Pulse Input or Analog Input Batch Controller

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.

Batch Control with Turbine Flowmeters

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.

• Channel A is used for totalizing. The measured total is scaled mathematically for control and display of volume in engineering units, such as liters.
• Channel B is used for rate. The pulse frequency is determined by timing an integral number of periods over a specified gate time (plus 30 ms and 0-2 periods), and then taking the inverse of period. The inverse period approach allows much greater accuracy and faster update times than conventional rate meters which count signal pulses over a specified time interval. Update times can be as high as 25/sec. Rate in engineering units, such as liters per second, is obtained by multiplying the input by a scale factor.

Batch Control with Conditioned Flow Signals

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.

Designed for System Use

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.