US6047222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process control network with redundant field devices and buses
Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
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Filing: 1997-10-03
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2017-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Functional elements within a two-wire, loop-powered, two-way digital communications environment are interconnected using selective redundant connections and selective redundant functional elements. The redundant functional elements and redundant connections provide a smooth transition from operation of a primary process loop element to a secondary process loop element in the event of a failure of the primary process loop element. Redundancy is selectively implemented using a redundant pair of field devices or a redundant bus pair having a primary bus and a redundant bus. In a first case, redundancy is selectively implemented using a single set of communication media, such as a single communication loop, but implementing redundant functional elements, such as field devices, so that recovery is achieved upon failure of a functional element but not upon failure of the communication media. In a second case, redundancy is selectively implemented using a redundant set of communication media in addition to use of redundant devices so that recovery is attained both for a failing device and a failing communication media. In a third case, redundancy is selectively implemented using a redundant set of communication media but using a single device so that recovery is attained for a failing communication media but not for a failing device.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry A. Burns
- 👤 Brent H. Larson
- 👤 Larry K. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:15
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/4184; G05B19/4185; G05B19/41855; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24175; G05B2219/24182; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31121; G05B2219/31245; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller communicatively coupled to the pair of redundant elements via the communication bus to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements using the communication bus and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller communicatively coupled to the pair of redundant elements via the communication bus to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements using the communication bus and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process control system of claim 1, wherein the communication bus implements a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered digital communication protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process control system of claim 2, wherein the communication protocol is a Fieldbus communication protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process control system of claim 1, wherein the communication bus implements a four-wire communication protocol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process control system of claim 1, wherein the communication bus implements a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered, mixed digital and analog communication protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process control system of claim 1, wherein the primary redundant element comprises one of the plurality of devices and the secondary redundant element comprises a further device that is coupled to the communication bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process control system of claim 6, wherein the primary redundant device and the secondary redundant device are valves that are operatively connected in parallel to each other in the process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process control system of claim 6, wherein the primary redundant device and the secondary redundant device are transmitters that are operatively connected in serial to each other in the process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises the communication bus and the secondary redundant element comprises a further communication bus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises the communication bus and the secondary redundant element comprises a further communication bus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a first function block that performs a particular process function and the secondary redundant element comprises a second function block that performs the particular process function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a first function block that performs a particular process function and the secondary redundant element comprises a second function block that performs the particular process function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process control system of claim 10, wherein the first and second function blocks are located in different ones of the plurality of field devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process control system of claim 10, wherein the controller includes a further function block communicatively coupled to the first and the second function blocks that detects a malfunction of one of the first and the second function blocks.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a loop including the communication bus connected to one of the devices and the secondary redundant element comprises a redundant loop including a redundant communication bus connected to a redundant device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a loop including the communication bus connected to one of the devices and the secondary redundant element comprises a redundant loop including a redundant communication bus connected to a redundant device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; and a control logic operating in a functional element associated with the pair of redundant elements, the control logic adapted to detect an operational status of one of the redundant elements and to communicate the operational status to the controller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
165 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; and a control logic operating in a functional element associated with the pair of redundant elements, the control logic adapted to detect an operational status of one of the redundant elements and to communicate the operational status to the controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the controller includes a detector that detects the termination of communications from one of the pair of redundant elements to detect the failure of the one of the pair of redundant elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process control system that performs process control functions within a process in a distributed manner including: a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process; a plurality of devices communicatively linked over the communication bus, wherein each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element that are adapted to perform the same process function within the process; and a controller coupled to the pair of redundant elements to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements and to operationally connect the other of the redundant elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the controller includes a detector that detects the termination of communications from one of the pair of redundant elements to detect the failure of the one of the pair of redundant elements.