Patents by Inventor Godfrey Sherriff
Godfrey Sherriff 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: 11914360Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement safety applications associated with process control systems are disclosed. An apparatus includes a configuration controller to: provide a plurality of available safety applications for implementation by a safety trip device to a user for selection, a first one of the safety applications associated with a first set of I/O signals, a second one of the safety applications associated with a second set of I/O signals, the first safety application implemented based on first pre-programmed instructions stored in memory of the safety trip device, the second safety application implemented based on second pre-programmed instructions stored in the memory; and, in response to a user selection of the first safety application, prompt the user to specify values for configuration settings associated with the first safety application. The apparatus also includes an I/O analyzer to implement the first safety application.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMONT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff, Sergio Diaz
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Publication number: 20230130898Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement safety applications associated with process control systems are disclosed. An apparatus includes a configuration controller to: provide a plurality of available safety applications for implementation by a safety trip device to a user for selection, a first one of the safety applications associated with a first set of I/O signals, a second one of the safety applications associated with a second set of I/O signals, the first safety application implemented based on first pre-programmed instructions stored in memory of the safety trip device, the second safety application implemented based on second pre-programmed instructions stored in the memory; and, in response to a user selection of the first safety application, prompt the user to specify values for configuration settings associated with the first safety application. The apparatus also includes an I/O analyzer to implement the first safety application.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff, Sergio Diaz
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Patent number: 11537088Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement safety applications associated with process control systems are disclosed. An apparatus includes a configuration controller to: provide a plurality of available safety applications for implementation by a safety trip device to a user for selection, a first one of the safety applications associated with a first set of I/O signals, a second one of the safety applications associated with a second set of I/O signals, the first safety application implemented based on first pre-programmed instructions stored in memory of the safety trip device, the second safety application implemented based on second pre-programmed instructions stored in the memory; and, in response to a user selection of the first safety application, prompt the user to specify values for configuration settings associated with the first safety application. The apparatus also includes an I/O analyzer to implement the first safety application.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff, Sergio Diaz
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Patent number: 11126636Abstract: Apparatus and methods for secure data logging are disclosed. An example method for secure data transfer from a process control system network includes storing information received by a process controller via the process control system network, the process controller including a safety instrumented system controller or a process control system controller, the information transferred uni-directionally from the process control system network to a data logger via a data diode, identifying a trigger event on the process control system network, in response to identifying the trigger event, parsing the stored information for event data, and transferring the event data from the data logger to a data extractor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sergio Diaz, Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20210149909Abstract: Apparatus and methods for secure data logging are disclosed. An example method for secure data transfer from a process control system network includes storing information received by a process controller via the process control system network, the process controller including a safety instrumented system controller or a process control system controller, the information transferred uni-directionally from the process control system network to a data logger via a data diode, identifying a trigger event on the process control system network, in response to identifying the trigger event, parsing the stored information for event data, and transferring the event data from the data logger to a data extractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Sergio Diaz, Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20210080913Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement safety applications associated with process control systems are disclosed. An apparatus includes a configuration controller to: provide a plurality of available safety applications for implementation by a safety trip device to a user for selection, a first one of the safety applications associated with a first set of I/O signals, a second one of the safety applications associated with a second set of I/O signals, the first safety application implemented based on first pre-programmed instructions stored in memory of the safety trip device, the second safety application implemented based on second pre-programmed instructions stored in the memory; and, in response to a user selection of the first safety application, prompt the user to specify values for configuration settings associated with the first safety application. The apparatus also includes an I/O analyzer to implement the first safety application.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Gary K. Law, Godfrey Sherriff, Sergio Diaz
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Patent number: 7237109Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common security, communication and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Fisher- Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Cindy Scott, Gary Law, Michael G. Ott, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20070083275Abstract: The claimed system provides an I/O card that is used to interface two process controllers over a communication line that is separate from a primary communication line connecting the two process controllers to a workstation. The process controllers can access the I/O cards in a similar manner to I/O cards used to connect to field devices. In this manner, the physical hardware and software architecture does not need to be modified for inter-controller communications. Inter-controller communications can be programmed as general I/O communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Gary Law, Kent Burr, Godfrey Sherriff
