WO2000036380A1 - Systeme informatique en reseau de regulation d'ecoulement a acces internet - Google Patents

Systeme informatique en reseau de regulation d'ecoulement a acces internet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000036380A1
WO2000036380A1 PCT/US1999/029830 US9929830W WO0036380A1 WO 2000036380 A1 WO2000036380 A1 WO 2000036380A1 US 9929830 W US9929830 W US 9929830W WO 0036380 A1 WO0036380 A1 WO 0036380A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
flow
flow computer
yes
network flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/029830
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
J. David A. Lambert
Vipin Malik
Rick Heuer
Original Assignee
Daniel Industries, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daniel Industries, Inc. filed Critical Daniel Industries, Inc.
Priority to AU19399/00A priority Critical patent/AU1939900A/en
Priority to CA002354622A priority patent/CA2354622A1/fr
Priority to JP2000588575A priority patent/JP2002532798A/ja
Priority to EP99963094A priority patent/EP1151254A1/fr
Priority to MXPA01007207A priority patent/MXPA01007207A/es
Priority to EA200100666A priority patent/EA200100666A1/ru
Priority to KR1020017007505A priority patent/KR20010089578A/ko
Priority to BR9916256-3A priority patent/BR9916256A/pt
Publication of WO2000036380A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000036380A1/fr
Priority to NO20012950A priority patent/NO20012950L/no

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
    • G01F15/068—Indicating or recording devices with electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
    • G01F15/061—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication
    • G01F15/063—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication using electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/4401—Bootstrapping
    • G06F9/4406—Loading of operating system
    • G06F9/441—Multiboot arrangements, i.e. selecting an operating system to be loaded

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to computer systems for measuring and controlling the flow of liquids and gases through pipeline or conduit. More particularly, the present invention relates to flow computers that can be accessed remotely and locally. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to flow computers that function as web servers to enable an operator to control the flow computer, and obtain flow measurements from the flow computer via the Internet, intranet and similar technology.
  • Flow computers are used throughout the world to control and measure the flow of liquids and gases in pipelines.
  • Flow computers are used in various industries such as in the oil and gas industry and in the water treatment industry.
  • the flow computers typically connected to a number of flow sensors, receive signals that indicate the flow of liquid or gas.
  • the flow computer processes these signals to obtain desired flow calculations.
  • these flow calculations are used to determine the quantity of a commodity, such as oil or gas, that has passed through a pipeline.
  • the flow calculations are used as a basis for a business transaction to determine the volume of a commodity that has changed possession from one party to another.
  • the flow computer Because of the quantities and money involved, it is critical that the flow computer be extremely precise and extremely reliable, regardless ofthe environment in which it is used. In addition to this critical role of providing exact flow measurements, the flow computer also may be used to automatically control various pipeline equipment such as valves, meters, electronic switches and other devices for controlling the operation and flow ofthe liquid or gas.
  • a conventional flow computer 10 includes a processor 11 with associated secondary storage device 13, keypad 14, LCD display 15 and data ports 17-23.
  • Flow computer 10 may also include a floppy drive 16.
  • data ports 17- 23 may be various flow measurement transducers 24-26, control devices 29-30, modem 27, and serial input/output device 28, such as a host computer 31.
  • Data ports 17-23 may be RS-232 or RS- 485 data ports.
  • Microprocessor (or “processor”) 11 operates as the "brains" of the flow computer 10.
  • Microprocessor 11 connects to a pipeline, for example, by flow measurement transducers 24-26.
  • a variety of appropriate transducers 24-26 are known that provide data in analog voltage, analog current, frequency or other formats but nonetheless all of these transducers provide monitoring data regarding the amount and character of the fluid flowing through the pipeline.
  • Microprocessor 11 monitors the data from the transducers, performs calculations, and carries out other functions.
  • Software is embedded in the secondary storage device 13 that allows the microprocessor 11 to perform these functions.
  • the secondary storage device 13 typically is an expensive solid state device known as a "flash disk” or ROM chip, which can withstand the harsh environments and extreme weather conditions in which flow computers are often used.
  • the flow computer 10 may be controlled by an "on-site" operator.
  • Keyboard 14 allows an operator to input information such as commands that determine the frequency with which flow measurement readings are taken and results calculated.
  • An operator may also choose to use the floppy drive 16 or other appropriate memory device to load and store data into the flow computer 10.
  • Processor 11 provides a visual feedback to an operator by LCD display screen 15. Alternately, an operator may choose to "plug in” a laptop computer or other interface device 31 to the flow computer via one ofthe data ports 17-23. This allows the owner or operator ofthe flow computer 10 to easily obtain flow measurement information from the flow computer, and also to reprogram or modify the software ofthe flow computer when necessary.
  • modem 27 connects to a phone line 32 and allows remote connection of a host computer to the flow computer 10.
  • a satellite antenna device may be used to form a satellite link to transmit information to and from a host computer.
  • an oil company desires flow data from a deepwater offshore platform
  • the oil company can establish communication with the flow computer from a host computer via a satellite connection, and then obtain the desired flow information.
  • an operator may travel to the offshore platform and connect a laptop to the flow computer to retrieve the desired information.
  • Remote communication with the flow computer provides the advantages of an on-site link with the flow computer via a laptop computer without needing to be physically connected to the flow computer.
  • several problems with this approach exist in present systems.
  • the first problem is that manufacturers of flow computers usually implement their own proprietary communication protocol in their flow computers 10. The manufacturers may even use a customized processor that uses a proprietary operating system. Thus, the host computer 31 must have specialized software that is capable of interfacing and communicating with the proprietary software running on the flow computer in order to configure or retrieve information from the flow computer. Similarly, if a laptop is used to communicate directly with the flow computer, the laptop must use the appropriate proprietary communication protocol. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, customers may employ flow computers from several manufacturers. In this event, the customer must keep track of the manufacturer of each flow computer so that the proper communication protocol can be used when communicating with a particular flow computer.
  • MODBUS which currently is an industry standard bus that is used to connect flow transducers such as 24-26 to a flow computer 10, is one example.
  • the MODBUS technology is approximately two decades old and has failed to keep pace with the many technological advancements that have occurred over the years. Therefore, in order to make MODBUS work with some current technology, changes must be made to MODBUS. The problem is that once the standard MODBUS architecture is modified, then incompatibilities are introduced between the flow computer and the transducers unless both are using the same version of MODBUS. Thus, unless an industry standard architecture or protocol is continually updated, the standard becomes outdated.
  • An embodiment of the invention comprises a network flow system including at least one measurement device, a flow computer configured as a web server and associated with the measurement device, the flow computer configured to receive data from it, and a host computer communicating with the flow computer either locally or via an Internet/intranet connection.
  • Uniform resource locator ("URL") address may therefore identify the flow computer, and the host may receive data from the flow computer in a web page format.
  • the flow computer may also self-configure to identify and communicate with an attached measurement device.
  • the flow computer may have a scalable operating system compressed onto a flash disk, and may be remotely programmed by a host computer.
  • the host computer may communicate with the flow computer by a web browser.
  • Another embodiment of the invention is a method to obtain measurement data.
  • the method includes coupling a flow computer to a measurement device suitable to monitor a fluid and provide corresponding measurement data, and connecting the flow computer via a communication link to a host computer, the flow computer obtaining measurement data from the measurement device using a first protocol and communicating with the host computer using a second protocol, the second protocol being suitable for Internet intranet communication.
  • Other aspects of this method may also be present.
  • the measurement device may be queried at regular intervals, the host computer may program the flow computer, the flow computer may be identified using a URL address, and the flow computer may generate a web page including data from the measurement device.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a prior art flow computer system
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of an improved flow computer and host system constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the network flow computer of Figure 2 constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the software implemented in the network flow computer of Figure 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the flash disk, BIOS and RAM disk of the network flow computer of Figure 2;
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart of the flash disk initialization routine performed on the network flow computer of Figure 2.
  • a host computer 50 couples to one or more network flow computers 100, 800, 900 via the Internet, intranet or similar technology.
  • the flow computers also connect to various flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730 via a standardized bus, such as a MODBUS. Although three such measurement devices have been shown connected to each of the flow computers in Figure 2, one skilled in the art will understand that the number of flow measurement devices and other equipment may vary.
  • the host computer 50 may act as a host to an unspecified number of flow computers, without limitation.
  • the flow computer is programmed to collect or receive data from a measurement device such as 710, 720, 730.
  • Flow computer 100 is also programmed to be a web server, such that it can communicate over an
  • the network flow computer 100 In addition to operating as a web server, the network flow computer 100 also executes other flow computing software.
  • the host computer 50 may comprise any PC (personal computer), laptop computer, work station, mainframe computer, or any other computer capable of supporting Internet, intranet or similar technology access.
  • the network flow computer 100 may be based on the INTEL ⁇ ;86 family of microprocessors or compatible processors, such as those manufactured by AMD in its K6 and K7 family, CYRIX'S PR series, and IDT's C6 and C7 family of microprocessors.
  • the network flow computer 100 may also be based on SUN MICROSYSTEM'S RS 6000, SPARC, or ALPHA RISC microprocessor based machines. Alternatively, the network flow computer 100 may be based on any other microprocessor that is capable of performing the operations required in the present invention.
  • the preferred embodiment contemplates use of an INTEL :86 based computer as the most cost-efficient platform.
  • the minimum system requirement for the network flow computer on an x86 platform is a 386 class microprocessor, such as that commercially available from manufacturers like INTEL, AMD and CYRIX.
  • the invention will also work on higher class x86 architecture microprocessors such as the 486 family, the PENTIUM, the PENTIUM PRO, the PENTIUM ⁇ , and the like.
  • the invention will also work on non- 86 platform computers. While the best mode implements a standard PC configuration, the invention can also be implemented in a machine with an embedded computer or processor.
  • the host computer 50 preferably runs an Internet web browser software package, such as
  • MICROSOFT'S INTERNET EXPLORER or NETSCAPE'S NAVIGATOR software although any generic browser may be used.
  • No other specialized software is required at the host computer.
  • the host computer 50 may be programmed with specialized software to enable backward compatibility with older versions of software on the network flow computer.
  • Such specialized software can co-exist with the software implemented in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the host computer 50 may connect to the Internet directly or through a service provider. Similarly, both host computer 50 and network flow computer 100 may connect to the Internet using any communication media, including a standard analog phone line connection, an ISDN connection, a Tl connection, a satellite connection, direct wire connection, or the like. Host computer 50 may also be directly connected to flow computer 100, bypassing the public Internet, such as through the use of intranet and similar technology.
  • flow measurement devices 710, 720 and 730 monitor and measure certain parameters of a fluid or fluids of interest.
  • Flow computer 100 receives flow measurements from the flow measurement devices 710, 720 and 730 and performs flow calculations. The flow computer then displays these flow calculations on a web page real-time.
  • the flow computer 100 may also be requested to display historical and other measurement or configuration data. Each flow computer therefore has its own web address. Host computer 50 accesses these flow calculations by simply entering the respective URL address for a particular flow computer. For example, to address flow computer 100, an operator of host computer 50 selects the Internet URL address for flow computer 100, which as shown in the example of Figure 2 is www.flow#l .com. While the present invention refers to URL to identify the address of flow computer 100, the present invention encompasses any other type of addressing that may be used to identify a flow computer. In response to the selection of this address, flow computer 100 is contacted and replies with its web page, which preferably includes a list of current flow calculations. Other features and details of the flow computer 100 may be selected from menu entries in that computer's web page. In similar fashion, each of the other flow computers in the customer's inventory may be addressed and its information monitored real-time via the Internet, intranet or similar technology.
