Hazardous environment electrical feedback barrier device, assembly, system and method
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorPaul R. York
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical feedback barrier is configured to safely interconnect an intrinsically safe power supply to a non-intrinsically safe electrical load device in a hazardous environment. Electrical feedback from the non-intrinsically electrical load device is blocked by the electrical feedback barrier to protect the intrinsically safe power supply from adverse operating conditions. The electrical feedback barrier and the electrical load device are enclosed in an explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure for compliance with electrical equipment safety standards in the hazardous environment.
Claims15
An electrical power system for a hazardous environment comprising:
- an explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure;
- an electrical feedback barrier and a non-intrinsically safe electrical load device each provided in the explosion-proof enclosure and being electrically connected to one another;
- and
- wherein the electrical feedback barrier is operative to isolate electrical feedback from the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device from reaching an intrinsically safe power supply remotely located from but connected to the electrical feedback barrier, thereby preventing an unsafe operation of the intrinsically safe power supply in the hazardous environment;
- and
- wherein the electrical feedback barrier is connected to earth ground through the explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure and is operative to isolate the intrinsically safe power supply from the non-intrinsically safe load device and prevent electrical feedback from reaching the intrinsically safe power supply by shunting the electrical feedback to the earth ground.
A method of safely powering a non-intrinsically safe electrical load device from an intrinsically safe power supply in a hazardous environment, the method implemented with an electrical feedback barrier configured to protect the intrinsically safe power supply from electrical feedback produced by the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device;
- wherein the electrical feedback barrier comprises an input connected to the intrinsically safe power supply in the hazardous environment, an output connected to the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device in the hazardous environment, and a connection to earth ground;
- the method comprising:
- passing an energy limited current and voltage from the intrinsically safe power supply through the electrical feedback barrier to the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device;
- and
- shunting, via the feedback barrier, electrical feedback generated in the operation of the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device to the earth ground in order to protect the intrinsically safe power supply from reaching an unsafe condition in the hazardous environment, wherein the electrical feedback barrier is connected to the earth ground through an explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure and is operative to isolate the intrinsically safe power supply from the non-intrinsically safe load device and prevent electrical feedback from reaching the intrinsically safe power supply by shunting the electrical feedback to the earth ground.
A method of safely powering a non-intrinsically safe electrical load device from an intrinsically safe power supply in a hazardous environment, the intrinsically safe power supply being remotely located from the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device and connected to an electrical feedback barrier, the electrical feedback barrier configured to protect the intrinsically safe power supply from electrical feedback produced by the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device;
- wherein the electrical feedback barrier comprises an input connected to the intrinsically safe power supply in the hazardous environment, an output connected to the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device in the hazardous environment, and a connection to earth ground;
- the method comprising:
- passing an energy limited current and voltage from the intrinsically safe power supply through the electrical feedback barrier to the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device;
- and
- shunting, via the feedback barrier, electrical feedback generated in the operation of the non-intrinsically safe electrical load device to electrical ground in order to protect the intrinsically safe power supply from reaching an unsafe condition in the hazardous environment, wherein the electrical feedback barrier is connected to the earth ground through the explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure and is operative to isolate the intrinsically safe power supply from the non-intrinsically safe load device and prevent electrical feedback from reaching the intrinsically safe power supply by shunting the electrical feedback to the earth ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.