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 diagnostic device that detects a failure of a sensor. The sensor includes memory for repeatedly recording pairs of two absolute pressure values, the absolute pressure values being related to absolute pressures in the first and the second impulse lines, respectively. A processor repeatedly computes, from a prescribable number of pairs of the two absolute pressure values, a correlation value representative of the correlation between the two absolute pressure values. The processor can also compare correlation values to at least one correlation threshold value, and generate a diagnostic output depending on the result of the comparison. It is possible to derive the absolute pressure values from one differential pressure measurement and one absolute pressure measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor, the measuring cell of which is provided with at least one membrane for the protection of the pressure-sensitive element and a measuring chamber, filled with pressure medium, in which the pressure-sensitive element is housed. According to the invention, the membrane is monitored for damage, whereby at least one surface wave sensor is arranged in the chamber filled with pressure medium. On damage to the membrane occurring, process medium is mixed with the pressure medium. A substance change in the sensitive region of the surface wave sensor is thus brought about which results in a differing signal run time. Any change in run time is an indictor of damage to the pressure sensor and may be signaled as such.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor, the measuring cell of which is provided with at least one membrane for the protection of the pressure-sensitive element and a measuring chamber, filled with pressure medium, in which the pressure-sensitive element is housed. According to the invention, the membrane is monitored for damage, whereby at least one surface wave sensor is arranged in the chamber filled with pressure medium. On damage to the membrane occurring, process medium is mixed with the pressure medium. A substance change in the sensitive region of the surface wave sensor is thus brought about which results in a differing signal run time. Any change in run time is an indictor of damage to the pressure sensor and may be signaled as such.

Abstract: The diagnostic device for detecting a failure of a sensing means, which sensing means comprises a recording means for repeatedly recording pairs of two absolute pressure values, the absolute pressure values being related to absolute pressures in the first and the second impulse lines, respectively, a computation means for repeatedly computing, from a prescribable number of pairs of the two absolute pressure values, a correlation value representative of the correlation between the two absolute pressure value, a comparison means for comparing correlation values to at least one correlation threshold value, and an output means for outputting a diagnostic output depending on the result of the comparison. It is possible to derive the absolute pressure values from one differential pressure measurement an one absolute pressure measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of devices, such as, measuring devices or actuators, which are associated with process technology, and uni-directional or bidirectional data exchange with a central point, such as a control center or display device. A transmitting/receiving device is arranged such that data can be exchanged with the central point. The transmitting/receiving device is also arranged such that data from the other devices can be retrieved or transmitted further. The other devices do not comprise a transmitting or receiving device for direct communication with the central point.

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 invention relates to a device and a method for the status monitoring of a pressure measuring unit in an absolute or differential or relative pressure transducer, a pressure-sensitive element installed in the pressure measuring unit being impinged with at least one pressure generated by at least one membrane. During a defined diagnosis time interval, a testing element integrated in the pressure measuring unit is induced to undergo a change in volume, preferably by electrical activation. The pressure difference caused as a result in the pressure measuring unit is registered by a pressure-sensitive element. The curve registered during a diagnosis time interval is compared with a reference curve recorded with the pressure measuring unit intact. A fault indication is given if the deviations between the registered curve and the reference curve exceed predetermined tolerance values.

Abstract: An on-line degradation monitoring is disclosed for boiler tubes in large combustion facilities, in particular waste incineration plants. The degradation of the tubes, for example corrosion or caking, is determined in a more or less continuous manner while the combustion facility is operating, and thus not restricted to optical inspection during downtimes. A rate or accumulated degradation can be related to an operation mode of the facility. Appropriate degradation sensors are arranged outside of a the flue gas tract where the boiler tubes are exposed to noxious flue gases from the combustion process, and receive ultrasonic signals from a space or volume within the flue gas tract. A test tube is provided exclusively for the monitoring of the degradation progress and introduced into the flue gas tract at a particularly corrosion-exposed location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the status monitoring of a pressure measuring unit in an absolute or differential or relative pressure transducer, a pressure-sensitive element installed in the pressure measuring unit being impinged with at least one pressure by means of at least one membrane. During a defined diagnosis time interval, a testing element integrated in the pressure measuring unit is induced to undergo a change in volume, preferably by electrical activation. The pressure difference caused as a result in the pressure measuring unit is registered by a pressure-sensitive element. The curve registered during a diagnosis time interval is compared with a reference curve recorded with the pressure measuring unit intact. A fault indication is given if the deviations between the registered curve and the reference curve exceed predetermined tolerance values.

