METHOD FOR OPERATING A CENTRIFUGE DEVICE

Abstract

A method for operating a centrifuge device, the centrifuge device including a centrifuge having a light detector and the light source arranged such that detection of a filling material parameter is carried out in an interior of a centrifuge drum, and a software module for a plausibility check of the filling material parameter. The software module is connected to the light detector. The method for operating the centrifuge device includes illuminating a part of a surface of the filling material with the light source, receiving a light reflected from the filling material by the light detector and generating a corresponding detection signal, a plausibility check of the detection signal of the light detector by the software module, processing a plausible detection signal by the software module, and generating an output signal from the plausible detection signal by the software module.

Claims

1. A method for operating a centrifuge device, the centrifuge device comprising a centrifuge in which a centrifuge drum is rotatably arranged, a light detector and a light source, the light detector and the light source being arranged on the centrifuge device such that detection of a filling material parameter is capable of being carried out in an interior of the centrifuge drum, and a software module for a plausibility check of the filling material parameter detected by the light detector, the software module is capable of being connected to the light detector by an inlet for receiving a detection signal, the method for operating the centrifuge device by detecting the filling material parameter of the filling material inside the centrifuge drum, comprising: illuminating at least a part of a surface of the filling material with the light source, receiving a light reflected from the filling material by the light detector and generating a corresponding detection signal, performing a plausibility check of the detection signal of the light detector with the software module, processing a plausible detection signal by the software module, and generating at least one output signal from the plausible detection signal by the software module.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output signal is a control signal configured to change or maintain operating parameters of the centrifuge device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is a method for monitoring and checking separation of a solid and a liquid phase or a filling level or a drying state of the filling material or a degree of purity of a product in the centrifugal drum.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal is one of a plurality of detections signals, and selecting each of the detection signal during the plausibility check, and dividing the detection signals into plausible and non-plausible detection signals during the selecting, the plausible detection signals being used to generate control signals.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the performing the plausibility check of the detection signals with the software module, includes comparing each of the detection signals with a desired value which is predetermined in the software module during the selecting.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the performing the plausibility check of the detection signals with the software module, includes cross-comparing during the selecting at least between a first detection signal and a second detection signal of the plurality of detection signals.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inlet connecting the light detector to the software module is one of a first inlet and a second inlet and the performing the plausibility check of the detection signals from the light detector with the software module includes using a third detection signal by carrying out a cross-comparison between a first input of the first inlet and a second input of the second inlet of the third detection signal.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light detector is a camera with a light source.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filling material parameter detected by the reflected light corresponds to an intensity of a surface of the filling material in the centrifuge, a liquid supernatant or a dryness or a degree of purity of the product is capable of being detected by the intensity and the plausible detection signal of the intensity is used to generate the at least one control signal to change operating parameters of the centrifuge device.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filling material parameter detected by the reflected light corresponds to a color of a color edge between the filling material and the centrifugal drum, a filling level of the filling material in the centrifuge is capable of being determined by the color of the color edge and the plausible detection signal of the color of the color edge is used after the plausibility check to generate the at least one control signal to change operating parameters of the centrifuge device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one control signal is capable of controlling or regulating an amount of the filling material supplied to the centrifuge device to prevent overfilling of the centrifuge drum.

12. The method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one control signal is capable of on or off control or regulation of the washing step to avoid an excess of washing liquid being applied to the filling material.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one control signal is configured to control a rotational speed of the centrifuge drum including acceleration, pause or deceleration.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing the plausibility check comprises deep learning.

15. A centrifuge device for use in a method according to claim 1, the centrifuge device comprising: the centrifuge in which the centrifuge drum is rotatably arranged; the light detector and the light source, the light detector and the light source being arranged on the centrifuge device such that the detection of the filling material parameter is capable of being carried out in the interior of the centrifuge drum; and the software module configured to perform the plausibility check of a filling material parameter detectable by the light detector, the software module being connected to the light detector by the inlet for receiving detection signals.

