Abstract: A wireless industrial process filed device includes a process interface element configured to interface with a process fluid and control or sense a process variable of the process fluid. A controller is configured to control operation of the process interface element. An RF circuit board includes a plurality of RF transceivers carried on the RF circuit board, each configured to send and/or receive an RF signal which carries information related to the process variable. A plurality of antennas are carried on the RF circuit board and form an antenna array. Each of the plurality of antennas is coupled to at least one of the plurality of RF transceivers. Each of the plurality of antennas having a different antenna pattern. The controller controls operation of the plurality of RF transceivers to communicate with a remote device through an antenna array patterned formed by transmission of RF signals through the plurality of antenna patterns of the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: A sensor assembly with a sensing element sends a sensor signal from the sensing element to attached process transmitter over sensor connection wires. The sensor assembly has memory circuitry for storing information related to the sensor assembly and interface circuitry that provides for digital communication of the stored information with the attached process transmitter. This digital communication is sent over the sensor connection wires.

Abstract: An industrial process temperature transmitter for measuring a temperature of a process medium includes a temperature sensing unit, a compensation circuit, an output circuit and a housing. The temperature sensing unit includes a process temperature sensor and a secondary temperature sensor. A temperature signal that is indicative of the temperature of the process medium is produced based on a process temperature signal output from the process temperature sensor and a secondary temperature signal output from the secondary temperature sensor. The compensation circuit compensates the temperature signal for a response time of the temperature measurement to a change in the temperature of the process medium, and outputs a compensated temperature signal. The output circuit produces a temperature output as a function of the compensated temperature signal. The housing is attached to an exterior of the process vessel and contains the secondary temperature sensor.

Abstract: A diagnostic field device for identifying a diagnostic condition in an industrial process includes an infrared sensor array having a plurality of infrared sensors arranged to sense infrared emissions from a location in the industrial process. Processing circuitry processes outputs from the plurality of infrared sensors of the sensor array and generates an infrared image. Diagnostic circuitry compares processed outputs from at least two subsections of the infrared image and provides a diagnostic output based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An industrial process temperature transmitter for measuring a temperature of a process medium includes a temperature sensing unit, a compensation circuit, an output circuit and a housing. The temperature sensing unit includes a process temperature sensor and a secondary temperature sensor. A temperature signal that is indicative of the temperature of the process medium is produced based on a process temperature signal output from the process temperature sensor and a secondary temperature signal output from the secondary temperature sensor. The compensation circuit compensates the temperature signal for a response time of the temperature measurement to a change in the temperature of the process medium, and outputs a compensated temperature signal. The output circuit produces a temperature output as a function of the compensated temperature signal. The housing is attached to an exterior of the process vessel and contains the secondary temperature sensor.

Abstract: A thermocouple temperature sensor has a thermocouple with first and second conductors connected at a junction and a resistance temperature device with first and second conductors. The first conductor of the resistance temperature device is connected to the first conductor of the thermocouple. A first external conductor is connected to the second conductor of the thermocouple, wherein the first external conductor is configured as a voltage sense conductor for the resistance temperature device and a voltage sense conductor for the thermocouple. A second external conductor is connected to the first conductors of the thermocouple and the resistance temperature device, wherein the second external conductor is configured as a current conductor for the resistance temperature device and a voltage sense conductor for the thermocouple. A third external conductor is connected to the second conductor of the resistance temperature device and is configured as a current conductor for the resistance temperature device.

Abstract: An industrial process temperature transmitter for measuring a temperature of a process medium includes a temperature sensing unit, a compensation circuit, and an output circuit. The temperature sensing unit includes a process temperature sensor that is separated from the process medium by an isolation wall. The temperature sensing unit is configured to produce a temperature signal that is indicative of the temperature of the process medium based on a process temperature signal output from the process temperature sensor during a temperature measurement. The compensation circuit is configured to compensate the temperature signal for a response time of the temperature measurement to a change in the temperature of the process medium, and output a compensated temperature signal. The output circuit is configured to produce a temperature output as a function of the compensated temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the process medium.

Abstract: A thermocouple temperature sensor has a thermocouple with first and second conductors connected at a junction and a resistance temperature device with first and second conductors. The first conductor of the resistance temperature device is connected to the first conductor of the thermocouple. A first external conductor is connected to the second conductor of the thermocouple, wherein the first external conductor is configured as a voltage sense conductor for the resistance temperature device and a voltage sense conductor for the thermocouple. A second external conductor is connected to the first conductors of the thermocouple and the resistance temperature device, wherein the second external conductor is configured as a current conductor for the resistance temperature device and a voltage sense conductor for the thermocouple. A third external conductor is connected to the second conductor of the resistance temperature device and is configured as a current conductor for the resistance temperature device.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end. A bore extends between the two ends with the thermowell assembly configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor detects infrared radiation from the distal end through the bore of the thermowell and responsively provides a sensor output. A configuration is provided in which infrared radiation received by the infrared sensor from a wall of the bore is reduced and or radiation received from the distal end of the bore is increased.

