Universal process transmitter connector

• US 20100123591A1
• Filed: 11/18/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Doan, Nga, Larson, Todd, Arntson, Douglas Wayne, Bauschke, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 7,847,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/656
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/527 Flameproof cases H01R13/70 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6666 with built-in overvoltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1462 for programmable logic controllers [PLC] for automation or industrial process control

Abstract

An electrical connector apparatus for use with a field device includes a housing having a first end and a second end, an electrical feedthrough subassembly, and a visual indicator viewable from outside the housing. The first end of the housing is configured to mechanically connect to the field device. The electrical feedthrough subassembly extends through at least a portion of the housing and includes a plurality of electrical conductors configured to provide a removable electrical connection at the second end of the housing and a flameproof barrier disposed between the first and second ends of the housing. The visual indicator has a plurality of illumination modes indicative of a power state of the electrical feedthrough subassembly.

Claims

1. An electrical connector apparatus for use with a field device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to mechanically connect to the field device;

an electrical feedthrough subassembly extending through at least a portion of the housing, wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly comprises;

a plurality of electrical conductors configured to provide a removable electrical connection at the second end of the housing; and

a flameproof barrier disposed between the first and second ends of the housing; and

a visual indicator viewable from outside the housing, wherein the visual indicator has a plurality of illumination modes indicative of a power state of the electrical feedthrough subassembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly further comprises:

transient protection circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of electrical conductors.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transient protection circuitry includes a plurality of redundant diodes electrically connected to the visual indicator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flameproof barrier is further explosionproof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrically-shaped.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a plurality of planar faces for engagement with a tool for torquing the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the housing is threaded.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode that illuminates in different colors to provide the plurality of illumination modes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is connected to a pulse circuit.

10. An electrical connector apparatus for use with a field device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be secured to the field device with a threaded connection;

an electrical feedthrough subassembly extending through at least a portion of the housing, wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly comprises;

a plurality of electrical conductors configured to provide a removable electrical connection at the second end of the housing; and

a flameproof barrier located in the housing;

transient protection circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of electrical conductors; and

a visual indicator viewable from outside the housing, wherein the visual indicator has a plurality of illumination modes indicative of a power state of the electrical feedthrough subassembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flameproof barrier is further explosionproof.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrically-shaped.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the visual indicator is connected to a pulse circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transient protection circuitry includes a plurality of redundant diodes electrically connected to the visual indicator.

16. An industrial process control apparatus comprising:

a field device housing having a threaded opening;

field device circuitry located within the field device housing;

a connector housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the threaded opening of the field device housing;

an electrical feedthrough subassembly extending through at least a portion of the connector housing, wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly comprises;

a plurality of electrical conductors electrically connected to the field device circuitry and configured to provide a removable electrical connection at the second end of the connection housing; and

a flameproof barrier located in the connector housing;

transient protection circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of electrical conductors; and

a visual indicator viewable from outside the connector housing, wherein the visual indicator is illuminated as a function of power supplied to the field device circuitry through of the electrical feedthrough subassembly.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the flameproof barrier is further explosionproof.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrically-shaped.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the visual indicator is connected to a pulse circuit.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly and the second end of the connector housing is configured to provide a eurofast®

compatible connection.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electrical feedthrough subassembly and the second end of the connector housing is configured to provide a minifast®

compatible connection.