Pivotable touchscreen for a gas-distribution facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a facility for supplying a working gas provided with an insulating chamber (3) and a door (3) that is pivotable about a vertical axis in order to allow the opening and the closing of said chamber (3), including a device (9) for distributing a working gas having a monitoring and command unit (35, 35A) including means (45) for controlling the monitoring and command unit (35, 35A) which can be actuated by an operator of the distribution device (9, 9A), said controlling means (45) including a touchscreen (47) having command regions (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68) associated with monitoring corresponding tasks, characterised in that said touchscreen is attached to a housing (47A) built into the door (3), said housing (47A) being capable of and designed to pivot about a vertical axis (Y).

Claims

1. A facility for supplying a working gas, equipped with an isolation enclosure (3) and with a door (3) pivotable about a first vertical axis (X) in order to enable said enclosure (3) to be opened and closed, comprising: at least one source (5, 7) of a pressurized working gas arranged in the isolation enclosure (3), and a device (9) for distributing a working gas comprising a set of pipelines (15, 21, 23) linked to at least one source (5, 7) of a pressurized working gas and to at least one output pipeline (10, 10A) for routing the working gas to a consumer station (10B), functional components (25), in particular valves (27, 29, 27A, 29A) arranged in the set of pipelines (15, 21, 23) and used to regulate the flow of the working gas in said pipelines, gas leak detectors (34, 34A), and a monitoring and control unit (35, 35A) comprising a communication link (37) with said functional components (25), a monitoring system (39) configured for and adapted to monitoring tasks relating to said functional components (25), and a user interface (45) configured for and adapted to enable a user to manage the monitoring system (39), wherein the user interface is configured for and adapted to be actuated by an operator of the distribution device (9, 9A), said user interface (45) comprising a touchscreen (47) having main control zones (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68) associated with the monitoring of corresponding tasks, characterized in that said touchscreen is attached to a housing (47A) integrated into the door (3), said housing (47A) being able to and designed to pivot about a second vertical axis (Y).

2. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that the touchscreen (47) has main control zones (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68) associated with the monitoring of corresponding tasks, which main control zones (60 to 68) being delineated by graphics (50 to 58) associated with said tasks.

3. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that the touchscreen (47) comprises, for at least one main control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68), at least one secondary control zone (91,92,93,94) associated with said at least one main control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68) and relating to an instruction for monitoring the task corresponding to said at least one main control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68), said at least one secondary control zone (91, 92, 93, 94) being delineated by a graphic (81, 82, 83, 84) associated with said instruction and displayed on said touchscreen (47) only in the event of activation of said corresponding main control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68) by an operator.

4. The facility of claim 3, characterized in that the touchscreen (47) comprises a first region (49) reserved exclusively for said main control zones (60 to 68) and a second region (80) separate from said first region (49) and intended for said secondary control zones (91, 92, 93, 94).

5. The facility of claim 4, characterized in that the touchscreen (47) furthermore comprises a third region (100) separate from said first (49) and second (80) regions and reserved for displaying an item of information relating to a main control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68) activated by an operator.

6. The facility of claim 3, characterized in that the user interface (45) for managing the monitoring system (39) is additionally configured for and adapted to signal (70), on the touchscreen (47), a control zone (60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68, 91, 92, 93, 94) activated by an operator.

7. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that a task monitored by the monitoring system (39) relates to the management and display, on the touchscreen (47), of an alarm detected by the functional components (25), and in that one (60) of the main control zones of the touchscreen is a zone for activating a display of the alarm.

8. The facility of claim 1 further comprising measuring sensors (31) for measuring the pressures prevailing in the pipelines (15), characterized in that a task monitored by the monitoring system (39) relates to the evaluation of the measured values captured by said measuring sensors (31) and to a display of said values on the touchscreen (47), and in that one (61) of said main control zones is a zone for activating the display, on the touchscreen, of a measured value.

9. The facility of claim 1 further comprising measuring sensors (31) for measuring the pressures prevailing in the pipelines, characterized in that the user interface (45) comprise a computer memory (48) for storing a block diagram showing the device (9) for distributing the working gas and the valves (27, 29) arranged therein, in that a task monitored by the monitoring system (39) relates to an evaluation of measured values captured by said sensors (31) and to the joint display, on the touchscreen (47), of the block diagram of the distribution device (9), which block diagram is recorded in said computer memory (48), and of said measured values captured by the sensors (31), and in that one (62) of said main control zones is a zone for activating a display, on the touchscreen (47), of the block diagram with the measured values.

10. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two sources (5, 7) of working gas, said sources being gas cylinders.

11. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that the user interface (45) for managing the monitoring system (39) is able to and designed to be controlled remotely, by way of a WiFi connection, by a tablet, a smartphone or a portable computer.

12. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that an emergency stop button (B) is attached to said housing (47A), said housing being situated at a height of less than 1.70 m from the ground.

13. The facility of claim 1, characterized in that a size of the touchscreen (47) is less than 12 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example, without being limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a facility for supplying a working gas and equipped with a device for distributing this gas according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram of the pipelines of the device for distributing the working gas mounted in the facility of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a monitoring and control unit of the distribution device according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagram of the touchscreen of the device according to the invention,

(6) FIG. 5 is a first example of a display on the touchscreen,

(7) FIG. 6 is a second example of a display on the touchscreen,

(8) FIG. 7 is a third example of a display on the touchscreen,

(9) FIG. 8 is a fourth example of a display on the touchscreen, and

(10) FIG. 9 is a view of the housing bearing the touchscreen when the door of the facility is closed,

(11) FIG. 10 is a view of the housing bearing the touchscreen when the door of the facility is open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view with a cutout in its lower part, a facility 1 for supplying a working gas, said facility being intended to feed one or more stations consuming these gases.

(13) This facility 1 comprises an isolation enclosure 3 in which are installed firstly, as is able to be seen in the figure by virtue of the cutout, two cylinders 5 and 7 of a pressurized working gas and, secondly, a device 9 for distributing the working gas, the pipelines 11 and 13 of which device, linked to the cylinders 5 and 7, respectively, are shown in this figure. This facility 1 also includes a door 3 pivotable about a vertical axis (X) in order to enable said enclosure 3 to be opened and closed.

(14) The facility 1 is connected, via its output pipeline 10, to a second device 9A for distributing the working gas, used to supply the working gas, by way of its output pipelines 10A, simultaneously to a plurality of consumer stations 10B.

(15) As is seen in FIG. 2, the device 9 for distributing the working gas of the facility 1 includes a set of pipelines comprising in particular, for each cylinder 5 and 7, a main pipeline 15 linked, by way of a shared pipeline 17, to the output pipeline 10 in order to route the working gas to the consumer stations 10B, purging pipelines 21 and gas extraction pipelines 23 for obtaining a partial vacuum in the enclosure 3 by virtue of the activation of a vacuum generator 24.

(16) In order to be able to regulate the various flows of gas in the various pipelines and to supervise the operating state of the distribution device 9, the latter comprises functional components 25, such as shut-off valves 27 and regulating valves 29 that are arranged in the various pipelines 15, 17, 21 and 23, sensors 31 for measuring the pressures prevailing in particular in the main pipelines 15, scales 33 for weighing the cylinders 5 and 7, making it possible to determine the fill level of the cylinders if they are filled with a liquefied gas, or else gas leak detectors 34, arranged in the enclosure 3 of the facility.

(17) As is seen in the diagram of FIG. 3, these functional components 25 are all linked to a monitoring and control unit 35. This unit 35 for monitoring and controlling the functional components 25 comprises means 37 for communicating with these functional components 25 and, linked to these means 37, means 39 for monitoring various tasks relating to the functional components 25, these tasks being stored in a task memory 41.

(18) Such tasks involve for example comparing the measured values captured by the sensors 31 and/or by the scales 33 with predefined threshold values stored in a threshold memory 43, generating an alarm signal if one of the measured values exceeds the associated threshold and, possibly, depending on the predefined priority level of the alarm, a partial or full shutdown of the facility 1. In this case, the means 39, by way of the communication means 37, control the closure of some of the valves of the facility.

(19) Another task involves for example controlling the valves 27 and 29 when for example the cylinder 5 feeding the device 9 is practically empty and it is necessary to switch the feed of the distribution device 9 over to the cylinder 7, or vice versa.

(20) Yet another task relates to the detection of gas leaks by way of the detectors 34 and, if such a leak is detected, to the generation of an alarm signal and to a partial or complete shutdown of the facility 1.

