US20030101824A1 - Output device for pressure transducer - Google Patents
Output device for pressure transducer Download PDFInfo
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- US20030101824A1 US20030101824A1 US09/998,292 US99829201A US2003101824A1 US 20030101824 A1 US20030101824 A1 US 20030101824A1 US 99829201 A US99829201 A US 99829201A US 2003101824 A1 US2003101824 A1 US 2003101824A1
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- output device
- pressure transducer
- cable connector
- electronic display
- housing
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- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009530 blood pressure measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L19/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
- G01L19/08—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
- G01L19/083—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication electrical
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L19/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
- G01L19/08—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
- G01L19/086—Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication for remote indication
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to pressure transducers and specifically to output devices for pressure transducers.
- Pressure transducers are used for measuring the pressure of a fluid in a device or system. Pressure transducers may typically provide two types of outputs—(1) a cable connection for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed pressure to a remote monitoring or control device and (2) a human-readable display for providing a local reading of the sensed pressure.
- a pressure transducer is typically connected to a gas line such that it is perpendicular to the gas line.
- the connection between the pressure transducer and the gas line typically includes a passage for the fluid whose pressure is being measured, with a valve to an inlet to a sensing chamber in the transducer.
- the passage provided in the connection it is generally preferable that the passage provided in the connection be positioned so that it is parallel to the direction of flow in the gas line to avoid interruption of the flow. Accordingly, the position of the gas line will dictate the orientation of the pressure transducer. In many applications there are similar constraints on where a pressure transducer may be installed and how it may be positioned.
- a local display should be oriented so that it is convenient and easy to read.
- a cable connector should be oriented so that it can easily be connected to the appropriate cable.
- a measuring indicator device for a pressure transducer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,524, entitled “Measuring Indicator Device,” issued Sep. 19, 2000, to Kobold.
- the display disclosed in the '524 patent is screwed onto a casing.
- a pressure transducer and a line socket are connected on opposite sides of the casing.
- the casing is rotatable around its longitudinal axis.
- the position of the display can be adjusted by rotating the casing.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 of the '524 patent show two such configurations in which the display has been screwed into the casing at two different orientations which are rotated ninety degrees from one another.
- the present invention is directed to an adjustable output device for pressure transducers and a method for installing and adjusting the output device.
- An output device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be field-configured in a multitude of ways, largely eliminating the need for preselecting particular output devices for particular installations.
- An output device constructed in accordance with the invention incorporates a cable connector and an electronic display. In one aspect of the invention, both the cable connector and the electronic display can be selectably positioned relative to the pressure transducer.
- the orientation of the electronic display relative to the cable connector is adjustable.
- the electronic display is adjustable such that the digits of the display can generally be viewed right-side up or in the orientation most convenient to the user, given the constraints of a particular installation.
- the electronic display is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the display.
- the output device is substantially cylindrical in form. One end of the output device connects to a pressure transducer.
- the electronic display is disposed on the opposite end of the output device.
- the display is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the output device so that it can be seen from above, e.g., by forming an endcap for a generally cylindrical output device.
- the display can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the output device in some embodiments.
- the orientation of the display can be adjusted without the use of tools and without taking apart the device or removing mechanical fasteners such as screws.
- the orientation of the cable connector relative to the pressure transducer is adjustable.
- the output device may connect to the pressure transducer in a number of orientations. The orientation of the output device relative to the pressure transducer selects the orientation of the cable connector.
- the cable connector is positioned on the side of the output device. The position of the output device may be changed without the use of tools.
- the adjustability of the output device is provided through a bayonet connection between the output device and the pressure transducer.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a pressure transducer assembly including an output device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the pressure transducer assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the output device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the output device of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the output device of FIG. 3, taken along the lines A-A indicated in FIG. 3.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show one example of an output device 30 constructed according to the invention.
- output device 30 is coupled to a pressure transducer 20 .
- Transducer 20 and output device 30 form at least part of a transducer assembly 10 .
- the output device 30 is designed to provide a conveniently adjustable output mechanism for pressure transducer 20 that is usable in a range of installation situations.
- Output device 30 includes a housing 31 , an electronic display 40 , and a cable connector 50 .
