Abstract: A diagnostic device and method for an intelligent pressure regulator which maintains a fluid in a process at a predetermined pressure. The regulator includes an electronic controller which enhances regulator performance and provides self-diagnostics and communications capabilities. The electronic controller includes a pressure sensor which provides a signal indicating the pressure of the fluid being controlled, an adjusting pressure for adjusting the position of a throttling element; and a PID controller which receives the signal indicating the pressure of the fluid being controlled and applies the adjusting pressure to the actuator in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting fugitive emissions from valves and other emissions sources is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a capsule enclosing at least a portion of the equipment and an ejector in fluid flow communication with the capsule. The ejector is connected to a compressed air source, which creates a pressure drop in the ejector which draws emissions from the capsule into the ejector. The apparatus may include a sensor chamber housing gas sensors to detect the presence and concentration of any emissions from the equipment being monitored, and may store emissions data, communicate the data to a plant process control system, and use the data to control plant conditions to reduce or eliminate the emissions.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with stacked disks. Flow disks with inlet stage slots and outlet stage slots alternate with plenum disks having plenums and bypass slots. The bypass slots are aligned with the inlet stage slots so the flow capacity increases continually in a substantially linear manner when used in a flow control valve and the valve flow control element uncovers more of the stacked disk flow inlet openings.

Abstract: A rotary valve provides a casing have an inlet and an outlet and a shaft mounted plug that selectively covers the inlet. A seat ring having an inner seating shoulder that is eccentric relative to the body bore of the inlet is provided. The seat ring can be rotated to accommodate variations in the center of the plug for more accurate seating. The plug can be provided with a secondary plug that selectively covers the outlet and that moves relative to the outlet in response to movement of the shaft. The outlet can include a low noise structure having, in one embodiment, a set of tapered slots that vary the flow cross section along the flow path.

Abstract: A field device for use in a process control network having a plurality of devices communicatively coupled by a two-wire, all-digital communication bus includes a connector that connects the field device to the two-wire, all-digital bus to enable all-digital communication over the bus, a memory that stores a diagnostic test routine having a series of device or process diagnostic test instructions, and a controller that performs the device or process diagnostic test instructions stored in the memory to implement a device or process diagnostic test using the field device. A data collection unit within the field device collects diagnostic data generated during the diagnostic test and a communication unit communicates the collected diagnostic data over the bus to a host device for processing. The controller may include a program language interpreter adapted to interpret the diagnostic test instructions which may be provided to the field device from another one of the devices via the bus.

Abstract: A software protection method and apparatus uses a removable hardlock to prevent the unauthorized installation and/or use of a licensed software program. The removable hardlock, when supplied to a user, stores an access variable indicating the number of licenses available for the software program. During installation of the software program on a computer, the removable hardlock is inserted into an external port of the computer and the access variable is read to determine if any licenses for the software program are still available. If so, the software program is installed on the computer in a manner that allows the software program to be run on the computer when the removable hardlock is removed from the external port of the computer. The access variable on the removable hardlock is then decremented to indicate that one of the previously available licenses has now been used.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is adapted to perform device and process diagnostics in a process control network having a plurality of process control devices communicatively linked over a bus, wherein each of the devices is capable of preforming a process control function and of communicating over the bus using scheduled periodic communications. The diagnostic system is disposed in a first one of the devices and includes a signal generator that produces a diagnostic control signal, a communicator configured to deliver the diagnostic control signal to a second one of the devices using scheduled periodic communications, and an output signal receiver adapted to receive an output signal developed by the second device in response to the diagnostic control signal. The diagnostic system may use the received output signal to perform diagnostics or may send this signal to a host device for diagnostic analysis.

Abstract: A bidirectional flow fluid control valve having increased flow capacity in a flow down condition, a flow up condition or, preferably, in both flow conditions. The valve has a curved surface on the top portion of the valve plug or on the inner annular surface of the body web below the valve seat. Preferably, the valve has curved surfaces in both locations. A variety of radii of curvature at those locations have been found to increase flow capacity. Adjacent the curved portions of the valve plug surface or the body web inner annular surface, uncurved portions may be employed.

Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister.

Abstract: A two stage gas pressure regulator with a body housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a common interior wall dividing the body housing into two chambers forming two pressure reducing stages. Respective intersecting fluid passageways through the common interior wall communicate the first stage to the second stage and provide a gauge pressure tap on the body housing, the intersecting passageways meeting at an intersection point within the common interior wall. Respective diaphragms are provided for each stage, and a cover has a vent venting the volume defined between the cover and the second stage diaphragm. A small passageway is provided in a common cover wall between the two stages, the small passageway being sized to suitably vent both cover portions above the respective diaphragms through the vent while eliminating overpressurization of the second stage in the event of pressure regulating failure of the first stage.

Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A zero lost motion universal connection includes a splined sleeve matching the splined valve shaft and inserted into a lever bore. A set screw with a flat front end is threaded into the lever and tightened against a flat surface on the splined sleeve exterior.

