Abstract: A method for updating a process control system having a plurality of different hardware units includes providing a firmware data package, connecting a computing unit to an interface unit, transferring the firmware data package to the interface unit, providing current status data comprising information about the different hardware unit and information about the current firmware versions of the different hardware unit, checking whether the different hardware unit and the current firmware versions are compatible with the firmware update data for the different hardware units based on the current status data, and determining a checking result. When the checking result is positive, firmware update data in the different hardware unit is installed, and when the checking result is negative, an incompatibility message is provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for increasing the availability of displacement/position measuring systems on the basis of potentiometers with a slider tap in a closed control loop, the controller of which is formed by a microcontroller which is supplied with the position of the slider via an analog/digital converter. At least part of the sensor range of the potentiometer is scanned on request by presetting a sequence of manipulated variables and an available control loop variable which represents the position value at a high sampling rate outside process tasks is recorded, to determine the exact position of a defective slider position of the potentiometer by evaluating the variable. The reference variable of the control loop is overloaded in a defined manner within the process task such that the defective slider position is passed over during the displacement/position measurement and an intact slider position is reached.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a digital position transmitter for control of an actuating element having a positioner in a process installation, with the position transmitter having a regulator with a dead band in order to suppress disturbance signals. It is proposed that the dead band in each case lags the set-value change asymmetrically with respect to the set value.

Abstract: A device for activating an electropneumatic valve of a pressure medium-operated position controller, in which the valve is activated by a manipulated variable. To achieve a blocking fail-safe behavior in case of a failure of a pressure medium, the device includes means for detecting the current position of a booster stage downstream of the valve and assigning the manipulated variable based on the detected position, and means for measuring a first variable to be influenced by the position controller. The device includes an evaluation unit configured to determine an expected directional reaction of the first variable to the assigned manipulated variable, compare the expected reaction with the measured reaction, determine a pressure medium failure as a fault situation if the expected reaction does not coincide with the measured reaction, and assign, as a new manipulated variable for the valve, an emergency signal generating a blocking fail-safe behavior of the valve.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control device which is answered by the control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being issued as a function of the current process sequence at the armature.

Abstract: A method for increasing the availability of displacement/position measuring systems using a potentiometer with a slider tap in a closed control loop. The controller of the potentiometer is formed by a microcontroller which is supplied with the position of the slider via an analog/digital converter. The operating range is shifted within the sensor range in a direction of one of two limits of the operating range at least by a distance between the other of two limits of the operating range and a defective slider position by temporarily interrupting an operative connection between the displacement pick-off on the actuator and the potentiometer shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for increasing the availability of displacement/position measuring systems on the basis of potentiometers with a slider tap in a closed control loop, the controller of which is formed by a microcontroller which is supplied with the position of the slider via an analog/digital converter. At least part of the sensor range of the potentiometer is scanned on request by presetting a sequence of manipulated variables and an available control loop variable which represents the position value at a high sampling rate outside process tasks is recorded, to determine the exact position of a defective slider position of the potentiometer by evaluating the variable. The reference variable of the control loop is overloaded in a defined manner within the process task such that the defective slider position is passed over during the displacement/position measurement and an intact slider position is reached.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for increasing the availability of displacement/position measuring systems on the basis of potentiometers with a slider tap in a closed control loop, the controller of which is formed by a microcontroller which is supplied with the position of the slider via an analog/digital converter. The position of a defective slider position of the potentiometer is determined within the active process task by evaluating an available control loop variable, and the reference variable of the control loop is overloaded in a defined manner such that the defective slider position is passed over during the displacement/position measurement and an intact slider position is reached.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for identification of pneumatic drives. The pneumatic actuating drive is controlled by an electro-pneumatic position regulator, which is equipped with a microcontroller, at least one electro-pneumatic transducer for controlling the pressure-medium flow to and from the drive, and a communication interface. After the position regulator has been started up with an initial setting, a nominal value profile and an actual value profile can be analyzed during operation and, if a control error exceeds a predeterminable minimum value, the manipulated variable from the position regulator can be temporarily replaced by a test signal during which operating parameters of the controlled system are recorded from which current regulator parameters are determined.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided for logging process variables of a bus-controlled automation system in which process variables which are relevant to evaluation are buffered in at least one digital field device and are subsequently read, for the purpose of evaluation, by a central computer unit which is connected to the field device via a data bus. Process variable values which are relevant to evaluation are buffered in the field device in the form of a message, a plurality of equidistantly successive process variable values are recorded as messages, where the first process variable value is assigned a time stamp recorded for each message, and further process variable values are stored in further identical messages.

Abstract: A device for activating an electropneumatic valve of a pressure medium-operated position controller, in which the valve is activated by a manipulated variable. To achieve a blocking fail-safe behavior in case of a failure of a pressure medium, the device includes means for detecting the current position of a booster stage downstream of the valve and assigning the manipulated variable based on the detected position, and means for measuring a first variable to be influenced by the position controller. The device includes an evaluation unit configured to determine an expected directional reaction of the first variable to the assigned manipulated variable, compare the expected reaction with the measured reaction, determine a pressure medium failure as a fault situation if the expected reaction does not coincide with the measured reaction, and assign, as a new manipulated variable for the valve, an emergency signal generating a blocking fail-safe behavior of the valve.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a digital position transmitter for control of an actuating element having a positioner in a process installation, with the position transmitter having a regulator with a dead band in order to suppress disturbance signals. It is proposed that the dead band in each case lags the set-value change asymmetrically with respect to the set value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control device which is answered by the control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being issued as a function of the current process sequence at the armature.