Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) based systems and methods are disclosed for regionizing full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices. A regionizer application receives a full-size process plant display that graphically represents at least a portion of a process plant that includes graphic representations of a plurality of process plant entities. The regionizer app determines display region(s) of the full-size process plant display that define corresponding view portions of the full-size process plant display. The display regions are transmitted to a mobile user interface device for rendering by a mobile display navigation app. The GUI based systems and methods can also automatically detect graphical process control loop display portions within full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices.

Abstract: A system for securely disseminating information relating to a process control plant includes a process control node and a controller that is coupled to a plurality of process control devices. The process control node includes a communicator module operable to transmit, via a first network, information of the process plant received from the controller. The system also includes a data services module operable to receive from the communicator module, via the first network, the information of the process plant and to transmit some or all of that information via a second network, and a mobile server, coupled to the second network and to a third network, and operable to receive data from the data services module. The mobile server is operable to communicate with a plurality of mobile computing devices via the third network.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) based systems and methods are disclosed for regionizing full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices. A regionizer application receives a full-size process plant display that graphically represents at least a portion of a process plant that includes graphic representations of a plurality of process plant entities. The regionizer app determines display region(s) of the full-size process plant display that define corresponding view portions of the full-size process plant display. The display regions are transmitted to a mobile user interface device for rendering by a mobile display navigation app. The GUI based systems and methods can also automatically detect graphical process control loop display portions within full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) based systems and methods are disclosed for regionizing full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices. A regionizer application receives a full-size process plant display that graphically represents at least a portion of a process plant that includes graphic representations of a plurality of process plant entities. The regionizer app determines display region(s) of the full-size process plant display that define corresponding view portions of the full-size process plant display. The display regions are transmitted to a mobile user interface device for rendering by a mobile display navigation app. The GUI based systems and methods can also automatically detect graphical process control loop display portions within full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) based systems and methods are disclosed for regionizing full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices. A regionizer application receives a full-size process plant display that graphically represents at least a portion of a process plant that includes graphic representations of a plurality of process plant entities. The regionizer app determines display region(s) of the full-size process plant display that define corresponding view portions of the full-size process plant display. The display regions are transmitted to a mobile user interface device for rendering by a mobile display navigation app. The GUI based systems and methods can also automatically detect graphical process control loop display portions within full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) based systems and methods are disclosed for regionizing full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices. A regionizer application receives a full-size process plant display that graphically represents at least a portion of a process plant that includes graphic representations of a plurality of process plant entities. The regionizer app determines display region(s) of the full-size process plant display that define corresponding view portions of the full-size process plant display. The display regions are transmitted to a mobile user interface device for rendering by a mobile display navigation app. The GUI based systems and methods can also automatically detect graphical process control loop display portions within full-size process plant displays for rendering on mobile user interface devices.

Abstract: A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium stores machine readable instructions optimized for a microprocessor on a mobile computing device. When executed by the microprocessor, the instructions cause the microprocessor to display a graphical user interface (GUI). The instructions also cause the microprocessor to receive, via the GUI, a selection of one or more items to view. Each of the one or more items is related to a process control system. The instructions cause the microprocessor to transmit to a mobile server, via either the Internet or a mobile telephony data connection, the selection of the one or more items. Thereafter, the instructions cause the microprocessor to receive from the mobile server, via either the Internet or the mobile telephony data connection, a plurality of real-time values corresponding to the selected one or more items, and to display the plurality of real-time values on the GUI.

Abstract: A method of providing data from a process control system to remote computing devices includes obtaining, at a data server via a first network from a mobile server, one or more lists including indications of requested process data parameters indicating process data for communication from the server to the remote devices via a second network. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of controllers within the process control system via a third network, a stream of process data parameter values associated with process data parameters included in one or more configuration files. The configuration files describe a configuration of the process control system. The method includes identifying, by processors of the data server, a subset of the received parameter values corresponding to the requested process data parameters of the lists, and communicating, from the data server to the mobile server via the first network, the identified subset of parameter values.

Abstract: A method of providing process data to a remote computing device includes receiving configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system. The configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of process control entities, and the information regarding each entity includes at least one tag associated with a level in a hierarchy of the system. The method includes identifying a plurality of levels within the system based upon the tags, including at least a first-level identifier and a plurality of second-level identifiers associated with the first-level identifier. Further, the method includes identifying a plurality of control modules, each associated with a second-level identifier, and each associated with the entities based upon the configuration data. The method includes generating a hierarchical list of available process data, and selecting from the hierarchical list a set of information to include on a watch list or alarm list.

Abstract: A method of providing batch process data from a process control system of a process plant to a remote computing device includes receiving a request to create a list of batch data to be provided to the remote computing device, presenting a selection interface to facilitate selection of batch data to be provided, and receiving, via the selection interface, a selection of a batch executive from which to provide the batch process data. The method also includes receiving, via the selection interface, one or more filter criteria, applying the filter criteria to data available from the batch executive to determine a set of data to be included on the list of batch data to be provided to the remote computing device, and transmitting to a mobile server an indication of the set of data associated with the list of batch data to be provided to the mobile device.

