Electrical interconnect for pressure sensor in a process variable transmitter

• US 9,638,600 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Haywood, Nicholas John
• Primary Examiner(s): Fitzgerald, John
• Application Number:
  US14/501,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20160091382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 73723
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 13/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring differences of two or more fluid pressure values
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0069 from the sensor to its support
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0084 to the outside of the housing other details about the housing see G01L19/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0041 Transmitting or indicating the displacement of flexible diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0075 using a ceramic diaphragm, e.g. alumina, fused quartz, glass
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details

Abstract

A process fluid pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of a process fluid. The assembly includes a pressure sensor body formed of an insulating material. The pressure sensor includes a plurality of electrical contact pads which couple to a pressure sensing element of the body of the pressure sensor. An interconnect body is configured to fit over an end of the pressure sensor body. A plurality of electrical connectors carried in the interconnect body are in electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contact pads. A wiring harness attaches to the interconnect body and includes a plurality of wires which are electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connectors.

Claims

1. A subsea process variable transmitter, comprising:

a transmitter housing;

measurement circuitry located in the transmitter housing configured to measure a pressure of the process fluid;

a flange configured to mount the transmitter housing to a subsea process system;

an elongate probe configured to extend from the flange into the subsea process system;

a process fluid pressure sensor assembly at a distal end of the probe, comprising;

a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of a process fluid comprising a pressure sensor body, the pressure sensor including a plurality of electrical contact pads which couple to a pressure sensing element of the pressure sensor;

an interconnect body which is separated from the elongate probe and fits over an end of the pressure sensor body;

a plurality of electrical connectors carried in the interconnect body electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical contact pads and which are in direct abutting contact with the plurality of electrical contact pads; and

a wiring harness attached to the interconnect body comprising a plurality of wires which are electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connectors, the wiring harness is configured to electrically connect the pressure sensor to the measurement circuitry in the transmitter housing.

2. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of wires of the wiring harness comprises a coaxial cable.

3. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the interconnect body includes an opening configured to receive a proximal end of the pressure sensor.

4. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor includes a temperature sensing element electrically connected to the plurality of electrical contact pads.

5. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor comprises an elongate body formed of a single crystal material.

6. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein a proximal end of the wiring harness includes a plurality of RF connectors configured to connect the plurality of electrical wires to transmitter electronics.

7. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the interconnect body includes a distal lip configured to couple to a pressure sensor capsule which carries the pressure sensor.

8. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the interconnect body includes a potting compounds configured to provide strain relief to the wiring harness.

9. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the interconnect body includes at least one tab configured to be bonded to a sensor capsule which carries the pressure sensor.

10. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the interconnect body is formed of a plastic.

11. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical connectors comprise traces which are deposited on the interconnect body.

12. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 11 wherein the interconnect body includes a plurality of vias for connecting to the plurality of traces.

13. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical connectors comprise traces on a circuit board of the interconnect body.

14. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 13 wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of vias for connecting to the plurality of traces.

15. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 including a second pressure sensor connected to a second wiring harness by a second interconnect body.

16. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 15 wherein the pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are carried in a sensor capsule.

17. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical connectors include feet which are configured to electrically contact the electrical contact pads carried on the pressure sensor.

18. The subsea process variable transmitter of claim 17 wherein the feet are bonded to the electrical contact pads.