Explosion-Proof Signal Concentrator Layout for Hazardous Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Concentrators used in hazardous locations are not C1D1 or C1D2 rated, limiting their placement to non-hazardous areas within their transmission range, preventing potential installations in hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
A remote monitoring system with a C1D1 certified signal concentrator housed in a NEMA 7 enclosure, connected to remote transmitters via explosion-proof antenna barriers, allowing data transmission from hazardous to non-hazardous areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Concentrators are placed in hazardous areas to enable direct data collection, then data collection capability is improved, but safety compliance deteriorates because current Concentrators are not C1D1 or C1D2 rated
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the Concentrator into two separate components: a C1D1-rated enclosure housing the electronics and a separate antenna. This segmentation allows the main unit to be placed in hazardous areas while maintaining safety compliance, and the antenna can be positioned in safe areas for data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary antenna system is introduced between the Concentrator and the cloud service. The antenna acts as a mediator that can be positioned in non-hazardous areas while receiving signals from the C1D1-rated Concentrator in hazardous locations, enabling data transmission without compromising safety.
2Reliability
If Concentrators are placed in non-hazardous areas to maintain safety compliance, then safety compliance is maintained, but installation flexibility deteriorates due to limited transmission range
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends the operational range beyond traditional limitations by using an external antenna that can be positioned in non-hazardous areas. This dimensional separation allows the Concentrator to be placed in hazardous areas while the antenna operates in safe zones, effectively removing the transmission range constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The C1D1-rated enclosure serves multiple functions: it houses the Concentrator electronics, provides explosion-proof protection, and enables placement in hazardous areas. This multi-functionality increases installation flexibility while maintaining safety compliance.
3Productivity
If proprietary devices and communication protocols are used for remote monitoring, then data transmission capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a standardized antenna interface that can work with various communication protocols. By copying the same physical layer interface while allowing different protocol implementations, the system reduces complexity while maintaining data transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote monitoring system for hazardous locations, including one or more remote transmitters, a signal concentrator, wherein the signal concentrator is configured to communicate with the one or more remote transmitters, an antenna wherein the antennas is configured to communicate with the signal concentrator and also to communicate with the cloud, and a sealed, explosion proof enclosure comprising one or more antenna barriers each with one terminal accessible from the inside of the sealed, explosion proof enclosure and the other terminal accessible from the outside of the sealed, explosion proof enclosure.