FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150338836 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONFIGURE PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS BASED ON GENERIC PROCESS SYSTEM LIBRARIES - Methods and apparatus to configure process control systems based on generic process system libraries are disclosed. An example method includes instantiating an instance of a generic process system library. The instance is associated with items of equipment and corresponding process signals of a process control system. The generic process system library comprises at least one of generic process graphic data or generic control strategy data corresponding to the items of equipment and the corresponding process signals of the process control system. The example method further includes configuring the instance of the generic process system library by incorporating process-specific data associated with the operation of the process control system with the at least one of the generic process graphic data or the generic control strategy data. | 11-26-2015 |
20150261215 | DETERMINING ASSOCIATIONS AND ALIGNMENTS OF PROCESS ELEMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS IN A PROCESS - Techniques for automatically determining, without user input, one or more sources of a variation in the behavior of a target process element operating to control a process in a process plant include using a process element alignment map to determine process elements upstream of the target process element in the process; performing a data analysis on data corresponding to the upstream elements with respect to the target element to determine behavior time offsets, strengths of impact, and impact delays; and determining the source(s) based on the data analysis outputs. Techniques may include automatically defining the process element alignment map by obtaining and processing data from a plurality of diagrams or data sources of the process and/or plant. Furthermore, the techniques may be performed during plant run-time by any high-volume, high density device such as centralized or embedded big data appliances, controllers, field or I/O devices, and/or by an unsupervised application. | 09-17-2015 |
20150220080 | Managing Big Data In Process Control Systems - A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a data storage device configured to receive process control data from control system devices and store the process control data. The big data network or system identifies various parameters or attributes from the process control data, and creates and uses rowkeys to store the parameters according to various combinations, such as combinations using timestamps. The big data network or system may also store certain aggregate data analyses associated with time periods specified by the timestamps. Accordingly, the big data network or system efficiently stores real-time data having measurements within a database schema, and users or administrators can leverage the aggregate data to analyze certain data associated with certain time periods. | 08-06-2015 |
20150095335 | CHANGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A PROCESS CONTROL ARCHITECTURE - A computer-implemented system and method of managing changes to a process control system are provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of changes to the process control system. The plurality of changes are categorized into a plurality of categories. Each change is assigned an initial status. The categorized changes are displayed with their associated status to a user to receive user action relative to at least one categorized change. A status of the at least one categorized change is stored. | 04-02-2015 |
20150066162 | BULK FIELD DEVICE OPERATIONS - A computer-implemented method for configuring a plurality of field devices is provided. The method includes defining a configuration template and mapping the configuration template to a plurality of field devices. The defined configuration template is automatically applied to the plurality of field devices. A method of verifying field device configuration information is also provided. | 03-05-2015 |
20150018977 | STATE MACHINE FUNCTION BLOCK WITH USER-DEFINABLE ACTIONS ON A TRANSITION BETWEEN STATES - A control system, a safety system, etc., within a process plant may each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may cause a state machine implemented by the state machine function block to identify a next state as well as one or more transition actions to perform in accordance with transitioning from a current state to the next state. Configuration data associated with the transition actions may be retrieved from a database based on the current and next states of the state machine and at least one of the inputs. The state machine function block may also include one or more outputs that are generated based on the state transition. | 01-15-2015 |
20140303754 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO GRAPHICALLY DISPLAY PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM INFORMATION - Systems and methods to graphically display process control system information are disclosed. Some example methods include monitoring process variables in a process control system, determining a current state of a first one of the process variables, and determining a trend associated with the first process variable. Some such examples further include generating a first graphic representative of information associated with the first process variable, the information comprising the current state of the first process variable and the trend of the first process variable. Some example methods also include rendering the first graphic via a display. | 10-09-2014 |
20140282257 | GENERATING CHECKLISTS IN A PROCESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - A method executed in a process control environment automatically generates, displays, and tracks check lists according to assigned work items. The work items include information such as required equipment, required safety equipment, required tools, target function, and target equipment. The target function and/or target equipment information can be associated, together or separately, with the required equipment, required safety equipment, and required tools if the required equipment and tools are not specifically included in the work items. The check lists indicate the required equipment, tools, devices, parts, maintenance materials, manuals, and/or documents, that are necessary to perform the target function on the target equipment. A check list is displayed on a user interface device, which tracks, internally or in cooperation with a supervisor engine, whether a user of the user interface device has checked off the items on the check list. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282227 | DATA MODELING STUDIO - A data modeling studio provides a structured environment for graphically creating and executing models which may be configured for diagnosis, prognosis, analysis, identifying relationships, etc., within a process plant. The data modeling studio includes a configuration engine for generating user interface elements to facilitate graphical construction of a model and a runtime engine for executing data models in, for example, an offline or an on-line environment. The configuration engine includes an interface routine that generates user interface elements, a plurality of templates stored in memory that serve as the building blocks of the model and a model compiler that converts the graphical model into a data format executable by the run-time engine. The run time engine executes the model to produce the desired output and may include a retrieval routine for retrieving data corresponding to the templates from memory and a modeling routine for executing the executable model. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282195 | Graphical Process Variable Trend Monitoring for a Process Control System - A process control monitoring system for a process control plant uses graphic trend symbols to assist in detecting and monitoring trends of process variables within the process control plant. A graphic display application within the process control monitoring system may implement and display each graphic trend symbol to graphically indicate or encapsulate current trend and value information of a process variable within the process control plant. The graphic display application may display the graphic trend symbol in a spatially realistic location within a graphical representation of the process control plant while maintaining the hierarchical structure or each hierarchical level of the process plant. The graphic display application may also include a zoom feature that enables a user to quickly drill down through tend data to obtain more information and to support problem identification and diagnosis tasks. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282015 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS PLANT WITH LOCATION AWARE MOBILE CONTROL DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices operable to determine the location of the device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. A processor in a mobile user interface device transmits a first request for data and receives the requested data in response to the request. The processor causes a display to display the received data. The processor receives an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device the processors transmits a second request for data according to the received indication. The processor then receives data in response to the second request. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280678 | COLLECTING AND DELIVERING DATA TO A BIG DATA MACHINE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280497 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS PLANT WITH LOCATION AWARE MOBILE CONTROL DEVICES - A computer-readable storage medium for controlling a process plant includes instructions operable to determine the location of a device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. The instructions cause a processor to transmit to a server a first request for first data from a data storage area and to receive from the server, in response to the first request, first data from the storage area. The instructions cause the processor to cause the display to display the first data received from the server and to receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device. The instructions cause the processor to transmit to the server a second request for second data according to the received indication and to receive second data from the server. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277656 | COLLECTING AND DELIVERING DATA TO A BIG DATA MACHINE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A device supporting big data in a process plant includes an interface to a communications network, a cache configured to store data observed by the device, and a multi-processing element processor to cause the data to be cached and transmitted (e.g., streamed) for historization at a unitary, logical centralized data storage area. The data storage area stores multiple types of process control or plant data using a common format. The device time-stamps the cached data, and, in some cases, all data that is generated or created by or received at the device may be cached and/or streamed. The device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, a network management device, a user interface device, or a historian device, and the device may be a node of a network supporting big data in the process plant. Multiple devices in the network may support layered or leveled caching of data. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277620 | GRAPHICAL PROCESS VARIABLE TREND MONITORING WITH ZOOM FEATURES FOR USE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A process control monitoring system for a process control plant uses graphic trend symbols to assist in detecting and monitoring trends of process variables within the process control plant. A graphic display application within the process control monitoring system may implement and display each graphic trend symbol to graphically indicate or encapsulate current trend and value information of a process variable within the process control plant. The graphic display application may display the graphic trend symbol in a spatially realistic location within a graphical representation of the process control plant while maintaining the hierarchical structure or each hierarchical level of the process plant. The graphic display application may also include a zoom feature that enables a user to quickly drill down through tend data to obtain more information and to support problem identification and diagnosis tasks. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277619 | GRAPHICAL PROCESS VARIABLE TREND MONITORING IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USING A NAVIGATION PANE - A process control monitoring system for a process control plant uses graphic trend symbols to assist in detecting and monitoring trends of process variables within the process control plant. A graphic display application within the process control monitoring system may implement and display each graphic trend symbol to graphically indicate or encapsulate current trend and value information of a process variable within the process control plant. The graphic display application may display the graphic trend symbol in a spatially realistic location within a graphical representation of the process control plant while maintaining the hierarchical structure or each hierarchical level of the process plant. The graphic display application may also include a navigation pane and a zoom feature that enable a user to quickly drill down through tend data to obtain more information and to support problem identification and diagnosis tasks. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277618 | METHOD FOR INITIATING OR RESUMING A MOBILE CONTROL SESSION IN A PROCESS PLANT - User interface sessions in a user interface device are initiated or resumed according to a device type and a target session. A session request is received from a first client device. A device type associated with the session request is determined, and a graphical user interface configuration is identified according to the device type. A target session associated with the session request is identified and a new session is configured for the first client device according to the identified graphical user interface configuration and the identified target session. Data associated with the new session are transmitted to the first client device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277617 | METHOD FOR INITIATING OR RESUMING A MOBILE CONTROL SESSION IN A PROCESS PLANT - User interface sessions in a user interface device are initiated or resumed according to stored state data. A session request is received from a first client device. A user profile associated with the session request is identified and a determination made as to whether a previous session exists. If no previous session exists, a new session is instantiated using a default session configuration. If a previous session exists, a new session is instantiated according to the previous session. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277616 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM - Methods and apparatus for operating a process plant include a server providing display information to a first user interface (UI) device, storing state information, and providing display information to a second user interface device according to the stored state data. A processor is coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area and to a memory device that stores machine-readable instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the processor to retrieve process data for display on a first UI device, transmit to the first UI device the retrieved process data, store state information associated with the display of the process data on the first UI device, retrieve process data for display on a second UI device according to the stored state information, and transmit to the second UI device the process data retrieved according to the stored state information. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277615 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM - Methods and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface (UI) devices, each accessing a plurality of applications on a server, and operable to store device state on the server and receive device state from the server. The server is coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area and provides functions related to the process data stored in the data storage areas via one or more user interfaces. A first UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and maintains on the server state information indicative of a state of the user interface executing on the first UI device. A second UI device coupled to the server accesses the process data and the state information to execute a user interface on the second UI device in accordance with the state information indicative of the state of the user interface executing on the first UI device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277607 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF A MOBILE CONTROL DEVICE IN A PROCESS PLANT - Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining with dead reckoning the position, relative to an anchor point, of a mobile device. Data indicating an anchor position within a process plant is acquired and an anchor position is determined according to the acquired data. Data indicative of acceleration and orientation of the mobile device are received from circuitry of the mobile device. A position of the mobile device is determined according to the received data and the anchor position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277605 | MOBILE ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN A PROCESS PLANT - In a process plant, a mobile device detects a physical phenomenon and converts the detected physical phenomenon to digital data representative of the physical phenomenon. The data are transmitted to an expert system and analyzed by the expert system to determine a state of one or more process elements. Abnormal conditions associated with the process elements may be detected, and a cause of the abnormal condition may be determined from the digital data. Process control parameters may be automatically changed to correct the abnormal condition, work items may be created to cause personnel to take action to correct the abnormal condition, and/or an operator may be prompted to take a corrective action to resolve the abnormal condition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277604 | DISTRIBUTED BIG DATA IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A distributed big data device in a process plant includes an embedded big data appliance configured to locally stream and store, as big data, data that is generated, received, or observed by the device, and to perform one or more learning analyses on at least a portion of the stored data. The embedded big data appliance generates or creates learned knowledge based on a result of the learning analysis, which the device may use to modify its operation to control a process in real-time in the process plant, and/or which the device may transmit to other devices in the process plant. The distributed big data device may be a field device, a controller, an input/output device, or other process plant device, and may utilize learned knowledge created by other devices when performing its learning analysis. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277596 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING A WORK FLOW IN A PROCESS PLANT - An automated method for managing a work flow in a process plant includes determining the steps of performing a work item and generating associated displays for an operator or other personnel to perform the steps of the work item. A work item is created specifying a task to be performed in the process plant and determining from the specified task a set of procedures for execution of the work item. For each procedure, an associated display is generated and the associated displays are displayed on a mobile user interface device sequentially in an order in which the set of procedures are to be performed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277595 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM - Methods and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices, each operating a plurality of applications, and operable to pass device state from device to device. A first user interface device is communicatively coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area, and executes one or more first routines for performing a function. A second user interface device is communicatively coupled via a network to the unitary, logical data storage area and executes one or more stored routines each corresponding to one of the first routines. The first user interface device passes to the second user interface device state information indicative of one or more first routines operating on the first user interface device such that the second user interface device, upon receiving the state information, executes one or more of the second routines corresponding to one or more of the first routines. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277594 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS STATE TRANSFER BETWEEN USER INTERFACE DEVICES IN A MOBILE CONTROL ROOM - Methods, apparatus, and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices, each accessing process control data for display in dynamically generated user interfaces, and each operable to transfer device state directly to another device. A first user interface device stores instructions operable to cause a processor of the first user interface device to dynamically generate a user interface for displaying process data. Process data are provided to the first user interface device by a server coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area. When a second user interface device receives from a first user interface device data indicative of the state of the first user interface device, the second user interface device dynamically generates a user interface for displaying data on the second user interface device according to the received data indicative of the state of the first user interface device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277593 | SUPERVISOR ENGINE FOR PROCESS CONTROL - A supervisor engine cooperates with an expert system in a process control environment to automatically generate, assign, track, and manage work items. The supervisor engine creates work items according to data received from the expert system, selects available personnel to execute work items, sends work items to the selected personnel, schedules the execution of the work items, and creates and stores permissions that allow the assigned personnel to complete a target function of the work item at an assigned time. The supervisor engine determines required skill sets, roles, certifications, and/or credentials associated with a work item, and selects personnel to perform the work item according to a personnel profile specifying a skill set, a role, certifications, and/or credentials associated with the personnel. Alternatively or additionally, the supervisor engine assigns a work item according to the presence of personnel at or near the target equipment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274123 | MOBILE CONTROL ROOM WITH REAL-TIME ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS - A method and apparatus track the location of a mobile device within a process plant and display present information about the location of the mobile device in the process plant relative to equipment of the process plant. A location awareness component generates information pertaining to the location of the mobile control room device. A first routine interprets information generated by the location awareness component according to information stored in a database to determine a relationship between the location of the device and a layout of the process plant. A second routine generates a graphic for depiction on the display according to the determined relationship between the location of the device and the layout of the plant. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273847 | CONTEXT SENSITIVE MOBILE CONTROL IN A PROCESS PLANT - A mobile device for context-sensitive operation in a process control environment, and a system including such a device, includes a first circuit for acquiring information associated with a process entity in the process control environment. The mobile device also includes a processor, communicatively coupled to the first circuit, for identifying the process entity based on the acquired information. Further, the mobile device includes a network interface, communicatively connected to the processor, for receiving work item data associated with a process entity. The work item data indicates a target function associated with the process entity. The processor triggers an event to facilitate implementing the target function associated with the process entity in response to the proximity of the mobile device to the process entity and the work item data. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257529 | BACKGROUND COLLECTION OF DIAGNOSTIC DATA FROM FIELD INSTRUMENTATION DEVICES - In a method and system, a device tag allows automatic configuration of a process control system to download and cache device diagnostic data associated with one or more process control field devices. The device diagnostic data are downloaded and cached using bandwidth not otherwise required for real-time process control communications. The device diagnostic data may be polled asynchronously and/or according to a low priority, background task. The device diagnostic data include one or more non-static parameter values. The cached parameter values may be used in display routines, control routines, or any routine for which the update frequency is sufficient. Each cached parameter value may also have associated with it a status. | 09-11-2014 |
20140250153 | BIG DATA IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS - A big data network or system for a process control system or plant includes a big data apparatus including a data storage area configured to store, using a common data schema, multiple types of process data and/or plant data (such as configuration and real-time data) that is used in, generated by or received by the process control system, and one or more data receiver computing devices to receive the data from multiple nodes or devices. The data may be cached and time-stamped at the nodes and streamed to the big data apparatus for storage. The process control system big data system provides services and/or data analyses to automatically or manually discover prescriptive and/or predictive knowledge, and to determine, based on the discovered knowledge, changes and/or additions to the process control system and to the set of services and/or analyses to optimize the process control system or plant. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249654 | KALMAN FILTERS IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS - A control technique that enables the use of received process variable values in a Kalman filter based control scheme without the need to change the control algorithm includes a controller, such as a PID controller, and a Kalman filter, coupled to receive feedback in the form of, for example, process variable measurement signals from a process. The Kalman filter is configured to produce an estimate of the process variable value from slow or intermittent process feedback signals while providing a new process variable estimate to the controller during each of the controller execution cycles to enable the controller to produce a control signal used to control the process. The Kalman filter is also configured to compensate the process variable estimate for process noise with non-zero mean value that may be present in the process. The Kalman filter may apply this compensation to both continuously and intermittently received process variable values. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249653 | USE OF PREDICTORS IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH WIRELESS OR INTERMITTENT PROCESS MEASUREMENTS - A control technique that enables the use of slow or intermittently received process variable values in a predictor based control scheme without the need to change the control algorithm includes a controller, such as a PID controller, and a predictor, such as a model based predictor, coupled to receive intermittent feedback in the form of, for example, process variable measurement signals from a process. The predictor, which may be an observer like a Kalman filter, or which may be a Smith predictor, is configured to produce an estimate of the process variable value from the intermittent or slow process feedback signals while providing a new process variable estimate to the controller during each of the controller execution cycles to enable the controller to produce a control signal used to control the process. | 09-04-2014 |
20140212978 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MONITOR OPERATING PROCESSES - Example methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for monitoring operating processes. An example method includes monitoring an equipment parameter associated with an asset in an operating process unit and monitoring a process parameter associated with the asset. The example method includes determining an asset health corresponding to the asset. The asset health is determined based on a potential state of corrosion associated with the asset by comparing a corrosivity index to a corrosion threshold. The corrosivity index is a function of at least one of current values or changes in the monitored equipment parameter or the monitored process parameter over time. | 07-31-2014 |
20140208253 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR TASKS IN A PROCESS SYSTEM ENTERPRISE - Methods and apparatus to monitor tasks in a process system enterprise are disclosed. In one example, a method is disclosed that comprises analyzing, using a processor, tasks in an enterprise to determine a criticality of each task and an actionability of each task, ordering, using the processor, the tasks based on the criticality and the actionability of each of the tasks, and rendering, via a display, a first graphic representative of at least a portion of the ordered tasks. | 07-24-2014 |
20140149630 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLE FIELD DEVICES TO CONTROLLERS IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A disclosed example apparatus includes a termination panel, a shared bus on the termination panel, and a plurality of bases on the termination panel along the shared bus. Each of the bases is to removably receive modules that are to communicate with field devices. Each of the bases includes first and second physical interfaces. The first physical interface is to be communicatively coupled to different types of the field devices and to exchange communications with one or more of the field devices via a plurality of different communication protocols. The second physical interface is to communicatively couple the removably receivable modules to the shared bus to communicate with a controller via the shared bus. | 05-29-2014 |
20140108985 | Configurable User Displays in a Process Control System - A display configuration system enables plant operators to create their own process displays called dashboards during run-time of the plant and in the same interface that these operators use to view operation of the process plant. This display configuration system makes the operators more productive because the operators can quickly create and implement their own specialized dashboards, as these operators determine these dashboards are needed. Each dashboard has a defined layout specifying locations or regions at which display elements can be shown in the dashboard, and this layout is operator modifiable. Operators can easily create content on their own dashboards using predefined but configurable display building blocks called gadgets, which can be pre-stored in a library and can be made available for the operator during dashboard creation activities. A gadget can be dragged and dropped onto a dashboard at one of the regions or locations of the dashboard to be installed in that region or location of the dashboard. The display configuration system may automatically size the gadgets based on the selected dashboard layout, and operators can modify an existing dashboard by adding, modifying, moving, minimizing or deleting gadgets on the dashboard. | 04-17-2014 |
20140100676 | DYNAMICALLY REUSABLE CLASSES - Techniques for flexibly configuring an operating process plant or process control system enable a change to a parent object to be selectively propagated to child objects derived from the parent object, so that a first subset of child objects and their respective instantiations are updated with the change, while a second subset and their respective instantiations remain unchanged. The parent object may be a class or instance process object corresponding to a process entity, and the first and/or the second subset of child objects may be selected. In some cases, the change may have been a propagated change, to the parent object, from a child object that is excluded from the first or the second subset of child objects. In some cases, the change may first be propagated to an instance object derived from the parent object, and then propagated from the instance object to a child object. | 04-10-2014 |
