PROCESS VARIABLE TRANSMITTER WITH DUAL COMPARTMENT HOUSING

• US 20150094826A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Jia, Jinjie, Bauschke, Dirk, Norman, Kirsten, Larson, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 9,971,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric

Abstract

A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial control or monitoring process is provided and includes a housing with a cavity formed therein which extends between first and second housing openings. The transmitter further includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process. An electronics carrier assembly is mounted in the cavity and is configured to define a first compartment and a second compartment in the cavity and provide a seal therebetween. Measurement circuitry is carried by the electronics carrier assembly in the first compartment and configured to receive a process variable signal and provide an output. An electrical connection is carried on the electronics carrier assembly in the second compartment and is electrically coupled to the output of the measurement circuitry.

Claims

1. A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial process, comprising:

a housing having a cavity formed therein which extends between first and second openings;

a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process;

an electronics carrier assembly mounted in the cavity configured to define a first compartment and a second compartment in the cavity and provide a seal therebetween;

measurement circuitry carried on the electronics carrier assembly in the first compartment and configured to receive a process variable signal from the process variable sensor and provide an output; and

an electrical connection carried on the electronics carrier assembly in the second compartment electrically coupled to the output of the measurement circuitry, the electrical connection providing a transmitter output.

2. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, wherein the seal is formed between a lip on the electronics carrier assembly and a lip to the housing.

3. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, wherein the electronics carrier assembly comprises a plastic.

4. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, further including a sealing compound potted between the electronics carrier assembly and the housing.

5. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring between the electronics carrier assembly and the housing.

6. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, further including a display connected to the measurement circuitry in the first compartment.

7. The process variable transmitter of claim 6, wherein the display is mounted to the electronics carrier assembly.

8. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, including mounting screws configured to urge the electronics carrier assembly against the housing.

9. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, including a sensor connector carried on the electronics carrier assembly in the second compartment configured to electrically couple the measurement circuitry to the process variable sensor.

10. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, wherein the process variable sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

11. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, including a rubber gasket placed between the electronics carrier assembly and the housing and configured to provide a seal between the first compartment and the second compartment.

12. The process variable transmitter of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a sensor aperture accessible in the second compartment.

13. A method for use with a process variable transmitter in an industrial process, comprising:

forming a cavity that extends between a first and a second opening of a housing;

mounting an electronics carrier assembly in the cavity thereby defining a first compartment and a second compartment in the cavity and providing a seal therebetween;

sensing a process variable of the industrial process using a process variable sensor;

receiving the sensed process variable with connectors in the second compartment coupled to measurement circuitry in the second compartment; and

providing a transmitter output using an electrical connection carried on the electronics carrier assembly in the second compartment which is electrically coupled to the measurement circuitry in the first compartment.

14. The method of claim 13, including placing a gasket between the electronics carrier assembly and the housing.

15. The method of claim 13, including connecting a display to the measurement circuitry.

16. The method of claim 14, including urging the electronics carrier assembly against the housing to form the seal.

17. The method of claim 14, including connecting the measurement circuitry to a process control loop using connectors on the electronics carrier assembly carried in the second compartment.

18. The method of claim 13, including connecting the measurement circuitry to the process variable sensor using connectors on the electronics carrier assembly carried in the second compartment.

19. A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial process, comprising:

a cavity that extends between a first and a second opening of a housing;

electronics carrier means for defining a first compartment and a second compartment in the cavity;

means for sealing the electronics carrier means to the housing and thereby sealing the first compartment from the second compartment;

means for sensing a process variable of the industrial process;

means for receiving the sensed process transmitter variable in the first cavity; and

means for providing the transmitter output using an electrical connection positioned in the second compartment and electrically coupled to the means for receiving.

20. The process variable transmitter of claim 19, including connector means connecting to a means for sensing, wherein the connector means is positioned in the second compartment.