Abstract: A control technique controls a process in a manner that reduces the number of controller changes provided to a controlled device, and so reduces the power consumption of the controlled device along with the loading of a process control communications network disposed between the controller and the controlled device. This technique is very useful in a control system having wirelessly connected field devices, such as sensors and valves which, in many cases, operate off of battery power. Moreover, the control technique is useful in implementing a control system in which control signals are subject to intermittent, non-synchronized or significantly delayed communications and/or in a control system that receives intermittent, non-synchronized or significantly delayed process variable measurements to be used as feedback signals in the performance of closed-loop control.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a touch sensor, a display, and a control module. The housing has a body defining a volume to accommodate a process control device and is adapted to withstand a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure. The housing further has a transparent portion having first and second surfaces. The touch sensor is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the transparent portion and senses an input received within a minimum distance from the first surface of the transparent portion. The display is disposed adjacent to the touch sensor and displays at least one adjustable variable corresponding to the process control device.

Abstract: A liquid level control loop optimizer receives a selection of a vessel configuration and a variety of parameters specifying the vessel dimensions, the fluid type(s), and the flow parameters of the liquid level control loop. The optimizer also receives a selection of various valve and actuator options and determines a variety of available configurations based on the selected options. The optimizer simulates each of the available configurations under the conditions specified by the parameters, and determines control loop characteristics and/or properties based on the simulations. The optimizer may display and/or rank the various configurations to assist a user in selecting a configuration that best meets the requirements of the control loop.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a touch sensor, a display, and a control module. The housing has a body defining a volume to accommodate a process control device and is adapted to withstand a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure. The housing further has a transparent portion having first and second surfaces. The touch sensor is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the transparent portion and senses an input received within a minimum distance from the first surface of the transparent portion. The display is disposed adjacent to the touch sensor and displays at least one adjustable variable corresponding to the process control device.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is physically coupled to a control device in a process control system, and includes an accelerometer that determines when a motion or vibration of the control device is greater than a predetermined threshold. When this condition is detected, one or more other components of the diagnostic device (e.g., processor, communication module, etc.) are activated, and a distress signal is transmitted from the diagnostic device using the activated components. Consequently, the duty cycles of components of the diagnostic device are decreased and optimized, leading to significant power savings. Indeed, in some embodiments, energy harvesting may be sufficient to power the diagnostic device. Further, in some embodiments, the diagnostic device may not require a component processor.

Abstract: A continuously powered field device for use in a process control system includes a field device housing, a primary power port disposed within or connected to the field device housing, and a power source switching module comprising a first power terminal, a second power terminal, and a third power terminal. The first power terminal is coupled to the primary power port, and the third power terminal is configured to deliver power applied to the third power terminal to at least a portion of the field device. The power source switching module is operable in a first state of operation to couple the first power terminal to the third power terminal, and the power source switching module is operable in a second state of operation to couple the second power terminal to the third power terminal.

Abstract: The claimed method and system provide a process control device monitoring system and a process control valve assembly with a process control device monitoring system to measure one or more operating states of a process control device. The process control device monitoring system may also associate a time-stamp with the one or more measured operating states of the process control device in response to a trigger generated based on the one or more measured operating states. The process control device monitoring system may also transmit the time-stamp and an indication of the one or more operating states to a monitoring device.

Abstract: A field device for use in a process control system includes a scheduling module configured to receive a time input which specifies a scheduled time for performing a scheduled action or a scheduled sequence of actions and to receive an action input which specifies the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. At the scheduled time, the scheduling module automatically initiates the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. After initiating the action or the sequence of actions, the scheduling module causes an initiation status indicating that the action or the sequence of actions has been initiated to be sent to a host and/or causes the initiation status to be stored in a local memory of the field device.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is physically coupled to a control device in a process control system, and includes an accelerometer that determines when a motion or vibration of the control device is greater than a predetermined threshold. When this condition is detected, one or more other components of the diagnostic device (e.g., processor, communication module, etc.) are activated, and a distress signal is transmitted from the diagnostic device using the activated components. Consequently, the duty cycles of components of the diagnostic device are decreased and optimized, leading to significant power savings. Indeed, in some embodiments, energy harvesting may be sufficient to power the diagnostic device. Further, in some embodiments, the diagnostic device may not require a component processor.

Abstract: A control technique controls a process in a manner that reduces the number of controller changes provided to a controlled device, and so reduces the power consumption of the controlled device along with the loading of a process control communications network disposed between the controller and the controlled device. This technique is very useful in a control system having wirelessly connected field devices, such as sensors and valves which, in many cases, operate off of battery power. Moreover, the control technique is useful in implementing a control system in which control signals are subject to intermittent, non-synchronized or significantly delayed communications and/or in a control system that receives intermittent, non-synchronized or significantly delayed process variable measurements to be used as feedback signals in the performance of closed-loop control.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a target operating device of a process control system. The method comprises: detecting activation of one or more parts of the target operating device with a sensor of a wireless latching unit; latching a switch of the wireless latching unit from an active state to an inactive state upon detecting the activation of the one or more parts; transmitting one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to abuse station upon latching the switch to the active state; detecting deactivation of the one or more parts of the target operating device with the sensor of the wireless latching unit; ignoring the detected deactivation at the wireless latching unit; and continuing to transmit the one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to the base station. A wireless monitoring and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid level control loop optimizer receives a selection of a vessel configuration and a variety of parameters specifying the vessel dimensions, the fluid type(s), and the flow parameters of the liquid level control loop. The optimizer also receives a selection of various valve and actuator options and determines a variety of available configurations based on the selected options. The optimizer simulates each of the available configurations under the conditions specified by the parameters, and determines control loop characteristics and/or properties based on the simulations. The optimizer may display and/or rank the various configurations to assist a user in selecting a configuration that best meets the requirements of the control loop.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a target operating device of a process control system. The method comprises: detecting activation of one or more parts of the target operating device with a sensor of a wireless latching unit; latching a switch of the wireless latching unit from an active state to an inactive state upon detecting the activation of the one or more parts; transmitting one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to abuse station upon latching the switch to the active state; detecting deactivation of the one or more parts of the target operating device with the sensor of the wireless latching unit; ignoring the detected deactivation at the wireless latching unit; and continuing to transmit the one or more active signals from the wireless latching unit to the base station. A wireless monitoring and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A field device for use in a process control system includes a scheduling module configured to receive a time input which specifies a scheduled time for performing a scheduled action or a scheduled sequence of actions and to receive an action input which specifies the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. At the scheduled time, the scheduling module automatically initiates the scheduled action or the scheduled sequence of actions. After initiating the action or the sequence of actions, the scheduling module causes an initiation status indicating that the action or the sequence of actions has been initiated to be sent to a host and/or causes the initiation status to be stored in a local memory of the field device.

Abstract: The claimed method and system provide a process control device monitoring system and a process control valve assembly with a process control device monitoring system to measure one or more operating states of a process control device. The process control device monitoring system may also associate a time-stamp with the one or more measured operating states of the process control device in response to a trigger generated based on the one or more measured operating states. The process control device monitoring system may also transmit the time-stamp and an indication of the one or more operating states to a monitoring device.

Abstract: A continuously powered field device for use in a process control system includes a field device housing, a primary power port disposed within or connected to the field device housing, and a power source switching module comprising a first power terminal, a second power terminal, and a third power terminal. The first power terminal is coupled to the primary power port, and the third power terminal is configured to deliver power applied to the third power terminal to at least a portion of the field device. The power source switching module is operable in a first state of operation to couple the first power terminal to the third power terminal, and the power source switching module is operable in a second state of operation to couple the second power terminal to the third power terminal.