Abstract: Closed-loop control of a hydrocarbon process is provided by an analyzer including an instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentrations of one of the components, independent of concentrations of others of the components. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid mixture, and a processor captures data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and uses the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the components while the liquid mixture flows continuously through the analyzer. A process control module including a process model of the hydrocarbon process, is coupled to the analyzer and is couplable to the hydrocarbon process, to receive the temperature compensated concentration and to generate at least one output configured to affect operation of the hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: A system and method is pro vided for predicting a physical quality such as temperature, the measurement of which tends to be hindered by a time-related impediment. A single sensor is configured to detect, in real time, the physical quality Qdetect, and one or more infinite impulse response filters are configured with time constants correlated to the time-related impediment. The infinite impulse filter(a) are configured to filter Qdetect to output a filtered quality measurement (Qfiltered). A processor is configured to calculate, in real time, the estimated or predicted quality Qestimate using Qdetect and Qfiltered.

Abstract: A computer implemented system comprises a remote industrial factory automation control system tool stored in a non-transitory computer readable media that, when executed by a processor, configures the processor to modify a web browser to include a control object; request industrial factory automation control system data from a local control system; receive the industrial factory automation control system data; display, by the web browser, the industrial factory automation control system data; and send control instructions to the local control system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that simplifies configuring an MES entity corresponding to a SCADA system object representing plant equipment. The system includes an equipment model builder (EMB) that receives a set of configured UCO information for a modeled piece of plant equipment in a SCADA system. The EMB extracts relevant MES information from the utilization capability object and invokes an application interface on an MES database to create a corresponding entity (e.g., a database element). Another aspect of the disclosed system and methods involves the enhancement of a SCADA system object, through a new MES facet, to support acquiring and reporting equipment status received via the SCADA system to a corresponding MES entity. A raw reason code configuration interface is provided by UCO configurator computer software executed on a computer. Each raw reason code is associated with a prioritized logical expression defining circumstances under which the reason code becomes true.

Abstract: A supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application is disclosed. The components of the application are distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices in a multi-layered hierarchical manner wherein lower layers host higher installed layers of application components. Application objects reside at a relatively high level of the distributed application architecture and model entities within a process control system. Engine objects host execution of the application objects in a run-time environment. Thus, application objects are not deployed until a host engine object with which they are associated have been deployed. Engine objects are hosted by platform objects. The platform objects correspond to a physical computer system component for executing the engine objects and associated application objects. A configuration facility presents a variety of views including deployment and model views of the application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal.

Abstract: Motion is induced in a conduit that contains a fluid. The motion is induced such that the conduit oscillates in a first mode of vibration and a second mode of vibration. The first mode of vibration has a corresponding first frequency of vibration and the second mode of vibration has a corresponding second frequency of vibration. At least one of the first frequency of vibration or the second frequency of vibration is determined. A phase difference between the motion of the conduit at a first point of the conduit and the motion of the conduit at a second point of the conduit is determined. A quantity based on the phase difference and the determined frequency is determined. The quantity includes a ratio between the first frequency during a zero-flow condition and the second frequency during the zero-flow condition. A property of the fluid is determined based on the quantity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting heating to prevent explosions in a gaseous environment containing an industrial control system are described. A method may include controlling heating in an electrical circuit component in response to a circuit failure so as to avoid reaching a temperature at or above a flash point of a gaseous component of the gaseous environment.

Abstract: In one general aspect, methods and devices for use with multiple communications protocols automatically determine which communications protocol to use when connected to a system bus. Signals transmitted on the system bus are monitored to determine what communications protocol the system bus is using. After determining which communications protocol the system is using, a compatible communications protocol is selected from one of several communications protocols stored in a device's memory. As a result, a user may connect a device to the system bus without having to determine which communications protocol is used by the system bus. Furthermore, suppliers may stock a single type of device that is compatible with multiple communications protocols reducing overhead associated with stocking devices. In addition, a device may be switched between systems without regard to the communications protocol of the device or system.

Abstract: A voting solenoid system and method is configured to selectively apply fluid pressure above and below a threshold value, to a fluid node. The voting solenoid arrangement includes first and second solenoid valve pairs, each pair including first and second solenoid valves. The valve pairs are located in parallel fluid communication with a fluid pressure source, each of the first and second solenoid valves being alternately actuatable between energized and de-energized states. The solenoid arrangement is configured so that a change of state of the first and second valves of either of the valve pairs alternately applies fluid pressure above and below the threshold value, to the fluid node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating dynamic performance measures (DPMs) for an IBA manufacturing process. Included is a method for monitoring an Isobutyl Alcohol (IBA) recovery system that includes computing at least one of an amount of IBA recovered from the IBA recovery system and an amount of waste material produced from the IBA recovery system, and displaying at least one of the recovered IBA and the waste material produced based on time. The method also includes computing a cost saved based on a cost of virgin IBA and the amount of IBA recovered. Computing an amount of waste material includes measuring waste material flow, and computing a cost of waste material management based on the measured waste material flow and a cost per unit volume to dispose of waste material. The IBA recovery system can include an evaporation IBA recovery system and/or a distillation IBA recovery system.

Abstract: A medical device system includes a portable medical device and a docking unit on which the medical device can be removably mounted. The docking unit is configured to communicate with a controller of the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit to instruct the controller to execute a selected program.

Abstract: An administration feeding set for use with a flow control apparatus to deliver fluid from at least one fluid source to a patient. The feeding set includes tubing adapted to extend from the fluid source for flow of fluid through the tubing from the fluid source toward a patient. A locating finger projects outwardly from the tubing and is positioned on the tubing so that when received on the flow control apparatus in an operating position the finger permits a locating member of the flow control apparatus to close. However, when the tubing is received on the flow control apparatus in a non-operating position the finger does not permit the locating member to close thereby to verify whether the tubing is in the operating position on the flow control apparatus.

Abstract: A tympanic thermometer includes a thermally conductive nozzle extending from a distal end of the thermometer. A base of a sensor can is thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can thereby minimizing a thermal gradient between proximal and distal ends of the sensor can when temperature is measured in the ear. An air space around the sensor can inhibits heat transfer except at the base of the sensor can.

Abstract: A medical device including a control circuit and a plurality of selectable communication modes. The control circuit controls the medical device and generates a signal representative of a characteristic of the medical device. A selected one of the plurality of selectable communication modes communicates the signal generated by the control circuit at a configurable messaging rate.

Abstract: A fluid conduit connector apparatus that the approximates pneumatic characteristics of a removed pneumatic system component when a fluid conduit is removed from a pneumatic system. The fluid conduit connector apparatus includes a port portion having a valve disposed therein. The valve closes to provide a reduced fluid orifice when a fluid conduit is removed from the port. The reduced fluid orifice is configured to provide pneumatic characteristics of the device being disconnected to facilitate uninterrupted operation of a timed pressure source having pneumatic sensing capability.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus adapted to load a re-certification feeding set is disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing the loading of the re-certification feeding set to the flow control apparatus, and a software subsystem in operative association with the sensor that includes a re-certification procedure for verifying that at least one component of the flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range. Also disclosed is a method for verifying that at least one component of a flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range.

Abstract: A method of using a pump set on a pump to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The pumping apparatus has a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is controlled by the control system to emit an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking a safety interlock device associated with the pump set. The safety interlock device affects the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the pump set conduit is properly positioned in the pump. The pump is controlled to pump liquid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector.