BACKGROUND

Process fluid pressure transmitters are commonly used in industrial processes to measure and monitor pressures of various industrial process fluids, such as slurries, liquids, vapors and gases of chemical, pulp, petroleum, gas, pharmaceuticals, food and other fluid-type processing plants.

Gage pressure sensors generally include a process fluid pressure input which is operably coupled to a pressure sensor within the transmitter. An atmospheric vent line is coupled to the pressure sensor, such that the differential pressure sensor readout is the difference between the process fluid pressure and atmospheric pressure.

In some sanitary measurement applications, the outside of the process fluid pressure transmitter is exposed to a variety of food products and/or chemicals. These devices are generally cleaned using caustic solutions, scrub brushes, and high pressure sprayers. Thus, the design of process fluid pressure transmitters for use in sanitary insulations must ensure that the transmitter will withstand the various caustic chemicals and other substances to which it will be exposed, as well as the high pressure spray used to clean it. Moreover, the thermal shock of the spray itself must also be well tolerated.

SUMMARY

A process fluid pressure transmitter for measuring a process pressure referenced to atmospheric pressure is provided. The process fluid pressure transmitter includes a pressure sensor fluidically coupled to a pair of pressure conveying conduits. The pressure sensor has an electrical characteristic that varies with the pressures applied by the pressure conveying conduits. A process fluid inlet is disposed to contact a process fluid, and is in fluidic communication with a first conduit of the pair of pressure conveying conduits. An atmospheric vent is coupled to a second conduit of the pair of pressure conveying conduits. The atmospheric vent is replaceable and has a filter element disposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of a process fluid gage pressure transmitter employing a PTFE atmospheric vent filter in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of a process fluid gage pressure transmitter employing a replaceable PTFE filter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional diagram of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevation cross-sectional and perspective cross-sectional views, respectively, of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevation and perspective views, respectively, of the replaceable atmospheric vent filter illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Process fluid pressure measurement transmitters that require an atmospheric pressure measurement must have a filter system between the sensor and the outside atmosphere that prevents contaminants from either plugging the measurement passageway or reaching the pressure sensor. In sanitary measurement applications, the outside of the transmitter is exposed to various substances, such as food products, chemicals, and cleaners. In such situations, the filter element needs to be protected from contact and must be able to handle the high pressure cleanings and scrubbings. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a replaceable atmospheric vent filter is provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a sanitary process fluid pressure transmitter in accordance with the prior art. Transmitter 10 includes a base 12 which is mounted, or otherwise affixed to a process fluid container, such as a pipe or tank. Process fluid pressure acts against isolator diaphragm 14 and causes movement of isolator diaphragm 14 which, in turn, creates a corresponding pressure within sensing passageway 16. Passageway 16 conveys the process fluid pressure to pressures sensor 18. Pressure sensor 18 has an electrical property, such as capacitance or resistance that varies in response to the deflection of a small sensing diaphragm therein. An opposite side of the sensing diaphragm is coupled to atmospheric pressure via vent passageway 20. As vent passageway couples to the ambient environment, a PTFE filter 22 is permanently affixed within base 12. One problem with the design illustrated in FIG. 1 is that if the filter 22 becomes clogged, or otherwise damaged, the entire process fluid pressure transmitter must be taken offline and repaired.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway diagram of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter 134 coupled to a process fluid pressure transmitter 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Many aspects of the process fluid pressure transmitter illustrated in FIG. 2 are similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, and like components are numbered similarly. Transmitter 100 includes an isolator diaphragm 114 that is configured to contact process fluid and deflect in such way as to convey process fluid pressure through measurement passageway 116 to pressure sensor 118. A second conduit 120 conveys atmospheric pressure to pressure sensor 118 such that the electrical indication provided by pressure sensor 118 is gage pressure of the process fluid. As illustrated in FIG. 2, electronics compartment 130 of transmitter 100 includes an internally threaded bore 132 that receives replaceable filter 134. Additionally, electronics compartment housing 130 includes an annular recess 136 within which an o-ring is placed such that housing 130 sealingly couples to base 112. Thus, the only path for atmospheric pressure to reach sensor 118 is through replaceable filter 134. Additionally, the provision of a seal with annular recess 136 helps reduce the amount of caustic chemicals or cleaning solution that can be potentially trapped within transmitter 100.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of replaceable atmospheric vent filter 134 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Filter 134 is actually an assembly of four distinct elements. Specifically, filter 134 includes filter body 136, o-ring or elastomeric seal 138, filter element 140, and filter retainer 143.

Filter body 136 preferably includes an externally threaded region 139 that is configured to be threadably received within internally threaded bore 132 of the transmitter electronics housing 130. Filter body 136 also includes a non-threaded region 140 that is sized to receive and maintain o-ring 138. Filter body 136 also includes a head 142 having a substantially flat surface 144 disposed to contact and bear against o-ring 138. Additionally, head 142 preferably also includes a slightly domed cap 146 (shown in FIG. 4). Filter body 136 is preferably configured to be engaged by a wrench or other suitable tool to be rotated or otherwise torqued into position within housing 130. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, this adaptation is in the form of a plurality of wrench flats 148, 150 disposed on opposite edges of a lateral sidewall of head 142. Head 142 also includes at least one vent passageway aperture that is in fluidic communication with the ambient environment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of passageways 152, 154 are illustrated emerging from a lateral sidewall of head 142. However, this is merely a preferred embodiment, and other arrangements are contemplated. Filter body 136 has an axial bore 156 that is in fluidic communication with atmospheric vent passageways 152, 154, and that is sized to receive filter element 140. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the filter element 140 is preferably urged into contact with a support rib or beam 155 located within head 142. Filter element 140 can be any suitable element, but is preferably an element formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Filter retainer 143 includes an axial bore 158 that is in fluidic communication with atmospheric vent passageway 120, and in fluidic communication with filter element 140. Filter retainer 158 includes head 160 that engages surface 162 of filter body 136. Filter retainer 158 includes a cylindrical pusher 162 that is sized to pass within axial bore 156 of filter body 136. Pusher 162 acts against surface 164 of filter element 140 to push element 140 into contact with rib or support 155. Thus, pusher 162 can be used to essentially bear against surface 164 to such an extent that filter element 140 is compressed in its retained state. Filter retainer 143 includes a pair of locks or latches 166, 168 which each have a tab or bump 170 that is received by a cooperative recess within filter body 136. Filter body 136 will flex, or otherwise deform, as filter retainer 143 is inserted until locks 166, 168 slide into their fully-inserted position.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of replaceable atmospheric filter 134 in a fully assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Filter retainer 143 is inserted into bore 156 to such an extent that head 160 bears against surface 156. Filter element 140 is compressed within axial bore 156 against support 155. Thus, air entering passageway 158 may pass through filter element 140 and out through passageways 152, 154, and vice versa. Thus, the atmospheric pressure is passed onto atmospheric measurement passageway 120, but particulate matter, and other debris is safely kept out of passageway 120.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation view, respectfully, of the assembled configuration illustrated in cross section in FIG. 4. Notably, FIG. 5 illustrates passageway 152, 154 as well as the cooperative slots 170 in filter body 142 that receive locks or latches 166, 168 of retainer 143.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevation cross-sectional and perspective cross-sectional views, respectively, of a replaceable atmospheric vent filter in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Filter body 200 cooperates with filter retainer 202 to maintain filter 140 therein. Unlike the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 2-5, filter retainer 202 is simply affixed to end 204 of filter body, preferably using ultrasonic welding. However, any suitable fastening technique can be used. Another difference between the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 is that a single vent passageway 206 is provided. This is accomplished by providing a shoulder 208 in filter body 200 that has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of filter 140. Thus, an end of filter 140 bears against shoulder 208 when filter 140 is maintained therein.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevation and perspective views, respectively, of the replaceable atmospheric vent filter illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 8 and 9 show additional wrench flats in the form of a traditional hex head 210 that facilitates removal with a wrench or other suitable tool. Additionally, a label or other suitable indicia can be provided.

It is believed that embodiments of the present invention will provide a small, compact design that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to replace. Moreover, the replaceable atmospheric pressure vent can withstand high pressure cleaning, caustic solutions, and scrubbing. Embodiments of the present invention generally minimize water pressure on filter element 140 during cleaning, and it is noted that the filter element is protected from direct contact and is compressed and retained within bore 156. As illustrated in FIG. 3, it is preferred that filter retainer 143 simply snap into corresponding slots 170 to allow for a quick and easy assembly.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.