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: A calibration plug provides resistance simulation for calibrating toroidal conductivity sensors. This calibration plug includes a resistive element of predetermined electrical resistance coupled in series between electrical leads which may be engaged with a circuit element to form an electrical circuit. The toroidal sensor includes one or more toroidal coils defining a central bore extending therethrough, a cell factor, and a full scale conductivity value. The predetermined resistance of the resistive element is determined in accordance with the following equation: Resistance ? ? in ? ? Ohms = [ geometric ] ? ? cell ? ? factor ? ( of ? ? EC ? ? sensor ) × 1000 Full ? ? scale ? ? conductivity value ? ? in ? ? millisiemens / cm and the calibration plug further includes indicia identifying one or more toroidal conductivity sensors for which the plug is configured.

Abstract: A measurement processing system is disclosed for fusing measurement data from a set of independent self-validating (SEVA™) process sensors monitoring the same real-time measurand in order to generate a combined best estimate for the value, uncertainty and measurement status of the measurand. The system also provides consistency checking between the measurements. The measurement processing system includes a first process sensor and a second process sensor. Each of the first and second process sensors receive a measurement signal from a transducer and generate independent process metrics. A measurement fusion block is connected to the first and second process sensors, the measurement fusion block is operable to receive the independent process metrics and execute a measurement analysis process to analyze the independent process metrics and generate the combined best estimate of the independent process metrics.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices that include a power source having a first voltage having a first frequency, a power-consuming load(s), and a first transformer set comprising a delta-delta transformer and a first voltage controller coupled in series thereto, an input coupled to the power source, producing as output a second voltage having a second frequency and coupled to the power-consuming load(s). Also, a second transformer set has a wye-delta transformer, and a second voltage controller coupled in series thereto, an input is coupled to the power source, producing a phase-shifted third voltage output at a third frequency that is coupled to the power-consuming load(s). The first and second transformer sets are coupled in a parallel configuration such that the second and third voltage signals combine to produce a fourth voltage signal having a fourth frequency.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing plural processes executing on a digital data processing system includes the steps of registering each of the processes for notification of at least selected events occurring in the other processes. Those events can include, for example, the addition, deletion or selection of an item in another process, the selection of the menu item in the graphical user interface of another process, and the invocation or termination of another process. An item is any informational entity in a process, such as the datum or display object. The method and system further detect an event in any of the processes and determining whether that event is one for which the process (other than bat in which the event occurred) is registered for notification. If so, that other process is notified of the event, e.g., so that it can take an action based on that effected in connection with the detected event in the process in which it occurred.

Abstract: A process control system is configured via manipulation of objects that model system components, e.g., sensors, blocks, control processors, historians, workstations, etc. Individual objects include parameters that characterize the underlying components and/or the behavior of the objects themselves. These parameters are derived from the “parents,” from which the objects are created. Derived characteristics need not be defined explicitly but, rather, are defined implicitly or by reference. These derived characteristics may be overridden for an individual object and, thereby, its progeny. Although objects have class-like characteristics (i.e., insofar as they are definitional in nature), they can be created at configuration time, without the need for recompilation.

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: Connection objects or other such data structures facilitate establishing and configuring connections between objects that model components in a process control system. A first set of data structures (e.g. the object connection type structures) identify valid types for component-to-component pairings and the respective roles of each component in the pairing (e.g., parent or child, source or sink). A second set of data structures (e.g., the parameter connection type structures) supply similar information for parameter-to-parameter connections. Together, these data structures can be used, for example, to validate component-to-component connections suggested by the user and to automatically configure parameter-to-parameter connections. Actual connections, both at the component or parameter level, are reflected using parameter overrides within the parameterized object model—with which the connection objects are constructed.

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: A message management facility is described herein that is hosted by a networked node, in a process control network environment, that is separate from a control processor. The message management facility routes a stream of messages received from the control processor to a set of destinations on a supervisory network. By interposing the message management facility on a node that is interposed, in a message steam, between alarm message sources (control processors) and alarm message sinks (workstations, printers, historians), a number of additional functions can be implemented to carry out a number of advanced functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for modifying a flow characteristic, such as a valve characteristic, through use of a flow characterizing device having a segmented flow characterizing channel therein including three or more discrete segments, at least one of which is a through-hole, for modifying a flow of fluid through a flowpath, in which the flow characterizing device is mounted, when a controlling edge, mounted in the flowpath adjacent the flow characterizing device, is aligned with one or more of the three or more discrete segments of the flow characterizing channel. Either or both of the flow characterizing channel and the controlling edge are selectively movable relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor that includes a first planar substrate having at least one planar electrode formed thereon, thereby forming a first electrode assembly, and a housing defining a reservoir which, in use, contains liquid electrolyte for contacting the electrode(s). The housing has a first sealing face to which the first electrode assembly is sealed, the sealing face having conducting portions electrically isolated one from another. A portion of at least one electrode is in contact with a respective conducting portion so as to provide a means of external electrical connection to the electrode(s). The conductive portions and non-conductive portions of the housing are co-moulded. This sensor has a relatively small number of component parts and is relatively cheap and easy to manufacture. It also provides a cheap and reliable way of forming external electrical connections to the electrodes.