Abstract: A method of providing data for root cause analysis. Data is transferred from a structured data model into a causally oriented data model. The causally oriented data model is complemented with information associated with conditional probabilities between at least two objects of the causally oriented data model.

Abstract: A method and a system are described for determining the effectiveness of production installations, significant fault events that bring about deviations from a desired effectiveness and the causes of fault events. The production installation is connected to a data acquisition device, which is set up for continuous acquisition and ready-to-call-up storage of installation and production-related data. A service device is connected to the data acquisition device and has an input device for the input of additional installation and production-related descriptive data that cannot be called up from the data acquisition device. An online system part is set up for calling up installation and production-related data from the data acquisition device, calculating the effectiveness, detecting fault events, determining significant fault events by fault event evaluation, and determining in each case the causes of faults. An offline system part is provided and contains a number of generic fault models and assessment models.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a corresponding system for controlling a discrete production process produce or process in a number of production steps. Each step uses a machine, so that different intermediate products are produced. Buffer times are defined and taken into account during which one machine is able to continue to operate for the duration of the failure of one of the machines of a preceding production step by processing a stock of intermediate products corresponding to the associated buffer time and stored in a buffer during the production. In this case, production data are acquired continuously for each machine and, with access to these production data, statistically averaged repair times MTTRi (Mean Time to Repair) are calculated cyclically by using a MTTR calculator. Based on these times MTTRi, buffer times are calculated by using a TP calculator and are fed to a device for controlling the production process as desired values for buffer times.

Abstract: An oil pipeline, which connects a Christmas tree at its lower end to an oil rig at its upper end, is fitted with a stainless steel tube sheathed telecommunications grade optical fiber, forming part of a distributed temperature measurement device, such as to be in thermal contact with the oil flowing along the pipeline. Also fitted to respective ones of three discrete positions on the pipeline are ultrasonic deposit thickness measurement devices, the one nearest of which to the Christmas tree is a few hundred meters downstream from a position where preliminary studies of the pipeline system have indicated that deposits are likely to form during oil production. A computer, located on the oil rig, is connected to be able to provide control over and to receive measurement signals from the temperature measurement devices and the deposit thickness measurement devices. A model of at least deposit deposition stored in the computer is revised in response to these signals.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a corresponding system for controlling a discrete production process produce or process in a number of production steps. Each step uses a machine, so that different intermediate products are produced. Buffer times are defined and taken into account during which one machine is able to continue to operate for the duration of the failure of one of the machines of a preceding production step by processing a stock of intermediate products corresponding to the associated buffer time and stored in a buffer during the production. In this case, production data are acquired continuously for each machine and, with access to these production data, statistically averaged repair times MTTRi (Mean Time to Repair) are calculated cyclically by using a MTTR calculator. Based on these times MTTRi, buffer times are calculated by using a TP calculator and are fed to a device for controlling the production process as desired values for buffer times.

Abstract: A method and a system are described for determining the effectiveness of production installations, significant fault events that bring about deviations from a desired effectiveness and the causes of fault events. The production installation is connected to a data acquisition device, which is set up for continuous acquisition and ready-to-call-up storage of installation and production-related data. A service device is connected to the data acquisition device and has an input device for the input of additional installation and production-related descriptive data that cannot be called up from the data acquisition device. An online system part is set up for calling up installation and production-related data from the data acquisition device, calculating the effectiveness, detecting fault events, determining significant fault events by fault event evaluation, and determining in each case the causes of faults. An offline system part is provided and contains a number of generic fault models and assessment models.

Abstract: A turbine blade and a method for its production. In order to protect the turbine blade from being damaged by particles carried in the gas, surfaces of the turbine blade are melted down to a predetermined depth in order to form a defined amorphous region on a crystalline structure of a base material. The surfaces are then cooled down at a predetermined temperature reduction rate per unit time.

Abstract: A distributor for supplying burners of a gas turbine with fuel, air and coolant. Prior art distributors contain a combination of ring lines and tie lines, over which the fuel is distributed to individual burners. It is very complicated and expensive to replace defective components, and in some cases the entire apparatus has to be dismantled to do so. The distributor of the invention has two or more modules, depending on the number of burners, which are assembled from distributor units and regulating units in such a way that they can be taken apart again. For each burner, at least one regulating unit is provided, from which at least one supply line for the fuel, air and coolant extends to the burner.