Abstract: An apparatus for bridging a barrier to wireless communication between wireless field device networks includes a pair of locally-powered wireless devices connected by a wired link spanning the barrier. At least one of the locally-powered wireless devices is in wireless communication with each of the wireless networks intended to be interconnected. The wireless devices include a wireless transceiver and an antenna. Messages from one wireless field device network addressed to a member node of another wireless field device network are received by a wireless device on one side of the barrier and transmitted via the wired link to another wireless device on the other side of the barrier for routing to the member node of the other wireless field device network.

Abstract: Electrical power is produced by a first process component, a first heat pipe formed in part by a first cavity within the first process component, and a thermoelectric generator assembly. The thermoelectric generator assembly is thermally coupled on one side to a heat sink and on the other side to the first heat pipe. The first process component is in direct contact with a first process fluid and the first cavity is proximate the first process fluid. The thermoelectric generator assembly produces electrical power.

Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a power module, and a processor. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The power module comprises an energy storage device and a connection to a local power source, and is configured to be housed in the wireless field device. The processor is located within the interior space, and is powered by the power module. The processor produces a fault signal value used to differentiate between energy storage device faults, local power source faults, and no-fault states.

Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a transmitter, and a power module. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The transmitter is enclosed within the interior space, and is configured to process the sensor signal. The power module is configured to be housed in the interior space, and comprises an energy storage device, a connection to a local power source, and a processor configured to provide the transmitter with a diagnostic report of the energy storage device and the local power source.

Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a transmitter, and a power module. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The transmitter is enclosed within the interior space, and is configured to process the sensor signal. The power module is configured to be housed in the interior space, and comprises an energy storage device, a connection to a local power source, and a processor configured to provide the transmitter with a diagnostic report of the energy storage device and the local power source.

Abstract: Electrical power is produced by a first process component, a first heat pipe formed in part by a first cavity within the first process component, and a thermoelectric generator assembly. The thermoelectric generator assembly is thermally coupled on one side to a heat sink and on the other side to the first heat pipe. The first process component is in direct contact with a first process fluid and the first cavity is proximate the first process fluid. The thermoelectric generator assembly produces electrical power.

Abstract: A system for measuring and analyzing radio frequency power proximate and within a wireless field device mesh network. A centralized software module (CSWM) collects and analyzes values from one or more wireless devices of the wireless field device mesh network representing received RF power measurements on an assigned RF channel and values representing corresponding times of the received RF power measurements. Each wireless device measures received RF power on the assigned RF channel at times other than during reception of a signal resulting in transmission by the wireless device of either an acknowledgment signal or a non-acknowledgement signal. Values representing the received RF power measurements and the corresponding times of the received RF power measurements are determined from the stored received RF power measurements and corresponding times and then discarded. These values are stored within the wireless device until successfully reported.

Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a power module, and a processor. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The power module comprises an energy storage device and a connection to a local power source, and is configured to be housed in the wireless field device. The processor is located within the interior space, and is powered by the power module. The processor produces a fault signal value used to differentiate between energy storage device faults, local power source faults, and no-fault states.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network that makes use of strategically placed nodes with radios having superior communication range through the use of high gain antennas, MIMO technology, high power transmitters, high sensitivity receivers, a combination thereof, etc. Besides the obvious effect of extending the physical coverage area of a network, the effect of the longer distance links formed by the nodes with superior range is a flattening of the wireless mesh network by reducing hop count, thereby improving performance, latency, reliability, cost, and power consumption among other factors.

Abstract: Electrical power is produced by a first process component, a first heat pipe formed in part by a first cavity within the first process component, and a thermoelectric generator assembly. The thermoelectric generator assembly is thermally coupled on one side to a heat sink and on the other side to the first heat pipe. The first process component is in direct contact with a first process fluid and the first cavity is proximate the first process fluid. The thermoelectric generator assembly produces electrical power.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines. The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts. An isolated circuit couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output, timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.

Abstract: A system for measuring and analyzing radio frequency power proximate and within a wireless field device mesh network. A centralized software module (CSWM) collects and analyzes values from one or more wireless devices of the wireless field device mesh network representing received RF power measurements on an assigned RF channel and values representing corresponding times of the received RF power measurements. Each wireless device measures received RF power on the assigned RF channel at times other than during reception of a signal resulting in transmission by the wireless device of either an acknowledgment signal or a non-acknowledgement signal. Values representing the received RF power measurements and the corresponding times of the received RF power measurements are determined from the stored received RF power measurements and corresponding times and then discarded. These values are stored within the wireless device until successfully reported.

Abstract: An apparatus for bridging a barrier to wireless communication between wireless field device networks includes a pair of locally-powered wireless devices connected by a wired link spanning the barrier. At least one of the locally-powered wireless devices is in wireless communication with each of the wireless networks intended to be interconnected. The wireless devices include a wireless transceiver and an antenna. Messages from one wireless field device network addressed to a member node of another wireless field device network are received by a wireless device on one side of the barrier and transmitted via the wired link to another wireless device on the other side of the barrier for routing to the member node of the other wireless field device network.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines. The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts. An isolated circuit couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output, timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.

Abstract: An interface module for use in a process monitoring and control system has an Ethernet port, a controller, and at least one segment I/O module. The Ethernet port is adapted to send and receive signals in an Ethernet protocol over a cable comprising a plurality of wires and to receive a voltage potential from at least one pair of the plurality of wires. The controller is coupled to the Ethernet port and powered from the received voltage potential. The at least one segment I/O module is coupled to the controller and is adapted to couple to an associated field device segment with at least one attached field device. The at least one segment I/O module is adapted to interact with the at least one attached field device on the associated field device segment.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network that makes use of strategically placed nodes with radios having superior communication range through the use of high gain antennas, MIMO technology, high power transmitters, high sensitivity receivers, a combination thereof, etc. Besides the obvious effect of extending the physical coverage area of a network, the effect of the longer distance links formed by the nodes with superior range is a flattening of the wireless mesh network by reducing hop count, thereby improving performance, latency, reliability, cost, and power consumption among other factors.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines. The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts. An isolated circuit couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output, timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter that preferably includes a transmitter output circuit that provides bidirectional HART and controller area network communication transceiver lines. The transmitter output circuit also includes sensor circuit interface contacts. An isolated circuit couples to the sensor circuit interface contacts. The isolated circuit includes sensor circuitry sensing a process variable. The isolated circuit further comprises a galvanic isolation barrier galvanically isolating the sensor circuitry from the HART and controller area network transceiver lines. A stacked power supply provides power management. Other aspects may include a controller area network current limiter diagnostic output, timed sequencing of microcontroller startup and shutdown, a local operator interface and power management.