State machine function block with a user modifiable output configuration database

Abstract

Control systems, safety systems, etc. within a refinery can each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated in a function block diagrammatic programming environment. Such a state machine functional block may include one or more inputs that may or may not cause the state machine implemented by the state machine functional block to change state. The state machine functional block may also include a plurality of outputs. Output configuration data associated with a function block may indicate an output value of the function block at each state of the state machine. The state machine function block can use this output configuration data to determine its output when it is in a particular state.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to functional blocks used in process plants, and more particularly to configuring and implementing state machines associated with process plants. Background technique [0002] Process control systems such as those used in chemical, petroleum, or other processes typically include one or more process controllers communicatively coupled to at least one host computer or operator via an analog, digital, or combined analog / digital bus or line Workstation and one or more field devices. Field devices, which can be, for example, valves, valve positioners, switches, and transmitters such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate sensors, perform functions such as opening or closing valves and measuring process parameters within a process plant. The process controller receives signals indicative of process measurements made by field devices and / or other information about the field devices, uses this information to implement...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But as one of ordinary skill in the art knows, using SFC to track the state of a system can be difficult

Also, like routines written in programming languages, creating SFCs can be tedious, time-consuming, and full of errors

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