20140100669 | DERIVED AND LINKED DEFINITIONS WITH OVERRIDE - Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object. | 04-10-2014 |
20140100668 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING PROCESS CONTROL CONFIGURATION - Flexible configuration of process control systems or plants allows draft changes or modifications to be made to parent process objects, e.g., in a configuration environment, without automatically triggering corresponding instantiations and/or downloads of the parent process objects and/or their derived children objects into a run-time system. Parent objects to which draft changes are allowed may include class objects, instance objects, and/or library objects. One or more modifications to a process object may be saved as a draft, and multiple drafts for a same process object may be saved as different versions. Children objects may indicate the particular version of a parent object draft from which they are derived. A user may indicate that a particular draft or version is to be published or approved. Unpublished or unapproved drafts are prevented from being instantiated in the run-time system, whereas published or approved drafts are allowed to be instantiated. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097850 | TERMINAL BLOCKS INCLUDING INTEGRAL SAFETY RELAYS HAVING INDEPENDENTLY TESTABLE CONTACTS - Terminal blocks including integral safety relays having independently testable contacts are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a terminal block body couplable to an electronics cabinet or mounting rail. The terminal block body includes a first slot to receive a first circuit and a second slot to receive a second circuit. The apparatus includes a first contact and a second contact that are externally accessible when the terminal block body is coupled to the electronics cabinet or the mounting rail. The apparatus includes a first switch and a second switch to selectively couple the first contact and the second contact and a test point coupled between the first switch and the second switch. The test point is to enable the first switch and the second switch to be independently testable to verify operability when the terminal block body is coupled to the electronics cabinet or the mounting rail. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097700 | SAFETY INSTRUMENTED PROCESS CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS - Example apparatus and methods to remove power from a field device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first switch to control power to the field device, and a second switch comprising a first gate and a second gate. The second gate is electrically coupled in parallel to the first gate, and the second switch is electrically coupled in series to the first switch. The example apparatus also includes a first diagnostics controller to control the first and second gates, a first processor to control the first switch, a third switch to control power to the field device, and a fourth switch comprising a third gate and a fourth gate. The fourth gate is electrically coupled in parallel to the third gate, and the fourth switch is electrically coupled in series to the third switch. The example apparatus also includes a second processor to control the third switch, and a second diagnostics controller to control the third and fourth gates. | 04-10-2014 |
20140094947 | RECIPE COMMAND STEPS AND RECIPE INPUTS FROM EXTERNAL LOGIC - A method of generating a product recipe for execution by a batch process in an automated manufacturing environment, such the product recipe is associated with a plurality of actions, a set of transitions, and a set of parameters, and such that the plurality of actions define a plurality of logical levels including a phase level at which the batch process interacts with equipment, includes receiving a procedure definition specifying the plurality of actions, receiving a transaction definition specifying the set of transitions so that each one in the set of transitions is associated with two or more of the plurality of actions, and receiving the set of parameters. Receiving the set of parameters includes receiving at least one dynamic input parameter that resolves to a value without obtaining the value from the product recipe or an operator prompt associated at the phase level of the product recipe. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094946 | ONLINE RECIPE SYNCHRONIZATION IN A REAL-TIME BATCH EXECUTIVE ENVIRONMENT - A method of executing a batch process in a manufacturing environment according to a product recipe, such that the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, includes performing at least one action of the batch process corresponding to a first version of the product recipe, receiving a second version of the product recipe, such that the second version of the product recipe is distinct from the first version of the product recipe, suspending the execution of the batch process prior to completion of the batch process, and resuming the execution of the batch process according to the second version of the product recipe. | 04-03-2014 |
20140036712 | DETECTION AND LOCATION OF WIRELESS FIELD DEVICES - A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool. | 02-06-2014 |
20130197955 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING MAINTENANCE ROUTES WITHIN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - Generating a maintenance route in a process control system includes creating an initial ordered list of all wireless nodes in direct communication with a wireless gateway, where the nodes are ordered by signal strength with the wireless gateway device. A subsequent ordered list is created of all nodes in direct communication with first node of the initial ordered list, where the nodes are ordered by signal strength with the first node. The subsequent ordered list is then appended to the initial ordered list after the first node. This process of creating a subsequent list and appending the initial list is iteratively repeated thereafter, each time accounting for the next node in the appended ordered list following the previous iteration until all nodes are accounted for. In the last iteration, the nodes correspond to stop points along the route and the order corresponds to the route to be taken among the stop points. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195010 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS PROCESS COMMUNICATION OVER DISTINCT NETWORKS - A dual-mode router for conveying process communication packets across a plurality of distinct wireless process communication networks is provided. The router includes wireless communication circuitry and a controller coupled to the wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry is configured to interact with signals from each of the plurality of distinct wireless process communication networks. The controller is configured to adapt process communication packets from a first distinct wireless process communication network for transmission over a second distinct wireless process communication network. Methods for configuring the distinct wireless process communication networks and relaying process packets over the distinct wireless process communication networks are also provided. | 08-01-2013 |
20130184837 | COMPENSATING FOR SETPOINT CHANGES IN A NON-PERIODICALLY UPDATED CONTROLLER - A technique for controlling a process using non-periodically received process variable measurements enables more robust controller responses to setpoint changes. The control technique implements iterations of a control routine to generate a control signal using a reset or rate contribution component that produces an expected process response to the control signal. When a new measurement of the process variable is unavailable to the controller, the reset or rate contribution component that was generated in response to the receipt of the previous process variable is maintained when generating the control signal. However, the reset contribution component is iteratively recalculated during each controller execution cycle so that the output of the reset contribution component incorporates expected process changes that occur as a result of a setpoint change. | 07-18-2013 |
20130150995 | ONLINE RECIPE SYNCHRONIZATION IN A REAL-TIME BATCH EXECUTIVE ENVIRONMENT - A method of executing a batch process in a manufacturing environment according to a product recipe, such that the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, includes performing at least one action of the batch process corresponding to a first version of the product recipe, receiving a second version of the product recipe, such that the second version of the product recipe is distinct from the first version of the product recipe, suspending the execution of the batch process prior to completion of the batch process, and resuming the execution of the batch process according to the second version of the product recipe. | 06-13-2013 |
20130131844 | Method for Selecting Shapes in a Graphical Display - A selector shape may serve as the background to a configurable composite shape and may include one or more expressions that are evaluated to select between several composite shape definitions via links to the definition. Each selector shape includes an animation expression and a lookup table converter to select an identifier of the composite definition to be loaded and displayed. When the value of the animation expression changes, the value may be matched to the name of a new composite definition using the lookup table, and the new definition may be displayed. The previously-used composite definition may then be marked for removal by a caching system, and removed. These selector shapes also enable the same graphic element to be used in displays designed for different types of display devices, such as display devices having large display screens, standard computer screens and very small display screens. | 05-23-2013 |
20130103877 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLE FIELD DEVICES TO CONTROLLERS IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A disclosed example system includes a termination panel, and a shared bus on the termination panel. The shared bus is to removably receive a plurality of bases that removably receive modules to communicate with field devices, and communicatively couple the modules to an input/output card to exchange communications between the modules and a controller that is in communication with the input/output card via a second bus. | 04-25-2013 |
20130085795 | EVENT SYNCHRONIZED REPORTING IN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS - Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for event synchronized reporting in an process control system are disclosed. Events may be synchronized by a synchronization parameter, whose instances of occurrence may be non-contiguous in time. Examples of synchronization parameters may include a work shift, a work group, an individual's on-duty time, a logged-on period of an individual, the execution times of a process control entity, a batch run type, and a procedure or sub-unit of a batch run. Instances of occurrence of the synchronization parameter may be recorded into a process control event database. Event synchronized reports may contain at least one synchronization value based on both the instances of occurrence of the synchronization parameter as well as historical process control data. Data from various historian databases may be accessed from process control system tools and integrated into a single report. | 04-04-2013 |
20130079901 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELIMINATING ALIASING - In order to reduce or eliminate aliasing in a process control network, filtering of a measurement signal may be set based on the module execution rate in a process control system. A Nyquist frequency for the module may be determined based on the module execution rate where the Nyquist frequency may be twice the execution rate. Filtering after an analog to digital convertor may be set based on the module execution rate. In the analog to digital convertor, digital filtering after the converter may be set based on the module execution rate and the frequency content of the analog signal may be attenuated by a filter at and above the Nyquist frequency for the module execution rate. | 03-28-2013 |
20130070745 | COMMUNICATING DATA FRAMES ACROSS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS THAT USE INCOMPATIBLE NETWORK ROUTING PROTOCOLS - A communication method operates to seamlessly transmit internet protocol (IP) data frames, such as IPv6 data frames, over a communication network that uses a non-IP network routing protocol, i.e., a communication network that implements a network routing protocol other than, or that is incompatible with an IP network routing protocol, such as the WirelessHART protocol. This communication method enables, for example, field devices or other intelligent devices within a process plant network that uses a non-IP communication network to perform messaging of IP data frames generated at or to be received by internet protocol enabled devices either within the process plant network or outside of the process plant network. | 03-21-2013 |
20130069792 | INFERENTIAL PROCESS MODELING, QUALITY PREDICTION AND FAULT DETECTION USING MULTI-STAGE DATA SEGREGATION - A process modeling technique uses a single statistical model developed from historical data for a typical process and uses this model to perform quality prediction or fault detection for various different process states of a process. The modeling technique determines means (and possibly standard deviations) of process parameters for each of a set of product grades, throughputs, etc., compares on-line process parameter measurements to these means and uses these comparisons in a single process model to perform quality prediction or fault detection across the various states of the process. In this manner, a single process model can be used to perform quality prediction or fault detection while the process is operating in any of the defined process stages or states. | 03-21-2013 |
20130060351 | ASSET TRACKING IN PROCESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENTS - An asset tracking system for use in a process control environment may include one or more asset tracking devices and an asset tracking host. The asset tracking device may receive signals corresponding to a position or location of an asset to be tracked, and may communicate, using an industrial automation protocol such as wireless HART, an indication of the position to the asset tracking host. The signals may be GPS signals that are re-radiated into the process control environment. Other information, such as environmental data, may be communicated in conjunction with the position of the asset. The asset tracking host may store and/or display the data or information included in the message, and may send a different message to the asset tracking device. An asset tracking device may be included in a field device, a network device, or a portable communications device used in the process control environment. | 03-07-2013 |
20130046396 | Self-Diagnostic Process Control Loop For A Process Plant - A method of diagnosing an adaptive process control loop includes measuring process control loop signal data, generating a plurality of process control loop parameters from the process loop signal data and evaluating a condition of the adaptive process control loop from one or more of the plurality of process control loop parameters. The process control loop data is generated as a result of a normal operation of one or more process control devices within the adaptive process control loop when the adaptive process control loop is connected on-line within a process control environment. A self-diagnostic process control loop includes a diagnostic tool adapted to receive a diagnostic index pertaining to a process control loop parameter for a plurality of components of the process control loop and for the complete process control loop. Each diagnostic index is generated from signal data by a corresponding index computation tool. The diagnostic tool is further adapted to evaluate a condition of the process control loop from one or more of the diagnostic indices. | 02-21-2013 |
20130024495 | HANDHELD FIELD MAINTENANCE TOOL WITH PROCESS COMMUNICATION TUNNEL - A method of interacting with a process control system is provided. The method includes bringing a mobile electronic device into physical proximity of a field device. The mobile electronic device is coupled to a digital process communication channel of the field device. A client software application is initiated on the mobile electronic device. The digital process communication channel is used to communicatively couple the client software application to a host application remote from both the mobile electronic device and the field device. | 01-24-2013 |
