A field device for controlling actuators and for processing and relaying sensor signals, having a control unit for providing control signals, having a transmission device for transmitting the control signals within the field device, wherein the transmission device comprises at least one interface designed for electrical coupling of a function module, having at least one function module designed as an engine control module, which is equipped for controlling at least one electrical drive depending on control signals from the control unit, wherein the control unit and the function module are electrically connected to each other by means of the transmission device, wherein the transmission device is designed for providing electrical drive energy to the engine control module and wherein the engine control module is designed for providing electrical drive energy to the drive in order to enable operation of the electrical drive with the electrical drive energy.

A field device for controlling actuators and for processing and relaying sensor signals, having a control unit for providing control signals, having a transmission device for transmitting the control signals within the field device, wherein the transmission device comprises at least one interface designed for electrical coupling of a function module, having at least one function module designed as an engine control module, which is equipped for controlling at least one electrical drive depending on control signals from the control unit, wherein the control unit and the function module are electrically connected to each other by means of the transmission device, wherein the transmission device is designed for providing electrical drive energy to the engine control module and wherein the engine control module is designed for providing electrical drive energy to the drive in order to enable operation of the electrical drive with the electrical drive energy.

A valve positioner that can maintain operation of the control valve despite failures in one or more components. The valve positioner may reduce downtime by allowing in-situ repair to occur on the valve positioner. The valve positioner may incorporate a by-pass component, which can utilize control input signals (e.g., a 4-20 mA signal) to energize one or more components (e.g., a current-to-pressure converter) to cause the control valve to modulate fluid flow without the digital microprocessor and/or related components.

A valve positioner that can maintain operation of the control valve despite failures in one or more components. The valve positioner may reduce downtime by allowing in-situ repair to occur on the valve positioner. The valve positioner may incorporate a by-pass component, which can utilize control input signals (e.g., a 4-20 mA signal) to energize one or more components (e.g., a current-to-pressure converter) to cause the control valve to modulate fluid flow without the digital microprocessor and/or related components.

Methods and apparatus for controlling multiple valves as a single valve based on a coordinated control signal are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to be operatively coupled to a first valve and a second valve. In some examples, the second valve is to be operatively positioned in series with the first valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to control a position of the first valve and a position of the second valve based on a coordinated control signal to be received by the valve controller.

Methods and apparatus for controlling multiple valves as a single valve based on a coordinated control signal are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to be operatively coupled to a first valve and a second valve. In some examples, the second valve is to be operatively positioned in series with the first valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to control a position of the first valve and a position of the second valve based on a coordinated control signal to be received by the valve controller.

A remotely controlled valve includes an electric motor and transmission for moving a valve stem or valve actuator. The operation of the motor may be controlled by a first input for power and analog signals. The valve is also provided with a programmable logic controller and a wireless module for receiving wireless control signals for controlling the operation of the motor which moves the valve stem or a valve actuator in a desired manner.

A method for controlling a pump-down operation in a wellbore includes selecting a target value for downhole tension of a support cable and a recommended job speed to convey a wireline tool string down a section of the wellbore, generating a line speed signal for controlling a line speed of the support cable and a pumprate signal to control a pumprate of a hydraulic fluid in the wellbore, determining a first error between the target value for downhole tension and a measured value of the downhole tension, determining a second error between the recommended job speed and an actual line speed, and maintaining the target value for the downhole tension by simultaneously controlling the line speed and the pumprate using a value for the line speed signal and a value for the pumprate signal generated based on the first and second errors.

A method for controlling a pump-down operation in a wellbore includes selecting a target value for downhole tension of a support cable and a recommended job speed to convey a wireline tool string down a section of the wellbore, generating a line speed signal for controlling a line speed of the support cable and a pumprate signal to control a pumprate of a hydraulic fluid in the wellbore, determining a first error between the target value for downhole tension and a measured value of the downhole tension, determining a second error between the recommended job speed and an actual line speed, and maintaining the target value for the downhole tension by simultaneously controlling the line speed and the pumprate using a value for the line speed signal and a value for the pumprate signal generated based on the first and second errors.

A remotely controlled valve includes an electric motor and transmission for moving a valve stem or valve actuator. The operation of the motor may be controlled by a first input for power and analog signals. The valve is also provided with a programmable logic controller and a wireless module for receiving wireless control signals for controlling the operation of the motor which moves the valve stem or a valve actuator in a desired manner.