US5606513A — Transmitter having input for receiving a process …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 205 words

A two-wire transmitter in a process control system for sensing process variables representative of a process, comprising: a module housing; a pressure sensor coupled to the module housing for sensing a pressure of the process and providing a sensor pressure output; a process variable input to the module housing for receiving a process variable signal from an external process variable sensor located outside of a module housing; an analog to digital converter coupled to the pressure sensor providing a digital pressure output representative of the sensor pressure output; a first microprocessor in the module housing receiving the digital pressure output and providing a compensated output; an electronics housing coupled to the module housing; a data and power bus coupled to the first microprocessor carrying data and power for the first microprocessor from the electronics housing; a second microprocessor in the electronics housing coupled to the data and power bus for receiving the compensated output from the first microprocessor and the process variable signal and responsively calculating a physical parameter related to the process; and output circuitry coupled to a two-wire process control loop for receiving the calculated physical parameter from the second microprocessor and responsively transmitting the physical parameter on the two-wire process control loop.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 205 words

A two-wire transmitter in a process control system for sensing process variables representative of a process, comprising: a module housing; a pressure sensor coupled to the module housing for sensing a pressure of the process and providing a sensor pressure output; a process variable input to the module housing for receiving a process variable signal from an external process variable sensor located outside of a module housing; an analog to digital converter coupled to the pressure sensor providing a digital pressure output representative of the sensor pressure output; a first microprocessor in the module housing receiving the digital pressure output and providing a compensated output; an electronics housing coupled to the module housing; a data and power bus coupled to the first microprocessor carrying data and power for the first microprocessor from the electronics housing; a second microprocessor in the electronics housing coupled to the data and power bus for receiving the compensated output from the first microprocessor and the process variable signal and responsively calculating a physical parameter related to the process; and output circuitry coupled to a two-wire process control loop for receiving the calculated physical parameter from the second microprocessor and responsively transmitting the physical parameter on the two-wire process control loop.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

The transmitter of claim 1 where the physical parameter is mass flow rate and where the pressure sensor senses a differential pressure representative of the process, and where the sensor module housing further comprises a second sensor sensing a line pressure representative of the process and a third sensor sensing a process temperature representative of the process.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The two-wire transmitter of claim 2 wherein the second microprocessor calculates mass flow rate of process fluid as a function of coefficients stored in a memory.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The transmitter of claim 1 including a boss in the housing coupled to the process variable input.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where the boss is integral to the sensor module housing.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where the boss is welded into the sensor module housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where the boss is screwed into the sensor module housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where the boss includes a groove on its outer diameter.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where the boss has straight threads and an adapter screws into the boss.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

The transmitter of claim 4 where a grounded plate is welded into the boss.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The transmitter of claim 1 where a retainer threads into the process variable input, and the retainer secures a four wire cable.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The transmitter of claim 1 where a retainer threads into the process variable input and the retainer has a threaded inner diameter for connecting to conduit.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The transmitter of claim 1 including circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop to receive power from the loop to completely power the transmitter.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 188 words

A measurement transmitter for use in a process control system for providing the mass flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe, the transmitter communicating over a two-wire circuit, the transmitter comprising: a housing; sensing means in the housing for sensing process variables representative of a differential pressure and a line pressure; means for receiving an input signal from a temperature sensor outside the housing representative of the temperature of the fluid in the pipe; analog to digital conversion means in the housing for digitizing the sensed process variables and the input signal; electronics means in the housing for providing the mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the digitized process variables and the digitized input signal, where the electronic means calculates the mass flow rate using a compressibility factor of the form, ##EQU8## output circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop for receiving the mass flow rate from the electronics means and transmitting the mass flow rate on the two-wire process control loop; and circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop to receive power from the loop to completely power the transmitter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 188 words

