OIL FIELD PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A field versatile control gateway (FVCG) operable to communicate with control equipment within a remote CCR and/or PIB and adapted to interface with a plurality of field devices that constitute a process control system, the FVCG comprising a microprocessor, memory, routing database, routing module, protocol translator, wireless interface card and antenna;
- wherein the FVCG provides for control-in-the-field capabilities, andwherein the FVCG communicates with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group consisting of 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, on/off interface, wireless, serial, and EI, andwherein the FVCG provides for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired HSL protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired HSL protocol and wireless connection, andwherein the routing database and routing module routes data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a remote CCR and/or PIB,wherein the protocol translator converts field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, EI and on/off interface protocols into HSL protocol for communication with the remote CCR and/or PIBwherein the FVCG monitors smart field device self-diagnostics and applies the monitored diagnostics to the FVCG control-in-the-field capabilities, andwherein the control equipment within the CCR and/or PIB monitors the FVCG status and determines whether to allow the FVCG to continue control-in-the-field, or whether to transfer control functions back to the control equipment within the CCR and/or PIB.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An oil field process control system including a field versatile control gateway component that interfaces with a plurality of field devices using a broad range of hardwired and wireless protocols, offering in-the-field monitoring and control of each of the field devices and communicates with a remote central control room, exchanging data between the control room and the field using a multiplexed protocol that offers high data speeds and bandwidth, enabling a significant reduction of the amount of wiring, and conduits and other infrastructure expenses that would otherwise be incurred for such a highly reliable communications system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A field versatile control gateway (FVCG) operable to communicate with control equipment within a remote CCR and/or PIB and adapted to interface with a plurality of field devices that constitute a process control system, the FVCG comprising a microprocessor, memory, routing database, routing module, protocol translator, wireless interface card and antenna;
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wherein the FVCG provides for control-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the FVCG communicates with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group consisting of 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, on/off interface, wireless, serial, and EI, and wherein the FVCG provides for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired HSL protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired HSL protocol and wireless connection, and wherein the routing database and routing module routes data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a remote CCR and/or PIB, wherein the protocol translator converts field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, EI and on/off interface protocols into HSL protocol for communication with the remote CCR and/or PIB wherein the FVCG monitors smart field device self-diagnostics and applies the monitored diagnostics to the FVCG control-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the control equipment within the CCR and/or PIB monitors the FVCG status and determines whether to allow the FVCG to continue control-in-the-field, or whether to transfer control functions back to the control equipment within the CCR and/or PIB. - View Dependent Claims (13, 15, 16)
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2. A process control system, comprising:
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a. a plurality of field versatile control gateways (FVCGs) that interface with field devices, each of the plurality of FVCGs comprising a microprocessor, memory, routing database, routing module, protocol translator, wireless interface card and antenna, wherein the FVCGs provide for control-in-the-field capabilities, and wherein the FVCGs communicate with field devices using one or more protocols selected from the group 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, on/off interface, wireless, and serial, EI, and wherein the FVCGs provide for multiplexed communication of data between the FVCGs and a central control location via one or more of a hardwired HSL protocol, a wireless connection, or a hardwired HSL protocol and wireless connection, and wherein the routing database and routing module provide for routing of data between the field devices and the FVCG microprocessor and between the FVCG microprocessor and a central control location, and wherein the protocol translator provides for conversion of field device data from 4-20 mA, Fieldbus Foundation H1, serial, EI, and on/off interface protocols into HSL protocol for communication with the central control location; b) a plurality of versatile control interfaces, located in the central control location, that collect data that is transmitted to and from the FVCGs; c) a central versatile control switch, located in the central control location, that collects data transmitted to and from the versatile control interfaces and that interfaces with a distributed control system; and d) a plant routing controller, located in the central control location, that provides supervisory control of the routing of data within the process control network; and e) and an interface with a distributed control system (DCS) and an emergency shutdown (ESD) controller. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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14. A method of transferring responsibility for control functions from a field versatile control gateway (FVCG) to a distributed control system (DCS), the method comprising:
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transmitting a “
request control transfer”
message from the DCS to the FVCG, specifying the devices for which responsibility is to be transferred and the time that the transfer is to take effect,setting a countdown clock within the DCS to reflect the anticipated time of transfer, receiving the “
request control transfer”
message at the FVCG, and setting a countdown clock within the FVCG to reflect the anticipated time of transfer,transmitting acknowledgement messages from the FVCG to the DCS that acknowledge the receipt of the “
request control transfer”
message and the requested time of transfer,transmitting a “
system parameter status”
message from the FVCG to the DCS, including the parameters of the devices for which responsibility is to be transferred and the local time recognized at the FVCG,receiving the “
system parameter status”
message at the DCS, and adjusting the countdown clock in the DCS to reflect any deviation between the local time recognized at the FVCG and the local time recognized at the DCS,transmitting an acknowledgment message from the DCS to the FVCG that acknowledges the receipt of the “
system parameter status”
message,transmitting an “
update before transfer”
message from the FVCG to the DCS;transmitting an acknowledgment message from the FVCG to the DCS that acknowledges the receipt of the “
update before transfer”
message;transmitting a “
control to be dropped”
message from the FVCG to the DCS;at the designated time control of the specified devices is transferred to the DCS and the DCS transmits a “
control taken”
message to the FVCG;the FVCG transmits a “
control dropped”
message to the DCS after transfer of control is completed; andan acknowledgment message is sent from the DCS to the FVCG, acknowledging receipt of the message that the FVCG has transferred control of the specified devices.
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Specification