Patents by Inventor Alden C. Russell, III
Alden C. Russell, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10788402Abstract: A method of testing a configuration of a field device is provided. The method includes moving a handheld field maintenance tool into proximity of the field device and generating a simulated process control signal configured to cause the field device to change state. The method also includes performing a digital check, with a remote system, to confirm that the field device is communicably coupled to a process control loop and obtaining a result, from an operator of the handheld field maintenance tool. The result is received by the handheld field maintenance tool through the user interface and includes an indication of a response of the field device to the simulated process control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Fisher-Rosemout Systems, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Meyer, Alden C. Russell, III
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Patent number: 10585422Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool system for performing a plurality of different functional tasks on one or more equipment assets in a plant includes a handheld base and a plurality of functional modules for attachment to the handheld base. Each functional module, when operatively attached to the handheld base, interacts with computer circuits on the handheld base to perform a pre-defined one or more of the functional tasks. A portable handheld field maintenance tool for performing one or more pre-selected ones of the functional tasks on an equipment asset in a plant is formed by operatively mounting any one of the functional modules to the handheld base.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Brad Mathiowetz, Todd M. Toepke, Stephen Armstrong
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Patent number: 10481627Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Christian R. Butikofer, Anthony Ferguson, Christopher P. Kantzes, Jon Westbrock, Thinh D. Le, Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Mehul Rajeshbhai Dalal, Todd M. Toepke
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Patent number: 10270215Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan Roger Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Roger Benson, Anthony Ferguson, Todd M. Toepke
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Patent number: 10270853Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Patent number: 10261506Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool is provided with a removable memory module. The module is preferably adapted to be removable in the presence of a hazardous environment. Further, the handheld field maintenance tool is adapted, via hardware, software, or both to automatically detect the presence of the removable memory module and to copy, or otherwise install, data from the module to the tool. Data can be placed on a removable memory module in any suitable manner including flashing flash memory within the removable memory module, or, in embodiments where the removable memory module includes both storage and input/output capability, transmitting software and/or data to the storage media through the input/output capability.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Christopher P. Kantzes, Brad N. Mathiowetz, Alden C. Russell, III
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Publication number: 20180113056Abstract: A method of testing a configuration of a field device is provided. The method includes moving a handheld field maintenance tool into proximity of the field device and generating a simulated process control signal configured to cause the field device to change state. The method also includes performing a digital check, with a remote system, to confirm that the field device is communicably coupled to a process control loop and obtaining a result, from an operator of the handheld field maintenance tool. The result is received by the handheld field maintenance tool through the user interface and includes an indication of a response of the field device to the simulated process control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Nicholas T. Meyer, Alden C. Russell, III
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Publication number: 20180024582Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Christian R. Butikofer, Anthony Ferguson, Christopher P. Kantzes, Jon Westbrock, Thinh D. Le, Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Mehul Rajeshbhai Dalal, Todd M. Toepke
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Publication number: 20180027071Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Publication number: 20180024534Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool system for performing a plurality of different functional tasks on one or more equipment assets in a plant includes a handheld base and a plurality of functional modules for attachment to the handheld base. Each functional module, when operatively attached to the handheld base, interacts with computer circuits on the handheld base to perform a pre-defined one or more of the functional tasks. A portable handheld field maintenance tool for performing one or more pre-selected ones of the functional tasks on an equipment asset in a plant is formed by operatively mounting any one of the functional modules to the handheld base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Brad Mathiowetz, Todd M. Toepke, Stephen Armstrong
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Publication number: 20170331240Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Alan Roger Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Roger Benson, Anthony Ferguson, Todd M. Toepke
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Patent number: 9709602Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan Roger Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Roger Benson, Anthony Ferguson, Todd M. Toepke
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Patent number: 9503906Abstract: A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount System, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Joseph Citrano, III, Todd Mitchell Toepke, Alden C. Russell, III, Eric D. Rotvold
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Publication number: 20160299175Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Alan Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Roger Benson, Anthony Ferguson
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Publication number: 20140036712Abstract: A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Joseph Citrano, III, Todd Mitchell Toepke, Alden C. Russell, III, Eric D. Rotvold
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Patent number: 8390150Abstract: A field device interface module includes a connector, a plurality of terminals, a protocol interface module, a controller and a power supply module. The connector is configured to operably couple to a computer. The terminals are operably coupleable to a field device. The protocol interface module is coupled to the plurality of terminals and configured to generate signals in accordance with a process communication protocol. A power supply module is coupled to the plurality of terminals. The controller is coupled to the protocol interface module and to the power supply module and is configured to measure a voltage across the plurality of terminals and selectively cause the power supply module to provide power to the field device.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel E. Vande Vusse, Alden C. Russell, III, Douglas W. Arntson
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Patent number: 8224256Abstract: A wireless field maintenance adapter includes a power source, a controller, a low-power radio-frequency communication module, and a wireless process communication protocol module. The controller is coupled to the power source. The low-power radio-frequency communication module is also coupled to the controller. The wireless process communication protocol module is coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to communicate through the wireless process communication protocol module based on information received from the low-power radio-frequency communication module.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Fisher-Rosemont Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Citrano, III, Todd M. Toepke, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Stephen Armstrong, Craig T. Llewellyn, David J. Baker, Stuart A. Harris
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Patent number: 8112565Abstract: A multi-protocol interface for coupling a field device to a general purpose computer is disclosed. The interface includes measurement circuitry to perform a plurality of measurements on a connected process communication loop to determine a process communication loop type. Then, if the interface includes a protocol interface module that matches the detected loop type, the protocol interface module can be engaged. A method for coupling a field device to a general purpose computer is also provided. In one aspect, power from the general purpose computer is used to power the process communication loop, if the interface determines that the loop is not powered.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alden C. Russell, III, Stuart A. Harris, Marcos Peluso, Dale W. Borgeson
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Publication number: 20100190442Abstract: A wireless field maintenance adapter includes a power source, a controller, a low-power radio-frequency communication module, and a wireless process communication protocol module. The controller is coupled to the power source. The low-power radio-frequency communication module is also coupled to the controller. The wireless process communication protocol module is coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to communicate through the wireless process communication protocol module based on information received from the low-power radio-frequency communication module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Joseph Citrano, III, Todd M. Toepke, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Stephen Armstrong, Craig T. Llewellyn, David J. Baker, Stuart A. Harris
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Publication number: 20100013325Abstract: A field device interface module includes a connector, a plurality of terminals, a protocol interface module, a controller and a power supply module. The connector is configured to operably couple to a computer. The terminals are operably coupleable to a field device. The protocol interface module is coupled to the plurality of terminals and configured to generate signals in accordance with a process communication protocol. A power supply module is coupled to the plurality of terminals. The controller is coupled to the protocol interface module and to the power supply module and is configured to measure a voltage across the plurality of terminals and selectively cause the power supply module to provide power to the field device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Daniel E. Vande Vusse, Alden C. Russell, III, Douglas W. Arntson