A measurement transmitter for use in a process control system for providing the mass flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe, the transmitter communicating over a two-wire circuit, the transmitter comprising: a housing; sensing means in the housing for sensing process variables representative of a differential pressure and a line pressure; means for receiving an input signal from a temperature sensor outside the housing representative of the temperature of the fluid in the pipe; analog to digital conversion means in the housing for digitizing the sensed process variables and the input signal; electronics means in the housing for providing the mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the digitized process variables and the digitized input signal, where the electronic means calculates the mass flow rate using a compressibility factor of the form, ##EQU8## output circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop for receiving the mass flow rate from the electronics means and transmitting the mass flow rate on the two-wire process control loop; and circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop to receive power from the loop to completely power the transmitter.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 14 wherein the output circuitry formats the process variables and couples the process variables to the two-wire circuit.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 190 words

A measurement transmitter for use in a process control system for providing the mass flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe, the transmitter communicating over a two-wire circuit, the transmitter comprising: a housing; sensing means in the housing for sensing process variables representative of a differential pressure and a line pressure; means in the housing for receiving an input signal from a temperature sensor outside the housing representative of the temperature of the fluid in the pipe; analog to digital conversion means in the housing for digitizing the sensed process variables and the input signal; electronics means in the housing for providing the mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the digitized process variables and the digitized input signal, where the microcomputer means calculates the mass flow using a discharge coefficient of the form, ##EQU9## output circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop for receiving the mass flow rate from the electronics means and transmitting the mass flow rate on the two-wire process control loop; and circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop to receive power from the loop to completely power the transmitter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 190 words

A measurement transmitter for use in a process control system for providing the mass flow of a fluid flowing through a pipe, the transmitter communicating over a two-wire circuit, the transmitter comprising: a housing; sensing means in the housing for sensing process variables representative of a differential pressure and a line pressure; means in the housing for receiving an input signal from a temperature sensor outside the housing representative of the temperature of the fluid in the pipe; analog to digital conversion means in the housing for digitizing the sensed process variables and the input signal; electronics means in the housing for providing the mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the digitized process variables and the digitized input signal, where the microcomputer means calculates the mass flow using a discharge coefficient of the form, ##EQU9## output circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop for receiving the mass flow rate from the electronics means and transmitting the mass flow rate on the two-wire process control loop; and circuitry coupled to the two-wire process control loop to receive power from the loop to completely power the transmitter.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 16 wherein the output circuitry formats the process variables and couples the process variables to the two-wire circuit.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 175 words

A pressure measurement transmitter for use in a process control system communicating with a control unit, comprising: a transmitter housing having a first pressure port therein; a remote housing separated from the transmitter housing having a second pressure port therein; a first and second pressure transducer disposed respectively in the first transmitter housing and the remote housing and providing respectively first and second transducer outputs indicative of pressure at the first and second pressure ports; circuitry in the remote housing coupled to the second transducer output responsively providing a non-fluidic transducer signal; a non-fluidic communication link between the transmitter housing and the remote housing for carrying the non-fluidic pressure signal from the remote housing to the transmitter housing; and circuitry coupled to the control unit and disposed within the transmitter housing, the circuitry receiving the non-fluidic transducer signal over the non-fluidic communication link and receiving the first transducer output, the circuitry providing a circuitry output to the control unit over a two-wire process control loop as a function of the first and second transducer outputs.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 175 words

A pressure measurement transmitter for use in a process control system communicating with a control unit, comprising: a transmitter housing having a first pressure port therein; a remote housing separated from the transmitter housing having a second pressure port therein; a first and second pressure transducer disposed respectively in the first transmitter housing and the remote housing and providing respectively first and second transducer outputs indicative of pressure at the first and second pressure ports; circuitry in the remote housing coupled to the second transducer output responsively providing a non-fluidic transducer signal; a non-fluidic communication link between the transmitter housing and the remote housing for carrying the non-fluidic pressure signal from the remote housing to the transmitter housing; and circuitry coupled to the control unit and disposed within the transmitter housing, the circuitry receiving the non-fluidic transducer signal over the non-fluidic communication link and receiving the first transducer output, the circuitry providing a circuitry output to the control unit over a two-wire process control loop as a function of the first and second transducer outputs.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 18, wherein the circuitry output comprises a signal indicative of a pressure difference between the first and second pressure ports.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 18, wherein the non-fluidic communication link comprises one or more electrical conductors.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 18 wherein the circuitry compares measured pressure with programmed limits and responsively provides an alarm output.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 154 words

