FIELD DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AND/OR MONITORING A CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESS VARIABLE IN AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

• US 20130176036A1
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Grozinger, Roland, Klofer, Peter
• Application Number:
  US13/822,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20130176036A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/655
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/2611 Measuring inductance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence

Abstract

A field device for determining and/or monitoring a chemical or physical, process variable in automation technology, which has at least a first electronic or electrical component and a second electronic or electrical component. The first component has an energy transmitting antenna and the second component has an energy receiving antenna. Between the two components a predetermined distance is provided, which sets the first component and the second component apart from one another. The predetermined distance is filled, at least partially, with a dielectric medium. The energy transmitting antenna is so embodied and/or arranged that it supplies the second component with energy continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A field device for determining and/or monitoring a chemical or physical, process variable in automation technology, comprising:

at least a first electronic or electrical component space;

a second electronic or electrical component;

an energy transmitting antenna situated in said space;

an energy receiving antenna, associated with said second component; and

a predetermined distance, which sets the first component and the second component apart from one another, wherein;

said predetermined distance is filled, at least partially, with a dielectric medium;

wireless energy transmission occurs over larger distances from said predetermined distance means of resonant oscillatory circuits, the resonant oscillatory circuit of said receiving antenna and the resonant oscillatory circuit of said transmitting antenna are so embodied and arranged that the two have resonant frequencies which are equal to one another; and

said energy transmitting antenna is so embodied and/or arranged that it supplies said second component with energy continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

12. The field device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the field device is so embodied that it is suitable for use in an explosion endangered area.

13. The field device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said component space is embodied according to a first ignition protection type and said second component comprises a sensor module, or actuator module, embodied according to a second ignition protection type;

said sensor module, or said actuator module, is spaced from said component;

said sensor module, or said actuator module, includes, respectively, a sensor or an actuator;

said energy transmitting antenna is associated with said connector space; and

said energy receiving antenna is associated with said sensor module and said energy transmitting antenna supplies said sensor module, or said actuator module, wirelessly with energy.

14. The field device as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said connector space is embodied pressure resistantly, especially such that it qualifies for Ex d ignition protection; and

said sensor module is embodied to be intrinsically safe, especially such that it qualifies for Ex i ignition protection.

15. The field device as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

communication between said connector space and said sensor module occurs with galvanic isolation, especially via radio or via fiber optics.

16. The field device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the field device is a radar measuring device for determining fill level of a fill substance in a container;

there is arranged in said connector space sensor electronics for processing/evaluating measurement data delivered by said sensor module; and

there is arranged in said sensor module an HF module for producing high-frequency measurement signals.

17. The field device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said second component other supplemental components are provided, which are supplied with energy either simultaneously via said energy transmitting antenna or in series via other transmission antennas present on said supplemental components.

18. The field device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

a superordinated control unit is assigned to the field device; and

communication between the field device and said superordinated control unit occurs via at least one connecting line matched to the respective explosion endangered area.

19. The field device as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

there is provided in said sensor module an energy storer, which stores energy received by said energy receiving antenna.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said superordinated control unit is a PLC, i.e. a programmable logic controller, or a PCS, i.e. a process control system.