Patent classifications
H02H9/008
FILL LEVEL SENSOR WITH POWER LIMITATION
A measuring device is provided. The measuring device includes a sensor unit configured to detect a measurement signal, upstream measuring device electronics that include a signal processing circuit and an input interface, and a power limitation circuit arranged to limit the power supplied by the external power supply at the input interface.
Method and safety circuit for safe limiting of electrical power consumption
The invention relates to a method and to a safety circuit for safe limiting of consumption of electrical power in an electrical component of a field device. The consumption of the electrical power is controlled by separating the input path from a superordinated unit by the safety circuit according to a predetermined clocking, wherein the clocking is controlled by a control signal. In the case of no control signal, the power limiting is assured by separating the input path from the superordinated unit. In the case of a defective control signal, the power is limited by the safety circuit to a maximum power. Due to this type of control, the operating temperature of the electrical component remains always below a critical temperature. The field device may thus be used in explosion-endangered regions.
Spark Protection Apparatus for Intrinsically Safe, Battery-Operated Devices
A simple, low-cost circuit is disclosed that provides the requisite triple redundancy for a spark protection circuit for a battery-operated device having an on-board battery charger that is intended for use in hazardous atmospheres. The circuit complies with the IEC standard for intrinsically safe products.
HOT SWAPPING PROTECTION DEVICE FOR POWER OVER ETHERNET AND METHOD THEREOF
A hot swapping protection device for Power over Ethernet which has a state setting switch group, an interface circuit, a power supply device, a packet switching controller, multiple isolation coil sets, and multiple connectors. The packet switching controller receives a digital state value P2 of the interface circuit and a digital signal P1 of the state setting switch group and bitwise compares P1 and P2 so as to output a command to control the DC voltage outputs of the power supply device. The power supply device has a digital power controller and an analog power controller having multiple voltage output terminals for providing DC voltages to the multiple connectors. Before removing a cable connected to a connector, all voltage output states of the voltage output terminals corresponding to the connector are set to a cutoff state, so that sparks generation can be avoided during subsequent cable plug-in and unplugging.
INTRINSICALLY SAFE ENERGY TRANSMISSION UNIT FOR SUPPLYING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH INCREASED POWER
A safe energy supply unit (1) and system, for supplying an electrical device (8) in an explosion-proof area, transmits power from an energy source (9), including a plurality of galvanically isolated individual sources, with a multiple line connection (2) with a plurality of galvanically isolated and individually shielded conductor pairs (31, 32, 33, 34). A collector device (4), in an explosion-proof jacket (5) at an end of the multiple line (3), has uncoupling devices (45) for the galvanically isolated conductor pairs and a combiner circuit (47, 49) that combines the transmitted electric power from each line into a global power. The global power is outputted at an output (48) of the collector device to the electrical device. The conductor pairs allow for an increased global power, which is scalable, safely transmittable, with standard, conductor pairs. The electrical device is intrinsically safely supplied with high power with minimal effort.
Intrinsic safety (IS) barrier with associated energy limiting apparatus
A method and apparatus is disclosed that includes first and second hardware components. The first component includes at least one first input configured to receive at least one first data or power signal, at least one voltage clamping circuit configured to limit a voltage of the at least one first data or power signal, and at least one first output configured to provide the at least one voltage-limited first data or power signal. The second component includes at least one second input configured to receive at least one second data or power signal, at least one limiter circuit configured to limit an amount of energy in the at least one second data or power signal, and at least one second output configured to provide the at least one energy-limited second data or power signal.
DEVICE, BATTERY AND METHOD FOR SPARK DETECTION BASED ON TRANSIENT CURRENTS
A device, battery and method for spark detection based on transient currents is provided. The battery includes: a cell; an interface; a first protection circuit and a second protection circuit. The first protection circuit comprises a first switch between the cell and the interface. The second protection circuit comprises a second switch between the cell and the interface. The first protection circuit is configured to: measure a load current on the cell; and open the first switch according to a first delay time based on the measurement of the load current. The second protection circuit is configured to: measure a transient current on the cell above the load current; and open the second switch according to a second delay time, lower than the first delay time, based on the measurement of the transient current.
Pluggable intrinsically safe barrier
A new and improved intrinsically safe barrier (ISB) provides advantages in connection with installation of field equipment in hazardous areas including Division 2/Zone 2 areas. In one embodiment the new ISB provides a pluggable/unpluggable ISB for use with a receiving terminal base adapted for individual field mounting and alternatively for use with a circuit mount terminal base to permit direct mounting of ISB on circuit boards. A highly effective heat sink design and potting material allows for heat dissipation to allow the ISB to serve a wider range of applications.
BLOWER FILTER DEVICE FOR POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE AREAS AND PROCESS FOR OPERATING A BLOWER FILTER DEVICE
A blower filter device (3) is connectable to a voltage supply unit (2) and includes a blower unit (5), a filter mount (14), an internal energy storage unit (7), an energy interface (9), a current limitation device (13), a sensor array (16, 17, 18) and a control device (6). The current limitation device is activated upon disconnecting the energy interface from the voltage supply unit. The activated current limitation device limits the intensity of a current from the energy interface to the internal energy storage device. Upon the voltage supply unit being connected to the energy storage device and a predefined deactivating event is detected, the control device deactivates the current limitation device. The deactivating event is based on a charging voltage of the internal energy storage unit and/or on a time period that has elapsed since the connection. A process is provided for operating such a blower filter device.
Intrinsic safety (IS) barriers mountable on terminal blocks of input/output (I/O) modules or other devices
A system includes a module having at least one input/output (I/O) channel. The system also includes a terminal block having terminals configured to provide electrical connections for the at least one I/O channel. The system further includes a barrier assembly having one or more intrinsic safety (IS) barriers. Each IS barrier is configured to receive at least one data or power signal, limit an amount of energy in the at least one data or power signal, and output the at least one energy-limited data or power signal. Each IS barrier includes at least one limiter circuit configured to limit the amount of energy in the at least one data or power signal. Each IS barrier is configured to be mounted on the terminal block. Each IS barrier could be configured to provide galvanic isolation between multiple devices or systems coupled to the IS barrier. Each limiter circuit could include a current limiter.