Form factor and electromagnetic interference protection for process device wireless adapters
First Claim
1. A process device wireless adapter comprising:
- a wireless communications module configured to communicatively couple to a process device of a type used in an industrial process control or monitoring system, a process control loop to which the process device is coupled, and to a wireless receiver, the wireless communications module being configured to be powered, at least in part, by the process device and also configured to interact with the process device in accordance with a standard industry protocol and to provide wireless communication capabilities to the process device;
a metallic housing that surrounds the wireless communications module, the metallic housing having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to attach to the process device;
an end cap having a metallic shield that contacts the housing second end such that the metallic shield and the housing form a substantially continuous conductive surface and shields the wireless communication module from electromagnetic interference; and
an antenna communicatively coupled to the wireless communications module through an aperture in the metallic shield and separated from the wireless communications module by the metallic shield.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process device wireless adapter includes a wireless communications module, a metallic housing, and an antenna. The wireless communications module is configured to communicatively couple to a process device and to a wireless receiver. The metallic housing surrounds the wireless communication module and has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to attach to the process device. In one embodiment, a metallic shield contacts the housing second end such that the metallic shield and the housing form a substantially continuous conductive surface. The antenna is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module and separated from the wireless communication module by the metallic shield. Preferably, the wireless communications module illustratively includes a printed circuit board that has a length that is greater than its width.
385 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A process device wireless adapter comprising:
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a wireless communications module configured to communicatively couple to a process device of a type used in an industrial process control or monitoring system, a process control loop to which the process device is coupled, and to a wireless receiver, the wireless communications module being configured to be powered, at least in part, by the process device and also configured to interact with the process device in accordance with a standard industry protocol and to provide wireless communication capabilities to the process device; a metallic housing that surrounds the wireless communications module, the metallic housing having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to attach to the process device; an end cap having a metallic shield that contacts the housing second end such that the metallic shield and the housing form a substantially continuous conductive surface and shields the wireless communication module from electromagnetic interference; and an antenna communicatively coupled to the wireless communications module through an aperture in the metallic shield and separated from the wireless communications module by the metallic shield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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11. A process device wireless adapter comprising:
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a metallic housing having a length and a radius configured to mount to a process device of a type used in an industrial process control or monitoring system; a printed circuit board within the metallic housing, the printed circuit board having a width and a length, the length of the printed circuit board running along the length of the metallic housing, the length of the printed circuit board being greater than the width of the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board configured to be communicatively coupled to a process device and to provide wireless communication capabilities to the process device; an end cap having a metallic shield that forms a continuous conductive surface with the metallic housing, the metallic shield having a first side and a second side, the printed circuit board positioned proximate the first side;
an antenna electrically connected to the printed circuit board through an aperture in the metallic shield, the antenna positioned proximate the metallic shield second side, the antenna configured to wirelessly transmit communications to a wireless receiver and to wirelessly receive communications from the wireless receiver; andwherein the metallic shield shields the circuit board from electromagnetic radiation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25)
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Specification