Dan Christensen

Redundant Devices In A Process Control System

Application

#6742136 May 25, 2004

Filed

Dec 5, 2000

Inventor

Dan Dean Christensen (Austin, TX) · Steve D. Bonwell (Austin, TX) · Brian Alan Franchuk (Richfield, MN) · Stephen Anthony Zielinski (Savage, MN) · Craig Robert Tielens (Minneapolis, MN)

Appl. No.

09/730356

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

G06F 1100

U.S. Classification

714 5

Abstract

A method of and a device for implementing redundancy in a process control network using a pair of redundant devices, such as redundant I/O devices, communicatively connected to a segment of the bus in parallel to each other and in series between the controller and field devices on the segment. The redundant devices are assigned a virtual publishing address, which may be the unique address of one of the redundant devices, that is used in communicating over the bus. At all times, one of the redundant devices is operating in an active mode and communicating with the devices in process control network, and the other redundant device is operating in a backup mode wherein the redundant device maintains a communication connection with the devices and listens for messages transmitted by the devices and intended for the redundant devices, but does not respond to messages from the other devices until the device switches to the active mode.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A process control system for communications in a process control network having a plurality of devices each having a unique address, the process control system comprising: a process control network bus; a primary redundant device having a first unique address communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to publish messages on the process control network bus including a virtual publishing address; a secondary redundant device having a second unique address communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to publish messages on the process control network bus including the virtual publishing address; and at least one receiving device communicatively linked to the process control network bus and programmed to process messages published on the process control network bus containing the virtual publishing address; wherein the primary redundant device operates in an active mode whereby the primary redundant device transmits messages on the process control network bus for the at least one receiving device, and the secondary redundant device operates in a backup mode whereby the secondary device does not transmit messages on the process control network bus. 2. A process control system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary redundant device operates in the active mode when the primary redundant device is disabled. 3. A process control system according to claim 2, wherein the secondary redundant device determines that the primary redundant device is disabled based on the failure of the primary redundant device to transmit messages containing the virtual publishing address on the process control network bus. 4.

Method And Apparatus For Identifying An I/O Network In A Process Control System

Application

#7185083 Feb 27, 2007

Filed

Jan 17, 2001

Inventor

Dan Dean Christensen (Austin, TX) · Steven Lee Dienstbier (Round Rock, TX)

Appl. No.

09/761922

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

G06F 15/173, G06F 11/00

U.S. Classification

709224, 709223, 370245, 714 31

Abstract

A network identification system for use in a process control system creates and stores a unique network identification tag for input/output networks in the process control system. During the configuration process, each process controller is assigned a unique controller identification tag. In addition, each input/output device installed on each process controller is assigned a device identification tag. The network identification system creates a network identification tag for an input/output network by concatenating and combining the unique controller identification tag and the device identification tag. The network identification system may be configured to periodically transmit the network identification tag or to provide the network identification tag is response to a request for identification.

Process Control System Including A Method And Apparatus For Automatically Sensing The Connection Of Devices To A Network

Application

#6098116 Aug 1, 2000

Filed

Apr 12, 1996

Inventor

Mark Nixon (Round Rock, TX) · Ken D. Krivoshein (Elgin, TX) · John R. Shepard (Austin, TX) · Dan D. Christensen (Austin, TX) · Duncan Schleiss (Austin, TX)

Appl. No.

8/631519

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemont Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

G06F 1314, G06F 1320

U.S. Classification

710 8

Abstract

A digital control system automatically senses when a new controller is attached to a network and determines the number and types of I/O Ports that are attached to the new controller. The digital control system formats and displays the I/O Port information upon request by a user. The digital control system program also includes an automatic configuration program that responds to sensing of a new controller by automatically configuring the input/output (I/O) subsystem. The user adds a new controller without setting any physical switches or nodes. A user optionally supplies configuration information for a device into a database, prior to connection of a device. Upon connection of the device, the device is automatically sensed and configured using the database configuration information, without setting of physical switches or node address information on the devices.

