Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter is configured to determine a first property of a multi-phase fluid. A flow model is configured to determine a second property of the multi-phase fluid. A determination system is configured to determine a third property of the multi-phase fluid based, at least in part, on the first property and the second property.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging at least one data value between a first device and at least one second device, including providing at least one data structure at the first device, the data structure including at least one descriptive field and an associated at least one data value field, the at least one data value field including the least one data value, the at least one descriptive field including a usage type field having usage type data to associate the at least one data value field with a data type, transmitting the at least one data structure from the first device to the at least one second device, and, based on at least the usage type data, at the at least one second device, extracting the at least one data value from the at least one data value field.

Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.

Abstract: A computer system and method are described for enforcing a locale-based license restriction by a process visualization application program. A locale-based license configuration is read from a license file associated with the process visualization application program. An operating system application program interface is called to identify a current locale of the operating system. The current locale affects a language utilized to present text via a graphical user interface display. Thereafter, a locale specified by the locale-based license configuration is compared to the current locale of the operating system. Thereafter, a licensing result is generated representing success or failure based upon whether the locale specified by the locale-based license configuration matches the current locale of the operating system. The aforementioned steps are carried out in a computer system including a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for carrying out the above-described steps.

Abstract: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zeroing techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, if not properly calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, e.g., will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. By determining a magnitude of such erroneous measurements, calibration values may be determined, which may later be used to adjust a measurement that is output by the flowmeter and thereby improve an accuracy of the flowmeter. Such calibration values may be determined for a plurality of operational conditions associated with the flowmeter, such as densities of materials being measured, and/or configurations of flow elements associated with transporting material to the flowmeter. Then, the calibration values may be correlated with the relevant operational conditions, and stored for later use.

Abstract: A method and network access point selection logic are described for a redundantly connected industrial LAN node including at least primary and backup network access points. Network connectivity is determined by a redundantly connected node by testing connectivity between the node's primary and backup physical network access points. Upon detecting a loss of connectivity between the redundant node's primary and backup network access points, the node executes access point selection logic, based upon tests of connectivity between the redundantly connected (primary and backup) network access points and a set of nodes on the LAN, to select a preferred/primary one of the redundant access points. Thereafter, the redundantly connected node binds its connections according to primary and backup designations for its redundant network access points.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Abstract: Improved control apparatus and methods transfer information between devices, such as controllers and field devices, utilizing a modulator that generates a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal containing information to be transferred by a first of the devices, e.g., the controller, to the second device. A transformer or other inductive device transfers the PWM signal across the isolation barrier, where it is demodulated to analog form for application to the second device, e.g., the field device. Information transferred from the second device to the first device can be transferred in an amplitude modulated (AM) signal that utilizes, as its carrier, a fixed duty cycle output of the modulator that generates the PWM signal.

Abstract: An accounting method and system is disclosed that provides for real time financial accounting of plant performance at a sub-plant level. A multiplicity of process variable transmitters is utilized to sense, in real time, the current state of the processes and process equipment used in a manufacturing plant. Sub-plant accounting modules utilize the sensed process data to calculate a plurality of sub-plant accounting measures, which are stored in one or more real time plant historian. The accounting measures are typically converted to a suitable format and subsequently stored in a production model accounting database where they are accessible to an accounting module.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing enhanced user access to Profibus device diagnostic data and cyclic data in a distributed control system. After receiving input parameter data originating from a Profibus device message, the I/O module assembly performs steps for processing, maintaining and providing the input parameter data to a requesting control processor. The processing step includes extracting parameter values from a received Profibus device message. The extracted parameter values are then deposited in a repository on the I/O module assembly. The parameter values include both input and diagnostic parameter values. The diagnostic parameter values are provided to a workstation executing a Profibus device commissioning/configuring application in the form of data bits.

Abstract: Field devices comprising a transmitter and/or receiver for wireless data communication are provided. The energy available for wireless data communication in data transmitting or data receiving field devices is evaluated prior to activation of the transmitter and/or receiver of the field device.

