Patents Assigned to Emerson Process Management
  • Patent number: 11022988
    Abstract: A control assembly can be configured for use with a pressure regulator having a valve body defining a fluid flow path. The control assembly can include a control member, a stem, and a lever, and can be disposed within the pressure regulator to selectively control fluid flow. The control assembly can include a primary control member and a secondary control member, or a mechanical stop that can operate to restrict flow along the fluid flow path, including when the stem disconnects from the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Wade Hart, Thomas Leroy Weyer
  • Patent number: 10982788
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a cylinder disposed in an actuator housing, the cylinder having a cylinder interior is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. A ram member has a piston head within the cylinder interior, and pressure on the piston head moves the ram member. An end of the ram member acts on a collar having a collar interior, and an end of a rod member is disposed within the collar interior. The rod member is displaceable relative to the collar such that the end of the rod member does not contact the collar. Accordingly, fluid in the cylinder interior acting on the ram member may expand due to thermal expansion without damaging a hard stop at an opposite end of the rod member and without losing system pressure by triggering a relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Valve Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William K. LeBlanc, Jason T. Hoffbauer
  • Patent number: 10781723
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to optimize ramp rates in combined cycle power plants are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes predicting a first setpoint for a gas turbine in a combined cycle power plant over a prediction horizon and predicting a second setpoint for a steam generator over the prediction horizon. The example method includes identifying a first steam property of steam generated by the steam generator in the combined cycle power plant based on the second setpoint. The example method includes comparing the first steam property to a second steam property of steam associated with a steam turbine in the combined cycle power plant and dynamically adjusting at least one of the first setpoint or the second setpoint based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Power and Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ranjit Ramesh Rao, Xu Cheng, Frederick Charles Huff, Jacob Nathaniel Adams
  • Patent number: 10724638
    Abstract: Apparatus to protect sealing surfaces of thief hatches are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first portion that is attachable to a tank, wherein the first portion includes a first opening, and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The example apparatus is structured to provide access to an aperture in the tank via the first opening when the second portion is in an open state and maintain a pressure of the tank within a specified range by selectively separating one or more seals from one or more corresponding sealing surfaces when the second portion is in a closed state, wherein the second portion includes the one or more seals and the one or more corresponding sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Istvan Bartha, Cristian Amza, John Cockerham, Vlad Cristinel Hanceanu, Silviu Vasile Rebreanu
  • Patent number: 10634003
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control the actuation of regulators including a loading chamber are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first pneumatic regulator including a loading chamber, the first pneumatic regulator to flow fluid toward a downstream process; a second pneumatic regulator coupled between the loading chamber and the downstream process, the second pneumatic regulator to control an actuation of the first pneumatic regulator during normal operation based on a pressure difference between a first pressure downstream of the first pneumatic regulator and a second pressure within the loading chamber; and a valve coupled between the loading chamber and the downstream process, the valve to control the actuation of the first pneumatic regulator during a shut-down event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Lane Masias, William Kevin Burke, Paul Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 10623244
    Abstract: Enhanced communication protocols can improve reliability and efficiency of data transfers between a host device and one or more field devices on an industrial process network. A field device can store a device description that includes a plurality of parameters descriptive of functional attributes of the field device. A host device can upload the device description for use in communications with the field device. The field device can further store a plurality of storable configurations, each storable configuration representing an entire configuration of the field device. The host device can upload the plurality of storable configurations from the field device, such as to transfer the storable configurations to a second field device on the same or different network. The host device can transmit a configuration activation request to cause a field device to operate in accordance with configuration data included in a selected one of the plurality of storable configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management LLLP
    Inventors: Anthony Dean Ferguson, Brian Alan Franchuk, Thomas Marvin Bell
  • Patent number: 10443301
    Abstract: Thief hatches with diaphragm assisted sealing are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a base attachable to a tank, and a cover attachable to the base via a hinge. The example apparatus further includes a vacuum seal assembly couplable to the cover, and a diaphragm coupled to a stem of the vacuum seal assembly. The diaphragm is moveable in response to a pressure differential between a first pressure within the tank and a second pressure exterior to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Istvan Bartha, Cristian Amza, John Cockerham, Vlad Cristinel Hanceanu, Silviu Vasile Rebreanu
  • Patent number: 10364912
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a cylinder disposed in an actuator housing, the cylinder having a cylinder interior is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. A ram member has a piston head within the cylinder interior, and pressure on the piston head moves the ram member. An end of the ram member acts on a collar having a collar interior, and an end of a rod member is disposed within the collar interior. The rod member is displaceable relative to the collar such that the end of the rod member does not contact the collar. Accordingly, fluid in the cylinder interior acting on the ram member may expand due to thermal expansion without damaging a hard stop at an opposite end of the rod member and without losing system pressure by triggering a relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Valve Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William K. LeBlanc, Jason T. Hoffbauer
  • Patent number: 10320958
    Abstract: A method of transferring data between a host device and a field device on an industrial process network includes transmitting, by the host device to the field device, a fast data transfer initiate request to request a subsequent data transfer between the host device and the field device via a fast data transfer communication protocol. The method further includes receiving, by the host device from the field device, a fast data transfer confirmation indicating, and transmitting, by the host device to the field device, a generic data transfer initiate request to request the subsequent data transfer with the field device. The method further includes receiving, by the host device from the field device, a generic data transfer initiate confirmation, and executing, responsive to the generic data transfer initiate confirmation, the subsequent data transfer between the host device and the field device via the fast data transfer protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management LLLP
    Inventors: Anthony Dean Ferguson, Brian Alan Franchuk, Thomas Marvin Bell
  • Patent number: 10274099
