GB2297842A - Remote pressure & temperature transmitter system - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote pressure and temperature transmitter system consists of two modules. One is a battery powered transmitter attached to a rotating vessel and which collects data from its sensing device(s) e.g. sensing pressure, temperature, speed of rotation and transmits this data using infra-red light or radio waves, over a predetermined air gap, to a receiver module while still rotating. The other is the receiver module which comprises an infra-red or radio receiver connected to decoding circuitry, and a display for the transmitted data, e.g. an L.C.D. or graphical display. The receiver module may have a memory so that data may be downloaded at certain times or on demand, and may incorporate set point switching for an alarm function.

Description

REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER DESCRIPTION This is a battery powered unit comprising of a Transmitter module and a Receiver module. It has five functions: (a) to sense and indicate internal pressure.

(b) to sense and indicate internal temperature.

(c) to sense and indicate ambient temperature.

(d) to sense and indicate " skin temperature ".

(e) to sense and indicate rotating speed, if required.

The Transmitter module comprises of: (a) Re-chargeable / interchangeable battery power pack.

(b) Transducers for collecting the pressure, temperature and speed (if req.) of the vessel being monitored.

(c) Intelligence for gathering the information and transmitting the information to a Receiver module.

Transmission of the information ( DATA ) can be by radio waves or light waves, using either serial or parallel data configuration. The data that the transmitter is gathering could be either / or - external / internal pressures and / or internal / external temperatures and / or ambient / skin " temperatures and / or an " X " number of analogue and / or " X " number of digital inputs including, if required, rotation speed.

A device, plus additional software, for extending the " working life " of the power pack can also be incorporated. This device could be either: (a) light activated switches.

(b) tilt switches.

(c) magnetic switches.

(d) proximity switches.

REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER The Reciever module is installed in a suitable fixed position so that the rotating vessel's Transmitter transmits all of the relevant data when passing through the Receiver's plane on every revolution or on a designated number of revolutions or part of.

The intelligence in the Receiver module decodes the transmitted data and produces on a display unit ( Alpha LCD, Graphics LCD, computer screen, etc. ) the pressure and J or temperature values of the requested mode ( external and / or internal ) plus the rotating speed if required.

A switching arrangement could be added to allow the operator to display either the pressure or the temperature values continuously, the value not chosen can be displayed by a spring return push-button when requested if only ONE display is used.

The display unit includes SET POINT SWITCHING so that alarms etc. safety indicators (i.e.

ZERO pressure ) could be connected into the plants control circuitry.

The complete unit can be used alone as a DATA bank for a designated piece of equipment and controlling it's process, or it can also run in parallel with other like units (i.e. 1 Central controller connected to 4 vessels ) and if required linked to an information gathering computer centre.

The unit also incorporates a " memory " module so that it is able to remember " X " number of processes and either download them at certain times ( i.e. end of shift), or on demand ( key or push-button REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER CONSTRUCTION (1) PRESSURE TRANSDUCER/S: Stainless Steel construction, ex-stock supply in certain applications (i.e. Piezo electric; diaphragm; solid state etc. ). A wide range of transducers and manufacturers are available, the final choice depending on the customers' requirements. The transducerls would be installed in the vessel in a way that it does not interfere with the Classification Certificate and the integrity of the vessel or, as for new buildings a socket could be incorporated during initial manufacturing.In the case of traditional cookers see FIG. I and FIG. 2.

(2) TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER/S: As with the pressure transducer/s, their is a wide range of transducers and manufacturers available, the final choice would depend on the maximum operating temperature range being monitored.

i.e. thermocouple type 'K' 0to 1100 deg. C.

'J' +20to700deg. C.

'N' -270 to 1300 deg. C.

One transducer sensing the vessel's internal temperature, another sensing the ambient temperature and if required, another sensing the " skin " temperature. In the case of traditional cookers see FIG. 1 and FIG.2.

Depending upon the size of the vessel/s being monitored, and / or customers requirements, one or more pressure / temperature transducers could be installed and the average readings could be transmitted.

(3) SPEED: The rotating speed of the vessel could be sensed by either using a proximity switch operating off a rotating " flag " etc. fixed to the vessel, or by positioning pulses using the " on board " real time clock.

All transducers would be installed to the highest ingress protection possible and cabling between the transducerls and transmission module to be suitably rated.

REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER MODULE - FIG. 3.: The signals from the pressure, temperature and speed transducers are channelled ( CHI, CH2, CH3 and CH4 ) into an analogue to digital convertor plus a RAM module (1). The converted signal is then fed via 8 DATA lines ( 2 ) to a " parallel to serial " information module ( 3 ) which then conditions the relevant information for transmission either by ( a ) light waves or ( b ) radio waves.