- An electrical signal representing the pressure measurement taken by the pressure transducer 20 is provided through the output device 30 for local display on electronic display 40 and for remote use through cable connector 50 .
- the output device 30 allows both the orientation of the cable connector 50 relative to the pressure transducer 20 and the orientation of the electronic display 40 to be adjusted.
- the electronic display 40 is rotatably connected to the housing 31 so that the display 40 can be rotated relative to housing 31 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the display 40 .
- the two types of outputs 40 , 50 provided through the output device 30 both have a range of positions and may be adjusted independently, allowing a virtually infinite number of configurations to be implemented using the output device of the present invention.
- the basic shape of the output device 30 is designed to match the dimensions and form of the pressure transducer 20 .
- the pressure transducer 20 may be cylindrical in form, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are illustrations of the output device 30 , shown detached from the pressure transducer 20 .
- the output device 30 is also substantially cylindrical in form.
- Housing 31 has a first end 33 , a sidewall 34 and a second end 35 , and housing 31 extends along a longitudinal axis 32 .
- the electronic display 40 is mounted on one end of the housing 31 .
- the cable connector 50 is mounted on the sidewall 34 .
- the housing 31 connects to the pressure transducer 20 with a pressure transducer connection 60 .
- the output device 30 attaches to the top of a pressure transducer 20 , on the end opposite to the pressure transducer's fluid inlet, such that the output device 30 and pressure transducer 20 are coaxial along the longitudinal axis 32 .
- the circular cross-sections of the output device 20 and the pressure transducer 20 may have substantially the same dimensions. This arrangement allows the entire pressure transducer assembly 10 to have a compact and integrated profile.
- the electronic display 40 is provided on the end 33 of the housing 31 that is opposite to the pressure transducer connection 60 , such that it forms an endcap for the top of the output device 30 .
- the display 40 is substantially planar and is disposed so that it is transverse to the longitudinal axis 32 .
- the display is disposed so that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32 of the housing 31 .
- the positioning of the display 40 allows it to be viewed from above the pressure transducer assembly 10 , e.g., looking toward the output device along the longitudinal axis 32 of the housing 31 . This is especially convenient when the installation of the pressure transducer assembly is underground, low to the ground, or obscured from the side.
- the display 40 is disposed so that it may be rotated relative to the housing 31 around an axis perpendicular to the face of the display 40 .
- the display 40 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32 of the housing 31 and can be rotated around the longitudinal axis 32 .
- the rotatability of the display 40 allows the display 40 to be adjusted so that it may be read in the desired or most convenient orientation.
- One advantage is a reduction in the risk of human error in reading the displayed pressure measurement.
- the top of the housing 31 includes a bezel 44 with the electronic display 40 disposed in the bezel 44 .
- the display 40 can be rotated up to about 360 degrees around the axis 32 .
- the display 40 may be rotatable continuously or in small increments through its range of rotation.
- the display 40 may be adjusted by holding the bezel 44 and rotating it, without the use of tools.
- the bezel 44 may have a textured, e.g., ridged, surface to allow for ease of gripping for rotating the bezel. Since the display 40 is rotatable with respect to housing 31 , the orientation of display 40 may be adjusted without manipulating the connection of the output device 30 to the pressure transducer 20 .
- display 40 is rotatably coupled to housing 31 . That rotatable coupling may be provided using a variety of mechanisms, such as friction connections, grip ring, or ratchet-type connections. A single mechanism can provide both attachment of the display 40 to the housing 31 and rotation of the display 40 .
- the upper portion of the housing 31 may form a detachable electronic display unit 42 .
- the electronic display unit 42 incorporates the electronic display 40 , the bezel 44 , and a display electronics assembly housing 46 for a display electronics assembly 47 that generates and controls the electronic display 40 .
- the electronic display unit 42 has a grip ring 48 at its base.
- the grip ring 48 is friction fitted to the inner sidewall 37 of the main portion of the housing 31 .
- the grip ring 48 frictionally couples the electronic display unit 42 to the main portion of the housing 31 and permits the unit 42 to be rotated relative to housing 31 about the longitudinal axis 32 .
