Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the position of a shaft that is rotatably displaceable about a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a source of light energy, a light detecting device arranged adjacent the shaft. A rotatably displaceable disk having a triangular opening in the disk is mounted between the source of light energy and the light detecting device. A position-determining circuit connected to the light detecting device measures the magnitude of light that the light detecting device reads from the light emanating from the disk opening and applies the output to a position-determining scheme.

Abstract: An industrial process field instrument is disclosed having access to the reference signals transmitted by the global positioning system (GPS) including a process sensor connected to an industrial process, a host system, and a communication network connected to the field instrument and the host system. The field instrument is operated in response to the reference signals received from the GPS system to transmit geographic location and time referenced process signals specific to the field instrument to the host system over the communication network.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for in-situ treatment of electrodes in liquid environments in which a solution supply orifice is located near an electrode to be cleaned, and when cleaning is desired, a treatment solution from the solution supply orifice is directed against the electrode or electrodes. A cleaning baffle may be placed over the electrodes to better direct the treatment solution. The electrodes may be cleaned of the treatment solution by directing a flow of gas or a second treatment solution against the electrodes, subsequent use of the first treatment solution.

Abstract: A single gloss sensor which can perform both DIN gloss measurement and DIN high gloss measurement, using the same hardware, and with minimal delay between the two measurements. The invention functions by directing light beams from a source to two different positions, either concurrently, or sequentially, between a position which measures gloss (75°) and a position which measures high gloss (45°).

Abstract: A fiber optic hygrometer apparatus and method for sensing and measuring the dew point of an atmosphere is disclosed that includes a controller for controlling the operation of the apparatus and a first optical fiber for transmitting light energy from a source of light energy to an optical core extending into the atmosphere being monitored. The optical core includes an end that is prepared as a reflecting surface, allowing the light energy reaching the optical core to be internally reflected back toward the source. A second optical fiber captures the light energy internally reflected from the optical core and conveys the captured light energy to a light energy detector. The light energy detector is arranged to output signals to the controller representing the magnitude of the light energy captured. A cooling device and a temperature-sensing device operationally connected to the controller are attached to the optical core.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing EMI/RFI shielding to cables connected between electrical circuitry contained within an enclosure and the exterior environment. A fixed supporting flange is secured to the enclosure adjacent to a gap in the enclosure. An adjustable compression flange is secured to the enclosure adjacent to the gap. Cables extending from inside of the enclosure to the exterior environment pass through the gap. A compliant, resilient gasket is positioned over the gap, between the supporting flange and the compression flange. The compression flange bearing against the cables compresses the cables into the gasket.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for controlling associated processes of a process facility and, in particular, for distributing data among various nodes of a real time process control system that controls such a facility. An exemplary process control system includes a plurality of sensors, controllable devices, and communication paths, as well as a computer system. The sensors and controllable devices are associated with various ones of the processes of the process facility, and the communication paths associate the sensors and controllable devices with the computer system. The computer system operates on data relating to the process facility, and distributes the data among the nodes thereof. The nodes are associated by the communication paths, and the computer system further includes notification controllers.

Abstract: A chemical sensor apparatus and method of making same is disclosed in which an ion sensitive silicon die is sandwiched between an elastomeric media seal and a conductive elastomeric pad contained within a housing. The conductive elastomeric pad contacts a printed circuit board (PCB) which leads from the housing. The die, elastomers and PCB are secured by a press-fit electrically conductive plug, which contacts and makes an electrical connection with the PCB. The plug functions as a counter electrode for the apparatus as well as a mechanical lock that seals the principal components of the apparatus within the housing in a substantially flush hermetic seal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for altering in the field the operating instructions used by an industrial process transmitter to collect, manipulate and transmit output signals representing the state of an industrial process. The method is used with an industrial process transmitter that includes at least one alterable storage device that has a first set of operating instructions stored therein. A controller device is connected to the alterable storage device and a configuration device is connectable to the industrial process transmitter via a communication link. The method includes entering a user-defined second set of operating instructions in the configurations device and then translating the second set of operating instructions into a format readable by the controller device. A communications link between the configuration and controller device is next established.