Abstract: A system communicates process data to a remote computing device. The system includes a processor, a communication unit, and a memory storing instructions for modules. The modules include a scanner interfacing with the communication unit to enable communication with a server via a first network. The scanner enables communication by receiving data from the server, identifying polling requests in the data received, and transmitting request lists to the server in response to the polling requests. The modules also include a data stream processor determining a set of process data values in the data received, the set of process data values corresponding to view list data to be communicated to the remote computing device. Another module is an application program interface (API) interfacing with the communication units to enable communication with the remote computing device a second network by transmitting the set of process data values to the remote computing device.

Abstract: An advanced blowout preventer that includes an arrester section and a shear section. The arrester section includes a number or arrester rings that are shaped to extend downwardly. The shape of the arrester rings allows the force of gas flowing out of the well to assist in closing the rings. The arrester section may have a number of arrester rings that cooperate to significantly reduce fluid from flowing in the annulus between a section of drill pipe and the blowout preventer. The advanced blowout preventer may also include a shear section. The shear section is configured to engage and shear a section of pipe using induction.

Abstract: A method of providing data from a process control system to remote computing devices includes obtaining, at a data server via a first network from a mobile server, one or more lists including indications of requested process data parameters indicating process data for communication from the server to the remote devices via a second network. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of controllers within the process control system via a third network, a stream of process data parameter values associated with process data parameters included in one or more configuration files. The configuration files describe a configuration of the process control system. The method includes identifying, by processors of the data server, a subset of the received parameter values corresponding to the requested process data parameters of the lists, and communicating, from the data server to the mobile server via the first network, the identified subset of parameter values.

Abstract: A method of providing process data to a remote computing device includes receiving configuration data describing a configuration of at least part of the process control system. The configuration data includes information associated with a plurality of process control entities, and the information regarding each entity includes at least one tag associated with a level in a hierarchy of the system. The method includes identifying a plurality of levels within the system based upon the tags, including at least a first-level identifier and a plurality of second-level identifiers associated with the first-level identifier. Further, the method includes identifying a plurality of control modules, each associated with a second-level identifier, and each associated with the entities based upon the configuration data. The method includes generating a hierarchical list of available process data, and selecting from the hierarchical list a set of information to include on a watch list or alarm list.

Abstract: A system communicates process data to a remote computing device. The system includes a processor, a communication unit, and a memory storing instructions for modules. The modules include a scanner interfacing with the communication unit to enable communication with a server via a first network. The scanner enables communication by receiving data from the server, identifying polling requests in the data received, and transmitting request lists to the server in response to the polling requests. The modules also include a data stream processor determining a set of process data values in the data received, the set of process data values corresponding to view list data to be communicated to the remote computing device. Another module is an application program interface (API) interfacing with the communication units to enable communication with the remote computing device a second network by transmitting the set of process data values to the remote computing device.

Abstract: A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium stores machine readable instructions optimized for a microprocessor on a mobile computing device. When executed by the microprocessor, the instructions cause the microprocessor to display a graphical user interface (GUI). The instructions also cause the microprocessor to receive, via the GUI, a selection of one or more items to view. Each of the one or more items is related to a process control system. The instructions cause the microprocessor to transmit to a mobile server, via either the Internet or a mobile telephony data connection, the selection of the one or more items. Thereafter, the instructions cause the microprocessor to receive from the mobile server, via either the Internet or the mobile telephony data connection, a plurality of real-time values corresponding to the selected one or more items, and to display the plurality of real-time values on the GUI.

Abstract: A method of providing batch process data from a process control system of a process plant to a remote computing device includes receiving a request to create a list of batch data to be provided to the remote computing device, presenting a selection interface to facilitate selection of batch data to be provided, and receiving, via the selection interface, a selection of a batch executive from which to provide the batch process data. The method also includes receiving, via the selection interface, one or more filter criteria, applying the filter criteria to data available from the batch executive to determine a set of data to be included on the list of batch data to be provided to the remote computing device, and transmitting to a mobile server an indication of the set of data associated with the list of batch data to be provided to the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for securely disseminating information relating to a process control plant includes a process control node and a controller that is coupled to a plurality of process control devices. The process control node includes a communicator module operable to transmit, via a first network, information of the process plant received from the controller. The system also includes a data services module operable to receive from the communicator module, via the first network, the information of the process plant and to transmit some or all of that information via a second network, and a mobile server, coupled to the second network and to a third network, and operable to receive data from the data services module. The mobile server is operable to communicate with a plurality of mobile computing devices via the third network.

Abstract: An advanced blowout preventer that includes an arrester section and a shear section. The arrester section includes a number or arrester rings that are shaped to extend downwardly. The shape of the arrester rings allows the force of gas flowing out of the well to assist in closing the rings. The arrester section may have a number of arrester rings that cooperate to significantly reduce fluid from flowing in the annulus between a section of drill pipe and the blowout preventer. The advanced blowout preventer may also include a shear section. The shear section is configured to engage and shear a section of pipe using induction.