Hinged Instrument Enclosure for Standpipe Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instrument enclosures, both rigid and soft removable types, are inefficient for field instruments mounted on standpipes, requiring extensive customization and resulting in difficulties during installation and replacement, leading to exposure of instruments to ambient conditions and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a field-mounted instrument enclosure system comprising a top and bottom section with hinging and fastening mechanisms, allowing direct attachment to standpipes or brackets, enabling easy access and replacement without removing the instrument from service, and providing a barrier against environmental elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional rigid enclosures are used to protect field instruments, then instruments are protected from environmental elements, but the enclosures require extensive customization and mounting brackets, increasing device complexity and installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a base section that attaches to the standpipe and a removable cover section. This segmentation allows the enclosure to be installed as a complete unit on the standpipe without requiring complex mounting brackets for the instrument itself, while still providing full protection when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base section is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can be mounted directly to standard standpipes without additional brackets. This multi-functional base serves both as the mounting interface and the structural foundation, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft removable covers are used to wrap around mounted instruments, then instruments are protected, but the custom fitted covers are extremely difficult to re-install properly after removal, leading to loss of protective function
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into a fixed base section and a removable cover section. The base remains permanently attached to the standpipe, while the cover can be easily removed and reinstalled. This segmentation eliminates the difficulty of re-installing custom fitted covers by providing a simple snap-fit or latched connection that maintains protective function across multiple removal and installation cycles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If field instruments are enclosed with conventional enclosures, then instruments are protected, but replacement and maintenance require taking the instrument offline and removing it from service, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a fixed base and a removable cover, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly remove the cover to access the instrument for maintenance or replacement without affecting the instrument's mounting on the standpipe. This enables faster service intervals and reduces downtime compared to conventional enclosures that require complete disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The base section is pre-mounted to the standpipe during initial installation, creating a permanent structural foundation. This preliminary action allows the cover to be independently removed and reinstalled without affecting the overall enclosure mounting, streamlining future maintenance operations.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional enclosures are designed with custom templates for each instrument, then precise fit and protection are achieved, but the customization process requires expensive travel and tedious on-site template creation, increasing loss of time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The base section is designed as a universal mounting interface that fits standard standpipes without requiring custom templates. The standardized dimensions and attachment mechanism allow the same base design to be used across multiple installations, eliminating the need for expensive on-site template creation while still providing precise fit and protection through the standardized interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument enclosure includes top and bottom sections, the bottom section having a first part fastened to a second part, and hinges hinging the top and bottom sections to enable the top section to rotate between a close positioned and an open position. When closed, the instrument enclosure defines an enclosed space suitable for receiving a field instrument. The bottom section may be fastened to a standpipe or to a bracket fastened to the standpipe. The bottom section may define an opening configured to receive the standpipe and/or an opening to receive process line tubing carrying process line signals to the field instrument. The field instrument may be affixed to an end portion of the standpipe received in the enclosed space, removably attached to an interior of the instrument enclosure, or affixed to a mounting plate attached to the standing pipe.