Process variable transmitter with dual compartment housing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10663931-B2
Application number	US-201314035019-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 24, 2013
Priority date	Sep 24, 2013
Publication date	May 26, 2020
Grant date	May 26, 2020

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. The housing includes an integrated terminal block which defines first and second compartments in the cavity. The transmitter further includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process. Measurement circuitry is carried in the first compartment and configured to receive a process variable signal from the process variable sensor and provide an output. An electrical connection is carried on the integrated terminal block in the second compartment and is electrically coupled to the output of the measurement circuitry.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A process variable transmitter for use in an industrial process, comprising:
a polymer housing having a cavity formed therein which extends between first and second openings, the housing including a polymer wall which forms an integrated terminal block molded integrally as a single piece with the housing and the polymer wall defines a first compartment and a second compartment in the cavity and provides a seal therebetween to seal the first compartment from an environment;
a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable of the industrial process;
measurement circuitry carried in the first compartment which receives a process variable signal from the process variable sensor and provides an output;
a plurality of terminal pins molded into the polymer wall which are electrically connected in the first compartment to the measurement circuitry and which extend from the first compartment to the second compartment, a portion of the plurality of pins in the first compartment extend from the polymer wall and are exposed in the first compartment and a portion of the plurality of pins in the second compartment extend from the polymer wall and are exposed in the second compartment; and
a plurality of terminal screws assemblies connected to plurality of terminal pins, molded into the polymer wall and having terminal connections carried on the terminal block in the second compartment which are electrically coupled to the measurement circuitry by the plurality of terminal pins, wherein the plurality of terminal pins electronically connect to the process variable sensor in the second compartment.

2. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 , including a terminal pin which extends through the polymer wall and provides an electrical connection between the measurement circuitry and a terminal connection.

3. The process variable transmitter of claim 2 , wherein a terminal screw assembly is coupled to the terminal pin and disposed in the second compartment.

4. The process variable transmitter of claim 3 , wherein the terminal screw assembly includes a prong which extends into the integrated terminal block to thereby secure the terminal screw assembly to the integrated terminal block.

5. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 , wherein the terminal connectors provide an electrical connection to the process variable sensor.

6. The process variable transmitter of claim 1 , wherein the terminal connectors provide an electrical connection to a two-wire process control loop.

7. The process variable transmitter of claim 3 , including a screw configured to secure an electrical connection to the screw assembly.

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

9. A method for manufacturing a process variable transmitter for use in industrial process, comprising:
molding a process variable transmitter polymer housing having a cavity formed therein and including a polymer wall which forms an integrated terminal block formed as a single piece with the housing and the polymer wall divides the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment and provides a seal therebetween;
providing a terminal screw assembly which is molded into the polymer wall and extends through the integrated terminal block;
providing a terminal pin electrically connected to the terminal screw assembly which is molded into the polymer wall which provides an electrical connection which extends through the integrated terminal block from the first compartment to the second compartment, wherein a portion of the terminal pin in the first compartment extends from the polymer wall and is exposed in the first compartment and a portion of the terminal pin in the second compartment extends from the polymer wall and is exposed in the second compartment;
placing measurement electronics in the first compartment and electrically coupling the measurement circuitry to the terminal screw assembly through the terminal pin in the first compartment; and
coupling a process variable sensor to a terminal screw assembly in the second compartment, the terminal screw assembly electrically coupled to the electrical connection which extends through the integrated terminal block.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the measurement circuitry couples to a two-wire process control loop through the electrical connection using the terminal screw assembly in the second compartment.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electrical connection comprises a terminal pin.

12. The method of claim 11 , including securing the terminal screw assembly with a prong which extends into the integrated terminal block to thereby afix the terminal screw assembly to the integrated terminal block.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the process variable sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

14. The method of claim 9 , including sealing the first and second compartments with end caps.

15. The method of claim 9 , including coupling a process control loop to terminal connectors in the second compartment.

Assignees

• Rosemount Inc

Inventors

• Perrault Aaron Andrew
• Bauschke Dirk Willy
• Engelstad Loren Michael

Classifications

• G05B13/02 Primary

  electric · CPC title

• B29C45/26

  Moulds · CPC title

• G01D11/245 Primary

  Housings for sensors · CPC title