초록 ▼

A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter associated with each of the different devices, loops or function blocks within a process control system, processes the collected data to determin

A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter associated with each of the different devices, loops or function blocks within a process control system, processes the collected data to determine which devices, loops or function blocks have problems that result in reduced performance of the process control system, displays a list of detected problems to an operator and then suggests the use of other, more specific diagnostic tools to further pinpoint or correct the problems. When the diagnostic tool recommends and executes a data intensive application as the further diagnostic tool, it automatically configures a controller of the process control network to collect the data needed for such a tool.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A diagnostic tool for use in a process control system having a multiplicity of function blocks adapted to control a process device during operation of a process, the diagnostic tool comprising:a data collection unit configured to communicate with each of the multiplicit

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A diagnostic tool for use in a process control system having a multiplicity of function blocks adapted to control a process device during operation of a process, the diagnostic tool comprising:a data collection unit configured to communicate with each of the multiplicity of function blocks to receive, on a regular basis during operation of the process control system, data pertaining to a function block operating parameter for each of the multiplicity of function blocks;a data analyzer that determines a value for the function block operating parameter for each of a number of times during operation of the process control system based on the received function block operating parameter data;a detector that detects a problem within the process control system based on the determined values of the function block operating parameter; and an output generator that creates a report indicating the detected problem,wherein the function block operating parameter is a variability parameter and wherein the data analyzer determines a variability value associated with one of the function blocks at each of the number of times based on collected function block operating parameter data.