Fume extraction systems

Abstract

A fume extraction apparatus ( 1 ) comprising an extraction pump, and the apparatus comprises a first interface ( 12 ) for connection to a process equipment, and a second interface ( 10 ) for connection to a system controller, wherein the apparatus comprises an intraconnection ( 15 ) to enable signals to be communicated between the first interface and the second interface.

1 . A fume extraction apparatus comprising an extraction pump, the apparatus comprising: a first interface for connection to a process equipment, and a second interface for connection to a system controller, wherein the apparatus comprises an intraconnection to enable signals to be communicated between the first interface and the second interface. 
     
     
         2 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the signals are representative of operational data and/or operational commands or requests. 
     
     
         3 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the intraconnection is arranged to route signals between the first interface and the second interface, and vice versa. 
     
     
         4 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bridge interface is arranged to implement a message-based communications protocol between the first interface and the second interface. 
     
     
         5 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the first interface is configured to allow communication of data stored in a memory of the fume extraction apparatus to the process controller, for example upon interrogation of the same by the process controller. 
     
     
         6 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which at least one of the first and second interfaces are arranged to carry a fieldbus communications protocol. 
     
     
         7 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the second interface is arranged to communicate signals with the system controller by way of fieldbus communication protocol. 
     
     
         8 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the types of data and signals which are capable of being communicated between the first interface and the second interface include at least one of control signals, operational status, diagnostic data and operational commands. 
     
     
         9 . A fume extraction apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the first and second interfaces are such that the system controller is arranged to be capable of communicating with the process equipment to issue a start/stop command signal in relation to controlling the operational status of the fume extraction apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A fume extraction system which comprises the fume extraction apparatus of  claim 1 , a process equipment, including a process controller, and the system comprising a system controller.