Interconnect Body for Pressure Sensor Electrical Contact

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In high-pressure subsea environments, reliable electrical connections to pressure sensors are challenging due to size constraints and exposure to a broad temperature range, leading to connection difficulties and potential failures in industrial process control systems.

Innovation Solution

A process fluid pressure sensor assembly with an interconnect body and wiring harness featuring coaxial cables and secure attachment methods, such as friction fit and high-temperature adhesives, to maintain electrical contact over a wide temperature range and minimize noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical connectors extend from the electronics housing to couple to the pressure sensor at the distal end of the probe, then the pressure sensor can be positioned at the distal end for accurate measurement, but the electrical connection becomes difficult to achieve and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system is divided into separate segments: the interconnect body with electrical connectors remains in the electronics housing, while the pressure sensor stays at the distal end of the probe. This segmentation eliminates the need for long extending connectors, maintaining measurement accuracy while improving connection reliability through localized, secure connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the pressure sensor is positioned at the distal end of the probe, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the electrical connection becomes difficult to achieve and may fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectrical connection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An interconnect body serves as an intermediary component that provides a secure mounting structure for electrical connectors within the electronics housing. This intermediary allows electrical connections to be made easily and reliably without requiring the connectors to extend to the distal end of the probe, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while improving ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical connectors extend from the electronics housing to the distal end probe, then the pressure sensor can be connected, but the connection is prone to failure under high static pressure and temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system uses local quality by concentrating the electrical connection function within the interconnect body in the electronics housing, rather than extending connectors through the entire probe length. This localized approach allows the connection to be protected from high static pressure and temperature variations, improving reliability while maintaining environmental adaptability through proper housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3201591B1Electrical interconnect for pressure sensor in a pressure transmitter
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 ROSEMOUNT INC
  • EP3201591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3201591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3201591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A process fluid pressure sensor assembly (20) includes a pressure sensor (30) configured to sense a pressure of a process fluid. The assembly (20) includes a pressure sensor body (30) formed of an insulating material. The pressure sensor (30) includes a plurality of electrical contact pads (40) which couple to a pressure sensing element of the body of the pressure sensor (30). An interconnect body (50) is configured to fit over an end of the pressure sensor body (30). A plurality of electrical connectors (60) carried in the interconnect body (50) are in electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contact pads (40). A wiring harness (32) attaches to the interconnect body (50) and includes a plurality of wires which are electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connectors (60).