  • Prior art measurement devices 710, 720, 730 may operate using only a single industry standard protocol.
  • gas chromatographs use only the MODBUS protocol to communicate with external devices.
  • the gas chromatograph becomes, in effect, a networked gas chromatograph that is accessible remotely via the network flow computer.
  • the software on the gas chromatograph does not require an upgrade. So long as the gas chromatograph is coupled to the network flow computer 100 as explained above, the network flow computer can make the flow measurement data provided by the gas chromatograph accessible remotely by any host computer 50 located anywhere in the world.
  • the principles of the present invention may be applied to existing meters, including gas chromotographs, ultrasonic meters, and orifice meters.
  • these meters may already include in their design associated electronics.
  • These electronics may be integrated with a network flow computer so that such meters in effect become Internet enabled meters with a builtin network flow computer.
  • the present invention is used in such meters, the meters are capable of functioning in a manner similar to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention in addition to all ofthe existing functionality within the meters.
  • a network flow computer 100 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes a PENTIUM family microprocessor operating at a clock speed of lOOMhz or 133Mhz.
  • the network flow computer 100 preferably includes a minimum of 2 megabytes of flash disk 170, with 5-10 MB being most preferred. The actual size ofthe flash disk is somewhat dependent on the number of options or features incorporated into the system.
  • the flow computer 100 also preferably includes at least 8 megabytes of RAM 130, with 16-32 megabytes being most preferred.
  • the flow computer 100 also includes a display mechanism 110.
  • the display 110 may be a standalone monitor in a flow computer implemented in a standard PC configuration.
  • the display 110 may be an LCD display unit such as a 2" x 16" text-only LCD display.
  • the flow computer 100 also includes a keyboard 145 and may include floppy disk 160.
  • the network flow computer 100 also preferably includes one or more bus interfaces 185, such as ISA and PCI bus interfaces. Analog and digital interface cards 190 in the flow computer 100 are coupled to the bus interfaces 185 ofthe flow computer.
  • Flow measurement devices such as turbine meter 710, pressure transducer 720, differential pressure transducer 730, temperature probe 740 and other flow measurement devices 750 are coupled to the analog or digital interface cards 190. Such flow measurement devices provide flow data to the flow computer 100 on a real-time basis.
  • the network flow computer When flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 are directly connected to network flow computer 100, the network flow computer becomes the flow meter for the flow measurement devices. As a flow meter, the network flow computer 100 receives and processes digital and analog signals sent by the flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750. The network flow computer 100 then performs all necessary calculations and corrections to the raw data received from the flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750. The flow computer 100 stores the calculated flow measurement results in log files on the flash disk 170. The flow computer may also self-configure to identify and communicate with an attached measurement device. As one of ordinary skill in the art will acknowledge and appreciate, methods of identifying peripheral devices attached to a computer are well known in the industry.
  • the host computer 50 may connect to the network flow computer 100 via the Internet 340 to view the flow results real-time. As previously stated, host computer 50 may also connect to the network flow computer 100 via intranet or similar technology. On the host computer 50, the calculated flow results are displayed as graphs, tables of data or in any other desired manner of display. In addition, the flow computer 100 may store some or all ofthe calculated flow results for subsequent analysis by the host computer 50. Still referring to Figure 3, the network flow computer 100 also preferably includes one or more serial ports 150, such as RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports. The serial ports 150 enable the network flow computer 100 to communicate with various external devices. The network flow computer 100 is coupled via serial ports 150 to ultrasonic meter 400 and gas chromatograph 500.
  • the industry standard MODBUS protocol is used by the flow computer 100 to communicate via the RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports 150 with the ultrasonic meter 400, gas chromatograph 500, and flow computer 600.
  • the serial port 150 is also used to provide direct connection of the host computer 50 to the network flow computer 100. Direct connection of the host computer 50 to the network flow computer 100 via the serial port 150 is oftentimes necessary when the host computer user is physically located at the network flow computer's site for various reasons such as when troubleshooting or servicing the network flow computer.
  • Gas chromatograph 500 is connected to the network flow computer 100 via RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports 150 using industry standard MODBUS protocol.
  • the network flow computer 100 is coupled via serial port 150 to the ultrasonic meter 400.
  • An ultrasonic meter 400 may also be connected to the network flow computer 100 via the LAN interface 140 and LAN servers 320.
  • the ultrasonic meter 400 may be strictly a flow meter or a flow computer.
  • the ultrasonic meter 400 records raw velocity flow data and does not perform any data corrections such as for temperature and pressure.
  • the raw data is then communicated by the ultrasonic meter 400 to the flow computer 100 which performs all necessary calculations, including correcting the data for temperature and pressure.
  • the ultrasonic meter 400 not only records the raw data but also performs the necessary calculations, corrects the data for temperature and pressure, and finally communicates the calculated results to the network flow computer 100.
  • the network flow computer 100 is coupled to other flow computers via serial ports 150.
  • network flow computer 100 may be coupled to another flow computer 600, such as the commercially available flow computer DANIEL SPECTRA 100, via the serial port 150.
  • the external flow computer 600 may itself be coupled to other flow measurement devices such as devices 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750. In such a configuration, the network flow computer 100 is indirectly connected to flow measurement devices 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 via flow computer 600.
  • the flow computer 600 receives and processes the digital and analog flow signals from the measurement devices and typically the flow computer 600 performs all necessary flow measurement calculations. The computed results are then communicated by the flow computer 600 to the network flow computer 100. After receiving the computed results, the network flow computer 100 stores the results in log files on flash disk 170.
