Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to manage module run sequences in a process control environment are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a module including a plurality of function blocks, receiving an indication of a subset of the plurality of function blocks, and receiving an indication of a first sequence of execution for the subset, wherein the first sequence of execution is different than a second sequence of execution associated with the module. The example method also includes associating the subset with a run sequence identifier, and associating the run sequence identifier with a trigger condition.

Abstract: Electronic device enclosures providing improved heat dissipation are described herein. An example enclosure for holding an electronic circuit board includes a housing having a first portion coupled to a second portion to form a cavity to hold the electronic circuit board. Each of the first and second portions comprises openings to direct convention airflow across opposing faces of the electronic circuit board at the same time. A baffle is coupled to the housing to substantially visually obscure the openings and to define a gap between the housing and the baffle to direct the convection airflow across the opposing faces of the electronic circuit board.

Abstract: Electronic device enclosures providing improved heat dissipation are described herein. An example enclosure for holding an electronic circuit board includes a housing having a first portion coupled to a second portion to form a cavity to hold the electronic circuit board. Each of the first and second portions comprises openings to direct convention airflow across opposing faces of the electronic circuit board at the same time. A baffle is coupled to the housing to substantially visually obscure the openings and to define a gap between the housing and the baffle to direct the convection airflow across the opposing faces of the electronic circuit board.

Abstract: Example methods and systems to verify a communication path between a field device and a process controller in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes transmitting via a first wireless communication path to a first portion of a process control system associated with one of the field device or the process controller, a command signal from a verification controller. In response to receiving the command signal in the first portion of the process control system, transmitting a verification signal via a first wired communication path from the first portion of the process control system to a second portion of the process control system associated with the other one of the field device or the process controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intrusion protection in safety instrumented process control systems are disclosed. An example method of protecting a safety instrumented system includes receiving legitimate information from a component of a process control system wherein the legitimate information is intended for delivery to a safety instrumented system, determining if a signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information, and preventing the legitimate information from reaching the safety instrumented system when it is determined that the signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to upgrade and provide control redundancy in process plants are disclosed. An example disclosed method to upgrade software for a control device of a process control system comprises instantiating a replacement component of the software, copying state data from an existing component to the replacement component, and changing the replacement component to an active mode when a first state of the replacement component matches a second state of the existing component.

Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common communication, configuration hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that the configuration application can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.

Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common security, communication and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.

Abstract: The claimed system provides an I/O card that is used to interface two process controllers over a communication line that is separate from a primary communication line connecting the two process controllers to a workstation. The process controllers can access the I/O cards in a similar manner to I/O cards used to connect to field devices. In this manner, the physical hardware and software architecture does not need to be modified for inter-controller communications. Inter-controller communications can be programmed as general I/O communication.

Abstract: A process control system within a process plant and, in particular, different devices and applications within the process control system such as field devices, controllers, user interfaces, alarm applications, diagnostics applications, etc. create, store and make data generated therein available using a really simple syndication (RSS) XML communication format, thereby making this data easily retrievable from the plant and useable for various purposes both within and outside of the plant. The RSS data communications may provide RSS data for use in control of the plant or for use in other applications not directly associated with the control of the plant, including third party applications run on devices outside of the plant, such as personal data assistants, pagers, phones, laptop computers, etc.

Abstract: A voter function block, which can be integrated into a function block diagram programming environment in a process plant control or safety system, implements voter logic in conjunction with providing operational and maintenance overrides which may be set to override individual inputs to the voter function block as well as to override the output of the voter function block. The voter function block, which is easy to create, use, test, debug and document, includes one or input limit detection units which detect if a particular redundant input has reached a specified limit indicating a condition within the process plant, an override unit that may be set by a user to override the consideration of that input in the voting function, a voting logic entity that determines if a trip condition exists based on the values of the valid or non-inhibited inputs, and an inhibit block that may used to override the output of the voter logic block during, for example, a startup or other operational condition.

Abstract: Secure data write apparatus and methods for use in safety instrumented process control systems select a parameter associated with a process control element within the process control system and send first data associated with the parameter to the process control element. A confirmation associated with a request to write the first data to the process control element is received from a user and the second data is sent to the process control element in response to receiving the confirmation. The first and second data are compared at the process control element and the first or second data are written to a location in the process control element associated with the parameter if the first and second data are at least substantially identical.

Abstract: A versatile controller that can be used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory.

Abstract: A process control or safety instrumented system uses function block logic to coordinate the logic within the process control or safety instrumented system with operational states of field devices, even when these operational states are initiated externally to the process control or safety system. Logic within input or voter function blocks associated with field devices may monitor and determine when the associated field devices are being put into testing or calibration modes and may automatically initiate appropriate bypass or override functionality in response to such detected field device configuration states. Likewise, the function block logic may automatically remove the bypass or override functionality when the field devices are placed back into their normal operational configuration states.

Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common communication, diagnostic and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.

Abstract: A versatile controller that can be used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory.

Abstract: A cause and effect function block, which can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment in a process plant safety system to implement the cause and effect logic specified by a traditional cause and effect matrix, includes a set of cause inputs and a set of effect outputs. A multiplexer within the cause and effect function block receives each of the cause inputs and is coupled to one or more state machines, with a separate state machine existing for each effect output. The multiplexer decodes each of the cause inputs and, based on the cause inputs and previously identified cause and effect matrix logic, provides a trip signal to one or more of the state machines. Upon receiving a trip signal, a state machine forces an associated effect output into a tripped or safe state.

Abstract: A process control or safety system within a process plant uses one or more testing blocks to effect the timely and safe operation of on-line testing routines within field devices, such as valves, used in the process control or safety system. These testing blocks, which are easy to implement and to place in the process control or safety system, enable the periodic or on-demand testing of field devices to be integrated into the normal and on-going operation of the process control or safety system without causing scheduling or connection problems and without the need to rely on maintenance or other personnel, thereby providing better monitoring of the operational status of the field devices used within the process control and safety systems.

Abstract: A communication bus suitable for use in a hazardous area of a process plant includes a first transmission path adapted to communicate electrical signals in a first direction, and a second transmission path adapted to communicate electrical signals in a second direction. A safety device is coupled to each of the first and second transmission paths and includes a control unit adapted to detect a fault condition associated with the communication bus. The safety device further includes a switch unit adapted to interrupt the flow of electrical signals along each of the first and second transmission paths in response to the detected fault condition. In this manner, the detection circuitry of the communication bus automatically reduces or prevents the occurrence of sparks or arcing in the event of a fault condition associated with the communication bus.