IP Library Granted Patent US 9,709,968
Granted Patent B2
US 9,709,968 · App. 13/632,279 · Granted Jul 18, 2017

Pass-through connection systems and methods for process control field devices

Inventor: Mark Sinreich (Twinsburg, OH)
Assignee: PEPPERL + FUCHS GMBH
G05B15/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,709,968
App. No.
13/632,279
Granted
Jul 18, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to connect wireless adapters and field devices for process control systems, such systems and methods include a process control system having a field device, a wireless adapter, a first wire and a second wire. The field device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first conduit and a second conduit. The wireless adapter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first port and a second port. The first conduit of the field device couples to the second port of the wireless adapter. The first wire passes between the field device and the wireless adapter connecting the first terminal of the field device to the first terminal of the wireless adapter. The second wire passes between the field device and the wireless adapter connecting the second terminal of the field device to the second terminal of the wireless adapter. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims (41)

1. A process control system comprising:

a field device comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a first conduit, and a second conduit;

a wireless adapter comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a first port, and a second port, wherein the first conduit of the field device couples to the second port of the wireless adapter;

a first wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the first wire connecting the first terminal of the wireless adapter to the first terminal of the field device;

a second wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the second wire connecting the second terminal of the wireless adapter to the second terminal of the field device;

a process controller; and

a third wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller, the third wire connecting the process controller to the third terminal of the wireless adapter.

2. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the first wire connects the first terminal of the wireless adapter to the first terminal of the field device and the second wire connects the second terminal of the wireless adapter to the second terminal of the field device such that the wireless adapter is upstream from the field device.

3. The process control system of claim 2 wherein the third wire connects the process controller to the third terminal of the wireless adapter such that the process controller is upstream from the wireless adapter.

4. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the process controller is configured to provide loop power to the field device over the third wire.

5. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the process controller comprises at least one of a programmable logic controller and a general purpose computer.

6. The process control system of claim 1 further comprising a fourth terminal and a fourth wire, the fourth wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller and connecting the process controller to the fourth terminal of the wireless adapter.

7. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the third wire facilitates communication between the process controller and the wireless adapter.

8. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the third wire facilitates communication between the process controller and the field device.

9. The process control system of claim 8 wherein the communication between the process controller and the field device comprises at least one of an analog communication and a digital communication.

10. The process control system of claim 9 wherein the digital communication uses a HART communications protocol.

11. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the third wire comprises a wire splice permitting the third wire to pass to the process controller.

12. The process control system of claim 1 wherein the second wire connected to the second terminal of the field device is configured to pass to the process controller.

13. The process control system of claim 12 wherein the second wire and the third wire provide for communication between the process controller and field device.

14. The process control system of claim 13 , wherein the communication between the process control and field device uses a HART communications protocol.

15. A process control system comprising:

a field device comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a first conduit, and a second conduit;

a wireless adapter comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a first port, and a second port, wherein the first conduit of the field device couples to the second port of the wireless adapter;

a first wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the first wire

connecting the first terminal of the wireless adapter to the first terminal of the field device; a second wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the second wire

connecting the second terminal of the wireless adapter to the second terminal of the field device; a process controller;

a third wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller, the third wire connecting the process controller to the third terminal of the wireless adapter; and

a fourth wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller, the fourth wire connecting the process controller to the fourth terminal of the wireless adapter;

wherein the process controller is configured to provide loop power to the field device over the third and fourth wires.

16. The process control system of claim 15 wherein the third wire and the fourth wire facilitate communication between the process controller and field device.

17. The process control system of claim 15 wherein the first wire connects the first terminal of the wireless adapter to the first terminal of the field device and the second wire connects the second terminal of the wireless adapter to the second terminal of the field device such that the wireless adapter is upstream from the field device.

18. The process control system of claim 15 wherein the third wire connects the third terminal of the wireless adapter to the third terminal of the field device and the fourth wire connects the fourth terminal of the wireless adapter to the fourth terminal of the field device such that the process controller is upstream from the wireless adapter.

19. The process control system of claim 18 wherein the process controller comprises a programmable logic controller.

20. A process control system comprising:

a field device comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a first conduit, and a second conduit;

a wireless adapter comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a first port, and a second port, wherein the first conduit of the field device couples to the second port of the wireless adapter;

a first wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the first wire connecting the first terminal of the wireless adapter to the first terminal of the field device;

a second wire passing between the wireless adapter and the field device, the second wire connecting the second terminal of the wireless adapter to the second terminal of the field device; a process controller;

a third wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller, the third wire connecting the process controller to the third terminal of the wireless adapter; and

a fourth wire passing between the wireless adapter and the process controller, the fourth wire connecting the process controller to the fourth terminal of the wireless adapter;

wherein the third wire and the fourth wire facilitate communication between the process controller and field device.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: PEPPERL+FUCHS MACTEK INC.
To: PEPPERL+FUCHS GMBH
Reel/Frame 037706/0478 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR (UNDER 323.01(B)) OF THE CORPORATE DESIGNATION OF ASSIGNEE FROM "CORPORATION" TO "INC." PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 036898 FRAME 0209. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 10, 2016
From: MAKTEK CORPORATION
To: PEPPERL+FUCHS MACTEK INC.
Reel/Frame 037759/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 20, 2015
From: MAKTEK CORPORATION
To: PEPPERL+FUCHS MACTEK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036898/0209 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2012
From: SINREICH, MARK
To: MACTEK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029056/0342 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12147454 · Jun 26, 2008
Provisional Application 60937396 · Jun 26, 2007
Provisional Application 60937397 · Jun 26, 2007
Related Publication 20130029533A1 · Jan 31, 2013