and adjusts to the supply voltage, until the detection circuit, in the case of an abrupt subceeding of the reference voltage, or an abrupt voltage decline of the supply voltage, sends a detection signal to the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Marc Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8954016
    Abstract: A method, in the case of which it is monitored in a wireless adapter connected to a field device whether, in the context of communication with the field device, a status change of the field device is being reported. In case a status change has been reported, the wireless adapter queries for expanded status information of the field device. The expanded status information is transmitted event-controlled from the wireless adapter to a superordinated communication unit and provided through such to an evaluation tool, in case a comparison of the expanded status information with a status pattern adapted specifically for the field device shows that the relevant, expanded status information should be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Marc Fiedler, Stefan Probst, Werner Thoren
  • Patent number: 8902801
    Abstract: A universal interface for a wireless adapter, which supports a communication protocol used in automation technology, wherein associated with the wireless adapter are a first energy supply unit for energy supply of the wireless adapter and a radio module for communication with a superordinated control unit via a radio network, wherein provided on the interface are at least five connection terminals, which are so embodied that, as a function of a field installation that is to be connected, a portion of the connection terminals is connectable either with different embodiments of field devices or with a servicing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Stefan Probst, Marc Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8898498
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the parameter setting of at least one energy supply parameter of a field device power supply module. The field device power supply module is, in such case, connected exclusively to one field device. The connected field device is supplied with electrical energy by the field device power supply module. In the method, the system composed of field device and field device power supply module is operated and a parameter setting of at least one energy supply parameter varied. In such case, the operation of the field device is monitored. Parameter settings are ascertained, in the case of which a relatively low energy consumption of the field device and simultaneously a safe operation of the field device can be realized in the relevant operational phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Marc Fiedler, Stefan Probst
  • Patent number: 8886786
    Abstract: A method for plant monitoring with a fieldbus of process automation technology, wherein a plurality of field devices communicate with a process control unit and a plant monitoring unit The method steps are carried out as follows: the regular, process-control, data traffic on the fieldbus is monitored by the plant monitoring unit; an examination of the telegrams of the regular data traffic for information indicating a diagnostic event at one of the field devices is performed; and in case a telegram is detected having an indication of a diagnostic event, the plant monitoring unit requests further diagnostic information from the pertinent field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Jörg Hähniche, Matthias Römer
  • Patent number: 8847429
    Abstract: An autarkic field device or an autarkic radio adapter for a field device, of automation technology fed with limited energy via an energy supply unit associated, or associable, with the field device or the radio adapter. Between the energy supply unit and an internal voltage source, whose voltage exceeds, or at times can exceed, the voltage of the energy supply unit, a barrier of at least one diode group having at least two diodes connected in parallel is arranged, which blocks flow of electrical current from the internal voltage source to the energy supply unit or to the connection terminals of the field device or of the radio adapter for the energy supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Stefan Probst, Marc Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8830051
    Abstract: A method has been invented for dynamically adapting a diagnostic system, which is at least partially implemented in a controller, and which has at least one diagnostic block. In such case, the controller is, in communication via a fieldbus with at least one field device, wherein the at least one diagnostic block is embodied in such a manner, that through this, various diagnostic parameters of the at least one field device are capable of being read. Additionally, the at least one diagnostic block is implemented (or provided) in the controller and/or in the at least one field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Robert Kolblin, Emilio Schiavi, Michael Maneval, Jorg Hahniche
  • Patent number: 8766643
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the remaining service life of a battery used for operating a field device in automation technology. The present power consumption of the battery is ascertained. Then, during a first phase of life, power consumption of the battery ascertained during operation of the field device is compared with a predetermined threshold value. In the case of exceeding the predetermined threshold value, during a second phase of life, the battery is exposed to defined load spikes at predetermined time intervals. Voltage collapses corresponding to the defined load spikes are detected, and a warning report is generated when the voltage collapses reach a predetermined maximum limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Werner Thoren, Christian Seiler, Stefan Probst, Ingo Laible
  • Patent number: 8762745
    Abstract: A method for operating a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device features a fieldbus communication interface, to which a wireless adapter is connected. The field device can be supplied with electrical power by the wireless adapter via the fieldbus communication interface; and an electrical current flowing over the fieldbus communication interface is not limited, so that it can freely adjust corresponding to a respective power requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Christian Seiler
  • Publication number: 20140170989
    Abstract: A radio module for a field device, wherein the radio module contains a schedule, according to which process data, especially measurement data, are downloaded from the field device by means of the radio module and wirelessly transmitted to a superordinated unit. Based on the schedule, the radio module transmits to the field device control signals, which serve to control the power consumption of the field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Francois Ichtertz
