Abstract:
An industrial field device (10, 30, 40) provides information indicative of a process variable. The field device (10, 30, 40), includes a controller (24), communication circuitry (20, 34), a process variable sensor (28) and measurement circuitry (26). The communication circuitry (20, 34) is coupled to the controller (24). The process variable sensor (28) has an electrical characteristic that changes based on a variable of a process fluid. The measurement circuitry (26) is coupled to the process variable sensor (28) and coupled to the controller (24). The controller (24) is configured to generate communication via the communication circuitry (20, 34) relative to the process variable, and to provide an indication of sand flow or other solids in the fluid.
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 modu le (32) is configured to wirelessly communicate process-related information wit h 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 distributed control system has a plurality of distributed field devices, each of which contains a transducer and a wireless transceiver. The distributed control system includes a base station transceiver, a database and a virtual transmitter application in communication with the database. Each field device transmits and receives data via wireless signals between the communications boards and the base station. The data is stored in the database for later retrieval and evaluation by the virtual transmitter application. The deployed field device senses information and transmits the sensed information wirelessly to a base station. The sensed information is stored in memory on a computer system, and programmatically groomed to provide a measurement value, upon request by a user.
Abstract:
An electronic steam trap monitor (402) includes an electric generator (406) configure to couple to a stream trap proximate a potential leak location. The generator (406) generates electricity in response to a process variable from the potential leak location. Communication circuitry (416) provides an output when there is sufficient electricity from the electric generator (406).
Abstract:
A distributed control and/or monitoring system (10) and method includes a local application (11 ) and a remote application (13) separated from the local application (11). The local application (11) includes a host computer (12). The remote application (13) includes a plurality of field devices (20) and a communication bus (18) connected to the plurality of field devices (20). Packet messages are wirelessly communicated between the local application (11 ) and the remote application (13) such that the host computer (12) and field devices (20) can communicate with each other as if they were directly connected to the same communication bus.
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:
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:
LOCATION AWARENESS SYSTEM A location awareness system (100) including a communication network (102), and a network operating element (111) coupled to the communication network (102). At least one anchor network gateway (104) is coupled to the communication network (102), the at least one anchor network gateway (104) configured to generate a wireless anchor network (105). A plurality of anchors (106) are configured to couple to one of the at least one anchor network gateway (104) via its respective wireless anchor network (105). A plurality of tags (108, 110) is each configured to communicate with at least one anchor (106) to provide ranging information for determination of a position of the tag (108, 110) within an area covered by the system (100).