Modular metering instrument including multiple sensing probes

• US 5,162,725 A
• Filed: 08/20/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TSI Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alnor Instrument Company (TSI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Oram, James W., Haake, Paul F., Hodson, Price R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VINH P
• Application Number:
  US07/750,445
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158 P, 324/114, 324/115, 324/72.5, 324/132, 324/127, 374/181, 374/183, 364/556, 364/557, 364/571.01, 364/573, 73/620
• US Class Current: 324/115
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory

Abstract

A modular metering instrument including one of a plurality of sensing probes or probe modules including identification and calibration information stored therein and a meter module which can identify the sensing probe when the sensing probe is connected thereto. The storage of calibration and identification information in the sensing probe allows the meter module to be utilized with any one of a number of sensing probes to sense different physical parameters. The sensing probe includes at least one sensor and related circuitry to generate a signal relating to the sensed parameter. The meter module analyzes and calibrates the signal and displays the measured parameter.

Claims

1. A discrete probe (16, 18) for sensing at least one physical parameter, said probe comprising:

means for sensing at least one of velocity, volume flow, temperature, pressure and humidity and generating a signal related thereto;

p1 means for storing calibration and identification information in said probe; and

means for coupling said calibration and identification information and said sensed signal for connection to a separation meter.

2. The probe as defined in claim 1 including means adapted to connect said means for coupling of said probe to said separate meter.

3. The probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe includes an elongate sensing stylet having first and second ends, said sensing means mounted on said first end of said stylet and a handle on said second end of said stylet and a flexible cable adapted to connect said probe to said separate meter.

4. The probe as defined in claim 3 including said storing means mounted in said stylet handle.

5. The probe as defined in claim 3 including a meter connector on a free end of said cable and said storing means mounted in said meter connector.

6. A probe for sensing at least one physical parameter, said probe comprising:

a stylet having means for sensing at least one of velocity, volume flow, temperature, pressure and humidity and generating a signal related thereto, said stylet having said sensing means mounted on one end thereof and a handle on a second end thereof;

means for storing calibration and identification information in said handle;

means for coupling said calibration and identification information and said sensed signal in said stylet for connection to a separate meter; and

means adapted to connect said means for coupling of said probe to said separate meter including a flexible cable adapted to connect said means for coupling of said probe to said separate meter.

7. The probe as defined in claim 6 wherein said stylet includes at least second means for sensing at least one physical parameter and generating a signal related thereto and at least second means for storing calibration and identification information in said handle relating to sensing at least a second physical parameter and means for sensing one of said calibration and identification information storing means.

8. The probe as defined in claim 6 including a meter connector on a free end of said cable and said storing means mounted in said meter connector.

9. A meter for utilization with a plurality of physical parameter sensing probes, said meter having calibration and identification information stored therein, said meter comprising:

means for identifying a sensing probe to be connected to said meter;

means for reading and storing calibration information read from the connected sensing probe; and

means for analyzing the sensed physical parameter that is input by the connected sensing probe and calibrating the sensed physical parameter with said stored calibration information in said meter.

10. The meter as defined in claim 9 including means for switching between more than one physical parameter sensing probe input.

11. The meter as defined in claim 9 including means for displaying the calibrated sensed physical parameter.

12. The meter as defined in claim 9 including means for digitizing the sensed physical parameter and then coupling said digitized physical parameter to said analyzing means.

13. The meter as defined in claim 9 wherein said identifying means identify said connected sensing probe when it is connected to said meter module.

14. The meter as defined in claim 13 including means for switching between more than one physical parameter sensing probe input and means for digitizing the sensed physical parameter and then coupling said digitized physical parameter to said analyzing means.

15. The meter as defined in claim 14 including means for displaying the calibrated sensed physical parameter.

16. A modular metering instrument for sensing at least one physical parameter, said modular metering instrument comprising:

a meter and at least one probe;

said probe including means for sensing at least one physical parameter and generating a signal related thereto;

means for storing calibration and identification information in said probe;

means for coupling said calibration and identification information and said sensed physical parameter signal for connection to said meter;

said meter including means for identifying a probe to be connected to said meter;

means for storing calibration information read from the connected probe;

means for analyzing the sensed physical parameter that is input by the connected probe and calibrating the sensed physical parameter with said stored calibration information; and

means adapted to connect said means for coupling of said probe to said meter.

17. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said probe includes at least second means for sensing at least one physical parameter and generating a signal related thereto.

18. The module metering instrument as defined in claim 17 wherein said probe includes at least second means for storing calibration and identification information in said probe relating to sensing at least a second physical parameter and means for selecting one of said calibration and identification information storing means.

19. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said probe includes a sensing stylet having said sensing means mounted on one end thereof and a handle on a second end thereof and a flexible cable adapted to connect said probe to said meter.

20. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 19 wherein said probe includes said storing means mounted in said stylet handle.

21. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said meter includes means for switching between more than one probe input.

22. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said meter includes means for displaying the calibrated sensed physical parameter.

23. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said meter includes means for digitizing the sensed physical parameter and then coupling said digitized physical parameter to said analyzing means.

24. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 16 wherein said meter identifying means identifying said probe when it is connected to said meter.

25. The modular metering instrument as defined in claim 24 wherein said meter includes means for switching between more than one probe input and means for digitizing the sensed physical parameter and then coupling said digitized physical parameter to said analyzing means.

26. A discrete probe for sensing at least one physical parameter, said probe comprising:

first means for sensing at least one of velocity, volume flow, temperature, pressure and humidity and generating a first signal related thereto;

second means for sensing at least one of velocity, volume flow, temperature, pressure and humidity and generating a second signal related thereto;

means for storing calibration and identification information in said probe; and

means for coupling said calibration and identification information and said first and second sensed signals for connection to a separate meter.

27. The probe as defined in claim 26 wherein said probe includes at least second means for storing calibration and identification information in said probe relating to sensing at least a second physical parameter and means for selecting one of said calibration and identification information storing means.