Abstract: A process control and manufacturing information database client application is disclosed displaying received time-series data in an unambiguous manner when a displayed range of time-series data includes a DST transition for a designated time zone for displaying the data. A data acquisition interface obtains timestamped time-series data values for an observed parameter from the process control and manufacturing information database. The data values are requested/received/stored by the client application, for example, according to the UTC time standard. The client application renders the timestamped time-series data values as a series of points on a time-line graph. The time-line graph includes alphanumeric time labels specified in accordance with a designated time zone. The display function renders the time-line graph without disruptions over a time span containing a Daylight Savings Time (DST) transition for the designated time zone.

Abstract: A method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid using a local model is disclosed herein. The method includes generating, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property. The method further includes evaluating, based upon a set of specified values of parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion. The values of the first order term and the second order term are then compared. A value of the thermophysical property is then automatically updated when the values of the first order term and the second order term are found to differ by more than a predefined amount.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sample analysis apparatus includes an actively controlled, direct contact heat exchanger in serial fluid communication with a spectroscopic analyzer, and a controller communicably coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a fluid handler in the form of a stream selection unit (SSU), a solvent/standard recirculation unit (SRU), and/or an auto-sampling unit (ASU). The SSU selectively couples individual stream inputs to an output port. The SRU includes a solvent/standard reservoir, and selectively couples output ports to the heat exchanger, and returns the solvent/standard sample to the reservoirs. The ASU includes a sample reservoir having a sample transfer pathway with a plurality of orifices disposed at spaced locations along a length thereof. The controller selectively actuates the fluid handler, enabling sample to flow therethrough to the heat exchanger, and actuates the heat exchanger to maintain the sample at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A first property of a process fluid is measured using a volumetric flowrate measuring device. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.

Abstract: A method for calculating a property of a fluid includes inducing motion in a conduit 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. The conduit contains a fluid. The first frequency of vibration is determined, and the second frequency of vibration is determined. A property of the fluid based on the first frequency of vibration and the second frequency of vibration is calculated.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging at least one data value between a first device and at least one second device, including providing at least one data structure at the first device, the data structure including at least one descriptive field and an associated at least one data value field, the at least one data value field including the least one data value, the at least one descriptive field including a usage type field having usage type data to associate the at least one data value field with a data type, transmitting the at least one data structure from the first device to the at least one second device, and, based on at least the usage type data, at the at least one second device, extracting the at least one data value from the at least one data value field.

Abstract: A system to reduce standby losses in a hot water heater is presented. The system utilizes a safety relay valve between the combination gas controller and the burner. The safety relay valve bypasses gas to a damper actuator valve to position a flapper valve located over the flue pipe. Once the flapper valve has opened to ensure combustion, the gas is allowed to flow back to the safety relay valve. Some of the bypass gas may be diverted to boost the pilot or to supply a booster. The safety relay valve is then opened to allow the gas supply to the burner. Once the burner is turned off by the combination gas controller, the small amount of bypass gas bleeds out of the damper actuator valve to close the flapper valve to reduce standby losses through the flue pipe, and to allow the safety relay valve to close tightly.

Abstract: A micro pilot for a gas hot water heater is provided. The micro pilot provides a flame that is substantially smaller than a typical pilot in a hot water heater during standby operation of the burner. Just prior to allowing gas to flow to the burner upon a call for heat, a pilot flame of sufficient size to ensure ignition of the burner is provided. In one embodiment this larger pilot flame is produced by providing an additional amount of bleed gas to the pilot to increase flame size. In another embodiment, bleed gas is provided to a separate booster pilot, which is ignited by the micro pilot. The flame from the booster pilot is then used to ignite the main burner. This design allows for the micro pilot to be positioned closer to the flame trap of a flammable vapor resistant hot water heater to ensure smooth ignition of any such vapor.

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.