Abstract: A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.

Abstract: A meter case used with a utility meter is disclosed. The meter shell includes a plurality of snap fit joints assembled on the meter case arranged to engage a module cover to mount the module cover to the meter shell. The module cover further includes wire housing formed along an inner periphery of the module cover that houses a wire having a first end and a second end therein. A metal shield placed behind the meter shell is electrically coupled to a first connector. A terminal electrically connected to the metal shield is arranged to discharge current to ground. An electrical contact electrically coupled to the second end of the wire is arranged to engage the first connector to establish an electrical connection to the metal shield for the discharge to ground of electrostatic currents sensed by wire.

Abstract: A meter case used with a utility meter is disclosed. The meter shell includes a plurality of snap fit joints assembled on the meter case arranged to engage a module cover to mount the module cover to the meter shell. The module cover further includes wire housing formed along an inner periphery of the module cover that houses a wire having a first end and a second end therein. A metal shield placed behind the meter shell is electrically coupled to a first connector. A terminal electrically connected to the metal shield is arranged to discharge current to ground. An electrical contact electrically coupled to the second end of the wire is arranged to engage the first connector to establish an electrical connection to the metal shield for the discharge to ground of electrostatic currents sensed by wire.

Abstract: Safety monitoring systems and methods include a mesh communications network and an EVC (Electronic Volume Corrector) installed in one or more gas distribution components and/or industrial metering components in a gas distribution station and/or an industrial metering station. A group of sensors can be configured, which includes, for example, a gas leak sensor, a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, an intrusion sensor and/or other types of sensors. Such sensors can be located within the gas distribution station and/or industrial metering station. The sensors communicate wirelessly with the EVC and the gas distribution and/or industrial metering components through the mesh communications network.

Abstract: A meter casing can include a metal shield, and an outer casing that includes a display screen cavity that maintains a display screen, an optical port cavity that houses an optical port sensor assembly including a dongle, and a seal button cavity that houses a seal button and a sealing element. The seal button cavity can include one or more recess cavities formed in the communications module cover. The optical port cavity can include a circular port to securely mount the dongle. In addition, snap joints can be provided, which can hold an optical port cover that covers the optical port with respect to the optical port cavity.

Abstract: A method and system for part selection and order management in an energy distribution system can involve reading data from an electronic monitoring instrument of an energy distribution system, the data including information regarding a functionality of one or more parts of the electronic monitoring instrument, analyzing the data to determine if the one or more parts are functioning properly by establishing whether or not parts are within a configurable threshold condition, and automatically requesting one or more replacement, if the part or parts are found not to be within the threshold condition, so that the operational functionality of the energy distribution system can be enhanced by requesting the replacement part(s) prior to a failure of the one or more parts of the electronic monitoring instrument.

Abstract: A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed error detection in gas distribution systems comprises sensors coupled to a metering device, and configured to collect sensor information indicative of an operation of the metering device. An electronic volume corrector associated with the metering device serves as a gateway for transmission of sensor information indicative of the operation of the metering device. A computer system is configured to receive sensor information indicative of an operation of the metering device provided by an electronic volume corrector, identify parameters indicative of deviations from the intended operation of the metering device, perform pattern comparisons of the sensor information with reference information, and provide a performance indication of the metering device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a transceiver coupled to an antenna configured to send wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from a fluid meter that is battery powered that has stored security information. The mobile device includes a processor coupled to the transceiver, a mobile display and a memory device. The memory device stores a fluid meter configuration and data collection (FMCDC) program that is implemented by the processor. The mobile device wirelessly transmits a connection request to the fluid meter. The fluid meter determines whether the connection request satisfies the stored security information. Provided the connection request satisfies the stored security information, the fluid meter transmits a wireless validation signal. Responsive to receiving the wireless validation signal at the mobile device, the mobile device wirelessly writes at least one parameter on the fluid meter or wirelessly reads stored meter data from the fluid meter.

Abstract: Safety monitoring systems and methods include a mesh communications network and an EVC (Electronic Volume Corrector) installed in one or more gas distribution components and/or industrial metering components in a gas distribution station and/or an industrial metering station. A group of sensors can be configured, which includes, for example, a gas leak sensor, a pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, an intrusion sensor and/or other types of sensors. Such sensors can be located within the gas distribution station and/or industrial metering station. The sensors communicate wirelessly with the EVC and the gas distribution and/or industrial metering components through the mesh communications network.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed error detection in gas distribution systems comprises sensors coupled to a metering device, and configured to collect sensor information indicative of an operation of the metering device. An electronic volume corrector associated with the metering device serves as a gateway for transmission of sensor information indicative of the operation of the metering device. A computer system is configured to receive sensor information indicative of an operation of the metering device provided by an electronic volume corrector, identify parameters indicative of deviations from the intended operation of the metering device, perform pattern comparisons of the sensor information with reference information, and provide a performance indication of the metering device.