  • the network flow computer 100 connects to a host computer 50 via the Internet and the World Wide Web 340.
  • network flow computer 100 may also be connected to host computer 50 via an intranet and similar technology.
  • the flow computer 100 may connect to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 in many different ways.
  • the flow computer 100 connects to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 via a local area network ("LAN").
  • the network flow computer 100 includes a LAN interface 140.
  • the LAN connection 140 enables connection of the flow computer 100 to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340.
  • the LAN connection 140 also enables the network flow computer 100 to be networked to other equipment at the site where the flow computer is being used.
  • the LAN interface 140 is coupled to a router or gateway 310, which in turn is coupled to LAN servers 320.
  • the LAN connection 140 ofthe flow computer 100 is secured by coupling the LAN servers 320 to a firewall 330.
  • the firewall 330 is then coupled to the Internet and World Wide Web 340. While in the preferred embodiment the flow computer 100 is coupled to the Internet and World Wide Web 340, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention will similarly work with any future improvements to the Internet, the World Wide Web or any other aspect of the Internet, including what is commonly referred to as the forthcoming "Internet II.”
  • the network flow computer 100 may also be connected to the Internet and the World Wide Web 340 via other communication media. Therefore, the flow computer 100 also preferably includes one or more communication interface cards 115 coupled to various external communication devices via modem 210, satellite 220, ISDN 230, Tl line 240 and cable 250. Any one or more ofthe communication media, modem 210, satellite 220, ISDN 230, Tl line 240, and cable 250, may be used to connect the network flow computer 100 to the Internet and World Wide Web 340. Similarly, the host computer 50 is connected to the Internet and World Wide Web 340.
  • FIG. 4 custom software has been written and combined with off-the- shelf commercial or publicly available software to implement the network flow computer 100.
  • the combination, order, layering or hierarchy of software in Figure 4 is intended to simplify discussion of software used in the preferred embodiment. It should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present invention. Different combination, order, layering or hierarchy of software may be used in the present invention.
  • Software used in the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention includes the LINUX operating system ("OS") 101, network services software NET SERVICES 102, industry standard MODBUS communication protocol 103, the APACHE web server 104, CGI scripts and HTML code 105, and JAVA applets and C programs 106.
  • the base platform for the software in the network flow computer 100 preferably comprises
  • RED HAT LINUX Operating System (“OS”) 101.
  • LINUX OS 101 is a multitasking and multiuser operating system.
  • RED HAT LINUX OS 101 is a variant of the popular UNIX operating system.
  • RED HAT LINUX OS is commercially available from RED HAT SOFTWARE, INC. (http://www.redhat.com).
  • the LINUX OS 101 contains the software "kernel” for the network flow computer 100.
  • the kernel is software code within the operating system that functions as the master controller of all system operations and resources.
  • the kernel contains the base functionality ofthe operating system, but not the file system.
  • the kernel is responsible for allocating computer resources.
  • the kernel requires a file system to execute files, locate files, and perform other file operations. There are many different types of files, including data files and code files. Examples of code files are EMACS, a text editor, and X- WINDOWS, a graphical shell for LTNUX OS 101.
  • While the preferred embodiment of the present invention implements the RED HAT LINUX OS 101, other distributions of LINUX or other operating systems may be used if desired. Examples of other publicly available distributions of LINUX include SLACKWARE LINUX, YGGDRASIL LINUX, and CALDERA LINUX. Although the present invention will work with full-featured operating systems, such as WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS NT, it is preferable to use an operating system that is scalable, such as LTNUX OS 101 or MICROSOFT WINDOWS CE. A scalable operating system permits selection of a subset ofthe operating system modules or features that are necessary for the application at hand.
  • the memory space required by the subset of the operating system features or modules is controlled and can therefore be minimized.
  • This capability of scalable operating systems is particularly desirable in development of embedded systems where memory space may be limited and expensive.
  • LINUX OS 101 with a selected set of features requires only approximately 2 megabytes to boot, whereas WINDOWS 98 may require upwards of 100 megabytes.
  • the network flow computer 100 is preferably designed for harsh environments, relatively expensive memory components, such as flash disks 170, are used.
  • the use of a scalable operating system, such as LINUX OS 101 is desired to minimize the amount of memory required in the flow computer, and consequently minimize the cost ofthe system.
  • the size of the embedded LINUX OS 101 is reduced down to 1 to 2 megabytes of storage by recompiling the LINUX OS source code with a subset of the full features of the standard LINUX OS.
  • This is accomplished by running a configuration utility provided by RED HAT LINUX.
  • the utility enables selection of a subset of the functions provided in the standard LINUX installation.
  • the utility is executed in the X- WTNDOWS shell provided by LINUX.
  • the command "make xconfig" is executed from within X- WTNDOWS to initiate the utility. Once the utility is initiated, the options identified in attached Appendix A are selected.
  • the configuration utility is used to recompile the source code of LINUX OS 101 to generate a subset version of the OS where the size of the OS has been minimized to save storage space on the flash disk 170 ofthe network flow computer 100.
  • the next "layer" of software in the network flow computer 100 is the NET SERVICES 102 bundle of software.
  • the NET SERVICES software 102 is a combination of one or more system programs (as opposed to application programs), that provide various system services or resources and work in conjunction with the LLNUX OS 101.
  • the preferred embodiment uses NET SERVICES such as the FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL ("FTP"), HYPER TEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL (“HTTP”) and TELNET.
  • FTP FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL
  • HTTP HYPER TEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL
  • TELNET TELNET
  • the present invention may use other NET SERVICES 102.
  • NET SERVICES 102 programs are publicly available and may be acquired from many different sources.
  • the NET SERVICES 102 software may be acquired from the RED HAT LINUX distribution CD-ROM.
  • Most publicly available LINUX distributions typically include NET SERVICES 102 software.
  • examples of other publicly available LINUX distributions include SLACKWARE LINUX, YGGDRASIL LTNUX, and CALDERA LINUX.
  • NET SERVICES 102 software may also be readily downloaded from various Internet sites. Such Internet sites are easily identified using commonly available Internet search engines.
  • the preferred embodiment uses FTP net service 102 to transfer files between the host computer 50 and the network flow computer 100.
  • the HTTP net service 102 enables the network flow computer 100 to communicate in the World Wide Web of the Internet. Consequently, an operator may view flow measurement results from the network flow computer 100 via a host computer 50 using an Internet browser, such as MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER or NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR.
  • the preferred embodiment uses TELNET net service
  • Such a remote connection appears to the network flow computer 100 as if the technician is physically located where the network flow computer resides and permits the technician to work directly on the network flow computer. Furthermore, such a connection enables the technician to troubleshoot the network flow computer 100 from a remote site.
  • the MODBUS software 103 enables the network flow computer 100 to communicate via the RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports 150 with legacy flow computers or flow meters such as the ultrasonic meter 400, gas chromatograph 500, and other flow computers 600.
  • MODBUS software enables the network flow computer 100 to communicate via the RS-232 or RS-485 serial ports 150 with legacy flow computers or flow meters such as the ultrasonic meter 400, gas chromatograph 500, and other flow computers 600.
  • the APACHE Web Server software 104 enables the network flow computer 100 to act as web server using HTTP and FTP NET SERVICES 102 communication protocols. As a web server, the network flow computer 100 may be accessed via the host computer 50 over the Internet 340. Similarly, the network flow computer 100 may be accessed via the host computer 50 over an intranet or similar technology.
  • the APACHE Web Server software 104 also enables use of COMMON GATEWAY INTERFACE ("CGI”) scripts 105, discussed below.
  • the APACHE WEB SERVER software 104 is a publicly available web server software and may be easily downloaded from the Internet. Internet sites for downloading the APACHE Web Server software 104 may be identified by using commonly available Internet search engines. A prominent Internet web site for downloading the APACHE WEB SERVER software 104 is www.apache.org.
  • the CGI scripts and HTML code 105, and JAVA applets and C programs 106 are application programs that enable the network flow computer 100 to perform various tasks as part of its overall function of communicating with various external devices and presenting calculated flow data results to host computers 50 connected to the network flow computer via the Internet 340.
  • various such programs may be written to enable the network flow computer 100 to perform various functions.
  • the source code provided in Appendix C enables the network flow computer 100 to query the ultrasonic meter 400 once every sixty seconds to obtain corrected flow rates.
  • the flow computer 100 appends the flow rates to a log file named "ultrasonic.log.”
  • One such file is created for each full day and the process is repeated every twenty- four hours.
  • Appendix D is an example which lists source code enabling the flow computer 100 to read predefined message blocks from the ultrasonic meter 400. The message blocks contain data used to populate tables. The tables are then displayed on a host computer 50 connected to the flow computer 100 via the Internet 340. Both ofthe foregoing examples also use the MODBUS protocol 103 programs listed in Appendix B.
  • the CGI scripts and HTML code 105 use JAVA applets to display the computer flow data results in a graphical format on the host computer 50 when the host is connected to the flow computer 100 via the Internet 340.
  • the JAVA applets are commercially available under the brand name JAVACHART from VISUAL ENGINEERING, INC. As one skilled in the art ofthe present invention will appreciate, the functionality provided by the commercial software JAVACHART can be independently developed using JAVA programming.
  • the flash disk 170 of the network flow computer 100 contains the software files identified in Figure 4. These programs and data execute when the network flow computer 100 is used for its intended purpose. However, the flash disk 170 must be initialized before it can operate properly. Similar to the initial formatting and installation of an operating system and other software and data on the hard disk of a common PC, the initialization of flash disk 170 is typically performed only once per unit. However, the initialization process may be repeated as necessary. Prior to initialization, the flash disk 170 is either unformatted or contains files which must be deleted.
  • the network flow computer 100 includes flash disk 170 and RAM 130.
  • the network flow computer 100 also includes BIOS 121.
  • Flash disk 170 includes LINUX LILO loader 171 on the master boot record ("MBR") of the flash disk.
  • Flash disk 170 also includes non-compressed file space 172, compressed file space 173, user data area 174 and spare space 175.
  • RAM 130 includes RAM Disk 131, a non-compressed file space.
  • the file system is generally not compressed and resides on the hard disk of the PC.
  • the hard disk in a PC is a relatively inexpensive storage medium. Therefore, it is economically justifiable to have non-compressed file systems for general software applications on a regular PC.
  • the program gets dynamically loaded from the PC's hard disk to the PC's random access memory ("RAM") where the programs are executed.
  • RAM random access memory
  • the file system in a standard PC configuration remains on the hard disk and programs read from and write to the file system on the hard disk.
  • the programs must reside in RAM during execution. Programs cannot execute on the PC's hard disk.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention does not use hard disks as a form of non-volatile permanent storage medium. This is because present day hard drive technology generally cannot withstand the harsh environments in which flow computers may be used. Instead, the preferred embodiment uses flash disk 170 for non- volatile permanent storage.
  • the flash disk is necessary because files must be stored in some permanent non-volatile storage medium.
  • a nonvolatile storage medium does not lose data stored on it when electrical power to the storage medium is terminated.
  • a flash disk emulates a physical magnetic hard drive. Therefore, software running on the network flow computer 100, cannot distinguish between hard disks and flash disks. Flash disks use solid state technology with no moving parts. Therefore, flash disks are better able to withstand adverse environmental conditions such as shock and temperature highs and lows. Flash disks have the added advantage of smaller physical size compared to hard disks. This facilitates use of flash disks in network flow computers configured as embedded computers or processors.
