System and method for process control using wireless devices

• US 20070242629A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Morrison, Donald, Webb, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25198 Brouter: transfers data from wireless to wired networks, router: wired to wired
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31162 Wireless lan
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31241 Remote control by a proxy or echo server, internet - intranet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

An apparatus includes at least one process element and a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one process element. The apparatus also includes a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver and to communicate with a process control system. The process control system may transmit data to the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The process control system may also receive data from the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one process element;

a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one process element; and

a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver, the second transceiver further configured to communicate with a process control system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the process control system is capable of transmitting data to the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the process control system is capable of receiving data from the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second process element; and

a third transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one second process element, wherein the second transceiver is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the third transceiver.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is integrated into one of the at least one process element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are located such that a wired connection between them is not possible.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one process element is capable of measuring at least one condition of a catalyst bed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is capable of communicating with the first transceiver using one of:

an analog radio frequency signal and a digital radio frequency signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein multiple process elements are connected to the first transceiver.

10. A process control system, comprising:

at least one controller;

at least one process element capable of being controlled by the at least one controller;

a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one process element; and

a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver, the second transceiver further configured to communicate with the at least one controller.

11. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the at least one controller is capable of transmitting data to the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

12. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the at least one controller is capable of receiving data from the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

13. The process control system of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one second process element; and

a third transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one second process element, wherein the second transceiver is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the third transceiver.

14. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the first transceiver is integrated into one of the at least one process element.

15. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are located such that a wired connection between them is not possible.

16. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the at least one process element is capable of measuring at least one condition of a catalyst bed.

17. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the second transceiver is capable of communicating with the first transceiver using one of:

an analog radio frequency signal and a digital radio frequency signal.

18. The process control system of claim 10, wherein multiple process elements are connected to the first transceiver.

19. A method, comprising:

receiving data from at least one process element at a first transceiver;

wirelessly communicating the data to a second transceiver; and

communicating the data from the second transceiver to a process control system.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving second data from the process control system at the second transceiver;

wirelessly communicating the second data to the first transceiver; and

communicating the second data from the first transceiver to the at least one process element.