(a) Light Waves - FIG. 3 - the output from the " led driver " (4 ) is fed to either ONE LED for serial transmission ( 5 ) or a " bank " of' N ' number of LED's for parallel transmission ( 6 ).

In both cases the led/s are epoxyed into a suitable casing with a protection lens covering to obtain the highest ingress protection possible.

( ) Radio Waves - FIG. 4 - the output from the " parallel to serial "module ( 3 ) is fed into a modem module (4 ) and then into the transmitter module with an appropriate aerial ( 5 ).

The Transmitter assembly would be housed in one case, the components being protected by epoxy coating etc. and including suitable fixings for fitting to customers rotating machinery.

RECEIVER MODULE - FIG. 5.: Can be constructed from : (a)a " bank " of' N'number ofLED's -( 1).

OR (b)ONELED-(2).

OR ( c ) radio receiver aerial - FIG. 6 (1).

In the case of the LED/S they should be sited so that they can receive the maximum light waves from the rotating " transmitting " LED/S and for as long as possible, ideally 360 deg..

All LED/S are situated in an appropriate size housing and placed behind a protection screen for highest protection possible.

In the case of the radio receiver aerial - FIG. 6 (1) - it should be sited in a suitable position for minimum interference and obstruction and maximum receivership.

REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER (a) ALIGHT WAVES - FIG. 5.: The received information is fed into an Opto coupler ( 3 ) and then decoded. The relevant information is then fed to a " serial to parallel conversion module ( 4 ) the output being fed, via DATA lines ( 5 ) to a " digital to analogue / RAM " module ( 6 ). This output is then fed into a local TWO line display unit ( 7 ) and remote display units for - pressure ( 8 ), for - temperature ( 9 ). These remote displays could be computer screens ( VDU ), one or two line LCD displays, Graphic LCD displays and / or dedicated digital modules with " SET POINT "switching.

(b ) RADJO WAVES - FIG. 6 : The received information is fed into a modem module ( 2 ) and then decoded. The relevant information is then fed to a " serial to parallel module ( 3 ) whose output is fed, via DATA lines (4 ) to a " digital to analogue / RAM module ( 5 ). This output is then fed into a local display unit ( 6 ) and remote displays ( 7 + 8 ) as previously described in the Light Waves section.

REMOTE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER POWER PACK - FIG. 7. : (1) The power pack can be constructed of an " X " number of NI - CAD rechargeable batteries or a rechargeable lead acid battery. Both types being housed in a suitable protective casing and designed for easy access and changing. The power pack is suitably positioned onto the rotating vessel as near to, and in some installations, incorporated with the transmitter module.

In some cases to conserve the " working life " of the power pack an ON / OFF control can be connected into the circuitry ( 2 ) or software. This ON / OFF control can be designed to operate at every other revolution or at a ' N 'number of revolutions which ever suits the customers needs.

The control could be constructed of : (a) light activated switches.

( ) tilt switches.

( ) magnetic switches.

(d ) proximity switches.

In all cases their would be an ON device ( 6 ) and an OFF device ( 7 ) positioned on the rotating machinery so that they sensed the control pulse or light ( 8 + 9 ) etc. when passing through the control plane. Some installations may require the " power pack " to be ON continuously therefore a continuous charge ( trickle ) would be incorporated i.e. Solar cells.

An additional switch ( 5 ) could be introduced between the ON and OFF devices to delay transmission of the DATA if the revolutions of the vessel being monitored is extremely slow i.e. less than 1 r.p.m..

As with the Transmitter and Receiver modules the main Control module would be housed in a suitable and protected module, either as a " stand alone " panel or of the 19" rack style.

Claims (5)

1. I. An instrument comprising of TWO ( 2 ) modules - one for transmitting the relevant information from a rotating vessel, the other module for receiving this information via Infra-red light waves across a pre-determined air gap and displaying it into graphical and digital form.
2. 2. A transmitter module as claimed in Claim 1 powered b) a rechargeable batter, pack gathers information upon demand, from pressure and temperature sensing devices attached to a rotating vessel and transmits this information over an air gap via Infra-red light waves to a receiver module.
3. 3. A receiver module as claimed in claim I which receives transmitted information from a transmitter as claimed in claim 2 which is able to convert this information into graphical and digital form and has also the facility to copy part or fully this information onto another system or on preformed printed paper.
4. 4. A sensing device attachment as claimed in claim 2 which comprises of the pressure and temperature sensor/s and is included in the mechanical structure of the rotating vessel
5. 5. The receiver module as claimed in claim 1 and claim 3 includes a fixed or portable enclosure for the purpose of collecting the data being sent over the pre-determined air gap.