- a detent disposed on the inner sidewall 37 of the housing 31 can prevent hyperrotation of the display 40 to avoid, for example, twisting the wires that connect to the display electronics assembly 47 sufficiently to damage the wires or break one of their electrical connections.
- the electronic display unit 42 may be replaced by a blank endcap if a local display is not desired for a particular installation.
- the electrical connections inside the output device can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 5.
- the electronic display 40 may be any type of electronic display, such as an LCD display or an LED display, including a loop-controlled or a voltage-controlled LED display.
- the display electronics assembly 47 receives a signal representative of the sensed pressure from the pressure transducer through wires 49 and generates the reading seen in the electronic display 40 .
- the display electronics assembly 47 may include a microprocessor and may allow for calibration, and other adjustments, such as the units of measurement used in the display, of the electronic display 40 .
- the electronic display 40 may include a control panel to allow for field adjustment of the electronic display 40 .
- the cable connector 50 is mounted to the sidewall 34 of the housing 31 .
- cable connector 50 is a sub-D connector, any desired type of cable connector 50 , standard or custom-designed, may be used.
- the position of the cable connector 50 relative to the pressure transducer can be adjusted by rotating the housing 31 around the longitudinal axis 32 relative to the pressure transducer 20 so that the cable connector 50 has the desired direction.
- the housing 31 of the output device 30 is dimensioned both to match the dimensions of the pressure transducer and to accommodate the cable connector 50 in the desired orientation.
- Cable connector 50 includes a face 52 and a mounting plate 54 .
- the cable connector 50 may be mounted so that the face 52 of the connector 50 does not protrude from the sidewall 34 of the housing 31 .
- the cable connector 50 is mounted in a recess 36 in the sidewall 34 of the housing 31 to preserve the substantially cylindrical and compact shape of the housing 31 .
- the recess 36 is built into the housing 31 to accommodate the depth 56 of the cable connector 50 and has a flat back wall for attachment of the mounting plate 54 of the cable connector 50 .
- the cable connector 50 could be affixed to the housing 31 in a number of orientations, the cable connector 50 is preferably oriented with its longest dimension either along the longitudinal axis (a vertical orientation) or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (a horizontal orientation).
- the longest dimension of the illustrated cable connector 50 is its width 55 . Attaching the cable connector 50 in a vertical orientation may disadvantageously require the length of the output device 30 along the axis 32 to be extended.
- the cable connector 50 shown is mounted with a horizontal orientation. However, in the illustrated embodiment, because the housing 31 is dimensioned to match the pressure transducer 30 , the diameter 39 of the housing 31 is not wide enough to accommodate the width 55 of the cable connector 50 .
- two protrusions 38 extend from the sidewall 34 of the housing 31 , adjacent to the back wall of the recess 36 , to support the mounting plate 54 of the cable connector 50 without substantially altering the cylindrical profile of the housing 31 , as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
- the housing 31 may be appropriately dimensioned to provide the desired positioning for the connector.
- the cable connector 50 may be attached to the housing 31 by mechanical or adhesive means, for example, screws or glue.
- An aperture is provided in the recess 36 of the housing 31 to allow for electrical wires or leads to attach to the back of the cable connector 50 inside the housing 31 .
- the cable connector 50 receives a signal representative of the sensed pressure from the pressure transducer through wires 59 , which can be seen in FIG. 5.
- the wires 49 , 59 to the display electronics assembly 47 and to the cable connector 50 may also be used, for example, to supply power and send and receive other signals, which may, for example, be generated by front end electronics, from the pressure transducer 20 .
- the housing 31 selectably and detachably connects to pressure transducer 20 at its bottom end 35 .
- the end 35 may be implemented as a bayonet type connector 60 , which defines one or more slots 62 for facilitating a bayonet connection between end 35 and transducer 20 .
- posts in transducer 20 (not shown) engage slots 62 in a known fashion to selectably couple or release output device 30 and transducer 20 .
- bayonet connector 60 defines four slots 62 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3) and the slots are evenly spaced apart from one another (or spaced at 90 degree intervals) around end 35 .
- the output device 30 may be connected to transducer 20 in any one of four different orientations (i.e., each of the orientations being rotated by 90 degrees from another one of the possible orientations).
