Intrinsically safe field maintenance tool with power islands
First Claim
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1. A hand held configurator for coupling to a two wire process control loop for use in configuring and monitoring field units coupled to the two wire process control loop, comprising:
- loop coupling circuitry configured to couple to the two wire process control loop;
a first power island having a first maximum allowed power draw based upon a maximum allowed surface temperature of a first component under a fault condition;
a second power island having a second maximum allowed power draw based upon a maximum allowed surface temperature of a second component under a fault condition;
a power supply configured to provide total power to the power islands which is greater than a sum of the first maximum allowed power and the second maximum allowed power; and
barrier circuitry coupled to the first and second power islands configured to limit power entering the first power island to a value less than the first maximum allowed power draw and further configured limit power entering the second power island to a value less than the second maximum allowed power draw to thereby maintain intrinsic safety of the first and second power islands.
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Abstract
A hand held configuration for coupling to a two wire process control loop for use in configuring and monitoring field units coupled to the two wire process control loop is provided which includes a power supply, and at least two power islands. The power islands are configured to electrically isolate electrical components in one power island from electrical components in another power island. Independent power connections are provided between each power island and the power supply.
160 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A hand held configurator for coupling to a two wire process control loop for use in configuring and monitoring field units coupled to the two wire process control loop, comprising:
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loop coupling circuitry configured to couple to the two wire process control loop; a first power island having a first maximum allowed power draw based upon a maximum allowed surface temperature of a first component under a fault condition; a second power island having a second maximum allowed power draw based upon a maximum allowed surface temperature of a second component under a fault condition; a power supply configured to provide total power to the power islands which is greater than a sum of the first maximum allowed power and the second maximum allowed power; and barrier circuitry coupled to the first and second power islands configured to limit power entering the first power island to a value less than the first maximum allowed power draw and further configured limit power entering the second power island to a value less than the second maximum allowed power draw to thereby maintain intrinsic safety of the first and second power islands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification