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EP-4738031-A1 - CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS

EP4738031A1EP 4738031 A1EP4738031 A1EP 4738031A1EP-4738031-A1

Abstract

It is provided a control system (1) for industrial plant (10), the industrial plant (10) comprising a plurality of industrial devices (11), comprising sensors and/or data-emitting devices, and one or more connections to the outside world for the communication of data output from sensors and/or data-emitting devices, the control system (1) being characterized by the fact that it includes: a plurality of endpoints (2), each comprising a microprocessor and a computer-like memory, said endpoint (2) being connected to an industrial device (11) and being configured to communicate with the industrial device (11) and receive data output and transmit information and commands, a coordinating device (3) comprising a microprocessor and computer-type memory, the coordinating device (3) being connected to said plurality of endpoints (2), a control processor (4) comprising a microprocessor and a computer-type memory, and configured to enable the centralized management of the control system (1) and the industrial plant (10) by means of an easily intuitive and understandable interface, to transform said data from the industrial devices (11) into human readable data at run-time, the control processor (4) being connected, within the control system (1), exclusively to the coordinating device (3).

Inventors

  • STRAMIGIOLI, Ludovico
  • FAVA, ANDREA

Assignees

  • Ivory7 S.r.l.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251103

Claims (13)

  1. Control system (1) for industrial plant (10), - said industrial plant (10) comprising a plurality of industrial devices (11), comprising sensors and/or data-emitting devices, and one or more connections to the outside world for the communication of data output from said sensors and/or data-emitting devices, - said control system (1) being characterized by the fact that it includes: - a plurality of endpoints (2), each comprising a microprocessor and a computer-like memory, said endpoint (2) being connected to at least one of said industrial devices (11) and being configured to communicate with said industrial device (11) and receive said data output and transmit information and commands to said industrial devices (11), - a coordinating device (3) comprising a microprocessor and computer-type memory, said coordinating device (3) being connected to said plurality of said endpoints (2), - a control processor (4) comprising a microprocessor and a computer-type memory, and configured to enable the centralized management of said control system (1) and said industrial plant (10) by means of a human-readable interface, e.g. easily intuitive and understandable, and to transform said data from said industrial devices (11) into human readable data at run-time, - said control processor (4) being connected, within said control system (1), exclusively to said coordinating device (3).
  2. Control system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a database for interacting with a plurality of said industrial devices (11) containing the information necessary for the management of said industrial devices (11) so as to standardize the information necessary for the operation of even different peripheral devices both in command mode and in the number of commands required for their implementation.
  3. Control system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said database contains instructions having the purpose of standardizing information from said sensors and/or data-emitting devices part of said industrial devices (11).
  4. Control system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising only the described components.
  5. Control system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said control processor (4) is arranged remotely, i.e. via web connection, from said endpoints (2) and said coordinating device (3), and wherein said endpoints (2) and said coordinating device (3) are arranged at said industrial plant (10).
  6. Control system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein each of said endpoints (2) has an ARM-type processor.
  7. Control system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each said endpoint (2) includes interface connections (20), to interact with said industrial device (11), of PNP, 4-20 mA, I2C and SPI types.
  8. Control system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said control processor (4) is configured to implement machine learning algorithms in order to optimize the operation of said industrial plant (1).
  9. Control system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said coordinating device (3), said endpoints (2) and said control processor (4) each implement machine learning algorithms.
  10. Control system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said artificial intelligence algorithms are neural networks.
  11. Control system (1) according to any of claims 8-10, wherein said control processor (4) is configured to perform at least most of the training, relating to said machine learning algorithms, of said control system (1).
  12. Control system (1) according to any of claims 8-11, wherein at least one among said control processor (4), said controller (3) and said endpoints (2) are configured to perform predictions, via said machine learning algorithms.
  13. Industrial plant (10) comprising a plurality of industrial devices (11), comprising sensors and/or data-emitting devices, and one or more connections to the outside for the communication of data output from said sensors and/or data-emitting devices, and a control system (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

Description

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS The present invention relates to a control system or apparatus for an industrial plant of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim. Various control systems for industrial production facilities are currently known, consisting of, for example, machine tools, processing machines, control machines and more. The term control is generically understood to mean the control and/or command of said industrial plants. For example, PLC-type control systems are well known. PLCs are programmable electronic devices that perform real-time logic and control functions. To perform these functions, they are equipped with a microprocessor and input and output systems to receive and send signals between an industrial machine and the microprocessor and/or electronics performing the operations. In summary, PLCs are versatile and essential tools for industrial automation because of their ability to provide precise and reliable process control. However, PLCs are more suitable for controlling a single machine than for controlling an industrial plant. They have, in addition, a generally very complex programming communication interface with the user. Then there are the control systems of the DCS (Distributed Control System) type. A DCS control system is a control architecture used mainly in industrial automation for monitoring and controlling processes and plants that include a plurality of industrial machines and are therefore more complex. DCS systems use a bottom-up logic architecture. In a DSC system there are a number of electronic devices communicating with the individual machines and industrial organs that make up the plant. Such electronic devices send data to the operator. The latter, through a special interface, can adjust and control the machine connected to the said electronic device. Data received and changes made by the user are stored in a computer-type server. In DSC systems there is also an additional layer comprising a computer processor in communication with individual electronic devices and having access to stored data. Through the said electronic operator, an operator can monitor the entire plant and the proper execution of processes. The use of a DCS system improves a plant's automation and efficiency. However, even then the control system is complex for the end user to use and adjust. In addition, operators adjust the individual machines that make up the plant without worrying about the interaction with other machines. In fact, the control of the entire system, performed at a higher level, is implemented only downstream. There are also remote telemetry units (RTUs) that monitor digital and analog field parameters and transmit data to a central monitoring station and also distributed supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems consisting of technological solutions used for remote monitoring and control of industrial processes and infrastructure. Such a system is also described in patent application US 2021/0397166 A1. The prior art described comprises some important drawbacks. In particular, as previously mentioned, industrial plant control systems must be implemented in a customized manner specific to each different plant. They are also very complex both to implement and to control or repair in case of malfunction. In addition, the control systems of industrial plants allow control and optimization of the entire plant only downstream. In this situation, the technical task underlying this invention is to devise a control system capable of substantially overcoming at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks. Within the scope of said technical task, it is an important purpose of the invention to obtain an industrial plant control system easily implementable on the industrial plants themselves. Another important purpose of the invention is to realize an industrial plant control system that is simple and robust. Another important purpose of the invention is to realize an industrial plant control system capable of optimizing industrial processes. The technical task and the specified aims are achieved by an industrial plants control system as claimed in the annexed claim 1. Preferred embodiments are highlighted in the dependent claims. The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a scheme of the operation of the device according to the invention. In this document, when measurements, values, shapes, and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism) are associated with words like "approximately" or other similar terms, such as "almost" or "substantially", they are to be understood as excluding measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors and, above all, as having less than a slight deviation from the associated value, measurement, shape, or geo