Patent ID: 9674976
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: H05K

Claim:
1. A wireless process communication adapter for field devices, the adapter comprising: a metal housing having a first end and a second end and defining a chamber therebetween, the first end having an RF transparent radome coupled thereto, the second end having a field device coupling configured to attach to a field device; at least one circuit board disposed within the chamber, the circuit board supporting at least wireless process communication circuitry; a plurality of wires coupled to the at least one circuit board and extending through the field device coupling; a potting filling substantially all volume within the chamber not occupied by the at least one circuit board and wireless process communication circuitry; a compressible layer separating at least one electrical component of the at least one circuit board from the potting, the compressible layer operable to prevent the potting from crushing the component due to thermal expansion of the potting; and a release layer adhered to the metal housing, the release layer configured to promote adhesion of the potting to the at least one circuit board during repeated thermal cycling and creating a gap between the potting material and the metal housing at low temperatures; wherein the potting comprises silicone potting which has a greater adhesion to the at least one circuit board than to the release layer; whereby, during thermal contraction of the potting, the potting separates from the release layer while adhering to the at least one circuit board.