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Patent number: 7130703Abstract: A voter function block, which can be integrated into a function block diagram programming environment in a process plant control or safety system, implements voter logic in conjunction with providing operational and maintenance overrides which may be set to override individual inputs to the voter function block as well as to override the output of the voter function block. The voter function block, which is easy to create, use, test, debug and document, includes one or input limit detection units which detect if a particular redundant input has reached a specified limit indicating a condition within the process plant, an override unit that may be set by a user to override the consideration of that input in the voting function, a voting logic entity that determines if a trip condition exists based on the values of the valid or non-inhibited inputs, and an inhibit block that may used to override the output of the voter logic block during, for example, a startup or other operational condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Ott, Gary Law, Dennis Stevenson, Robert Havekost, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20060111794Abstract: Secure data write apparatus and methods for use in safety instrumented process control systems select a parameter associated with a process control element within the process control system and send first data associated with the parameter to the process control element. A confirmation associated with a request to write the first data to the process control element is received from a user and the second data is sent to the process control element in response to receiving the confirmation. The first and second data are compared at the process control element and the first or second data are written to a location in the process control element associated with the parameter if the first and second data are at least substantially identical.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2004Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: Alan Wysuph, Michael Ott, Bruce Campney, Cindy Scott, Michael Ausen, Gary Law, Godfrey Sherriff, David Smith, Julian Naidoo
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Publication number: 20060089739Abstract: A method and system for equipment arbitration in a process control system are presented. The method and system include receiving a request for a first resource associated with a first area from a first resource user associated with a second area where the first and second areas are distinct. The method and system automatically determine whether the first resource is available for use by the first resource user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Godfrey Sherriff, Nathan Pettus, William Irwin, Grant Wilson, David Deitz
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Patent number: 6975966Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common communication, diagnostic and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.Inventors: Cindy Scott, Gary Law, Michael G. Ott, Godfrey Sherriff, Robert Havekost
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Publication number: 20050055695Abstract: A control system, a safety system, etc., within a process plant may each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may cause a state machine implemented by the state machine function block to change states. The state machine function block may determine a next state to which it is to transition based, at least in part, on data indicative of the next state to which to transition, if any. The configuration data may be retrieved from a database based on the current state of the state machine and at least one of the inputs. The state machine function block may also include one or more outputs that are generated based on the state of the state machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Gary Law, Michael Ott, Kent Burr, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20050055111Abstract: A control system, a safety system, etc., within a process plant may each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may or may not cause a state machine implemented by the state machine function block to change states. The state machine function block may also include a plurality of outputs. Output configuration data associated with the function block may indicate values of the outputs of the function block for each of the states of the state machine. The state machine function block may use this output configuration data to determine its outputs when in a particular state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Gary Law, Michael Ott, Kent Burr, Godfrey Sherriff, Julian Naidoo
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Publication number: 20040255013Abstract: A voter function block, which can be integrated into a function block diagram programming environment in a process plant control or safety system, implements voter logic in conjunction with providing operational and maintenance overrides which may be set to override individual inputs to the voter function block as well as to override the output of the voter function block. The voter function block, which is easy to create, use, test, debug and document, includes one or input limit detection units which detect if a particular redundant input has reached a specified limit indicating a condition within the process plant, an override unit that may be set by a user to override the consideration of that input in the voting function, a voting logic entity that determines if a trip condition exists based on the values of the valid or non-inhibited inputs, and an inhibit block that may used to override the output of the voter logic block during, for example, a startup or other operational condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Michael G. Ott, Gary Law, Dennis Stevenson, Robert Havekost, Godfrey Sherriff
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Publication number: 20040148130Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common communication, diagnostic and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Cindy Scott, Gary Law, Michael G. Ott, Godfrey Sherriff, Robert Havekost
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Publication number: 20040148513Abstract: A process plant includes a safety system that is physically and logically integrated with a process control system such that the safety system and the process control system can use common security, communication and display hardware and software within the process plant while still providing functional isolation between the safety system controllers and the process control system controllers. This integrated process control and safety system uses a common data communication structure for both the safety system and the process control system so that applications can send data to and receive data from devices in either system in the same manner, e.g., using the same communication hardware and software.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Cindy Scott, Gary Law, Michael G. Ott, Godfrey Sherriff