Sensor assembly for hygenic material processing systems

A sensor assembly having a replaceable sensor module, with the sensor assembly being adapted to be positioned in a flow stream of material flowing in a hygienic material processing system for sensing parameters of the material and generating signals for use by an automated process controller for controlling the operation of the hygienic material processing system, the sensor assembly comprising:

• a first module constituting a replaceable sensor module;
• a second module constituting a data processing module, with the first and second modules being detachably secured to each other via a mechanical interconnection and being in electrical communication with each other via an electrical interconnection, wherein the replaceable sensor module comprises:
• a generally cylindrical enclosure adapted to be mounted in a position in a flow stream of a material;
• a transducer positioned in the enclosure toward a first end of the second sensor module for sensing parameters of the material;
• at least one electronic circuit connected to said transducer for generating sensor data indicative of parameters of the material;
• and,
• a non-volatile memory having stored therein identification data for the transducer;
• wherein the data processing module comprises:
• a housing having a microprocessor adapted to receive sensor data and identification data from the replaceable sensor module, wherein the microprocessor has a memory that stores transducer calibration information relating to a range of identified transducers for enabling different sensor modules, each with potentially unique calibration characteristics to be used with the data processing module, and wherein the data processing module generates signals as a function of the sensor data and the identification data for use by an automated process controller for controlling the operation of the hygienic material processing system, and wherein the mechanical interconnection comprises a first O-ring and a second O-ring of generally annular configuration for blocking leakage of material in the flow stream past the mechanical interconnection from entering the data processing module, wherein the first O-ring and the second O-ring are positioned at a second end of the sensor module enclosure generally coaxially therewith, wherein the first O-ring seal is subjected to compression in an axial direction of the sensor module enclosure when the sensor module is secured to the data processing module, and wherein the second O-ring seal is subjected to compression in a radial direction of the sensor module enclosure when the sensor module is secured to the data processing module.