PROCESS VARIABLE TRANSMITTER WITH DISPLAY

• US 20110215944A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Hausler, George C., McCoy, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,334,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments

Abstract

A process variable transmitter for use in measuring a process variable of an industrial process includes a display. The transmitter comprises a housing, a process variable sensor configured to sense the process variable of the industrial process, transmitter circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor configured to provide a transmitter output and a connection member in the housing configured to couple to the transmitter circuitry. A first rotatable connector on the connection member includes a plurality of first conductors. A module includes a second rotatable connector having a plurality of second conductors. The plurality of first and second conductors are configured to electrically connect together.

Claims

1. A process variable transmitter having a display for use in measuring a process variable of an industrial process, comprising:

a housing;

a process variable sensor configured to sense the process variable of the industrial process;

transmitter circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor configured to provide a transmitter output;

a connection member in the housing configured to couple to the transmitter circuitry;

a first rotatable connector on the connection member including a plurality of first conductors; and

a display module having a display thereon and a second rotatable connector having a plurality of second conductors coupled to the display, the plurality of first conductors configured to electrically connect to the plurality of second conductors, wherein the display module is rotatable about the connection member at the first and second connectors.

2. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a protruding post and another of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a socket configured to receive the protruding post.

3. The process variable transmitter of claim 2 wherein the plurality of conductors of the post comprises a plurality of longitudinal spaced conductors separated by an insulator.

4. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 including a seal extending around the first and second rotatable connectors.

5. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the connection member is configured to couple to a two wire process control loop.

6. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the connection member is mounted to a wall which divides the housing into a first sealed compartment and a second compartment which contains the displayed module.

7. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a plurality of concentric conductive rings and another of the first and second conductors comprises a plurality of radially spaced electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the plurality of conductive rings.

8. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the display module includes an input configured to receive a manual input.

9. The process variable transmitter of claim 8 wherein the first rotatable connector is electrically connected to the input through the second rotatable connector.

10. A method in a process variable transmitter of the type used in an industrial process for coupling a display to a connection member comprising:

placing the connection member in a housing;

sensing a process variable using a process variable sensor;

receiving the process variable from the process variable sensor using measurement circuitry in the housing and responsibly providing a transmitter output;

providing a first rotatable connector on the connection member which includes a plurality of conductors;

providing a display having a display element carried thereon and a second rotatable connector having a plurality of second conductors;

connecting the first rotatable connector to the second rotatable connector to thereby provide an electrical connection between the first and second electrical conductors; and

placing an end cap on the housing.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a protruding post and another of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a socket configured to receive the protruding post.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of conductors of the post comprises a plurality of longitudinal spaced conductors separated by an insulator.

13. The method of claim 10 including a seal extending around the first and second rotatable connectors.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the connection member is configured to couple to a two wire process control loop.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the connection member is mounted to a wall which divides the housing into a first sealed compartment and a second compartment which contains the displayed module.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second rotatable connectors comprises a plurality of concentric conductive rings and another of the first and second conductors comprises a plurality of radially spaced electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the plurality of conductive rings.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the display module includes an input configured to receive a manual input.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first rotatable connector is electrically connected to the input through the second rotatable connector.