The Laureate batch controller is a low cost, powerful and highly accurate batching controller for repetitive fill operations. It can use the Laureate FR dual channel pulse input signal conditioner for use with turbine flow meters, or the Laureate V-to-F analog signal conditioner for use with 4-20 mA, 0-1 mA or 0-10V conditioned flow meter signals. Relay control can be provided by two or four 8A contact relays, or by two or four 120 mA AC/DC solid state relays. Fill operations are repeated continually with a programmable delay from 10 ms to 199.99 sec, or based on an external control input.
Three items are tracked by the batch control software. These can each be scaled to engineering units of total or flow rate and displayed by the controller's six-digit LED display: Item #1 is the current batch total, which can be set up to count up from zero to a preset limit, or down from a preset limit to zero. Item #2 can be assigned to grand total or number of batches. Item #3 is the flow rate.
Two or four relays can be used. Relay #1 is assigned to batch total to control the filling operation. Relays #2, #3 and #4 can each be assigned by the user to Items #1, #2 or #3. For example, Relay #2 can be assigned to Item #1 (batch total) with a lower setpoint to serve as a pre-warn and slow down the fill rate near the batch setpoint, and Relay #3 can be assigned to the total number of batches to terminate the batching when a present number of bottles have been filled.
An optional serial communications board allows the batch controller to transmit Items #1, #2 and #3, as well as peak for item #3 (rate). If required, all four items can be displayed simultaneously by augmenting the batch controller with up to three Laureate remote displays. Each of these can have its own analog output and relays for alarm or control.
The pulse-input batch controller utilizes the FR dual channel signal conditioner, which accepts pulses from turbine flow meters and most industrial transducers with a pulse output such as proximity switches with PNP or NPN output, TTL or CMOS logic, or magnetic pickup pulses down to 12 mV. The same signal is applied in parallel to the A and B input channels, which are used independently. Either channel can accept pulse rates from 0.005 Hz to 250 kHz, which exceeds the working range of turbine flow meters.
The analog input batch controller utilizes the Laureate VF voltage-to-frequency converter signal conditioner board, which converts 4-20 mA, 0-1 mA or 0-1V conditioned flow meter signals to a frequency from 10 kHz to 110 kHz. This allows the counter controller to totalize flow, to count up to a preset value, or to count down to zero from a preset value for batch control. One of the relays is dedicated to On/Off batch control, while the other relay is available to slow down rate near the setpoint or to provide another alarm or control function based on rate or total.
Plug-in boards for communications and control include Ethernet, WiFi and serial communication boards, dual or quad relay boards, and an isolated analog output board. Laureates may be powered from 85-264 Vac or optionally from 12-32 Vac or 10-48 Vdc. The display is available with red or green LEDs. The 1/8 DIN case meets NEMA 4X (IP65) specifications from the front when panel mounted. Any setup functions and front panel keys can be locked out for simplified usage and security. A built-in isolated 5, 10, or 24 Vdc excitation supply can power transducers and eliminate the need for an external power supply. All power and signal connections are via UL / VDE / CSA rated screw clamp plugs.
