Convert existing gages, transducers, monitors to wireless

Cypress Envirosystems, a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., has recently released several non-invasive sensing and wireless technologies which can be installed on existing automation devices in retrofit applications. Focused on delivering products designed to save energy, time and money, Cypress Envirosystems says these wireless products do not disrupt processes, can often be installed ...

By Control Engineering Staff April 1, 2009

Cypress Envirosystems’ Wireless Gauge Reader

Cypress Envirosystems, a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., has recently released several non-invasive sensing and wireless technologies which can be installed on existing automation devices in retrofit applications.

Focused on delivering products designed to save energy, time and money, Cypress Envirosystems says these wireless products do not disrupt processes, can often be installed in minutes, and can, in many cases, deliver payback in one year.

A round-up of Cypress Envirosystems products follows:

The patent-pending Wireless Gage Reader (WGR) clips-on to the front face of an existing dial gage to capture and transmit the readings. It is said to install in minutes and does not require removing old gages, breaking pressure seals, performing leak checks, running wires or interrupting the underlying process. Applications include monitoring and reducing energy use of compressed dry air systems, performing low-cost rapid energy audits for steam or chilled water flow, enabling condition-based maintenance for pumps and filters, and monitoring process gas bottles to avoid downtime and reduce consumables use.

The Wireless Transducer Reader (WTR) reads and transmits data from existing standalone transducers with no need to run wires. According to Cypress, its programmable input circuitry can be configured to read most analog transducers in minutes. The reader—which can be used to obtain energy-use characterization and baseline data for audits—comes packaged with clamp-on current meters and ultrasonic flow meters that do no disrupt processes.

The Wireless Steam Trap Monitor (WSTM) mounts non-invasively onto existing steam traps and uses a proven algorithm to detect steam trap failures. An estimated 15%–20% of steam traps are malfunctioning at a given time, and each leaking trap wastes $5,000 or more in energy costs per year. says Cypress. The WSTM augments manual audits to detect failures and avoid wasting resources.

The Wireless Freezer Monitor (WFM) is said to enable near real-time monitoring of critical freezers used in pharmaceutical plants to store and maintain valuable samples. The WFM uses Cypress Envirosystems’ non-invasive clamp-on current sensors and wireless communication to provide predictive maintenance for high and low stage compressor current, door position, and internal freezer temperature.

The patent pending Wireless Battery Monitor (WBM) enables monitoring of battery health for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. It can be mounted on existing batteries and provides internal resistance, temperature and voltage measurements. The WBM can be used to replace manual testing of batteries.

The patent pending Wireless Pneumatic Thermostat (WPT) retrofits existing pneumatic thermostats to deliver Direct Digital Control (DDC) functionality. Compared with a cost of $2,500 or more per zone for implementing DDC systems, Cypress Envirosystems claims the WPT costs 80% less and may be installed in under 20 minutes with minimal disruption. It enables remote temperature sensing and control of setpoints, programmable zone control and night setback, automatic self-calibration, BACnet integration with existing automation systems, and enables use with utility Demand Response programs.

www.cypressenvirosystems.com