Operational status information associated with a process entity in a process plant(10) is received. The operational status information is mapped into one of a plurality of status conditions. Then, an alert message associated with the process entity is generated, where the alert message is indicative of the one status condition of the plurality of status conditions.

Integrated alert generation in a process plant

A diagnostic system for use in a process control system collects and stores in a database information pertaining to the operation of the process control system, and that uses an expert engine to apply rules for analysis to the information in the database to determine solutions to problems. The database stores various types of information such as event and alarm data, notices of scheduled maintenance and changes to operating parameters, and historical data related to previous changes to the process control system that are relevant to determining both the source of the problems detected in the process control system and the steps necessary to either further analyze or correct the detected problems. The diagnostic system identifies the source of the problem and identifies and runs the appropriate analytical tools or takes remedial measures based on the rules for analysis for the expert engine.

Diagnostic expert in a process control system

A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter associated with each of the different devices, loops or function blocks within a process control system, processes the collected data to determine which devices, loops or function blocks have problems that result in reduced performance of the process control system, displays a list of detected problems to an operator and then suggests the use of other, more specific diagnostic tools to further pinpoint or correct the problems. When the diagnostic tool recommends and executes a data intensive application as the further diagnostic tool, it automatically configures a controller of the process control network to collect the data needed for such a tool.

Diagnostics in a process control system

A process device couples to a process control loop. The process device receives process signals. A memory in the process device contains a nominal parameter value and a rule. Computing circuitry calculates a statistical parameter of the process signal and operates on the statistical parameter and the stored nominal value based upon the stored rule and responsively provides an event output based upon the operation. Output circuitry provides an output in response to the event output

Device in a process system for detecting events

A process device (32) is adapted to couple to a process control loop (36) and communicate on the process control loop (36). Communication on the process control loop (36) is effected in accordance with an internet protocol. A process communication device (34) is also provided which couples to the process control loop (36), and an internet (42). The process communication device (34) provides process control information received from the process control loop (36), to the internet (42). Conversely, the process communication device (34) also provides information received from the internet (42) to the process control loop (36).

Communication technique for field devices in industrial processes

There is provided a method for diagnosing an abnormal state of a sensor having a nonlinear output characteristic in which an output signal of a sensor changes nonlinearly. The method includes the steps of determining a first detection value which is indicated by the output signal of the sensor at a predetermined time, and determining a second detection value which is indicated by the output signal of the sensor obtained when a detection value indicated by the output signal has changed by a predetermined variation from the first detection value. The method also includes judging whether or not a deviation between the first detection value and the second detection value is out of a predetermined range, and determining that the sensor has an abnormal state when it is determined that the deviation is out of the predetermined range.

Method for diagnosing abnormality of sensor

A variable focus lens contains a conductive liquid material portion (1) and an insulative liquid material portion (2) in a cylindrical container (10) and includes a first electrode (21) which applies voltage to the conductive liquid material portion (1) through a dielectric layer and a second electrode (24) which directly contacts with the conductive liquid material portion (1), in which the dielectric layer is an anodized portion (22) made of a metal oxide formed by anodizing the first electrode (21).

Variable focus lens and optical device using the same as well as method of manufacturing variable focus lens

A connector housing ( 6 ) of the connector device ( 1 ) is composed of an outer housing ( 9 ) to be mounted onto a printed circuit board ( 2 ) by screwing, and an inner housing ( 8 ) connected to the outer housing ( 9 ) so as to be movable in the right and left direction with respect to the outer housing ( 9 ). Into the inner housing ( 8 ), there is incorporated a terminal ( 7 ) including a connecting portion ( 7 a ) to be connected by a terminal ( 5 ) of a mating connector device ( 3 ), a spring portion ( 7 c ), and a switch contact ( 7 b ) respectively formed integral with the terminal ( 7 ). On the printed circuit board ( 2 ), there is disposed an electrode ( 2 a ) with which the switch contact ( 7 b ) can be elastically contacted. Thanks to this structure, by switchingly moving the inner housing ( 8 ) in the right and left direction, circuit switching can be achieved.

Switchable connector device

A connector connecting device is disclosed including a connector receiving main-part (14) that is molded with a row of connecting terminals (13) after inserting the connecting terminals (13) therein has mold extracting holes (19/20) respectively formed in an upper side wall and a lower side wall of the connector receiving main-part (14) surrounding tips (13b) of the row of the connecting terminals (13); and a connector receiving auxiliary-part (22) that is molded with a row of the connecting terminals (21) after inserting the connecting terminals (21) therein so that tips (21a) of the connecting terminals (21) are not molded. The connector receiving auxiliary-part (22) having the connecting terminals (21) that is mounted from one of the mold extracting holes (19) into the connector receiving main-part (14).

Connector connecting device

A throttle valve sensor having at least two switches for detecting different positions of a throttle valve. The setting of the switching conditions of the switches is such that these switches can not be made OFF simultaneously, over the entire range of the degree of opening of the throttle valve. A detachment of a connector connecting the sensor to a control circuit causes the corresponding port voltage level to be that obtained when all of the switches are made OFF, and as a result, a quick and positive detection of a detachment of the connector can be obtained.

Yoshiaki Kato

Papers

Method for diagnosing abnormality of sensor

Variable focus lens and optical device using the same as well as method of manufacturing variable focus lens

Switchable connector device

Connector connecting device

Throttle valve position sensor