Abstract:
An interface module is operatively coupled to a Fieldbus process control network and a Modbus process control network to facilitate the exchange of process control information between the networks. The interface module stores a register map database in which the process control parameters of the function blocks in the field devices of the Fieldbus process control network are mapped to register numbers of the Modbus process control network. Once the Fieldbus process control parameters are mapped to the Modbus registers, the interface module is adapted to transmit request messages on the Fieldbus process control network to the Fieldbus field devices for the current values of the process control parameters, receive response messages from the Fieldbus field devices, and store the current values of the process control parameters in the register map database.
Abstract:
Infrared radiation from a plurality of locations associated with a process is measured by a field device (30), which includes a plurality of input channels (32), a plurality of IR sensors (34), and a data processor (38). The infrared radiation from the locations associated with the process is received by the input channels (32) and the intensity of the infrared radiation is measured by the IR sensors (34) to produce representative sensor signals. The data processor (38) produces an output as a function of selected sensor signals.
Abstract:
An interface module is operatively connected to a Fieldbus process control network and to at least one non-Fieldbus process control network to facilitate the exchange of process control information between the networks. The interface module stores a database in which the process control parameters of the function blocks in the field devices of the Fieldbus process control network are mapped to corresponding process control parameters of the non-Fieldbus process control network. Once the Fieldbus process control parameters are mapped to the non-Fieldbus process control parameters, the interface module is adapted to transmit request messages on the Fieldbus process control network to the Fieldbus field devices for the current values of the process control parameters, receive response messages from the Fieldbus field devices, and store the current values of the process control parameters in the database. The interface module may also function in the other direction to map non-Fieldbus process control parameters to corresponding Fieldbus process control parameters.
Abstract:
A wireless field device (34, 50, 70, 80, 91, 100) is disclosed. The field device (34, 50, 70, 80, 91, 100) includes a wireless communications module (32) and an energy conversion module (38) . The wireless communications module (32) is configured to wirelessly communicate process-related information with another device. The energy conversion module (38) is coupled to the wireless communications module (32) . The energy conversion module (38) is configured to couple to a thermal source, and to generate electricity from thermal potential energy in the thermal source.
Abstract:
A process control system (10) utilizes wireless transceivers to divorce the field devices (14, 30) from traditional wired network topologies. By providing field devices (14, 30) with wireless transceivers (22) and shared wireless transceivers (36) for adapting wired field devices (30), the field device network may be adapted to any number of network topologies without concern for additional wiring costs. Specifically, a power supply (18, 26) can be provided for each field device (14) or for groups of field devices, as needed. Thus, the entire network can receive power from a single power bus (32), without expensive power filtering. In addition, the network can be a hybrid in which part of the information is transmitted and received over wired lines and part is transmitted and received over wireless communications.
Abstract:
A device [23] comprises a sensor tube {[21] for placement in a process flow and a flow-modifying element [22]. The flow-modifying element [22] is formed on the sensor tube [21], in order to reduce flow-induced vibrations by reducing coherent vortex shedding in the process flow.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) and method are provided for transferring electrical energy from a Fieldbus process communication loop (12) to at least one other process communication loop (24) operating in accordance with a different process communication protocol. A power transfer device (10) is coupleable to a Fieldbus process communication loop (12) and to a second process communication loop (24). The power transfer device (10) is wholly powered by the Fieldbus process communication loop (12), and is configured to supply at least some electrical energy to the second process communication loop (12).
Abstract:
A system for predicting fouling and corrosion of a combustion system in an industrial process includes a pipe (102) , a restrictive element (104) , and a fouling and corrosion detector (110) . The pipe (102) contains a fuel. The restrictive element (104) is coupled to the pipe (102) and the fuel passes through the restrictive element (104) . The fouling and corrosion detector (110) is coupled to the pipe (102) and is adapted to detect a characteristic signature of the restrictive element (104) and to generate an alarm if a change in the detected signature exceeds a predetermined limit relative to a baseline signature.
Abstract:
A field-mounted process device (116) with multiple isolated connections (56, 58, 60, 62) includes a connection that can be an input or an output . The given input or output can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device (116) can be wholly powered through its communication I/O port (122) . The process device includes a controller (40) adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input connection and to control actuators coupled to an output connection. The controller (40) can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands .
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a field-mountable process device (16, 116) that receives digital information from one or more process devices (D1, D2, D3, D4), and provides an associated analog output. Embodiments of the present invention include providing a wireless interface (120) to the field-mounted process device (116) such that configuration and/or diagnostic information can be communicated between the field-mounted process device (116) and one or more additional devices. In some embodiments, the field-mounted process device (16, 116) can be completely powered by the digital process communication loop (14) to which it is. coupled. Finally, embodiments of the present invention also include generating and storing within the field-mounted process device (16, 116) a mapping (300) between one or more field devices communicating in accordance with a digital process communication protocol and an analog output of the field-mounted process device (16, 116).