Abstract: A voltage is sensed at a switching device and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device. The sensed voltage is converted to a useable voltage regardless of the value and type of the sensed voltage. At a single self-contained integrated circuit that is powered by the sensed voltage, the usable voltage is converted into a digital representation. The digital representation is configured to be usable by a processing device to determine the value of the voltage at the switching device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a monitoring system for operating equipment is provided. The monitoring system includes a first sensor having first operating parameters. A first printed circuit board includes an electrical circuit and signal processing hardware. A first sensor is in electrical communication with a second printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board includes signal processing hardware configured to process the signal. The second printed circuit board is in electrical communication with the first printed circuit board through a connector. The connector is configured to permit insertion and removal of a third printed circuit board to operate a second sensor having second operating parameters that differ from the first operating parameters of the first sensor. In another aspect, the first printed circuit board includes no processing circuit, the first printed circuit board includes an analog-to-digital hardware circuit, processor, controller or microprocessor and an output circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a control system and a switch simulation device for use in the control system. The switch simulation device provides diagnostic capabilities that verify the accuracy and operability of sequence of events (SOE) data and SOE detection functions of the process control system. In one embodiment, the switch simulation device includes a pair of switches (e.g., metal-oxide field effect transistors (MOSFETS)) that are anti-parallel to one another. A drive circuit operates the switches at a pre-determined frequency to generate an output signal that simulates the position of switches that are coupled to components on the asset. The output signal impresses on contact inputs, which are coupled to the switches, and which are useful to generate the SOE data.

Abstract: At a contact input circuit, a voltage at a switching device is sensed and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device. The contact input circuit is operated according to the sensed voltage regardless of the value of the sensed voltage. The power usage of the contact input circuit is maintained to be within a predetermined range of power consumption values regardless of the value of the sensed voltage. Wetting voltages can be continuously monitored and the approaches described herein can monitor open contact, closed contact, and open field wire conditions.

