Invensys Systems, Inc.

Schneider Electric Systems Usa, Inc.

Alexander Park Johnson

Chris J Smith

Richard Linwood Linscott

Peter Daniel Hansen

Richard L Thibault

Thomas B Kinney

Seyamak Keyghobad

Paul C Badavas

Bo Ling

T Eric Christiansen

Michael Ian Baines

Mark William Green

Lloyd B Adams

Michael Fox

Subha Lalitha Bhattiprolu

Systems and methods for conducting hydrocarbon custody transfer uses blockchain to eliminate or minimize mistrust over the reliability, accuracy, and immutability of data. The blockchain is provided as a shared data layer that can store the data in a secure and tamperproof manner. The data may include data generated by equipment, sensors, people, processes, and the like, and may be automatically generated or compiled manually. A blockchain application digitally signs the data using public/private key encryption before uploading the data to the blockchain. The data can then be made available to all authorized custody transfer parties, including oil producers, well operators, regulatory teams, and the like, in the form of notifications, shared dashboards, and/or auto reports. Smart contracts may be embedded in the blockchain to carry out monetary settlements and value exchange by automating funds transfer if certain criteria are met.

Distributed ledger in oil and gas custody transfers

Methods and Systems are described for control at/of a network node. The network node can include a control module and first and second modules coupled to the control module. The first module can be configured to select first input/output (I/O) types of a field device coupled at an I/O interface of the network node. The second module can be configured to select a second I/O types of the field device. The first and second modules can be coupled to the I/O interface through a field device coupler.

Systems and methods for communication and/or control of scalable, modular network nodes

A DCS protocol message addressed to a remote DCS station is generated at a local distributed control system (DCS). The DCS protocol message is received at a local tunneling device. The local tunneling device packages the DCS protocol message into a SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is transmitted from the local tunneling device to a remote tunneling device. The remote tunneling device receives the SCADA protocol message. The SCADA protocol message is unpackaged into a DCS protocol message at the remote tunneling device, and the DCS protocol message is placed on to a remote DCS such that it flows to the remote station. The DCS protocol message is received at the remote station.

Remote operation of process control equipment over customer supplied network

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an 'intelligent' transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Methods and apparatus for control using control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network

Device configurations are stored in a system including at least two intelligent field devices (IFDs) connected by a communications connection. A configuration for a first IFD is stored in the first IFD, and a backup of the configuration for the first IFD is stored in at least one other IFD. Storing a configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD request a configuration from at least one other IFD using the communications connection, an IFD having a stored backup of the configuration for the first IFD transmitting the backup to the first IFD using the communications connection, and the first IFD receiving the transmitted backup and storing the received backup in the first IFD as the configuration for the first IFD. Storing a backup of the configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD transmit a backup of the configuration for the first IFD to at least one other IFD using the communications connection, and having the at least one other IFD receive and store the backup of the configuration.

Peer-to-peer hosting of intelligent field devices

The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an &ldquo;intelligent&rdquo; transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Alexander Park Johnson