Abstract: Methods and apparatus verify operation of acoustic emission sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an acoustic source acoustically coupled to a device, where the acoustic source is to generate an acoustic signal, and a processor to determine an operational condition of an acoustic emission sensor associated with the device based on measuring the generated acoustic signal at the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed to bias a tube towards a seal. An example apparatus includes a pneumatic actuator having a diaphragm plate, a yoke housing, and a tube. The tube conveys pressurized fluid between the yoke housing and the diaphragm plate, wherein a first end of the tube extends through a first seal gland in the diaphragm plate to form a seal against an outer surface of the tube and a second end of the tube extends through a second seal gland in the yoke housing to form a seal against the outer surface of the tube. The first end of the tube has a first cross-sectional area that is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the second end of the tube to bias the tube toward the yoke housing during operation of the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: Example tapered nut valve plug fastener apparatus disclosed herein include a valve stem, a first nut, a valve plug, and a second nut. The first nut includes a first tapered surface and the second nut includes a second tapered surface. The valve plug includes a bore. The first nut threadably engages the valve stem and the valve stem passes through the bore. The bore engages the first tapered surface. The second nut threadably engages the valve stem and the bore engages the second tapered surface.

Abstract: Actuator bracket having a sensor is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a bracket to couple to a controller at a first location and to couple to an actuator at a second location different than the first location. The bracket includes cavities defined by ribs of a first side. The apparatus also includes a first sensor coupled to the bracket adjacent the first location. The first sensor is to measure a characteristic of a portion of the bracket adjacent the first location.

Abstract: A method is provided of custom manufacturing a valve body having an initial valve body configuration having a first end connection and a second end connection. The method includes adding material to the first end connection using a first additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom first end connection configuration, and the custom first end connection configuration is different than an initial first end connection configuration. The method further includes adding material to the second end connection using a second additive manufacturing process to create at least a portion of a custom second end connection configuration, and the custom second end connection configuration is different than an initial second end connection configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RFID communications in a process control system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device to be communicatively coupled to a field device of a process control system via a wired connection. The RFID device includes an RFID tag to be powered via the wired connection based on power provided to the field device. The power is provided to the field device along with a control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vibration monitoring circuit to: collect first vibration data associated with a process control device during calibration of the process control device; calculate an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data; collect usage information associated with the process control device, the usage information indicative of a remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; adjust the operating threshold based on the usage information, the adjusted operating threshold reflective of the remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; and determine a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the adjusted operating threshold.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a positioner includes determining a pressure value corresponding to a particular state of an actuator, wherein the actuator is controlled by the positioner, and controlling a pressure within the actuator according to a set point pressure, wherein the set point pressure is based on the pressure value such that the particular state of the actuator is maintained. The method further includes receiving a measured value indicating an actual pressure within the actuator, and determining a bias of the positioner based on the measured value and the set point pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multimode RFST communications in process control systems is disclosed herein. A disclosed example apparatus includes an example RFST module associated with a process control device of a process control system. The example RFST module includes a plurality of RFSTs configured to communicate by different communication protocols. The example RFST module also includes a power module to power the RFST module to enable communications with a processor or memory associated with the process control device.

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: Embodiments of the invention provide an electrical terminal that provides wire termination at an edge of a printed circuit board. The electrical terminal includes a terminal body having a first corner, a cage clamp in the terminal body and defining a wire insert axis and a screw insert axis, and a base supporting the terminal body on the printed circuit board. The base is angled so that the first corner is aligned along a front plane defined along the edge of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for performing start-up testing on a fluid flow control device. The assembly includes a retainer adapted to be disposed in a valve body of the fluid flow control device, and a sealing assembly coupled to a portion of the retainer and adapted to be disposed adjacent a valve seat of the fluid flow control device. The sealing assembly includes one or more sealing elements configured to provide a seal during start-up testing at a service temperature of between approximately ?325 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 1250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: Actuator bushings having integral seals are described herein. An example apparatus includes a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem and an annular groove at an end of the bushing. The annular groove surrounds the bore to define a flexible ring to form a seal against the stem.

Abstract: A tool and a method are provided for cleaning a sealing surface of a valve body. The tool includes a stem adapted to be disposed in the valve body, at least one cleaning element coupled to the stem, and a handle operatively coupled to the at least one cleaning element via the stem. The at least one cleaning element includes at least one cleaning surface adapted to engage the sealing surface when the stem is disposed in the valve body. The at least one cleaning element is movable responsive to actuation of the handle such that the at least one cleaning surface cleans the sealing surface of the valve body.

Abstract: A relay valve configured according to the various embodiments as described herein advantageously provides consistent, reliable start point pressures for both supply and exhaust functionalities. To achieve this, the relay valves described herein utilize a plurality of diaphragms to neutralize any variable forces due to pressure in an actuator and, optionally, a supply connected to the relay valve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of testing a solenoid valve of an emergency valve via a positioner are disclosed. An example method includes conducting a solenoid valve test by initiating a pulse duration and a monitoring duration for the solenoid valve test. Conducting the solenoid valve test further includes instructing a solenoid valve to transition from a first state to a second state during the pulse duration. The solenoid valve is in fluid communication with an actuator to enable the actuator to actuate an emergency valve. Conducting the solenoid valve test further includes determining a functionality of the solenoid valve by measuring, via a valve positioner, a maximum pressure change of a pressure chamber of the actuator during the monitoring duration. The example method includes, upon determining the solenoid valve is in a functioning state, conducting a partial stroke test of the emergency valve via the valve positioner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting in-service testing of a pneumatic signal amplifier are disclosed. In response to a test initiation signal, a processor of a valve controller operatively coupled to the pneumatic signal amplifier supplies a pressurized control fluid to an inlet of the pneumatic c signal amplifier. The processor determines a first pressure value corresponding to an inlet pressure of the pressurized control fluid at the inlet of the pneumatic signal amplifier, and further determines a second pressure value corresponding to an outlet pressure of the pressurized control fluid at an outlet of the pneumatic signal amplifier. The processor determines a ratio value between the first and second pressure values and determines whether the ratio value satisfies a threshold. In response to determining that the ratio value satisfies the threshold, the processor generates a notification indicating that the pneumatic signal amplifier is functional.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling multiple valves as a single valve based on a coordinated control signal are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to be operatively coupled to a first valve and a second valve. In some examples, the second valve is to be operatively positioned in series with the first valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to control a position of the first valve and a position of the second valve based on a coordinated control signal to be received by the valve controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of assessing a test of a solenoid valve via a positioner are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a solenoid valve to enable an actuator to close an emergency valve and a valve positioner fluidly and communicatively coupled to the solenoid valve. The valve positioner is to instruct the solenoid valve to transition the solenoid valve from a first state to a second state. The valve positioner is to monitor a pressure change of a pressure chamber of the actuator in fluid communication with the solenoid valve relative to an initial pressure for a monitoring duration. The valve positioner is to identify a maximum pressure change during the monitoring duration and determine a ready state of the solenoid valve when the maximum pressure change is greater than a minimum trip value and the pressure change at a monitoring end time is less than a maximum reset value.

Abstract: A digital valve positioner for use with an actuator. The digital valve positioner includes a housing, at least one exhaust port opening formed in the housing, and a vent assembly operatively coupled to the at least one exhaust port opening. The vent assembly includes a body having a bore, a valve seat surrounding the bore, and a check valve disposed within the bore. The check valve is arranged to shift from a closed position seated against the valve seat to an open position disposed away from the valve seat. A plurality of barriers is disposed around and positioned to enclose the check valve. The plurality of barriers is arranged to prevent an external medium from entering the check valve and to provide a tortuous flow path for the exhaust medium reducing sound through the vent assembly.