Industrial process field device with energy limited battery assembly

Abstract

An industrial process field device has a housing with a wall. The wall has a feedthrough opening between a battery compartment and an electronics compartment. A feedthrough connector seals the feedthrough opening and includes a power connector connected to industrial process field device electronics. A battery assembly includes a battery housing with a battery connector, and includes a battery and an energy limiter connected to the battery connector. The battery connector mates with the power connector to energize the industrial process field device electronics. A seal seals the mating connection of the power connector and the battery connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a pressure transmitter mounted to a pressurized process pipe.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pressure transmitter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery compartment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a battery assembly and a feedthrough connector.

FIG. 5 illustrates a feedthrough connector mounted to a feedthrough wall of a housing of an industrial process field device.

FIG. 6 illustrates the feedthrough connector of FIG. 5 with a battery assembly installed.

FIG. 7 illustrates an industrial process field device that comprises a solar array.

FIG. 8 illustrates a feedthrough connector with a battery assembly installed.

Claims

1. An industrial process field device, comprising: a housing that includes a wall with a feedthrough opening between a battery compartment and an electronics compartment that houses industrial process field device electronics;a feedthrough connector that seals the feedthrough opening and that includes a power connector connected to the industrial process field device electronics;a battery assembly in the battery compartment, the battery assembly including a battery housing with a battery connector, and including a battery and an energy limiter connected to the battery connector, the battery connector mating with the power connector to energize the industrial process field device electronics; anda seal that seals the mating connection of the power connector and the battery connector.

2. The industrial process field device of claim 1, and further comprising a housing cover that is removably attachable to the housing and that presses the battery assembly toward the power connector.

3. The industrial process field device of claim 2 wherein the housing cover comprises a screw-down cover that includes a rotational thrust bearing assembly that is compressed as the screw-down cover is screwed onto the housing.

4. The industrial process field device of claim 3 wherein the thrust bearing assembly comprises a ring with a first tapered surface, and the battery assembly comprises a ring with a second tapered surface that engages the first tapered surface.

5. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a transmitter.

6. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a wireless field device.

7. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the battery assembly comprises at least one electrical cell electrically connected in series with the energy limiter.

8. The industrial process field device of claim 7 wherein the energy limiter comprises a fuse.

9. The industrial process field device of claim 7 wherein the battery assembly comprises two cells connected in series.

10. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein an open circuit output voltage of the battery is at least 3 volts.

11. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the battery housing and feedthrough connector include a latch mechanism that retains the battery housing connected to the feedthrough connector.

12. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the feedthrough connector comprises screw terminals and the battery compartment is configured as a field wiring compartment.

13. The industrial process field device of claim 12 wherein the field wiring compartment comprises a threaded conduit entry hub, a solar array mounted to the threaded conduit entry hub, and leads from the solar array passing through the threaded conduit entry hub to the screw terminals, and the battery assembly comprises a rechargeable battery.

14. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the feedthrough connector comprises a circuit card assembly providing interconnections between the power connector and the industrial process field device electronics, and a plastic resin shroud covering the circuit card assembly.

15. The industrial process field device of claim 14 wherein the feedthrough connector is potted.

16. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a process control network bridge that is energized by the battery assembly.

17. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a data display that is energized by the battery assembly.

18. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a field control valve that is energized by the battery assembly.

19. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a mechanical actuator that is energized by the battery assembly.

20. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the industrial process field device comprises a field controller.

21. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the battery assembly comprises a polarized plug to ensure correct polarity of connection to the battery assembly.

22. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the battery assembly includes a switch that de-energizes the power connection.

23. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the power connector comprises a tapered connector body portion and the feedthrough connector comprises a shroud with a tapered shroud portion that engages the tapered connector body portion.

24. The industrial process field device of claim 1 wherein the battery connector slidingly engages the power connector and a housing cover secures the sliding engagement.

25. A battery assembly, comprising: a battery housing with a battery connector that is mateable with a power connector to energize industrial process field device electronics;a battery and a battery energy limiter connected to the battery connector; anda seal that seals the mating connection of the power connector and the battery connector.