Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface (GUI) includes a number of interface features that enhance the accessibility of system status information to users. Such enhancements include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface (GUI) includes a number of interface features that enhance the accessibility of system status information to users. Such enhancements include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: An HMI application supporting interaction between an operator and runtime control processor information is described herein. The HMI application provides graphical user interface-driven functionality including, among other things supporting a horizontal hierarchical view selection menu. Furthermore, visual alarm indicators associated with the view selection menu guide an operator through each view selection level to a view showing an alarm's source. The horizontal view selection menu is traversable by both a graphical pointer and keyboard strokes (e.g., dynamically assigned function keys). Enhanced faceplate overlays provide access to detailed information from a control block such as alarm limits and tuning parameters. Such detailed information is accessed by first exposing a menu of detailed information, and thereafter rendering the detailed information within a work area of the faceplate separate from the menu from which the detailed information type is selected for the control block.

Abstract: Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.

Abstract: A system management human-machine interface application for use in a process control system is described herein that enables users to view/monitor information regarding system status and performance and to initiate changes to the operation of system equipment, checkpoint control stations and execute diagnostics. A system management graphical user interface (GUI) includes a number of interface features that enhance the accessibility of system status information to users. Such enhancements include rendering selectable diagnostic information (e.g., online/offline status) on a system component navigation view. The GUI also provides access to a variety of system information including: alarms, messages, watched system management parameters, and a legend for symbols displayed in a system management navigation tree.

Abstract: A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flow paths 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. A temperature detector is supported within an electrically non-conductive holder extending into the fluid flow path, so that the detector is free from physical contact with the fluid.

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: The invention provides, in one aspect, human machine interface (HMI) methods and apparatus that permit users to search and/or view plant and other real-time process automation data in a manner similar to that with which they search and/or view pages on the Internet (web). Related aspects of the invention provide such methods and apparatus as permit users to search and/or view such real-time process automation data concurrently with such Internet web pages. Further related aspects of the invention provide such methods and apparatus as permit users to search and/or view such real-time process automation data concurrently with business data maintained in pages on an enterprise network (e.g., a LAN, WAN or otherwise).

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: 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 quality 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: A temperature sensitive switching module for mounting against an outer surface of a container to control operation of a heater heating contents of the container, the switching module including: a temperature sensitive element arranged to deform in dependence upon its temperature to operate a switch; the temperature sensitive element being arranged within the module such that when the module is mounted on the surface of the container, the temperature sensitive element is disposed adjacent the surface of the container with one surface of the element exposed to the surface of the container so as to provide for direct radiated or conducted heat transfer from the container to the element over substantially the whole of the facing surface of the element.

Abstract: A feed-forward flow controller is designed to calculate a target valve position from a target flow. Correction is made for liquid or gas pressure drop across the valve and for the valve flow modulating member geometry. This feed-forward action may also be used to linearize a feed-back flow control loop.

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. The first and the second frequencies vary with temperature. A first temperature that influences the first mode of vibration is determined and a second temperature that influences the second mode of vibration is determined. A property of the fluid is determined based on the first temperature and the second temperature such that the property is compensated for the first or second frequencies variation with temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to modify control devices residing on a Fieldbus communications network, without interrupting the operation of the control devices. The control device updating may further be controlled and monitored by a remotely located host that also communicates on the Fieldbus network. The control device may comprise at least two distinct memory areas, wherein at least one memory area must be active, and at least one memory area must be inactive. Active memory areas provide the control device microprocessor operating system with executable instructions or data. The host downloads new executable instructions or data to inactive memory areas, with associated data entry points, during unscheduled communications periods wherein data input/output is not being performed between the control device and the host or another control device.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring a density of a liquid within a fluid that includes both a liquid and a gas are described. A pressure of the fluid oscillates according to a time-varying function, which causes a density of the fluid also to oscillate according to the same time-varying function. A resulting pressure signal and density signal are analyzed to extract at least a first and second pressure value and at least a first and second density value, where the first pressure and density values occur at a first time, and the second pressure and density values occur at a second time. Then, the liquid density is calculated from the first and second pressure and density values. As a result, the liquid density may be calculated quickly and easily, with a minimum of effort on the part of an operator, and without requiring disruption of other measurement processes associated with the flowtube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining the temperature of an operating fluid media in an HVAC system. An integral temperature sensor, mounted within an actuator of an actuator-driven HVAC valve, senses the temperature of a valve body of the HVAC valve. The temperature of a fluid media within the HVAC valve is determined from the temperature of the valve body. A processor within the actuator configures the actuator to function in either a direct acting mode, or alternatively in a reverse acting mode, as a function of the temperature of the valve body as sensed by the integral temperature sensor. The actuator is adapted for attachment to the HVAC valve in such a manner that the temperature sensor is placed in operative thermal contact with the valve body by the act of attaching the actuator to the HVAC valve.