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:
A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.
Abstract:
An apparatus in a distributed control system having a network interface and wireless gateway coupled to the network interface. The network interface is configured to communicate with a network. The wireless gateway includes a wireless gateway function block application process configured to map process information between a wireless network having at least one wireless field device and the network. The wireless gateway further includes a wireless network management component configured to manage access to the wireless network and at least one wireless field device function block application process configured to define a resource and input and output process information of the wireless field device.
Abstract:
An industrial process sensor having a sensor component exposed to process fluid detects when the sensor performance has been degraded by a sensor coating buildup from the process fluid. A baseline statistical metric, such as standard deviation of the process parameter sensed by the sensor, is determined during an initial operating period when the sensor component is clean. During continued operation of the sensor, the statistical metric is continually updated and monitored. An alarm output indicating that sensor coating has degraded sensor performance is produced when the current value of the statistical metric varies from the baseline value by an amount indicating degraded sensor performance.
Abstract:
A field mountable interface module (120, 302) is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network (118, 122, 314) as well as at least one process communication connection port (124, 126, 128, 130) configured to couple to a field device bus (132, 134, 307A, 307B, 307C, 307D) . The intelligent interface module (120, 302) also includes a controller (320) and memory (324) coupled to the controller (320) . The controller (320) is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.
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:
A multi-protocol interface (10) for coupling a field device (12) to a general purpose computer (14) is disclosed. The interface (10) includes measurement circuitry (32) to perform a plurality of measurements on a connected process communication loop (16) to determine a process communication loop type. Then, if the interface (10) includes a protocol interface module (26, 28) that matches the detected loop type, the protocol interface module (26, 28) can be engaged. A method (100) for coupling a field device (12) to a general purpose computer (14) is also provided. In one aspect, power from the general purpose computer (14) is used to power the process communication loop (16), if the interface (10) determines that the loop (16) is not powered.
Abstract:
An interface module (200) and method for operation include ports (302a-b) for communicating over a network (308) with a first protocol to a plurality of field devices (102a-n). The interface module also has a port (316) for communicating with a process controller (114) via a high speed network and protocol such as High Speed Ethernet (HSE). The interface module (200) includes a controller (320) for implementing a, plurality of process function modules (322, 324, 325), each of the plurality of process function modules (322, 324, 325) corresponding to one of the plurality of field devices (102a-n). Remote programmability, email messaging and alarms are supported.
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.