Abstract: A digital flowmeter can include a vibratable conduit with a mixture of a liquid and a gas flowing therethrough. A driver can be connected to the conduit and can be operable to impart motion to the conduit where a sensor can also be connected and can be operable to sense the motion of the conduit. A digital transmitter can also be connected to the conduit and can include a void fraction determination system configured to determine a gas void fraction of the mixture, a viscosity determination system configured to determine a viscosity of the liquid in the mixture, and a flow parameter correction system operable to determine a flow parameter associated with the flowing mixture, based on the gas void fraction and the viscosity.

Abstract: A thermal isolator assembly that provides rigid construction, linearly and rotationally, is presented. The thermal isolator assembly includes a collar and a sleeve that are thermally isolated one from another but held in rigid mechanical relation. When constructed for actuated valves, the collar forms an actuator arm coupling member while the sleeve forms a valve stem coupling member. A pair of thermal isolators provide thermal isolation between these members. A polyphenylene sulfide compound, and preferably a fiberglass reinforced polyphenylene sulfide compound is used because of its high mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity for these thermal isolators.

Abstract: A manual override mechanism is presented for a motor-driven linear actuator that allows the output rack and pinion of the actuator to be manually positioned. Once positioned, the output may be locked by a locking mechanism to prevent this output from translating to its quiescent position. When incorporated in a spring-return linear actuator, the manual override may be used to apply a preload on the spring before the driven device is connected. When the actuator is used to drive a valve or damper, the preload applies a positive closing force on the valve or damper in its zero position to ensure a tight closure of the valve or damper. The locking mechanism engages the gear train and opposes the closing force applied by the spring return of the actuator. To disengage the locking mechanism automatically, the motor applies a forward kick to the gear train. Manual disengagement is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for replacing existing actuator driven zone valves in an HVAC system, and particularly valves of the rubber paddle type having actuators providing less than 90 degrees of rotation, with a ball valve including a skewed seat bearing that blocks flow through the flowpath when a valve member of the ball valve is rotated through an angle of substantially less than 90 degrees from a fully open position of the valve at which a bore in the valve member is substantially fully aligned with the flowpath. The actuator from the existing zone valve being replaced may be used with the provided ball valve apparatus and method.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes selectively releasable engagement apparatus for operatively connecting an actuator to a valve body of a valve having an operating member extending outwardly from the valve body along an axis of the operating member are provided. The engagement apparatus includes a latch arm extending from the valve side of a base, rather than the actuator side of the base. A plurality of protrusions on the valve body and corresponding mating receptacles on the base resist torque forces on the base. A slot in the base adjacent an edge of the latch arm provides passage for tooling used in forming the base. A base in the form of an adapter allows attachment of an actuator not having a selectively releasable engagement apparatus to a valve body that does include a selectively releasable engagement apparatus.

Abstract: Techniques are described for accurately measuring a density or other parameter of a fluid traveling through a vibratable conduit, using a flowmeter. The techniques involve obtaining measurements of a frequency of vibration of the conduit, as a function of a phase difference between two sensors measuring the vibration. Using the measurements, a corrected frequency corresponding to a zero phase difference can be estimated, and this corrected frequency can be used to perform density calculations. These techniques remove an undesirable dependency between the frequency/phase difference variables.

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 a first flow rate of a first phase within a two-phase flow through the flowtube and determine a second flow rate of a second phase within the two-phase flow.

Abstract: A low power analog output circuit is disclosed that utilizes a low pass filter driven by a bit stream to render a waveshaped output signal based upon a raw digital data signal. The analog output circuit includes sequential bit pattern selection logic that receives as an input, the raw digital data signal. The analog output circuit also includes a bit pattern storage that specifies bit stream sequences that are selected in accordance with control signals generated by the state machine based upon its current state and the current raw digital data signal. The analog output circuit includes an output stage driven by a digital input signal corresponding to values provided by a bit stream sequence selected from the bit pattern storage. The output stage comprises a low pass filter circuit having an effective time constant that is greater than a hold period associated with a single bit of the bit stream sequence that drives the digital input signal.