Abstract: A manufacturing execution system (MES) for selectively controlling the display of MES content. The MES displays a first view with data about a first aspect of an industrial process and determines whether the user is authorized to view data about a second aspect of the industrial process related to the first. An inactive informational display item is generated when the user is not authorized to view the data about the second aspect. The informational display item provides a visual indication of the relationship between the first and second aspects and is non-selectable for navigating to another display. An active navigational display item is generated when the user is authorized to view the data about the second aspect. The navigational display item provides a visual indication of the relationship between the first and second aspects and is selectable for navigating to a second view including data about the second aspect.

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: Controlling and optimizing industrial processes by integrating MPC-based approaches and expert system approaches. At least two different control variables with identical models are used. An expert system adjusts at least one of the control variables to change a setpoint or range or the like while standard MPC techniques change another control variable to address appropriate classes of control problems.

Abstract: A manufacturing execution system (MES) for providing an indication of the performance of the line. The MES includes a configuration module for modeling entities and lines containing the entities. The MES also includes a runtime module configured to determine the entities on the line whose production can be extrapolated to evaluate the performance of the line. In some cases, the MES determines which of the entities on the line limits the performance of the line; in other cases, the MES determines which of the entities has a production amount that best represents that of the line. The MES is operatively connected to field inputs associated with the entities that provide production data for the entities. Using the production data for the entities chosen to represent the line, the MES generates production metrics representative of the performance of the line and displays them to MES users.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to setup of a transport refrigeration system and providing transport refrigeration system diagnostic information to a user. In particular, interfaces on a wireless end node and a network coordinator of a wireless communication system are configured to provide setup and diagnostic functionality of the wireless communication system to a user with limited expertise in wireless communication systems.

Abstract: A system for iteratively connecting flowsheet model components. Software instructions stored on a memory device and executable by a processor provide for the connection of flowsheet model components by, in response to a received connection indication from a user, suggesting potential connections in response to the connection indication. After further receiving a response from the user confirming the suggested potential connection, an output is rendered on the flowsheet workspace.

Abstract: A system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument includes a configuration module configured for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, and a representation module communicably coupled to the configuration module. The representation module includes a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument. A method of production of a system for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, includes configuring a configuration module for the customization of user settings on a target instrument, communicably coupling the configuration module to a representation module; and disposing a duplicate of firmware from the target instrument in the representation module.

Abstract: A multivariable control system for controlling boiler burners. The system includes burner actuators, boiler sensors, a control system coupled to the actuators and the sensors and further includes a memory and a processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application executes a multivariable control algorithm to determine actuator manipulated variable values to control in part the burners based on data received from the sensors and based on a plurality of gain values. The application also executes an adaptation algorithm to change an actuator manipulated variable value, to maintain the changed manipulated variable value for a pre-determined period of time, to determine a change in data received from the sensors, to determine a gain value based on the changed manipulated variable value and the change in data received from the sensors, and to provide the determined gain value to the multivariable control algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system of determining motion parameters for a rotating machine. A detector is configured to receive a rotary motion input signal and a counter signal and to send a plurality of time values based on the input signal and the counter signal. A memory stores the plurality of time values in an ordered sequence and is coupled to the detector. A logic component selects time values stored in the memory by skipping a predefined number of time values in the ordered sequence, reads the selected time values to determine a coherent set of data values, and sends the coherent set of data values.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system presents a mini-palette of candidate objects to a user in a graphical flowsheet design program. The user is enabled to choose a candidate object for inclusion in the flowsheet. In response to an indication from the user to initiate a new connection from an output port of an object currently displayed on the flowsheet, a set of one or more candidate objects is predicted by applying a set of rules to a plurality of previously designed flowsheets. Finally, the set of candidate objects is displayed to the user in a mini-palette for selection of an object to be included in the flowsheet.

Abstract: A method comprises heating a feedwater stream in a feedwater heater, boiling the feedwater stream in a boiler to produce a steam stream, superheating the steam stream in the boiler to produce a superheated steam stream, producing power using the superheated steam stream to produce an outlet steam stream, using a first portion of the outlet steam stream to provide heat for the heating step, and modulating the flow of the first portion of the outlet steam stream below a full flow to allow the superheated steam stream to meet a superheated steam set point.

Abstract: A control and measurement system for a coriolis flowmeter having a flowtube, a driver adapted to vibrate the flowtube, and a pair of sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of movement of the flowtube when it is being vibrated by the driver, wherein the sensors are positioned relative to one another so the signals from the sensors are indicative of a mass flow rate of fluid through the flowtube. A digital drive signal generator is adapted to generate a variable digital drive signal for controlling operation of the driver. The digital drive signal generator can be adapted to cause the driver to resist motion of the flowtube during a first time period and amplify motion of the flowtube during a second time period. The digital drive signal generator can also be adapted to initiate motion of the flowtube by sending one or more square wave signals to the driver.

Abstract: A first apparent property of a multi-phase process fluid is determined based on the motion of the vibratable flowtube. One or more apparent intermediate values associated with the multi-phase process fluid are determined based on the first apparent property. A measure of wetness of the multi-phase process fluid is determined based on a mapping between one or more of the apparent intermediate values and the measure of wetness. A second apparent property of the multi-phase process fluid is determined using the differential pressure flowmeter. One or more phase-specific properties of the multi-phase process fluid is determined based on the measure of wetness and the second apparent property.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, an improved control network (or portion thereof) that includes a plurality of nodes, each associated with respective control devices (e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors, etc.). Each of the nodes also includes one or more radios supporting wireless communications pathways with one or more of the other nodes, which pathways together form at least part of a mesh network. At least a first one of the nodes wirelessly transmits information simultaneously, or substantially simultaneously, over at least two pathways formed in a mesh network to a second one of the nodes. The radio(s) of the first node, according to related aspects of the invention, sends that information wirelessly at different frequencies along each of those pathways.

Abstract: A refrigerated container system is described that includes a wireless personal area network (WPAN) including a plurality of wireless sensor nodes and a coordinator node through which the sensors provide sensor data to a controller for the refrigerated container system. The wireless sensors and the coordinator incorporate a variety of features that ensure efficient utilization of battery life by preventing unintended pairing of sensors with other WPANs and excessive sensor signal processing arising from door chatter. Finally, pairing is performed without pressing a button on the wireless door sensor. Instead, the sensor's magnetic reed switch is enlisted to detect swiping of a magnet by a user to enter a pairing mode.

Abstract: A control and measurement system for a coriolis flowmeter having a flowtube, a driver adapted to vibrate the flowtube, and a pair of sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of movement of the flowtube when it is being vibrated by the driver, wherein the sensors are positioned relative to one another so the signals from the sensors are indicative of a mass flow rate of fluid through the flowtube. A digital drive signal generator is adapted to generate a variable digital drive signal for controlling operation of the driver. The digital drive signal generator can be adapted to cause the driver to resist motion of the flowtube during a first time period and amplify motion of the flowtube during a second time period. The digital drive signal generator can also be adapted to initiate motion of the flowtube by sending one or more square wave signals to the driver.

Abstract: A sensing system comprising a sensor for generating an analog electrical signal indicative of a sensed physical property and an A/D converter for converting the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal. A control circuit connected to the A/D converter is configured to receive the digital electrical signal and to perform a plurality of sensing system operations including determining a measurement value of the physical property as a function of said received digital electrical signal. A slew rate detection circuit connected to the sensor is configured to detect when the analog electrical signal indicates a slew rate that exceeds a threshold value, and to generate an interrupt electrical signal when the slew rate is detected as exceeding the threshold value. The control circuit determines a measurement value of the physical property in response to receiving the interrupt signal.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system comprises a computer system comprising at least one processor, a thermodynamic state solver application, and a thermodynamic system solver application. When executed by the at least one processor, the thermodynamic state solver application computes a flash equilibrium state solution for each of a plurality of nodes in a thermodynamic network and determines for each of the plurality of nodes at least one sensitivity of a first thermodynamic property with reference to at least one second thermodynamic property. When executed by the at least one processor, the thermodynamic system solver computes a pressure at each of the nodes and flows between the nodes based at least in part on the sensitivities, wherein a result based on the pressures and flows is determined.

Abstract: Enabling communication between real and simulated elements of a process control system. Software instructions stored in a memory device are executed by a processor to represent a virtual switch. The virtual switch connects to a real element of a process control system and to a simulated element of a process control system. The virtual switch receives communication from the real element intended for the simulated element and forwards the communication to the proper simulated element. The virtual switch receives communication from the simulated element intended for the real element and forwards the communication to the proper real element.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating simulations for a distributed control system is disclosed herein. A programmed process model generator automatically incorporates a variety of process model data from pre-defined model libraries into descriptions of process equipment including control devices to render simulation models of various degrees of fidelity.