16. An integrable device for the centrifuge device according to claim 15, the integrable device comprising: the light detector and the light source, the light detector and the light source configured to detect the filling material parameter in the interior of the centrifuge device; and the software module configured to perform the plausibility check of the filling material parameter detectable by the light detector, the software module being connected to the light detector by the inlet for receiving detection signals.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filling material parameter detected by the reflected light corresponds to an intensity of a surface of the filling material in the centrifuge, a liquid supernatant or a dryness or a degree of purity of the product is capable of being detected by the intensity and the plausible detection signal of the intensity is used to generate the at least one control signal to control or regulate a washing step.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filling material parameter detected by the reflected light corresponds to a color of a color edge between the filling material and the centrifugal drum, a filling level of the filling material in the centrifuge is capable of being determined by the color of the color edge and the plausible detection signal of the color of the color edge is used after the plausibility check to generate the at least one control signal to control or regulate a supply of filling material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0067] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0068] FIG. 1 is an embodiment for a procedure according to the invention;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention;

[0070] FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a third embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention with a display window; and

[0072] FIG. 5 is a fourth embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment for a procedure according to an embodiment of the invention. Thus, a method for operating and checking a centrifuge device is shown and represented by a program sequence. In this embodiment, the method for operating the centrifuge device by detecting the filling material parameter of the filling material inside the centrifuge drum comprises the following steps.

[0074] “Start” starts the program that carries out the method according to the invention. In the step “Centrifuge started?”, it is checked whether the centrifuge device is switched on or in operation. If the centrifuge device is not in operation, step “I” follows, if it is in operation, the step “activation detection” follows.

[0075] In step “I”, either the program is terminated, or the centrifuge device is switched on/put into operation. In the step “activation detection”, the light detector and the light source are activated.

[0076] After the step “activation detection”, at least a part of the surface of the filling material is illuminated by the light source and the light reflected by the filling material is detected by the light detector.

[0077] If a measuring period has been completed (“measuring period completed”), the detected detection signals are transmitted to the software module via the inlet and the generated detection signals are read in in the software module in the step “read signals”.

[0078] The detection signals read in are checked for plausibility in the steps “K1-K4 plausible?” by comparing the detection signals, e.g. via a cross-comparison and/or a tolerance range. Here, in particular, a detection signal K can be selected as non-plausible if it has a large difference to the other detection signals. In a step “1111”, the non-plausible detection signals are either sorted out, corrected or stored in a database for correction.

[0079] In step “output Px”, the plausible detection signals are converted into an output signal/control signal. In the step “maximum Px”, it is decided on the basis of the output signal whether an action, i.e. a change in the operating parameters of the centrifuge device, is necessary.

[0080] If a change is necessary, at least one operating parameter of the centrifuge device is adapted in step “III” and, if necessary, a new measuring period is completed. If no change is necessary, only a new measuring period is completed.

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention. In FIG. 2, a typical structure for use in connection with the method according to the invention is represented. The structure shown in FIG. 2 comprises a centrifuge drum 10 rotatably arranged around the axis of rotation X in a batch centrifuge. Of course, the method according to the invention can be carried out in any type of centrifuge, in particular also in continuously operating centrifuges. For this purpose, the integrable device according to the invention must simply be mounted on the corresponding centrifuge.

[0082] The centrifuge drum 10 is arranged around the axis of rotation X in such a way that the centrifuge drum 10 can be rotated at a controllable rotational speed. As the centrifuge drum 10 rotates, the filling material 2 is pressed against the vertical sidewall 11 of the centrifuge drum 10. Since liquids can escape (possibly also enter) through the pinholes in the vertical side wall 11 during rotation of the centrifuge drum 10, the filling material 2 can be separated into a solid and a liquid phase. The liquid escaping (or entering) from the centrifuge drum 10 is collected in the outer casing 13 and is guided to the outlet channel 12 where the liquid can be discharged from the centrifuge device. The solid phase can leave the centrifuge drum 10 via an outlet 16 in the bottom of the centrifuge drum 10.

[0083] In the operating state of the centrifuge device, inter alia, the color and intensity of the filling material as well as its change, which leaves the centrifuge, can be monitored by the light detector 1 with a light source. It is indicated by the double arrow that light is cast from the light source onto the filling material in a step A. This light is reflected by the filling material in a step B and detected by the light detector B. In this way, a detection signal is generated from the detected reflected light, which can be used to check the centrifuge device after the plausibility check. For the plausibility check, the detection signals are transmitted from the light detector via an inlet 101 to the software module. Here, the detection signals can be transmitted via the inlet 101 with a cable or wirelessly.

[0084] In the present example, the light source is integrated into light detector 1. In principle, the light source can also be arranged on the light detector 1 or can be arranged separately from the light detector 1. The only important thing is that the light can be directed from the filling material to the light detector.

[0085] During the rotation of the centrifuge drum, the filling material 2 forms an inner surface 14 on which the light reaches from the light source. On the one hand, exactly this surface can be used for the detection of the intensity, as well as for the detection of the color of the color edge. In the operating state, it is ensured by an edge 15 that the filling material is held inside the centrifuge drum.

[0086] The light of the light source must hit (or illuminate) at least a part of the surface 14.

[0087] The centrifuge device further comprises a supply 17 via which the filling material 2 can be supplied along the arrow C into the centrifuge drum 10.

[0088] The light source of the integrated device can be, inter alia, a broadband light source such as a halogen lamp, which typically emits light in the wavelength range of 400-700 nm. As mentioned before, the light source can also be a Xenon flash lamp and/or a light emitting diode. As described above, other types of light sources can also be used for applications in the “non-visible area”.

[0089] In principle, the light detector 1 can also be a light detector arrangement 1, which comprises a large number of light detectors 1 and/or light sources. In a plurality of light detectors 1, each light detector 1 can be adapted to detect a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength range.

[0090] The reflected light from the surface 14 of the filling material 2 can also be used to determine the distance to the filling material 2 and thus the thickness of the filling material. This is the distance between the surfaces 11 and 14. If the distance to the filling material 2 varies over time, this can also be determined. An example of this can be when the filling material swirls around in the centrifuge drum. A filling material 2 swirling inside the centrifuge drum 10 can lead to unbalance and cause the centrifuge device to lose its equilibrium. Since the weight of the filling material 2 and the rotating centrifuge drum 10 can amount to several tons depending on the application, such an unbalance should be avoided. By detecting the thickness of the filling material 2 and its change, such an imbalance can be detected at an early stage.

[0091] The thickness of the filling material is determined by the distance from the light detector 1 and the light source to the surface 14 of the filling material 10.

[0092] A washing arrangement 20 for washing the filling material 2 is also provided. The washing arrangement 20 has a large number of nozzles 21, so that a homogeneous washing of the filling material 2 over the surface 14 is possible. As mentioned above, the light detector monitors, inter glia, the color of the filling material 14, whereby the effect of washing the filling material is also monitored and can be controlled accordingly. The washing of the filling material 2 can be carried out in particular in a washing step after separation of the liquid phase of the filling material 2. If an excess of washing liquid is applied to the surface 14 of the filling material 2, i.e. too much washing liquid is supplied, an undesirable liquid layer forms on the surface 14.

[0093] Such a liquid layer should be avoided as such a liquid layer can generate waves on the surface of the filling material 2 during rotation of the centrifuge drum 10, causing unbalance during rotation. Such a liquid layer can be detected on the surface 104 of the filling material 2 by the light detector and then the supply of washing liquid can be regulated or stopped.

[0094] Thus, the washing process can be controlled automatically (or alternatively manually) by a light detector according to embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, it is ensured by checking the plausibility of the detection signals that there is no malfunction of the centrifuge device. Faulty signals can lead to faults in the control of the centrifuge device. In a washing step in particular, malfunctions mean that washing liquid is further supplied despite of the liquid layer or that too little washing liquid is supplied. However, such malfunctions can be avoided by checking the plausibility of the detection signals.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention. In this case, this embodiment deals with a continuously operating centrifuge 200 with a centrifuge drum 210, which has the shape of a truncated cone 222. As represented in FIG. 3, the truncated cone 222 is directed upwards so that the largest diameter points upwards. During rotation of the centrifuge basket about the axis of rotation X, the separated liquid leaves the centrifuge drum 210 through its perforated sidewalls, while the solid phase leaves the centrifuge drum 210 at the upper edges 25 of the truncated cone. The liquid phase and the solid phase are therefore separated from each other and collected in separate reservoirs. Here, the liquid phase can be collected in a first reservoir 201, while the solid phase is collected in a second reservoir 302.

[0096] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a washing arrangement 220 is also provided for washing the filling material. The washing arrangement 220 has a large number of nozzles 221, so that a homogeneous washing of the filling material can be carried out. In the centrifuge device of FIG. 3, a cone 222 is also provided in order to pre-accelerate the filling material before it hits the rotating centrifuge drum 210.

[0097] The light detector 1 with light source can be arranged either inside or outside the centrifuge drum 210 to monitor detection signals at a predeterminable point of the surface of the filling material inside the centrifuge drum 210. In FIG. 3, the light detector 1 is positioned outside the centrifuge drum 210. Similar to the arrangement in FIG. 2, both light is emitted (arrow A) and the reflected light is detected (arrow B). By monitoring the color of the color edge between the centrifuge drum 210 and the filling material and the intensity of the surface of the filling material at a predeterminable part of the surface of the filling material (or the centrifuge drum), the separation of the filling material can be monitored and checked by checking the operating parameters by the control signals generated from the detection signals, which are checked for plausibility.

[0098] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention. The structure of the centrifuge device shown in FIG. 4 is largely analogous to the structure of the centrifuge device in FIG. 2. The centrifuge device thus comprises a centrifuge drum 10 with a vertical sidewall 11. The filling material 2 is separated into a liquid phase and a solid phase by rotation of the centrifuge drum 10 about the axis of rotation X. Here, the liquid phase is separated via the sidewalls 11 into the outer casing 13 and is discharged through the outlet channel 12.

[0099] The centrifuge device of FIG. 4 also comprises the washing arrangement 20 with a large number of nozzles 21, through which a washing liquid can be applied to the filling material.

[0100] The centrifuge device according to FIG. 4 differs from the centrifuge device in FIG. 2 in that the light detector 1 with the light source is arranged on a display window 11 outside the centrifuge device and the detection of the filling material parameters is achieved through this display window 111.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a centrifuge device according to the invention, in particular for edge detection for a light detector evaluation.

[0102] The structure of the centrifuge device shown in FIG. 5 is largely analogous to the structure of the centrifuge device in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The centrifuge device shown thus comprises a centrifuge drum 10 with a vertical sidewall 11. The filling material 2 is separated into a liquid phase and a solid phase by rotation of the centrifuge drum 10 about the axis of rotation X. Here, the liquid phase is separated via the sidewalls 11 into the outer casing 13 and is discharged through the outlet channel 12.

[0103] The centrifuge device of FIG. 4 also comprises the washing arrangement 20 with a large number of nozzles 21, through which a washing liquid can be applied to the filling material 2.

[0104] The centrifuge device according to FIG. 5 differs from the centrifuge device in FIG. 4 in that the light detector 1 detects an edge K between the centrifuge drum 10 and the surface of the filling material 2.

[0105] Here, the level (i.e. also the filling level) of liquids and solids can be measured. The light detector 1 detects along the edge K between the centrifuge drum 10 and the surface of the filling material 2 (e.g. along a definable line), which searches for transitions in intensity, in particular for transitions of a gray scale intensity and detects these. In principle, the greater the contrast difference in the gray scale transitions, the better the edge K of the filling level can be detected.

[0106] If a liquid supernatant occurs in the operating state of the centrifuge device, an intensity transition (intensity edge) forms between the filling material 2 and the centrifuge drum 10, and possibly also in the middle of the filling material 2. This intensity edge can be detected along the K edge.

[0107] However, the intensity can also preferably be measured (in the middle) on the cake, i.e. the product cake. As described above, the intensity determination of the solid cake/product is also suitable for determining the dryness and/or the degree of purity of the product.

[0108] The edge measurement (between filling material and centrifugal drum) is preferably used to determine the filling level. In an embodiment of the invention, how the edge measurement is applied, however, depends on whether the edge is a liquid or solid edge.