Abstract: A rotary valve actuator with movable actuator linkage maintained in a constant "pull-pull" tension, includes a sliding canister, rotatable lever, and a return spring substantially aligned in-line with each other. The linear motion of the canister in response to an expanding and contracting pressurized bladder is converted through chain linkage into rotary lever motion. The return spring is connected through respective chain linkage to the lever so the pulling tension of the spring/lever linkage rotates the lever and maintains tension on both chain linkages. Adjustable travel stops are provided. In an alternate embodiment the return spring chain linkage is configured at right angles to the linear movement of the canister. A double acting rotary valve actuator with pressurized bladders on opposite sides of a rotatable lever. One bladder is oval shaped.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method for a microprocessor based electro-pneumatic converter device including an initial calibration sequence, a compensation sequence, and an operation sequence. Linearization of an electro-pneumatic positioner including the steps of adjusting the positioner feedback linkage until a predetermined reference position is attained, reading a position feedback value and determining the required feedback linearization value to achieve a linear relationship between the output/input. A calibration method and a configuration method independent of calibration for a microprocessor based electro-pneumatic converter device including an initial calibration sequence, a configuration sequence, and an operation sequence.

Abstract: A rotary valve actuator for fluid control valves having improved actuator linkage matching the torque requirements of most rotary shaft valves. A link member is pivotally interconnected to a linear movable actuating member and to a rotatable lever. The link member enables a high actuator torque to be developed and provided during the times when the valve requires a high torque, and a low actuator torque during other times when the valve only requires a lower torque. A high-low-high actuator torque is provided matching the high-low-high torque requirements of most rotary valves.

Abstract: A single-piece flow-control assembly is configured to be disposed within a pit assembly in a manner which allows the flow-control assembly to be easily and quickly removed and replaced. The flow-control assembly includes one or more rigidly connected regulators disposed between two coupling mechanisms and includes a bracket that mounts the flow-control assembly at a fixed location within the pit assembly. The coupling mechanisms provide a sealed engagement between the ends of the flow-control assembly and a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe when the flow-control assembly is properly installed within the pit assembly. A fluid passageway with a 180 degree bend therein may be provided as part of the flow-control assembly so that the coupling mechanisms simultaneously couple to or decouple from the fluid inlet and outlet pipes by movement of the flow-control assembly in one direction.

Abstract: A field device for use in a process control network having a plurality of devices communicatively coupled by a two-wire, all-digital communication bus includes a connector that connects the field device to the two-wire, all-digital bus to enable all-digital communication over the bus, a memory that stores a diagnostic test routine having a series of device or process diagnostic test instructions, and a controller that performs the device or process diagnostic test instructions stored in the memory to implement a device or process diagnostic test using the field device. A data collection unit within the field device collects diagnostic data generated during the diagnostic test and a communication unit communicates the collected diagnostic data over the bus to a host device for processing. The controller may include a program language interpreter adapted to interpret the diagnostic test instructions which may be provided to the field device from another one of the devices via the bus.

Abstract: An apparatus for nonobtrusively determining one or more parameters, such as dead band, dead time, or response time of a process control device that is connected on-line in a process control loop includes a measurement unit and a processing unit. The measurement unit is coupled to the process control loop to detect stochastic changes in a control signal sent to the process control device and to detect an indication of the response of the process control device to the changes in the control signal while the process control device is operating on-line. The processing unit calculates the device parameters from one or more sets of the detected changes in the control signal and the detected response indication.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a valve body, a cage, and a flexible elastomeric diaphragm with a formed convolution to fully open the cage opening. An elastomeric diaphragm regulator with a flow diverter in the fluid flow path to reduce fluid flow separation and thereby reduce the required flow recovery area before pressure throttling. A raised knife edge seat located on the cage top in a position of stagnant fluid flow to reduce the build-up of contaminants on the seat. An elastomeric diaphragm regulator with a valve actuator coupled to a guided valve stem attached to the regulator diaphragm.

Abstract: A control assembly includes a positioner/actuator and a control valve. The positioner/actuator includes a valve actuator and a positioner for controlling actuator position and speed in response to a control signal. The control valve has a characteristic flow rate as a function of time. The positioner may include an electronic control circuit for modifying the travel speed of the actuator to produce a desired flow rate as a function of time. The positioner may determine an error between a desired actuator position and an actual actuator position and apply a correction signal to reduce the error. The correction signal is asymmetric with respect to error polarity.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation. A stack of annular disks with fluid passageways formed of inlet slots, outlet slots, and interconnecting plenums. Selectively stacking and orienting the annular disks along with an asymmetric slot pattern creates the desired fluid passageways without creating an uninterrupted axial fluid flow path. High recovery inlet stages are in fluid communicating series with low recovery outlet stages and the combination provides a high performance fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation.