Distributed and adaptive smart logic with multi-communication apparatus for reliable safety system shutdown
First Claim
1. A safety instrumented system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of process field devices including sensors and final elements, the system comprising a safety logic solver, a plurality of multi-communications cards, a hardwired communications network, and a redundant wireless communications network, in which a pair of said multi-communications cards is associated with each field device, with one card of the pair being provided at the field device, and the other card of the pair being provided at the safety logic solver, in which the cards include a means for transmitting and receiving signals between the field devices and the safety logic solver over both the hardwired and wireless networks, and in which each said card located at a final element having means for performing smart logic to control the final element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to safety instrumented systems (“SIS”) for monitoring and controlling chemical and other industrial process field devices, and that are responsive to signals for the emergency shutdown of the process or system. The patent will significantly improve the reliability of communications within an emergency shutdown system, reduce unwanted trips, and adapt to process conditions by failing to a safe mode in dynamic conditions that are not considered by prior art logic solvers.
-
Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A safety instrumented system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of process field devices including sensors and final elements, the system comprising a safety logic solver, a plurality of multi-communications cards, a hardwired communications network, and a redundant wireless communications network, in which a pair of said multi-communications cards is associated with each field device, with one card of the pair being provided at the field device, and the other card of the pair being provided at the safety logic solver, in which the cards include a means for transmitting and receiving signals between the field devices and the safety logic solver over both the hardwired and wireless networks, and in which each said card located at a final element having means for performing smart logic to control the final element.
-
26. A method of providing two paths of communication between a process safety logic solver and a plurality of field devices employed to monitor and control the process, the method comprising:
-
providing a hardwired communication network operatively connected to the safety logic solver and each of the plurality of field devices; and providing a wireless communication network operatively connected to the safety logic solver and each of the plurality of field devices, providing an integral smart logic capability within the multi-communications cards located at final elements, which in deciding whether to shutdown the associated final element will consider the signal conditions of the hardwired and wireless networks, the safety integrity level for the safety process, the health condition and communications connectivity of neighboring devices, and user configuration logic for action upon degraded or lost communications, whereby signals initiated by and transmitted between the safety logic solver and the plurality of field devices are transmitted over both the hardwired and wireless networks. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
- 33. A field-mounted multi-communications card that communicates with a safety logic solver via a primary hardwired communications network and via a redundant wireless communications network, in which the card can be user-configured to utilize the wireless communications path when failed or degraded communications are detected on the hardwired network.
Specification