Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust operation of a fluid flow control assembly are disclosed. An example safety valve controller apparatus includes comparator circuitry to compare a current measurement to at least one of a first threshold associated with a first flow setting of a fluid flow control assembly or a second threshold associated with a second flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly, and determine a first drive signal associated with the first flow setting or a second drive signal associated with the second flow setting in response to satisfying a respective one of the first or second thresholds, and current modulating circuitry to determine a third drive signal based on the current measurement, the third drive signal to modulate the flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly between the first and second flow settings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust operation of a fluid flow control assembly are disclosed. An example safety valve controller apparatus includes comparator circuitry to compare a current measurement to at least one of a first threshold associated with a first flow setting of a fluid flow control assembly or a second threshold associated with a second flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly, and determine a first drive signal associated with the first flow setting or a second drive signal associated with the second flow setting in response to satisfying a respective one of the first or second thresholds, and current modulating circuitry to determine a third drive signal based on the current measurement, the third drive signal to modulate the flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly between the first and second flow settings.

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 process control device may include a controller having a remote device trip initiation input, a local device trip initiation input, a remote trip condition input, and a local device reset input. The process control device may also include a device trip source determination module configured to determine a device trip source based on at least one of: the remote device trip initiation input and the local device trip initiation input. The process control device may further include a device reset determination module configured to: automatically generate a device reset when the device trip source determination module determines that the device trip source is a remote device trip and based on the remote trip condition input; or generate the device reset when the device trip source determination module determines that the device trip source is a local device trip and based on the local device reset input.

Abstract: An example visual indicator includes a base defining a light chamber and a first cover removably coupled to the base to cover the light chamber. A light assembly is positioned in the light chamber of the base. The light assembly has a first connector projecting from the base and the first connector is to pass through an access opening formed in an outer surface of a control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The base is to engage the outer surface of the control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The visual indicator is to enable an ingress protection rating of the control panel to be maintained when at least one of the visual indicator is removed from the control panel or the first cover of the visual indicator is replaced with a second cover different than the first cover.

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: Visual indicator apparatus for use with control panels and related methods are disclosed. An example visual indicator disclosed herein includes a base defining a light chamber and a first cover removably coupled to the base to cover the light chamber. A light assembly is positioned in the light chamber of the base. The light assembly has a first connector projecting from the base and the first connector is to pass through an access opening formed in an outer surface of a control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The base is to engage the outer surface of the control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The visual indicator is to enable an ingress protection rating of the control panel to be maintained when at least one of the visual indicator is removed from the control panel or the first cover of the visual indicator is replaced with a second cover different than the first cover.

Abstract: Switch apparatus for enclosures having environmental protection are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus includes a housing having a first cavity and a second cavity, and a mounting plate coupled to the housing. The mounting plate is to cover the first and second cavities. An indicator light is coupled to the mounting plate adjacent the first cavity, and a hand-operated switch coupled to the mounting plate adjacent the second cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for resetting process control devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for automatically resetting process control devices in particular circumstances.

Abstract: Switch apparatus for enclosures having environmental protection are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a hand-operated switch actuator spaced apart from a first side of a wall of an enclosure having environmental protection. The apparatus also includes a magnet attached to the switch actuator and a magnetically-responsive switch disposed adjacent a second side of the wall. Movement of the switch actuator is to change a position of the magnet to operate the magnetically-responsive switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for process device calibration. An example method includes determining if a first position of a process control device is a first end position, and in response to the first position being the first end position, calculating a second end position of the process control device based on the first end position and configuration information. The example method further includes calculating a partial stroke zone of the process control device based on the first end position and the second end position, and determining when a current position of the process control device is within the partial stroke zone. The example method also includes, when the current position is within the partial stroke zone, calculating an output bias based on a control signal and a summed value.

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: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for process device calibration. An example method includes determining if a first position of a process control device is a first end position, and in response to the first position being the first end position, calculating a second end position of the process control device based on the first end position and configuration information. The example method further includes calculating a partial stroke zone of the process control device based on the first end position and the second end position, and determining when a current position of the process control device is within the partial stroke zone. The example method also includes, when the current position is within the partial stroke zone, calculating an output bias based on a control signal and a summed value.

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.