Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for supporting wired and wireless communications in industrial safety systems. The apparatus, system and method involve a safety management controller comprising one or more processors, one or more wired interfaces, and one or more wireless interfaces; wherein the safety management controller supports an application stack associated with an open industrial protocol that operates over multiple communication protocols, at least one of the communication protocols comprising a wired communication protocol, at least one other of the communication protocols comprising a wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: Communications interface systems and methods for industrial process and manufacturing control. A first infrastructure supports a group of downloadable server protocol applications and a group of downloadable client protocol applications. A second infrastructure supports a group of pluggable hardware interfaces that connect with an underlying communications network. Additionally, a common infrastructure can be configured, which includes a manager and data aggregation layer that connects to and communicates with the group of downloadable server protocol applications and the group of downloadable client protocol applications. The common infrastructure manages and aggregates data between the first infrastructure and the second infrastructure and creates new interface features by plugging in new and/or available components in multiple form factors.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for supporting wired and wireless communications in industrial safety systems. The apparatus, system and method involve a safety management controller comprising one or more processors, one or more wired interfaces, and one or more wireless interfaces; wherein the safety management controller supports an application stack associated with an open industrial protocol that operates over multiple communication protocols, at least one of the communication protocols comprising a wired communication protocol, at least one other of the communication protocols comprising a wireless communication protocol.

Abstract: A device includes multiple communication interfaces configured to send and receive data over multiple communication paths. The device also includes multiple input/output (I/O) channels configured to communicate with multiple field devices. The device further includes at least one processing device configured to process at least some of the data and control at least one of the field devices based on the processed data. The device may also include an intrinsic safety barrier electrically separating the communication interfaces and the I/O channels. The communication interfaces may include at least one first interface configured to communicate over one or more first communication paths with at least one component of an industrial control system and at least one second interface configured to communicate over one or more second communication paths with at least one other device that is configured to communicate with additional field devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one transceiver configured to transmit or receive at least one data signal over a shared physical medium. The physical medium includes a bus configured to be coupled to multiple devices including the apparatus and provides a multi-drop capability. The at least one transceiver is configured to transmit or receive the at least one data signal at a rate of more than 10 Mbps. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a MAC driver configured to route network layer data over the physical medium. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a MAC driver configured to control transmissions and receptions of network layer data over the physical medium by the at least one transceiver and a logic device configured to control physical layer signaling, interface with the MAC driver, enable the transmissions and receptions of the network layer data on the physical medium, and implement collision detection and avoidance.

Abstract: A system includes a high speed bus and a plurality of multi-function modules coupled to the high speed bus. The plurality of multi-function modules includes at least one controller configured to execute control logic for the system. The plurality of multi-function modules also includes at least one arbitrator configured to manage the at least one controller. The plurality of multi-function modules further includes at least one input/output (IO) manager configured to interface between the at least one controller and at least one field device.

Abstract: Communications interface systems and methods for industrial process and manufacturing control. A first infrastructure supports a group of downloadable server protocol applications and a group of downloadable client protocol applications. A second infrastructure supports a group of pluggable hardware interfaces that connect with an underlying communications network. Additionally, a common infrastructure can be configured, which includes a manager and data aggregation layer that connects to and communicates with the group of downloadable server protocol applications and the group of downloadable client protocol applications. The common infrastructure manages and aggregates data between the first infrastructure and the second infrastructure and creates new interface features by plugging in new and/or available components in multiple form factors.

Abstract: A system includes a high speed bus and a plurality of multi-function modules coupled to the high speed bus. The plurality of multi-function modules includes at least one controller configured to execute control logic for the system. The plurality of multi-function modules also includes at least one arbitrator configured to manage the at least one controller. The plurality of multi-function modules further includes at least one input/output (IO) manager configured to interface between the at least one controller and at least one field device.

Abstract: A device includes multiple communication interfaces configured to send and receive data over multiple communication paths. The device also includes multiple input/output (I/O) channels configured to communicate with multiple field devices. The device further includes at least one processing device configured to process at least some of the data and control at least one of the field devices based on the processed data. The device may also include an intrinsic safety barrier electrically separating the communication interfaces and the I/O channels. The communication interfaces may include at least one first interface configured to communicate over one or more first communication paths with at least one component of an industrial control system and at least one second interface configured to communicate over one or more second communication paths with at least one other device that is configured to communicate with additional field devices.

Abstract: A method of maintenance training simulation includes providing an at least partially virtual reality trainee console having training software, a simulated control and safety system of a plant represented as a data model of simulated hardware devices including a process controller, and a mapping block for interfacing the trainee console to the data model. The mapping block converts an injected hardware fault involving a simulated hardware device to make a change to the data model which changes a current operating state of the simulated system. A response of the process controller is displayed showing changes to the current operating state to the trainee. The mapping block converts an action of the trainee to the changes to the current operating state to generate a further change in the data model. A response of the process controller is displayed showing the further changes in the current operating state to the trainee.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one transceiver configured to transmit or receive at least one data signal over a shared physical medium. The physical medium includes a bus configured to be coupled to multiple devices including the apparatus and provides a multi-drop capability. The at least one transceiver is configured to transmit or receive the at least one data signal at a rate of more than 10 Mbps. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a MAC driver configured to route network layer data over the physical medium. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a MAC driver configured to control transmissions and receptions of network layer data over the physical medium by the at least one transceiver and a logic device configured to control physical layer signaling, interface with the MAC driver, enable the transmissions and receptions of the network layer data on the physical medium, and implement collision detection and avoidance.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a first voltage (VA) across a first sensing coil of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and measuring a second voltage (VB) across a second sensing coil of the LVDT. The method also includes signaling a core fallout condition in response to (i) determining that a ratio of VA and VB is within a specified range of a value of one and (ii) determining that a sum of VA and VB is less than a sum of VA0 and VB0 by more than a specified amount. VA0 and VB0 are minimum voltages across the first and second sensing coils of the LVDT, respectively, when a core of the LVDT is in the LVDT.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for testing a secondary servo control circuit in a redundant control configuration. A first circuit is configured to receive a control signal and to control an attribute of an actuator based on the control signal using a first control input of the actuator. A second circuit is configured to test operation of an actuator circuit using a test signal. The actuator circuit includes at least part of the second circuit and a second control input of the actuator. The test signal is selected to avoid causing independent motion of the actuator. The actuator could be a dual coil servo valve, and the test signal could be a current (such as a DC current, an AC current, or a pulsed current) having a magnitude less than a bias current of the actuator.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a first voltage (VA) across a first sensing coil of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and measuring a second voltage (VB) across a second sensing coil of the LVDT. The method also includes signaling a core fallout condition in response to (i) determining that a ratio of VA and VB is within a specified range of a value of one and (ii) determining that a sum of VA and VB is less than a sum of VA0 and VB0 by more than a specified amount. VA0 and VB0 are minimum voltages across the first and second sensing coils of the LVDT, respectively, when a core of the LVDT is in the LVDT.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for testing a secondary servo control circuit in a redundant control configuration. A first circuit is configured to receive a control signal and to control an attribute of an actuator based on the control signal using a first control input of the actuator. A second circuit is configured to test operation of an actuator circuit using a test signal. The actuator circuit includes at least part of the second circuit and a second control input of the actuator. The test signal is selected to avoid causing independent motion of the actuator. The actuator could be a dual coil servo valve, and the test signal could be a current (such as a DC current, an AC current, or a pulsed current) having a magnitude less than a bias current of the actuator.