Wireless Field Interface for Remote Device Access and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process plants, field devices require frequent data collection and maintenance, which is cumbersome due to the need for physical access, leading to delays, exposure to hazardous environments, and increased operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communicator device with processors, a transmitter, and a wireless network interface controller enables remote data retrieval, analysis, and firmware updates for field devices, eliminating the need for physical access and reducing exposure to hazardous conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical access to field devices is required for data collection and maintenance, then direct communication with field devices is achieved, but exposure to hazardous environments and maintenance delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the field device and the user device. The gateway receives wireless communications from the field device and forwards data to remote devices, eliminating the need for direct physical access to hazardous field locations while maintaining communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical access requirement with a wireless communication system. Field devices transmit data wirelessly to the gateway, which then communicates with remote devices, substituting the need for physical presence in hazardous environments with electromagnetic communication.
2Productivity
If physical access to field devices is required for maintenance, then direct device control is achieved, but maintenance time and operational delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables remote self-service maintenance capabilities where operators can access field device data, perform diagnostics, and update firmware without traveling to field locations. The wireless gateway facilitates autonomous maintenance operations from remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless gateway serves as a mediator that enables remote maintenance operations by relaying communications between field devices and remote maintenance devices, eliminating travel time and enabling immediate maintenance responses.
3Reliability
If wired communication networks are used for data collection, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but network complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes wired mechanical connections with wireless communication systems. Field devices communicate data wirelessly to the gateway, which then transmits to remote devices, maintaining data reliability while eliminating complex physical network infrastructure installation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for accessing and controlling field devices to collect data and convert protocols are disclosed herein. An example system to access a field device includes one or more processors, a transmitter, a wireless network interface controller, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, may cause the field communicator device to retrieve process parameter data encoded in a field device transmission protocol. The field communicator device may retrieve the process parameter data at a plurality of time intervals from a field device, and the process parameter data may correspond to a process parameter for the field device. The field communicator device may also store at least some of the process parameter data, analyze the process parameter data over the plurality of time intervals to identify a condition of the field device, and transmit an indication of the condition of the field device to a remote device.