The present invention relates to industrial process control or monitoring systems. In particular, the present invention relates to process variable transmitters configured to sense process variables in such systems.
Process variable transmitters are used in industrial process control environments. Such transmitters couple to a process fluid to provide measurements related to the process. Process variable transmitters can be configured to monitor one or more process variables associated with fluids in a process plant, such as slurries, liquids, vapors and gasses in chemical, pulp, petroleum, gas, pharmaceutical, food and other fluid processing plants. Example monitored process variables include pressure, temperature, flow, level, pH, conductivity, turbidity, density, concentration, chemical composition or other properties of fluids. Typically, the process variable transmitters are located at remote locations, usually in a field, and send information to a centralized location such as a control room. Process variable transmitters sense process variables in a variety of applications, including oil and gas refineries, chemical storage tank farms, or chemical processing plants. In many instances, this requires the process variable transmitters to be located in a harsh environment.
Some types of process variable transmitters include a housing divided into two separate compartments. One compartment contains electrical circuitry and the other compartment contains a terminal block used to couple to a process control loop. One such configuration is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,804.
A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial control or monitoring process is provided and includes a housing with a cavity formed therein. The housing includes an integrated terminal block which defines first and second compartments in the cavity. The transmitter further includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process. Measurement circuitry is carried in the first compartment and configured to receive a process variable signal from the process variable sensor and provide an output. An electrical connection is carried on the integrated terminal block in the second compartment and is electrically coupled to the output of the measurement circuitry.
The present invention provides a process variable transmitter for use in an industrial process, including a housing divided into two compartments. The two compartments are defined by an integrated terminal block which seals measurement circuitry in a first compartment and provides a seal between the two compartments.
Pursuant to one embodiment, process variable transmitter 12 includes a probe 19 which extends into process piping 18 and is configured to measure a process variable of a process fluid in the process piping 18. Example process variables include pressure, temperature, flow, level, pH, conductivity, turbidity, density, concentration, chemical composition, etc. Process variable transmitter 12 includes a housing 20 having a cavity 40 formed therein, which extends between a first opening 42 and a second opening 46. The first opening 42 preferably has a cylindrical shape such that an end cap 26 can be threadably coupled to the housing 20. A similar end cap 24 seals second compartment opening 46.
Single-compartment process variable transmitters are known. Such transmitters typically have an electronics module carried on a transmitter puck placed inside the housing which includes terminal connections. However, in a single compartment configuration, the interior electronics and other delicate components are exposed to the process environment when the cover is removed. Therefore, some prior art configurations use a dual compartment configuration in which the transmitter housing is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a bulkhead. An opening in the bulkhead is used to route wiring between the two compartments.
As shown in
Polymer wall 53 provides a seal between the first compartment 52 and the second compartment 50 in the cavity 40 formed in the housing 20. As shown in
As illustrated schematically in
With the present invention, the housing of a process variable transmitter is fabricated through a single molding step in which a polymer wall 53 provides a terminal block which is formed integrally with the housing. As used herein, the term “integrated terminal block” refers to the polymer wall 53 which divides a cavity in the housing of the transmitter 12 into two separate compartments. The molding which is used to simultaneously form the transmitter housing 20 including the polymer wall 53 may be any appropriate molding technique including injection molding. With this technique, the pins 57 which extend through the terminal block are fabricated integrally with the transmitter housing and extend through the terminal block/polymer wall 53. The pins 57 can be secured in place at the time housing 20 is molded, or at a subsequent time. In contrast to the prior art designs; the polymer wall provides a barrier between cavities 50 and 52 without requiring additional sealing such as o-rings, mechanical connections, etc. Similarly, the pins 57 can be positioned and secured through the polymer wall 53 without requiring additional insertion or sealing steps. This reduces the likelihood of any failure in the seal between the two cavities 50 and 52.