Fisher Controls International LLC

Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Jimmie Lee Snowbarger

Bruce Frederick Grumstrup

Kenneth William Junk

Stephen George Seberger

Riyaz M Ali

Adam Joseph Wittkop

Lorin Dion Miller

Eugene R Taylor, Jr

Michel Ken Lovell

Patrick Flanders

Shannon Eugene Jelken

Perry Keith Carter

Clyde Thomas Eisenbeis

Stanley Felix Amirthasamy

Jeffrey Dean Seyller

Ronald L Uhlenberg

Bruce A Johnson

LeDoyle Pingel

Ledoyle Pingel

Bruce F Grumstrup

The present invention includes a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for controlling a valve. Example embodiments of the present invention described herein utilize a soft cutoff threshold and soft cutoff procedure at which point the controller monotonically ramps a servo set-point to slowly overdrive the servo beyond a calibrated set-point range, wherein the servo transitions into a hard cutoff when the servo set-point reaches a predefined overdrive threshold.

Cut-off transition for control valve positioners

A system and method using a valve controller to control a valve. The valve controller including a position controller for moving the valve and a transmitter for providing information about the position of the valve. A calibration table and/or chart based on calibration data of the position controller is generated to provide a transmitter output value, wherein the transmitter need not be separately calibrated. The calibration table and/or chart may be stored in the position controller and provided to the transmitter upon completion of the calibration of the position controller. Dual power supply circuitry may be configured wherein a first power source supplies power to both the position controller and the transmitter to facilitate automatic calibration of the transmitter even when only the position controller is powered.

Automatic calibration of position transmitter

A process control device may include a controller having a remote device trip initiation input, a local device trip initiation input, a remote trip condition input, and a local device reset input. The process control device may also include a device trip source determination module configured to determine a device trip source based on at least one of: the remote device trip initiation input and the local device trip initiation input. The process control device may further include a device reset determination module configured to: automatically generate a device reset when the device trip source determination module determines that the device trip source is a remote device trip and based on the remote trip condition input; or generate the device reset when the device trip source determination module determines that the device trip source is a local device trip and based on the local device reset input.

Smart auto reset for digital positioners connected to a local control panel or push button

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

To simplify the process of adjusting travel sensor alignments on process control valves, a method and system generates a graphical interface to display alignment information to a user or operator. The graphical interface visualizes the state of alignment between a feedback element and a sensing element that comprise a magnetic travel sensor on a process control valve. Using the graphical interface, the user or operator can easily determine whether the alignment between the feedback element and the sensing element is proper or correct. The graphical interface also provides information on whether or not physical adjustments are needed in order to fix detected alignment problems so that impending failures can be avoided and optimal performances can be achieved. In this manner, the method and system improves the reliability and accuracy of valve travel feedback.

Methods and systems for adjusting travel sensor alignment on process control valves

A diagnostic system and method for a field device implemented in a safety instrumented system includes detecting an occurrence of a safety event associated with the field device, overriding normal control of the field device to cause the field device to enter a safe state in response to the detected occurrence of the safety event, verifying the override of normal control of the field device, and transmitting a control signal to cause the field device to enter the safe state.

System and method for shutting down a field device

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

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test safety instrumented system (SIS) solenoids are disclosed. A disclosed valve position control apparatus includes a relay to control a state of a solenoid and a valve positioner including a transmitter to transmit a solenoid test signal to the relay, electrical contacts to communicatively couple the solenoid test signal to the relay via one or more wires, and a solenoid tester to generate the solenoid test signal and to monitor a response of the solenoid when the solenoid test signal is transmitted to the relay to verify an operation of the solenoid.

Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test safety instrumented system solenoids

A method of monitoring a fluid process control system having a control loop for controlling the flow of a material through a path in the fluid process control system. The control loop a control valve, a valve controller, and a fluid control line. The control valve is disposed in the path and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve controller is for controlling movement of the control valve. And, the fluid control line couples the valve controller to the control valve. The method detects a first pressure in the control loop with a first pressure sensor. Then, a second pressure can be detected at a location that is external to the control loop with a second pressure sensor. Finally, the method can include determining a characteristic of the control loop based on the first pressure.

Versatile emergency shutdown device controller implementing a pneumatic test for a system instrument device

A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digital valve controller for use with an emergency shutdown valve includes two pressure sensors and is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic valve actuator and to a solenoid valve device to assist in the on-line testing of the valve actuator as well as in the on-line testing of the solenoid valve. To perform testing of the solenoid valve, the valve controller may measure the pressure at different ports of the solenoid valve as the solenoid valve is actuated for a very short period of time. The valve controller may determine whether the solenoid device is fully functional or operational based on the derivative of the difference between the measured pressure signals, i.e., based on the rate of change of the difference between the measured pressure signals over time.

A device intended to meet flameproof approval requirements is configured to have two compartments separated by an energy-limiting barrier. The first compartment of the device houses the wiring terminations that bear ignition-capable energy and, therefore, must be flameproof. The energy-limiting barrier is configured to limit the energy that can reach the second compartment to a level that is not ignition capable. This allows the second compartment to be safe without meeting the flameproof requirements, and allows user-interface elements such as switches and indicators to be designed in a more cost-effective manner.

Flameproof apparatus using non-grounded energy-limiting barrier

Disclosed herein is a controller and method useful for transferring control of a process control device between first and second control modes. The controller includes first and second servo control modules that generate first and second drive signals based on feedback information from first and second sensors for control of the process control device in accordance with first and second control modes, respectively. The controller also includes a feedback control transfer module that transfers control of the operation of the process control device from the first control mode to the second control mode based on the feedback information from the first sensor. In certain embodiments, such control transfer involves a control routine that initially generates the second drive signal based on the first drive signal to effectuate a smooth, bumpless transfer between the control modes.

System and method for transfer of feedback control for a process control device

An emergency shutdown test system, wherein the emergency shutdown test system includes an emergency shutdown device controller and sensors to provide data to the controller, the controller having a processor, a memory coupled to the processor and an auxiliary input, wherein an emergency shutdown test is stored in the memory, and the auxiliary input is adapted to receive a binary signal and sensor data. Routines are stored in the memory and are adapted to be executed on the processor to cause the emergency shutdown test to be performed in response to the receipt of the binary signal at the auxiliary input and to cause sensor data to be recorded in the memory during the emergency shutdown test.

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Marshalltown, IA, United States of America

Jimmie Lee Snowbarger