Abstract:
An element interacting with a stream of a fluid moving through a pipe generates periodic sub-flows at a rate that varies in accordance with changes in the velocity of the moving fluid. The generation of sub-flows also modulates the electrical charges contained in and moving with the fluid thus permitting a detector which is responsive to the energy being radiated by the modulated charges to produce a sensor signal having a frequency corresponding to the generating rate of the periodically produced sub-flows. In one preferred embodiment, the element is a vortex-shedding body and the sub-flows are vortices being shed therefrom. Electrical circuitry which receives the sensor signal converts it into a flow signal representative of the velocity of the moving fluid.
Abstract:
An apparatus usable in process control applications for detecting the position of a movable element in a sensor wherein first and second beams of light, each having different wavelengths and each preferably being alternately generated with respect to one another by a light source, are transmitted to a filter by means of an optical fiber cable connected between the light source and filter. The filter and the movable element cooperate for modulating the intensity of the first beam in accordance with the position of the movable element and thereby transforming that first beam into a measurement beam which appears at an output stage of the filter. The filter also transmits the second beam therethrough unaffected by the movable element and produces a reference beam appearing at the output stage. A first optical detector is coupled to the light source, the respective intensities of the two light beams being transmitted towards the filter. A second optical detector connected to the output stage of the filter measures the respective intensities of the measurement and reference beams. The four intensity measurements made by the two optical detectors are combined in a prescribed manner for producing a position signal which is representative of the position of the movable element and which is substantially independent of the transmitting factors for the optical paths transmitting the first, second, measurement and reference beams as well as substantially independent of output variations in the light source or responsivity changes in the detectors.
Abstract:
A process control system includes redundant digital controllers and a plurality of input/output (I/O) modules for interfacing with remote field sensors and actuators. Bi-directional communication between controllers and I/O modules is achieved by a parallel wired, process I/O bus. Failures within the system, including the bus structure itself, that continually keep the bus active (i.e., in a low state) are isolated by a combination of software diagnostic routines for performing bus checkout and a unique quick disconnect feature that readily isolates the fault condition first between the I/O module nest area and the controllers, then, if necessary, to individual I/O modules. During fault isolation procedures, individual I/O modules may be disconnected from the bus while the values of field signals are simultaneously maintained to provide minimum process upset.
Abstract:
A differential pressure sensor is attached to a process via a high and a low pressure impulse line. An absolute pressure sensor is also attached to each impulse line. To determine if an impulse line is blocked, a noise signal is acquired from the corresponding absolute pressure sensor. A variance of the noise signal is determined and compared to a threshold. If the variance is less than the threshold, an impulse line blockage is indicated.
Abstract:
An I/O device in the form of an internal dongle (79) includes a body (96) having connective structure being arranged to removably attach the body (96) to a housing of an electronic device. The dongle (79) also includes a circuit assembly that has an exterior connector (102) on the body (96) for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit (104) being electrically coupled to the external connector (102) through the body, an electronic cable (106) having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit (104), and a second end (108) being structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device within the housing.
Abstract:
A controller for controlling the tap positions of a group of on-load tap changing transformer (2, 2') has a respective tap position controller (14, 34, 14', 34') associated with each transformer (2, 2') each of which is arranged to be able to control its associated transformer in response to a measurement value dependent on the voltage at the transformer (2, 2'). A group sequence controller (16) is able to selectively disable the tap position controllers (14, 34, 14', 34') and output its own tap changing signals to adjust the spread of tap positions of the transformers as desired. Methods of use of such a controller are also disclosed. The invention finds primary application with the control of the high voltage supergrid transformer sections of National Power distribution systems.
Abstract:
A pressure transmitter apparatus having a unitary body portion, separate diaphragms and flange elements and disposed within the body, a first and second normally vertical pressure passages. The first and second pressure passageways communicate respectively between first and second pressure openings extending normally horizontally through the body portion, and a transducer mounting element. The mounting element, coupled to the body portion and located above the pressure passageways, mounts a transducer that generates a differential pressure signal. One or a pair of diaphragm elements are configured to form first and second process diaphragms, closing first and second pressure openings. The flange element overlies the diaphragm element and is removably and replaceably secured to the body portion. The pressure transmitter also includes a flame retardation element that is disposed within at least one of the pressure passageways, and an overrange protection element, integrally arranged with the unitary body portion, that protects the transducer from overrange pressure fluctuations. Special flange plane geometries optimize size and sensitivity of isolation diaphragms.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the control parameters of a self-tuning controller used to regulate a process having a measured process variable signal. Using the measured process variable signal, an error signal representing a closed-loop response of the process to an upset condition is generated. Local extrema of the error signal is measured and three successive amplitude values are selected to produce measured decay and overshoot characteristics of the error signal. The three successive amplitude values are selected such that the measured decay characteristic is greater than the overshoot characteristic. Based on the measured decay and overshoot characteristics at least one of the control parameters of the controller is automatically adjusted to improve the difference between one of the measured characteristics and a target characteristic.
Abstract:
A microporous photoprocessable, moderately hydrophilic material (10) on which metal (24) can be deposited directly using electroless plating techniques, and its use in preparing printed wiring boards and circuit components.
Abstract:
Radiant energy is transmitted to a probe element (10) including an interior conical reflecting surface (17) and a fluid sample chamber (18). Portions of the light which have been transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered by a fluid sample (73) in the sample chamber (18) are directed by at least a portion of the interior conical reflecting surface (17) to means for collecting the transmitted, partially attenuated, or scattered light. A stilling valve (12) incorporated into the probe element (10) enables elimination of entrained gas bubbles from the chamber (18).