Field device for a process automation system having an intrinsically safe power supply device

1. A field device of a process automation system, comprising:

an electronics unit configured for process control of the field device;

at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit including an integrated storage element configured for storing locally stored electrical energy, the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit being configured for supplying power via the integrated storage element to the electronics unit;

at least one second intrinsically safe power supply unit integrated in the field device and including a power generation unit configured for feeding the at least one second intrinsically safe power supply unit with locally renewable energy for the at least one second intrinsically safe power supply unit to supply the locally renewable electrical energy to the electronics unit; and

electrical switching means for, during normal operation, switching the at least one second intrinsically safe power supply unit over to the electronics unit in priority over the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

2. The field device according to claim 1 , wherein the power generation unit of the second intrinsically safe power supply unit includes at least one of an electro-thermal transducer and a photovoltaic transducer.

3. The field device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronics unit of the field device includes an intrinsically safe electronic circuit, and

wherein the intrinsically safe electronic circuit includes at least one of a reverse current protection, a current limiter, and a voltage limiter.

4. The field device according to claim 3 , wherein:

the intrinsically safe electronic circuit of the electronics unit includes at least two inputs which are each two-pole, and a reverse current protection element connected downstream of each intrinsically safe power supply unit, the reverse current protection element being configured for preventing a reverse flow of current into a non-explosion-proofed environment;

each intrinsically safe power supply unit is electrically joined together downstream of the reverse current protection element and passed to a common current limiting element and voltage limiting element, to be made available to the electronics unit via a two-pole output.

5. The field device according to claim 1 , wherein the first intrinsically safe power supply unit having the storage element is comprised in a separate intrinsically safe electronic circuit, which includes at least one of a reverse current protection, a current limiter and a voltage limiter, and which includes a two-pole output for connecting to a corresponding one of the inputs of the electronics unit.

6. The field device according to claim 5 , wherein the intrinsically safe circuit comprises a current limiting element connected in series with the storage element and a reverse current protection element leading to the output.

7. The field device according to claim 1 , wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit providing the locally renewable electrical energy includes an electronic circuit for controlling an output voltage so as to match the output voltage to a level of power for generation by the second intrinsically safe power generation unit.

8. The field device according to claim 7 , wherein the electronic circuit with the power generation unit includes a series-connected current limiting element and a reverse current protection element leading to an output of the, and a control unit for matching the energy generated by the power generation unit to a loading power of the electronics unit.

9. The field device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the normal operation comprises when the power generation unit is able to, based on environmental conditions, feed the at least one second intrinsically safe power supply unit with locally renewable energy.

10. The field device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit is replaceably accommodated in the field device, and

wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit temporarily provides the supply of power to the electronics unit during a replacement of the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

11. The field device according to claim 3 , wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit providing the locally renewable electrical energy includes an electronic circuit for controlling an output voltage so as to match the output voltage to a level of power for generation by the second intrinsically safe power generation unit.

12. The field device according to claim 11 , wherein the electronic circuit with the power generation unit includes a series-connected current limiting element and a reverse current protection element leading to an output of the, and a control unit for matching the energy generated by the power generation unit to the loading power of the intrinsically safe circuit of the electronics unit.

13. The field device according to claim 12 , comprising:

electrical switching means for, during normal operation, switching the second intrinsically safe power supply unit onto the electronics unit in priority over the first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

14. The field device according to claim 12 , wherein the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit is replaceably accommodated in the field device, and

wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit temporarily provides the supply of power to the electronics unit during a replacement of the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

15. The field device according to claim 4 , wherein the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit is replaceably accommodated in the field device, and

wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit temporarily provides the supply of power to the electronics unit during a replacement of the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

16. The field device according to claim 6 , wherein the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit is replaceably accommodated in the field device, and

wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit temporarily provides the supply of power to the electronics unit during a replacement of the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.

17. The field device according to claim 8 , wherein the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit is replaceably accommodated in the field device, and

wherein the second intrinsically safe power supply unit temporarily provides the supply of power to the electronics unit during a replacement of the storage element of the at least one first intrinsically safe power supply unit.