  • Patent number: 8751704
    Abstract: A method for operating a fieldbus interface (FI) connected to a fieldbus of process automation technology. The method includes the following: tapping data traffic on the fieldbus by the fieldbus interface; and registering tapped configuration information relative to cyclic data traffic on the fieldbus by the fieldbus interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Robert Kolblin, Michael Maneval, Axel Poschmann, Jorg Reinkensmeier
  • Patent number: 8745692
    Abstract: A method for safe data communication via WAN, LAN (e.g. Internet) between at least one external access unit and a field device, or a field bus adapter for determining or monitoring at least one physical or chemical process parameter. According to the method unauthorized accessing of a field device, or a field bus adapter, in the field is blocked in that the operator of the field device or the field bus adapter permits the external access unit to have targeted access to the field device, or the field bus adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Udo Grittke, Christian Seiler
  • Publication number: 20140122855
    Abstract: A method for offline configuration of a predetermined field device type having an integrated web server. The field device is intended to be applied at a process point in an automated process plant. Field devices of different field device types having integrated web servers are physically provided by a service provider, wherein a customer connects via Internet to the respective field device type corresponding to the field device to be configured. The field device of the predetermined field device type is so configured via the Internet that it meets requirements for use at the process point in the process plant, wherein, after terminating the offline configuration, the device configuration data are so held that the customer has access to the device configuration data, and wherein upon later mounting of the field device at the process point in the process plant the offline produced, device configuration data can be made available to the field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Michael Maneval
  • Publication number: 20140089501
    Abstract: A method for locating at least one field device in an automated plant, wherein the field device is connected via a network composed of a plurality of distributed field devices, and wherein a mobile terminal is applied for locating the field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hoferlin, Eric Birgel, Ralf Schmidt, Mike Sutter
  • Publication number: 20140070609
    Abstract: A radio unit for a plant of process automation technology. The radio unit has a power circuit, which serves to derive first and second supply voltages from a voltage source, wherein the power circuit has a first output, via which the first supply voltage is tappable to serve for driving an operating electronics of the radio unit, wherein the power circuit has at least a second output, via which the at least a second supply voltage is tappable to serve for driving at least one field device connectable to the second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Marc Fiedler, Ingo Laible
  • Publication number: 20130278222
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a battery unit and an electronics unit. The battery unit has a battery with a first and a second pole. The battery unit has at least a first, at least a second and at least a third electrical contact, wherein the first contact and the third contact are connected with the first pole, and wherein the second contact is connected with the second pole. The electronics unit has an input circuit with at least a first and at least a second electrical countercontact for receiving electrical energy from the battery unit essentially via the first and second contacts or essentially via the second and third contacts of the battery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Marc Fiedler
  • Publication number: 20130211547
    Abstract: A method for integrating at least one field device into a network of automation technology, wherein a plurality of field devices are arranged distributed in an automated plant, wherein accessing of the field devices occurs via a field access unit, which communicates with at least one automation/integration platform and at least one web server of a service provider, wherein the service provider provides for each field device a virtual image of the field device in a database, wherein the service provider transmits to the operator of the automated plant via cloud-computing web services, or Internet based services, automatically or on query, the virtual image of the field device with concrete field device- and application-specific properties at run time (the virtual image is preferably transmitted directly into the field device, and wherein the field device performs its function in the automated plant, as soon as it is integrated into the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER PROCESS SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Buchdunger, Axel Poschmann, Emilio Schiavi, Eugenio Ferreira Da Silva Neto, Peter Zaretzke, Thomas Weinschenk, Yuliana Sejati
  • Publication number: 20130203359
    Abstract: A method, in the case of which it is monitored in a wireless adapter connected to a field device whether, in the context of communication with the field device, a status change of the field device is being reported. In case a status change has been reported, the wireless adapter queries for expanded status information of the field device. The expanded status information is transmitted event-controlled from the wireless adapter to a superordinated communication unit and provided through such to an evaluation tool, in case a comparison of the expanded status information with a status pattern adapted specifically for the field device shows that the relevant, expanded status information should be evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Christian Seiler, Marc Fiedler, Stefan Probst, Werner Thoren
  • Publication number: 20130173025
    Abstract: A method for parametering a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device has a certain number of device parameters, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of parametering modules, wherein at least one of the parametering modules specifies values for parameters of a first portion of the device parameters for parametering the field device; registering with an auxiliary module data, which relate to the application, in which the field device is to be applied; and selecting by means of the auxiliary module one of the parametering modules for parametering of the field device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER PROCESS SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventor: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG