Abstract: A diagnostic device for use in a process control system receives a sensor signal related to a process variable of a process sensed by a process variable sensor. A signal preprocessor provides a sensor power signal output as a function of a frequency distribution of power in the sensor signal. A process condition is determined based upon the sensor power signal.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter with diagnostics based on power spectral density (PSD) analysis of a process variable sensor signal is provided. In one embodiment, the process variable transmitter is a pressure transmitter and the diagnostics are used to diagnose impulse line obstruction or impending obstruction. Other diagnostics are also useful such as diagnosing primary element degradation. The sensor signal is digitized and the digitized signal is transferred into the frequency domain. The power of the frequencies on the sensor signal is examined to provide the enhanced diagnostics. In one aspect diagnostics are generated directly with the sensor PSD data. In another aspect, the PSD analysis is used to tune a filter in order to enhance traditional diagnostic algorithms.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormal situations associated with a heater in a process plant receives statistical data associated with the heater unit. The statistical data is analyzed to detect whether one or more abnormal situations associated with the heater exist. The statistical data may comprise statistical data generated based on pressure variables sensed by one or more pressure sensors associated with a furnace, a stack, a fuel supply, etc., associated with the heater. Additionally, the statistical data may comprise statistical data generated based on temperature variables sensed by one or more temperature sensors associated with the furnace, the stack, etc. If an abnormal situation is detected, an indicator of the abnormal situation may be generated.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormal situations associated with a heater in a process plant receives statistical data associated with the heater unit. The statistical data is analyzed to detect whether one or more abnormal situations associated with the heater exist. The statistical data may comprise statistical data generated based on pressure variables sensed by one or more pressure sensors associated with a furnace, a stack, a fuel supply, etc., associated with the heater. Additionally, the statistical data may comprise statistical data generated based on temperature variables sensed by one or more temperature sensors associated with the furnace, the stack, etc. If an abnormal situation is detected, an indicator of the abnormal situation may be generated.

Abstract: A field device includes circuitry to successively measure a parameter related to current drawn by electronics of the field device. The measurements are provided to a prediction engine which calculates a diagnostic output based upon the plurality of current-related measurements. The diagnostic prediction provided by the prediction engine can provide an estimate of viable life remaining for the device electronics. The diagnostic feature provides on-line status of the overall status of the field transmitter.

Abstract: A system for visually presenting data receives signal processing data generated signal processing data collection blocks corresponding to devices associated with a process plant. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. The system displays an image representative of the devices and representative of a context of the devices within the process plant. Additionally, data based on signal processing data corresponding to one or more devices is displayed. For example, the signal processing data for the device could be displayed. As another example, data may be generated based on the signal processing data and this generated data may be displayed.

Abstract: A system for gathering data associated with a process plant, in which parameters are generated by a plurality of signal processing data collection blocks, automatically determines parameters to be monitored. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. Then, the system monitors the determined parameters.

Abstract: A system detects abnormal conditions associated with a process plant. The system receives signal processing data generated by signal processing data collection blocks implemented by a plurality of devices. The signal processing data collection blocks may generate data such as statistical data, frequency analysis data, auto regression data, wavelets data, etc. The system includes an analysis engine configured to detect at least one abnormal condition associated with the process plant. The signal processing data is provided to the analysis engine, and the analysis engine determines if an action should be taken.

Abstract: Outer annulus plugging detection is provided for gas-lift oil wells. The outer annulus detection is effected using a pressure transmitter. The pressure transmitter provides an indication of pressure within an outer annulus of the oil well. A statistical parameter related to a plurality of outer annulus pressure readings is used to provide an indication of annulus plugging. Examples of the statistical parameter include mean and standard deviation.

Abstract: A flow diagnostic system for a flow sensing element and impulse lines. A pressure transmitter coupled to the impulse lines provides digital pressure data to a control system. The control system provides the pressure data and real time clock readings to a diagnostic application. The diagnostic application calculates a difference between current pressure data and its moving average. A condition of the primary element or impulse lines is diagnosed from a current pressure data set relative to an historical data set. The diagnostic application is downloadable from an application service provider (ASP). The application can run on the control system, a remote computer or the ASP. A diagnostic report is preferably provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pressure transmitter is provided which diagnoses the condition of a primary element and/or an impulse line which connects to a pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the pressure sensor has a difference output which represents the sensed pressure minus a moving average. A calculate circuit receives the difference output and calculates a trained output of historical data obtained during an initial training time. The calculate circuit also calculates a monitor output of current data obtained during monitoring or normal operation of the transmitter. A diagnostic circuit receives the trained output and the monitor output and generates a diagnostic output indicating a current condition.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling a process for making paper or paper pulp. The process has a process product output at an end of the process. The controls include a process variable sensor input configured to receive a process variable related to the process. The controller is configured to provide a control signal to control the process. A process model has a model product output which is a model representation of the process product output. The model process output is a function of the sensed process variable and a product output setpoint representative of a desired process product output. The control signal is a function of the product output setpoint and the modeled product output.

Abstract: A process plant data collection and organization system uses a common or integrated navigational tree structure to organize and enable a user to view and access information obtained from different applications or data sources within a process plant, even when those different applications have different manners of organizing or enabling users thereof to view the collected information. The integrated navigational tree may be developed from and may use the navigational tree categories of the different applications or may map the data within different categories of the navigational trees of the different applications into categories within the integrated navigational tree. The integrated navigational tree enables a user to view and access plant data collected or developed by different applications within the process plant in a single place and in an organized manner so that the user can view data related to the plant from a higher point of view than provided by any of the individual applications.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter with an output predicting the magnitude of error in the pressure transmitter's output. A pressure sensor is adapted to sense a process pressure. A controller coupled to the pressure sensor generates a transmitter output representing the process pressure. A memory stores predetermined data predicting magnitudes of transmitter output error as a function of cumulative excessive sensor output levels, and also stores a record of cumulative excessive sensor output levels. The controller calculates a predicted present magnitude of transmitter output error as a function of the accumulated record and the predetermined data, and generates the prediction output.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for use in a process control system receives a sensor signal related to a process variable of a process sensed by a process variable sensor. A signal preprocessor provides a sensor power signal output as a function of a frequency distribution of power in the sensor signal. A process condition is determined based upon the sensor power signal.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter diagnosing the condition of its primary element or impulse lines connecting to a differential pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the differential pressure sensor has a difference output representing the sensed differential pressure minus a moving average. A calculate circuit receives the difference output and calculates a trained output of historical data obtained during an initial training time. The calculate circuit also calculates a monitor output of current data obtained during monitoring or normal operation of the fluid flow meter. A diagnostic circuit receives the trained output and the monitor put and generates a diagnostic output indicating a current condition of the primary element and impulse lines.

Abstract: Process device diagnostic is provided for diagnosing the condition of a process by receiving a process variable sensor signal. The process variable sensor senses vibration noise signals carried in a process fluid of the process. The vibration noise signals are generated by the process, such as by operation of process control elements. The diagnostics isolates the process noise signals in the process variable sensor signal and evaluates the isolated signal to diagnoses the process and the process devices.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling a process for making paper or paper pulp. The process has a process product output at an end of the process. The controls include a process variable sensor input configured to receive a process variable related to the process. The controller is configured to provide a control signal to control the process. A process model has a model product output which is a model representation of the process product output. The model process output is a function of the sensed process variable and a product output setpoint representative of a desired process product output. The control signal is a function of the product output setpoint and the modeled product output.

Abstract: A field device includes circuitry to successively measure a parameter related to current drawn by electronics of the field device. The measurements are provided to a prediction engine which calculates a diagnostic output based upon the plurality of current-related measurements. The diagnostic prediction provided by the prediction engine can provide an estimate of viable life remaining for the device electronics. The diagnostic feature provides on-line status of the overall status of the field transmitter.

Abstract: An industrial process diagnostic apparatus is provided which can identify a source, or “root cause”, of an aberration in an industrial process. A plurality of process configuration models are provided which each represent a physical (or actual) implementation of an industrial process. One of the plurality of models is selected and diagnostics performed on the process using the selected model and at least one process signal related to the process. Based upon the diagnostics, a root cause of the aberration is determined.