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.

Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable conduit, and a driver connected to the conduit that is operable to impart motion to the conduit. A sensor is connected to the conduit and is operable to sense the motion of the conduit and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to detect a single-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a first process during the single-phase flow condition to generate a validated mass-flow measurement. The controller is also operable to detect a two-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a second process during the two-phase flow condition to generate the validated mass-flow measurement.

Abstract: Device configurations are stored in a system including at least two intelligent field devices (IFDs) connected by a communications connection. A configuration for a first IFD is stored in the first IFD, and a backup of the configuration for the first IFD is stored in at least one other IFD. Storing a configuration for the first IFD may include having the first IFD request a configuration from at least one other IFD using the communications connection, an IFD having a stored backup of the configuration for the first IFD transmitting the backup to the first IFD using the communications connection, and the first IFD receiving the transmitted backup and storing the received backup in the first IFD as the configuration for the first IFD.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for workflow editing. Such methods and apparatus permit, for example, user-defined and/or other tasks to be combined in any combination or combinations to specify a workflow. The tasks can be linked for direct, serial processing and/or for conditional processing that includes branching and/or looping. The invention also improved methods and apparatus of workflow definition and processing with extensible actions. The invention provides, further, improved methods and apparatus for workflow definition and processing which utilize workflow variables for communication of data and control information among tasks within a workflow. The invention provides, still further, improved methods and apparatus of workflow definition and processing with enhanced messaging.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing the torque required to reposition a valve member of a ball valve, by maintaining continuous fluid communication between a cavity surrounding the valve member and an upstream flow-through end of a valve body of the ball valve, regardless of the alignment of the valve member with respect to the upstream flow-through end of the valve body. The continuous fluid communication is provided by a seal bypass passage that is defined alternatively, by the valve body, an upstream seal, or by one or more holes passing through an outer wall of the valve member that faces toward the upstream flow-through end of the valve body when the valve member is in the closed position.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods determine compensation factors, compensated conductivities, concentrations, and other related parameters of a solution based on the solution's temperature and absolute conductivity.

Abstract: A system and method are described for designing animated visualization interfaces depicting, at a supervisory level, manufacturing and process control information wherein graphical symbols in the visualization interfaces are associated with components of a process control/manufacturing information application. The system includes a graphical symbol library for maintaining a set of graphical symbol templates wherein the graphical symbol templates including a graphics definition including graphics and a reference to an application component type. The reference facilitates identifying candidate application components for creating an association between a graphical symbol instance created from a graphical symbol template and one of the candidate application components.

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.

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 system and method of creating and using a graphical task scheduler. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows a user to graphically build a real time flow task scheduler by providing a “click & drag” functional palette which contains graphical flow chart elements. By creating this graphical flow chart, the user is able to associate a plant layout, or any subpart of the entire plant, to its associated mathematical model. With a graphical flow chart, the user can define one or more exit branches for each task. For tasks with more than one exit branch, the user can specify the conditions causing the sequence to use each branch. Once the flow chart is set up, it can be used as a sequence editor or scheduler. The sequence editor defines the sequence of tasks that will be performed by an on-line application, such as optimization, and also allows scheduling of the on-line application at specific times or periodic intervals. The scheduler controls the running of each sequence based on the scheduling information.

Abstract: A clocking circuit includes primary and secondary clock sources. These sources are input to a multiplexer which selectively chooses between them. A PLL stabilizes the output of the multiplexer. A clock detection circuit monitors the presence of the primary clock source and drives the multiplexer such that if the primary clock source fails, the backup clock is selected. Also upon clock switchover, a feedforward correction circuitry modifies a time constant within the PLL to mitigate clock skew during switchover.

Abstract: An information display module comprises a liquid display module sandwiched between a back lens module and a transparent front window module, said front window module comprising a main body part and at least one light guide for conducting light from an LED, said light guide and main body part of the front window module being formed integrally with one another and interconnected by a connecting section which defines a tortuous light transmission path whereby a transmission of light from the LED light guide to the main body part of the window module is suppressed.

