Patent ID: 12248305

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system1according to the invention for monitoring, operating and maintaining an industrial plant2, in particular in the metal-producing industry or the steel industry.

The system1ofFIG.1includes a mobile terminal device3with at least one sensor4for acquiring measured values within the industrial plant2. The mobile terminal device3ofFIG.1can for example be designed as a smartphone. The sensor4is, for example, a camera integrated in the mobile terminal device3. The sensor4can also be a thermal imaging camera, a gas measuring device, a temperature measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a distance measuring device, a microphone or a comparable sensor4. The different sensors4can be integrated into the mobile terminal device3or can be connected to it. The measured values recorded by the sensors4include, for example, physical measured values such as temperature, weight or the like; images; films; sound recordings; texts; and/or combinations thereof.

The system1also includes a position sensor5for detecting the position of the mobile terminal device3. According to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.1, the position sensor5is integrated in the mobile terminal3. Alternatively, the position sensor5can also be a separate element, for example a sensor network for position detection.

The system1ofFIG.1also includes a central data processing device6for processing the measured values recorded by the mobile terminal device3using the at least one sensor4, taking into account the position of the mobile terminal device3in the industrial plant2recorded by the position sensor5.

The system1also includes a communication network7for exchanging data between the mobile terminal device3and the central data processing device6. The data exchange between the mobile terminal device3, the position sensor5and the central data processing device6preferably takes place in real time.

The system ofFIG.1also includes a database8with position data stored therein for machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2. The machines9, units9, parts9and other components9are symbolized inFIG.1by gears and tools. The central data processing device6compares the position of the mobile terminal device3detected by the position sensor5with the position data stored in the database8and, based on the result of the comparison, assigns the measured values detected by the sensor4to a machine9, a unit9, a part9or another component9of the industrial plant2.

Dimensions of the machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2can also be stored in the database8. As a result, the recorded measured values can be assigned to areas of these machines9, units9, parts9and other components9.

The database8can be integrated into the central data processing device6or arranged as an independent component in the industrial plant2, wherein in the latter case, the database8is accessible via the communication network7.

Information stored in the central data processing device6and/or the database8, can further include construction plans, measurement data histories, maintenance information, error messages, order lists and/or the like for the industrial plant2and/or machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2. These are preferably considered when evaluating the recorded measured values.

The central data processing device6is designed to transmit information to the mobile terminal device3, in particular to make the transmitted information available to the user10of the mobile terminal device3. For example, the central data processing device6can create an action plan for the user10of the mobile terminal device3and transmit the action plan to the mobile terminal device3.

The mobile terminal device3is expediently also designed to provide communication between the industrial plant2and/or machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2and the central data processing device6. As a result, the central data processing device6can make direct adjustments to the industrial plant2and/or machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2, for example on the basis of the recorded measured values.

The system1according to the invention can be used to carry out a method for monitoring, operating and maintaining an industrial plant2, in particular in the metal-producing industry or the steel industry. The method includes the steps of:recording measured values within the industrial plant2using a mobile terminal device3,detecting the position of the mobile terminal device3in the industrial plant2at the time the measured value is recorded,transmitting the recorded measured values and the associated recorded positions from the mobile terminal device3to a central data processing device6,processing of the recorded measured values, taking into account the associated recorded positions, by the central data processing device6, in particular assigning the measured values to parts of the industrial plant2.

The method can further include the following steps:storage of position data from machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2,comparing the recorded positions with the stored position data, andassigning the recorded measured values to the machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2based on the comparison of the position data.

In addition to the position data, the dimensions of the machines9, units9, parts9or the other components9of the industrial plant9can also be stored. This enables better assignment, especially for larger machines9, units9, parts9or other components9. Furthermore, construction plans, measurement data histories, maintenance information, error messages, order lists and/or the like of the industrial plant2and/or machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2can be stored in the central data processing device6and/or the database8.

The aforementioned storage takes place in the central data processing device6and/or a separate database8.

The position of the mobile terminal device3is preferably detected by means of a position sensor5integrated in the mobile terminal device3. The measurement values are recorded, for example, by means of a camera, a thermal imaging camera, a gas measuring device, a temperature measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a distance measuring device, a microphone or a comparable sensor4. The sensor4can be integrated into or connected to the mobile terminal device3. The measured values recorded by the sensor include, for example, physical measured values such as temperature, weight or the like; images; films; sound recordings; texts; and/or combinations thereof.

The recorded measured values and the recorded associated position are transmitted in real time, i.e., without any significant delay.

The method can also include the step of transmitting information from the central data processing device6to the mobile terminal device3, in particular in order to provide the transmitted information to the user10of the mobile terminal device3. In particular, the central data processing device6can create an action plan for the user10of the mobile terminal device3and the action plan can be transmitted to the mobile terminal device3in order to display the action plan to the user10of the mobile terminal device3.

The method advantageously includes the step of transmitting data from the central data processing device6via the mobile terminal device3to the industrial plant2and/or machines9, units9, parts9or other components9of the industrial plant2.

The method according to the invention can be used to continuously monitor the position of the mobile terminal device3in the industrial plant2, which means that, for example, the central data processing device6and/or the mobile terminal device3can display a warning if the mobile terminal device3is located in an area of the industrial plant2classified as safety-critical.

The method according to the invention can be used in particular to carry out an inspection of the industrial plant along a predefined path11through the industrial plant2, wherein measured values are recorded at predefined positions within the industrial plant2.

FIG.2shows a schematic diagram of a method according to the invention for carrying out an inspection of an industrial plant2along a predetermined path11. The user10with the mobile terminal device3moves through the industrial plant2along the predetermined path11. The predetermined path11runs inside of the industrial plant2along machines A to E. In the example shown inFIG.2, the user10is located at machine C.

The user10records measured values in the industrial plant2by means of the mobile terminal device3, in particular by means of associated sensors4. The determined measured values are recorded in particular in the area of machines A to E. At the same time, the position of the mobile terminal device3in the industrial plant2is detected using a position sensor5.

The recorded measured value and the associated position are transmitted to the central data processing device6. There, the recorded position data are compared with position data stored in a database8, as a result of which the recorded measured values can be assigned to machine C in the example ofFIG.2.

The central data processing device6can evaluate the recorded measured values and thereby derive actions, such as changing manipulated variables on the machine C or initiating an order for spare parts or consumables. The adjusted manipulated variables can, for example, be transmitted to the mobile terminal device3and displayed to the user10or transmitted directly to the machine C via the mobile terminal device3.

In principle, the central data processing device6can transmit data to the mobile terminal device3which are displayed to the user10or directly cause actions by the mobile terminal device3. For example, a construction plan of machine C can be displayed to the user10, as a result of which the user10can make interventions on the machine C more easily.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1system2industrial plant3mobile terminal device4sensors5position sensor6central data processing device7communication network8database9machine, unit, part, component10user11predetermined path