20120296448 | SOFTWARE LOCKOUT COORDINATION BETWEEN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND AN ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A process control system coordinates with an associated asset management system to implement a plant safety mechanism and, in particular, to prevent unintended changes to, or otherwise undesired operation of, one or more process control equipment resources in a process plant. A maintenance technician uses the asset management system to request access to one or more of the process control equipment resources. A process operator receives the request via the process control system and grants or denies the request. Process control equipment resources for which a process operator grants a request are inoperable, in part or in whole, by the process control system. Upon completion of the maintenance task, the maintenance technician requests to return control of the process control equipment resource to the process operator. The return is complete when the process operator acknowledges the return of the resource to the process control system. | 11-22-2012 |
20120221124 | USING AUTOCORRELATION TO DETECT MODEL MISMATCH IN A PROCESS CONTROLLER - A process controller adaptation and tuning technique uses a closed loop adaptation cycle that performs an autocorrelation analysis on the prediction error or the control error of a process control system to determine if significant process model mismatch exists or to determine an increase or a decrease in process model mismatch over time. The adaptation and tuning technique may perform a controller tuning cycle when the determined model mismatch raises above a predetermined level. | 08-30-2012 |
20120155317 | Wireless Architecture and Support for Process Control Systems - A wireless communication system for use in a process environment uses mesh and possibly a combination of mesh and point-to-point communications to produce a wireless communication network that can be easily set up, configured, changed and monitored, thereby making a wireless communication network that is less expensive, and more robust and reliable. The wireless communication system allows virtual communication paths to be established and used within the process control system in a manner that is independent of the manner in which the wireless signals are sent between different wireless transmitting and receiving devices within the process plant. Still further, communication analysis tools are provided to enable a user or operator to view the operation of the wireless communication network to thereby analyze the ongoing operation of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network. | 06-21-2012 |
20120083917 | PREDICTED FAULT ANALYSIS - Example methods, apparatuses and systems to correlate candidate factors to a predicted fault in a process control system are disclosed. Techniques may include obtaining a value associated with a particular factor corresponding to a process, and predicting a fault based on the value. A set of candidate factors corresponding to the predicted fault may be determined, and a correlation between the predicted fault and at least one factor from the set may be displayed. Different sections of the display may respectively correspond to the predicted fault and to the at least one factor, and the correlation may be indicated by time aligning the different sections. Modifications to one displayed section may result in automatic modification of other sections to maintain the correlation. A user may select one or more candidate factors to be displayed, and may indicate a particular point of a particular section to obtain additional details. | 04-05-2012 |
20120078403 | USE OF A REALLY SIMPLE SYNDICATION COMMUNICATION FORMAT IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - Devices and applications within a process control system make data generated therein available using a really simple syndication (RSS) XML communication format, thereby making this data easily retrievable from the plant and useable for various purposes both within and outside of the plant. The RSS data communications may provide RSS data for use in control of the plant or for use in other applications not directly associated with the control of the plant, including third party applications run on devices outside of the plant. The RSS data sent from one device to another may include enclosures, such as video, audio or text files, or may include references such as hyperlinks to other sources of information stored on the receiving device or on a further device that may be accessed and used to understand or process the RSS data. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076007 | WIRELESS ARCHITECTURE UTILIZING GEO-REFERENCING - A wireless communication system for use in a process control environment includes a reference node adapted to determine geographic positions of at least some of the reference node, a base node, and a field node and determine RF power settings of transceivers attached to the reference node, the base node, and the field node based on the position of determined geographic positions. Additionally, the reference node is adapted to determine RF noise level at a plurality of locations within the process control environment at a plurality of times and to adjust the RF power settings based on the determined RF noise levels. The reference node may be implemented on a hand-held device. | 03-29-2012 |
20120066161 | SIMPLIFIED ALGORITHM FOR ABNORMAL SITUATION PREVENTION IN LOAD FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS INCLUDING PLUGGED LINE DIAGNOSTICS IN A DYNAMIC PROCESS - Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device. | 03-15-2012 |
20120041570 | Efficient Design and Configuration of Elements in a Process Control System - A process control configuration method in a user interface of a computer system for developing control strategies of a process plant, where the user interface defines a screen area to display a plurality of independent panes therein, includes generating a first edit pane, including displaying a graphical representation of a first set of logical or physical entities for carrying out respective process control operations in the process plant; generating a second edit pane, including displaying a graphical representation of a second set of logical or physical entities for carrying out respective process control operations in the process plant, wherein each in the first set and the second set of logical or physical entities includes at least one input and at least one output, and wherein each of the first edit pane and the second edit pane defines an independent user interface screen within the screen area; receiving a first selection of an output of a first entity in the first set of logical or physical entities; receiving a second selection of an input to a second entity in the first second of logical or physical entities; and automatically generating respective visual indicators in each of the first edit pane and the second edit pane in response to receiving the first selection and the second selection, wherein the visual indicators depict respective endpoints of a connection between the first entity and the second entity. | 02-16-2012 |
20120035749 | SEAMLESS INTEGRATION OF PROCESS CONTROL DEVICES IN A PROCESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - In order to facilitate seamless integration of process control devices in a process control system, an integrated seamless diagnostic device collects diagnostic data related to the operation of (or problems associated with) one communication link that supports one process control protocol but communicates the collected diagnostic data to other entities in the process control system via another communication link that supports a different process control protocol. As a result, problems with the communication link monitored by the integrated seamless diagnostic device can be reported to the appropriate entities in the process control system as they occur and without unwanted delay. Moreover, problems with the monitored communication link can be communicated to the appropriate entities via process control protocols that are understood by those entities (and other entities in the process control system) and without consuming the potentially valuable resources of the monitored communication link. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035746 | AUTOMATIC RECEIVING, INSPECTION, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING USING WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - A system for managing an inventory of process control devices in a process plant includes a computer workstation, a database storing instrument specification data for one or more process control devices used for controlling a process performed in the process plant environment, a wireless gateway adapted to wirelessly communicate with wireless enabled process control devices in the process plant environment, a communication bus interconnecting the wireless gateway, the computer workstation, and the database, an inventory control application executed by the computer workstation. The inventory control application is adapted to interrogate a received process control device via the wireless gateway to receive device data from the received process control device identifying and describing the received process control device. The inventory control application is further adapted to access the database to retrieve instrument specification data for the received process control device and compare the received device data to the retrieved instrument specification data. The inventory control application ensures that the received process control device corresponds to the instrument specification data. | 02-09-2012 |
20120017122 | INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICE WITH CONFIGURATION, FAULT ISOLATION AND REDUNDANT FAULT ASSIST FUNCTIONALITY - A process control system is provided having a plurality of I/O devices in communication using a bus. A primary redundant I/O device and a secondary redundant I/O device are coupled to the bus, where the secondary redundant I/O device is programmed to detect a primary redundant I/O device fault. The secondary redundant I/O device, upon detecting the primary redundant I/O device fault, publishes a primary redundant I/O device fault message on the bus. The controller may deactivate the primary redundant I/O device and activate the secondary redundant I/O device responsive to the primary redundant I/O device fault message. | 01-19-2012 |
20120016494 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BATCH PROCESSING AND EXECUTION IN A PROCESS SYSTEM - A system and method for implementing a control process within a process control system and resolving inconsistencies during execution of the control process includes loading the logical structure of the control process, loading a plurality of instantiation objects or processes when the control process is instantiated, using the instantiation objects to instantiate a procedural element of the control process as the control process calls for the procedural element during execution, executing the procedural element as part of the control process, and deconstructing the procedural element as execution of the procedural element is completed during execution of the control process. Resolution of inconsistencies includes executing a first model of an entity in a controller, executing a second model of the entity in an execution engine, detecting a difference between the models, generating a prompt and receiving an operation instruction to continue the process or abort the process. | 01-19-2012 |
20120011180 | STATISTICAL PROCESSING METHODS USED IN ABNORMAL SITUATION DETECTION - Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection is enhanced in various cases by using specialized data filters and data processing techniques, which are designed to be computationally simple and therefore are able to be applied to data collected at a high sampling rate in a field device having limited processing power. The enhanced data or measurements may be used to provided better or more accurate statistical measures of the data, may be used to trim the data to remove outliers from this data, may be used to fit this data to non-linear functions, or may be use to quickly detect the occurrence of various abnormal situations within specific plant equipment, such as distillation columns and fluid catalytic crackers. | 01-12-2012 |
20110295545 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ABNORMAL OPERATION IN A HYDROCRACKER - A system and method for detecting abnormal operation of a hydrocracker includes a model to model the hydrocracker. The model may be configurable to include one or more regression models corresponding to different operating regions of the portion of the hydrocracker. The system and method may also determine if a monitored temperature difference variable deviates significantly from the temperature difference variable predicted by the model. If there is a significant deviation, this may indicate an abnormal operation. | 12-01-2011 |
20110288837 | Multi-Stage Process Modeling Method - A process is modeled by resolving the process into a plurality of process stages, including at least a first process stage and a second process stage, and developing a plurality of models, each model corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of process stages, wherein the model corresponding to each process stage is developed using data from one or more runs of that process stage and output quality data relating to the one or more runs of that process stage and wherein the model corresponding to each process stage is adapted to produce an output quality prediction associated with that process stage, and wherein the output quality prediction produced by the model of a first one of the process stages is used to develop the model of a second one of the process stages. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288786 | Method and System for Multi-Zone Modeling to Determine Material Properties in Storage Tanks - In a batch process control system employing storage tanks without mixers, properties of the storage tank pump out feedstock may be modeled to more accurately control the quality of a process. This model may not require the measurement of input or pump out flow or assume perfect blending. Rather, the developed model may assume that feedstock input into a storage tank may remain layered with some mixing due to continuous convection, turbulence during loading, or other factors. The model may include a projection of the properties describing a storage tank layer of input material into the model. For each new load of storage tank input feedstock, model zones may be shifted and the zone from which the feedstock is drawn may be updated with the properties from the new load. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288660 | ON-LINE ALIGNMENT OF A PROCESS ANALYTICAL MODEL WITH ACTUAL PROCESS OPERATION - A batch modeling and analysis system uses a simple and computationally inexpensive technique to align data collected from an on-going, currently running or on-line batch process with a batch model formed for the batch process so as to enable the reliable determination of the current operational state of the on-line batch process with respect to the batch model. This data alignment technique enables further statistical processing techniques, such as projection to latent sources (PLS) and principle component analysis (PCA) techniques, to be applied to the on-line batch data to perform analyses on the quality of the currently running batch. These analyses, in turn, provide useful information to a user, such as a batch operator, that enables the user to determine the quality of the batch at the present time, based on the batch model, and the likelihood that the desired batch output quality metrics will be reached at the end of the batch run. | 11-24-2011 |
20110270418 | STATE MACHINE FUNCTION BLOCK WITH A USER MODIFIABLE STATE TRANSITION CONFIGURATION DATABASE - A control system, a safety system, etc., within a process plant may each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may cause astute machine implemented by the state machine function block to change states. The state machine function block may determine a next state to which it is to transition based, at least in part, on data indicative of the next state to which to transition, if any. The configuration data may be retrieved from a database based on the current state of the state machine and at least one of the inputs. The state machine function block may also include one or more outputs that are generated based on the state of the state machine. | 11-03-2011 |
20110257767 | Compact Batch Viewing Techniques For Use In Batch Processes - A data collection and viewing application associated with a batch process control system used within a process plant provides a user interface that allows a user to quickly and easily examine a particular batch process or a batch run, to compare separate batch runs and/or to determine whether the particular batch run deviates from a norm, without having to perform a lot of manual data manipulation. To this end, the user interface provides or creates a compact graphical representation of a batch, illustrating a number of different types of batch-related data in relation to one another in a manner that enables a user to easily view or understand the operation of the batch run, either alone or as compared with one or more other batch runs. Generally speaking, the compact batch view includes a number of graphical layers which are juxtaposed or interleaved on a display, with each of the layers providing different types of information about the operation of the batch, time synchronized with one another. A base layer of the compact batch view may describe or indicate the duration of the batch from an activate time to a deactivate time, while different aspects of the procedural elements, steps or stages of the batch process, such as those identified by the S88 standard, may be illustrated in one or more additional layers. Moreover, process alarms, alerts, events, etc. as well as other information may be placed in one or more additional layers, and the various layers may be shown together to provide a compact graphical view of the batch. | 10-20-2011 |
20110252355 | GRAPHIC DISPLAY CONFIGURATION FRAMEWORK FOR UNIFIED CONTROL SYSTEM INTERFACE - A common process control graphical user interface plant operators, plant maintenance personnel, and management is disclosed which provides a real-time interface to both the process and the plant. The common interface is modular in design and is capable of supporting various specializations for each user type. Operator consoles are dedicated to each section of the plant and include additional functions such as maintenance, configuration, simulation and supervisory information. The unified for common graphical interface replaces control room displays filled with single case analog controllers, meters, and digital indicators. The common interface addresses the functions that previously were provided by the panel motor start/stop buttons and status indications, chart recorders, annunciator panels and subsystem interfaces. From a console, operators manage alarms, adjust the process by entering new setpoints or other parameters, “zoom in” on particular portions of the process for details, and utilize other specialized applications to work with their batch, advanced control, or business applications. The interface will run in both dedicated and non-dedicated modes, will run as a rich client or as part of a browser style interface utilizing web services and will run on workstations, laptops, tablet PC's, handhelds, and smart phones. | 10-13-2011 |
20110230980 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A DATA DRIVEN INTERFACE BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PROCESS CONTROL TAGS - Navigation between process control graphics representative of process control entities in an operator display includes a list of relationship value references and process control graphical element identifications associated with each relationship value reference. Each process control graphical element identification uniquely identifies a process control graphical element of the operator display, each relationship is between various physical/logical entities and each relationship value reference uniquely identifies a logical and/or physical relationship between two or more entities within the process plant. One or more relationships are associated with a graphical object. Each relationship value reference is bound to two or more process control graphical elements of the operator display based on associated process control graphical element identifications. | 09-22-2011 |
20110224808 | Security for Objects in a Process Plant Configuration System - A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant, composite templates, module templates, etc. The objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant may comprise, for example, phase classes or unit phases. | 09-15-2011 |
20110218782 | RAPID PROCESS MODEL IDENTIFICATION AND GENERATION - A rapid process model identification technique identifies, in a relatively short period of time, the dynamic relationship between a process input and a process output by developing an estimate of an integrating gain and a process deadtime from the initial response of the process output to a change in the process input. The integrating gain and deadtime values are then used to generate a complete process model for any of many different types of processes. These process models can be used very quickly to perform process simulation or can be used for control purposes, so as to be able to bring a process control system that uses or relies on process models on line much more quickly than was possible in the past. Moreover, this rapid modeling technique can be used to develop simulation models for a process loop before the controller that controls the process loop has completed responding to even a single process upset or set point change, making the technique very useful in performing control of slow processes. | 09-08-2011 |
20110173322 | Distributed User Validation and Profile Management System - A distributed user validation and profile management system operates to automatically validate and update user profiles, such as those stored within an organizational security database, to properly reflect the actual positions and rights of various users within the organization to the various organizational assets, such as computer implemented applications. The user validation and profile management system periodically sends validation e-mails to various users within the organization to initiate the process of updating and verifying user profile information. The individual users may respond to the validation e-mails to verify their position and status within the organization as well as the position or status of one or more closely associated users, such as a manager or a subordinate. Failure of the user to respond to the validation e-mail causes the user validation and profile management system to determine that the user profile is invalid when the user attempts to access an application. | 07-14-2011 |
20110164512 | WIRELESS MESH NETWORK WITH PINCH POINT AND LOW BATTERY ALERTS - A wireless mesh network includes a plurality of wireless devices and a gateway organized in a multi hop mesh topology. Each wireless device maintains and reports radio statistics to the gateway, and also reports battery conditions of its power source. The device manager communicates with the gateway and provides an alert indicating existence of a pinch point within the mesh network based upon the radio statistics. When a low battery condition is reported by a device, the device manager determines whether loss of that device is a pinch point or will cause a pinch point, and provides a low battery alert prioritized based upon the pinch point analysis. | 07-07-2011 |
20110134973 | APPENDABLE SYSTEM AND DEVICES FOR DATA ACQUISITION, ANALYSIS AND CONTROL - An appendable system includes a plurality of appendable devices that are adapted to interoperate with each other and/or a workstation via a communication network to monitor and/or control a process. Each of the appendable devices can communicate with one or more sensors and/or control outputs and includes a housing that facilitates mounting of the appendable device to a surface. | 06-09-2011 |
20110131455 | INTEGRATED BUS CONTROLLER AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR USE IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - An integrated bus controller and power supply device includes a typical or standard bus controller and a bus power supply disposed in a common housing, the size and external configuration of which may match a standard bus controller device associated with a typical I/O communication network. The bus controller may store and implement one or more control routines using one or more field devices connected to the I/O communication network while the bus power supply generates and provides the appropriate power signal to the bus of the I/O communication network, the power signal being used to power the field devices connected to the I/O communication network. The integrated bus controller and power supply device can be easily connected to the bus of the I/O communication network to provide both bus controller functionality and bus power supply functionality on the I/O communication network, without the need of configuring and attaching separate, dedicated bus controller and power supply devices to the bus and having to wire these devices together using multiple different terminal blocks. | 06-02-2011 |
20110087977 | Method for Selecting Shapes in a Graphical Display - A selector shape may serve as the background to a configurable composite shape and may include one or more expressions that are evaluated to select between several composite shape definitions via links to the definition. Each selector shape includes an animation expression and a lookup table converter to select an identifier of the composite definition to be loaded and displayed. When the value of the animation expression changes, the value may be matched to the name of a new composite definition using the lookup table, and the new definition may be displayed. The previously-used composite definition may then be marked for removal by a caching system, and removed. These selector shapes also enable the same graphic element to be used in displays designed for different types of display devices, such as display devices having large display screens, standard computer screens and very small display screens. | 04-14-2011 |
20110078675 | Automated Deployment of Computer-Specific Software Updates - A software update system automatically deploys software updates, approved by a provider of a process control system, to computer hosts that execute the process control system. The software update system includes a client application that generates a request for software updates applicable to the computer hosts and initiates automatic deployment of the software update to the host, and a server application that provides software update data to the client application in response to the request. | 03-31-2011 |
20110072506 | Integrated unified threat management for a process control system - A Unified Threat Management System (UTMS) for securing network traffic in a process control system may comprise network devices configured to receive network traffic related to the process control system and including a ruleset received from an external source. The ruleset may include one or more rules defining a condition to accept or deny the network traffic received at the network device. The state of the network device may be integrated into the process control system as a process control object or variable, thus allowing the state and other UTMS and component network device parameters and variables to be displayed to an operator at a workstation within a graphical process control system environment. The network devices may also communicate with a perpetual service that proactively supplies the devices with rulesets to meet the latest security threats, threat patterns, and control system vulnerabilities found or predicted to exist within the network. | 03-24-2011 |
20110072382 | Dynamically Linked Graphical Messages for Process Control Systems - Methods and systems for providing dynamically linked graphical messages in a process control system are disclosed. A dynamically linked graphical message may include a hyperlink and an electronic sticky note image. At run-time of a display view, the hyperlink may be established between contents of the electronic sticky note image and a process control object, and the electronic sticky note image may be displayed proximate to a representation of the process control object. The electronic sticky note image may automatically be displayed on any display view (displayed on any computing device in communication with the process control system) that includes a representation of the process control object or corresponding sub-class object. The contents of the electronic sticky note image may be stored separately from configurations of the process control object and the display view. User interfaces for administering and displaying properties of dynamically linked graphical messages are also disclosed. | 03-24-2011 |
20110072338 | Dynamic Hyperlinks for Process Control Systems - Methods and systems for providing knowledge access in a process control system and methods and systems for providing dynamic hyperlinks in a process control system are disclosed. A dynamic hyperlink may define an association between a process control object corresponding to a process control element and a knowledge object corresponding to a knowledge reference stored internally or externally to the process control system. At a run-time of a display view that includes the process control object, the defined dynamic hyperlink may be established without a configuration or a download. Upon selection of the defined dynamic hyperlink, the corresponding knowledge reference may be displayed. Defined dynamic hyperlinks may be stored in a process control system database independent of process control objects or knowledge objects. Embodiments of user interfaces for administrating dynamic hyperlinks are also disclosed. | 03-24-2011 |
20110065330 | WIRE CONNECTION APPARATUS - A terminal wire block includes a spring clamp and a screw clamp to hold an electrical wire in a fixed position using one or both of the clamps. The spring clamp includes a cage and a spring to push the wire against one of the walls of the cage. The screw clamp includes an externally threaded fastener such as a screw to hold the wire in place when the fastener is tightened. One or both of the spring clamp and the screw clamp may be operated independently of the other one of the spring clamp and the screw clamp. When operated together, the spring clamp and screw clamp provide additional integrity and security to the contact. | 03-17-2011 |
20110054703 | HEAT EXCHANGE NETWORK HEAT RECOVERY OPTIMIZATION IN A PROCESS PLANT - A method and system for maximizing heat recovery in a heat exchange network includes collecting on-line process data from a network of heat exchangers having multiple parallel paths. The on-line process data is generated from cool process stream outlet temperatures of the paths. Stream flow rate target values are developed based on the on-line process data and include intended flow rates through each heat exchanger to equalize each of the cool process stream outlet temperatures. One or more cool stream flow control valves of the heat exchanger network and one or more process stream flow control valves of the heat exchanger network are controlled based on the flow rate target values to effect equalization of the cool process stream outlet temperatures. | 03-03-2011 |
20110040390 | System Configuration Using Templates - A method in a computer system for developing a process control strategy includes providing a module template having a first plurality of components and being associated with a control operation, receiving a selection of one or more of the first plurality of components of the module template, generating an instance of a module based on the module template, including instantiating only the selected one or more of the first plurality of components, and associating the generated instance of the module with the process control strategy. | 02-17-2011 |
20110029102 | Graphical View Sidebar for a Process Control System - A secondary or “sidebar” display within a process control environment may provide several small applications to allow business managers, engineers, maintenance personnel, or other non-operator personnel to organize and manage process control system information and to display selected diagnostics and summary information or “key operating parameters” for the process control system. Further, sidebar applications may communicate with other applications that are executing on a non-operator user's workstation to, thereby, retrieve information related to tasks that the user is currently completing. The sidebar application may then determine whether certain process control information may be useful for the main task the user is completing and display that process control information within the sidebar. | 02-03-2011 |
20110022187 | PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED EXTERNAL DATA SOURCES - Methods and systems for integrating external and/or enterprise data into a process control system are disclosed. A user interface may be provided to enable browsing and selection of a data item from an external and/or enterprise data source. The selected data item may be associated with a process control entity. At run time, independent of a configuration of the process control entity, an external data integration server or instance of an external data integration service at a process control computing device may periodically communicate with the data source to obtain an updated current value and updated current status for the selected data item for use by the process control entity. The external data integration server and/or external data integration service may consolidate access of external/enterprise data across process control entities, optimize communications with various data sources, and maintain a status of communication with each various data source. | 01-27-2011 |
20110015764 | Apparatus and Method for Merging Wireless Data Into an Established Process Control System - A method and system of communicating between a wireless network and a process control system communicatively coupled to a server, such as OPC. The server receives data from the wireless network, where the data is generated from an input/output data point within the wireless network. The server maps the data between the input/output data point and a data point placeholder within the process control system. The server writes the mapped data to the corresponding data point placeholder of the process control system via a process control interface, and the mapped data is provided to the process control system as process control data native to the process control system. Process control data may also be provided to the server, mapped between a data point placeholder of the process control system and an input/output data point of the wireless network, and written to the corresponding input/output data point. | 01-20-2011 |
20110009985 | CUSTOM FUNCTION BLOCKS FOR USE WITH PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS - A system and method for creating and incorporating a function block within a process control system enables a user of the process control system to generate a function block by combining a plurality of files selected from a group of files provided by the manufacturer of the process control system to form a source code file associated with the function block. The user can modify the function block source code file to include a procedure, routine or algorithm that is not provided by the manufacturer and can send the modified source code file to the manufacturer for validation. If the function block source code file is validated, a security measure such as a digital signature is provided to the user that enables the user to incorporate the function block within the process control system. The function blocks can be used to incorporate anew function into a process control application or to operatively integrate a data source external to a process control application with the process control application via data mapping functions performed by the function blocks. | 01-13-2011 |
20100293019 | ECONOMIC CALCULATIONS IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A process control system includes economic models disposed in communication with process control modules, as well as with sources of economic data such as cost, throughput and profit data, and uses the economic models to determine useful economic parameters or information associated with the actual operation of the process plant at the time the plant is operating. The economic models can be used to provide financial statistics such as profitability, cost of manufactured product, etc. in real time based on the actual current operating state of the process and the business data associated with the finished product, raw materials, etc. These financial statistics can be used to drive alarms and alerts within the process network and be used as inputs to process plant optimizers, etc. to provide for better or more optimal control of the process and to provide a better understanding of the conditions which lead to maximum profitability of the plant. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290359 | DETECTION AND LOCATION OF WIRELESS FIELD DEVICES - A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290351 | MAINTENANCE OF WIRELESS FIELD DEVICES - A method of commissioning a wireless field device is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a handheld field maintenance tool to the wireless field device to obtain a wireless field device identifier. A wireless network is selected. Wireless communication is generated between the handheld field maintenance tool and a wireless gateway to automatically obtain a join key for the wireless field device identifier. The join key is written to the wireless field device with the handheld field maintenance tool. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290084 | HANDHELD FIELD MAINTENANCE TOOL WITH IMPROVED FUNCTIONALITY - A handheld field maintenance tool with improved functionality is provided. The handheld field maintenance tool includes a keypad, a display, a short-range wireless transceiver and a processor. The processor is coupled to the keypad, the display and the short-range wireless transceiver. The processor is also coupled to memory having a plurality of instructions stored therein, which instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform at least one of remote wireless display; remote wireless keypress injection; and wireless printing. | 11-18-2010 |
20100286798 | ECONOMIC CALCULATIONS IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A process control system includes economic models disposed in communication with process control modules, as well as with sources of economic data, such as cost, throughput and profit data, and uses the economic models to determine useful economic parameters or information associated with the actual operation of the process plant at the time the plant is operating. The economic models can be used to provide financial statistics such as profitability, cost of manufactured product, etc. in real time based on the actual current operating state of the process and the business data associated with the finished product, raw materials, etc. These financial statistics can be used to drive alarms and alerts within the process network and be used as inputs to process plant optimizers, etc. to provide for better or more optimal control of the process and to provide a better understanding of the conditions which lead to maximum profitability of the plant. | 11-11-2010 |
20100280630 | Compact Batch Viewing Techniques for Use in Batch Processes - A data collection and viewing application associated with a batch process control system used within a process plant provides a user interface that allows a user to quickly and easily examine a particular batch process or a batch run, to compare separate batch runs and/or to determine whether the particular batch run deviates from a norm, without having to perform a lot of manual data manipulation. To this end, the user interface provides or creates a compact graphical representation of a batch, illustrating a number of different types of batch-related data in relation to one another in a manner that enables a user to easily view or understand the operation of the batch run, either alone or as compared with one or more other batch runs. Generally speaking, the compact batch view includes a number of graphical layers which are juxtaposed or interleaved on a display, with each of the layers providing different types of information about the operation of the batch, time synchronized with one another. A base layer of the compact batch view may describe or indicate the duration of the batch from an activate time to a deactivate time, while different aspects of the procedural elements, steps or stages of the batch process, such as those identified by the S88 standard, may be illustrated in one or more additional layers. Moreover, process alarms, alerts, events, etc. as well as other information may be placed in one or more additional layers, and the various layers may be shown together to provide a compact graphical view of the batch. | 11-04-2010 |
20100275139 | Configuring Animations and Events for Operator Interface Displays in a Process Control System - A graphical editor for creating operator displays and configuring control strategies in a process control plant or system may present a coherent view for the multiple graphical or control strategy items depicted within or associated with the display and strategy. For each graphical item, the view may hierarchically show default and modified values, animation expressions, and event handler scripts. The view may allow a configuration engineer to group, order, and filter various graphical or control strategy items within a single display to present a cohesive view of how the multiple items within the display are capable of being configured for events, animations, and control strategies within the operator display. Providing this cohesive view may allow the user to view and configure graphical items and control strategies without having to open and dismiss dialogs for each configuration task. | 10-28-2010 |
20100247082 | Digital Video Recording and Playback of User Displays in a Process Control System - A process control system user display provides a display image containing control system information. The system may include a digital recording module including an image capture module for making a real-time digital recording of at least a portion of the display image, the image capture module buffering a terminal portion of the real-time digital recording. A storage module may store at least a portion of the real-time digital recording. A real-time digital recording may contain at least a portion of the display image, wherein, at any particular time, the real-time digital recording includes information from the control system for a predetermined duration proximate the particular time, and at least a portion of the real-time digital recording may be stored. A desired portion of the digital recording may be played back, optionally with process control system event and/or continuous history. | 09-30-2010 |
20100241399 | Statistical Processing Methods Used in Abnormal Situation Detection - Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection is enhanced in various cases by using specialized data filters and data processing techniques, which are designed to be computationally simple and therefore are able to be applied to data collected at a high sampling rate in a field device having limited processing power. The enhanced data or measurements may be used to provided better or more accurate statistical measures of the data, may be used to trim the data to remove outliers from this data, may be used to fit this data to non-linear functions, or may be use to quickly detect the occurrence of various abnormal situations within specific plant equipment, such as distillation columns and fluid catalytic crackers. | 09-23-2010 |
20100235767 | Scaling Composite Shapes for a Graphical Human-Machine Interface - Parameters associated with sub-elements of a composite shape may determine how the sub-element is scaled during resizing of the composite shape. A graphical display editor may use the scaling parameters to calculate various scaling factors that are then applied to the sub-elements of each composite shape during resizing. The editor may apply the scaling parameters to the sub-elements for resizing in one or more axes (e.g., the length, width, and height or X, Y, and Z axes, etc.) to adjust the composite shape for a particular graphical display. The editor may apply the scaling parameters directly to each sub-element to prevent any distortion of those sub-elements. The configured scaling parameters may then be linked to the composite shape so that, at runtime, the parameters are applied to the composite shape and its sub-elements. The scaling parameters may be applied to both composite shapes and animations associated with the composite shapes. | 09-16-2010 |
20100228373 | VERSION CONTROL FOR OBJECTS IN A PROCESS PLANT CONFIGURATION SYSTEM - A version control system helps to keep track of versions of process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant. These module objects may be created from module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant. Version data is stored and associated with a module object. The version data may comprise data indicative of a version of a module class object that was used to create the module object. The version data may also comprise data indicative of a version of the module object. Configuration systems, version control systems, viewing systems, debugging systems, run-time monitoring systems, asset management systems, etc., may examine or permit viewing of the version control data associated with an item. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228363 | ANALYTICAL SERVER INTEGRATED IN A PROCESS CONTROL NETWORK - A process control system integrates the collection and analysis of process control data used to perform certain computationally expensive process control functions, like adaptive model generation and tuning parameter generation, in the same control device in which one or more of the process control routines are implemented, to thereby provide for faster and more efficient support of the process control routines. This system replaces a layered approach using multiple processing devices by integrating an analytical server which performs computationally expensive analyses used by one or more control routines directly into the real-time control device in which the one or more control routines are located. This integration provides the ability to analyze large quantities of data for multiple process loops controlled by a particular device in a fast and efficient manner. | 09-09-2010 |
20100222899 | PROCESS PLANT MONITORING BASED ON MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND ON-LINE PROCESS SIMULATION - Disclosed are systems and methods for on-line monitoring of operation of a process in connection with process measurements indicative of the operation of the process. In some cases, the operation of the process is simulated to generate model data indicative of a simulated representation of the operation of the process and based on the process measurements. A multivariate statistical analysis of the operation of the process is implemented based on the model data and the process measurements. The output data from the multivariate statistical analysis may then be evaluated during the operation of the process to enable the on-line monitoring of the process involving, for instance, fault detection via classification analysis of the output data. | 09-02-2010 |
20100204808 | MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER WITH TUNABLE INTEGRAL COMPONENT TO COMPENSATE FOR MODEL MISMATCH - An MPC controller technique integrates feedback control performance better than methods commonly used today in MPC type controllers, resulting in an MPC controller that performs better than traditional MPC techniques in the presence of process model mismatch. In particular, MPC controller performance is enhanced by adding a tunable integration block to the MPC controller that develops an integral component indicative of the prediction or other control error, and adds this component to the output of an MPC controller algorithm to provide for faster or better control in the presence of model mismatch, which is the ultimate reason for the prediction error in the first place. This technique enables the MPC controller to react more quickly and to provide better set point change and load disturbance performance in the presence of model mismatch, without decreasing the robustness of the MPC controller. | 08-12-2010 |
20100188410 | GRAPHIC ELEMENT WITH MULTIPLE VISUALIZATIONS IN A PROCESS ENVIRONMENT - Smart graphic elements are provided for use as portions or components of one or more graphic displays, which may be executed in a process plant to display information to users about the process plant environment, such as the current state of devices within the process plant. Each of the graphic elements is an executable object that includes a property or a variable that may be bound to an associated process entity, like a field device, and that includes multiple visualizations, each of which may be used to graphically depict the associated process entity on a user interface when the graphic element is executed as part of the graphic display. Any of the graphic element visualizations may be used in any particular graphic display and the same graphic display may use different ones of the visualizations at different times. The different visualizations associated with a graphic element make the graphic element more versatile, at they allow the same graphic element to be used in different displays using different graphical styles or norms. These visualizations also enable the same graphic element to be used in displays designed for different types of display devices, such as display devices having large display screens, standard computer screens and very small display screens, such as PDA and telephone display screens. | 07-29-2010 |
20100185801 | DISTRIBUTED EQUIPMENT ARBITRATION IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A distributed process control equipment ownership arbitration system and method for arbitrating equipment ownership conflicts are disclosed. Individual control modules representing various process control entities within a process control system define a plurality of lists or queues for storing equipment arbitration information. Requests by one process control entity to acquire ownership over another process control entity are represented by an arbitration token that represents the ownership relationship sought by the acquiring process control entity. Copies of the arbitration token are communicated between the respective control modules and stored in the various arbitration queues defined by the control modules, depending on the status of the acquisition request. Upon receiving an acquisition request from another process control entity, the control module associated with the targeted process control entity decides whether the targeted process control entity is available to be acquired by the requesting control entity based on arbitration rules that are embedded within the control module itself. Once the targeted process control entity has been acquired by another process control entity it may not be acquired by any other process control entity until it has been released by the acquiring process control entity. | 07-22-2010 |
20100168874 | GRAPHICS INTEGRATION INTO A PROCESS CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - Graphic elements and graphic displays are provided for use in a process environment to display information to one or more users about the process environment, such as the current state of devices within a process plant. The graphic elements and displays may be associated with various logical and physical elements within the process plant during configuration of the process plant, and may be configured and downloaded to the hardware within the process plant along with other configuration items, such as control routines. In particular, the graphic elements and graphic displays may be created and stored in a library, and may then be configured by being associated with various logical or physical entities within the plant. During the configuration process, the graphic elements and graphic displays may be associated with areas, equipment, process modules, control routines or control strategies of the plant as defined elsewhere in the plant configuration, or may be associated with interfaces or display devices, to define the hardware on which the graphic displays will execute during runtime, as well at to define the process entities to which these displays will be bound for display purposes. Still further, each of the graphic displays may be defined with a role or a functional use, such as an operator view, a maintenance view, etc., and these roles may be used to define the proper access and use of the graphic displays within the runtime environment. | 07-01-2010 |
20100100773 | INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICE WITH CONFIGURATION, FAULT ISOLATION AND REDUNDANT FAULT ASSIST FUNCTIONALITY - A process control system is provided having a plurality of I/O devices in communication using a bus. A primary redundant I/O device and a secondary redundant I/O device are coupled to the bus, where the secondary redundant I/O device is programmed to detect a primary redundant I/O device fault. The secondary redundant I/O device, upon detecting the primary redundant I/O device fault, publishes a primary redundant I/O device fault message on the bus. The controller may deactivate the primary redundant I/O device and activate the secondary redundant I/O device responsive to the primary redundant I/O device fault message. | 04-22-2010 |
20100087935 | COMPLETE INTEGRATION OF STAND-ALONE BATCH OPERATOR INTERFACE CAPABILITIES INTO GENERIC HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE USING COMPONENTIZED OBJECTS - Systems and methods for providing an integrated HMI application for monitoring and interacting with both batch and non-batch processes in a process plant are disclosed. A plurality of independent stand-alone software objects defining various batch process interface views are embedded within a non-batch process control interface application. A blackboard service is provided for storing batch control data used by the various stand alone software objects. The blackboard service may be adapted to communicate with a batch control server to receive batch control data for populating the various batch interface views with data relating to various batch processes being carried out in the process plant and to send instructions for controlling the various batches input by users via the various batch interface views. When executed by a processor, the stand alone software objects defining the various batch interface views read data from and write data to the blackboard service to communicate data between batch process interface views and preserve contextual information between interface views to allow efficient and intuitive navigation between batch process interface views. | 04-08-2010 |
20100082396 | Event Synchronized Reporting in Process Control Systems - Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for event synchronized reporting in an process control system are disclosed. Events may be synchronized by a synchronization parameter, whose instances of occurrence may be non-contiguous in time. Examples of synchronization parameters may include a work shift, a work group, an individual's on-duty time, a logged-on period of an individual, the execution times of a process control entity, a batch run type, and a procedure or sub-unit of a batch run. Instances of occurrence of the synchronization parameter may be recorded into a process control event database. Event synchronized reports may contain at least one synchronization value based on both the instances of occurrence of the synchronization parameter as well as historical process control data. Data from various historian databases may be accessed from process control system tools and integrated into a single report. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082132 | Recipe Command Steps and Recipe Inputs from External Logic - A method of generating a product recipe for execution by a batch process in an automated manufacturing environment, such the product recipe is associated with a plurality of actions, a set of transitions, and a set of parameters, and such that the plurality of actions define a plurality of logical levels including a phase level at which the batch process interacts with equipment, includes receiving a procedure definition specifying the plurality of actions, receiving a transaction definition specifying the set of transitions so that each one in the set of transitions is associated with two or more of the plurality of actions, and receiving the set of parameters. Receiving the set of parameters includes receiving at least one dynamic input parameter that resolves to a value without obtaining the value from the recipe or an operator prompt associated at the phase level of the recipe. | 04-01-2010 |
20100077471 | One Button Security Lockdown of a Process Control Network - Proper function and security of a complex network for communicating data within a process control system may be manually or automatically “locked-down” with a single command for an entire process control network or portions of the network. A user or application monitors network communication over multiple network devices. Once the network is configured and properly communicates data over the process control network, the application may lock down the network by deactivating or “locking out” access points on the network that are open and unused or have invalid connections. Locking down the network may essentially freeze it in a properly configured and functioning state and restrict future re-configuration of the network devices or harmful communication over an open or unused access point. When locked, is a currently connected device is unplugged and a different device is plugged into the access point, the network device may refuse the connection. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076809 | ASSET OPTIMIZATION REPORTING IN A PROCESS PLANT - A process control system uses an asset optimization reporter to collect status information of dissimilar types pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various data sources of the plant including, for example, data tools, data collectors, and data generators. This status information is used to generate reports that may be displayed to various users, including maintenance persons, process control persons and business persons. The status information may be used as the basis for further types of status information and/or be categorized in based on an assessment of relative consequence, where each category has a spectrum of status quality values between a good status quality and a relatively worse status quality. The reports are generally displayed via a user interface routine that enables users to view the status information as a graphical representation having a leg of a normalized spectrum of values for each category arranged in order of the relative consequence, the relative status quality value being identified at a point on the respective leg. | 03-25-2010 |
20100074156 | Process Control System Using Wireless Communication Links - Field devices or other devices within a process control system are provided with both hardwired and wireless communication ports to enable communications to be performed within the process control system using one or both of hardwired and wireless communications. In particular, a field device for use in a process control system within a process control environment includes a microprocessor-based communication unit adapted to generate or receive communication signals, a first communication port adapted to be connected to a hardwired communication link for providing communications to or from the communication unit via the hardwired communication link and a second communication port adapted to be connected to a wireless transceiver to provide wireless communications to or from the communication unit via the wireless transceiver. | 03-25-2010 |
20090319060 | Continuously Scheduled Model Parameter Based Adaptive Controller - An adaptive process controller performs continuously scheduled process model parameter interpolation to determine a particular set of process model parameters which are used to develop controller tuning parameters for controller tuning. More particularly, a state-based, adaptive PID controller described herein uses a new technique to determine an appropriate process model to be used to perform adaptive tuning over the various operating regions of the plant, and in particular, uses a process model parameter determination technique that enables continuously scheduled process model parameter update over the various plant operating regions or points. The use of this continuously scheduled process model parameter update method provides for smoother transitions between tuning parameters used in the PID controller during adaptive tuning procedures which are implemented based on changes in the operating region or the operating point of the process, thereby providing for better overall control. | 12-24-2009 |
20090299495 | Non-Periodic Control Communications in Wireless and Other Process Control Systems - Disclosed is a controller having a processor and a control module adapted for periodic execution by the processor and configured to be responsive to a process variable to generate a control signal for a process. An iteration of the periodic execution of the control module involves implementation of a routine configured to generate a representation of a process response to the control signal. The routine is further configured to maintain the representation over multiple iterations of the periodic execution of the control module and until an update of the process variable is available. In some cases, the update of the process variable is made available via wireless transmission of the process signal. In those and other cases, the controller may be included within a process control system having a field device to transmit the process signal indicative of the process variable non-periodically based on whether the process variable has changed by more than a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the field device also transmits the process signal if a refresh time has been exceeded since a last transmission. | 12-03-2009 |
20090296601 | JOIN KEY PROVISIONING OF WIRELESS DEVICES - Wireless devices are provisioned to join a wireless mesh network by writing an individual or common join key and network identification information to the wireless device, and creating an association of the wireless device with a gateway of the network by providing the gateway with a unique device identifier for the wireless device. The writing of the join key to the wireless device is achieved without revealing the join key to a user. | 12-03-2009 |
20090287321 | CONFIGURATION SYSTEM USING SECURITY OBJECTS IN A PROCESS PLANT - A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant, composite templates, module templates, etc. The objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant may comprise, for example, phase classes or unit phases. | 11-19-2009 |
20090265635 | SYSTEM FOR VISUALIZING DESIGN AND ORGANIZATION OF WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS IN PHYSICAL SPACE - A visualization tool for displays devices included within a self-organizing mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the network. The visualization tool receives an image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network, scale information defining the scale of the received image, and location information defining the location of each device within the physical space occupied by the network. Based on these inputs, the visualization tool displays the layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network. | 10-22-2009 |
20090198350 | ROBUST ADAPTIVE MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROLLER WITH TUNING TO COMPENSATE FOR MODEL MISMATCH - An MPC adaptation and tuning technique integrates feedback control performance better than methods commonly used today in MPC type controllers, resulting in an MPC adaptation/tuning technique that performs better than traditional MPC techniques in the presence of process model mismatch. The MPC controller performance is enhanced by adding a controller adaptation/tuning unit to an MPC controller, which adaptation/tuning unit implements an optimization routine to determine the best or most optimal set of controller design and/or tuning parameters to use within the MPC controller during on-line process control in the presence of a specific amount of model mismatch or a range of model mismatch. The adaptation/tuning unit determines one or more MPC controller tuning and design parameters, including for example, an MPC form, penalty factors for either or both of an MPC controller and an observer and a controller model for use in the MPC controller, based on a previously determined process model and either a known or an expected process model mismatch or process model mismatch range. A closed loop adaptation cycle may be implemented by performing an autocorrelation analysis on the prediction error or the control error to determine when significant process model mismatch exists or to determine an increase or a decrease in process model mismatch over time. | 08-06-2009 |
20090143872 | On-Line Adaptive Model Predictive Control in a Process Control System - A method of creating and using an adaptive DMC type or other MPC controller includes using a model switching technique to periodically determine a process model, such as a parameterized process model, for a process loop on-line during operation of the process. The method then uses the process model to generate an MPC control model and creates and downloads an MPC controller algorithm to an MPC controller based on the new control model while the MPC controller is operating on-line. This technique, which is generally applicable to single-loop MPC controllers and is particularly useful in MPC controllers with a control horizon of one or two, enables an MPC controller to be adapted during the normal operation of the process, so as to change the process model on which the MPC controller is based to thereby account for process changes. The adaptive MPC controller is not computationally expensive and can therefore be easily implemented within a distributed controller of a process control system, while providing the same or in some cases better control than a PID controller, especially in dead time dominant process loops, and in process loops that are subject to process model mismatch within the process time to steady state. | 06-04-2009 |
