Instrument Enclosure Hinge and Fastener Design for Standpipe Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instrument enclosures, whether rigid or soft removable covers, face challenges in efficiently protecting field instruments from ambient conditions and are often difficult to re-install properly after maintenance, leading to exposure of instruments to environmental elements.
Innovation Solution
The disclosed instrument enclosures allow for direct mounting to a standpipe or supporting structure, providing a barrier against environmental elements through a top and bottom section configuration with hinges and fasteners, enabling easy replacement and access to the field instrument without requiring extensive customization or offline removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional rigid enclosures are used to protect field instruments, then the instrument is protected from environmental elements, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple mounting brackets and custom templates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a reusable rigid enclosure body and a separate soft removable cover. The rigid enclosure provides permanent structural protection and mounting interface, while the soft cover can be independently removed and reinstalled without affecting the rigid structure. This segmentation allows the complex rigid enclosure to be simplified for installation while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid enclosure is pre-assembled with mounting brackets and opening mechanisms before field installation. The soft cover is pre-configured with replacement mechanisms. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations and reduces installation time while maintaining environmental protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If soft removable covers with custom templates are used, then the enclosure can be customized to fit specific instruments, but the re-installation process becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure system is segmented into a permanent rigid enclosure and a removable soft cover. The soft cover can be independently removed and reinstalled without affecting the rigid enclosure structure. This segmentation maintains customization capability while simplifying re-installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft cover incorporates self-aligning and self-securing mechanisms that enable straightforward re-installation without requiring custom templates or specialized installation procedures. The design allows the cover to automatically position itself and secure to the rigid enclosure, making maintenance operations easier.
3Ease of operation
If field instruments are mounted directly to standpipes without enclosures, then installation is simplified, but the instruments are exposed to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rigid enclosure structure with the soft removable cover into a unified protection system. The rigid enclosure provides the mounting interface and structural protection, while the soft cover adds environmental shielding. This combination maintains installation simplicity while providing comprehensive environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid enclosure is pre-assembled with mounting brackets and opening mechanisms before field installation. This preliminary preparation allows the enclosure to be quickly installed over the field instrument without complex on-site assembly operations, while providing immediate environmental protection.
4Reliability
If conventional enclosures require complete removal of the instrument for replacement, then the enclosure can be properly replaced, but the instrument must be taken offline and replacement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into a reusable rigid enclosure body and a separate soft removable cover. The soft cover can be independently removed and reinstalled without affecting the rigid enclosure structure. This segmentation allows the soft cover to be replaced without taking the instrument offline, maintaining enclosure integrity while reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid enclosure is pre-assembled with mounting brackets and opening mechanisms before field installation. The soft cover is pre-configured with replacement mechanisms. This preliminary preparation enables quick replacement of the soft cover without requiring instrument removal or offline time, while ensuring proper enclosure integrity.
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.