Fisher Controls International LLC

Perry Keith Carter

Stephen George Seberger

Jimmie Lee Snowbarger

Bruce Frederick Grumstrup

Riyaz M Ali

Kenneth Eugene Hall, Jr

Apparatus and methods for alert management in instrumentation are disclosed. An example method includes generating a set of alerts within a process control instrument, processing the set of alerts to compare the set of alerts to known combinations of alerts, determining if one of the known combinations of alerts matches the set of alerts based on the comparison of the set of alerts to the known combinations of alerts, and identifying a recommended action instruction based on the determination.

Apparatus and methods for alert management in process control instrumentation

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

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments, such as a position controllers and/or a position transmitter, are described. An example tangible computer-readable medium comprises instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to receive a first value representative of a current position of a valve, receive a second value representative of a sensitivity of a position sensor, compute a first estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-open position of the valve based on the received first and second values, compute a second estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-closed position of the valve based on the received first and second values, receive a control signal representative of a desired position of the valve, and in response to the received control signal, position the valve at substantially the desired position based on the first and second estimated values.

Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments

A process control device includes an interface configured to communicate with other devices in a process control system. The process control device also includes a primary power source, the primary power source configured to provide power to at least one component of the process control device, which component, if not powered, would result in disruption to the control of the process. The process control device still further includes a terminal configured to electrically couple the process control device to an auxiliary power source such that the auxiliary power source provides sufficient power to the at least one component when the auxiliary power source is connected to the terminal such that the process control device remains operable to control the process in the absence of the primary power source.

Method and apparatus to replace an electrical power module in a wireless valve positioner without power disruption

Methods and apparatus to expose enclosure labels are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first enclosure having a first characteristic, a first label indicative of the first characteristic and fixed to an outer surface of the first enclosure, and a second enclosure to couple to the first enclosure. The second enclosure is to cover the first label when the second enclosure is coupled to the first enclosure. The first and second enclosures have a second characteristic when the second enclosure is coupled to the first enclosure. The example apparatus also include a second label indicative of the second characteristic and fixed to an outer surface of the second enclosure. The second label is to be exposed when the second enclosure is coupled to the first enclosure.

Methods and apparatus to expose enclosure labels

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments, such as a position controllers and/or a position transmitter, are described. An example method disclosed herein includes securing a position of a flow control member of a control valve assembly to prevent movement of the flow control member and installing a controller to the control valve assembly. The method includes activating a user interface of the controller after the controller is coupled to the control valve assembly, entering a position sensor sensitivity value and a single-point position value, the single-point position value being representative of the secured position of the flow control member, applying a single-point calibration value, placing the controller in a control mode, and releasing the position of the flow control member, the controller to self-calibrate during operation of the control valve assembly based on the position sensor sensitivity value and the single-point position value while the control valve assembly is in operation.

A method for conducting a partial stroke test of an emergency shutdown valve includes receiving a request to initiate the partial stroke test from a user interface or another source, establishing a direct or an indirect wireless communication link with the emergency shutdown valve, and generating one or more commands of a digital industrial automation protocol to be transmitted to the emergency shutdown valve via the wireless communication link, so that a partial stroke test of the emergency shutdown valve is initiated in response to these commands.

Method and apparatus for partial stroke testing of an emergency shutdown valve

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

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments, such as a position controllers and/or a position transmitter, are described. A disclosed example apparatus to calibrate a valve assembly including a valve, an actuator and a position sensor includes an interface to receive a valve position value and to receive a position sensor sensitivity value, and an endpoint estimator to compute a first estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-open position of the valve based on the position sensor signal and the first and second values, and to compute a second estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-closed position of the valve based on the position sensor signal and the first and second received values, wherein the first and second estimated values are computed without repositioning the valve between computation of the first and second estimated values.

Growing community of inventors

Ames, IA, United States of America

Perry Keith Carter