摘要:
A method useful for providing a user interface for a process plant includes displaying graphical depictions of process plant elements of the process plant via the user interface. Information is generated for a plurality of content layers of a process graphic display of the process plant elements by processing data regarding operation of the process plant. Content to be displayed via the user interface is determined from the generated information by determining which content layer of the plurality of content layer is to be displayed. In some embodiments, the determination may be made based on a user profile characteristic. The generated information may therefore support multiple views of the process plant via the user interface for a plurality of different types of users of the user interface, and may involve processing data regarding actual and simulated operation of the process plant. As a result, the method may also include determining whether the process plant is currently on-line to further determine the portion of the information to be displayed via the user interface.
摘要:
Graphic elements and graphic displays are provided for use in a process environment to display information to one or more users about the process environment, such as the current state of devices within a process plant. The graphic elements and displays may be associated with various logical and physical elements within the process plant during configuration of the process plant, and may be configured and downloaded to the hardware within the process plant along with other configuration items, such as control routines. In particular, the graphic elements and graphic displays may be created and stored in a library, and may then be configured by being associated with various logical or physical entities within the plant. During the configuration process, the graphic elements and graphic displays may be associated with areas, equipment, process modules, control routines or control strategies of the plant as defined elsewhere in the plant configuration, or may be associated with interfaces or display devices, to define the hardware on which the graphic displays will execute during runtime, as well at to define the process entities to which these displays will be bound for display purposes. Still further, each of the graphic displays may be defined with a role or a functional use, such as an operator view, a maintenance view, etc., and these roles may be used to define the proper access and use of the graphic displays within the runtime environment.
摘要:
Example apparatus and methods to access information associated with a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a first user-defined parameter name to reference a first datum value in a first data source. The first one of a plurality of data source interfaces is enabled to access the first datum value in the first data source. The example method also involves enabling referencing the first datum value in the first data source based on the first user-defined parameter name. In addition, data source interface software is then generated to access the first datum value in the first data source in response to receiving a first data access request including the first user-defined parameter name.
摘要:
Example apparatus and methods to access information associated with a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a first user-defined parameter name to reference a first datum value in a first data source. The first one of a plurality of data source interfaces is enabled to access the first datum value in the first data source. The example method also involves enabling referencing the first datum value in the first data source based on the first user-defined parameter name. In addition, data source interface software is then generated to access the first datum value in the first data source in response to receiving a first data access request including the first user-defined parameter name.
摘要:
A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant, composite templates, module templates, etc. The objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant may comprise, for example, phase classes or unit phases.
摘要:
A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant, composite templates, module templates, etc. The objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant may comprise, for example, phase classes or unit phases.
摘要:
A version control system helps to keep track of versions of process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant. These module objects may be created from module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant. Version data is stored and associated with a module object. The version data may comprise data indicative of a version of a module class object that was used to create the module object. The version data may also comprise data indicative of a version of the module object. Configuration systems, version control systems, viewing systems, debugging systems, run-time monitoring systems, asset management systems, etc., may examine or permit viewing of the version control data associated with an item.
摘要:
An apparatus having a programmable processor and a memory for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions includes a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions. The items include, for each function, at least one procedure for performing an action associated with the control function and a specification of at least one state associated with the control function. The apparatus further includes software routines stored on the memory and adapted to be executed by the processor that facilitate selection of a procedure in the database, that access the database and cause performance of the selected procedure to achieve the state specified therein, and that monitor at least one resource associated with the action of the procedure and, based thereon, determine whether the specified state has been achieved.
摘要:
Process control systems for operating process plants are disclosed herein. The process control systems include control modules that are decoupled from the I/O architecture of the process plants using signal objects or generic shadow blocks. This decoupling is effected by using the signal objects or generic shadow blocks to manage at least part of the communication between the control modules and the field devices. Signal objects may convert between protocols used by control modules and field devices, thus decoupling the control modules from the I/O architecture. Generic shadow blocks may be automatically configured to mimic the operation of field devices within a controller executing the control modules, thus partially decoupling the control modules from the I/O architecture by using the shadow blocks to manage communication between the control modules and the field devices.
摘要:
A common process control graphical user interface plant operators, plant maintenance personnel, and management is disclosed which provides a real-time interface to both the process and the plant. The common interface is modular in design and is capable of supporting various specializations for each user type. Operator consoles are dedicated to each section of the plant and include additional functions such as maintenance, configuration, simulation and supervisory information. The unified for common graphical interface replaces control room displays filled with single case analog controllers, meters, and digital indicators. The common interface addresses the functions that previously were provided by the panel motor start/stop buttons and status indications, chart recorders, annunciator panels and subsystem interfaces. From a console, operators manage alarms, adjust the process by entering new setpoints or other parameters, “zoom in” on particular portions of the process for details, and utilize other specialized applications to work with their batch, advanced control, or business applications. The interface will run in both dedicated and non-dedicated modes, will run as a rich client or as part of a browser style interface utilizing web services and will run on workstations, laptops, tablet PC's, handhelds, and smart phones.