Fisher Controls International LLC

Annette Lynn Latwesen

Kenneth William Junk

Kurtis K Jensen

Duncan Schleiss

Peter Zornio

John S Fuller

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, and at least one processor to execute instructions to at least convert a first data packet to a second data packet, the first data packet having a first format based on an industrial communication protocol, the second data packet having a second format based on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol, the second data packet including a first payload having a first size, remove first data from the second data packet, increase the first size of the first payload to a second size to generate a second payload, add second data to the second payload, and transmit the second data packet to a remote device via a BLE network, the second data packet including the second payload.

Methods and apparatus to bridge communications between devices using low-energy devices

Methods and apparatus to establish secure low energy wireless communications in a process control system are disclosed. An example field device includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface to receive a first initialization message from a remote device over an unpaired BLE connection. The first initialization message includes a plaintext message containing authentication content. The authentication content is generated based on a private authentication token available to the remote device using middleware. The field device also includes a BLE message analyzer to validate the plaintext message based on the authentication content using the authentication token stored by the field device.

Methods and apparatus to establish secure low energy wireless communications in a process control system

An example apparatus includes a first sensor tag to retrieve operational data, via a modem and a data bus, from a process control field device, wherein the first sensor tag includes a memory to store the operational data; a first antenna arranged to communicate with the first sensor tag when the first sensor tag receives operational data, the first antenna to communicate with the first sensor tag via a first frequency band; and a first identification device to retrieve the operational data from the first sensor tag, via the first antenna and the first frequency band, while the process control field device is unpowered.

Methods and apparatus for multimode rest communications in process control systems

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a field device including a network bridge, the network bridge to convert first data received at a first Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio of the network bridge, over a BLE network, from a second BLE radio of a remote device, and formatted according to a BLE communication protocol, into second data formatted according to an industrial communication protocol.

Methods and apparatus for multimode RFST communications in process control systems is disclosed herein. A disclosed example apparatus includes an example RFST module associated with a process control device of a process control system. The example RFST module includes a plurality of RFSTs configured to communicate by different communication protocols. The example RFST module also includes a power module to power the RFST module to enable communications with a processor or memory associated with the process control device.

Methods and apparatus for multimode RFST communications in process control systems

A base station for gathering data from localized sensors is described. An example apparatus includes a sensor to be operatively coupled to field equipment, the sensor having a radio frequency transmitter to send a signal to a base station, the base station having a radio frequency interface to receive the signal from the sensor and a first controller to collect data from the signal and store the data in a memory. The apparatus further includes a second controller operatively coupled to the first controller to relay the data to an asset management system and a local control panel operatively coupled to the base station to send additional data to the base station, wherein the first controller stores the additional data in the memory.

Base station for gathering data from localized sensors

The present disclosure relates to various assets utilized within manufacturing and process plants for monitoring and control purposes. The asset data modules of the present disclosure include an integral near field communications (NFC) interface configured to provide access to asset data stored within memory integral to the given asset.

Asset data modules including an integral near field communication interface

A method of determining a segment-specific estimate of a parameter associated with a process control loop includes receiving signal data corresponding to a signal from a process control loop, storing the signal data, partitioning the stored signal data into a plurality of data segments and performing a statistical analysis on a first one of the plurality of data segments selected from the plurality of data segments to generate a first segment-specific parameter estimate.

Estimation of process control parameters over predefined travel segments

A lead-lag input filter is connected ahead of a positioner feedback loop having one or more valve accessories, such as a volume booster or a QEV, to overcome slow dynamics experienced by the accessories when receiving low amplitude change control or set point signals. A user interface is connected to the lead-lag input filter and enables an operator or other control personnel to view and change the operating characteristics of the lead-lag input filter to thereby provide the control loop with any of a number of desired response characteristics.

Lead-lag filter arrangement for electro-pneumatic control loops

Lead-lag input filter arrangement for electro-pneumatic control loops

A diagnostic system and method for a field device in a process control apparatus is provided. At least one sensor is associated with the process control apparatus, and a computer is adapted to receive data from the sensor and to detect an occurrence of a predetermined process event. A memory device is operatively connected to the computer and adapted to store sensor data received by the computer at a time corresponding to the occurrence of the predetermined process event.

Triggered field device data collection in a process control system

A control loop of a control valve is operated using outlet pressure from a pneumatic amplifier as the control parameter. The control loop may be operated continuously in pressure control mode, or may be switched from another mode, such as travel control mode, to pressure control mode in response to certain operating conditions such as operation in the cutoff range, operation with the throttling element engaging a travel stop, or as a backup in the event of primary control parameter sensor failure. Operating the control loop in pressure control mode further allows diagnostics to be performed on the control loop components, even when the system is operating in cutoff range or has engaged a travel stop. The diagnostics may be performed using pressure and displacement sensors normally provided with a positioner. A processor may be programmed to receive data from the sensors and generate fault signals according to a logic sub-routine. The logic sub-routine may include calculating mass flow of control fluid through pneumatic amplifier outlet ports and comparing other operating parameters to detect leaks and blockages in the control loop components. Once a fault is detected, the location of the root cause of the fault may be identified by characterizing operating parameters of the control loop at the time of the fault.

Methods and apparatus for operating and performing diagnostics in a control loop of a control valve

Method and apparatus for performing diagnostics in a pneumatic control loop for a control valve. Pressure and displacement sensors normally provided with a positioner are used to detect operating parameters of the control loop. A processor is programmed to receive feedback from the sensors and generate fault signals according to a logic sub-routine. The logic sub-routine may include calculating mass flow of control fluid through spool valve outlet ports and comparing other operating parameters of the control fluid to detect leaks and blockages in the control loop. Once a fault is detected, the location of the root cause of the fault may be identified by characterizing operating parameters of the control loop at the time of the fault.

Method and apparatus for performing diagnostics in a control loop of a control valve

A method and apparatus statistically determines estimates of one or more process control loop parameters, such as bearing friction, seal friction, total friction, dead band, dead time, oscillation, shaft windup or backlash associated with a device or a control loop within a process control environment. The method and apparatus measures one or more signals within a process control loop when the process control loop is connected on-line within a process control environment, stores the measured signal as signal data and then performs one of a number of statistical analyses on the stored signal data to determine the desired parameter estimate.

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Marshalltown, IA, United States of America

Annette Lynn Latwesen