Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Testing system – Of mechanical system
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-19
2004-12-07
Barlow, John (Department: 2863)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Testing system
Of mechanical system
C073S168000, C210S321690, C210S348000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06829551
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a test device for filter systems, a method for testing filter systems, and a computer readable storage device with a computer program for testing filter systems stored therein.
Test devices for filter systems are known in the art. They are used to test filter devices, particularly membrane filters, e.g., for filter quality.
Such a test device is described, for instance, in German patent no. DE 39 17 856 C2. The test device described in this patent comprises a splash-water-protected, plastic enclosure with an operator panel equipped with input keyboard, an LCD display, a printing device and, in the interior, at least a portion of the electronics. The lower part of the enclosure houses the pneumatic equipment and has a compressed gas inlet that is connected with a pneumatic source, a pressure outlet that is connected to the filter system to be tested, and a connection for temperature sensor lines. Testing a filter with such a test device is time consuming, however, since each filter to be tested must be measured separately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, an object of the invention is to provide an improved test device for filter systems.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a filter system test device which facilitates automated testing of multiple filter systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for testing filter systems which enables improved testing.
A further object of the invention is to provide a computer readable storage device with a computer program for testing filter systems stored therein, to allow improved testing of filter systems.
These and other objects are achieved by the invention as described and claimed hereinafter.
According to the invention, a test device for filter systems is provided, wherein the test device for filter systems comprises:
at least two test units, each of which comprises:
a control unit for controlling the sequence of a test program or test program instructions for one or more filter devices,
a pneumatic unit controlled by the control unit, particularly for providing and measuring pressures;
a management unit for managing and controlling the at least two test units, wherein the management unit comprises:
an input device for user-specific inputs, and
an output device,
a processing unit for managing test programs or test program instructions and test results and for controlling the at least two test units, and
signal links via a bi-directional or multi-directional network between the management unit and the at least two test units, particularly for transmitting test program instructions and test results.
By providing at least two test units, which are managed by a common management unit, several filters can preferably be tested simultaneously. Furthermore, the costs of the test device can be reduced since only the device required for testing must be present in multiple units, whereas the device for managing the tests needs to be present only as a single unit.
The signal links via a bi-directional or multi-directional network between the management unit and the test unit can preferably comprise an Intranet or an Internet connection.
Communication between the management unit and the at least two test units is preferably provided as a master-slave configuration. In particular, the management unit performs the function of the master, which actively controls and manages the at least two test units, and the at least two test units are considered slaves, which assume a passive, executing function.
Preferably, the test unit further comprises a data processing unit for processing test program instructions and/or test results. By providing a data processing unit in the test unit, a portion of the required computing activity can be executed in the test unit to relieve or simplify the management unit.
The test unit preferably further comprises a storage unit for storing at least one test program instruction and/or the test results. This ensures simple access to data and instructions.
The input device of the management unit is preferably equipped with a keyboard and/or a touch screen. Providing a keyboard and/or a touch screen enables user-defined inputs, e.g., regarding the filter test.
The output device of the management unit is preferably equipped with a printer for printing out preferably the test parameters used and the test results obtained, and particularly also the certification results.
The management unit further comprises a display device, preferably a monitor. This display device is used to display, for example, the test parameters, the test results and/or the progression of a filter test.
In a preferred embodiment, the signal links between the management unit and the at least two test units comprise an electrical, optical, infrared and/or radio link.
The management unit can preferably manage the at least two test units essentially simultaneously. As a result, less time is required to test a filter system.
In a preferred embodiment, up to five test units are assigned to a management unit.
The invention furthermore provides a method for testing filter systems, particularly using a test device according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
transmitting at least one test program instruction from the management unit to at least one of the at least two test units so as to cause the at least one test program instruction to be executed in the at least one test unit to which the test program was transmitted; and
recording the test results of the at least one test unit in the management unit.
Preferably, the management unit can essentially simultaneously communicate with the at least two test units.
The invention further provides a method for testing filter systems, particularly using a test device according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
recording at least one test program instruction from the management unit out of a plurality of test instructions transmitted to at least one of the at least two test units;
executing the at least one test program instruction in the at least one test unit to which the test program was transmitted; and
transmitting the test results from the at least one test unit to the management unit.
Preferably, the method further comprises a step of causing the at least one test program instruction to be stored in one of the at least two test units.
In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises a step of causing the test results to be stored, and preferably to be processed, in one of the at least two test units.
The invention further provides a computer readable storage device with a computer program for testing filter systems stored therein, which comprises program sections to execute a method according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, which is provided by way of example.
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patent: 5064529 (1991-11-01), Hirayama et al.
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patent: 5762804 (1998-06-01), Striefler
patent: 6453257 (2002-09-01), Juhasz
patent: 3917856 (1989-12-01), None
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J. Krueger, et al., “Maschinendiagnose ueber das Internet”, ZWF 91 (1996) 12, pp. 604-606.
Baumfalk Reinhard
Reif Oscar-Werner
Van Den Boogaard Juergen
Von Der Hardt Jochen
Barlow John
Crowell & Moring LLP
Sartorius AG
Vo Hien
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