GAUGING SYSTEM HAVING WIRELESS CAPABILITY
First Claim
1. A gauging system, comprising:
- a gauge configured to sense a process variable and to provide process data representative of the process variable;
a processing unit connected to the gauge, the processing unit comprising;
power supply circuitry configured to receive power from a remote external power source and to provide regulated power; and
first circuitry configured to receive process data from the gauge and to superimpose the process data onto the regulated power forming a power signal; and
a wireless communication unit electrically connected to the processing unit by means of a two-wire control loop, the wireless communication unit comprising;
second circuitry configured to receive the power signal and to separate the process data from the regulated power;
an antenna; and
radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry being powered by means of the regulated power from the second circuitry, configured to receive process data from the second circuitry, and to transmit RF signals representative of the process data using the antenna;
wherein the power signal is capable of delivering enough regulated power to the wireless communication unit for allowing transmission of RF signals at any given moment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a gauging system, comprising a gauge configured to sense a process variable and to provide process data representative of the process variable, a processing unit connected to the gauge, the processing unit comprising power supply circuitry configured to receive power from a remote external power source and to provide regulated power, and first circuitry configured to receive process data from the gauge and to superimpose the process data onto the regulated power forming a power signal, and a wireless communication unit electrically connected to the processing unit by means of a two-wire control loop, the wireless communication unit comprising second circuitry configured to receive the power signal and to separate the process data from the regulated power, an antenna, and radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry being powered by means of the regulated power from the second circuitry, configured to receive process data from the second circuitry, and to transmit RF signals representative of the process data using the antenna, wherein the power signal is capable of delivering enough regulated power to the wireless communication unit for allowing transmission of RF signals at any given moment.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A gauging system, comprising:
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a gauge configured to sense a process variable and to provide process data representative of the process variable; a processing unit connected to the gauge, the processing unit comprising; power supply circuitry configured to receive power from a remote external power source and to provide regulated power; and first circuitry configured to receive process data from the gauge and to superimpose the process data onto the regulated power forming a power signal; and a wireless communication unit electrically connected to the processing unit by means of a two-wire control loop, the wireless communication unit comprising; second circuitry configured to receive the power signal and to separate the process data from the regulated power; an antenna; and radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry being powered by means of the regulated power from the second circuitry, configured to receive process data from the second circuitry, and to transmit RF signals representative of the process data using the antenna; wherein the power signal is capable of delivering enough regulated power to the wireless communication unit for allowing transmission of RF signals at any given moment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. A method for providing power to a wireless communication unit electrically connected to a processing unit by means of a two-wire control loop, wherein the method comprises:
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receiving a sensed process variable from a gauge connected to the processing unit, thereby forming process data representative of the process variable; providing regulated power based on power received from a remote external power source; superimposing the process data onto the regulated power, thereby forming a power signal; providing the power signal to the wireless communication unit, separating the process data from the regulated power; providing the regulated power to radio frequency (RF) communication circuitry comprised in the wireless communication unit; providing the separated process data to the RF communication circuitry; and transmitting RF signals representative of the process data by means of an antenna connected to the RF circuitry; wherein the power signal is capable of delivering enough regulated power to the wireless communication unit for allowing transmission of the RF signals at any given moment.
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Specification