Abstract: An apparatus in a distributed control system having a network interface and wireless gateway coupled to the network interface. The network interface is configured to communicate with a network. The wireless gateway includes a wireless gateway function block application process configured to map process information between a wireless network having at least one wireless field device and the network. The wireless gateway further includes a wireless network management component configured to manage access to the wireless network and at least one wireless field device function block application process configured to define a resource and input and output process information of the wireless field device.

Abstract: A system for predicting fouling and corrosion of a combustion system in an industrial process includes a pipe, a restrictive element, and a fouling and corrosion detector. The pipe contains a fuel. The restrictive element is coupled to the pipe and the fuel passes through the restrictive element. The fouling and corrosion detector is coupled to the pipe and is adapted to detect a characteristic signature of the restrictive element and to generate an alarm if a change in the detected signature exceeds a predetermined limit relative to a baseline signature.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.

Abstract: A field mountable interface module is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network as well as at least one process communication connection port configured to couple to a field device bus. The intelligent interface module also includes a controller and memory coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.

Abstract: A field device having a self-description is provided. The field device includes loop communication circuitry configured to communicate process information using a process standard communication protocol. A controller is coupled to the loop communication circuitry to communicate with one or more process devices using the loop communication circuitry. The controller is coupled to a non-volatile, writeable, non-transitory computer readable medium having a plurality of blocks. A first block contains device executable code, which when executed by the controller causes the field device to provide at least one process control function. A second block, at least as large as the first block, contains an electronic device description of the field device.

Abstract: A multi-protocol interface for coupling a field device to a general purpose computer is disclosed. The interface includes measurement circuitry to perform a plurality of measurements on a connected process communication loop to determine a process communication loop type. Then, if the interface includes a protocol interface module that matches the detected loop type, the protocol interface module can be engaged. A method for coupling a field device to a general purpose computer is also provided. In one aspect, power from the general purpose computer is used to power the process communication loop, if the interface determines that the loop is not powered.

Abstract: A wireless field device is disclosed. The field device includes a wireless communications module and an energy conversion module. The wireless communications module is configured to wirelessly communicate process-related information with another device. The energy conversion module is coupled to the wireless communications module. The energy conversion module is configured to couple to a thermal source, and to generate electricity from thermal potential energy in the thermal source.

Abstract: A field-mounted process device with multiple isolated connections includes a connection that can be an input or an output. The given input or output can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device can be wholly powered through its communication I/O port. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input connection and to control actuators coupled to an output connection. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands.

Abstract: An apparatus in a distributed control system having a network interface and wireless gateway coupled to the network interface. The network interface is configured to communicate with a network. The wireless gateway includes a wireless gateway function block application process configured to map process information between a wireless network having at least one wireless field device and the network. The wireless gateway further includes a wireless network management component configured to manage access to the wireless network and at least one wireless field device function block application process configured to define a resource and input and output process information of the wireless field device.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network provides secure communication by encrypting data using one or more encryption keys. A configuration device in communication with a security manager of the network provides a temporary secure communication path between the security manager and a new field device to be added to the mesh network. Cryptographic material and other configuration data can then be transferred between the security manager of the network and the new field device securely via the configuration device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transferring electrical energy from a Fieldbus process communication loop to at least one other process communication loop operating in accordance with a different process communication protocol. A power transfer device is coupleable to a Fieldbus process communication loop and to a second process communication loop. The power transfer device is wholly powered by the Fieldbus process communication loop, and is configured to supply at least some electrical energy to the second process communication loop.

Abstract: A distributed control system has a plurality of distributed field devices, each of which contains a transducer and a wireless transceiver. The distributed control system includes a base station transceiver, a database and a virtual transmitter application in communication with the database. Each field device transmits and receives data via wireless signals between the communications boards and the base station. The data is stored in the database for later retrieval and evaluation by the virtual transmitter application. The deployed field device senses information and transmits the sensed information wirelessly to a base station. The sensed information is stored in memory on a computer system, and programmatically groomed to provide a measurement value, upon request by a user.

Abstract: A process control system utilizes wireless transceivers to divorce the field devices from traditional wired network topologies. By providing field devices with wireless transceivers and shared wireless transceivers for adapting wired field devices, the field device network may be adapted to any number of network topologies without concern for additional wiring costs. Specifically, a power supply can be provided for each field device or for groups of field devices, as needed. Thus, the entire network can receive power from a single power bus, without expensive power filtering. In addition, the network can be a hybrid in which part of the information is transmitted and received over wired lines and part is transmitted and received over wireless communications.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for use in a industrial process includes monitoring electronics or diagnostic circuitry configured to diagnose or identify a condition or other occurrence in the industrial process. The system can be implemented in a process device such as a flowmeter, and in one example an acoustic flowmeter. A transducer can also be used and a frequency response, such as resonant frequency, can be observed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transferring electrical energy from a Fieldbus process communication loop to at least one other process communication loop operating in accordance with a different process communication protocol. A power transfer device is coupleable to a Fieldbus process communication loop and to a second process communication loop. The power transfer device is wholly powered by the Fieldbus process communication loop, and is configured to supply at least some electrical energy to the second process communication loop.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a field-mountable process device that receives digital information from one or more process devices, and provides an associated analog output. Embodiments of the present invention include providing a wireless interface to the field-mounted process device such that configuration and/or diagnostic information can be communicated between the field-mounted process device and one or more additional devices. In some embodiments, the field-mounted process device can be completely powered by the digital process communication loop to which it is coupled. Finally, embodiments of the present invention also include generating and storing within the field-mounted process device a mapping between one or more field devices communicating in accordance with a digital process communication protocol and an analog output of the field-mounted process device.

Abstract: An industrial process sensor having a sensor component exposed to process fluid detects when the sensor performance has been degraded by a sensor coating buildup from the process fluid. A baseline statistical metric, such as standard deviation of the process parameter sensed by the sensor, is determined during an initial operating period when the sensor component is clean. During continued operation of the sensor, the statistical metric is continually updated and monitored. An alarm output indicating that sensor coating has degraded sensor performance is produced when the current value of the statistical metric varies from the baseline value by an amount indicating degraded sensor performance.

Abstract: A system for predicting fouling and corrosion of a combustion system in an industrial process includes a pipe, a restrictive element, and a fouling and corrosion detector. The pipe contains a fuel. The restrictive element is coupled to the pipe and the fuel passes through the restrictive element. The fouling and corrosion detector is coupled to the pipe and is adapted to detect a characteristic signature of the restrictive element and to generate an alarm if a change in the detected signature exceeds a predetermined limit relative to a baseline signature.

Abstract: A field mountable interface module is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network as well as at least one process communication connection port configured to couple to a field device bus. The intelligent interface module also includes a controller and memory coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.