Automatic field device service adviser

• US 20080125884A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Schumacher, Mark S., Eryurek, Evren
• Granted Patent: US 8,788,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/79
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31211 Communicate diagnostic data from intelligent field device controller to central
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0286 Modifications to the monitored process, e.g. stopping operation or adapting control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A field device resident algorithm receives one or more diagnostic inputs and generates actionable service information. The algorithm(s) can be changed or updated after the manufacture of the field device. The actionable service information can be displayed locally or sent over a process control loop. A prediction engine can be employed to determine a period within which such service should be completed.

Claims

1. A field device comprising:

a microprocessor;

a memory operably coupled to the microprocessor;

at least one diagnostic input operably coupled to the microprocessor; and

wherein the microprocessor executes instructions stored in the memory to provide at least one actionable service message based on the at least one diagnostic input.

2. The field device of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes a field device diagnostic input.

3. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes application information.

4. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes a process variable.

5. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes process variability.

6. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes a characteristic of an environment of the field device.

8. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes an indication of exposure of the field device to extremes in process variables.

9. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes a diagnostic of electronics of the field device.

10. The field device of claim 2, wherein the at least one diagnostic includes sensor drift.

11. The field device of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic input includes a loop diagnostic input.

12. The field device of claim 11, wherein the at least one diagnostic includes field device shunt current.

13. The field device of claim 11, wherein the at least one diagnostic includes process loop current.

14. The field device of claim 11, wherein the at least one diagnostic includes field device terminal voltage.

15. The field device of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic includes a plugged line diagnostic.

16. The field device of claim 1, and further comprising a prediction engine, and wherein the microprocessor employs the prediction engine to generate a service interval within which the actionable service should be performed.

17. The field device of claim 1, wherein the at least one actionable service message is displayed by the field device.

18. The field device of claim 1, wherein the at least one actionable service message is transmitted over a process control loop.

19. The field device of claim 18, wherein the at least one actionable service message is transmitted using enhanced EDDL technology.

20. The field device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor performs an algorithm based upon instructions stored in the memory, and wherein the algorithm can be changed after manufacture of the field device.

7. The field device of claim 7, wherein the at least one diagnostic input also includes relative changes in the environment of the field device.

21. A method of processing diagnostic data with a field device, the method comprising:

providing at least one diagnostic input to an algorithm running within the field device;

generating an actionable service output based on the at least one diagnostic input; and

conveying the output over a process control loop.

22. A field device comprising:

a microprocessor;

a memory operably coupled to the microprocessor;

at least one diagnostic input operably coupled to the microprocessor; and

wherein the microprocessor executes instructions stored in the memory to provide an indication of field device health based on the at least one diagnostic input.

23. The field device of claim 22, and further comprising a prediction engine, and wherein the microprocessor employs the prediction engine to generate a service interval within which the actionable service should be performed.