Fisher Controls International LLC

Bruce Frederick Grumstrup

Kenneth William Junk

Stephen George Seberger

Richard Joseph Vanderah

Jimmie Lee Snowbarger

George Wayne Gassman

Paul Robert Adams

Adam Joseph Wittkop

Eugene R Taylor, Jr

Lorin Dion Miller

Shannon Eugene Jelken

Perry Keith Carter

Patrick O Ryan

Bruce A Johnson

Pual Robert Adams

Devices, systems, and methods of detecting and providing an alert regarding the presence of liquid contamination in a pneumatic supply line and/or in a pneumatic instrument are described. A liquid detection device configured to be coupled to the pneumatic supply includes an electronic liquid sensor configured to detect the presence of liquid in the pneumatic supply and a wireless communicator configured to transmit data from the electronic liquid sensor to a wireless communication node. The liquid detection device may be installed at different locations along a pneumatic supply in a plant. The plant network can forward the transmitted message from the communication node onto a plant computer, where and alert or other message may be provided to an operator or other computer system when water or other liquid is detected.

Liquid detection device with wireless communicator

Methods and apparatus of testing a solenoid valve of an emergency valve via a positioner are disclosed. An example method includes conducting a solenoid valve test by initiating a pulse duration and a monitoring duration for the solenoid valve test. Conducting the solenoid valve test further includes instructing a solenoid valve to transition from a first state to a second state during the pulse duration. The solenoid valve is in fluid communication with an actuator to enable the actuator to actuate an emergency valve. Conducting the solenoid valve test further includes determining a functionality of the solenoid valve by measuring, via a valve positioner, a maximum pressure change of a pressure chamber of the actuator during the monitoring duration. The example method includes, upon determining the solenoid valve is in a functioning state, conducting a partial stroke test of the emergency valve via the valve positioner.

Methods and apparatus of testing a solenoid valve of an emergency valve via a positioner

A method of limiting control pressure provided to an actuator of a valve coupled to a valve positioner, a drive signal is provided to a pneumatic stage of the valve positioner. The pneumatic stage is arranged to control output pressure of the valve positioner in accordance with the drive signal. A pressure measurement from a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve positioner is obtained, and an abnormal pressure is detected based on the pressure measurement. In response to detecting the abnormal pressure, the drive signal is controlled so as to limit the output pressure of the valve positioner, wherein the output pressure provides control pressure to the actuator.

Valve positioner with overpressure protection capabilities

A portable communicator for operating a field device. The portable communicator is configured to communicate with the field device to configure and/or analyze performance of a field device in an efficient manner. In some embodiments, the portable communicator includes an intuitive user interface that allows the user to perform a relatively limited set of preconfigured procedures on a field device. The portable communicator may communicate with the field device via a wire and/or wirelessly. In one embodiment, the portable communicator is a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, a PDA, a pocket PC, or any Bluetooth-enabled generic mobile communication device. The portable communicator may communicate with the field device via a wireless communication unit (e.g., Bluetooth modem) coupled to the field device. In a process plant environment, in which the field device is coupled to a controller, the portable communicator may communicate with the field device without communicating with the controller.

Method and apparatus for operating field devices via a portable communicator

Methods and apparatus for bypassing a positioner in an active control loop are described. An example actuator assembly includes a pneumatic actuator and a transfer station. The transfer station includes a body defining flow paths that enable fluid to flow between a supply pressure, a valve positioner, and the pneumatic actuator and between the supply pressure and the pneumatic actuator to bypass the valve positioner without disrupting a process loop including the valve positioner. The transfer station also includes a plurality of fluid flow control devices to control the fluid flow through the flow paths.

Methods and apparatus for bypassing a positioner in an active control loop

The present invention comprises methods for testing the valve seating integrity of a valve. The valve components that determine valve seating integrity are typically a valve seat and a valve closing element that engages the valve seat to close the valve. Examples of the test method described herein respectively test valve seating integrity during opening of the valve and during closing of the valve, and do so in all instances without interrupting the operation of a process control system that includes the valve, without isolating the valve, and without relying on user analysis.

Automatic valve seating integrity test

A method and an apparatus for determining fluid flow through a pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values and for calibrating the pressure regulator using a temporary flow meter disposed downstream of the throttling element. A system and method is also provided for calibrating a temperature transmitter associated with the pressure regulator.

