Device data acquisition
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsBruce F. Grumstrup, Bruce A. Johnson, Jimmie L. Snowbarger
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Abstract
Data samples are obtained from a control device while in use to control a material process. Selected ones of these samples are stored which represent results of operating the device over portions of its characteristics, and they are selectively combined to provide an indication of the complete device characteristics. Selected such data samples are used provide information concerning selected control device parameters based on the device characteristics.
Claims18
A method of acquiring data to represent relationships over corresponding relationship magnitude ranges between selected signals obtained from a process control device controlling at least a part of a process with that data being acquired during such controlling, said method comprising:
- obtaining a succession of sets of substantially contemporaneously collected magnitude values of said selected signals during said controlling with a value of each of said selected signals forming a member of each of said sets so that corresponding members of said succession of sets form a sequence of magnitude values for a corresponding one of said selected signals;
- storing selected ones of said succession of sets;
- and
- providing an indicator of a relationship between at least a pair of said selected signals over at least portions of said relationship magnitude ranges corresponding thereto by selecting a group of said stored sets with those members thereof corresponding to one of said pair of selected signals forming corresponding stored set sequences of magnitude values, said stored set sequences having therein substantially monotonic subsequences of magnitude values extending over corresponding subsequence magnitude ranges that are less in extent than those said portions of said corresponding relationship magnitude ranges over which said indicator is provided.
A method of acquiring data to represent pairs of points opposite one another on a closed loop in a relationship between a selected pair of signals in a plurality of selected signals obtained from a process control device controlling at least a part of a process with that data being acquired during such controlling, said method comprising:
- obtaining a succession of sets of substantially contemporaneously collected magnitude values of said selected signals during said controlling with a value of each of said selected signals forming a member of each of said sets;
- storing selected ones of said succession of sets;
- and
- selecting a first stored set in said succession of sets having a pair of members corresponding to said selected pair of signals including a first member in said pair thereof with a magnitude value substantially equal to a selected reference value, and selecting a second stored set having a pair of members corresponding to said selected pair of signals including a first member in said pair thereof corresponding to said first member of said first stored set, second stored set being that said stored set next in said succession of sets following said first stored set that last has said first corresponding member thereof with a magnitude value substantially equal to said selected reference value, said pair of corresponding members in each of said first and second stored sets defining a said pair of points.
A data acquisition system for acquiring data to represent relationships over corresponding relationship magnitude ranges between selected signals obtained from a process control device controlling at least a part of a process with that data being acquired during such controlling, said system comprising:
- means for obtaining a succession of sets of substantially contemporaneously collected magnitude values of said selected signals during said controlling with a value of each of said selected signals forming a member of each of said sets so that corresponding members of said succession of sets form a sequence of magnitude values for a corresponding one of said selected signals;
- means for storing selected ones of said succession of sets;
- and
- means for providing an indicator of a relationship between at least a pair of said selected signals over at least portions of said relationship magnitude ranges corresponding thereto by selecting a group of said stored sets with those members thereof corresponding to one of said pair of selected signals forming corresponding stored set sequences of magnitude values, said stored set sequences having therein substantially monotonic subsequences of magnitude values extending over corresponding subsequence magnitude ranges that are less in extent than those said portions of said corresponding relationship magnitude ranges over which said indicator is provided.
An acquisition system for acquiring data to represent pairs of points opposite one another on a closed loop in relationship between the selected pair signals in a plurality of selected signals obtained from a process control device controlling at least a portion of the process with that data being acquired during such controlling, said system comprising:
- means for obtaining a succession of sets of substantially contemporaneously collected magnitude values of said selected signals during said controlling with a value of each of said selected signals forming a member of each of said sets;
- means for storing selected ones of said succession of sets;
- and
- means for selecting a first stored set in said succession of sets having a pair of members corresponding to said selected pair of signals including a first member in said pair thereof with a magnitude value substantially equal to a selected reference value, and selecting a second stored set having a pair of members corresponding to said selected pair of signals including a first member in said pair thereof corresponding to said first member of said first stored set, second stored set being that said stored set next in said succession of sets following said first stored set that last has said first corresponding member thereof with a magnitude value substantially equal to said selected reference value, said pair of corresponding members in each of said first and second stored sets defining a said pair of points.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.