Process fluid pressure transmitter with pressure transient detection

Abstract

A process fluid pressure transmitter (300) includes a process fluid pressure sensor (302), measurement circuitry (304), a controller (308) and a loop communicator (316). The process fluid pressure sensor (302) has an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. The pressure sensor (302) is coupleable to a source of process fluid pressure. The measurement circuitry (304) is coupled to the process fluid pressure sensor (302) and provides a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic of the process fluid pressure sensor (302). The controller (308) is coupled to the measurement circuitry (306) and receives the signal and calculates a process fluid pressure based at least in part upon the signal. The controller is also configured to detect a process fluid pressure transient and store at least one parameter related to the process fluid pressure transient. The loop communicator (316) is coupled to the controller (308) and is configured to provide a signal over a process communication loop (314) based upon the process fluid pressure. The process fluid pressure transmitter (300) is also configured to provide an indication related to the at least one stored parameter.

Description

Background technique [0001] Industrial process equipment is often very complex, using hundreds or even thousands of feet of process fluid pressure piping and a large number of process devices such as pumps, valves, process variable transmitters, and many others. Typically, these devices are exposed to process fluids during process operation. [0002] Pressure transients within a process fluid system can be detrimental to the integrity of the piping, connected process equipment, and / or piping operation. Actuation of valves or pumps may cause undetected transients (relatively brief spikes in process fluid pressure). These process fluid pressure transients can damage the pipeline and eventually lead to catastrophic failure. Most pressure transients occur unnoticed, and each time a transient occurs, it can cause more damage to piping structures, protective coatings, thrust limitations, gaskets or seals. This cumulative destructive property can significantly weaken the system co...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This is because the equipment types of current systems are usually not suitable for long-term exposure to the environment in which the process equipment is designed to be used

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