Wireless power and communication unit for process field devices
First Claim
1. A wireless power and communication unit for providing wireless operation to a field device, the unit comprising:
- a housing;
an attachment region coupled to the housing and being coupleable to the field device;
a power storage device disposed within the housing;
a loop communicator disposed to connect to the field device via the attachment region;
a controller coupled to the power source and loop communicator, the controller being configured to interact with the field device using the loop communicator;
a wireless communication module coupled to the controller and being configured for wireless communication; and
wherein the unit is adapted to provide operating power to the field device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless power and communication unit for field devices is configured to connect to a field device and provide operating power and wired digital communication between the unit and the field device. RF circuitry in the unit is configured for radio frequency communication. In one embodiment, power supply circuitry in the unit includes one or more solar power cells that convert solar energy into electricity to power both the unit and the field device. The unit interacts with the field device in accordance with a standard industry communication protocol. The unit communicates wirelessly with an external device, such as a control room, based upon the interaction with the field device.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A wireless power and communication unit for providing wireless operation to a field device, the unit comprising:
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a housing;
an attachment region coupled to the housing and being coupleable to the field device;
a power storage device disposed within the housing;
a loop communicator disposed to connect to the field device via the attachment region;
a controller coupled to the power source and loop communicator, the controller being configured to interact with the field device using the loop communicator;
a wireless communication module coupled to the controller and being configured for wireless communication; and
wherein the unit is adapted to provide operating power to the field device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A wireless power and communication unit comprising:
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a power storage device operably coupleable to at least one field device to provide power to the at least one field device;
a loop communicator coupled to the power storage device and operably coupleable to the at least one field device, the loop communicator being adapted for communication with the at least one field device in accordance with an industry standard process control protocol; and
a wireless communication module operably coupled to the loop communicator to provide wireless communication with an external device based upon communication with the at least one field device. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of operating a field device having at least two terminals through which the field device communicates, the method comprising:
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coupling a power storage device to the field device, the power storage device being disposed externally to the field device;
interacting with the field device via the at least two terminals; and
generating wireless signals based upon the interaction with the field device. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A wireless power unit for providing power to a wireless field device, the unit comprising:
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a housing;
an attachment region coupled to the housing and being coupleable to the wireless field device;
a power storage device disposed within the housing and being coupleable to the wireless field device through the attachment region; and
wherein the unit is adapted to provide operating power to the wireless field device.
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Specification