  • Flash disks are very expensive compared to the cost of hard disks.
  • volatile RAM storage costs are approximately 20 to 30 times higher than the nonvolatile hard disk storage. Since the inexpensive storage medium in a regular PC is the hard disk, a non-compressed hard disk is an acceptable mode of operation from a cost perspective.
  • the network flow computer 100 of the preferred embodiment the non-volatile permanent flash disk 170 storage medium is approximately five times more expensive than the volatile temporary RAM 130 storage. Since the flash disk 170 of the network flow computer 100 is more expensive than RAM 130, in order to minimize the overall cost ofthe flow computer it is highly desirable to use more RAM storage and less flash disk storage.
  • the preferred embodiment minimizes flash disk 170 storage by storing most of the files on the flash disk in compressed form in the compressed file space 173.
  • the network flow computer 100 runs, it transfers the compressed files 173 from the flash disk 170 in a non- compressed form to the RAM 130.
  • Software on the flow computer 100 is executed by accessing the non-compressed file space 131 in RAM and not by accessing the compressed file space 173 in the flash disk 170.
  • the flash disk contains at least some of the software files identified in Figure 4, in addition to other possible data and program files.
  • the LINUX LILO loader 171 resides, starting at sector zero, on the MBR of the flash disk 170.
  • the non- compressed file space 172 contains the non-compressed file system, the LINUX OS 101 kernel and other files.
  • the compressed file space 173 contains software and files identified in Figure 4 which are not loaded in the non-compressed file space 172.
  • the user data area 174 preferably contains data files used by the flow computer 100 that may change during the use of the flow computer.
  • there may be a portion of the flash disk that is spare space 175. The particulars of the flash disk 170 initialization routine are described later in this disclosure.
  • User data area 174 of flash disk 170 contains data files which may change during the use of network flow computer 100.
  • Example of such user data files includes files which store configuration information about the flow computer. Configuration files are modified when, for example, host computer 50 connects to network flow computer 100 and changes the frequency of flow measurements from every four hours to every six hours.
  • Configuration files are modified when, for example, host computer 50 connects to network flow computer 100 and changes the frequency of flow measurements from every four hours to every six hours.
  • Such files are stored on the flash disk 170 in user data area 174 and any changes to the files are contemporaneously recorded on the flash disk and not in RAM 130.
  • the user data area 174 may be compressed or uncompressed depending on various considerations such as performance needs, available flash disk space and other considerations.
  • the flash disk 170 storage space needed for LILO loader 171 and non-compressed file space 172 is determined by pre-compiling the LINUX OS 101 kernel. In the preferred embodiment, 430 sectors is necessary to store LILO loader 171 and non-compressed file space 172 on the flash disk 170.
  • the size of LINUX OS 101 and the kernel may vary depending on the particular subset of the full features selected from the standard LINUX OS. Furthermore, the size may also be influenced by any customized changes made to the LINUX OS 101 kernel.
  • the LINUX OS 101 kernel is loaded in the non-compressed file space 172.
  • a small segment of the kernel is stored in non-compressed form in non- compressed form in non-compressed file space 172.
  • Most of the kernel is stored in compressed form in non-compressed file space 172.
  • the non-compressed segment of the kernel in non-compressed file space 172 is executed first. Once execution of the non-compressed kernel begins, the kernel decompresses and executes other compressed segments ofthe kernel in non-compressed file space 172 as needed.
  • the non-compressed file space 131 in RAM is made available by creating a RAM disk.
  • a RAM disk is the method of creating a "hard disk” or “flash disk” in RAM to emulate the functionality of a hard disk or flash disk. Therefore, RAM disk 131 can store a file system and files may be written to and accessed from the RAM disk just like a conventional PC hard disk or flash disk. From the perspective of the software ( Figure 4) running on the network flow computer 100, a file system which resides on RAM disk 131 is indistinguishable from a file system which resides on flash disk 170. Only the LINUX OS 101 kernel can distinguish among a RAM disk 131 and a hard disk. The ability to create a RAM disk is native to the LINUX OS 101 Kernel.
  • While the creation and use of the compressed file space 173 and RAM disk 131 is desirable from cost-savings perspective, it is not a requirement of the present invention that a compressed file space and RAM disk be used in the network flow computer 100.
  • the need to have a compressed file space 173 and RAM disk 131 is a cost-effectiveness factor.
  • the intended invention will work with flash disk 170 which has only non-compressed file space 172.
  • the intended invention will work with RAM 130 which does not have a RAM disk 131. If in the future the cost of flash disk 170 becomes less than the cost of RAM 130, then the use of compressed file space 173 and RAM disk 131 may be unnecessary and the related cost- savings may become a non-factor.
  • the BIOS 121 Upon power up or reset ofthe network flow computer 100, the BIOS 121 is in control of the flow computer.
  • the BIOS 121 is an integrated circuit chip which resides on the flow computer 100 motherboard.
  • the BIOS 121 is preprogrammed with logic which boots (i.e., takes control of ) the flow computer 100 when it is initially powered on or reset.
  • the BIOS 121 begins the booting process, it searches for the hard drive or flash disk, whichever is connected as the first drive or "hda" as it is referred to in LINUX OS terminology.
  • the BIOS 121 searches for the MBR on "hda.” Since the hard disk is initially installed as "hda," the BIOS locates the MBR ofthe hard disk.
  • the LINUX OS boot loader installed on the MBR ofthe hard disk boots the network flow computer 100 during the initialization ofthe flash disk 170.
  • the LILO loader 171 must be located on the MBR of flash disk 170 because this is where BIOS 121 will search to initiate the boot sequence for the network flow computer 100. After the BIOS 121 finds and begins execution of the LILO loader 171, the LILO loader searches and finds the LINUX OS 101 kernel in the non-compressed file space 172. Once the LINUX OS 101 kernel is found, LILO loader 171 loads the LINUX OS kernel in RAM 130 and begins executing the kernel. At this point the LINUX OS 101 kernel controls the boot sequence ofthe network flow computer 100.
  • the LINUX OS 101 kernel may be physically stored anywhere on the flash disk 170. However, in order for the LILO loader 171 to find the kernel, the loader must either be specifically instructed as to the physical location of the kernel or the loader must find the kernel in the default physical location.
  • the default physical location for the kernel is the storage space beginning immediately following the storage space occupied by the LILO loader 171 on the flash disk 170.
  • the LINUX OS 101 kernel is physically stored at the beginning of the non-compressed file space 172 on the flash disk 170. This is the default location for the LINUX OS 101 kernel.
  • the LINUX OS 101 kernel has primary responsibility for booting the network flow computer 100. To properly execute the boot sequence, the kernel determines the location of the file system, whether the file system is compressed and whether a RAM disk is created. If a RAM disk is created, the kernel determines the size of the RAM disk and whether the file system is loaded into the RAM disk from the flash disk. The kernel makes the foregoing decisions based on command line parameters passed from the LILO loader 171 to the LINUX OS 101 kernel.
  • the file system resides on the hard disk or flash disk and programs access and write files from and to the hard disk or flash disk.
  • programs running on the network flow computer 100 access and write files from and to the RAM disk as opposed to the flash disk.
  • the compressed file space 173 is stored on the flash disk 170 beginning at sector 430. This is the storage space immediately following the non- compressed file space 172 in the flash disk 170.
  • the initialization of flash disk 170 will now be described in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Other initialization sequences may also be appropriate, and the following discusses only the preferred initialization.
  • the network flow computer 100 must have a conventional hard disk installed as its first drive, "hda.”
  • the flash disk 170 must be initially installed in the network flow computer 100 as its second drive, "hdc" ("hdb” may be used instead).
  • the hard disk "hda” must have LINUX OS installed on it. This may be accomplished with commercially and publicly available off-shelf software package called RED HAT LINUX which provides detailed instructions on how to install LINUX OS onto the hard disk using the CD- ROM disk provided by RED HAT.
  • all files and the associated directory structure that will eventually reside in the compressed file space 173 and user data area 174 of the flash disk 170 must be placed in a temporary directory on the local hard disk, "hda", of the network flow computer 100.
  • the "makeLILObootdisk” and “makeCompressedRamDisk” programs create the RAM disk 131 and the non-compressed file system within the RAM disk.
  • the programs then copy a compressed version of the file space in RAM disk 131 to temporary storage on the hard disk connected as "hda.”
  • the programs next create the non-compressed file space 172 on the flash disk 170 "hdc" and copy the non-compressed and compressed segments of the LINUX OS 101 kernel and other files to the non-compressed file space 172.
  • the programs then copy the boot loader file, "boot.b,” from the boot directory ofthe hard disk “hda” to the boot directory in master boot record 171 of the flash disk 170 "hdc.”
  • the boot loader configuration file, "bdlilo.conf.” is then copied to the flash disk 170.
  • programs and data files stored in temporary storage on hard disk “hda” must be copied to flash disk 170 "hdc” in compressed file space 173 and user data area 174 as appropriate.
  • Other files, such as operating system files may also be copied into compressed file space 173.
  • the LILO boot loader configuration program "bdlilo.conf (Appendix E), is executed after the flash disk 170 initialization programs "makeLILObootdisk” and "makeCompressedRamDisk” have been successfully completed.
  • the LILO boot loader program passes command line parameters to the LINUX OS 101 kernel in the non-compressed file space 172.
  • the parameters inform the kernel that the network flow computer 100 will use a RAM disk 131, the size of the RAM disk, and the location of the compressed file space 173 on the flash disk 170.
  • the boot loader program also determines the particular kernel image to be used during the boot sequence for the network flow computer 100. In the preferred embodiment the kernel image used for the boot sequence is located in the file "vmlinuz.embedded.”
  • the solution is to create a LINUX OS bootable floppy disk. This can be accomplished by using the commercially and publicly available RED HAT LINUX OS CD- ROM distribution disk.
  • the flow computer may be booted up with the flash disk 170 connected to the flow computer as the first drive, "hda.”
  • This configuration permits the connection of the flash disk 170 as the first drive, "hda,” on the flow computer 100 during the LILO configuration phase of the flash disk initialization routine. Therefore, when the LILO loader program is executed, the program writes to "hda" where the flask disk 170 is connected.
  • the desired result of configuring the flash disk is achieved.
  • the flash disk 170 initialization routine is complete and bootable floppy disk is removed from the floppy drive 160.
  • the network flow computer 100 is now ready for use. When network flow computer 100 is re-booted, the flow computer boots up with the flash disk 170 connected as the first drive, "hda.”
  • the foregoing initialization routine is presented in flow chart form in Figure 6. As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate, the foregoing initialization routine may be performed with variations from that described here without departing from the objective of the initialization routine.
  • RAM Disk Support " and m. "Initial RAM Disk INIT RD Support;”
  • CD ROM Drivers “Yes” is selected for the following options: a. "Non-SCSI IDE ATAPI CD ROM Drives;” and b. “Soft Configurable CD ROM Interface Card Support. "
  • tios.c_iflag IGNBRK
  • typedef unsigned int uint typedef unsigned short ushort
  • typedef unsigned char uchar typedef unsigned int uint
  • typedef union ⁇ // Modbus register union ushort value; // The value as seen by this machine struct ⁇ uchar lsb; uchar msb;
  • CONVERTMODBUS_H // // // File: convertModbus.h // Author: David Lambert // Date: June 30, 1988 // // // Various functions to convert modbus registers to and from native types.
