Power generation for process devices

• US 20060116102A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Brown, Gregory C., Klosinski, Andrew J., Trimble, Steven R., Fandrey, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/343.100
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31121 Fielddevice, field controller, interface connected to fieldbus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A process device includes a controller, a wireless communications module. The wireless communications module is coupled to the controller. A power generation module is provided to generate electricity for the process device. The power generator module can be disposed within the process device or it can be a separate unit coupled to the process device.

Claims

1. A process device comprising:

a controller;

a wireless communications module coupled to the controller; and

a power generation module disposed within the process device, the power generation module being coupled to the controller and to the wireless communications module, the power generation module being configured to converted wind energy proximate the process device into generate electricity.

2. The process device of claim 1, and further comprising a transducer coupled to the controller and coupleable to a process.

3. The process device of claim 1, wherein the power generation module is a wind-based power module adapted to convert wind proximate the process device to electricity.

4. The process device of claim 3, wherein the wind-based power module includes a wind vane.

5. The process device of claim 3, wherein the wind-based power module includes an impeller coupled to a generator.

6. The process device of claim 3, wherein the wind-based based power module includes at least one wind moveable airfoil coupled to a piezoelectric element.

15. The unit of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is a hydrocarbon based fuel cell.

16. The unit of claim 15, wherein the fuel cell is a methanol fuel cell.

17. The unit of claim 15, wherein the fuel cell is operably coupleable to the process to receive process fluid as fuel for the fuel cell.

7. A process device comprising:

a controller;

a wireless communications module coupled to the controller; and

a power generation module disposed within the process device, the power generation module being coupled to the controller and to the wireless communications module, the power generation module including a hydrocarbon-based fuel cell.

8. The process device of claim 7, and further comprising a storage tank coupled to the fuel cell to provide a stored source of fuel to the fuel cell.

9. The process device of claim 7, wherein the fuel cell is a methanol fuel cell.

10. The process device of claim 7, wherein the fuel cell is operably coupleable to the process to receive process fluid as fuel for the fuel cell.

11. The process device of claim 7, and further comprising a transducer coupled to the controller and coupleable to the process.

12. A wireless power and communication unit for providing wireless operation to a process device, the unit comprising:

a housing;

an attachment region coupled to the housing and being coupleable to the process device;

a power generation module disposed within the housing;

a loop communicator disposed to connect to the process device via the attachment region;

a controller coupled to the power source and loop communicator, the controller being configured to interact with the process device using the loop communicator;

a wireless communication module coupled to the controller and being configured for wireless communication; and

wherein the power generation module is adapted to generate electricity using molecules external and proximate to the unit.

13. The unit of claim 12, wherein the power generation module includes a fuel cell.

14. The unit of claim 13, and further comprising a storage tank coupled to the fuel cell to provide a stored source of fuel to the fuel cell.

18. The unit of claim 12, wherein the power generation module is a wind-based power module adapted to convert wind proximate the unit to electricity.

19. The unit of claim 18, wherein the wind-based power module includes a wind vane.

20. The unit of claim 18, wherein the wind-based power module includes an impeller coupled to a generator.

21. The unit of claim 18, wherein the wind-based based power module includes at least one wind moveable airfoil coupled to a piezoelectric element.

22. A method of powering a process device comprising:

reacting with molecules proximate the exterior of the process device;

generating electricity based upon the reaction with the molecules; and

providing the electricity to the process device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the molecules are oxygen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the molecules are provided a process to which the process device is coupled.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the reaction includes reacting to kinetic energy of the molecules.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the molecules are moving air molecules.

27. A method of powering a process device, the method comprising:

providing a hydrocarbon-based fueld cell within the process device;

electrically coupling the fuel cell to the process device; and

utilizing electricity generated by the fuel cell to power the process device.