Method and apparatus for detecting a plugged port

A method of detecting a plugged port connection in a fluid-containing apparatus involved in a process, the method comprising steps of:

• measuring a fluid variable through the port to provide a measured fluid variable;
• determining a range, based on the measured fluid variable, beyond which the fluid variable is expected to vary in a predetermined time interval;
• re-measuring the fluid variable;
• and
• indicating that the port connection is plugged responsive to the fluid variable remaining within the range for the predetermined time interval.

A device for detecting a plugged sensor port connection in a fluid-containing apparatus monitoring a process, the device comprising:

• a sensor that measures a fluid variable through the port;
• a first means for determining a range beyond which the fluid variable is expected to vary during a predetermined time interval;
• a second means, coupled to the sensor, for determining whether the fluid variable is within the range;
• and
• a third means for providing an indication of a plugged port responsive to the fluid variable remaining within the range for the predetermined time interval.

A method for detecting and clearing a plugged sensor port in a system containing a fluid being monitored via the sensor port, the method comprising steps of:

• sensing a fluid variable through the port to provide a measured fluid variable;
• detecting a plugged sensor port based on the measured fluid variable remaining within a predetermined range for a predetermined period of time;
• and
• actuating a clearing mechanism to clear the plugged sensor port responsive to the plugged sensor port being detected.

A computer readable medium encoded with at least one program for execution on at least one processor, the program performing a method for detecting a plugged sensor port connection in a system relating to a process being monitored, the method comprising steps of:

• establishing an operating value of a fluid variable;
• determining a range beyond which the fluid variable is expected to vary within a predetermined time interval;
• measuring the fluid variable;
• determining whether the fluid variable is within the range;
• and
• indicating a plugged port condition in response to the fluid variable remaining within the range for the predetermined time interval.