Display | |
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Readout | 6 LED digits, 7-segment, 14.2 mm (.56"), red or green |
Display Range | -999999 to +999999, XXXXEX scientific notation beyond 999999 |
Zero Adjust | -999999 to +999999 |
Span Adjust | 0 to 999999 |
Indicators | Four LED lamps |
Pulse Inputs (FR signal conditioner) | |
Signal Types | AC, pulses from NPN, PNP transistors, contact closures,magnetic pickups. |
Ch A Frequency, Max | 1 MHz |
Ch B Frequency, Max | 250 kHz |
Signal Ground | Common ground for channels A & B |
Minimum Signal | Nine ranges from (-12 to +12 mV) to (+1.25 to +2.1V) |
Maximum Signal | 250 Vac |
Maximum Frequency | 1 MHz, 30 kHz, 250 Hz (selectable) |
Conversion Technique | Inverse period |
Delay between batches | Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s |
Analog Input (V-to-F signal conditioner) | |
Signal Types | 0-1 mA, 4-20 mA, 0-10V |
Conversion Technique | Inverse period applied to 10 kHz- 110 kHz |
Update Rate | 50 ms (max) |
Gate Time | Selectable 10 ms to 199.99 s |
Power Supply Boards (one required) | |
Voltage, standard | 85-264 Vac or 90-300 Vdc |
Voltage, optional | 12-32 Vac or 10-48 Vdc |
Frequency | DC or 47-63 Hz |
Power consumption | 1.2W @ 120 Vac, 1.5W @ 240 Vac, 1.3W @ 10 Vdc, 1.4W @ 20 Vdc, |
(typical, base meter) | 1.55W @ 30 Vdc, 1.8W @ 40 Vdc, 2.15W @ 48 Vdc |
Power Isolation | 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test |
Excitation Output (standard) | |
5 Vdc | 5 Vdc ± 5%, 100 mA |
10 Vdc | 10 Vdc ± 5%, 120 mA |
24 Vdc | 24 Vdc ± 5%, 50 mA |
Output Isolation | 50 Vdc to meter ground |
Analog Output Boards (one optional) | |
Output Levels | 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V, -10 to +10V (single-output option) |
Current compliance | 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10V (dual-output option) |
Voltage compliance | 2 mA at 10V ( > 5 kΩ load) |
Scaling | 12V at 20 mA ( < 600 Ω load) |
Resolution | Zero and full scale adjustable from -99999 to +99999 16 bits (0.0015% of full scale) |
Isolation | 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test (dual analog outputs share the same ground) |
Relay Output Boards (one required for batch control) | |
Dual magnetic relays | 2 Form C, 8A at 250 Vac or 24 Vdc, 0.3A at 250 Vdc, resistive load |
Quad magnetic relays | 4 Form A (NO), 8A at 250 Vac or 24 Vdc, 0.3A at 250 Vdc, resistive load |
Dual solid state relays | 2 Form A (NO), 120 mA at 140 Vac or 180 Vdc, resistive load |
Quad solid state relays | 4 Form A (NO), 120 mA at 140 Vac or 180 Vdc, resistive load |
Relay commons | Isolated commons for dual relays or each pair of quad relays |
Relay isolation | 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 minute test |
Relay latching modes | Latching or non-latching |
Relay active modes | Active on or off, active high or low |
Hysteresis modes | QA passband mode, split hysteresis, span hysteresis |
Communication Boards (one optional) | |
Board Selections | RS232, RS485 with dual RJ11 connectors, RS485 with dual RJ45 connectors, USB, Ethernet, USB-to-RS485 gateway, Ethernet-to-RS485 gateway, WiFi with built-in antenna plus USB & RS485, WiFi with external antenna plus USB & RS485 |
Protocols | Laurel Custom ASCII (serial), Modbus RTU (serial), Modbus TCP (Ethernet or WiFi) |
Digital Addresses | 247 (Modbus), 31 (Laurel ASCII), |
Isolation | 250V rms working, 2.3 kV rms per 1 min test |
Environmental | |
Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C |
Storage Temperature | -40&geg;C to 85&geg;C |
Relative Humidity | 95% at 40&geg;C, non-condensing |
Protection | NEMA-4X (IP-65) when panel mounted |
Signal Connections | |
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Drum Filling Application Utilizing Two Relay Outputs | |
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In this drum filling application, the Laureate pulse-input batch controller utilizes uses its two relays to control a pump. The Prewarn relay slows down the pump near the preset to avoid overshoot. The Batch relay stops the pump at the preset. |
Controlling Chemical Mixing of Materials | |
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Multiple Laureate batch controllers can be used in combination to control the mixing of materials in the proper ratio. Each feed line is equipped with its own pump, flowmeter, and Laureate. Controller setup and monitoring of the mixing operation are facilitated by optional serial communications. RS485 allows a single data line to handle multiple controllers. |
Up-Counting Batch Control | |
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In up-counting batch control, the Laureate counts up from zero to a preset maximum. A prewarn level is available to slow down filling near the preset to avoid overshoot. A time delay can be programmed from the end of each batch to the start of the next batch. |
Down-Counting Batch Control | |
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In down-counting batch control, the Laureate counts down from the preset maximum to zero. A prewarn level is available to slow down filling or emptying near zero. Again, a time delay can be programmed from the end of each batch to the start of the next batch. |
Discrete Filling and Batch Counting | |
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The Laureate batch controller is ideal for discrete manufacturing as well as repetitive fill operations. In this example, the Laureate counts bottles which it then groups into sixpacks. Its Grand Total capability can be used to track bottles or sixpacks. |