Abstract: A system for non-intrusively measuring process fluid pressure within a process fluid conduit is provided. The system includes a measurement bracket configured to couple to an external surface of the process fluid conduit. The measurement bracket generates a variable gap based on deformation of the process fluid conduit in response to process fluid pressure therein. A gap measurement system is coupled to the measurement bracket and provides an electrical signal based on a measurement of the variable gap. A controller is coupled to the gap measurement system and is configured to calculate and provide a process fluid pressure output based on the electrical signal and information relative to the process fluid conduit.

Abstract: A field device includes a process communication module, a graphical display and a controller. The process communication module is configured to communicate in accordance with a process industry standard communication protocol. The controller is operably coupled to the process communication module and the graphical display and is configured to responsively cause the graphical display to generate a machine-readable display output.

Abstract: A heating assembly includes a base plate. The heating assembly also includes a heating component coupled to the base plate configured to heat an enclosure of the heating assembly and a fan assembly coupled to the base plate configured to circulate the heated air within the enclosure of the heating assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a plurality of antennas that can be interconnected with each other and with a central receiver in a self-assembling manner, such that antennas can be added, removed, and replaced with minimal configuration. Each antenna comprises an antenna feed circuit, an input connector, and an output connector. Each of the antennas may be configured to assign a first set of signal channels at its output connector to a second set of signal channels at its input connector (or vice versa) according to a predetermined or dynamically determined mapping. Each antenna may be further configured to assign a signal channel at its input connector to the signal it receives at its antenna feed circuitry. By sharing the same configuration for mapping signal channels between the antennas' input and output connectors and feed circuitry, the antennas can be added or removed in a sequence of antennas using simple cable connections and without having to rewire the connections at the central receiver.

Abstract: A process transmitter includes a process variable sensor, a test circuit, a switch and a controller. The process variable sensor includes a sensor output that is indicative of a sensed process variable. The test circuit is configured to detect a condition of the process variable sensor. The switch is configured to selectively connect the test circuit to the process variable sensor and disconnect the test circuit from the process variable sensor. The controller is configured to obtain a measurement of the process variable, control the switch, detect a condition of the process variable sensor by comparing the sensor output when the test circuit is connected to the process variable sensor to the sensor output when the test circuit is disconnected from the process variable sensor, and communicate the condition in the measurement to an external control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical discharge includes a component that generates an electrical discharge, a measurement circuit configured to measure a magnitude of the electrical discharge, and a controller configured to control the magnitudes of the electrical discharge. A method for controlling a reference partial discharge signal in an electric power system includes generating a partial discharge for built in self test, controlling an expected discharge magnitude of the partial discharge, and includes measuring an actual discharge magnitude of the partial discharge.

Abstract: A process analytic system includes an analytic sensor configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid. The process analytic system also includes measurement circuitry coupled to the analytic sensor and configured to generate an indication of the characteristic of the fluid. The process analytic system includes a processor coupled to the measurement circuitry and configured to receive the indication of the characteristic of the fluid and calculate a sensor-related output based on the indication of the characteristic of the fluid. In addition, the process analytic system includes a diagnostics component configured to determine a rate of degradation of the analytic sensor based on the sensor-related output and a reference value, wherein the rate of degradation is compared to a pre-selected threshold.

Abstract: A microwave resonator flame ionization detector assembly includes a microwave resonator disposed proximate a flame to evaluate an ion concentration in a flame effluent. A resonant frequency of the microwave resonator is detected, and a reflection coefficient of the resonator is used to determine an electric permittivity of a material in which the resonator is immersed. The electric permittivity depends on an ion concentration proximal to the resonator, and the ion concentration is related to the concentration of hydrocarbons present in the flame.

Abstract: An electronics package includes a platform and a board mounted to the platform, the board having electronics mounted thereon. A feedthrough pin passes through and is hermetically sealed to a feedthrough body and is wire bonded to the board. A cover is bonded to and surrounds the exterior surface of the feedthrough body to produce a hermetically sealed chamber that houses the platform and the board.

Abstract: An industrial process vessel insulation monitoring system for monitoring an insulated section of a process vessel containing a process material includes one or more condition sensors and a controller. The condition sensors are configured to sense at least one environmental condition, such as temperature, humidity, moisture level, and/or chemical composition, and generate condition outputs that are indicative of the corresponding sensed condition. The controller is configured to detect at least one section condition relating to the insulated section based on the condition output, and generate condition information relating to the at least one detected section condition. Examples of the section conditions include a thermal resistance of an insulation of the insulated section, damage or degradation to an insulation of the insulated section, corrosion of the process vessel at the insulated section, conditions that promote corrosion of the process vessel, and moisture intrusion to the insulation.