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although a temperature sensor is shown, any type of process variable sensor may be employed. One example polymer is plastic. Any type of terminal may be placed in cavity 50 including sensor terminals, power terminals loop terminals, etc. The invention does not require both of terminals 59A and 59B to be located in cavity 50.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3247719 | Chelner | Apr 1966 | A |
4623266 | Kielb | Nov 1986 | A |
4958938 | Schwartz et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
5302934 | Hart | Apr 1994 | A |
5353200 | Bodin et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5451939 | Price | Sep 1995 | A |
5483743 | Armogan | Jan 1996 | A |
5498079 | Price | Mar 1996 | A |
5546804 | Johnson et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5606513 | Louwagie | Feb 1997 | A |
5656782 | Powell, II et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5665899 | Willcox | Sep 1997 | A |
5727110 | Smith et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5753797 | Forster et al. | May 1998 | A |
5907112 | Queyquep | May 1999 | A |
5954526 | Smith | Sep 1999 | A |
5983619 | Dogre Cuevas | Sep 1999 | A |
6062095 | Mulrooney et al. | May 2000 | A |
6146188 | Snyder | Nov 2000 | A |
6356191 | Kirkpatrick et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6484107 | Roper et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6546805 | Fandrey et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6790050 | Roth-Stielow et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
7164262 | Zacay | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7190053 | Orth et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7321833 | DuHack et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7421258 | Bauschke et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7476848 | Argast | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7503784 | Osborne et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7550826 | Orth et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7722362 | Frake | May 2010 | B2 |
7984652 | Hausler | Jul 2011 | B2 |
8128284 | Martensson | Mar 2012 | B2 |
8217782 | Nelson et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8223478 | Perrault et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8290721 | Wehrs et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8334788 | Hausler et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8408787 | Rud et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8736784 | Hausler et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
9030190 | Matt | May 2015 | B2 |
9479201 | Larson et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9907563 | Germain et al. | Mar 2018 | B2 |
20020011115 | Frick | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020069700 | Dirmeyer | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020115333 | Self | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20040051521 | Ishihara | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20070191970 | Orth et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070201192 | McGuire et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20090257722 | Fisher et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20110058313 | Hausler et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110215944 | Hausler et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110317390 | Moser et al. | Dec 2011 | A1 |
20120063065 | Perrault et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120147608 | Kawagoe et al. | Jun 2012 | A1 |
20130083824 | Bronczyk et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130126519 | Arnal Valero et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
20130344818 | McGuire et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140095095 | Rud et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
20140269829 | Bronczyk et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20150280754 | Larson et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20160093997 | Eriksen et al. | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20160381822 | Hausler | Dec 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2170506 | Jun 1994 | CN |
20167398 | Jun 1994 | CN |
2241874 | Dec 1996 | CN |
1155329 | Jul 1997 | CN |
1191602 | Aug 1998 | CN |
1898534 | Jan 2007 | CN |
2857251 | Jan 2007 | CN |
101260957 | Sep 2008 | CN |
201141442 | Oct 2008 | CN |
201204543 | Mar 2009 | CN |
101776491 | Jul 2010 | CN |
102365528 | Feb 2012 | CN |
102483366 | May 2012 | CN |
202562633 | Nov 2012 | CN |
