IES81043B2 - Black box telmetry scada device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in environmental Supervision, Control and Data acquisition, (SCADA) More particularly the invention relates to a SCADA device which has Telemetry capability for ; (1) remote interrogation and alarm condition reception by persons elected (2) remote communications with similar apparatus in a network. (3) remote control of pumps, motors, etc, connected to the SCADA device.

The invention is characterised in that it contains features which enables it to function in the event of mains power failure, lightning strikes, high humidity, rain ingress, hose down, etc., in short: The invention is described as a Black Box SCADA.

Field of Invention.

It is known to use SCADA devices for use in managing process plants such a Sewage Treatment plants, Water pumping / dosing plants etc, so that e.g.,; Pump failure can be recognised early by personnel engaged in management and repairs effected before environmental damage occurs.

P.C.T patent application No: 86/06528 describes the use of a gas monitor to display the quantity of gas sensed and provide an audible alarm in the event that the concentration of said gas goes above a set concentration amount and further provide a visual alarm to warn personnel of the danger. Such an apparatus finds use in the chemical dosing of drinking water with chlorine gas. P.C.T patent application No: 95/26008 describes an apparatus for remote environmental monitoring (EMS) designed to sample, detect, measure, and report the presence of contaminants e.g., pollution in water and thereby monitor the conformance of water with established health & safety standards. An On-line approach as opposed to an In-Line system is described.

Object of the invention.

The present invention is directed towards an improved construction of SCADA device and additionally protect against hazardous operating environment and further provide information on monitored data at all times , even during times of power failure, telephone failure, rain, washdown of housing, etc and at a low relative cost.

Summary of the invention.

According to the invention there is provided ; a) a SCADA device comprising display means for displaying measured and historically logged parameters. b) A non-volatile memory device for storing logged files. c) An input means enabling on-site personnel to input menu choices so as to interrogate the apparatus locally. Such a means might be a touchscreen or keypad . d) Telemetry capability via radio or telephone to communicate remotely with personnel wishing to interrogate / receive alarms from a distance communicate with like SCADA devices operating within a radio transceiving network.

Communicate with transducers operating at a distance which transmit radio information. (e) Operating on low power so that; the device can be sealed against rain / dust ingress without overheating the device can be powered by batteries in the event of mains failure, for a minimum period, not less than 12 hours . (f) Having computational ability to calculate complex formula algorithms such as being able to compute dose rates of chemicals by measuring dispensing tank weight loss over time Vs water flow rates into which the chemicals are being dosed.

Advantages of the invention: Infrastructure networks such as telephone, mains power lines, etc, are susceptible to breakdowns occasionally. In the environmental monitoring/protection industry there is a demand for a foolproof system to prevent environmental damage and to record all events and report an alarm condition whatever the weather. An environmental Black Box approach as described in the invention has the advantage of being able to monitor and log for up to 24 hours in the event of mains failure. be able to be interrogated locally in the event of telephone line failure, radio failure, modem failure, etc. having computational means to compute complex algorithms locally so that e.g. : dose rates of dangerous chemicals can be monitored and alarmed even in the event of power/ telephone communications failure low initial cost of network investment because each network node is independent and thus network can be developed in stages, over time if desired. be easy to use by non-computer literate personnel who can interrogate the apparatus locally via touch screen or keypad. being weather proof, can be used in almost any installation environment.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in Environmental Supervision, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) with Telemetry capability.

The Invention is characterised in that it contains features which enable it to function in the event of mains power failure, lightning strikes, high humidity, rain ingress, hosedown, etc. The apparatus also contains features which enable it to act as stand-alone part of a network of such devices, characterised in the logging and display features, user input feature, computation and control features, etc. Thus in the event of telephone failure, the unit can still be fully functional and additionally is easily interrogated by non- computer literate personnel on site.

To help in understanding the invention a drawing is provided in Fig.1 to which the description will relate.

In fig 1. There is illustrated an apparatus which monitors signals provided is by suitable transducers through cables 8 connected via terminals 4 on a PCB 5. The cables 8 as well as conducting signals from the transducers to the apparatus conduct current to power the transducers if required. PCB 5 contains conditioning and conversion circuitry so as to intake signals from many different types of transducers supplying signals ranging from 2o 4-20 mAmp standard analogue to pulsed digital and digitises the signals for use with further computational circuits.

In this embodiment there is also provided a DC power supply 9 which receives mains power through plug 10 and transforms & regulates same via Intelligent Charger 12 which is connected to battery array 11 continuously.

In another embodiment, it is foreseen that intelligent charger 12 and plug 10 may be amalgamated in one device called a Charging Adapter and that battery array 11 may reside within SCAD housing 1, if power consumption is below required maximum stated on said charging adapter.

Gas discharge/ semiconductor surge arrestor 16 provides additional security against voltage spikes which can occur on mains supply especially where heavy machines are operating. Lightning strikes are also shorted out by same.

A display unit 6 is shown to contain an active, real time mimic of the process which is desirable but not essential. This large screen display unit can also be used to depict in graphical form 17, historical trends of measured data over time.

Input can be in the form of a keypad or preferably a touch screen overlaying the display 6 so as to make interrogation and display of historical data easily achieved by non-computer literate personnel. Alternatively, analysis of logged data can be achieved by connecting a conventional computer to a serial port 13 or removing floppy disk 18 if such is resident and inserting in any conventional computer which has appropriate software installed, to read logged data contained on same.

Radio modem or telephone modem 16 may be connected to serial port 13 &14 for remote telemetry application for; 1 use by remote user in interrogating system and 2 use by SCADA apparatus networking with other SCADA devices which may be operating on another location on the same Pipeline.

A printer may be attached to port 15 to facilitate hard copy print out of alarms or charting graphical data instead of using expensive chart io recorders which are not as reliable or legible.

A keyboard may be attached to port 19 for complex user input where alphabetical data needs to be input such as in Scratch Pad mode whereby other personnel may retrieve notes via telephone .

The enclosure is composed of Base 1 containing sealing gasket groove 2 is and gasket into which lip of lid 3 is inserted to contain circuitry in an IP65 (hose proof) container. A second gasket is sandwiched between display and enclosure lid .

Claims (4)

1. 5 1 Low power consuming / Intelligent, Telemetry Black Box SCADA comprising display means for displaying Measured and logged data and having capability for user interrogation onsite, such as a Touch Screen for user selection of historical files to graph trends to compare, etc. 10 2 the invention of Claim 1 having telemetry data capability for use with telephone network, radio, etc, so that user can interrogate / receive alarms remotely , communicate with like SCADA I Transducers remotely and control pumps, motors, etc, connected to it. 3 The invention of Claim 1 operating on low power making possible is 1 IP65 or grater for Washdown due to non-necessity of cooling fan, thereby facilitating the ability to have a sealed enclosure.

2. 24 hour battery back-up from low cost accumulator array (rechargeable)

3. 4 The invention of Claim 1 making available low voltage D.C (12 volt 2o nominally) for use in powering in-line external transducers so that in the event of mains power failure , they can maintain working order for up to 24 hours.

4. 5 The invention of Claim 1 having intelligence capable of running 25 complex algorithms, such as being able to compute dose rates of chemicals by measuring dispensing tank weight loss over time Vs water flow rates into which the chemical(s) is being dosed or compute inflow rates to sumps by measuring the liquid height rise in the sump versus time whilst the pumps are disabled.