Removable breaking calibration connector for toroidal conductivity sensor and method of calibration

• US 20050189936A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Inventors: Talutis, Stephen B., Quackenbush, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,157,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/750.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/08 which is flowing continuously
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4163 checking the operation of, or calibrating, the measuring apparatus G01N27/3274, G01N27/4175 and G01N33/0006 take precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to electrical connectors used with non-invasive toroidal conductivity sensors and calibration thereof. A removable breaking calibration connector is provided for temporary insertion in the electrical circuit to selectively break connection to a sense toroid for zero out calibration in situ while retaining connection to the drive toroid and other peripherals, even when process fluid is flowing in the pipes.

Claims

1. A toroidal conductivity sensor assembly comprising:

a toroidal conductivity sensor having a drive toroid and a sense toroid, said sensor configured for disposition in-situ within a process flow path;

an analyzer configured to control operation of said sensor;

a multiple conductor cable configured to communicably couple said sensor to said analyzer;

a multiple conductor connector disposed to releasably couple a sensor end of said cable to said sensor;

said connector including a male portion and a female portion configured for mutual, releasable engagement;

said connector including an intermediate calibration portion configured for being interposed between said male and female portions in communicable engagement therewith;

said calibration portion configured to block electric signals between said analyzer and said sense toroid, and to pass electric signals between said analyzer and said drive toroid;

wherein said calibration portion is configured for being temporarily interposed between said male and female portions to effect zero out calibration of said sensor.

2. A removable breaking calibration connector portion for effecting zero out calibration in-situ for a toroidal conductivity sensor having a drive toroid and a sense toroid disposed in communication with an analyzer, the breaking calibration connector portion comprising:

a first interface configured for communicable engagement with one of the analyzer and sensor;

a second interface configured for communicable engagement with the other of the analyzer and sensor;

circuit elements disposed electrically between said first and second interfaces, said circuit elements configured to temporarily block electric signals between said analyzer and said sense toroid, and to pass electric signals between said analyzer and said drive toroid;

wherein said calibration portion permits zero out calibration of the sensor without emptying the sensor of process fluid.

3. The calibration connector portion of claim 2, comprising:

a multiple conductor connector having male and female portions;

said male and female portions configured for mutual, releasable engagement;

one of said male and female portions communicably coupled to the analyzer, and the other of said male and female portions communicably coupled to the sensor;

said first and second interfaces configured for engagement with said male and female portions to effectively interpose said calibration connector portion in communicable engagement therewith.

4. The calibration connector portion of claim 3, wherein the analyzer is communicably coupled to the sensor by a multiple conductor cable, and said multiple conductor connector is configured to releasably couple a sensor end of the cable to the sensor.

5. The calibration connector portion of claim 3, configured for being temporarily interposed between said male and female portions to effect zero out calibration of said sensor.

6. The calibration connector portion of claim 3, wherein said first and second interfaces comprise male portion which is matable with said female portion of said multiple conductor connector, and a female portion which is matable with said male portion of said multiple conductor connector.

7. The calibration connector portion of claim 3, wherein said circuit elements comprise one or more electrical conductors which permit electrical signals to pass therethrough between the analyzer and the drive toroid, and one or more electrical insulators which block electric signals between the analyzer and the sense toroid.

8. The calibration connector portion of claim 7, wherein said one or more electrical conductors are disposed to provide an electrically conductive path to the drive toroid of the toroidal conductivity sensor and other peripheral devices, the conducting path being aligned with conductors of said multiple conductor connector.

9. The calibration connector portion of claim 8, wherein said one or more electrical insulators comprise a gap between conductors of said multiple conductor connector associated with electrical signal conduction between the sense toroid and the analyzer.

10. The calibration connector portion of claim 2, comprising the toroidal conductivity sensor.

11. The calibration connector portion of claim 10, comprising the analyzer.

14. A method of calibrating a toroidal connectivity sensor having a drive toroid and a sense toroid, the method comprising:

(a) unmating male and female portions of a multiple conductor connector;

(b) temporarily disposing and mating the breaking calibration connector portion of claim 2 intermediately between said male and female portions, respectively, so that the breaking calibration connector portion restores connection between the analyzer and the drive toroid and other peripheral devices, and breaks connection between the analyzer and the sense toroid;

(c) carrying out zero out calibration of the toroidal conductivity sensor using the analyzer;

(d) removing the breaking calibration connector portion; and

(e) mating the male and female portions;

wherein zero out calibration for the toroidal conductivity sensor is effected.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

(f) applying one or more known conductivity values to a calibration port of the sensor; and

(g) carrying out non-zero calibration of the toroidal conductivity sensor using the analyzer;

wherein non-zero calibration of said toroidal conductivity sensor is effected.

12. A removable breaking calibration connector for effecting zero out calibration in-situ for a toroidal conductivity sensor having a drive toroid and a sense toroid, the connector comprising:

a breaking calibration connector including at one end a male portion which is matable with female portion of a multiple conductor connector, and at the other end a female portion which is matable with male portion of said multiple conductor connector;

the connectable conducting electric circuit elements, disposed in a portion of the body of said breaking calibration connector to permit electrical signals therethrough, said electric circuit elements being capable of providing a electrically conducting path to said drive toroid of said toroidal conductivity sensor and other peripheral devices, said conducting path being appropriately in line with conducting paths provided by said multiple conductor connector;

a non-conducting portion of said breaking calibration connector, electrical circuit elements being absent therein, wherein said non-conducting portion is capable of breaking electrical signal conduction between the sense toroid and an analyzer, through said male and female portions, respectively;

wherein said breaking calibration connector is adaptable for being temporarily and intermediately disposed between and mated with said male and female

portions, respectively, for effecting zero out calibration in-situ for said toroidal conductivity sensor with process fluid disposed therein.

13. A connector for communicably coupling an electronic analyzer to a toroidal conductivity sensor having a drive toroid and a sense toroid, the connector comprising:

multiple conductor connector portions disposed to releasably couple a sensor end of a multiple conductor cable to the sensor;

said connector portions including a male portion and a female portion configured for mutual, releasable engagement;

an intermediate calibration portion configured for being interposed between said male and female portions in communicable engagement therewith;

said calibration portion configured to block electric signals between said analyzer and said sense toroid, and to pass electric signals between said analyzer and said drive toroid;

wherein said calibration portion is configured for being temporarily interposed between said male and female portions to effect zero out calibration of said sensor.