Abstract: A detector used in a measurement system that determines the size distribution of particles contained in a dispersant medium is disclosed that includes means for exciting the dispersant medium at an ultrasonic frequency to cause particles contained in the dispersant medium to oscillate at the applied ultrasonic frequency. The detector of the present invention further includes a light source for producing light energy in a specific frequency range, a first light guide for conveying the light energy from the light source to the dispersant medium, a second light guide for capturing and conveying the light energy scattered by the particles in oscillation and a third light guide for conveying light energy from said light source to the second light guide to produce heterodyned light energy. A light energy detection device optically connected to the second light guide receives the heterodyned light energy and produces signals representative of the heterodyned light energy detected.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting the dew point of an atmosphere is disclosed for use with an optical measurement system. The optical measurement system includes a source of light energy, a light detector, and a light energy conduction arrangement for directing light energy from the source of light energy to the optical sensor. The light energy conduction arrangement also returns light energy from the optical sensor to the light detector. The optical sensor of the present invention includes a substrate located within the atmosphere and a first waveguide located on a surface of the substrate. The first waveguide includes a first end optically connected to the light energy conduction arrangement arranged to receive thereat light energy from the source of light energy and to direct thereat light energy to the light detector. A second waveguide is located on the substrate first surface parallel to and in a spaced relationship to the first waveguide.

Abstract: A method for the continual, real-time, in-situ generation of a Kappa number used by a process control system to control the delignification of papermaking pulps is disclosed. The method converts a plurality of analog output signals representing the intensities of spectral bands of light energy reflected by the pulp, and feedback analog output signals representing the intensities of spectral bands of light energy before they are injected into the pulp, into digital output values. The digital output values are then normalized in accordance to a normalization algorithm and stored with a time marker. The normalized values are used along with previously-stored coefficient values that represent a model of the delignification process for any particular point in time, and in accordance to the time marker and configuration data from a configuration computer, a Kappa number representation is calculated in accordance to a Kappa number-generating algorithm.

Abstract: In order to measure the roughness of the surface of a material, in particular of a paper web, the surface of the material is illuminated with a parallel bundle of light beams and the scattering ellipse of the reflected light is evaluated. According to the invention, on optically rough surfaces the evaluation with respect to the scattering ellipse is done in a direction deviating from the major axis of the scattering ellipse.

Abstract: A method of preventing windup in a PID controller when using a nonlinear gain parameter is disclosed that is used in the PID controller of a process control system. The PID controller is arranged to produce within a current execution cycle a Control Variable (CV) to a device that is controlling a process responsive to an input Process Variable (PV), a setpoint (SP), and a gain parameter (K). The present invention receives the PV, the SP, and the K and generates a proportional, integral, and derivative component of the deviation of the PV from the SP. The components so generated are used to calculate an incremental output CV for the current execution cycle. A current value of gain is next calculated by subtracting the value of the gain for the current cycle from the value of the gain from the previous cycle. Testing for a linear or nonlinear gain parameter is done next and, responsive to a nonlinear gain parameter, a nonlinear gain change component is calculated and added to the incremental output CV.

Abstract: The method of downloading application information from a host device to a field device over a network providing communication and power to the field device, the method including the steps of stopping the normal data processing of a connected control device, halting operation of device components not critical to the download operation, reducing the operating frequency of a microprocessor included in the field device and transmitting a new device application over the network.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that develops output signals representing the degree of finished state of a processed medium during a process operation, such as the lignin content of wood pulp during delignification or, alternatively, the brightness during the bleaching process. Broad spectrum light energy from a light energy source is injected into the processed medium and the resultant reflected light energy is collected from a first light collector located near the point of injection and a second light collector located far from the point of injection. The light energy collected by each light collector is conveyed to a respective light analyzer associated with each light collector. Each light analyzer divides the detected light into distinct spectral wavelengths and generates output signals representing the intensity of light energy received in each wavelength. A feedback arrangement conducts the light energy emitted by the source to a location proximate the point of injection and then to a light analyzer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the extraction and delivery of a diluted representative sample of a processed medium, flowing as a process stream in a conduit, for the analysis by a particle measurement instrument. The system includes a shroud tube located within the conduit, longitudinally aligned with the process stream and arranged to receive and allow a portion of the process stream to flow therethrough. A diluent delivery apparatus includes an emitter that is located in the shroud tube arranged to release a stream of diluent into the shroud tube. The diluent released by the emitter mixes with the processed medium within the shroud tube. A sample recirculation apparatus is connected to the particle measurement instrument and includes a collector located in the shroud tube downstream from the emitter and a drain located in the conduit downstream of the collector.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the extraction of a representative sample of a processed medium, flowing in a process stream under a first pressure force, and the delivery of the extracted representative sample to a mixing chamber along with a diluent medium. The system includes a source of a second pressure force connected to the mixing chamber, the second pressure force having a value less than the first pressure force of the process stream. An extraction flow control device connects the mixing chamber to the process stream and is operable into a first or alternatively a second position. When operated in the first position the second pressure force of the mixing chamber is connected to the first pressure force of the process stream and, responsive to the pressure force difference, a portion of the processed medium is drawn from the process stream through the extraction flow control device. A source of diluent medium under a third pressure force is further included connected to the extraction flow control device.