Patent ID: 8342741
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a sensor arrangement having at least one measuring sensor and at least one reference sensor for recording the same physical variable, and having an analysis unit electrically connected thereto, the method comprising: recording a characteristic of the sensor arrangement in an initialization phase from an initialization measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and an initialization measured value of the at least one reference sensor; obtaining a tolerance band constituting a range of tolerable values of at least one of a measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and a measured value of the at least one reference sensor based on the recorded characteristic; obtaining a definable limit constituting one of a maximum value and a minimum value by which at least one of the measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and the measured value of the at least one reference sensor is permitted to differ within a definable time interval constituting a defined period of time; determining if there are changes to the measured values by determining, during operation of the sensor arrangement, if a deviation of at least one of the measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and the measured value of the at least one reference sensor from the recorded characteristic lies outside the tolerance band; outputting an alarm during operation of the sensor arrangement if it is determined that the deviation of at least one of the measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and the measured value of the at least one reference sensor from the recorded characteristic lies outside the tolerance band; wherein, when the deviation lies outside the tolerance band, the alarm is dynamically suspended if it is determined that changes in at least one of the measured value of the at least one measuring sensor and the measured value of the at least one reference sensor differ by more than the definable limit within the definable time interval.