Abstract: A thermowell system for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation from the distal end of the thermowell and responsively provide a sensor output. Vibration detector circuitry is coupled to the infrared detector and configured to detect vibration of the thermowell as a function of oscillations in the sensor output.

Abstract: A diagnostic field device for detecting a condition of a process conduit includes an infrared detector comprising a plurality of pixels configured to receive infrared radiation from the process conduit and responsively provide a plurality of pixel outputs. A first pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a first location on the process conduit. A second pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a second location on the process conduit. A memory contains thermal profile information which relates an output from the first pixel to a first temperature at the first location and relates an output from the second pixel to a second temperature at the second location. A microprocessor identifies a process anomaly based upon outputs from the first and second pixels. Output circuitry provides a diagnostic output indicative of the identified process anomaly.

Abstract: A diagnostic field device for detecting a condition of a process conduit includes an infrared detector comprising a plurality of pixels configured to receive infrared radiation from the process conduit and responsively provide a plurality of pixel outputs. A first pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a first location on the process conduit. A second pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to receive infrared radiation from a second location on the process conduit. A memory contains thermal profile information which relates an output from the first pixel to a first temperature at the first location and relates an output from the second pixel to a second temperature at the second location. A microprocessor identifies a process anomaly based upon outputs from the first and second pixels. Output circuitry provides a diagnostic output indicative of the identified process anomaly.

Abstract: A field device for use in an industrial process includes a housing having a cavity formed therein. A humidity-sealed electronics module has a first compartment formed therein and is positioned in the cavity. The humidity-sealed electronics module includes a seal board. The seal board separates the first compartment of the humidity sealed electronics module from a second compartment in the housing. A first electrical component in the first compartment is mounted to the seal board and a second electrical component in the second compartment is electrically connected to the first electrical component.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter, includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter that receives a sensor signal provided by a sensor that senses a process variable and converts the sensor signal to a digital signal. A processor receives the digital signal and provides a measurement output indicative of the digital signal. A noise detector receives the sensor signal and generates a first value indicative of a number of positive noise events relative to a positive threshold value and a second value indicative of a number of negative noise events relative to a negative threshold value. The processor evaluates the noise count and generates a noise output, indicative of detected noise, based on the first and second values.

Abstract: A sensor assembly with a sensing element sends a sensor signal from the sensing element to attached process transmitter over sensor connection wires. The sensor assembly has memory circuitry for storing information related to the sensor assembly and interface circuitry that provides for digital communication of the stored information with the attached process transmitter. This digital communication is sent over the sensor connection wires.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end. A bore extends between the two ends with the thermowell assembly configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor detects infrared radiation from the distal end through the bore of the thermowell and responsively provides a sensor output. A configuration is provided in which infrared radiation received by the infrared sensor from a wall of the bore is reduced and or radiation received from the distal end of the bore is increased.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter for measuring a temperature in an industrial process includes an infrared detector arranged to receive infrared radiation from a component in the industrial process. A memory contains temperature characterization information which relates the infrared radiation received from the component with an internal temperature of the component. Measurement circuitry is configured to determine the internal temperature of the component based upon the received infrared radiation from the component and the temperature characterization information.

Abstract: An infrared sensor includes a thermopile connected in series with an ambient temperature compensation resistance temperature detector (RTD) and four electrical leads. The thermopile produces a voltage as a function of temperature of a point of interest, while the RTD varies in resistance as a function of ambient temperature. Two of the leads deliver current to energize the RTD. The other two leads are used for sensing voltages produced by the thermopile and the RTD.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a transmitter with measurement circuitry electrically connected to first and second input terminals includes connecting a primary temperature sensor to the first input terminal and connecting a calibrated reference device to the second input terminal. The measurement circuitry is calibrated with respect to the first input terminal according to signals received from the second input terminal while measuring temperature according to signals received from the first input terminal.

Abstract: A thermowell system for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation from the distal end of the thermowell and responsively provide a sensor output. Vibration detector circuitry is coupled to the infrared detector and configured to detect vibration of the thermowell as a function of oscillations in the sensor output.