ELECTROPNEUMATIC FIELD DEVICE

Abstract

An electropneumatic field device, such as an electropneumatic setting regulator or the like, incorporates a protective housing which has a housing cover and in which at least one electronic component and at least one pneumatic component are arranged. The protective housing is connected to at least one electric field input, at least one pneumatic supply inlet, and at least one pneumatic field outlet. The electric field input is connected to the electronic component, the pneumatic supply inlet and the pneumatic field outlet are coupled to the pneumatic component, the pneumatic component is connected to the electronic component for signaling purposes, and the protective housing has a ventilation device paired with the pneumatic component. The pneumatic component is at least partly surrounded by the housing cover which is releasably connected to the protective housing, and the ventilation device of the protective housing is integrated into the housing cover.

Claims

1. An electropneumatic field device, such as an electropneumatic positioner or the like, comprising a protective housing which has a housing cover and in which at least one electronic component and at least one pneumatic component are arranged, which protective housing is provided with at least one electric field input, at least one pneumatic supply inlet and at least one pneumatic field outlet, wherein the electric field input is connected to the electronic component, the pneumatic supply inlet and the pneumatic field outlet are coupled to the pneumatic component, the pneumatic component is connected to the electronic component for signaling purposes, and the protective housing has a ventilation device which is associated with the pneumatic component, characterized in that the pneumatic component is at least partly surrounded by the housing cover which is releasably connected to the protective housing, and the ventilation device of the protective housing is integrated into the housing cover.

2. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component and/or the electric field input are arranged in an area in the protective housing that is remote from the housing cover.

3. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover surrounds the pneumatic supply inlet in such a way that the latter can be freely connected to a pneumatic source.

4. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover laterally encloses the entire pneumatic component.

5. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation device comprises two chambers that are arranged in series, wherein the first chamber comprises at least one check valve which is connected to an interior space of the protective housing in such a way that, when the pneumatic component is vented, air flows from this interior space through the check valve into the first chamber, then into the second chamber and then out of the second chamber and out of the protective housing.

6. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 5, wherein a kind of labyrinth seal is provided which protects the first chamber and the second chamber from moisture entering into them, but which still allows venting of the pneumatic component via the check valve and the first and second chambers without any problem.

7. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 6, wherein the labyrinth seal comprises a segmented web that separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

8. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 6, wherein the labyrinth seal is formed by at least one shoulder that is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber and that slopes downward toward the pneumatic supply inlet.

9. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 6, wherein the second chamber has vent openings that are arranged laterally on, and/or on the front face of, the housing cover, which vent openings connect the second chamber to the outside and are part of the labyrinth seal.

10. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 5, wherein the check valve is formed by a diaphragm disposed over a vent opening, which vent opening interconnects the interior of the protective housing and the first chamber.

11. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 5, wherein the vent opening is raised relative to its adjacent region on the side facing the diaphragm.

12. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 5, wherein multiple check valves are provided, which check valves are in particular arranged at uniform distances from one another over the circumference, preferably in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the protective housing.

13. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover is of a two-part design and comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, which are arranged concentrically to one another, which outer ring and inner ring in particular overlap by more than 60%, preferably by more than 70%, preferably by more than 80%, in particular by more than 90%.

14. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second chambers are disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring.

15. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, wherein the outer ring includes the vent holes.

16. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, wherein the one or plural check valve is/are arranged in the inner ring.

17. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, and in particular another one of the preceding claims, wherein the diaphragm is held in place on the inner ring by the outer ring relative to the vent opening of the check valve.

18. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, wherein the diaphragm is formed as a diaphragm ring that engages around the inner ring.

19. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 13, wherein a seal is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring in order to prevent fluid from penetrating into the first chamber from one side of the housing cover, in particular an O-ring as said seal is fitted in a groove made in the inner ring or the outer ring on the side facing the respective other.

20. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover and at least the area of the protective housing associated with the housing cover are rotationally symmetrical.

21. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the protective housing is designed to meet the requirements for explosion-proof operation, in particular according to DIN EN 60079-1.

22. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein module slots for multiple electronic components and/or pneumatic components are provided in the protective housing.

23. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 22, wherein a plug-in slot for the pneumatic component or multiple plug-in slots for pneumatic components are provided on the end face of an internal structure of the protective housing.

24. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein vent openings are arranged in the housing cover and are uniformly distributed over the entire circumference of the housing cover.

25. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic component is an UP converter.

26. An electropneumatic field device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a controller or a transducer.

Description

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a module of the electropneumatic field device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the module of the electropneumatic field device of FIG. 1, with the housing cover removed;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a first longitudinal section through the module of the electropneumatic field device of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a second longitudinal section through the module of the electropneumatic field device of FIG. 1, and

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the housing cover of the module of the electropneumatic field device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIGS. 1 to 4 are views of a module of one embodiment of an electropneumatic field device in the form of an electropneumatic positioner 10. This positioner 10 is used to monitor, control and/or regulate a control valve (not shown here) as part of a control valve arrangement of a process plant. The electropneumatic positioner 10 is connected to a pneumatic actuator of the control valve via a pneumatic line system. The control valve is actuated by the actuator for controlling the process fluid flow of a process plant and is regulated/controlled by the electropneumatic positioner 10.

[0048] The positioner 10 comprises a plurality of modules, although only one module associated with the pneumatics is shown here. The positioner 10 includes a protective housing 12. This protective housing 12 consists of several housing parts that are connected to one another in a modular fashion, in which the housing part 14 associated with the pneumatics is provided with a housing cover 16 on its end.

[0049] On its side of the housing portion 14 remote from the housing cover 16 there is a flange 18 having a plurality of evenly spaced flange segments integrated into the flange 18 about its periphery. The housing part 14 is connected to further modules of the protective housing 12 via the flange 18 and the flange segments 20.

[0050] FIGS. 1 through 4 are views of substantially the portion of the positioner 10 that comprises and relates to a pneumatic component 22. In addition, the positioner 10 includes electronic components, which are arranged on the end face of an internal structure 26 of the housing part 14 that is remote from the pneumatic component 22—not shown here—and are connected to an electric field input, also not shown in the Figures.

[0051] The pneumatic component 22 is arranged on the end face that faces the housing cover 16, of the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14. A pneumatic supply inlet 24 protrudes laterally from the protective housing 12 and is freely connectable for connection to a pneumatic source (not shown here). On the side of the pneumatic component 22 remote from the pneumatic supply inlet 24, a pneumatic field outlet (not shown in detail here) is provided. The electronic component is connected to the pneumatic component 22 for signaling purposes in a known manner and thereby controls or regulates the latter.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the pneumatic component 22 is screw-connected to the end face of the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14. For this purpose, two mounting recesses 28 offset by 180° are provided in the pneumatic component 22, which recesses are associated with corresponding threaded holes 30 in the end face of the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14. Via screws 32 associated with the threaded holes 30, the pneumatic component 22 is securely screwed to the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14, but can be released therefrom again and easily replaced or serviced, if required. All it takes to do this is simply removing the housing cover 16 and then unscrewing the screws 32.

[0053] The housing cover 16 is also screwed to the housing part 14 and thus releasably connected to it. For this purpose, the housing cover 16 has an internal thread 38 and the associated cylindrical area 14a of the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14 has an external thread 40. The external thread 40 of the internal structure 26 engages the internal thread 38 of the housing cover 16. Should the pneumatic component 22 need to be replaced or serviced, the housing cover 16 is unscrewed from the internal structure 26 by relatively rotating the internal threads 38 with respect to the external threads 40, and then removed from the housing part 14.

[0054] Furthermore, the housing cover 16 has a two-part design and comprises an inner ring 34, and an outer ring 36 arranged concentrically with respect thereto. The outer ring 36 overlaps the inner ring by more than 75%. With respect to the longitudinal axis 48 of the protective housing 12, the inner ring 34 is longer than the outer ring 36 and thus projects inwardly beyond the outer ring 36. The inner ring 34 extends substantially up to the free end of the pneumatic component 22 around which it fits flush. The outer ring 36 extends substantially from the plane of the internal structure 26 of the housing part 14, against which the pneumatic component 22 abuts, to about 20% to 25% less in the direction of the free end of the pneumatic component 22 than the inner ring 34. From the free end of the pneumatic component 22, the pneumatic supply inlet 24 extends further towards the free end of the module of the electropneumatic positioner 10 and thus also away from the free end of the inner ring 34.

[0055] As seen in the views of FIGS. 3 and 4, from left to right, the housing cover 16 has a seal 42, a first chamber 44, and a second chamber 46 between its inner ring 34 and its outer ring 36. The first chamber 44 and the second chamber 46 are fluidically arranged in series.

[0056] The outer side of the inner ring 34 is provided with a circumferential groove 50 which extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 48, in which groove 50 the seal 42 is inserted in the form of an O-ring seal.

[0057] This protects the first chamber 44, for example, from any moisture which may enter from the flange side of the housing cover 16.

[0058] Arranged next to the groove 50 is the first chamber 44, which extends annularly by 360° C. in the circumferential direction between the inner ring 34 and the outer ring 36. Multiple check valves 52 are provided in the inner ring 34 and the first chamber 44. The check valves 52 are arranged radially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 48, are equally spaced from one another, and are thus evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner ring 34.

[0059] A check valve 52 includes a vent hole 54 that extends radially inwardly through the inner ring 34. The vent hole 54 connects an interior 56 of the protective housing 12 to the first chamber 44. A vent opening 58 of the check valve 52 is provided in the region of the first chamber 44, which vent opening is raised with respect to the adjacent region of the outer surface of the inner ring 34 in the first chamber 44. This for example prevents condensed water accumulated in the first chamber 44 from reaching the interior 56 of the protective housing 12 via the vent opening 58 and the vent hole 54.

[0060] A diaphragm ring 60 covers all vent openings 58 in the first chamber 44. The diaphragm ring 60 is part of each of the check valves 52 and is mounted on the vent openings 58 between the inner ring 34 and the outer ring 36. The diaphragm ring 60 is designed as an elastic sealing ring. If the pressure in the interior 56 of the protective housing 12 exceeds a certain threshold value, the diaphragm ring 60 rises in the area of the vent opening 58 and ensures pressure equalization between the interior 56 and the first chamber 54. The threshold value is determined by the spring force of the diaphragm ring 60 in the area of the vent opening 58. For the spring force, it is not only relevant what the dimensions the diaphragm ring 60 has and what material is selected with regard to the modulus of elasticity, but also how strongly the diaphragm ring is compressed between the inner ring 34 and outer ring 36 in the area of the vent openings 58. The reduction in distance between the inner ring 34 and the outer ring 36 as a result of the raised area of the vent opening 58 is what holds the diaphragm ring 60 in place in the first chamber 44.

[0061] The first chamber 44 is separated from the second chamber 46 by a segmented first web 62 disposed in a radial plane with respect to the longitudinal axis 48. The segmented first web 62 comprises individual web portions 62a, which are arranged evenly spaced from each other and form the segmented first web 62. The segmented first web 62 is an integral part of the outer ring 36, disposed on the inside of the outer ring 36 and thus faces the outside of the inner ring 34. More specifically, the segmented first web 62 is adjacent to a step-like shoulder 64 on the outside of the inner ring 34 that is disposed in a radial plane with respect to the longitudinal axis 48. The shoulder 64 slopes downward towards the free end of the pneumatic component 22.

[0062] On the side remote from the first web 62 toward the free end of the pneumatic component 22, the second chamber 46 is bounded by a second web 66 that is also segmented. The segmented second web 66 comprises individual web portions 66a, which are arranged evenly spaced from each other. The segmented second web 66 is an integral part of the outer ring 36, disposed on the inside of the outer ring 36 and thus faces the outside of the inner ring 34. Openings 70 are located between the web portions 66a.