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body forming a channel defining a fluid flow path extending from an inlet port to an outlet port of the valve body via a gallery disposed therebetween, an opening disposed in communication with the gallery, a valve assembly at least partially disposed through the opening and in the gallery, and a set pin having a central longitudinal axis. A valve disc of the valve assembly moves between a first position spaced from a valve seat of the valve body and a second position in contact with the valve seat. The set pin is coupled to and at least partly supported by the valve assembly to maintain the valve assembly in the first position. The fluid flow path allows a fluid to flow through the valve body in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The set pin is adapted to disengage a portion of the valve assembly when contacted by a fluid traversing the fluid flow path in the second direction, allowing the valve disc to move to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Michnevitz, Nathan A. Quinn, Travis Ellison, James Myers
  • Patent number: 10267182
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to optimize turbine ramp rates are disclosed herein. An example method includes predicting a setpoint for a turbine rotor over a prediction horizon. The example method includes predicting a surface temperature profile of the turbine rotor for the prediction horizon based on the predicted setpoint via an empirical data model. The example method also includes predicting a first stress profile for the turbine rotor based on the surface temperature profile. The example method includes performing a comparison of the first stress value to a second stress value and dynamically adjusting the setpoint based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Xu Cheng, Frederick Charles Huff, Melanie Jean Novacek, Ranjit R. Rao
  • Patent number: 10208880
    Abstract: Example noise attenuators for use with process control devices are described herein. An example apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate disposed in a fluid passageway of a noise attenuator. The second plate is spaced apart from the first plate. The example apparatus also includes a first support rod extending along a central axis of the fluid passageway. The first support rod is coupled to the first plate and to the second plate. The example apparatus further includes a second support rod extending along an axis parallel to and offset from the central axis. The second support rod is coupled to the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Lane Masias
  • Patent number: 10174519
    Abstract: Apparatus to wirelessly monitor a position of a hatch are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a hatch to be coupled to a fluid tank, a latch to secure the hatch in a closed position, and a sensor to detect whether the latch is securing the hatch in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Lee Carpenter, Travis Ellison
  • Patent number: 10174855
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body forming a channel defining a fluid flow path from inlet to outlet ports of the valve body via a gallery disposed therebetween, an opening disposed in communication with the gallery, a valve assembly at least partially disposed through the opening and in the gallery, and a fusible element. A valve disc of the valve assembly moves between a first position spaced from a valve seat of the valve body and a second position contacting the valve seat. The fusible element is coupled to and at least partly supported by the valve assembly to maintain the valve assembly in the first position. The fluid flow path allows fluid to flow through the valve body in a first direction and a second, opposite direction. The fusible element fails when contacted by fluid traversing the fluid flow path in the second direction, allowing the valve disc to move to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Michnevitz, Nathan A. Quinn, Travis Ellison, James Myers
  • Patent number: 10161521
    Abstract: Apparatus to protect sealing surfaces of thief hatches are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a base attachable to a tank around an aperture in the tank. The example apparatus further includes a spacer supported by a support surface of the base. The example apparatus also includes a cover selectively moveable between a closed position covering the aperture and an open position providing access to the aperture, the spacer separating the cover from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: Istvan Bartha, Cristian Amza, John Cockerham, Vlad Cristinel Hanceanu, Silviu Vasile Rebreanu
  • Patent number: 10142199
    Abstract: A field device can transmit, over an industrial process network, data (e.g., including process data) to a host device configured to send and receive messages with one or more field devices. The field device can transmit the data in response to receiving a communications token that delegates time to the field device to transmit data over the industrial process network. A data monitoring device can monitor the data transmitted over the industrial process network, and can output at least a portion of the data for display at a display device operatively coupled to the data monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management LLLP
    Inventors: Anthony Dean Ferguson, Brian Alan Franchuk, Thomas Marvin Bell
  • Patent number: 10139804
    Abstract: The present disclosure envisages a system and method for self-calibration of an actuator. The system comprises a pressure spike sensing and control circuit, a travel limit setting circuit and a profile generation circuit. The pressure spike sensing and control circuit is configured to check and set an operating pressure of the actuator. The travel limit setting circuit is configured to check and set the travel limit of the actuator. The profile generation circuit is configured to generate the profiles of a set of parameters of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Valve Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thangaraja Ramakrishnan, Girish H. Dalbhanjan, Paul Jay Schafbuch
  • Patent number: 10100854
    Abstract: Example apparatus for regulator heat transfer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing including an inlet, an outlet, a first valve, and a stem disposed therein. The example apparatus includes a vortex generator disposed in the housing. A fluid is to flow from the inlet through the vortex generator. The example apparatus includes a second valve disposed in the vortex generator. In the example apparatus, the vortex generator is to generate heat prior to the fluid flowing through the second valve to the outlet. The stem is to control the first valve and the second valve to regulate an amount of the heat conveyed to the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lyman Griffin, Jr., Harold Joe McKinney
  • Patent number: 9990363
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of using customizable templates in process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes initializing a first process control device associated with a first protocol based on a template file and a first parameter definition file. The template file includes global variables and associated values. The first parameter definition file defines a relationship between the global variables and first local variables of at least one of the first process control device or the first protocol. The example method also includes initializing a second process control device associated with a second protocol based on the template file and a second parameter definition file. The second parameter definition file defines a relationship between the global variables and second local variables of at least one of the second process control device or the second protocol. The first protocol is different from the second protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management, Valve Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahesh Gade
  • Patent number: 9987508
    Abstract: A flame cell of a flame arrestor may include a body of a first material having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of channels formed in the body and extending from the first end to the second end of the body. The flame cell may also include an element of a second material coupled to the body, the second material being different from the first material. The element may be configured to draw heat away from fluid flowing through the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Cockerham, James Myers