(21) Moreover, the second distribution device 9A forms a particular functional component 25 with which a special task is associated, of which device only the monitoring and control unit 35A and functional components linked to this unit 35A are shown in FIG. 3. Given that the structure of the device 9A is similar to that of the device 9 in the sense that it also comprises a set of pipelines and functional components such as valves 27A and 29A arranged in its pipelines in order to regulate the flow of the working gas, sensors 31A for measuring the pressures prevailing in the pipelines and gas leak detectors 34A, the particular layout of the pipelines and of the valves will not be described in greater detail.

(22) However, it should be noted that the monitoring and control unit 35A of the device 9A is identical to the monitoring and control unit 35 of the distribution device 9.

(23) As shown in FIG. 3, the monitoring and control unit 35A is linked to the communication means 37 of the unit 35.

(24) A special task monitored by the means 39, by way of the means 37, relates to the supervision of the operating state of the device 9A.

(25) In particular, the pressure values measured by way of the sensors 31A and possible leaks detected by the detectors 34A are transmitted to the monitoring means 39.

(26) The various tasks may be monitored by the means 39 either in parallel or sequentially, or only upon detection of an event, such as for example the detection of an alarm.

(27) Additionally, the monitoring and control unit 35 comprises means 45 for managing the monitoring means 39, enabling an operator for example to activate a task or to choose and to define certain parameters necessary for monitoring a task.

(28) To this end, the management means 45 comprise a touchscreen 47 and means 48 for storing diagrams or graphics that are intended to be displayed on the touchscreen 47.

(29) As is seen in FIG. 1, the touchscreen 47 is integrated into the outer wall of the upper part of the enclosure 3 of the facility 1 such that it is clearly visible and accessible to an operator responsible for supervising the facility.

(30) Advantageously, the screen 47 is integrated into the door of the enclosure.

(31) As is seen in FIG. 9, the touchscreen 47 is attached to a housing 47A integrated into the outer wall of the upper part of the enclosure 3 of the facility 1. When the door 3 is closed, the housing is in the same plane as said door. As a result, the operator positions himself in front of the facility 1 in order to read and access the touchscreen 47.

(32) As is seen in FIG. 10, when the door 3 is open, the housing 47A pivots about a vertical axis (Y). Thus, when the operator accesses the inside of the enclosure 3, the touchscreen 47 is accessible even when the door is open.

(33) FIGS. 9 and 10 also show an emergency stop button B attached to the pivotable housing 47A.

(34) A connecting device for linking the information from the automatic machine (39) to the outside (Maintenance tool, supervision, etc.) may be integrated. As may a key for switching to maintenance mode.

(35) An example of a touchscreen able to be used according to the present invention is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4.

(36) With reference to this FIG. 4, the touchscreen 47 comprises, at the bottom, a first region 49 in which graphics 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 are permanently displayed. Each graphic 50 to 58 delineates, on the touchscreen 47, an associated main control zone, bearing the reference numerals 60 to 68, respectively, that is to say zones by way of which an operator responsible for supervising the facility 1 enters, through contact with his finger on the touchscreen 47, a command relating to a predetermined task in the management means 45.

(37) This first region 49 is strictly reserved for these main control zones 60 to 68 with the associated permanently displayed graphics 50 to 58. These main control zones 60 to 68 are permanently ready to receive a command from the operator. This is particularly advantageous when the means 39 are monitoring various tasks in parallel, as the operator is able to access the management of a task through simple activation of the main control zone associated therewith.

(38) For some specific tasks, it is necessary to provide the operator with the option of choosing or entering, after the activation of the corresponding main zone, a parameter or a control instruction relating to this specific task.

(39) To this end, the touchscreen 47 additionally comprises, on the right-hand side thereof, seen in FIG. 4, a second region 80 separate from the first region 49 and in which are displayed, depending on the task that is activated, graphics 81, 82, 83 and 84, which are shown only by frames in this figure. These graphics 81 to 84 delineate secondary control zones bearing the reference numerals 91 to 94, respectively. These secondary control zones enable the operator to perform various operations relating to the specific task that is activated.

(40) Of course, the graphics 81 to 84 and thus the operations that the operator is able to enter in the management means 45 change depending on the main control zone and thus the task that are activated.

