Instrument loop adapter

• US 20060128199A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Hedtke, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US11/012,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128199A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/320
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 13/025 using diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0084 to the outside of the housing other details about the housing see G01L19/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/148 Details about the circuit board integration, e.g. integrated with the diaphragm surface or encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0075 using a ceramic diaphragm, e.g. alumina, fused quartz, glass
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5221 having cable sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence

Abstract

An instrument loop adapter includes an interface portion that is configured to couple to a header of a miniature process variable transmitter. In some embodiments, the interface portion includes a standardized cable output portion. In other embodiments, a cable portion is coupled to the interface portion. Additional functionality is provided in the interface portion, the cable portion or both portions. The additional functionality can include circuits that provide features not present in the process variable transmitter.

Claims

1. An instrument loop adapter for coupling a process variable transmitter to a loop, the adapter comprising:

an interface portion adapted to engage a header of the process variable transmitter; and

a circuit board disposed within the interface portion, the circuit board having active circuitry thereon.

2. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, wherein the active circuitry is sensor input circuitry.

3. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the sensor input circuitry is RTD input circuitry.

4. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the sensor input circuitry includes an analog-to-digital converter.

5. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion forming the loop connection.

6. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, wherein the interface portion includes a process industry standard cable output.

7. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the active circuitry includes a microprocessor.

8. The instrument loop adapter of claim 7, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion forming the loop connection.

9. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the active circuitry includes a display.

10. The instrument loop adapter of claim 9, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop.

11. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the active circuitry provides multiple types of outputs.

12. The instrument loop adapter of claim 11 and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop.

13. The instrument loop adapter of claim 11, wherein the circuitry communicates with the process variable transmitter in accordance with a first industry standard protocol, and interacts on the loop in accordance with a second industry standard protocol.

14. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the active circuitry provides a local output.

15. The instrument loop adapter of claim 14, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop.

16. The instrument loop adapter of claim 2, wherein the active circuitry is coupled to a local user input.

17. The instrument loop adapter of claim 16, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop.

18. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a threaded portion to engage the header of the process variable transmitter.

19. The loop adapter of claim 1, wherein the interface portion includes a cylindrical sidewall and a cap adapted to mate thereto.

20. The instrument loop adapter of claim 19, wherein at least one of the cylindrical sidewall and the cap includes a pliant outer layer.

21. The instrument loop adapter of claim 20, wherein the pliant outer layer is formed of an elastomer.

22. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is over molded, and wherein the over molding creates a hermetic seal within a chamber of the instrument loop adapter.

23. The instrument loop adapter of claim 1, and further comprising a self-sealing wiring entry.

24. An instrument loop adapter for coupling a process variable transmitter to a loop, the adapter comprising:

an interface portion adapted to engage a header of the process variable transmitter; and

a circuit board disposed within the interface portion, the circuit board having intrinsic safety circuitry.

25. The instrument loop adapter of claim 24, and further comprising a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop.

26. The instrument loop adapter of claim 24, wherein the interface includes a threaded portion to engage the header of the process variable transmitter.

27. An instrument loop adapter for coupling a process variable transmitter to a loop, the adapter comprising:

a interface portion adapted to engage a header of the process variable transmitter;

a cable portion coupled to the interface portion, the cable portion having conductors therein to couple to the loop; and

a circuit board disposed within the cable portion, the circuit board having circuitry thereon that provides enhanced functionality.

28. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry includes sensor input circuitry.

29. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry includes intrinsic safety circuitry.

30. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry includes a microprocessor.

31. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry is coupled to and drives a local output.

32. The instrument loop adapter of claim 31, wherein the local output is a liquid crystal display.

33. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry is coupled to a local input.

34. The instrument loop adapter of claim 33, wherein the local input includes at least one button.

35. The instrument loop adapter of claim 27, wherein the circuitry provides multiple types of outputs.

36. The instrument loop adapted of claim 27, wherein the interface includes a threaded portion to engage the header of the process variable transmitter.

37. A method of coupling a process variable transmitter to an instrument loop, the method comprising:

providing an interface portion of an instrument loop adapter, the interface portion having active circuitry therein; and

coupling the interface portion to a header of the process variable transmitter.

38. An instrument loop adapter for coupling a process variable transmitter to a loop, the adapter comprising:

an interface portion adapted to removably engage a header of the process variable transmitter to provide a sealed coupling therewith;

electrical connectors in the interface portion configured to provide an electrical connection to the header of the process variable transmitter;

a loop connection configured to provide an electrical connection to the loop; and

a circuit board disposed within the interface portion, the circuit board having active circuitry thereon.