Abstract: Apparatus and methods to characterize fluid valves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve having a valve seat and a flow control member to sealingly engage the valve seat. The apparatus includes a sensor to detect a change in position of the flow control member. The apparatus includes a processor to determine at least one of a seating point or a breakout point corresponding to the flow control member based on the change in position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating alert notifications using discrete input channels are described. An apparatus includes a field device to control a process of a process plant. The field device has a digital valve controller including a process parameter monitor to monitor a process parameter of the field device and an alarm determiner to detect an error condition associated with the process parameter. The alarm determiner generates an alarm notification associated with the error condition of the process parameter. The digital valve controller includes an alarm status assignor to assign a status notification for equipment associated with the process parameter detected by the alarm determiner to be in the error condition and a discrete output channel. The apparatus includes a host device having a discrete input channel directly coupled to the discrete output channel to receive the alarm notification and the status notification from the digital valve controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to characterize fluid valves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve having a valve seat and a flow control member to sealingly engage the valve seat. The apparatus includes a sensor to detect a change in position of the flow control member. The apparatus includes a processor to determine at least one of a seating point or a breakout point corresponding to the flow control member based on the change in position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating alert notifications using discrete input channels are described. An apparatus includes a field device to control a process of a process plant. The field device has a digital valve controller including a process parameter monitor to monitor a process parameter of the field device and an alarm determiner to detect an error condition associated with the process parameter. The alarm determiner generates an alarm notification associated with the error condition of the process parameter. The digital valve controller includes an alarm status assignor to assign a status notification for equipment associated with the process parameter detected by the alarm determiner to be in the error condition and a discrete output channel. The apparatus includes a host device having a discrete input channel directly coupled to the discrete output channel to receive the alarm notification and the status notification from the digital valve controller.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a field device in a process plant is provided. The diagnostic apparatus includes a processor operatively connected to the field device and a calendar having a proscribed period stored in memory. A diagnostic check is executed on the field device if an occurrence of a diagnostic event is detected and execution of the diagnostic check does not coincide with the proscribed period.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a field device in a process plant is provided. The diagnostic apparatus includes a processor operatively connected to the field device and a calendar having a proscribed period stored in memory. A diagnostic check is executed on the field device if an occurrence of a diagnostic event is detected and execution of the diagnostic check does not coincide with the proscribed period.