A pressure measurement transmitter in a two-wire process control loop, comprising: a transducer housing having a first pressure port and a first communication port; a transmitter housing having a second pressure port and a second and third communication port; a first and a second pressure transducer disposed respectively in the transducer housing and the transmitter housing and providing respectively a first and second electrical output responsive to pressure at respectively the first and second pressure port; calculation circuitry disposed in the transmitter housing and coupled to the first electrical output through the first communications port and the second communications port and to the second electrical output, the calculation circuitry calculating a parameter related to pressures at the first and second pressure ports and providing a third electrical output indicative of the parameter; and output circuitry disposed in the transmitter housing transmitting the calculate parameter over the two-wire process control loop through the third communication.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 154 words

A pressure measurement transmitter in a two-wire process control loop, comprising: a transducer housing having a first pressure port and a first communication port; a transmitter housing having a second pressure port and a second and third communication port; a first and a second pressure transducer disposed respectively in the transducer housing and the transmitter housing and providing respectively a first and second electrical output responsive to pressure at respectively the first and second pressure port; calculation circuitry disposed in the transmitter housing and coupled to the first electrical output through the first communications port and the second communications port and to the second electrical output, the calculation circuitry calculating a parameter related to pressures at the first and second pressure ports and providing a third electrical output indicative of the parameter; and output circuitry disposed in the transmitter housing transmitting the calculate parameter over the two-wire process control loop through the third communication.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 37 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 22, wherein the calculation circuitry couples to the first electrical output via the first and second communication ports, and the calculation circuitry provides the third electrical output via the third communication port.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 22, further including a control unit which energizes the calculation circuitry over the two-wire link.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

The measurement transmitter of either claims 22 or 24, further including: at least one conductor coupling the calculation circuitry to the first pressure transducer via the first and second communication ports.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 38 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 22, further including: measurement circuitry disposed in the transducer housing; wherein the calculation circuitry couples to the first electrical output via the measurement circuitry, and wherein the calculation circuitry energizes the measurement circuitry.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The measurement transmitter of claim 22, further including; measurement circuitry disposed in the transducer housing including means for storing coefficients used to compensate the first electrical output.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 155 words

A transmitter in a two-wire process control loop for measuring a pressure of a process fluid, comprising: a transmitter housing having a pressure port and a first and second electrical port; a pressure transducer disposed in the transmitter housing and communicating with the pressure port, the pressure transducer providing an electrical output as a function of the process fluid pressure at the pressure port; means disposed in the transmitter housing for receiving at the first electrical port an external electrical output indicative of the process fluid pressure at a remote pressure port external to the transmitter housing; calculation electronics disposed in the transmitter housing and coupled to the receiving means and to the electrical output, the calculation electronics calculating as a function of the external electrical output and the electrical output another pressure of the process fluid; and output circuitry in the transmitter housing for transmitting the other pressure over the two-wire process control loop.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 155 words

A transmitter in a two-wire process control loop for measuring a pressure of a process fluid, comprising: a transmitter housing having a pressure port and a first and second electrical port; a pressure transducer disposed in the transmitter housing and communicating with the pressure port, the pressure transducer providing an electrical output as a function of the process fluid pressure at the pressure port; means disposed in the transmitter housing for receiving at the first electrical port an external electrical output indicative of the process fluid pressure at a remote pressure port external to the transmitter housing; calculation electronics disposed in the transmitter housing and coupled to the receiving means and to the electrical output, the calculation electronics calculating as a function of the external electrical output and the electrical output another pressure of the process fluid; and output circuitry in the transmitter housing for transmitting the other pressure over the two-wire process control loop.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The transmitter of claim 28, wherein another pressure represents ΔP between the pressure port and the external pressure port.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-02-25	2000-08-26	2001-02-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-02-25	2004-08-26	2005-02-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-02-25	2008-08-26	2009-02-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Transmitter having input for receiving a process variable from a remote sensor

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