Universal sensor fitting for process applications

A sensor apparatus for in-line fluid measurement in a process application, the apparatus comprising:

• an integrally formed fitting body comprising:
• (i) an inlet port for in-line coupling to the process application;
• (ii) an outlet port opposite the inlet port;
• and
• (iii) a tubular wall extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a fluid flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, the fluid flow passage extending along a passage axis, a first portion of the outer surface located to one side of the fluid flow passage, the first portion of the outer surface forming a recessed seat having a recessed first surface where a thickness dimension between the recessed first surface and the inner surface is less than a thickness dimension between the first portion of the outer surface that surrounds the recessed seat and the inner surface, the recessed seat having a rectangular shape where a length dimension is longer than a width dimension and is aligned parallel to the passage axis, the tubular wall forming at least one probe aperture extending from the fluid passage to the recessed seat;
• and
• a sensor assembly including a pressure sensor, the assembly forming first and second oppositely facing sensor assembly surfaces and a probe portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first sensor assembly surface, the first sensor assembly surface abutting the recessed first surface with the probe portion extending into the aperture, the sensor assembly having a thickness dimension between the first and second sensor assembly surfaces such that with the first sensor assembly surface abutting the recessed first surface, the second sensor assembly surface resides outside the recessed seat.

A sensor apparatus for in-line fluid measurement in a process application, the apparatus comprising:

• an integrally formed fitting body comprising:
• (i) an inlet port for in-line coupling to the process application;
• (ii) an outlet port opposite the inlet port;
• and
• (iii) a tubular wall extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a fluid flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, a base integrally formed with the tubular wall to one side of the fluid flow passage, the base forming a recessed seat having a recessed first surface and wherein the seat is defined on at least one side by a recess defining surface that is substantially perpendicular to the recessed first surface, the tubular wall forming at least one probe aperture extending from the fluid passage through the recessed first surface;
• and
• a sensor assembly including a pressure sensor, the assembly forming first and second oppositely facing sensor assembly surfaces and at least one sensor assembly side surface that extends between the first and second sensor assembly surfaces and a probe portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first sensor assembly surface, the first sensor assembly surface abutting the recessed first surface with the probe portion extending into the aperture and the at least one sensor assembly side surface immediately adjacent the recess defining surface such that the recess defining surface restricts sensor assembly rotation when the probe portion is located within the probe aperture, the sensor assembly having a thickness dimension between the first and second sensor assembly surfaces such that with the first sensor assembly surface abutting the recessed first surface, the second sensor assembly surface resides outside the recessed seat.