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Tyco Flow Control has spelt out its vision for the future of process control with the launch of XamineR, a new field device which provides ahost of new features for pneumatic applications while remaining compatible with all types of installations.
Tony Stark, Global Manager–Automation of Tyco Flow Control, says his company’s goal is to build on its position as market leader for valves and actuators to becomea supplier of complete intelligent valve control packages.
TheXamineR uses a number of state-of-the-art technologies. It has a non-contact Hall effect sensor, for precise position feedback, and a fullyencapsulated electronics module, to provide detailed information regarding the performance of the pneumatic Automated Valve Package. “XamineR has the intelligence, speed and range of communication options thatare demanded daily by process managers,” says Mr. Stark.
The instrument is calibrated, commissioned, interrogated, and maintained via an associated software package called XtractoR. Together the two items provide valve control, monitoring and diagnostic information, including performance comparison graphs in real time, either via a network,or wireless communication, on a discrete installation.
“The new device gives the process manager the ability to verify the performance of any Automated Valve Package on the plant in real time—ensuring the potential for catastrophic failure is vastly reduced,” says Mr. Stark. “XamineR enables the process manager to reduce downtime, increaseoperational time and improve plant efficiency.”
Networking andsoftware
Within the Tyco Flow Control portfolio of products, the pneumatic and electric actuator solutions already use the latest technology, from non-contact sensing to wireless communication. Tyco Flow Control has also developed interfaces, both for pneumatic and electric automation, for all the most common Network technologies, including HART, AS Interface, DeviceNet, Profibus, and Foundation Fieldbus. Tyco Flow Control is a member of all of the major fieldbus organisations and is involved in all the latest software configuration technologies, including the Field Device Type (FDT) / Device Type Manager (DTM) initiative.
XamineR can also provide Electronic Software Definition (ESD) and Partial Stroke Testing (PST) options, fully time and date stamped and validated, in order to, again increase the efficiency of the plant and to provide authenticated evidence of these actions, for any health and safety body. In the interests of compatibility a DTM is alsounder development for XamineR based on Profibus/Foundation Fieldbus.
Commenting on the news, Mr. Stark, said, “The basic automated valve package currently installed on major plants around the globe is nolonger sufficient. The process manager now requires more detailed information—and faster—in order to make the most appropriate decision, based on facts and not hunches.
“Process managers are looking toincrease efficiency through diagnostic information, predictive maintenance and reduced downtime, and most importantly they need advance warning of any deterioration of elements within the system. In addition, the demands on process operators have ensured that new types of installations are required, including Emergency Shut Down with Partial StokeTesting. State of the art technology is required to comply fully withthis new legislation,” he continued.
The development of the XamineR field device and XtractoR software will also enable the Tyco FlowControl service engineers to download data from the device and uploadthis data to a Valve Population Management tool, again in real time.Tyco Flow Control’s vision is to complement the broadest range of Automated Valve Packages in the industry with the latest technology, to provide a highly efficient single source for sales and service.
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