(41) Moreover, as seen in FIG. 3, the management means additionally comprise means 70 for signaling, on the touchscreen 47, a main or secondary control zone activated by an operator. As shown in FIG. 4, the signaling means 70, following the activation of a control zone, for example the activation of the zone 60, bring about the display, on the touchscreen 47, for example of a colored frame 72 surrounding the main control zone 60 that is activated. The operator is thus always informed of the active task displayed on the screen.

(42) Moreover, the touchscreen 47 comprises, at the top, a third region 100 separate from the first and second regions 49 and 80 and that is reserved for displaying an item of information relating to a main control zone activated by the operator.

(43) To the right of this region 100, above the region 80, a zone 102 for displaying the current time is delineated.

(44) The rest of the touchscreen 47, the region 104, which is surrounded by the regions 100, 80 and 49, is intended first and foremost to display information relating to the monitoring of a task monitored by the means 39 when a main control zone associated with this task has been activated by the operator.

(45) Advantageously, when no secondary control zone is associated with a specific task activated by a main control zone, the zone 104 is expanded and furthermore comprises the region 80.

(46) A description is given hereinafter of various examples of operation of the device 9 with the touchscreen 47.

(47) For example, in FIG. 4, the graphic 50 shows a bell, below which is written alarm, and delineates the main control zone 60 relating to an alarm management and display task monitored by the means 39, as was described above. The activation of the zone 60 by an operator brings about the display, in the zone 104 of the touchscreen 47, of the alarms that are raised, as shown in FIG. 5.

(48) Additionally, graphics 81 to 84, delineating secondary control zones 91 to 94 relating to the management and to the display of the alarms, are displayed on the screen. For example, the activation of the secondary zone 92 delineated by the graphic 82 enables a log of alarms to be displayed.

(49) The graphic 51 of FIG. 4 shows displays with figures, below which is written pressure. This graphic 51 delineates the main control zone 61 associated with the activation of a task relating to the capturing of the pressure and weight values that are measured by the sensors 31 and the scales 33, and to the display of these values on the touchscreen 47, as shown in FIG. 6.

(50) The graphic 52 of FIG. 4 shows pipelines and cylinders linked thereto, below which is written synopsis. This graphic 52 delineates the main control zone 62 associated with the activation of a task relating to the capturing of the measured values measured by the sensors 31 and the scales 33 and to the display, on the touchscreen, of a block diagram of the device, which block diagram is recorded in the storage means 48, jointly with the measured values that are captured, as shown in FIG. 7.

(51) The graphic 53 of FIG. 4 shows a gas supply facility (a gas cabinet) with cylinders and arrows signifying a cylinder replacement, below which is written cylinders. This graphic 53 delineates the main control zone 63 associated with the activation of two tasks. One of these tasks relates to controlling the valves so as to perform purging cycles and leak checks that are necessary before and after each replacement of an empty cylinder with a full cylinder. The other task relates to controlling the valves arranged in the pipelines in order to ensure the switchover of a feed of the distribution device 9 from one of the cylinders 5 or 7 to a feed from the other cylinder 7 or 5. An example of the screens displayed upon activation of the zone 63 is shown in FIG. 8. This shows, on the left-hand side, the block diagram of the part of the facility 1 to which the cylinder change relates, and, on the right-hand side, the various purging and leak checking cycles, which may be activated by the operator for example by way of the secondary control zones that are delineated by squares, in which the codes F1 to F5 are written. A switchover of the feed may be performed by activating the control zones in which the terms left and right are written.

(52) The graphic 55 of FIG. 4 shows pipelines of a distribution device, below which is written DD (for distribution device). This graphic 55 delineates the main control zone 65 associated with the activation of a task relating to the evaluation of the measured values captured by the sensors 31A of the distribution device 9A arranged in series with the device 9 of the facility 1, and to the display, on the touchscreen, of a block diagram of the device 9A, which block diagram is recorded in the storage means 48, jointly with the measured values captured by the sensors 31A.

(53) Through the examples described, it is seen that the use of the touchscreen 47 in the context of devices for distributing a working gas and of facilities for supplying such a gas that are equipped with these devices significantly facilitates the work of the operators responsible for supervising them and enables them to dispense with a long and expensive training program.

(54) It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above.