Apparatus for providing non-redundant secondary access to field devices in a distributed control system
US5793963A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for accessing field devices in a distributed control system provides non-redundant secondary access to a plurality of field devices that are controlled by a control room. The field devices are coupled to a Fieldbus control network. In a first embodiment, each field device is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that is accessible by a wireless handheld unit or wireless terminal. In a second embodiment, each Fieldbus control network is provided with a field module having a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all devices connected to the Fieldbus control network to be accessed by a wireless handheld unit or a wireless terminal. In a third embodiment, an H2-to-H1 Fieldbus bridge (which may service a plurality of H1 control networks) is provided with a wireless Fieldbus port that allows all Fieldbus devices connected to H1 control networks serviced by the H2-to-H1 bridge to be access by a wireless handheld unit of a wireless terminal. In a fourth embodiment, a bridge/converter provides an interface between older analog control room components and newer Fieldbus field devices. In one configuration, the bridge/converter includes a hard-wired Fieldbus port connected to a ter…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.