Patents by Inventor Robert J. Karschnia
Robert J. Karschnia 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: 11137361Abstract: An industrial process vessel insulation monitoring system for monitoring an insulated section of a process vessel containing a process material includes one or more condition sensors and a controller. The condition sensors are configured to sense at least one environmental condition, such as temperature, humidity, moisture level, and/or chemical composition, and generate condition outputs that are indicative of the corresponding sensed condition. The controller is configured to detect at least one section condition relating to the insulated section based on the condition output, and generate condition information relating to the at least one detected section condition. Examples of the section conditions include a thermal resistance of an insulation of the insulated section, damage or degradation to an insulation of the insulated section, corrosion of the process vessel at the insulated section, conditions that promote corrosion of the process vessel, and moisture intrusion to the insulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Theodore Henry Schnaare
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Patent number: 10641412Abstract: A steam trap monitor includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable related to operation of a steam trap. A memory contains information related to a baseline parameter of the process variable. Diagnostic circuitry calculates a current parameter of the process variable sensed by the process variable sensor and compares the current parameter of the process variable with the baseline parameter. Based on the comparison, the diagnostic circuitry responsively provides a diagnostic output based upon the comparison. The baseline and current parameter are based on a time period during which the steam trap is open or closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Thomas M. Moser
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Patent number: 10638093Abstract: A wireless field device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system includes a controller configured to control operation of the wireless field device. Wireless communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote location. An internal power source powers the wireless field device. An image capture device is coupled to the controller and configured to capture an image of an environment of the wireless field device. The controller is adapted to receive image information from the image capture device and transmit compressed image information to the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.Inventors: Eric Darrell Rotvold, Chad Michael McGuire, Robert J. Karschnia, Robert Martin Beckmann
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Publication number: 20200088663Abstract: An industrial process vessel insulation monitoring system for monitoring an insulated section of a process vessel containing a process material includes one or more condition sensors and a controller. The condition sensors are configured to sense at least one environmental condition, such as temperature, humidity, moisture level, and/or chemical composition, and generate condition outputs that are indicative of the corresponding sensed condition. The controller is configured to detect at least one section condition relating to the insulated section based on the condition output, and generate condition information relating to the at least one detected section condition. Examples of the section conditions include a thermal resistance of an insulation of the insulated section, damage or degradation to an insulation of the insulated section, corrosion of the process vessel at the insulated section, conditions that promote corrosion of the process vessel, and moisture intrusion to the insulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Theodore Henry Schnaare
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Patent number: 10345126Abstract: A process measurement display is disclosed that includes an indicator configured to change position to indicate a process variable. The display also includes an illumination source configured to provide light to the indicator. The display further includes a processor configured to control the illumination source to provide at least one additional output modality.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: Eric R. Lovegren, Scott D. Nelson, Robert J. Karschnia
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Patent number: 10153898Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Rosemount IncInventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Marcos Peluso, Daniel Carlson, Jeffrey D. Potter
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Publication number: 20180080804Abstract: A process measurement display is disclosed that includes an indicator configured to change position to indicate a process variable. The display also includes an illumination source configured to provide light to the indicator. The display further includes a processor configured to control the illumination source to provide at least one additional output modality.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Eric R. Lovegren, Scott D. Nelson, Robert J. Karschnia
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Patent number: 9454744Abstract: An asset tracking system for use in a process control environment may include one or more asset tracking devices and an asset tracking host. The asset tracking device may receive signals corresponding to a position or location of an asset to be tracked, and may communicate, using an industrial automation protocol such as wireless HART, an indication of the position to the asset tracking host. The signals may be GPS signals that are re-radiated into the process control environment. Other information, such as environmental data, may be communicated in conjunction with the position of the asset. The asset tracking host may store and/or display the data or information included in the message, and may send a different message to the asset tracking device. An asset tracking device may be included in a field device, a network device, or a portable communications device used in the process control environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David P. Imming, Peter Zornio, Trevor D. Schleiss, Neil J. Peterson, Mark J. Nixon, Eric D. Rotvold, Robert J. Karschnia
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Patent number: 9184364Abstract: A thermoelectric generator assembly. The thermoelectric generator assembly comprises a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator has a hot junction flange, a cold junction flange and a thermoelectric power output. The thermoelectric generator assembly generates electrical power from heat differentials for use in powering field devices in industrial process monitoring and control systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: Swapan Chakraborty, Robert J. Karschnia
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Publication number: 20150085103Abstract: A wireless field device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system includes a controller configured to control operation of the wireless field device. Wireless communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote location. An internal power source powers the wireless field device. An image capture device is coupled to the controller and configured to capture an image of an environment of the wireless field device. The controller is adapted to receive image information from the image capture device and transmit compressed image information to the remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Eric Darrell Rotvold, Chad Michael McGuire, Robert J. Karschnia, Robert Martin Beckmann
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Patent number: 8719327Abstract: A method and device or monitoring parameters in a process reduces power consumption and bandwidth requirements in the transmission of the monitored parameter to for example, a monitoring application. In particular, new monitoring parameter values are only transmitted if the difference between a measured or calculated parameter value and the most recently transmitted value exceeds a limit, since the last communication of the parameter or if the time since the last communication of the parameter exceeds a preset refresh period. The determination as to whether to transmit the parameter can be applied to engineering unit values or raw values.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Terrence L. Blevins, Robert J. Karschnia, Mark J. Nixon
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Publication number: 20140090712Abstract: A steam trap monitor includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable related to operation of a steam trap. A memory contains information related to a baseline parameter of the process variable. Diagnostic circuitry calculates a current parameter of the process variable sensed by the process variable sensor and compares the current parameter of the process variable with the baseline parameter. Based on the comparison, the diagnostic circuitry responsively provides a diagnostic output based upon the comparison. The baseline and current parameter are based on a time period during which the steam trap is open or closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Thomas M. Moser
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Publication number: 20130060351Abstract: An asset tracking system for use in a process control environment may include one or more asset tracking devices and an asset tracking host. The asset tracking device may receive signals corresponding to a position or location of an asset to be tracked, and may communicate, using an industrial automation protocol such as wireless HART, an indication of the position to the asset tracking host. The signals may be GPS signals that are re-radiated into the process control environment. Other information, such as environmental data, may be communicated in conjunction with the position of the asset. The asset tracking host may store and/or display the data or information included in the message, and may send a different message to the asset tracking device. An asset tracking device may be included in a field device, a network device, or a portable communications device used in the process control environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David P. Imming, Peter Zornio, Trevor D. Schleiss, Neil J. Peterson, Mark J. Nixon, Eric D. Rotvold, Robert J. Karschnia
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Publication number: 20120237034Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: ROSEMOUNT INC.Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Marcos Peluso, Daniel Carlson, Jeffrey D. Potter
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Patent number: 8208635Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Marcos Peluso, Daniel Carlson, Jeffrey D. Potter
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Patent number: 8200783Abstract: A field mountable interface module is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network as well as at least one process communication connection port configured to couple to a field device bus. The intelligent interface module also includes a controller and memory coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Mark S. Schumacher, Marcos Peluso, Robert J. Karschnia, Christopher Wells
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Patent number: 8160535Abstract: An adapter for coupling to a process control transmitter of the type used to monitor a process variable in an industrial process is provided. The adapter includes I/O circuitry configured to couple to a two wire process control loop and to the process control transmitter and communicate on the process control loop. Wireless communication circuitry couples to the two wire process control loop and is configured to transmit an RF signal. Power supply circuitry provides power to the wireless communication circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: John A. Kielb, Robert J. Karschnia, Brian L. Westfield, Kelly M. Orth, David A. Broden
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Patent number: 8050624Abstract: A distributed control and/or monitoring system and method includes a local application and a remote application separated from the local application. The local application includes a host computer. The remote application includes a plurality of field devices and a communication bus connected to the plurality of field devices. Packet messages are wirelessly communicated between the local application and the remote application such that the host computer and field devices can communicate with each other as if they were directly connected to the same communication bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Rosemount, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Karschnia, Marcos A. V. Peluso, Eric D. Rotvold, Gabriel L. Sierra
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Patent number: 8050875Abstract: An electronic steam trap monitor includes an electric generator configure to couple to a stream trap proximate a potential leak location. The generator generates electricity in response to a process variable from the potential leak location. Communication circuitry provides an output when there is sufficient electricity from the electric generator.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Karschnia
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Patent number: 8005020Abstract: A wireless mesh network uses communication frames that can include timeslots of different sizes depending on communication speed capabilities of the devices assigned to the timeslots. The communication frame is divided into timeslot increments of equal length. The timeslots are made up of one or more timeslot increments.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Karschnia