Emerson has announced the Fisher™ FIELDVUE™ DVC7K Digital Valve Controller, a new design improving upon 30 years of field-proven innovation. Accordingly, the DVC7K features Advice at the Device™ technology with embedded computing and analytics. This enables converting raw data into actionable information locally with Bluetooth® capability.

For these reasons, maintenance personnel can receive the data via their phone, tablet, or computer wirelessly without having to be in a control room at the plant location.

The new valve controller technology improves the performance, reliability, and uptime of both on-off and control valves. Furthermore, it provides the information required to create streamlined work processes.

Real-Time Analytics, Diagnostics

Digital valve controllers are available as accessories for control and on-off valves. Thus, providing local analysis of valve data, digital communications with host systems, and other features. These features improve uptime by alerting personnel to developing problems. This reduces maintenance costs by providing the actionable information required for proactive rather than reactive maintenance. Hence, cutting troubleshooting time in the event of an issue by providing recommended corrective actions. For example, a control valve may be reacting slowly to commands requiring it to move, which is often an early sign of impending issues. The DVC7K will recognize this type of condition, alert personnel, and provide recommendations for fixing the problem.
The DVC7K interprets data to create an optimized path to action by combining patented technology, experience-based algorithms, and continuous real-time analytics with flexible connectivity and easy integration. It uses powerful, real-time, and onboard edge computing to analyze issues and create actionable information. Thus, providing real-time awareness of valve health by analyzing data locally via its onboard diagnostics. An analysis that reveals a problem will prompt an alert, which can be viewed locally or remotely. For that reason, providing the information required to create streamlined work processes that save time and money. All alerts include recommended actions to fix the problem, a new feature for digital valve controllers, and unique to the industry. 

Propels Flexiblity

Previously, digital valve controller data had to go to a host system to be processed and prepared for viewing. However, with the intelligence of this system, data is now accessible without requiring access to the host software. All information can be viewed at the DVC7K’s local user interface, nearby via Emerson Secure Bluetooth® wireless technology, or remotely after transmission.

The local user interface provides an indication of valve health at a glance via LEDs. Hence, users can drill down from the interface home screen to find more information.

Emerson Secure Bluetooth enables access to one or more digital valve controllers at distances up to 30 feet from any device capable of supporting Bluetooth, such as a smartphone or tablet. Whether the information is viewed locally, nearby, or remotely, plant personnel can use it to drive awareness of valve health. 

With increased remote connectivity and Advice at the Device local diagnostics, flexibility increases, providing the information needed for fast decisions and quick action to address arising issues. The DVC7K can be specified for all new valve purchases, and it can be retrofitted to most existing valve installations, in either case quickly and easily commissioned via the local user interface. With over three million FIELDVUE units sold and ten billion hours plus of field operation, long-term reliability and performance is proven in use, a key requirement as Fisher and other Emerson valves are often used in critical process industry applications.