System and method for monitoring valve status and performance in a process control system

• US 20070242690A1
• 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: Chen, Yu-Gene, Raghavendra, Prasad
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25312 Pneumatic, hydraulic modules, controlled valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A process control system includes at least one controller and at least one wireless valve element capable of being controlled by the at least one controller. The process control system also includes a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one wireless valve element and a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver. The second transceiver is further configured to communicate with the at least one controller.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one wireless valve element;

a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one wireless valve 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 valve control data to the at least one wireless valve element via a wireless connection between the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

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

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second wireless valve element; and

a third transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one second wireless valve 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 wireless valve element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless valve element comprises a conventional process valve that has been modified to communicate with the first transceiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless valve element is capable of determining valve performance data or diagnostic data.

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 wireless valve elements are connected to the first transceiver.

10. A process control system, comprising:

at least one controller;

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

a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one wireless valve 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 valve control data to the at least one wireless valve element via a wireless connection between 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 valve status data from the at least one wireless valve element via a wireless connection between the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

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

at least one second wireless valve element; and

a third transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one second wireless valve 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 wireless valve element.

15. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the at least one wireless valve element comprises a conventional process valve that has been modified to communicate with the first transceiver.

16. The process control system of claim 10, wherein the at least one wireless valve element is capable of determining valve performance data or diagnostic data.

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 wireless valve elements are connected to the first transceiver.

19. A method, comprising:

receiving data from at least one wireless valve 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 wireless valve element.