An actuator of a process control device continuously monitors actuator force and records high force values at each position point by continuously executing a routine in a processor of the actuator. The routine includes receiving from a position sensor a current position value indicating a position of a valve element in the valve, and from a force sensor a current force value indicating a force applied by the actuator. The routine also includes retrieving, from a memory device coupled to the processor, a previous force value measured at the current position, and comparing the current force values for the current position with the previous force value for the current position. If the current force value for the current position exceeds the previous force value for the current position, the routine replaces the previous force value for the current position with the current force value for the current position in memory.

An apparatus for component cooling includes a first heat transfer element configured to be thermally coupled to a heat-generating component and a second heat transfer element configured to be thermally coupled to the heat-generating component. A manifold is configured to receive a single fluid flow of a heat transfer medium and split the single fluid flow into a first split fluid flow provided to the first heat transfer element and a second split fluid flow provided to the second heat transfer element.

A method for replacing a controller on a process device that avoids downtime on a process line. The method may include retrieving data from a first controller on a valve assembly, the data comprising information that defines values for operating parameters on the first controller, removing the first controller from the valve assembly, coupling a second controller to the valve assembly, and storing data on the second controller, the data comprising information that defines the values for operating parameters corresponding with the first controller.

A computer-implemented method and/or system for controlling a material handler comprises: processing, by an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of electronic input signals from at least one joystick; determining an adjustment for at least one of a pair of solenoids based on at least the plurality of electronic input signals from the joystick; controlling the pair of solenoids by the ECU and each solenoid acting in opposition to each of a pair of biasing elements of an open-center directional control valve to move the directional control valve to an extension position or a retraction position from a central position; determining a setpoint buildup pressure for a central passageway of the directional control valve; and actuating a constrictive solenoid of a pressure buildup valve to constrict the central passageway based on the setpoint buildup pressure whereby the constrictive passageway increases a pressure in the central passageway of the directional control valve.

A method for linkage between an alarm based on gas and a gas meter is provided. The method is executed by the gas meter. The method includes: obtaining a detection signal through electrical connection with the alarm; determining a target alarm event corresponding to the detection signal in response to the detection signal meeting a preset alarm condition; in response to the detection signal meeting the preset alarm condition, receiving a reset instruction issued by a management platform; performing reset operation on the alarm based on the reset instruction; obtaining a reset detection signal and determining a reset alarm event corresponding to the reset detection signal; determining a credibility of the target alarm event; sending a control closing instruction to the gas meter based on the credibility larger than a preset credibility threshold, and closing a gas valve of the gas meter based on the control closing instruction.

Methods and systems for programming and controlling a control system of a gas valve assembly. The methods and systems include programming a control system in an automated manner to establish an air-fuel ratio based at least in part on a burner firing rate. The established air-fuel ratio may be configured to facilitate meeting a combustion constituent set point of combustion constituents in the combustion exhaust. The methods and systems include controlling operation of a combustion appliance based on closed-loop control techniques and utilizing feedback from a sensor measuring combustion constituents in exhaust from a combustion chamber in the combustion appliance. The combustion constituents on which control of the combustion appliance may be determined include oxygen and/or carbon dioxide.

Method for diagnosing a pneumatic control valve by using a positioner model includes: establishing relational expression for outputting valve stem displacement according to control pressure, the relational expression including parameters for the characteristics of a positioner, an actuator, and a valve, determining initial parameter value by adjusting the values of the parameters until the difference between a measured value for a normal operation of the pneumatic control valve and output value obtained by the relational expression is smaller than predetermined error limit, determining diagnostic parameter value by adjusting the values of the parameters until the difference between a measured value for a diagnostic operation of the pneumatic control valve and an output value obtained by the relational expression is smaller than a predetermined error limit, and comparing the initial parameter value and the diagnostic parameter value so as to determine whether the pneumatic control valve has abnormality.

A method for actuating a valve device as a function of a characteristic curve including actuating the valve device with a dither superimposed on a target value (i_EDS) with such a frequency that the operating condition of the valve device follows the actuation corresponding to the characteristic curve (v_kk). The method further includes determining, with the characteristic curve (v_kk), the output values (1, x) which correlate with the target values (i_EDS) at inflection points of a harmonic oscillation impressed upon the valve device with the dither, and determining further output values as a function of the output values (1, x). The amplitude of the dither is predefined such that, during an actuation of the valve device, one of the inflection points lies in a first or second characteristic curve range (v_kk1 or v_kk3, v_kk3 or v_kk5), and another inflection point lies in a third characteristic curve range (v_kk2 or v_kk4).

Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vibration monitoring circuit to: collect first vibration data associated with a process control device during calibration of the process control device; calculate an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data; collect usage information associated with the process control device, the usage information indicative of a remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; adjust the operating threshold based on the usage information, the adjusted operating threshold reflective of the remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; and determine a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the adjusted operating threshold.

An integrated furnace controller (IFC) for use in a gas-powered heating system includes a modulating gas valve assembly having a modulating gas valve to variably control a flow of gas through the gas valve assembly and a control circuit. The IFC includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The IFC is communicatively coupled to the modulating gas valve assembly and a mobile device. The memory stores instructions that program the processor to receive, using the communication interface, a valve offset output from the mobile device, store the valve offset in the memory, receive a call for heat, and output one or more commands to the modulating gas valve assembly in response to the call for heat. The one or more commands causing the modulating gas valve assembly to control the modulating gas valve based on a desired gas flow rate and the valve offset.