Abstract: A voltage is sensed at a switching device and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device. The sensed voltage is converted to a useable voltage regardless of the value and type of the sensed voltage. At a single self-contained integrated circuit that is powered by the sensed voltage, the usable voltage is converted into a digital representation. The digital representation is configured to be usable by a processing device to determine the value of the voltage at the switching device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a monitoring system for operating equipment is provided. The monitoring system includes a first sensor having first operating parameters. A first printed circuit board includes an electrical circuit and signal processing hardware. A first sensor is in electrical communication with a second printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board includes signal processing hardware configured to process the signal. The second printed circuit board is in electrical communication with the first printed circuit board through a connector. The connector is configured to permit insertion and removal of a third printed circuit board to operate a second sensor having second operating parameters that differ from the first operating parameters of the first sensor. In another aspect, the first printed circuit board includes no processing circuit, the first printed circuit board includes an analog-to-digital hardware circuit, processor, controller or microprocessor and an output circuit.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining electrical faults. One method can include providing switch circuitry including at least one first switch detector resistor in parallel communication with at least one switch; providing terminal board circuitry including at least one terminal board resistor in parallel communication with the switch circuitry and in communication with a power source; receiving a power source reference; comparing a field voltage value to a generated reference voltage value, generating a comparison value output based at least in part on the comparison of the field voltage value and the generated reference voltage; and determining one of a plurality of field conditions based at least in part on the comparison value output.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical ground faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided determining ground leakage electrical faults. The method includes providing a voltage source having a positive lead in communication with a first contact conductor and a negative lead in communication with a second field conductor, wherein the first contact conductor is connected to a ground through a first resistor Rp, and wherein the second field conductor is connected to the ground through a second resistor Rn; monitoring a first voltage potential associated with the first contact conductor; and determining a condition associated with the first contact conductor, based at least in part on the monitored first voltage potential.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for limiting voltage across a switch utilizing voltage clamping circuitry are provided. The voltage clamping circuitry may include a rectifier circuit comprising inputs and outputs, the inputs in parallel communication across operational circuitry; an electronic active switching device in parallel communication with the outputs of the rectifier circuit; and at least one Zener diode in parallel communication with the electronic active switching device. When voltage across the electronic active switching device and the Zener diode meets or exceeds a predetermined value, the current will flow through the electronic active switching device and limit voltage across the operational circuitry to within a voltage clamping circuitry voltage limit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a control system and a switch simulation device for use in the control system. The switch simulation device provides diagnostic capabilities that verify the accuracy and operability of sequence of events (SOE) data and SOE detection functions of the process control system. In one embodiment, the switch simulation device includes a pair of switches (e.g., metal-oxide field effect transistors (MOSFETS)) that are anti-parallel to one another. A drive circuit operates the switches at a pre-determined frequency to generate an output signal that simulates the position of switches that are coupled to components on the asset. The output signal impresses on contact inputs, which are coupled to the switches, and which are useful to generate the SOE data.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for sensing AC voltage. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for sensing AC voltage. The method includes providing a voltage sensing circuit in communication with an AC power source; rectifying an AC signal from the AC power source with rectifier circuitry of the voltage sensing circuit; applying a first voltage to an analog-to-digital (A-to-D) converter circuit, wherein the first voltage is across a second resistive element of a first half cycle voltage divider comprising a first resistive element and the second resistive element and in communication with a positive DC output of the rectifier circuitry; and analyzing the first digital voltage value and the second digital voltage value by a processor to determine a voltage of the AC power source.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for sensing AC voltage. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for sensing AC voltage. The method includes providing a voltage sensing circuit in communication with an AC power source; rectifying an AC signal from the AC power source with rectifier circuitry of the voltage sensing circuit; applying a first voltage to an analog-to-digital (A-to-D) converter circuit, wherein the first voltage is across a second resistive element of a first half cycle voltage divider comprising a first resistive element and the second resistive element and in communication with a positive DC output of the rectifier circuitry; and analyzing the first digital voltage value and the second digital voltage value by a processor to determine a voltage of the AC power source.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods for providing determining electrical faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provide for determining electrical faults. One method can include providing switch circuitry including at least one first switch detector resistor in parallel communication with at least one switch; providing terminal board circuitry including at least one terminal board resistor in parallel communication with the switch circuitry and in communication with a power source; receiving a power source reference; comparing a field voltage value to a generated reference voltage value, generating a comparison value output based at least in part on the comparison of the field voltage value and the generated reference voltage; and determining one of a plurality of field conditions based at least in part on the comparison value output.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical ground faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided determining ground leakage electrical faults. The method includes providing a voltage source having a positive lead in communication with a first contact conductor and a negative lead in communication with a second field conductor, wherein the first contact conductor is connected to a ground through a first resistor Rp, and wherein the second field conductor is connected to the ground through a second resistor Rn; monitoring a first voltage potential associated with the first contact conductor; and determining a condition associated with the first contact conductor, based at least in part on the monitored first voltage potential.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for limiting voltage across a switch utilizing voltage clamping circuitry are provided. The voltage clamping circuitry may include a rectifier circuit comprising inputs and outputs, the inputs in parallel communication across operational circuitry; an electronic active switching device in parallel communication with the outputs of the rectifier circuit; and at least one Zener diode in parallel communication with the electronic active switching device. When voltage across the electronic active switching device and the Zener diode meets or exceeds a predetermined value, the current will flow through the electronic active switching device and limit voltage across the operational circuitry to within a voltage clamping circuitry voltage limit.

Abstract: Fast detection of contact status with an AC wetting voltage using a ratiometric approach is described herein. In one embodiment, a voltage source wets the contact with a wetting voltage. A contact voltage monitor receives voltage obtained from the contact and converts the voltage to a first frequency output. A wetting voltage monitor receives wetting voltage provided from the voltage source to the contact and converts the sensed wetting voltage to a second frequency output. A processor generates a ratio between the first frequency output and the second frequency output and determines the status of the contact and the field wires associated with the contact in accordance with the generated ratio.

Abstract: Fast detection of contact status with an AC wetting voltage using a ratiometric approach is described herein. In one embodiment, a voltage source wets the contact with a wetting voltage. A contact voltage monitor receives voltage obtained from the contact and converts the voltage to a first frequency output. A wetting voltage monitor receives wetting voltage provided from the voltage source to the contact and converts the sensed wetting voltage to a second frequency output. A processor generates a ratio between the first frequency output and the second frequency output and determines the status of the contact and the field wires associated with the contact in accordance with the generated ratio.