Abstract: A device and a method for detecting deposits in a membrane module which produces a permeate and which comprises at least one permeable or semipermeable membrane layer. At least one polymer optical fiber for detecting deposits on the membrane layer is integrated in the membrane module such that the polymer optical fiber is in contact with at least one membrane layer. A method of detecting deposits in a membrane module producing a permeate and to a membrane module for producing a permeate from a feed stream of a fluid, in particular an aqueous solution, with the membrane module comprising a plurality of adjacently disposed or stacked sheets of a permeable or semipermeable membrane layer and with at least one polymer optical fiber being embedded or integrated in the membrane module, which polymer optical fiber is in contact with at least one sheet of the membrane layer.

Abstract: A connection management device for establishing secured communications connections to an industrial automation system, wherein the device provides, in cases of a positive authorization verification outcome, access control information for establishing an encrypted communication connection between a first communication unit of a requesting user and a selected second communication unit, where the connection management device is formed by a server instance running on a firewall system, where data packets transmitted via an encrypted communications connection between the first communication unit of the requesting user and the selected second communication unit are encrypted for verification by the firewall system, based on specified security rules and, in cases of a successful verification, the data packets are forwarded encrypted to the first communication unit of the requesting user or to the selected second communication unit.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting deposits in a membrane module which produces a permeate and which comprises at least one permeable or semipermeable membrane layer. At least one polymer optical fiber for detecting deposits on the membrane layer is integrated in the membrane module such that the polymer optical fiber is in contact with at least one membrane layer. A method of detecting deposits in a membrane module producing a permeate and to a membrane module for producing a permeate from a feed stream of a fluid, in particular an aqueous solution, with the membrane module comprising a plurality of adjacently disposed or stacked sheets of a permeable or semipermeable membrane layer and with at least one polymer optical fiber being embedded or integrated in the membrane module, which polymer optical fiber is in contact with at least one sheet of the membrane layer.

Abstract: A connection management device for establishing secured communications connections to an industrial automation system, wherein the device provides, in cases of a positive authorization verification outcome, access control information for establishing an encrypted communication connection between a first communication unit of a requesting user and a selected second communication unit, where the connection management device is formed by a server instance running on a firewall system, where data packets transmitted via an encrypted communications connection between the first communication unit of the requesting user and the selected second communication unit are encrypted for verification by the firewall system, based on specified security rules and, in cases of a successful verification, the data packets are forwarded encrypted to the first communication unit of the requesting user or to the selected second communication unit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an installation having first and second energy operating states, and a different energy consumption in the first and second energy operating states, wherein the method comprising changing over the installation by a first switching command from the first into the second energy operating state, determining a first changeover time period between the beginning of the changeover process and the attainment of the second energy operating state, and storing the first changeover time period in a database for changeover time periods which is assigned to the installation, storing state information, determined using the first changeover time period, regarding the installation in a state database assigned to the installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation network and to automation equipment, network components and field devices for an automation network of this type. The network components transmit messages concerning their status to the automation equipment by means of a communication mechanism that functions according to field communication automation technology. Said automation equipment receives the status messages, evaluates them, monitors the operation of the network and controls said operation using the status messages. As the automation equipment thus contains the complete picture of the process and the network, it can react directly and rapidly to problems of the network. This eliminates the need, for example, for an additional SNMP/OPC server or a network management station.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an installation having first and second energy operating states, and a different energy consumption in the first and second energy operating states, wherein the method comprising changing over the installation by a first switching command from the first into the second energy operating state, determining a first changeover time period between the beginning of the changeover process and the attainment of the second energy operating state, and storing the first changeover time period in a database for changeover time periods which is assigned to the installation, storing state information, determined using the first changeover time period, regarding the installation in a state database assigned to the installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation network and to automation equipment, network components and field devices for an automation network of this type. The network components transmit messages concerning their status to the automation equipment by means of a communication mechanism that functions according to field communication automation technology. Said automation equipment receives the status messages, evaluates them, monitors the operation of the network and controls said operation using the status messages. As the automation equipment thus contains the complete picture of the process and the network, it can react directly and rapidly to problems of the network. This eliminates the need, for example, for an additional SNMP/OPC server or a network management station.

Abstract: A method and a system for the automated control of a technical installation (2) having a plurality of installation components (4) that are interconnected by data transmission in order to carry out process steps. Control commands (S) which are generated by a central control device (6) are fed to these components in accordance with process control signals (P) that are sent to the device. Process control signals (P) that are generated in a mobile operator unit (12) are wirelessly transmitted to interfaces (14) and are forwarded by the latter to the control device (6). The installation components (4) for which the system considers the process control signals (P) received from the mobile operator unit (12) during the generation of the corresponding control commands (S) are released using a local characteristic value (O) for the mobile operator unit (12).

Abstract: A method and a system for the automated control of a technical installation (2) having a plurality of installation components (4) that are interconnected by data transmission in order to carry out process steps. Control commands (S) which are generated by a central control device (6) are fed to these components in accordance with process control signals (P) that are sent to the device. Process control signals (P) that are generated in a mobile operator unit (12) are wirelessly transmitted to interfaces (14) and are forwarded by the latter to the control device (6). The installation components (4) for which the system considers the process control signals (P) received from the mobile operator unit (12) during the generation of the corresponding control commands (S) are released using a local characteristic value (O) for the mobile operator unit (12).

Abstract: A network has redundancy features and includes at least two series constructed of a number of network subscribers (100 . . . 107; 110 . . . 117). The at least two series are connected to one another via at least two communication channels, of which only the first one is active and the second one is deactivated. The communication channels are realized by connecting ports of the network subscribers. A network subscriber of the second communication channel monitors the first communication channel for interruption and places the second communication channel into the active state if the first communication channel is interrupted. The network subscribers have several ports, to which further network components can be connected. A microprocessor interface (25) connects the ports (28 . . . 31) with a user-internal processor bus. A switch control (46) provides message route management between the ports (28 . . . 31) and the microprocessor interface (25).

Abstract: An Ethernet network with redundancy properties and an associated method for detecting and eliminating errors in the network. A redundancy manager (6), which is connected to the line ends of the network (1), checks the status of the network by transmitting and receiving test telegrams. If there is an interruption in the network, the redundancy manager (6) connects the line ends (7, 8) and thereby ensures continued network operation within milliseconds. The network has a loop structure that is less expensive than a dual bus structure even though fast media redundancy is ensured.