Wireless instrument area network node with internal force sensor

Abstract

A wireless instrumentation local area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect a force provided by a user on the node and initiate node operation, such as waking the node from a sleep state or a low power mode to a more power consuming wake-up and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, screens, etc. on the surface of the node that may cause fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances to intrude into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch having sufficient sensitivity to detect even very little deflection caused by, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor having a similar high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be deployed at different angles from each other in order to provide greater directional coverage for deflection.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 944,780, filed December 6, 2019, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 16 / 705,843, filed December 6, 2019, which claims 2018 The benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 776,284, filed December 6, 1999, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to industrial equipment and, more particularly, to systems and methods related to automatically collecting and analyzing data from industrial equipment. Background technique [0004] As is well known, industrial operations often include multiple pieces of industrial equipment. Industrial equipment can come in many forms and can be of varying complexity depending, for example, on the operation of the industry. Additionally, in some cases, industrial equipment may...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Combined cost of sensors and backhaul makes deployment decisions difficult

For example, a well operator might like having sensors report to a base station and collect locally since it only requires a one-time capital expense outlay, but they might not like any technology needed to get the data back to them centrally monthly operating expenses of

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