Abstract: A modular system and method is provided for enabling remote configuring and ordering of flowmeters in a client-server environment. The system includes a meter selection module configured to enable a user to select from a plurality of flowmeter types. A process data module receives process data from a client and a fluid selection module coupled to the process module is configured to receive a process fluid selection and to calculate properties thereof. A sizing module generates parameters of at least one sized flowmeter, sized in accordance with the received process data. A material selection module provides a list of materials from which the sized flowmeter may be fabricated, and a fluid rating module rates compatibility of the various materials with the process fluid selection. A results module is configured to generate data corresponding to expected performance of the sized flowmeter.

Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine an individual flow rate of each phase within a multi-phase flow through the flowtube.

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: An indirect clamping topology may be used to protect against the damaging effects of an electrostatic discharge event. An input node of a device is protected by a guard. The guard is driven by a signal from a unity-gain amplifier that flows through a resistance. The input node is clamped to the guard by a diode, and the guard is clamped to a low-impedance rail by another diode. The resistance of the low-impedance rail is less than that of the resistance through which the signal from the unity-gain amplifier flows, so that voltage resulting from the event flows to the low-impedance rail and not to the amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing configuration data for process control systems are described. In one embodiment, a method for storing configuration data for a Fieldbus device can include generating one or more first documents based on a first document type definition in a markup language, and generating one or more second documents based on a second document type definition in the markup language. The one or more first documents can include one or more block identifiers for identifying one or more function blocks associated with the Fieldbus device. The one or more second documents can be associated with the one or more function blocks and can include one or more parameter identifiers for identifying one or more parameters associated with the one or more function blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for managing memory items in a cache. An “age-lock” parameter is set to protect the newer memory items. When an incoming memory item (such as a history block header) is to be added to the cache, the amount of free space in the cache is checked. If there is insufficient free space for the incoming memory item, then space is freed up by removing memory items from the cache. No memory items protected by the age-lock parameter are removed. Of the older items, the selection for removal follows any of a number of well know cache management techniques, such as the “least recently used” algorithm. A “maximum size” parameter can be set for the cache. If the cache exceeds this maximum size, then free space is released and memory items are removed to decrease the cache size.

Abstract: A database server for handling steams of time stamped data points for tagged variables is disclosed herein that supports a set of advanced data retrieval operations/queries invoked by clients of the database server. The advanced data retrieval operations are invoked by client queries to provide, on demand, secondary information by processing previously tabled data corresponding to received data streams rendered by a variety of data sources in a supervisory control/monitoring, process control and/or automated equipment environment. Calculations, on previously stored data, for rendering the secondary information are performed within the database server at the time the secondary information is requested by a client of the historian that maintains a database containing the previously stored data.

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

Abstract: Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal.

Abstract: A control system database server is disclosed that includes a data compression facility that implements a compression test sequence on streams of time stamped data points rendered by components of a control system. A deadband/time override is incorporated into the compression test sequence to ensure that a previously received data point, within the stream of received data points, is saved within a designated time period even if the compression test sequence would have determined that the data point be discarded. The series of compressed/tabled data points, corresponding to the received steams of data points, are thereafter provided by the historian to requesting client applications that, by way of example, retrieve the compressed, time stamped data point streams for the purpose of constructing and displaying trend graphs.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for synchronizing software objects in one namespace with software objects in another namespace. When a change is detected in the first namespace (such as the addition, deletion, or movement of a software object), only as much information as is needed to characterize the change is sent to the second namespace. The second namespace then replicates the changed status of the first namespace. In one embodiment of the invention, an Archestra namespace is synchronized with an InSQL namespace by applying the public/private namespace capability of InSQL.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for managing items in a memory store. A “free-space size threshold” is set for the memory store. An age parameter is also set. When the amount of free space in the store decreases below the threshold, space in the store is freed up by removing memory items. Memory items older than specified by the age parameter are also removed. A “chain” of memory stores can be implemented. When a memory item is removed from the first store, it is added to the second store and so on. The techniques of the present invention can be implemented in each store in the chain, or the stores can use different memory management techniques.

Abstract: In one oil production operation, a fluid conduit transports a fluid from a wellhead to a floating production platform. To prevent an occurrence of formations that obstruct the flow of fluid in the fluid conduit, a forecast is made as to whether a flow assurance curve will intersect an operating curve of the fluid conduit. In the event that the operating curve and the flow assurance curve will intersect, the appropriate personnel may be alerted so that they may attempt to prevent the hydrate forming conditions from occurring in the pipe. Which personnel are alerted may be based on a level of criticality. The level of criticality may be based on an estimated time period remaining until the flow assurance curve and the operating curve will intersect.

Abstract: A valve controller is disclosed. The valve controller includes an interface circuit having an input for connection to a controller, a processor in data communication with the interface circuit which is operable to generate a control signal for controlling a valve position, and a control device operable to control the valve position in response to the control signal from the processor. The interface circuit includes a power extraction circuit connected to the controller and is further operable to generate a DC operating voltage for use in powering the interface circuit and the processor. The interface circuit includes a current sensor connected to the controller and is further operable to generate a measure of a current from the controller, the measure being used in controlling a device associated with the interface circuit. The interface circuit also includes a digital communications circuit connected to the controller and is further operable to transmit and receive communication signals.

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

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 essentially fully balanced plug valve is presented in which the flow control contour is interior to the moving member. The sealing edge of the moving member is at the exterior surface relative to the interior contour. This sealing edge is formed by use of matching angles on the interior of the moving member and the exterior of the stationary member. As a result, operation of the plug is fully balanced with the internal fluid pressure of the liquid therein. The sealing surface of the stationary member is positively retained therein to prevent blowout of the sealing surface. Should failure of the sealing surface occur, a secondary metal-to-metal seal will provide fluid containment albeit possibly at a reduced containment level.

Abstract: An extensible base process control and manufacturing information application development and execution software suite is disclosed that facilitates streamlined third party (e.g., OEM) development of derivative applications for particular vertical markets. The suite includes an object design toolkit that provides object template derivation tools for accessing and editing a set of base object templates. The objects derivable from the base templates include at least application objects deployed upon lower level hosting component objects of a supervisory process control and manufacturing information application. The toolkit also includes development tools for creating new base object templates that are added as extensions of the set of base object templates. In addition to the toolkit, the suite includes a set of marketing package customization tools facilitating seamlessly integrating changes by developers to the extensible base development and execution software suite.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical connectors used with non-invasive toroidal conductivity sensors and calibration thereof. A removable breaking calibration connector is provided for temporary insertion in the electrical circuit to selectively break connection to a sense toroid for zero out calibration in situ while retaining connection to the drive toroid and other peripherals, even when process fluid is flowing in the pipes.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved network and methods of operation thereof for use in or with process control systems, computer-based manufacturing or production control systems, environmental control systems, industrial control system, and the like (collectively, “control systems”). Those networks utilize a unique combination of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, intrusion protection devices and/or other devices for hardening (e.g., security against hacking, intrusion or other mischievous conduct) and/or intrusion detection. The networks and methods have application, by way of example, in plants, sites and other facilities in which networks that support control systems interface with corporate, business or other networks.