US 12,013,260 B2
Add-on module for a field device
Marc Andreas Schlachter, Wehr (DE); and Wolfgang Trunzer, Lörrach (DE)
Assigned to Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG, Maulburg (DE)
Appl. No. 17/600,192
Filed by Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG, Maulburg (DE)
PCT Filed Mar. 12, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/056709
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 30, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/200689, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 8, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2019 108 564.0 (DE), filed on Apr. 2, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0155099 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. G01D 21/02 (2006.01); G01D 3/08 (2006.01); G01D 11/24 (2006.01); G01D 11/30 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 3/08 (2013.01) [G01D 11/24 (2013.01); G01D 11/30 (2013.01); G01D 21/02 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising a field device for measuring and/or monitoring at least one measurement variable of a process, includes:
an add-on module for the field device, and a modular toolbox,
wherein the field device comprises a process connection and a measuring device for acquiring by measurement the at least one measurement variable, wherein the process connection is configured to enable the field device to be fastened to a location of use such that a portion of the field device adjacent the process, which includes at least a part of the measuring device, is exposed to process conditions of the process prevailing at the location of use, and a portion of the field device opposite the process is exposed to ambient conditions prevailing at the location of use,
wherein the modular toolbox comprises a plurality of different measurement modules, and wherein the add-on module comprises:
a fastening connection configured to enable the add-on module to be mounted and fastened on the portion of the field device opposite the process;
at least one receiving device configured to enable a measurement module to be inserted therein, wherein the measurement module is selected from the modular toolbox including the plurality of different measurement modules, wherein each receiving device is configured as a slot into which the measurement module is inserted such that an exterior of the respective measurement module is exposed to the ambient conditions; and wherein each measurement module is configured to acquire by measurement at least one ambient parameter and/or at least one effect of the ambient conditions on the respective measurement module; and
an evaluation unit configured to determine, based on the ambient parameters and/or effects acquired by means of selected measurement modules inserted into corresponding receiving devices of the at least one receiving device and connected to the evaluation unit, an instantaneous stress acting on the field device to which the add-on module is mounted and fastened and/or a total stress to which the field device has been exposed to during a preceding service period of the field device.