203053467 | Jul 2013 | CN |
203148583 | Aug 2013 | CN |
203 385 492 | Jan 2014 | CN |
204165564 | Feb 2015 | CN |
204255566 | Apr 2015 | CN |
205719038 | Nov 2016 | CN |
10 2005 046 331 | Mar 2007 | DE |
10 2010 090 924 | Dec 2011 | DE |
1 897 365 | Oct 2008 | EP |
2 772 729 | Feb 2014 | EP |
64-48625 | Mar 1989 | JP |
H0148625 | Mar 1989 | JP |
4-505662 | Oct 1992 | JP |
H04505662 | Oct 1992 | JP |
H0660919 | Mar 1994 | JP |
H0660919 | Mar 1994 | JP |
H09-127066 | May 1997 | JP |
H1167300 | Mar 1999 | JP |
2000-509484 | Jul 2000 | JP |
2000509484 | Jul 2000 | JP |
2008-514012 | May 2008 | JP |
2011-146436 | Jul 2011 | JP |
Entry |
---|
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US2012/043705, dated Apr. 23, 2014. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 13/251,726, dated Apr. 24, 2014. |
Office Action from Chinese Application No. 201110443913.7, dated Mar. 26, 2014. |
Communication Under Rules 161(1) and 126 EPC from European Application No. 12743559.2, dated Jul. 4, 2014. |
Office Action from Chinese Application No. 201110443913.7, dated Nov. 4, 2014. |
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US2014/049710, dated Oct. 28, 2014. |
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US2014/043123, dated Nov. 20, 2014. |
Invitation to Pay Additional Fee from corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/US12/043705 dated May 24, 2013. 9 pgs. |
Rosemount “Rosemount 3144P Temperature Transmitter,” Mar. 2008. |
Office Action dated Mar. 29, 2013 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/251,726, filed Oct. 3, 2011. 13 pages. |
Final Office Action dated Nov. 14, 2013 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/251,726, filed Oct. 3, 2011. 15 pgs. |
Wika: “Digital Temperature Transmitter,” Jul. 2008. 7 pgs. |
First Office Action from corresponding Chinese Patent Appln. No. 201120555381.1 dated Jun. 6, 2012. 3 pgs. |
Product Data Sheet. Rosemount 644 Temperature Transmitter. Oct. 2010 by Emerson Process Management.28 pgs. |
Product Data Sheet 3.80. TDZ&THZ Smart HART® Temperature Transmitters. Apr. 2005 by Moore Industries. 16 pgs. |
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/CN2013/084662, dated Jun. 30, 2014. |
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US2015*014560, dated May 19, 2015. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/225,775, dated Nov. 27, 2015. |
EP Communication from European Patent Application No. 14737130.6, dated May 4, 2016. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201410054296.5, dated May 5, 2016. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/225,775, dated Apr. 12, 2016. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/237,476, dated May 31, 2016. |
EP Communication from European Patent Application No. 138941604, dated May 9, 2016. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/036,787, dated Mar. 23, 2016. |
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC for European Patent Application No. 14755740.9-1568, dated May 4, 2016, 2 pages. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201410054296.5, dated Dec. 29, 2016. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201410186900.X, dated Oct. 19, 2016. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/237,476, dated Dec. 29, 2016. |
Office Action from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,923,141, dated Dec. 12, 2016. |
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority from PCT/US2015/035421, dated Sep. 21, 2016. |
Rosemount “Rosemount 3144P Temperature Transmitter,” Nov. 2010. |
Office Action from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-518191, dated Mar. 8, 2017. |
Communication from European Patent Application No. 13894160.4, dated Apr. 13, 2017. |
Office Action from Russian Patent Application No. 2016116897, dated May 30, 2017. |
Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,119, dated Jul. 10, 2017. |
Office Action from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-54438, dated Apr. 19, 2017. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201410054296.5, dated Jun. 20, 2017. |
Office Action from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-544318, dated Aug. 9, 2017, 6 pages. |
Office Action from European Patent Application No. 14 737 130.6-1568, dated Jul. 9, 2017, 13 pages. |
Rejection Decision from Chinese Patent Application No. 201410054296.5, dated Sep. 28, 2017, 23 pages. |
Final Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 14/753,119, dated Jan. 8, 2018. |
Office Action from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-518191, dated Nov. 29, 2017. |
Communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC for European Patent Application No. 16729166.5, dated Feb. 6, 2018, 3 pages. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201510848995.1, dated Mar. 16, 2018. |
Office Action from Chinese Patent Application No. 201711360421.5, dated Oct. 8, 2019. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150088277 A1 | Mar 2015 | US |