Local user interface for explosion resistant field instruments using capacitive touch sensing
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsDavin S. Nicholas, Matthew J. Kemp, Mitchell S. Panther
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a housing, a touch sensor, a display, and a control module. The housing has a body defining a volume to accommodate a process control device and is adapted to withstand a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure. The housing further has a transparent portion having first and second surfaces. The touch sensor is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the transparent portion and senses an input received within a minimum distance from the first surface of the transparent portion. The display is disposed adjacent to the touch sensor and displays at least one adjustable variable corresponding to the process control device.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a body defining a volume to encapsulate a controller that controls operation of a field device, and adapted to withstand a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure, the body having a transparent portion having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and the second surface;
- a touch sensor disposed adjacent to the second surface of the transparent portion, the touch sensor adapted to sense an input received within a minimum distance from the first surface of the transparent portion;
- and
- a display disposed adjacent to and communicatively coupled to the touch sensor and the controller to display at least one adjustable variable of the controller,
- wherein at least a portion of the third surface of the transparent portion defines a first contact dimension, and at least a portion of the first surface of the transparent portion defines a second contact dimension, wherein a total length of the first contact dimension and the second dimension define a treacherous path, wherein the treacherous path is greater than approximately 10 mm.
A method of manufacturing a process control device, the method comprising:
- providing a housing having a body defining a volume to encapsulate a controller that controls operation of a field device, and adapted to withstand a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure, the body further having a transparent portion having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and the second surface;
- at least partially disposing the controller device in the volume of the housing;
- disposing a touch sensor adjacent to the second surface of the transparent portion;
- disposing a display adjacent to the touch sensor;
- coupling a control module to the touch sensor and the display;
- and
- sealing the housing such that the controller is encapsulated therein and such that at least a portion of the third surface of the transparent portion defines a first contact dimension, and at least a portion of the first surface of the transparent portion defines a second contact dimension, wherein a total length of the first contact dimension and the second dimension define a treacherous path, wherein the treacherous path is greater than approximately 10 mm.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first housing having a body defining a volume to encapsulate a process control device;
- a second housing having a body defining a volume to encapsulate the first housing, the second housing being capable of withstanding a threshold internal pressure greater than an external pressure;
- an interface coupled to at least one of the first housing or the second housing, the interface having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and the second surface, wherein at least a portion of the third surface defines a first contact dimension and at least a portion of the first surface defines a second contact dimension, wherein a total length of the first and second contact dimensions define a treacherous path of greater than approximately 10 mm;
- a touch sensor disposed adjacent to the interface, the touch sensor adapted to sense an input received within a minimum distance from the interface;
- a display disposed adjacent to the touch sensor;
- and
- a control module disposed within the first housing, the control module being coupled to the touch sensor, the display, and the process control device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.