Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electrical power distribution systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-06
2004-06-22
Datskovskiy, Michael (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electrical power distribution systems and devices
C361S663000, C361S666000, C439S498000, C439S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06754067
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to instrument assembly systems, housings and methods of mounting instrument assemblies, and, more particularly, to instrument assembly systems, housings and methods of mounting instrument assemblies in explosion-proof housings wherein alignment of the instrument assembly is facilitated.
Instrument assemblies (for example, sensor assemblies) are typically retained in housings (explosion-proof housings in certain environments) using mechanical hardware requiring the use of special tools for installation/removal such as, but not limited to, standoffs, nuts, retaining rings, etc. Moreover, the installer must visually align or orient the instrument assembly in the housing before it can be secured using such tools.
Alignment and mounting of many instrument assemblies is very difficult under the best of condition. Moreover, instrument housings are often placed in positions that can restrict access. Further, many instrument housings are located in industrial environments, many of which are hazardous, and the instrument assemblies therein must be connected/disconnected by industrial workers who may be wearing personal protective clothing such as gloves. Such personal protective clothing can be cumbersome, further increasing the difficulty in aligning and mounting such instrument assemblies, particularly where tooling is required and/or the instrument assembly is relatively small in size.
It is, therefore, desirable to develop instrument assembly systems, housings and methods of mounting instrument assemblies that reduce or eliminate the above and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention provides an instrument system including an instrument assembly having at least one fitting projecting therefrom. The instrument system further includes at least a first housing member including at least one alignment member located therein.
In one embodiment, the alignment member comprises at least one surface which slopes toward at least one seating adapted to seat the at least one fitting of the instrument assembly. In another embodiment, he instrument system further comprises a second housing member which forms an explosion-proof enclosure with the first housing member to enclose the instrument assembly. The second housing member preferably forms an explosion-proof enclosure with the first housing member via cooperating threading. Explosion proof/flame proof enclosures are generally designed with enough strength to withstand an internal explosion while guarding the external atmosphere from the ignition source. The first housing member and the second housing member can, for example, be fabricated from stainless steel. The instrument assembly can, for example, include electrical components for a combustible gas sensor.
The instrument fitting and the seating can, for example, form a friction fit therebetween to mount the instrument assembly to the first housing member, preferably without the use of tools. The instrument assembly preferably also comprises a handle to remove the instrument assembly from connection with the first housing member, preferably without the use of tools.
In one embodiment, the alignment member preferably comprises a plurality of surfaces which slope toward a plurality of seatings. The instrument assembly preferably comprises a plurality of fittings projecting therefrom. In one embodiment, the alignment member is annular in shape and has a first sloped surface and a second, oppositely sloped surface that connect to a generally circular channel. A plurality of seatings are preferably positioned along the channel.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of mounting an instrument assembly to a first housing member including the steps of: moving the instrument assembly toward the first housing member; guiding a fitting on the instrument assembly toward a seating in the first housing member by contacting the fitting with a surface of a guide on the first housing member; and inserting the fitting in the seating. The method can also include the step of connecting a second housing member to the first housing member to enclose the instrument assembly within an explosion-proof enclosure.
As described above, the fitting and the seating preferably form a friction fit therebetween to mount the instrument assembly to the first housing member, preferably without the use of tools. Likewise, the instrument assembly further comprises a handle to remove the instrument assembly from connection with the first housing member, preferably without the use of tools.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3800268 (1974-03-01), Bruckner et al.
patent: 3808577 (1974-04-01), Mathauser
patent: 4129896 (1978-12-01), Young
patent: 5391091 (1995-02-01), Nations
patent: 6165009 (2000-12-01), Anbo et al.
patent: 6520798 (2003-02-01), Robinson et al.
Starta Christopher D.
Turner Scott A.
Bartony, Jr. Henry E.
Datskovskiy Michael
Mine Safety Appliances Company
Uber James G.
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