Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly is molded with a connector support that extends from an outer side of a sensor housing and supports an electrical connector such that an axis of the electrical connector intersects at a fixed angle less than approximately 90 degrees a line tangential to the outer side from which the molded connector support extends. The orientation of the connector support helps facilitate mounting of the proximity sensor assembly to an actuator housing such that the axis of the electrical connector intersects a center line of the actuator housing at a fixed angle less than approximately 90 degrees and greater than approximately zero degrees. In this manner, two proximity sensor assemblies may be mounted relatively closer to one another at opposite ends of the actuator housing while shielding conductor cables mounted to the proximity sensor assemblies in a corridor or region between the proximity sensor assemblies.

Abstract: A sensor connection apparatus for connecting a plurality of sensors to a process controller having a bus for transferring information, wherein each sensor produces an output corresponding to a sensed condition, includes a respective sensor cable that can be connected at one end to each sensor; a concentrator having each of the sensor cables connected thereto; the concentrator being connected to the bus; the concentrator comprising a circuit for producing for each sensor and associated sensor cable connected thereto a first signal in response to the sensor output and a second signal that corresponds to a sensor cable condition; the circuit further operating to couple the first and second signals for each sensor connected to the concentrator onto the bus for access by the process controller. In one embodiment, the concentrator transmits data to the process controller using a standardized communications protocol, such as CAN, using a microcontroller and transceiver.