Patent ID: 6397322
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G05B,H02H,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
An integrated module to be used in conjunction with a field device in an intrinsically safe environment having a safe side and a hazardous side, wherein the field device is located on the hazardous side while the integrated module is located on the safe side, said module comprising:a first intrinsically safe barrier; a signal processor having a plurality of I/O connectors for conveying signals to or from the field device through the first intrinsically safe barrier; a second intrinsically safe barrier; a power supply to provide electrical power to the field device through the second intrinsically safe barrier and the first intrinsically safe barrier; and a control circuit operatively connected to the signal processor and the power supply, wherein the signal processor has electrical characteristics necessary for processing said signals, and the power supply has a plurality of power settings, and wherein the control circuit can be used to change the electrical characteristics of the signal processor and to select the power setting of the power supply to meet operating current/voltage requirements of the field device.