  • flowLog.o flowLog.cc ../asciiModbus.h ../modData.h Makefile $(CC) -c -DDEBUG -Wall -g flowLog.cc
  • nMessageBlocks (sizeof(messageBlocks) / sizeof(messageBlocks[0]));
  • convertModbus.o convertModbus.ee convertModbus.h Makefile $(CC) -c -Wall -g convertModbus.ee
  • ultrasomcMessageBlocks.o ultrasonicMessageBlocks.cc ⁇ ultrasonicMessageBlocks.h Makefile $(CC) -c -Wall -g ultrasonicMessageBlocks.ee ultrasonic.o: ultrasonic.cc asciiModbus.h modData.h Makefile $(CC) -c -DDEBUG -Wall -g ultrasonic.cc

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système en réseau amélioré de régulation d'écoulement comprenant un ordinateur en réseau de régulation d'écoulement à accès Internet/Intranet doté d'au moins un dispositif de mesure d'écoulement, et un ordinateur hôte capable de communiquer par Internet ou par une connexion locale avec l'ordinateur de régulation d'écoulement. Dans un mode de réalisation, l'ordinateur en réseau de régulation d'écoulement à accès Internet reçoit des données de mesure d'écoulement, sous forme brute ou calculée, provenant d'un ou de plusieurs dispositifs de mesure. L'ordinateur hôte est relié à l'ordinateur en réseau de régulation d'écoulement via Internet, Intranet ou des connexions locales. L'ordinateur hôte émet des données vers l'ordinateur en réseau de régulation d'écoulement ou en reçoit, tout en permettant de visualiser des résultats de données d'écoulement dans un format de page Web dans l'ordinateur hôte et de configurer et de commander à distance ou localement l'ordinateur de régulation d'écoulement à partir de l'ordinateur hôte.
PCT/US1999/029830 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Systeme informatique en reseau de regulation d'ecoulement a acces internet WO2000036380A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU19399/00A AU1939900A (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Internet enabled network flow computer system
CA002354622A CA2354622A1 (fr) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Systeme informatique en reseau de regulation d'ecoulement a acces internet
JP2000588575A JP2002532798A (ja) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 インターネット可能化ネットワークフローコンピュータシステム
EP99963094A EP1151254A1 (fr) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Systeme informatique en reseau de regulation d'ecoulement a acces internet
MXPA01007207A MXPA01007207A (es) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Sistema de computadoras de flujo de red habilitadas para internet.
EA200100666A EA200100666A1 (ru) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Система вычислительной сети потока, способ получения измерительных данных и сумматор потока для вычислительной сети
KR1020017007505A KR20010089578A (ko) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 인터넷 사용 가능한 네트워크 플로우 컴퓨터 시스템
BR9916256-3A BR9916256A (pt) 1998-12-15 1999-12-15 Sistema de fluxo em rede, processo de obter dados de medição e computador para fluxo em rede
NO20012950A NO20012950L (no) 1998-12-15 2001-06-14 Datamaskinsystem for overföring av strömningsdata over internett

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US21217698A 1998-12-15 1998-12-15
US09/212,176 1998-12-15

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EA (1) EA200100666A1 (fr)
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10057112A1 (de) * 2000-11-16 2002-06-06 Anic Spa Zähler und Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Zählers
JP2009150901A (ja) * 2000-11-29 2009-07-09 Micro Motion Inc 遠隔コリオリ流量計サイズ決定・発注システム
GB2382439A (en) * 2001-10-26 2003-05-28 Qonnectis Group Ltd Internet-based communication system
GB2382439B (en) * 2001-10-26 2004-11-03 Qonnectis Group Ltd Internet based data communication system
GB2382413A (en) * 2001-11-07 2003-05-28 Agilent Technologies Inc Data Collection Node
GB2382413B (en) * 2001-11-07 2005-05-25 Agilent Technologies Inc Data collection node
US6968276B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2005-11-22 Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh System for processing measuring signals from a sensor
WO2004049119A2 (fr) * 2002-11-26 2004-06-10 Business Devices, Inc. Systemes et procedes permettant de communiquer avec des dispositifs en tant que services web
WO2004049119A3 (fr) * 2002-11-26 2004-10-21 Business Devices Inc Systemes et procedes permettant de communiquer avec des dispositifs en tant que services web
EP1678465A4 (fr) * 2003-10-20 2007-11-07 Genscape Intangible Holding In Procede et systeme de controle de flux fluidique
EP1678465A2 (fr) * 2003-10-20 2006-07-12 Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc. Procede et systeme de controle de flux fluidique
WO2006061454A1 (fr) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-15 Maisatech Oy Procede d'acces a des fichiers de dispositifs electroniques
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EP1696320A1 (fr) * 2005-02-25 2006-08-30 Moxa Technologies Co., Ltd. Dispositif électronique avec un système d'applications Linux intégré
WO2008011298A3 (fr) * 2006-07-10 2008-05-15 Daniel Measurement & Control Procédé et système de validation de données concernant un écoulement d'hydrocarbures mesuré
US8027793B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2011-09-27 Daniel Measurement And Control, Inc. Method and system of validating data regarding measured hydrocarbon flow
CN101641686B (zh) * 2007-03-15 2013-06-05 宋承俊 与联系的网站相关联的因特网服务系统以及方法
CN103052088A (zh) * 2011-10-13 2013-04-17 风网科技（北京）有限公司 流量计算系统及方法

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JP2002532798A (ja) 2002-10-02
TR200101761T2 (tr) 2001-10-22
ID29417A (id) 2001-08-30
KR20010089578A (ko) 2001-10-06
CA2354622A1 (fr) 2000-06-22
BR9916256A (pt) 2001-10-02
CN1330765A (zh) 2002-01-09
AU1939900A (en) 2000-07-03
NO20012950D0 (no) 2001-06-14
EP1151254A1 (fr) 2001-11-07

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