Shadow Function Block Interface For Use In A Process Control Network

Application

#6738388 May 18, 2004

Filed

Sep 10, 1998

Inventor

Dennis L. Stevenson (Round Rock, TX) · Vasiliki Tzovla (Austin, TX) · Larry O. Jundt (Round Rock, TX) · Dan D. Christensen (Austin, TX) · Steve L. Dienstbier (Round Rock, TX)

Appl. No.

09/151084

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

H04J 316

U.S. Classification

370465, 370410, 370462, 370463

Abstract

A process controller that is communicatively coupled to an external field device via a communication network uses a shadow function block disposed within a process controller to enable implementation of a control routine that uses both an internal function block disposed within the process controller and an external function block disposed within the external field device. The shadow function block includes a communication port that communicates with the external function block via the communication network to thereby receive data pertaining to the external function block, a memory that stores the received data according to a configuration protocol of the internal function block and an output that provides the stored external function block data to the internal function block according to the configuration protocol of the internal function block. The communication port of the interface function block may include an output that sends data generated by the controller or the internal function block to the external function block using the communication protocol associated with the external function block.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A process routine implemented by a processor, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to an external device via a communications network, the process routine comprising: a plurality of communicatively interconnected internal function blocks located within the processor and operating according to a first protocol, the plurality of internal function blocks implemented in a scheduled manner; a shadow function block residing within the processor and communicatively interconnected with at least one of the plurality internal function blocks according to the first protocol; and an external function block residing within the external device and communicatively coupled to the shadow function block, wherein the shadow function block operates during its scheduled operating time to mirror data between the external function block and the at least one of the plurality of internal function blocks. 2. The process routine of claim 1, wherein the shadow function block further includes an output that passes data pertaining to the external function block to the at least one of the plurality of internal function blocks according to the first protocol. 3. The process routine of claim 2, wherein the shadow function block further includes an input that receives data pertaining to the external function block independently of the scheduled operation of the at least one of the plurality of internal function blocks. 4.

Highly Versatile Process Control System Controller

Application

#6973508 Dec 6, 2005

Filed

Feb 12, 2002

Inventor

Rusty Shepard (Austin, TX) · Ken Krivoshein (Elgin, TX) · Dan Christensen (Austin, TX) · Gary Law (Georgetown, TX) · Kent Burr (Round Rock, TX) · Mark Nixon (Round Rock, TX)

Appl. No.

10/074304

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

G06F013/00

U.S. Classification

710 8, 710104, 700 2, 700 8, 712 10

Abstract

A versatile controller that can be used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory. When used in a distributed process control system, the controller platform may be used as a remote input/output device and the ports of this remote input/output device may be logically mapped to controllers within the distributed process control system in a manner that is different than the physical connection between such controllers and the remote input/output device.

Process Control System Including Automatic Sensing And Automatic Configuration Of Devices

Application

#5980078 Nov 9, 1999

Filed

Feb 14, 1997

Inventor

Ken D. Krivoshein (Elgin, TX) · Dan D. Christensen (Austin, TX)

Appl. No.

8/799966

Assignee

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. (Austin, TX)

International Classification

G06F 1516

U.S. Classification

364131

Abstract

A digital control system with a predetermined configuration automatically senses the connection to a network of a digital device that is not included in the predetermined configuration. The digital device is assigned temporary address information and placed in a temporary state, called a standby state, in which the digital device supplies information to the digital control system allowing a user to access the digital device including access of device information and configuration parameters. Using the device information and configuration parameters, a user selectively commissions the digital device by assigning a physical device tag, a device address, and a device identification, and installing a control strategy to the digital device, thereby placing the digital device in an operational state in communication with the digital control system. In the standby state, a user interrogates to determine the type of device that is attached, determines the role of the device in the context of the digital control system, assigns a physical device tag that assigns the determined role to the device, and verifies connection of the device to the network. Also in the standby state, the user initiates other applications applied to the device, including calibration of the device and configuring the device within the overall control scheme of the digital control system.