Regulator flow measurement apparatus

A flow measurement module is adapted to operate in conjunction with a control valve assembly to measure a flow rate of a fluid though a flow passage regulated by the control valve assembly. The flow measurement module is communicatively coupled to an intelligent positioner within the control valve assembly to receive data pertaining to the position of the throttling element within the flow passage. The position of the throttling element is used to identify at least one associated valve sizing coefficient. The flow measurement module determines the flow rate of the fluid through the flow passage based on a sensed upstream pressure, a sensed downstream pressure and the valve sizing coefficient associated with the position of the throttling element within the flow passage.

Flow measurement module and method

A diagnostic test unit for deterministically measuring one or more parameters, such as dead band, dead time, response time, gain, or overshoot, of a process control device that is connected in a process control loop during operation of a process includes a switch controller, a signal generator, a switch, a response accumulator mechanism, and an analyzer mechanism. The switch controller monitors a process signal during operation of the process to determine whether the process signal is substantially stable. In the event that the process signal is substantially stable, the switch replaces a control signal with a diagnostic test signal generated by the signal generator. The response accumulator is in communication with the process control loop to obtain an indication of the response of the process control device to the diagnostic test signal. The analyzer unit then determines the device parameter from the test signal and the response indication.

Method of and apparatus for deterministically obtaining measurements

An emergency shutdown system for a process control system includes an emergency shutdown (ESD) valve and an associated valve actuator. An emergency shutdown (ESD) controller provides output signals to the ESD valve in the event of a failure in the process control system. A solenoid valve responds to the ESD controller to vent the actuator to a fail state. A digital valve controller (DVC) test strokes the ESD valve. An impedance booster device enables the dc powering of the solenoid valve and the DVC over a two wire line while still permitting digital communication over the same two wire line.

Emergency shutdown test system

A software protection method and apparatus uses a removable hardlock to prevent the unauthorized installation and/or use of a licensed software program. The removable hardlock, when supplied to a user, stores an access variable indicating the number of licenses available for the software program. During installation of the software program on a computer, the removable hardlock is inserted into an external port of the computer and the access variable is read to determine if any licenses for the software program are still available. If so, the software program is installed on the computer in a manner that allows the software program to be run on the computer when the removable hardlock is removed from the external port of the computer. The access variable on the removable hardlock is then decremented to indicate that one of the previously available licenses has now been used. However, when the access variable on the removable hardlock indicates that no further licenses are available, the software program is installed on the computer in a manner that prevents the software program from being implemented on the computer when the removable hardlock is removed from the external port of the computer.

Method of and apparatus for protecting and upgrading software using a

An apparatus for nonobtrusively determining one or more parameters, such as dead band, dead time, or response time of a process control device that is connected on-line in a process control loop includes a measurement unit and a processing unit. The measurement unit is coupled to the process control loop to detect stochastic changes in a control signal sent to the process control device and to detect an indication of the response of the process control device to the changes in the control signal while the process control device is operating on-line. The processing unit calculates the device parameters from one or more sets of the detected changes in the control signal and the detected response indication.

Method of and apparatus for nonobtrusively obtaining on-line

Data samples are obtained from a control device while in use to control a material process. Selected ones of these samples are stored which represent results of operating the device over portions of its characteristics, and they are selectively combined to provide an indication of the complete device characteristics. Selected such data samples are used provide information concerning selected control device parameters based on the device characteristics.

Device data acquisition

The present invention relates to a circuit which is connected by two conductors to a control system for a variable analog DC input and that also enables bidirectional digital communication along the two conductors for diagnostic operations of an instrument. The novel circuit includes a switch circuit that has a first position that provided the ability to accept both the variable DC analog signals and the bidirectional digital communication signals by presenting a first impedance for the DC signals and a second switch position for providing a second substantially higher impedance while using the same two conductor system. The novel invention also includes an auxiliary analog input signal to the circuit which allows further control as a current feedback to a control algorithm in a microcontroller. An auxiliary process transmitter can sense pressure, temperature, flow or some other process related variable and couple it to the circuit for control of the instrument. Finally, the novel invention includes a novel voltage regulator and a capacitive voltage supply for utilizing the voltage on the two conductors from the controller to also power the device.

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Marshalltown, IA, United States of America

Bruce Frederick Grumstrup