Abstract: A monitor can be installed in the terminal block having a monitor access opening. The installed monitor allows for current measurement without having to disconnect a wire from the terminal block. Similar monitors can measure voltage, detect ground loops, and provide continuous readings of circuit parameters. Embodiments can positively hold probe tips, transmit data over wires, or transmit data wirelessly. Make-before-break monitors allow parameters to be measured without ever breaking the monitored circuit. Break-before-make monitors allow the monitored circuit to be interrupted and then reconnected with a monitor in place.

Abstract: A monitor can be installed in the terminal block having a monitor access opening. The installed monitor allows for current measurement without having to disconnect a wire from the terminal block. Similar monitors can measure voltage, detect ground loops, and provide continuous readings of circuit parameters. Embodiments can positively hold probe tips, transmit data over wires, or transmit data wirelessly. Make-before-break monitors allow parameters to be measured without ever breaking the monitored circuit. Break-before-make monitors allow the monitored circuit to be interrupted and then reconnected with a monitor in place.

Abstract: A system and method access field device information in an industrial process control and automation system. The system includes a memory element configured to store a plurality of device data associated with a plurality of field devices operating at a pipeline. The system also includes at least one processor configured to communicate with one or more transmitters coupled to the plurality of field devices. The at least one processor is also configured to retrieve, from each of the one or more transmitters, the plurality of device data related to each of the plurality of field devices. The at least one processor is also configured to send a command to a field device of the plurality of field devices based on the plurality of device data.

Abstract: A method includes generating a graphical display associated with an industrial process control system having multiple field devices. The graphical display includes a custom group of field devices, where the custom group includes a user-defined subset of the field devices. The method also includes presenting the graphical display. The method further includes receiving a request to perform an action associated with the custom group. In addition, the method includes initiating performance of the action for each field device in the custom group. The action could include a user-defined custom action, and the method could further include defining the custom action based on user input. The graphical display could include multiple custom groups of field devices and, for each custom group, identify a status of each field device in the custom group. Each custom group could identify critical field devices associated with a different functional unit in an industrial facility.

Abstract: A process interface device for a process facility running a physical process includes a multi-loop current junction box including an analog front end (AFE) having a signal path including an input node, an output node, and an internal current sensor for each current loop. Respective input nodes receive analog current sensing signals (sensing signals) originating from each field devices within the process facility. An analog to digital converter (ADC) has inputs coupled across an output of the internal current sensor device. A wireless single hop device (WSH device) includes a processor and a wireless transmitter, wherein an input of the WSH device is coupled by a communications bus to receive respective outputs generated by the ADC being digitized versions of sensed ones of the sensing signals (sensed sensing signals). The WSH device is for wirelessly multiplex transmitting the sensed sensing signals for remote monitoring of the current loops.

Abstract: A process interface device for a process facility running a physical process includes a multi-loop current junction box including an analog front end (AFE) having a signal path including an input node, an output node, and an internal current sensor for each current loop. Respective input nodes receive analog current sensing signals (sensing signals) originating from each field devices within the process facility. An analog to digital converter (ADC) has inputs coupled across an output of the internal current sensor device. A wireless single hop device (WSH device) includes a processor and a wireless transmitter, wherein an input of the WSH device is coupled by a communications bus to receive respective outputs generated by the ADC being digitized versions of sensed ones of the sensing signals (sensed sensing signals). The WSH device is for wirelessly multiplex transmitting the sensed sensing signals for remote monitoring of the current loops.

Abstract: A method and mobile device for emulating a field device display of a field device within an industrial process facility. A processor executes a display emulation program that implements a method of wirelessly sending a request for current information describing current display features displayed on a field device display (FDD). The current display features include at least one display window having graphical unit interface (GUI) process data therein associated with the field device, at least one user control for controlling the field device and placement information defining locations on the FDD for the display window, the GUI process data and the user control. The method further includes wirelessly receiving the current display features from the field device. The method further includes displaying the display window including the GUI process data and the user control in respective locations on the mobile display based on the placement information.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a transceiver coupled to an antenna configured to send wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from a fluid meter that is battery powered that has stored security information. The mobile device includes a processor coupled to the transceiver, a mobile display and a memory device. The memory device stores a fluid meter configuration and data collection (FMCDC) program that is implemented by the processor. The mobile device wirelessly transmits a connection request to the fluid meter. The fluid meter determines whether the connection request satisfies the stored security information. Provided the connection request satisfies the stored security information, the fluid meter transmits a wireless validation signal. Responsive to receiving the wireless validation signal at the mobile device, the mobile device wirelessly writes at least one parameter on the fluid meter or wirelessly reads stored meter data from the fluid meter.

Abstract: A method includes generating a graphical display associated with an industrial process control system having multiple field devices. The graphical display includes a custom group of field devices, where the custom group includes a user-defined subset of the field devices. The method also includes presenting the graphical display. The method further includes receiving a request to perform an action associated with the custom group. In addition, the method includes initiating performance of the action for each field device in the custom group. The action could include a user-defined custom action, and the method could further include defining the custom action based on user input. The graphical display could include multiple custom groups of field devices and, for each custom group, identify a status of each field device in the custom group. Each custom group could identify critical field devices associated with a different functional unit in an industrial facility.