20090112335 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTELLIGENT CONTROL AND MONITORING IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A controller includes a control module to control operation of a process in response to control data, a plug-in module coupled to the control module as a non-layered, integrated extension thereof, and a model identification engine. The plug-in detects a change in the control data, and a collects the control data and data in connection with a condition of the process in response to the detected change. The model identification engine executes a plurality of model parameter identification cycles. Each cycle includes simulations of the process each having different simulation parameter values and each using the control data as an input, an estimation error calculation for each simulation based on an output of the simulation and based on the operating condition data, and a calculation of a model parameter value based on the estimation errors and simulation parameter values used in the simulation corresponding to each of the estimation errors. | 04-30-2009 |
20090105855 | DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT OF A PROCESS MODEL REPOSITORY FOR A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A method of managing a process model history having process models stored therein, includes organizing the process models according to first and second priority criteria, wherein each process model is represented according to a combination of a value in connection with the first and second priority criteria. The representation may be coordinate values in a multi-dimensional space having dimensions corresponding to the first and second priority criteria. A degree of separation or relationship to a common point of reference is calculated for each process model, where the point of reference is a value in connection with the first and second priority criteria. A process model may be removed or selected for deletion based on the degree of separation or proximity in relation to the point of reference, subject to the total number of process models identified for the same control routine, and the total number of process models identified for the same operational region. | 04-23-2009 |
20090097537 | Simplified algorithm for abnormal situation prevention in load following applications including plugged line diagnostics in a dynamic process - Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device. | 04-16-2009 |
20090097415 | WIRELESS ARCHITECTURE AND SUPPORT FOR PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS - A wireless communication system for use in a process environment uses mesh and possibly a combination of mesh and point-to-point communications to produce a wireless communication network that can be easily set up, configured, changed and monitored, thereby making a wireless communication network that is less expensive, and more robust and reliable. The wireless communication system allows virtual communication paths to be established and used within the process control system in a manner that is independent of the manner in which the wireless signals are sent between different wireless transmitting and receiving devices within the process plant, to thereby operate in a manner that is independent of the specific messages or virtual communication paths within the process plant. Still further, communication analysis tools are provided to enable a user or operator to view the operation of the wireless communication network to thereby analyze the ongoing operation of the wireless communications within the wireless communication network. | 04-16-2009 |
20090093893 | System and method for recognizing and compensating for invalid regression model applied to abnormal situation prevention - A system for preventing abnormal situations in process plants is provided. A polynomial regression model is employed to predict values of a monitored variable based on measured samples of a load variable. An abnormal situation is detected when a predicted value of the monitored variable differs from a measured value of the monitored variable by more than a predetermined. The system recognizes when a data model is invalid and takes steps to compensate for the invalid model. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093892 | Automatic determination of the order of a polynomial regression model applied to abnormal situation prevention in a process plant - A system for preventing abnormal situations in process plants is provided. A polynomial regression model is employed to predict values of a monitored variable based on measured samples of a load variable. An abnormal situation is detected when a predicted value of the monitored variable differs from a measured value of the monitored variable by more than a predetermined amount. The system employs one or more algorithms for automatically determining an optimal order or degree of the polynomial regression model. | 04-09-2009 |
20090089009 | Simplified algorithm for abnormal situation prevention in load following applications - Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device. | 04-02-2009 |
20090082894 | Online Recipe Synchronization in a Real-Time Batch Executive Environment - A method of executing a batch process in a manufacturing environment according to a product recipe, such that the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, includes performing at least one action of the batch process corresponding to a first version of the product recipe, receiving a second version of the product recipe, such that the second version of the product recipe is distinct from the first version of the product recipe, suspending the execution of the batch process prior to completion of the batch process, and resuming the execution of the batch process according to the second version of the product recipe. | 03-26-2009 |
20090077055 | Personalized Plant Asset Data Representation and Search System - A process control system uses an asset data and search expert to collect data, or status information, pertaining to assets of a process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including. The collected information may then be accessed by a user through a user interface routine displaying a graphical user interface to that user's computer. The user may browse through status information on various assets, identifying them by device, unit, process, area, alert status, health, performance, or other data types. The asset data and search expert tracks user interaction with such plant data by, for example, tracking the types of search fields a user most frequently searches with or the type of information a user more frequently browses for. The expert automatically profiles this tracked information to develop user preferences that are later used in personalizing the reporting of asset data, personalizing searching for asset data, and personalizing the results of such searches. The expert may also automatically identify asset data that correlates with other asset data to present correlated asset data when the primary asset data is selected for viewing. | 03-19-2009 |
20090065578 | Location Dependent Control Access in a Process Control System - A method of accessing an element in a process control environment using a portable communicator includes defining a plurality of control areas within the process control environment, determining a position of a user operating a portable communicator with respect to one or more of the control areas, establishing an identity of the user, and selectively allowing the user to access an element within the process control environment via the portable communicator depending on the determined position of the user with respect to the one or more control areas and on the identity of the user. | 03-12-2009 |
20090062933 | System for preserving and displaying process control data associated with an abnormal situation - A system for preserving process variable data relating to the operation of a process is provided. The system is adapted to preserve process variable data obtained before, during, and after the occurrence of an abnormal situation or event. The preserved process variable data maybe communicated from smart field devices or other intelligent equipment relating to the control of the process to a process controller or other higher level control device. The process controller or other higher level control device may then cause the preserved data to be displayed for an operator or other maintenance personnel. The preserved data may also be provided to other process control modules or abnormal situation prevention systems for further analysis to develop methods for preventing the abnormal situation from recurring in the future, or for taking additional steps based on the abnormal situation data to minimize or prevent a further deterioration of the process operation. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062932 | Process Model Identification in a Process Control System - Disclosed is a method of controlling and managing a process control system having a plurality of control loops. The method includes implementing a plurality of control routines to control operation of the plurality of control loops, respectively. The plurality of control routines may include at least one non-adaptive control routine. Operating condition data is then collected in connection with the operation of each control loop of the plurality of control loops, and a respective process model is identified for each control loop of the plurality of control loops from the respective operating condition data collected for each control loop of the plurality of control loops. In some embodiments, the identification of the respective process models may be automatic as a result of a detected process change or be on-demand as a result of an injected parameter change. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062931 | Appendable System and Devices for Data Acquisition, Analysis and Control - An appendable system includes a plurality of appendable devices that are adapted to interoperate with each other and/or a workstation via a communication network to monitor and/or control a process. Each of the appendable devices can communicate with one or more sensors and/or control outputs and includes a housing that facilitates mounting of the appendable device to a surface. | 03-05-2009 |
20090055457 | Field device with capability of calculating digital filter coefficients - A digital filter design algorithm is implemented directly within a process control field device or other process related equipment. Filter design parameters are exposed so that filter design parameter values may be provided to the digital filter design algorithm so that the digital filter design algorithm may calculate digital filter coefficients for a digital filter having desired frequency response characteristics. The digital filter design parameter values may be provided by a user, or may be provided as process variable data output from a process control field device or other process related equipment. Once the coefficients of the digital filter having the desired frequency response characteristics have been calculated, the digital filter may be applied to process variable data received by the process control field device or other process related equipment. | 02-26-2009 |
20080312757 | ENHANCED TOOL FOR MANAGING A PROCESS CONTROL NETWORK - A process control configuration and management system provides a plurality of function blocks representing a plurality of devices in relation to a spatial layout of a facility in which the process control system is implemented. The configuration and management system also provides process control information and process simulation information related to each of the plurality of devices in relation to the spatial layout of the facility. The configuration and management system may be implemented on a handheld device and it may include a geographic positioning system providing geographic positioning data related to the handheld device and various devices in relation to the spatial layout of the facility. | 12-18-2008 |
20080300698 | User Configurable Alarms and Alarm Trending For Process Control System - Various graphical displays for plant process operators are provided which combine aspects of alarm priority and alarm age to assist operators in making better choices in responding to alarms. The disclosed graphical displays provide improved contextual information about specific alarms and the relationships with other alarms in the same control module, equipment module, etc. Hierarchically organized presentations of active alarms and alarm age profiles are also provided to assist operators in evaluating causes of “alarm floods” in chain reactions within complex process environments. Various types of alarm or display alerts are also provided for improved monitoring of processed conditions and changes in process controls. | 12-04-2008 |
20080288321 | Automatic maintenance estimation in a plant environment - A maintenance system for a process plant collects and uses historical data about maintenance orders. The data identifies the maintenance items for completing an order, such as the labor, materials, and maintenance tasks required. The data is historical data developed from actual completed maintenance orders. The system uses archived historical data and estimates various maintenance information, such as estimated cost for completing the maintenance order, and estimated start and completion times. The estimated data may be based on averaged data as a result. This estimated data along with the other maintenance order information may be sent to a scheduler for identifying a priority to the maintenance order and scheduling it accordingly. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288089 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BATCH PROCESSING AND EXECUTION IN A PROCESS SYSTEM - A system and method for implementing a control process within a process control system and resolving inconsistencies during execution of the control process includes loading the logical structure of the control process, loading a plurality of instantiation objects or processes when the control process is instantiated, using the instantiation objects to instantiate a procedural element of the control process as the control process calls for the procedural element during execution, executing the procedural element as part of the control process, and deconstructing the procedural element as execution of the procedural element is completed during execution of the control process. Resolution of inconsistencies includes executing a first model of an entity in a controller, executing a second model of the entity in an execution engine, detecting a difference between the models, generating a prompt and receiving an operation instruction to continue the process or abort the process. | 11-20-2008 |
20080249641 | Automatic Configuration of Synchronous Block Execution for Control Modules Run in Fieldbus Networks - A method or apparatus automatically configures a control module for synchronous execution on a Fieldbus segment of a process control network by determining if all of the critical function blocks of a particular control module can be assigned to FOUNDATION® Fieldbus field devices or to the I/O device associated with a particular Fieldbus segment. If so, the method or apparatus automatically assigns the function blocks of the control module, which would otherwise be scheduled to execute in a controller, to the I/O device for the Fieldbus segment. This technique enables all of the critical or necessary function blocks within the control module to execute in one macrocycle of the Fieldbus segment, thereby executing synchronously on a Fieldbus segment. This operation, in turn, increases the overall execution rate of the control module with respect to control modules that have function blocks split between a controller and field devices on a Fieldbus segment, which has been the traditional manner of configuring control modules implemented using devices on a Fieldbus segment. | 10-09-2008 |
20080208527 | Statistical Processing Methods used in Abnormal Situation Detection - Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection is enhanced in various cases by using specialized data filters and data processing techniques, which are designed to be computationally simple and therefore are able to be applied to data collected at a high sampling rate in a field device having limited processing power. The enhanced data or measurements may be used to provided better or more accurate statistical measures of the data, may be used to trim the data to remove outliers from this data, may be used to fit this data to non-linear functions, or may be use to quickly detect the occurrence of various abnormal situations within specific plant equipment, such as distillation columns and fluid catalytic crackers. | 08-28-2008 |