WIRE HARNESS FOR FIELD DEVICES USED IN A HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS

• US 20110014882A1
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Vanderaa, Joel David
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1462 for programmable logic controllers [PLC] for automation or industrial process control

Abstract

A wireless process communication adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A field device coupling is attached to one of the first and second ends. Adapter circuitry is disposed within the housing and the adapter circuitry is coupled to a plurality of wires that pass through the field device coupling. A wire retainer is engaged upon the plurality of wires to maintain the wires in a fixed position. An encapsulation material encapsulates the adapter circuitry, the wire retainer, and the plurality of wires.

Claims

1. A wireless process communication adapter comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a field device coupling attached to one of the first and second ends;

adapter circuitry disposed within the housing, the adapter circuitry being coupled to a plurality of wires that pass through the field device coupling;

a wire retainer engaged upon the plurality of wires to maintain the wires in a fixed position; and

an encapsulation material encapsulating the adapter circuitry, the wire retainer, and the plurality of wires.

2. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wires includes a stripped portion retained by the wire retainer.

3. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 2, wherein each stripped portion includes braided wire strands that are tinned.

4. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 2, wherein the wire retainer includes at least one shoulder for each wire, wherein the shoulder engages a surface of wire insulation to limit axial movement of the wire.

5. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 4, wherein the wire retainer includes a pair of shoulders for each wire.

6. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the wire retainer includes at least one rib configured to interfere with an insulation portion of each wire.

8. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires include 4 wires.

9. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires are braided wires.

10. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires are 22 gauge wires.

11. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires are connected via solder joints to a circuit board supporting the adapter circuitry.

12. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the wire retainer includes a groove for each wire that is shaped to generate a snap-fit.

13. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the wireless retainer includes a pair of opposing members that connect to one another via at least one hinge.

14. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 13, wherein at least one of the opposing members includes a rib configured to interfere with an insulation portion of a wire when the opposing members are engaged together.

15. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 13, wherein the opposing members are configured to clasp together.

16. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the wireless process communication adapter is intrinsically safe.

7. The wireless process communication adapter of claim 7, wherein the at least one rib includes a plurality of ribs for each wire.

17. A wireless process communication system comprising:

a non-wireless field device configured to sense a process variable and convey an indication of the sensed process variable over a wired process communication loop; and

a wireless process communication adapter including;

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a field device coupling attached to one of the first and second ends, the field device coupling being coupled to the non-wireless field device;

adapter circuitry disposed within the housing, the adapter circuitry being coupled to a plurality of wires that pass through the field device coupling to connect to the field device;

a wire retainer engaged upon the plurality of wires to maintain the wires in a fixed position; and

an encapsulation material encapsulating the adapter circuitry, the wire retainer, and the plurality of wires.