Abstract: A colorimetric analyzer includes a reaction chamber configured to receive a sample and at least one reagent. A measurement cell is operably coupled to the reaction chamber. The measurement cell has an illumination source and an illumination detector spaced from the illumination source such that illumination from the illumination source passes through the reacted sample to the illumination detector. A controller is coupled to the illumination source and the illumination detector. The controller is configured to generate an analytic output based on a signal from the illumination detector. A fill conduit is operably interposed between the reaction chamber and the measurement cell. The fill conduit is configured to reduce bubbles.

Abstract: A process diaphragm seal includes a seal body, a diaphragm, and a ring member. The seal body includes a flange that surrounds a cavity. The diaphragm includes an active portion that extends over the cavity and a peripheral portion that surrounds the active portion. The ring member clamps the peripheral portion of the diaphragm to an outer wall of the flange through an interference fit between an inner wall of the ring member and the outer wall of the flange. A seal is formed between the peripheral portion of the diaphragm and the outer wall of the flange.

Abstract: A positioning system, includes a plurality of anchor stations each configured to transmit a radio frequency signal. A mobile station includes a radio frequency transceiver configured to transmit and receive a radio frequency signal from at least one of the plurality of anchor stations. A processing unit is configured to determine position information of the mobile unit based upon the transmitted and received radio frequency signal. Another positioning system uses a number of beacons ranging a number of mobile tags with ultra-wide band ranging, and communicating wirelessly with an application server.

Abstract: A pipe diagnostic system includes a sensor capsule, measurement circuitry and a controller. The sensor capsule is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of a pipe and has at least one temperature sensitive element disposed therein. The measurement circuitry is coupled to the sensor capsule and is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element and provide an indication of the measurement. The controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to obtain a transmitter reference measurement and employ a heat transfer calculation with the transmitter reference measurement and the indication to generate an estimated process fluid temperature. The controller is further configured to obtain an indication of process fluid temperature and provide a pipe diagnostic indication based on a comparison of the estimated process fluid temperature and the obtained indication of process fluid temperature.

Abstract: A level transmitter includes an analog-to-digital convertor clock signal generator that receives a transmitter clock signal that is used to establish when an incident signal is transmitted toward a material boundary. The analog-to-digital convertor clock signal generator uses the received transmitter clock signal to generate an analog-to-digital convertor clock signal. An analog-to-digital convertor samples an analog waveform based on the analog-to-digital convertor clock signal and generates a digital value for each sample of the analog waveform. An analysis module analyzes the digital values to determine a distance to the material boundary.

Abstract: A diagnostic field device for identifying a diagnostic condition in an industrial process includes an infrared sensor array having a plurality of infrared sensors arranged to sense infrared emissions from a location in the industrial process. Processing circuitry processes outputs from the plurality of infrared sensors of the sensor array and generates an infrared image. Diagnostic circuitry compares processed outputs from at least two subsections of the infrared image and provides a diagnostic output based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A process fluid temperature estimation system includes a mounting assembly that is configured to mount the process fluid temperature estimation system to an external surface of a process fluid conduit. A sensor capsule has at least one temperature sensitive element disposed therein. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the sensor capsule and is configured to detect a characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element that varies with temperature and provide sensor capsule temperature information. A high temperature spacer has a known thermal conductivity and is configured to be interposed between the external surface of the process fluid conduit and the at least one temperature sensitive element.

Abstract: A method for determining a dynamic rating for a conductive path includes using a sensor to measure a value for a load parameter and selecting a heating process associated with the load parameter. A rated temperature change is changed by removing temperature changes due to a heating process other than the selected heating process to produce an impaired rated temperature change. A thermal load percentage is determined from the impaired rated temperature change. The thermal load percentage and the measured value are then used to determine the dynamic rating for the load parameter. A method also includes measuring a temperature rise, a current, and a voltage on the conductive path multiple times. Using at least two basis functions and the multiple measured temperature rises, currents and voltages, the values for at least two variables are determined. Trends in each variable are determined to determine a condition of electric equipment.

Abstract: An averaging pitot tube probe assembly for use in sensing a parameter of a fluid flow in a process vessel includes an averaging pitot tube probe extending through the process vessel. The probe includes a first end extending through a first opening in the process vessel, and a second end extending through a second opening in the process vessel. A fixed mount secures the first end in a fixed position relative to the process vessel. A tensioning mount includes a tensioner that is attached to the second end of the probe and is configured to adjust a tension in the probe, and thereby adjust a resonant frequency of the probe.

Abstract: A process fluid temperature measurement system includes a thermowell configured to couple to a process fluid conduit and extend through a wall of the process fluid conduit. A temperature sensor assembly is disposed within the thermowell and includes a first temperature sensitive element and a second temperature sensitive element. The first temperature sensitive element is disposed within the thermowell adjacent a distal end of the thermowell. The second temperature sensitive element is spaced apart from the first temperature sensitive element along a spacer having a known thermal conductivity. Transmitter circuitry is coupled to the first and second temperature sensitive elements and is configured to perform a heat flux calculation to provide a process fluid temperature output.