METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONFIGURING A LEVEL INDICATOR OR LEVEL METER

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for configuring a level indicator or level meter is provided. A specification data set comprising at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter with respect to at least one user-defined requirement for the level indicator or level meter, at least one attribute of the level indicator or level meter and/or at least one area of use intended for the level indicator or level meter is provided at a data processing device. The data processing device analyzes the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter contained in the specification data set while generating a configuration data set for configuring the level indicator or level meter. The level meter such that the level indicator or level meter can be graphically represented and/or produced based on the configuration data set.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a level indicator or level meter, the method comprising: providing, at a data processing device, a specification data set comprising at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter with respect to at least one user-defined requirement for the level indicator or level meter, at least one attribute of the level indicator or level meter, and/or at least one area of use intended for the level indicator or level meter; and analyzing, with the data processing device, the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter contained in the specification data set based on generating a configuration data set for configuring the level indicator or level meter, wherein the configuration data set is indicative of a geometry, shape, structure and/or function of the level indicator or level meter such that the level indicator or level meter is graphically representable and/or producable based on the configuration data set.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, with the data processing device based on the configuration data set, a graphical representation, in particular a 3D representation, of the level indicator or level meter for output at a user interface.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: operating, by the data processing device, a user interface for outputting a graphical user interface with at least one control element adjustable by a user, wherein the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter is determinable based on user adjustment of the at least one control element, and/or wherein the specification data set having the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter is generated based at least in part on user input via the at least one control element.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the user interface is controlled by the data processing device via a web interface for displaying the graphical user interface, and/or wherein the graphical user interface is provided via a web interface at the user interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the specification data set comprises: receiving and/or processing user input via at least one control element provided at a graphical user interface by the data processing device; and generating the configuration data set based at least in part on the user input.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one control element is a graphical control element.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one control element comprises a slide control, a graphically operable control element, a drop-down menu, a selection control, and/or a rotary control.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specification data set comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a process temperature, a process temperature range, a diameter of a process connection of the level indicator or level meter, a process pressure, a process pressure range, a strength of one or more connection ranges of the level indicator or level meter, a diameter of one or more connection tubes of the level indicator or level meter, a diameter of a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter, a wall thickness of one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a number of process connections of the level indicator or level meter, a number of cross connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, a distance between two transverse connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall; and/or a number of magnetic switches of the level indicator or level meter.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the configuration data set comprises determining, calculating and/or determining, by the data processing device, one or more geometric parameters of the level indicator or level meter for specifying a geometry of the level indicator or level meter, and/or wherein the step of generating the configuration data set comprises deriving, from the specification data set by the data processing device, one or more geometric parameters of the level indicator or level meter for specifying a geometry of the level indicator or level meter.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one geometric parameter of the level indicator or level meter comprises a length of a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter, a diameter of a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter, a diameter of a process connection, a position of a process connection of the level indicator or level meter, a diameter of a cross connection, a wall thickness of one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a strength of one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a geometry of one or more connection ports of the level indicator or level meter, a geometry of one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a solidity of one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a geometry of one or more process connections of the level indicator or level meter, a number of process connections of the level indicator or level meter, a number of cross connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, a distance between two transverse connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, a position of one or more process connections of the level indicator or level meter, and/or a number of magnetic switches of the level indicator or level meter.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration data set is generated based on the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter included in the specification data set and based on at least one predetermined reference value associated with the at least one specification.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one reference value is a limit pressure for one or more connection areas of the level indicator or level meter, a limit pressure for one or more process connections of the level indicator or level meter, a limit pressure for one or more cross connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, a minimum distance between two adjacent transverse connections of the level indicator or level meter for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, a minimum wall thickness of a connection area of the level indicator or level meter and/or a minimum strength of a connection area of the level indicator or level meter.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the level indicator or level meter includes two or more cross-connections for connecting a bypass tube of the level indicator or level meter to a wall, and wherein the step of generating the configuration data set comprises calculating a distance between two or more cross-connections of the level indicator or level meter.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of generating the configuration data set comprises calculating a geometry of at least one cross-connection, at least one port region, and/or at least one process port of the level indicator or level meter.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining, based on the specification data set, a plurality of configuration options for the level indicator or level meter; and selecting one of the determined configuration options, wherein the configuration data set is generated based on the selected configuration option for the level indicator or level meter.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: configuring the level indicator or level meter using the configuration data set.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: verifying that the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter contained in the specification data set is satisfied by the geometry, structure, form and/or function of the level indicator or level meter defined in the configuration data set.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: submitting and/or providing an error message based on analyzing the specification data set; and wherein the error message alerts a user to a missing and/or incorrect specification of the level indicator or level meter in the specification data set.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, based on the configuration data set, a CAD specification of the level indicator or level meter for manufacturing the level indicator or level meter.

20. A level indicator or level meter comprising a data processing device configured to perform the method according to claim 1.

21. A data processing device for configuring a level indicator or level meter, the data processing device being configured to perform the method of claim 1.

22. A program element which, when executed by a data processing device, instructs the data processing device to perform steps of the method according to any claim 1.

23. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program element according to claim 22.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a data processing device according to an embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a process according to an embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a user interface provided by a data processing device according to an embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a level indicator or level meter according to an embodiment.

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a level indicator or level meter according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a data processing device 100 according to an embodiment. The data processing device 100 of FIG. 1 is shown as a server, but may also be implemented or stored as a computing unit in a computer. The data processing device 100 can receive a specification data set 102, in particular receive it directly, or create it based on an input of a user 118 by means of a user interface 110.

[0076] The specification data set 102 has at least one specification of a level indicator or level meter 114 that the user 118 wishes to configure. In other words, a user 118 may provide a specification data set 102 to the data processing device directly or via a user interface 110. It is equally conceivable that the data processing device itself creates a specification data set 102.

[0077] The data processing device 100 may analyze the specification data set 102. Analyzing the specification data set 102 includes generating 108 a configuration data set 104. The configuration data set 104 may further be used to provide a graphical representation 120 of the level indicator or level meter 114 such that it may be output to a user interface 110.

[0078] It should be noted that both the specification data set 102 and the configuration data set 104 are shown only schematically with reference to FIG. 1. The specification data set 102 may include specifications of the level indicator or level meter 114 with respect to, for example, a user-defined requirement for the level indicator or level meter 114, an attribute of the level indicator or level meter 114, and/or a range of use intended for the level indicator or level meter 114. For example, the user 118 may define or specify, via one or more user inputs, what the level indicator or level meter is to be used for and how it is to be used and/or what requirements it is to meet. In this regard, a specification of the level indicating device or level meter 114 may be a feature and/or technical characteristic of the level indicating device or level meter. The specifications may correspond to a user's desire or vision for the level indicator or level meter, and thus may allow for custom configuration of the level indicator or level meter according to user specifications.

[0079] The configuration data set 104, which may be generated by the data processing device based on the received specification data set, generally includes a geometry, structure, and/or function of the level indicator or level meter 114. The configuration data set 104 may generally include data and/or features necessary to configure the level indicator or level meter 114. Thus, the level indicator or level meter 114 may be graphically representable, configurable, and/or ready based on the configuration data set 104.

[0080] For example, a user 118 may specify one or more specifications for the level indicator or level measurement device through an adjustable control element 116 at a user interface 112. The data processing device 100 may process corresponding user input and determine the specification data set and/or the configuration data set. In other words, the user may input or customize the specification data set 102 and/or a specification of the specification data set 102 by customizing one or more control elements 116. The user 118 may thus provide user input via one or more control elements 116, such that the specification data set 102 may be created based in part on such user input. A plurality of control elements 116 may be present in various forms on the user interface. For example, a control element 116 may be a slide control element 116, a graphically operable control element 116′, a drop-down menu, a selection control, and/or a rotary control.

[0081] By means of a user interface 110 and its graphical user interface 112, a graphical representation of the level indicator or level meter 114 to be configured may be provided to a user 118. The graphical representation 120 of the level indicator or level meter is based on the configuration data set 104 and is created or generated by the data processing device 100. Such a graphical representation 120 may be, for example, a CAD drawing and/or a 3D representation of the level indicator or level meter 114. Conceivably, the user may read the generated configuration data set, which may have been derived, for example, from an analysis of the user-entered specification data set, at a graphical user interface 112. In addition, it is conceivable that the user 118 may wish to customize or modify the configuration data set 104 because, for example, the graphical representation 120 of the level indicator or level meter 114 does not yet accurately represent the desired level indicator or level meter 114.

[0082] The configuration data set 104 may likewise be understood for the time being as a suggestion to the user 118. The configuration data set 104 may include multiple configuration options for configuring the level indicator or level meter 114, between which the user 118 may select, for example, via the graphical user interface 112. After such selection of a configuration option, for example, the configuration data set 104 may comprise only the data set that meets the requirements for and/or satisfies the prerequisites for the level indicator or level meter 114.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment. In a first step S1, at a data processing device 100, a specification data set 102 is provided 106 comprising at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 with respect to at least one user-defined requirement for the level indicator or level meter 114, at least one attribute of the level indicator or level meter 114, and/or at least one area of use intended for the level indicator or level meter 114.

[0084] In a further step S2, the data processing device 100 analyzes the at least one specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 included in the specification data set 102 while generating 108 a configuration data set 104 for configuring the level indicator or level meter 114, wherein the configuration data set 104 defines a geometry, structure, and/or function of the level indicator or level meter 114 such that the level indicator or level meter 114 is graphically representable and/or manufacturable based on the configuration data set 104.

[0085] In a further optional step S3, based on the configuration data set 104, the data processing device 100 generates a graphical representation 120, in particular a 3D representation, of the level indicator or level meter 114 for output to a user interface 110, such as a monitor, a cell phone, and/or a display.

[0086] In a further optional step S4, a user interface 110 for outputting a graphical user interface 112 having at least one control element 116 adjustable by a user 118 is provided by the data processing device 100. The user can make adjustments via the control element, which the data processing device can take into account by updating and/or adjusting the configuration data set accordingly, and optionally adjusting the graphical representation.

[0087] Thus, the specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 and/or the configuration data set may be determined based on an adjustment of one or more control elements 116 by the user 118. The specification data set 102 may further be created based, in part, on user input via a control element 116. In other words, the user 118 may provide the specification data set 102 to the data processing device 100 in various ways.

[0088] FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical user interface 112, for example, a graphical user interface 112 of a user interface 110, such as may be provided by a data processing device 100.

[0089] For example, the graphical user interface 112 may be divided into multiple areas, such as interactive and non-interactive areas. Such areas may also be referred to as a mask. It should be noted that the graphical user interface 112 of FIG. 3 may be a user interface as shown in FIG. 1.

[0090] In a first area, such as an input screen 202, the specification data set 102 may be shown and/or entered by the user so that the specification data set 102 may be provided to the data processing device 100. In another possible second area 204 of the graphical user interface 112, such as a product navigator area, a graphical representation 120 of the level indicator or level meter 114 may be displayed. The graphical representation 120 may be a 3D graphical representation 120, as indicated by the 3D axes 208. For example, the product navigator area 204 may display or overlay at least a portion of the configuration data set 104, which may have resulted from an analysis using the data processing device 100 (see FIG. 1).

[0091] The product navigator area 204 or other area may include adjustable control elements 116, 116′, 116″, 116″, allowing a user 118 to partially input or customize the specification data set 102. Adjustment of the specification data set 102 may occur both before and after analyzing with the data processing device 100 and generating a configuration data set 104. For example, it is conceivable that a configuration data set 104 may have already been generated based on the analyzed specification data set, and may be customized or modified based on one or more user inputs using a control element 116.

[0092] For example, it is conceivable that the number and/or type of control elements 116 may be adjusted or displayed based on the generated configuration data set 104. For example, after analyzing the specification data set 102, the configuration data set 104 may not include all of the information, data, features, and/or setting necessary 114 to configure the level indicator or level meter. It is possible that this may be because the specification data set 102 does not include all of the specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 necessary for this purpose. This can be made up for, so to speak, in that the missing specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 can be entered by a user 118 via the corresponding control element 116 displayed for this purpose.

[0093] The graphical user interface 112 may further include a third area 206. The third area may also be referred to as an output screen 206, for example. For example, the configuration data set 104 may be displayed and/or shown in the third area 206. Moreover, it is also conceivable that the third area 206 may serve to output a message, such as a visual message. Such a message may, for example, alert a user that further specification of the level indicator or level meter 114 may be required to achieve a comprehensive and/or customized configuration of the level indicator or level meter 114.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a level indicator or level meter 114 according to an embodiment. The level indicator or level meter 114 of FIG. 4 may be configured by means of a data processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) when performing a procedure, such as the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0095] The level indicator or level meter 114 of FIG. 4 has a bypass tube 306 with a diameter D, two cross connections 302, 302′ each with a diameter D′, two process connections 304, 308 with a diameter B. There may be a distance A between the two cross connections 302, 302′. The cross connections 302, 302′ may serve to mechanically and/or fluidly connect the bypass tube 306 to a wall, such as a wall of a vessel.

[0096] In addition, the level indicator or level meter 114 includes a connection area 310, which may have a certain strength. For example, a certain wall thickness of the connection area 310 may be required to ensure safe use of the level indicator or level meter 114. Accordingly, the wall thickness and/or strength of the connection area 310 may be calculated by the data processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) based on the specification data set 102 comprising, for example, a deployment pressure.

[0097] For example, the configuration record 104 may include the length L of the bypass tube 306, the diameter of the process connections 304, 308, the distance E between the bypass tube 306 and a wall, the diameter D′ of the cross connections 302, 302′, the number of cross connections 302, 302′, and/or the distance A between two adjacent cross connections 302, 302′. These dimensions and/or characteristics of the level indicator or level meter 114 may have been calculated, analyzed, and/or derived by the data processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) based on the specification data set. It is further conceivable that the data processing device 100 may further take into account a predetermined reference value when generating the configuration data set 104. The reference value may be related to a specification of the level indicator or level meter 114. For example, a maximum length L max of the level indicator or level meter 114 may be predetermined and may be stored or stored, for example, in the data processing device 100 or in an external memory. Alternatively or additionally, a minimum distance between two cross-connections, a maximum distance between two cross-connections, a reference diameter of a connection area, a reference strength of a connection area, a reference diameter of a flange or the like may be taken into account.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a level indicator or level meter 114 according to an embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the level indicator or level meter 114 of FIG. 5 has the same features and elements as the level indicator or level meter 114 of FIG. 4.

[0099] In particular, FIG. 5 shows an example of a level indicator or level meter 114 configured by means of the data processing device 100 (see FIG. 1). For example, it is conceivable that it has been calculated from analyzing the specification data set 102 by means of the data processing device 100 that the level indicator or level meter 114 requires a further connection 402, such as a process connection, for the desired use, such as use desired by the user 118, of the level indicator or level meter 114. The data processing device 100 may indicate this to the user by outputting an appropriate message.

[0100] It should be noted that “comprising” and “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles “one” or “a” do not exclude a plurality. It should further be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.