Abstract: A precision modulating globe valve for controlling the flow of a fluid from zero to a maximum flow rate. The valve plug of the globe valve includes at least one flow modulating channel recessed from the outer surface of the valve plug. The outer surface of the valve plug engages a sealing member positioned along the inner surface of the valve port. The sealing member provides a fluid-tight seal between the outer surface of the valve plug and the valve port. The flow modulating channel is recessed from the outer surface of the valve plug from a minimum flow end to a maximum flow end. The radially recessed area of the flow modulating channel increases from the minimum flow end to the maximum flow end, such that as the valve plug moves past the stationary sealing member, an increased flow rate is created through the valve port.

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: A method of obtaining information relating to the charge capacity of one or more cells utilizing information from the initial discharge period of the cell or cells. The method involves measuring a variable cell parameter for at least a part of an initial period of discharge during which the cell voltage initially decreases to a through voltage and then increases to a plateau voltage (the Coup De Fouet period), and relating the variable cell parameter to reference information to obtain the absolute or relative charge capacity of the cell or cells. An estimation model for predicting the absolute or relative capacity of a battery includes input for a variable battery parameter and one or more battery operating conditions and/or battery condition, reference information, compensation means determining a correction factor for the variable battery parameter, and calculation means relating corrected variable battery parameter to absolute or relative battery capacity.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter apparatus includes a unitary body with two, normally vertical pressure passageways communicating respectively between opposed pressure openings extending normally horizontally through the body portion. A transducer for generating a differential pressure signal mounts on a transducer mounting element, coupled to the body portion and located above the pressure passageways. A pair of diaphragm elements can form first and second process diaphragms, closing first and second pressure openings. Flange elements overlie the diaphragm elements and are removably and replaceably secured to the body portion, having liquid drainage and gas purging passageways. A flame retardation element can be disposed within at least one of the pressure passageways. An overrange protection element can be integrally arranged with the unitary body portion to protect the transducer from overrange pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes a vibratable conduit, a driver connected to the conduit and operable to impart motion to the conduit, and a sensor connected to the conduit and operable to sense the motion of the conduit. A control and measurement system is connected to the driver and the sensor. The control and measurement system includes circuitry to receive a sensor signal from the sensor, generate a drive signal based on the sensor signal, supply the drive signal to the driver, and generate a measurement of a property of material flowing through the conduit based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: A signal processor, for use with a zero crossing module of a vortex flow meter, includes a peak amplitude detector, a comparator, and a filter module. The filter module is enabled when the comparator determines that the amplitude is less than a low flow rate threshold. The filter module filters a vortex signal and the filtered signal is provided to a frequency estimator that uses a zero crossing algorithm. The signal processor may increase the signal-to-noise ratio at low flow rates for which the frequency estimator may not otherwise be able to accurately estimate the flow rate. Low flow rates may be measured by determining that there is a low flow rate using amplitude detection of a vortex signal, filtering the vortex signal based on the amplitude detection, and using a zero crossing algorithm on the filtered vortex signal.

Abstract: Techniques are described for producing a signal having a desired frequency. The desired frequency can be produced to a very high precision, even when the desired frequency is very high. The techniques, in one example, represent an intermediate, otherwise non-available frequency, by dithering between two exact frequencies. Then, over some reasonably short timescale, the desired frequency is provided to high precision. Such precise frequency output may be used for, for example, measurement transmission and other uses. The techniques can be implemented in low-cost hardware, and may provide a precision of, for example, 10?6% for many frequencies.

Abstract: A 4-20 mA interface circuit for use, for example, in a valve controller, communicates with a two-wire loop. The interface circuit includes a power extraction circuit connected to the two-wire loop and operable to generate a DC operating voltage for use in powering the interface circuit and a related device, the power extraction circuit including a DC-to-DC converter that generates the DC operating voltage as a voltage having a smaller magnitude than a voltage between the two wires of the two-wire loop. The circuit also includes a current sensor connected to the two-wire loop and operable to generate a measure of an analog current through the two-wire loop, the measure being used in controlling a device associated with the interface circuit, and a digital communications circuit connected to the two-wire loop. The digital communications circuit is operable to inject a digital transmission signal on to the two-wire loop and to extract a digital reception signal from the two-wire loop.