Modular intrinsically-safe field device power module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9520599-B2
Application number	US-201514709797-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2015
Priority date	Jan 13, 2010
Publication date	Dec 13, 2016
Grant date	Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

A modular, intrinsically-safe power module assembly is provided. The assembly includes a rigid conduit adapter configured to mount to a conduit of a field device. A housing, having an interior, is operably coupled to the rigid conduit adapter and is physically supported by the rigid conduit adapter. At least one non-rechargeable battery is disposed within the housing. Intrinsic safety circuitry is coupled to the at least one non-rechargeable battery, and is coupled to a connector that mates with a cooperative connector in the rigid conduit adapter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wireless field device for use in an industrial process, comprising:
a field device housing configured to contain a process variable sensor and mount proximate a process installation and including an electronics compartment having a conduit entry formed therein;
a cable assembly having a first end configured to mount to the conduit entry of the field device;
a remote mounted battery pack coupled to a second end of the cable assembly, the remote mounted battery pack having an interior;
at least one non-rechargeable battery disposed within the remote mounted battery pack; and
intrinsic safety circuitry coupled to the at least one non-rechargeable battery, the intrinsic safety circuitry being coupled to the cable assembly and thereby power the wireless field device with power from the at least one non-rechargeable battery.

2. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein the interior of the remote mounted battery pack is filled with a potting compound.

3. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic safety circuitry includes a fuse.

4. The wireless field device of claim 3 , wherein the intrinsic safety circuitry includes current-limiting circuitry to limit current through the fuse.

5. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the interior of the remote mounted battery pack is larger than an interior of the electronics compartment of the field device.

6. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one-non-rechargeable battery includes a plurality of non-rechargeable batteries disposed within the remote mounted battery pack.

7. The wireless field device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of batteries are replaceable.

8. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-rechargeable battery is replaceable.

9. The wireless field device of claim 1 , wherein the cable assembly is threadably received by the conduit entry of the field device.

Assignees

• Rosemount Inc

Inventors

• Mcguire Chad M

Classifications

• H05K7/1462 Primary

  for programmable logic controllers [PLC] for automation or industrial process control · CPC title

• H01M6/50 Primary

  Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569) · CPC title

• H01M50/213

  adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic (H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01M50/247

  specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers · CPC title

• Y02E60/10

  Energy storage using batteries · CPC title