[0063] Providing the first web 62 and the second web 66 with a segmented design permits, in case of venting, air from the first chamber 44 to escape through adjacent web portions 62a into the second chamber 46 and from there through adjacent web portions 66a into the environment.

[0064] In addition, multiple recesses 68 are provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the outer ring 36, which pass through the outer ring 36 and connect the second chamber 46 with the environment. Thus, in the case of venting, this also allows air from the second chamber 46 to escape into the environment via the recesses 68. The recesses 68 are likewise equally spaced from one another about the circumference of the outer ring 36 in a radial plane with respect to the longitudinal axis 48.

[0065] The protective housing 12 is designed for explosion-proof applications according to DIN EN 60079-1.

[0066] The pneumatic component 22 is an I/P converter. The electronic component (not shown here) may be a controller and/or a transducer.

[0067] The invention is characterized in that, in case of venting of the pneumatic component 22, the excess pressure in the interior 56 of the protective housing 12 can be equalized in a simple manner via check valves 52 to the first chamber 44, then to the second chamber 46 and finally via the recesses 68 or the openings 70 formed by the segmented web 66. This ensures a compact design and an easy-to-manufacture structure. The threshold value of venting via the check valve 52 can be adjusted by selecting a diaphragm ring 60 of appropriate dimensions and modulus of elasticity.

[0068] This design allows the fluid flowing out of the pneumatic component 22 in case of venting to be successively depressurized via the interior 56, the first chamber 44 and the second chamber 46. This considerably reduces the danger to the immediate surroundings of the protective housing in case of venting.

[0069] The first web 62, the shoulder 64 in cooperation with the second web 66, the recesses 68 and the openings form a kind of labyrinth seal to prevent moisture from entering into the second chamber 46, especially into the first chamber 44.

[0070] Because the recesses 68 are located radially and the openings 70 are located axially on the circumference of the outer ring, jet water entering the second chamber 46 can easily drain off again without entering into the first chamber 44. If water does enter into the first chamber, it will be non-pressurized and the elastic seal of the check valve 52, i.e. the diaphragm ring 60, will prevent it from continuing on further and into the interior 56 of the protective housing 12.

[0071] The openings 70 and recesses 68 arranged around the circumference of the outer ring 36 minimize the risk of a complete failure of the ventilation device of the module 10 of the electropneumatic field device due to icing in cold temperatures.

[0072] The housing cover 16 extends substantially the length of the pneumatic component 22, thus providing a quick response time of the ventilation device in case of venting, since the ventilation device is arranged close to a possible source of excess pressure.

[0073] The protective housing 12 and the housing cover 16 are substantially rotationally symmetrical so as to make them easy to manufacture.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0074] 10 electropneumatic positioner [0075] 12 protective housing [0076] 14 housing part [0077] 14a cylindrical area of housing part 14 [0078] 16 housing cover [0079] 18 flange [0080] 20 flange segment [0081] 22 pneumatic component [0082] 24 pneumatic supply inlet [0083] 26 internal structure of protective housing 12 [0084] 28 mounting recess [0085] 30 threaded hole [0086] 32 screw [0087] 34 inner ring of housing cover 16 [0088] 36 outer ring of housing cover 16 [0089] 38 female thread of housing cover 16 [0090] 40 external thread of cylindrical area 14a of housing part 14 [0091] 42 seal [0092] 44 first chamber [0093] 46 second chamber [0094] 48 longitudinal axis [0095] 50 groove [0096] 52 check valve [0097] 54 vent hole [0098] 56 interior of protective housing 12 [0099] 58 vent opening [0100] 60 diaphragm ring [0101] 62 first web [0102] 62a web portion of first web 62 [0103] 64 shoulder [0104] 66 second web [0105] 66a web portion of second web 66 [0106] 68 recesses [0107] 70 openings