Abstract:
A field device (14) for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system (10) connects to a two-wire process control loop (16). The loop (16) carries data and provides power to the field device (14). RF circuitry (22) in the field device (14) is provided for radio frequency communication. A power supply (18) powers the RF circuitry (22) using power received from the two-wire process control loop (16).
Abstract:
An industrial process transmitter 102 for transmitting a process variable on a two-wire process control loop 106 includes, a loop current control 162 to control a loop current level on the two-wire process control loop 106 that is related to the process variable. Power is provided to primary circuitry 164 of the process transmitter 102. A secondary current control circuit 166 limits current delivered to secondary circuitry 168.
Abstract:
A process variable transmitter (100) that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit (400, 300) that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines (LOOP+, LOOP-, CAN, GND). The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts (202) . An isolated circuit (201) couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier (204) galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply (Figs. 9A-9B) provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output (934), timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.
Abstract:
An adapter (300) for coupling to a process control transmitter (308) of the type used to monitor a process variable in an industrial process includes a first connection configured to couple to a first side of a two wire process control loop (302), a second connection configured to couple to a second side of the two wire process control loop (302) and in series with a first connection to a process control transmitter (308), and a third connection configured to couple to a second connection of the process control transmitter (308). Wireless communication circuitry is coupled to at least the third connection and is configured to provide wireless communication for the process control transmitter (308). Intrinsic safety circuitry (460) coupled to at least one of the first, second and third connections is configured to limit transfer of electrical energy to a value which is less than an intrinsic safety value.
Abstract:
A wireless mesh network is formed by nodes (GW1, GW2, A-F, X-Z) having a regular active schedule for transmitting and receiving messages, and a fast active schedule mode that is locally activated when a demand exists for transmission of a larger number of messages. As each node transmits a message to another node, the transmitting node includes a message buffer queue parameter that indicates the number of messages in the transmitting nodes, pending message queue. The receiving node determines, based upon the message buffer queue parameter received and its own capacity, whether to continue on the regular schedule, or to activate the fast active schedule. If the fast active schedule is activated, the receiving node sends a special acknowledge message back to the sending node, so that both nodes will transmit and receive messages over a fast active schedule link until the message buffer of the sending node has been reduced and the fast active schedule can be deactivated in favor of the regular active schedule.
Abstract:
A pressure transmitter assembly (106) for measuring a pressure of a process fluid (104) includes an isolation diaphragm assembly (120). A pressure sensor (130) is spaced apart from the isolation diaphragm assembly (120) to provide thermal isolation. A conduit (122) extends from the isolation diaphragm assembly (120) to the pressure sensor (130) and is configured to carry isolation fill fluid.
Abstract:
A host computer communicates with field devices over a wireless network that includes a gateway and a plurality of wireless nodes. At least one of the field devices is associated with each wireless node, and each field device has a unique field device address. The host computer sends control messages to field devices using their field device addresses. The gateway translates the field device address of a control message to a wireless address of the wireless node with which the field device is associated. The gateway sends a wireless message over the network to the wireless node at the wireless address. The message contains the field device address so that, when the wireless message is received and opened, the control message from the host computer can be routed to the intended field device based upon the field device address.
Abstract:
A control system uses a wireless network to provided communication between a host computer and field devices. The field devices are normally maintained in a lower power or sleep state. Only field devices that will be involved in a communication with the host computer are turned On and maintained On until communication between the field devices and the host computer is completed.
Abstract:
A control system uses a wireless network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. The host and the field devices communicate with one another using control messages and response messages based upon a known control system protocol. The control and response messages are embedded as a payload within a wireless message that is transmitted over the wireless network. When the wireless message is received at its ultimate destination, the control or response message is separated from the wireless message and is delivered to the intended recipient (either a field device or the host computer).
Abstract:
A control system uses a wireless mesh network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. Performance of the wireless mesh network is monitored by collecting network performance data from each node, such as the nodes with which it is communicating, received signal strengths over links to different nodes, the number of errors occurring on each link, and how frequently communication is occurring with each of the other nodes. A visual network map is generated using performance statistics based on the data gathered from the nodes of the wireless mesh network. The visual network map allows a user to determine the routes that messages take through the wireless mesh network, diagnose potential problems, and make adjustments to improve network performance.