Energy limiting barrier for universal io in intrisically safe industrial applications
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsDinesh Kumar KN, Sai Krishnan Jagannathan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes one or more channels. Each channel includes circuitry configured to receive an input current from a universal input/output (UIO) and provide an output to a field device in a hazardous or potentially hazardous zone, the circuitry further configured to limit energy to the field device by limiting at least one of a voltage, a current, or a power of the output. Each channel also includes terminals configured to connect the circuitry to one or more cables coupling the field device to the apparatus. Each channel is configured to provide an intrinsically safe barrier between the field device and a controller that controls operation of the field device.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- one or more channels, each channel comprising:
- circuitry configured to receive an input current from a universal input/output (UIO) and provide an output to a field device in a hazardous or potentially hazardous zone, the circuitry further configured to limit energy to the field device by limiting at least one of a voltage, a current, or a power of the output;
- and
- terminals configured to connect the circuitry to one or more cables coupling the field device to the apparatus;
- wherein each channel is configured to provide an intrinsically safe barrier between the field device and a controller that controls operation of the field device.
A system comprising:
- a universal input/output (UIO);
- and
- an intrinsically safe (IS) barrier coupled to the UIO, the IS barrier comprising one or more channels, each channel comprising:
- circuitry configured to receive an input current from the UIO and provide an output to a field device in a hazardous or potentially hazardous zone, the circuitry further configured to limit energy to the field device by limiting at least one of a voltage, a current, or a power of the output;
- and
- terminals configured to connect the circuitry to one or more cables coupling the field device to the IS barrier;
- wherein each channel is configured to provide an intrinsic safety function between the field device and a controller that controls operation of the field device.
A method comprising:
- receiving, by an intrinsically safe (IS) barrier, an input current from a universal input/output (UIO);
- providing, by the IS barrier, an output to a field device in a hazardous or potentially hazardous zone;
- and
- limiting energy to the field device by limiting at least one of a voltage, a current, or a power of the output,
- wherein the IS barrier comprises one or more channels, each channel comprising terminals configured to connect the IS barrier to one or more cables coupling the field device to the IS barrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.