Patents by Inventor Alan R. Dewey
Alan R. Dewey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10585422Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool system for performing a plurality of different functional tasks on one or more equipment assets in a plant includes a handheld base and a plurality of functional modules for attachment to the handheld base. Each functional module, when operatively attached to the handheld base, interacts with computer circuits on the handheld base to perform a pre-defined one or more of the functional tasks. A portable handheld field maintenance tool for performing one or more pre-selected ones of the functional tasks on an equipment asset in a plant is formed by operatively mounting any one of the functional modules to the handheld base.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Brad Mathiowetz, Todd M. Toepke, Stephen Armstrong
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Patent number: 10481627Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Christian R. Butikofer, Anthony Ferguson, Christopher P. Kantzes, Jon Westbrock, Thinh D. Le, Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Mehul Rajeshbhai Dalal, Todd M. Toepke
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Patent number: 10374873Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Stephen Armstrong, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Patent number: 10270853Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Publication number: 20180024582Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Christian R. Butikofer, Anthony Ferguson, Christopher P. Kantzes, Jon Westbrock, Thinh D. Le, Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Mehul Rajeshbhai Dalal, Todd M. Toepke
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Publication number: 20180024534Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool system for performing a plurality of different functional tasks on one or more equipment assets in a plant includes a handheld base and a plurality of functional modules for attachment to the handheld base. Each functional module, when operatively attached to the handheld base, interacts with computer circuits on the handheld base to perform a pre-defined one or more of the functional tasks. A portable handheld field maintenance tool for performing one or more pre-selected ones of the functional tasks on an equipment asset in a plant is formed by operatively mounting any one of the functional modules to the handheld base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Alden C. Russell, III, Alan R. Dewey, Brad Mathiowetz, Todd M. Toepke, Stephen Armstrong
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Publication number: 20180027071Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Publication number: 20180026840Abstract: A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Todd M. Toepke, Joseph D. Fisher, James R. Logerquist, Alan R. Dewey, Stephen Armstrong, Laura Briggs, Ronald Hempel
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Patent number: 9503906Abstract: A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount System, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Joseph Citrano, III, Todd Mitchell Toepke, Alden C. Russell, III, Eric D. Rotvold
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Publication number: 20140036712Abstract: A method of evaluating a potential location to add a wireless field device to an existing network of a plurality of existing wireless field devices is provided. The method includes placing a handheld field maintenance tool in the potential location and causing the handheld field maintenance tool to identify wireless field devices within communicative range of the potential location. Information related to wireless communication at the potential location is viewed. Methods are also provided for identifying a selected field device in a process installation using a handheld field maintenance tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Joseph Citrano, III, Todd Mitchell Toepke, Alden C. Russell, III, Eric D. Rotvold
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Patent number: 8364431Abstract: A calibrator for field devices is provided. In one aspect, the calibrator has the ability to communicate in accordance with at least two process communication protocols, and tests an attached process connection before engaging communication. In another aspect, the calibrator includes isolation circuitry to facilitate compliance with at least one intrinsic safety requirement, while communicating with field devices using an all-digital process communication protocol. In another aspect, a method of calibrating field devices is provided which accesses device descriptions of the field devices to generate calibration tasks.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alden C. Russell, Alan R. Dewey
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Patent number: 8224256Abstract: A wireless field maintenance adapter includes a power source, a controller, a low-power radio-frequency communication module, and a wireless process communication protocol module. The controller is coupled to the power source. The low-power radio-frequency communication module is also coupled to the controller. The wireless process communication protocol module is coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to communicate through the wireless process communication protocol module based on information received from the low-power radio-frequency communication module.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Fisher-Rosemont Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Citrano, III, Todd M. Toepke, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Stephen Armstrong, Craig T. Llewellyn, David J. Baker, Stuart A. Harris
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Publication number: 20100190442Abstract: A wireless field maintenance adapter includes a power source, a controller, a low-power radio-frequency communication module, and a wireless process communication protocol module. The controller is coupled to the power source. The low-power radio-frequency communication module is also coupled to the controller. The wireless process communication protocol module is coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to communicate through the wireless process communication protocol module based on information received from the low-power radio-frequency communication module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Joseph Citrano, III, Todd M. Toepke, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III, Stephen Armstrong, Craig T. Llewellyn, David J. Baker, Stuart A. Harris
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Patent number: 7426452Abstract: A dual-protocol handheld field maintenance tool is provided with radio frequency communication. The radio frequency commination can be provided by virtue of an SDIO card inserted within an SDIO slot in the handheld field maintenance tool. A method of interacting with a process using a dual-protocol handheld field maintenance tool is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems. Inc.Inventors: Martin Zielinski, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, II
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Publication number: 20080091376Abstract: A calibrator for field devices is provided. In one aspect, the calibrator has the ability to communicate in accordance with at least two process communication protocols, and tests an attached process connection before engaging communication. In another aspect, the calibrator includes isolation circuitry to facilitate compliance with at least one intrinsic safety requirement, while communicating with field devices using an all-digital process communication protocol. In another aspect, a method of calibrating field devices is provided which accesses device descriptions of the field devices to generate calibration tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alden C. Russell, Alan R. Dewey
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Patent number: 7117122Abstract: An improved field maintenance tool is provided. The tool is operable with process communication loops in accordance with a plurality of process industry standard protocols. Aspects of the invention include hardware features such as an infrared port; removable memory module; and an expansion memory module. Additional aspects of the invention include protocol-specific diagnostic methods executable with the improved field maintenance tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Martin Zielinski, Daniel E. Vande Vusse, Kun Yang, Alan R. Dewey, Alden C. Russell, III
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Patent number: 7027952Abstract: A method for preventing unsafe transmission on an incompatible network with a multi-protocol intrinsically safe handheld field maintenance tool as provided. The method preferably includes checking voltage levels on two sets of network connections when a network connection is detected or indicated on one set. If incompatible voltage levels are detected, the field technician is warned. If voltage levels are appropriate on a selected set of network terminals, the method continues by listening for network traffic of the selected network type. In this manner, a multi-protocol intrinsically safe handheld field maintenance tool is operable with multiple process control communication protocols while minimizing the risk of incompatible data/signal transmission upon process communication loops.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Moises A. DelaCruz, Daniel E. Vande Vusse, Kun Yang, Alan R. Dewey, Gregory J. Opheim
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Patent number: D818857Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Todd M. Toepke, Tom Johnson
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Patent number: D856831Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Todd M. Toepke, Tom Johnson
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Patent number: D885215Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alan R. Dewey, Todd M. Toepke, Tom Johnson