- the orientation of cable connector 50 with respect to transducer 20 may be selected simply by coupling the posts of transducer 20 into the appropriate slots 62 of bayonet connector 60 . If it is desired, for example, to rotate the position of cable connector 50 by ninety degrees, the output connector 30 may simply be detached from transducer 20 , rotated ninety degrees, and then reattached via the bayonet connector. It will be appreciated that additional flexibility in selecting the orientation of cable connector 50 may be provided if desired by adding additional slots 62 to bayonet connector 60 (e.g., six slots may be provided with all slots being spaced apart by sixty degrees). The bayonet connection is readily field-adjustable without the use of tools. Once the cable connector 50 has been located in a desired orientation, the electronic display 40 can be independently adjusted, or rotated, to obtain the desired orientation.
- the illustrated embodiment provides two-degrees of freedom for adjusting the configuration of an output device for a pressure transducer. Because both the cable connector 50 and the local display 40 are readily adjustable, the output device 30 may be readily adapted to a multitude of installation situations.
- An output device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be combined with pressure transducers of any type.
- the display may be disposed so that it is transverse but not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the output device.
- the illustrated embodiment incorporates and is designed to accommodate a sub-D cable connector, embodiments of the present invention could also be constructed using any type of cable connector.
- Other types of connections, including other type of bayonet connections, for the output device or other types of connections for the electronic display may be used in alternate embodiments.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates generally to pressure transducers and specifically to output devices for pressure transducers.
- Pressure transducers are used for measuring the pressure of a fluid in a device or system. Pressure transducers may typically provide two types of outputs—(1) a cable connection for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed pressure to a remote monitoring or control device and (2) a human-readable display for providing a local reading of the sensed pressure.
- Installation requirements for pressure transducers in the field may impose particular space or configuration requirements on the design of output devices for the pressure transducers. One use of a pressure transducer is to measure the pressure of a gas line. A pressure transducer is typically connected to a gas line such that it is perpendicular to the gas line. The connection between the pressure transducer and the gas line typically includes a passage for the fluid whose pressure is being measured, with a valve to an inlet to a sensing chamber in the transducer. When a pressure transducer is installed on a gas line, it is generally preferable that the passage provided in the connection be positioned so that it is parallel to the direction of flow in the gas line to avoid interruption of the flow. Accordingly, the position of the gas line will dictate the orientation of the pressure transducer. In many applications there are similar constraints on where a pressure transducer may be installed and how it may be positioned.
- It is important that the cable connector and/or the display provided for output from a pressure transducer be accessible under various installation conditions. A local display should be oriented so that it is convenient and easy to read. A cable connector should be oriented so that it can easily be connected to the appropriate cable. When a pressure transducer is installed in the field, one or more sides of the pressure transducer may be obscured or obstructed, requiring the outputs to have particular orientations in order to be accessible. Limited vantage points might be available for viewing a display. In addition, under certain circumstances, a display having a particular orientation or a cable connector facing in a particular orientation may be especially desirable. It may be important for a number of displays to be aligned, for example, to form a “bank” of displays by positioning several transducers and their associated displays together on a set of gas lines. Given these requirements, pressure transducers having different configurations of cable connectors and local displays, particularly relative to the fluid passage of the pressure transducer, are generally needed for different applications. To satisfy this need, manufacturers have typically provided each type of transducer in several different configurations, each configuration having a unique placement, or orientation, of the display. However, carrying inventory for multiple configurations of the same transducer is expensive.
- A measuring indicator device for a pressure transducer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,524, entitled “Measuring Indicator Device,” issued Sep. 19, 2000, to Kobold. The display disclosed in the '524 patent is screwed onto a casing. A pressure transducer and a line socket are connected on opposite sides of the casing. The casing is rotatable around its longitudinal axis. The position of the display can be adjusted by rotating the casing. Although the position of the display disclosed in the '524 patent may be adjusted, the disclosed design does not eliminate the need for providing multiple configurations of the same transducer. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 of the '524 patent show two such configurations in which the display has been screwed into the casing at two different orientations which are rotated ninety degrees from one another.
- An adaptable, easily adjustable output device for pressure transducers is needed.
- The present invention is directed to an adjustable output device for pressure transducers and a method for installing and adjusting the output device. An output device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be field-configured in a multitude of ways, largely eliminating the need for preselecting particular output devices for particular installations. An output device constructed in accordance with the invention incorporates a cable connector and an electronic display. In one aspect of the invention, both the cable connector and the electronic display can be selectably positioned relative to the pressure transducer.
- In one aspect of the invention, the orientation of the electronic display relative to the cable connector is adjustable. The electronic display is adjustable such that the digits of the display can generally be viewed right-side up or in the orientation most convenient to the user, given the constraints of a particular installation. The electronic display is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the display. In some embodiments of the invention, the output device is substantially cylindrical in form. One end of the output device connects to a pressure transducer. The electronic display is disposed on the opposite end of the output device. In some embodiments, the display is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the output device so that it can be seen from above, e.g., by forming an endcap for a generally cylindrical output device. The display can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the output device in some embodiments. The orientation of the display can be adjusted without the use of tools and without taking apart the device or removing mechanical fasteners such as screws.
- In another aspect of the invention, the orientation of the cable connector relative to the pressure transducer is adjustable. In one aspect of the invention, the output device may connect to the pressure transducer in a number of orientations. The orientation of the output device relative to the pressure transducer selects the orientation of the cable connector. In some embodiments, the cable connector is positioned on the side of the output device. The position of the output device may be changed without the use of tools. In some embodiments, the adjustability of the output device is provided through a bayonet connection between the output device and the pressure transducer.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, wherein embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration of the best mode of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details may be capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not in a restrictive or limiting sense, with the scope of the application being indicated in the claims.
- For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a pressure transducer assembly including an output device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the pressure transducer assembly of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the output device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the output device of FIG. 3; and
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the output device of FIG. 3, taken along the lines A-A indicated in FIG. 3.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show one example of an
output device 30 constructed according to the invention. As shown,output device 30 is coupled to a pressure transducer 20. Transducer 20 andoutput device 30 form at least part of atransducer assembly 10. Theoutput device 30 is designed to provide a conveniently adjustable output mechanism for pressure transducer 20 that is usable in a range of installation situations.Output device 30 includes ahousing 31, anelectronic display 40, and acable connector 50. An electrical signal representing the pressure measurement taken by the pressure transducer 20 is provided through theoutput device 30 for local display onelectronic display 40 and for remote use throughcable connector 50. Theoutput device 30 allows both the orientation of thecable connector 50 relative to the pressure transducer 20 and the orientation of theelectronic display 40 to be adjusted. - The
electronic display 40 is rotatably connected to thehousing 31 so that thedisplay 40 can be rotated relative tohousing 31 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of thedisplay 40. Preferably, the two types ofoutputs output device 30 both have a range of positions and may be adjusted independently, allowing a virtually infinite number of configurations to be implemented using the output device of the present invention. - In certain embodiments, the basic shape of the
output device 30 is designed to match the dimensions and form of the pressure transducer 20. The pressure transducer 20 may be cylindrical in form, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are illustrations of theoutput device 30, shown detached from the pressure transducer 20. In the illustrated embodiment, theoutput device 30 is also substantially cylindrical in form.Housing 31 has afirst end 33, asidewall 34 and asecond end 35, andhousing 31 extends along alongitudinal axis 32. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
electronic display 40 is mounted on one end of thehousing 31. Thecable connector 50 is mounted on thesidewall 34. On itsother end 35, thehousing 31 connects to the pressure transducer 20 with apressure transducer connection 60. In the illustrated embodiment, theoutput device 30 attaches to the top of a pressure transducer 20, on the end opposite to the pressure transducer's fluid inlet, such that theoutput device 30 and pressure transducer 20 are coaxial along thelongitudinal axis 32. The circular cross-sections of the output device 20 and the pressure transducer 20 may have substantially the same dimensions. This arrangement allows the entirepressure transducer assembly 10 to have a compact and integrated profile. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
electronic display 40 is provided on theend 33 of thehousing 31 that is opposite to thepressure transducer connection 60, such that it forms an endcap for the top of theoutput device 30. Thedisplay 40 is substantially planar and is disposed so that it is transverse to thelongitudinal axis 32. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the display is disposed so that it is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 32 of thehousing 31. The positioning of thedisplay 40 allows it to be viewed from above thepressure transducer assembly 10, e.g., looking toward the output device along thelongitudinal axis 32 of thehousing 31. This is especially convenient when the installation of the pressure transducer assembly is underground, low to the ground, or obscured from the side. Thedisplay 40 is disposed so that it may be rotated relative to thehousing 31 around an axis perpendicular to the face of thedisplay 40. In the illustrated embodiment, thedisplay 40 is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 32 of thehousing 31 and can be rotated around thelongitudinal axis 32. The rotatability of thedisplay 40 allows thedisplay 40 to be adjusted so that it may be read in the desired or most convenient orientation. One advantage is a reduction in the risk of human error in reading the displayed pressure measurement. - The face of the
display 40 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the top of thehousing 31 includes abezel 44 with theelectronic display 40 disposed in thebezel 44. In some embodiments, thedisplay 40 can be rotated up to about 360 degrees around theaxis 32. Thedisplay 40 may be rotatable continuously or in small increments through its range of rotation. In some embodiments, thedisplay 40 may be adjusted by holding thebezel 44 and rotating it, without the use of tools. Thebezel 44 may have a textured, e.g., ridged, surface to allow for ease of gripping for rotating the bezel. Since thedisplay 40 is rotatable with respect tohousing 31, the orientation ofdisplay 40 may be adjusted without manipulating the connection of theoutput device 30 to the pressure transducer 20. - As noted above,
display 40 is rotatably coupled tohousing 31. That rotatable coupling may be provided using a variety of mechanisms, such as friction connections, grip ring, or ratchet-type connections. A single mechanism can provide both attachment of thedisplay 40 to thehousing 31 and rotation of thedisplay 40. As may be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the upper portion of thehousing 31 may form a detachableelectronic display unit 42. Theelectronic display unit 42 incorporates theelectronic display 40, thebezel 44, and a displayelectronics assembly housing 46 for adisplay electronics assembly 47 that generates and controls theelectronic display 40. In the illustrated embodiment, theelectronic display unit 42 has agrip ring 48 at its base. Thegrip ring 48 is friction fitted to the inner sidewall 37 of the main portion of thehousing 31. Thegrip ring 48 frictionally couples theelectronic display unit 42 to the main portion of thehousing 31 and permits theunit 42 to be rotated relative tohousing 31 about thelongitudinal axis 32. A detent disposed on the inner sidewall 37 of thehousing 31 can prevent hyperrotation of thedisplay 40 to avoid, for example, twisting the wires that connect to thedisplay electronics assembly 47 sufficiently to damage the wires or break one of their electrical connections. Theelectronic display unit 42 may be replaced by a blank endcap if a local display is not desired for a particular installation. - The electrical connections inside the output device can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 5. The
electronic display 40 may be any type of electronic display, such as an LCD display or an LED display, including a loop-controlled or a voltage-controlled LED display. Thedisplay electronics assembly 47 receives a signal representative of the sensed pressure from the pressure transducer through wires 49 and generates the reading seen in theelectronic display 40. Thedisplay electronics assembly 47 may include a microprocessor and may allow for calibration, and other adjustments, such as the units of measurement used in the display, of theelectronic display 40. Theelectronic display 40 may include a control panel to allow for field adjustment of theelectronic display 40. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
cable connector 50 is mounted to thesidewall 34 of thehousing 31. Although, in the illustrated embodiment,cable connector 50 is a sub-D connector, any desired type ofcable connector 50, standard or custom-designed, may be used. The position of thecable connector 50 relative to the pressure transducer can be adjusted by rotating thehousing 31 around thelongitudinal axis 32 relative to the pressure transducer 20 so that thecable connector 50 has the desired direction. - In certain embodiments, the
housing 31 of theoutput device 30 is dimensioned both to match the dimensions of the pressure transducer and to accommodate thecable connector 50 in the desired orientation.Cable connector 50 includes aface 52 and a mountingplate 54. Thecable connector 50 may be mounted so that theface 52 of theconnector 50 does not protrude from thesidewall 34 of thehousing 31. In the illustrated embodiment, thecable connector 50 is mounted in arecess 36 in thesidewall 34 of thehousing 31 to preserve the substantially cylindrical and compact shape of thehousing 31. Therecess 36 is built into thehousing 31 to accommodate thedepth 56 of thecable connector 50 and has a flat back wall for attachment of the mountingplate 54 of thecable connector 50. Although thecable connector 50 could be affixed to thehousing 31 in a number of orientations, thecable connector 50 is preferably oriented with its longest dimension either along the longitudinal axis (a vertical orientation) or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (a horizontal orientation). The longest dimension of the illustratedcable connector 50 is its width 55. Attaching thecable connector 50 in a vertical orientation may disadvantageously require the length of theoutput device 30 along theaxis 32 to be extended. Thecable connector 50 shown is mounted with a horizontal orientation. However, in the illustrated embodiment, because thehousing 31 is dimensioned to match thepressure transducer 30, thediameter 39 of thehousing 31 is not wide enough to accommodate the width 55 of thecable connector 50. Accordingly, twoprotrusions 38 extend from thesidewall 34 of thehousing 31, adjacent to the back wall of therecess 36, to support the mountingplate 54 of thecable connector 50 without substantially altering the cylindrical profile of thehousing 31, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Depending on the characteristics of the connector used for particular embodiments, thehousing 31 may be appropriately dimensioned to provide the desired positioning for the connector. Thecable connector 50 may be attached to thehousing 31 by mechanical or adhesive means, for example, screws or glue. An aperture is provided in therecess 36 of thehousing 31 to allow for electrical wires or leads to attach to the back of thecable connector 50 inside thehousing 31. In the illustrated embodiment, thecable connector 50 receives a signal representative of the sensed pressure from the pressure transducer throughwires 59, which can be seen in FIG. 5. Thewires 49, 59 to thedisplay electronics assembly 47 and to thecable connector 50 may also be used, for example, to supply power and send and receive other signals, which may, for example, be generated by front end electronics, from the pressure transducer 20. - In some embodiments, the
housing 31 selectably and detachably connects to pressure transducer 20 at itsbottom end 35. As shown in FIG. 3, theend 35 may be implemented as abayonet type connector 60, which defines one ormore slots 62 for facilitating a bayonet connection betweenend 35 and transducer 20. In such embodiments, posts in transducer 20 (not shown) engageslots 62 in a known fashion to selectably couple orrelease output device 30 and transducer 20. In the illustrated embodiment,bayonet connector 60 defines four slots 62 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3) and the slots are evenly spaced apart from one another (or spaced at 90 degree intervals) aroundend 35. In this embodiment, theoutput device 30 may be connected to transducer 20 in any one of four different orientations (i.e., each of the orientations being rotated by 90 degrees from another one of the possible orientations). - In this embodiment, the orientation of
cable connector 50 with respect to transducer 20 may be selected simply by coupling the posts of transducer 20 into theappropriate slots 62 ofbayonet connector 60. If it is desired, for example, to rotate the position ofcable connector 50 by ninety degrees, theoutput connector 30 may simply be detached from transducer 20, rotated ninety degrees, and then reattached via the bayonet connector. It will be appreciated that additional flexibility in selecting the orientation ofcable connector 50 may be provided if desired by addingadditional slots 62 to bayonet connector 60 (e.g., six slots may be provided with all slots being spaced apart by sixty degrees). The bayonet connection is readily field-adjustable without the use of tools. Once thecable connector 50 has been located in a desired orientation, theelectronic display 40 can be independently adjusted, or rotated, to obtain the desired orientation. - The illustrated embodiment provides two-degrees of freedom for adjusting the configuration of an output device for a pressure transducer. Because both the
cable connector 50 and thelocal display 40 are readily adjustable, theoutput device 30 may be readily adapted to a multitude of installation situations. - An output device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be combined with pressure transducers of any type. The display may be disposed so that it is transverse but not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the output device. Although the illustrated embodiment incorporates and is designed to accommodate a sub-D cable connector, embodiments of the present invention could also be constructed using any type of cable connector. Other types of connections, including other type of bayonet connections, for the output device or other types of connections for the electronic display may be used in alternate embodiments. While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications can be made and the invention can be practiced in other environments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, set forth in the accompanying claims.
Claims (11)
Priority Applications (1)
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US09/998,292 US6581471B1 (en) | 2001-11-30 | 2001-11-30 | Output device for pressure transducer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US09/998,292 US6581471B1 (en) | 2001-11-30 | 2001-11-30 | Output device for pressure transducer |
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US20030101824A1 true US20030101824A1 (en) | 2003-06-05 |
US6581471B1 US6581471B1 (en) | 2003-06-24 |
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US09/998,292 Expired - Lifetime US6581471B1 (en) | 2001-11-30 | 2001-11-30 | Output device for pressure transducer |
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Cited By (2)
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WO2008019005A2 (en) | 2006-08-03 | 2008-02-14 | Rosemount, Inc. | Inclination measurement in process transmitters |
DE102022128537A1 (en) | 2022-10-27 | 2024-05-02 | Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG | Field device in automation technology |
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US20040099061A1 (en) * | 1997-12-22 | 2004-05-27 | Mks Instruments | Pressure sensor for detecting small pressure differences and low pressures |
FR2818676B1 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2003-03-07 | Freyssinet Int Stup | METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLING A PRE-STRESS CABLE AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SAME |
EP1529199B1 (en) * | 2002-08-13 | 2007-08-01 | VEGA Grieshaber KG | Input and output device for detachable connection to an electronic device |
US6993973B2 (en) * | 2003-05-16 | 2006-02-07 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | Contaminant deposition control baffle for a capacitive pressure transducer |
US7201057B2 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2007-04-10 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | High-temperature reduced size manometer |
US7141447B2 (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2006-11-28 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | Method of forming a seal between a housing and a diaphragm of a capacitance sensor |
US7137301B2 (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2006-11-21 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | Method and apparatus for forming a reference pressure within a chamber of a capacitance sensor |
ITMI20042329A1 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2005-03-03 | Elettrotec Srl | ELECTRONIC PRESSURE SWITCH WITH POSSIBILITY OF QUICK SETTING OF THE MAIN OPERATING PARAMETERS |
DE102007061990A1 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2009-07-16 | Ifm Electronic Gmbh | Rotable display device i.e. manometer, for displaying measured pressure values of flowable fluid, has transparent windshield for forming body with housing for enclosing inlay that is supported rotatably in housing |
US7885056B2 (en) * | 2008-09-30 | 2011-02-08 | Raytheon Company | Center instrument pedestal display |
DE102010025474A1 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | Airbus Operations Gmbh | Measuring device for measuring forces in structural components |
USD1007341S1 (en) * | 2020-09-21 | 2023-12-12 | Wika Alexander Wiegand Se & Co. Kg | Measurement instrument |
USD1009662S1 (en) * | 2020-09-21 | 2024-01-02 | Wika Alexander Wiegand Se & Co. Kg | Measurement instrument |
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GB2184841B (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1989-12-28 | Mitutoyo Mfg Co Ltd | Electronic display measuring device |
DE29615534U1 (en) * | 1996-09-06 | 1996-10-24 | Dbt Gmbh | Pressure transducer for measuring hydraulic pressures, especially for mining applications |
EP0915326B1 (en) * | 1997-10-10 | 2002-01-30 | WIKA ALEXANDER WIEGAND GmbH & CO. | Method of manufacturing a pressure transducer and pressure transducer |
DE19811970C2 (en) * | 1998-03-19 | 2000-05-18 | Klaus Kobold | Measuring display device |
-
2001
- 2001-11-30 US US09/998,292 patent/US6581471B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008019005A2 (en) | 2006-08-03 | 2008-02-14 | Rosemount, Inc. | Inclination measurement in process transmitters |
EP2057453A4 (en) * | 2006-08-03 | 2016-08-10 | Rosemount Inc | Inclination measurement in process transmitters |
DE102022128537A1 (en) | 2022-10-27 | 2024-05-02 | Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG | Field device in automation technology |
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