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process control system comprising: a loop controller including a control logic implementing a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered digital communication protocol; a redundant pair of two-way communication busses coupled to the loop controller including a primary communication bus and a redundant communication bus; and a plurality of devices coupled to the redundant pair of two-way communication busses; wherein the controller is adapted to detect a failure associated with one of the redundant pair of busses and to operationally connect the other of the redundant pair of busses in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant pair of busses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process control system comprising: a loop controller including a control logic implementing a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered digital communication protocol; a redundant pair of two-way communication busses coupled to the loop controller including a primary communication bus and a redundant communication bus; and a plurality of devices coupled to the redundant pair of two-way communication busses; wherein the controller is adapted to detect a failure associated with one of the redundant pair of busses and to operationally connect the other of the redundant pair of busses in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the redundant pair of busses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process control system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of devices includes a first redundant device that is connected to the primary communication bus and a second redundant device that is coupled to the redundant communication bus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process control system of claim 16, wherein one of the plurality of devices is coupled to the primary communication bus and to the redundant communication bus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process control system of claim 16, wherein the loop controller implements a Fieldbus communication protocol.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process control system comprising: a loop controller including a control logic implementing a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered digital communication protocol; a two-way communication loop coupled to the loop controller; and a redundant pair of functional elements including a primary functional element coupled to the communication loop and a redundant functional element coupled to the communication loop; wherein the loop controller is adapted to detect a failure associated with one of the redundant pair of functional elements via the two-way communication loop and to operationally connect the other of the functional elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the functional elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process control system comprising: a loop controller including a control logic implementing a two-wire, two-way, loop-powered digital communication protocol; a two-way communication loop coupled to the loop controller; and a redundant pair of functional elements including a primary functional element coupled to the communication loop and a redundant functional element coupled to the communication loop; wherein the loop controller is adapted to detect a failure associated with one of the redundant pair of functional elements via the two-way communication loop and to operationally connect the other of the functional elements in the process control system upon detection of the failure of the one of the functional elements.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of configuring a process control system that performs process control functions in a process in a distributed manner, the method including the steps of: providing a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process control system; communicatively connecting a plurality of devices over the communication bus such that each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; using a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element within the process to perform the same process function; and using the communication bus to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements; and operationally connecting the other of the redundant elements in the process control system in response to the failure of the one of the redundant elements.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of configuring a process control system that performs process control functions in a process in a distributed manner, the method including the steps of: providing a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process control system; communicatively connecting a plurality of devices over the communication bus such that each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; using a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element within the process to perform the same process function; and using the communication bus to detect a failure of one of the redundant elements; and operationally connecting the other of the redundant elements in the process control system in response to the failure of the one of the redundant elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the primary redundant element comprises the communication bus and the secondary redundant element comprises a further communication bus and further including the step of connecting the communication bus and the further communication bus to the same device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the primary redundant element comprises one of the plurality of devices and the secondary redundant element comprises a further device and further including the step of connecting the one of the plurality of devices and the further device to the communication bus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the primary redundant element comprises a primary loop including the communication bus connected to one of the devices and the secondary redundant element comprises a redundant loop including a redundant communication bus connected to a redundant device and further including the step of operationally connecting only one of the primary loop or the redundant loop within the process control system at a particular time.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of configuring a process control system that performs process control functions in a process in a distributed manner, the method including the steps of: providing a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process control system; communicatively connecting a plurality of devices over the communication bus such that each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; using a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element within the process to perform the same process function; and detecting a failure of one of the redundant elements; and operationally connecting the other of the redundant elements in the process control system in response to the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a first function block that performs a particular process function and the secondary redundant element comprises a second function block that performs the particular process function and further including the step of alternatively communicatively coupling either the first or the second function block within a process control loop of the process.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of configuring a process control system that performs process control functions in a process in a distributed manner, the method including the steps of: providing a communication bus that performs a communication process function in the process control system; communicatively connecting a plurality of devices over the communication bus such that each of the devices performs a different process function within the process; using a pair of redundant elements including a primary redundant element and a secondary redundant element within the process to perform the same process function; and detecting a failure of one of the redundant elements; and operationally connecting the other of the redundant elements in the process control system in response to the failure of the one of the redundant elements; wherein the primary redundant element comprises a first function block that performs a particular process function and the secondary redundant element comprises a second function block that performs the particular process function and further including the step of alternatively communicatively coupling either the first or the second function block within a process control loop of the process.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25, further including the step of locating the first and the second function blocks in different ones of the plurality of field devices.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25, further including the step of communicatively connecting a controller function block to the first and second function blocks to detect the failure of one of the first and second function blocks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |