Process control loop signal converter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A signal conversion device for use in a process control system, comprising:
- a first pair of electrical connections configured to couple to a two-wire process control current loop which includes a two-wire process variable transmitter which provides an analog current level on the two-wire process control current loop related to a sensed process variable;
a second pair of electrical connections configured to couple to an analog voltage input channel of a process device; and
a first electrical component electrically connected to a first electrical connection of the first pair of electrical connections and a first electrical connection of the second pair of electrical connections, the first electrical component further configured to couple to a digital communicator to provide a connection for digital communication between the digital communicator and the two-wire process variable transmitter;
a second electrical component connected between the first and a second electrical connection of the second pair of electrical connections to provide a connection for communication with the voltage input channel of the process device with an analog voltage related to the analog current level on the two-wire process control loop; and
a switch connected in parallel with the first electrical component between the first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connections and the first electrical connector of the second pair of electrical connectors, the switch configured to selectively allow digital communication by the digital communicator through the first electrical component with the two-wire process variable transmitter.
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Abstract
A device for use in a process control system includes a first pair of electrical connections configured to couple to a two-wire process control loop. The loop includes a two-wire process variable transmitter. A second pair of electrical connections is configured to couple to an input channel of a process device having multiple input channels. An electrical component is connected in series in the loop for use in digital communication with the two-wire process variable transmitter.
61 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A signal conversion device for use in a process control system, comprising:
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a first pair of electrical connections configured to couple to a two-wire process control current loop which includes a two-wire process variable transmitter which provides an analog current level on the two-wire process control current loop related to a sensed process variable; a second pair of electrical connections configured to couple to an analog voltage input channel of a process device; and a first electrical component electrically connected to a first electrical connection of the first pair of electrical connections and a first electrical connection of the second pair of electrical connections, the first electrical component further configured to couple to a digital communicator to provide a connection for digital communication between the digital communicator and the two-wire process variable transmitter; a second electrical component connected between the first and a second electrical connection of the second pair of electrical connections to provide a connection for communication with the voltage input channel of the process device with an analog voltage related to the analog current level on the two-wire process control loop; and a switch connected in parallel with the first electrical component between the first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connections and the first electrical connector of the second pair of electrical connectors, the switch configured to selectively allow digital communication by the digital communicator through the first electrical component with the two-wire process variable transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A signal conversion device for use in a process control system, comprising:
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a first pair of electrical connections configured to couple to a two-wire process control current loop which includes a two-wire process variable transmitter which provides an analog current level on the two-wire process control current loop related to a sensed process variable; a second pair of electrical connections configured to couple to an analog voltage input channel of a process device; and digital communication coupling means electrically coupled between a first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connections and a first electrical connector of the second pair of electrical connectors for coupling a digital communication signal between a digital communicator and the two-wire process variable transmitter through the first pair of electrical connections; switch means connected in parallel with the digital communication coupling means between the first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connections and the first electrical connector of the second pair of electrical connectors for selectively bypassing the digital communication coupling means; and electrical component means connected between the first and a second electrical connectors of the second pair of electrical connectors for communicating with the voltage input channel of the process device an analog voltage related to the analog current level on the two-wire process control loop. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for use in a process control system, comprising:
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providing a process control current loop for coupling to a two-wire process variable transmitter which provides an analog current level on the two-wire process control current loop related to a sensed process variable; providing a first pair of electrical connections on the two-wire process control current loop for coupling to a digital communicator; providing a second pair of electrical connections for coupling to an analog voltage input channel of a process device; providing a first electrical component between a first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connectors and a first electrical connector of the second pair of electrical connections configured to couple to the digital communicator for digital communication between the digital communicator and the two-wire process variable transmitter; providing a second electrical component between the first and a second electrical connection of the second pair of electrical connections for communication with the voltage input channel of the process device using an analog voltage related to the analog current level on the tow-wire process control loop; providing a switch in parallel with the first electrical component between the first electrical connector of the first pair of electrical connectors and the first electrical connections of the second pair of electrical connections; opening the switch and digitally communicating with the transmitter through the first electrical component; and closing the switch and bypassing the first electrical component. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification