Device and method for monitoring response time in a valve manifold assembly

A fluid control system comprising:

• a controller;
• a fieldbus communication module controlled by the controller and connected to the controller via a fieldbus network;
• at least one manifold unit connected to the fieldbus communication module, the manifold unit including at least one solenoid control valve for controlling flow of a fluid;
• at least one fieldbus I/O module connected to the fieldbus communication module;
• and
• a field device pneumatically connected to the manifold unit, the field device including a piston and sensors for determining when the piston is in its extended or retracted position, the sensors electrically connected to the fieldbus I/O module;
• the fieldbus communication module configured to process signals received from the controller and, in response, send signals to the solenoid control valve to control flow of the fluid to the field device;
• wherein the fieldbus communication module is further configured to process the signals received from the controller and signals received from the field device sensors via the fieldbus I/O module to determine the elapsed time between an initiation and completion of an actuation cycle of the piston and to actuate an alarm if the elapsed time is outside of a predetermined tolerance boundary;
• and
• wherein the fieldbus I/O module includes a display for displaying the alarm.

A fluid control system comprising:

• a controller;
• a fieldbus communication module controlled by the controller and connected to the controller via a fieldbus network;
• at least one manifold unit connected to the fieldbus communication module, the manifold unit including at least one solenoid control valve for controlling flow of a fluid;
• at least one fieldbus I/O module connected to the fieldbus communication module;
• and
• a field device pneumatically connected to the manifold unit, the field device including a piston and sensors for determining when the piston is in its extended or retracted position, the sensors electrically connected to the fieldbus I/O module;
• the fieldbus communication module configured to process signals received from the controller and, in response, send signals to the solenoid control valve to control flow of the fluid to the field device;
• wherein the fieldbus communication module is further configured to process the signals received from the controller and signals received from the field device sensors via the fieldbus I/O module to determine the elapsed time between an initiation and completion of an actuation cycle of the piston and to actuate an alarm if the elapsed time is outside of a predetermined tolerance boundary;
• and
• wherein the sensors are electrically connected to separate I/Os of the fieldbus I/O module.