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US 5,955,684 AGranted
Modular probe
AssigneeRosemount Inc.
InventorsJames L. Gravel, Steve D. Kruse, Randall C. Olson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeRosemount Inc.
InventorsJames L. Gravel, Steve D. Kruse, Randall C. Olson
Estimating the term…
A modular probe that is used for determining levels in a process material container, bins, pipes, using capacitance, micro impulse radar, or other types of signals, and which has a self contained pressure seal in the probe. The probe mounts to a connector that has an explosion proof barrier. The connector in turn supports a transmitter housing, which can be made explosion proof as well. The probe is coupled to the connector in a manner so that they can be easily separated and replaced without altering the explosion proof barrier. An independent seal on the probe itself permits the probe to be installed in a tank prior to the transmitter installation, and the transmitter may be uncoupled from the connector and replaced with a new transmitter without affecting the explosion proof portion of the assembly. The transmitter housing may also be removed or replaced from service without disassembly of the housing while the probe remains installed in a tank or other location undisturbed until the transmitter is replaced. Further, an environmental seal between the probe and the connector may be replaced without removing the transmitter housing from the connector so the explosion proof barrier for the transmitter housing remains effective.
A modular probe assembly comprising a seal body, a probe for carrying electrical signals mounted in said seal body and sealed relative to an internal cavity of the seal body,
A modular sensor assembly for permitting servicing of components without altering an explosion proof connection between such components comprising a first member for providing signals indicating a condition to be measured to an output end of the first member, a support body supporting the first member and having a coupling portion at one end, a coupler threadably connected to the coupling portion, and an environmental seal between the coupler and the coupling portion comprising an elastic ring bearing against both the coupling portion and the coupler, said coupler having a passageway therethrough carrying a first electrical connector, said passageway being filled with a potting material to hold the first electrical connector in place and provide an electrical connection to the first member at a first end portion, and a second end portion of the first electrical connector extending from the coupler, the end of said coupler opposite from said first member being adapted to receive a housing for electronic components and the housing including a second electrical connector for connecting to the second end portion of the first electrical connector carried by said coupler.
A modular probe assembly comprising a probe for sensing a condition to be measured and providing signals to an output end of the probe, a seal body supporting the output end of the probe with portions of the probe protruding from the seal body into a chamber, a connector body threadably connected to the seal body at a location spaced from the probe, a ventable environmental seal between the connector body and the seal body for normally sealing an interface therebetween, the threadable connection between the connector body and the seal body providing a vent path for pressure when the environmental seal is subjected to a selected pressure in the chamber into which the portion of the probe protrudes, said connector body having a passageway therethrough carrying an electrical connector electrically coupled to the probe at a first end of the passageway, said passageway having a seal material therein to hold the electrical connector in place and provide an explosion proof barrier between the output end of the probe and a second end of the passageway, said connector body being removable from the support body while maintaining the explosion proof barrier formed by the seal material in the passageway, an end of said connector body opposite from said probe being adapted to receive and support a housing having electronic components connectable to the probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.