Probe for phase change detection

A technology for detecting containers and media, which is applied in the field of probes for detecting phase changes in containers, and can solve problems such as sensor intrusion, complicated cost, and sensor failure to piggage

Pending Publication Date: 2022-03-11
ENDRESSHAUSER CONDUCTA GMBHCO
0 Cites 0 Cited by

AI-Extracted Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this approach proved to be too complex and costly
Another disadvantage of these sensors is that these sensors pro...
View more

Abstract

The invention relates to a probe for phase change detection. A probe for detecting a change in a medium in a container, the probe comprising: a process connection for connecting the probe to the container wherein the process connection is part of a housing, in particular an integral part of the housing; the invention relates to a microwave device comprising a housing comprising at least one microwave chip for generating microwaves and connected to at least one antenna, where the antenna emits and receives the microwaves in the direction of a medium; an interface for connecting the probe to a superordinate unit; and a data processing unit, which is designed to receive data, in particular measurement data, from a superordinate unit via the interface, and which is designed to transmit the data to the superordinate unit in order to activate the microwave chip and to process a signal dependent on the received microwaves.

Application Domain

Material analysis using microwave meansLevel indicators

Technology Topic

Microwave chipsData processing +2

Image

  • Probe for phase change detection
  • Probe for phase change detection
  • Probe for phase change detection

Examples

  • Experimental program(1)

Example Embodiment

[0027] The probe as claimed in its entirety by reference numeral 1 denotes, and figure 1 Down.
[0028] 1 is proposed, which is hermetically sealed probe design phase boundary a sanitary hermetically sealed microwave detected by the probe during various industrial liquid medium. "Airtight" in this context is understood to mean a fluid medium to be measured, such as air or dust can not penetrate from the outside. It does not include any electrical feedthrough.
[0029] Probe 1 in the frequency range of 100 to 10000MHz operation, but is preferably operated in the range of 500 to 3000MHz. At least one operation of the probe frequency.
[0030] In one embodiment, not only the use of a measurement frequency, but switching takes place between several fixed frequencies, or to measure the frequency continuously changes within a limited range. Thus, since the volume of the analysis penetration depth or a range of different available, in addition to the detection medium interchange phase boundaries (see below), can also be detected in the homogeneity of the medium 12 is measured. Furthermore, these different frequencies can be used to identify different media optimization.
[0031] In one embodiment, additional measurements performed in a short range, wherein, in addition to the dielectric properties of the medium 12, but also detects the conductivity of the medium 12.
[0032] By measuring probe 1 with another method (e.g., another sensor) in combination, for example, a conductivity sensor in which in a case where the surface near the measuring probe, two different signals may be associated, to thereby obtain additional information about the homogeneity of the medium. For example, it can thus be monitored in a homogeneous distribution of fragments in the medium, such as a yogurt pineapple distribution sheet. I.e., by changing the parameters of the microwave frequency or amplitude, it may affect the depth of penetration into the medium.
[0033] However, in the first embodiment of non-invasive contact with the media, the probe 1 is provided with a process connection 2, for example, clamp connection member.
[0034] Thus, the probe member 2 comprises a connection process, the process for connecting the probe member 2 is connected to the container 1 11, wherein the process connection part 2 of the housing 5 is, in particular, is an integral part of the housing 5. Container 11, for example, pipes, pipe sections, such as a beaker. At least one microwave chip 5 comprises a housing 13 for generating microwaves, said at least one microwave chip 13 is connected to the at least one antenna 3, wherein the antenna 3 in the direction of medium 12 transmitting and receiving microwave. At the other end of the antenna 3, the probe 1 comprises an interface 14, the interface 14 is connected to the probe 1 for the upper unit 15, such as measuring transducer. Probe 19 includes a microcontroller, such as a data processing unit, the data processing unit is designed in particular measured data from the upper unit 15 receives data via the interface 14, and the data processing unit is designed to transmit data to the upper unit 15 to activate the microwave chip 13, and the processing depending on the received microwave signal. The data processing unit 9 may be derived based on a signal depending on the phase boundary and phase change of the received microwave.
[0035] The process connection is made of a conductive material such as metal, or at least towards the interior of the housing comprises a conductive layer 2. The process connection of the probe 1 will be located in the shield, for example, on the printed circuit board 7 connected to the metallic conduit 8, and thereby the resonator space 10 is formed. 8 is also electrically conductive layer shielding member. The space 10 whereby the shield member 8, and the process of connecting member 2 by the container 11 is partially formed. Geometry and the dielectric material 12 to be measured or medium 12, 12 'adapted together, so that the space 10 due to resonance.
[0036] On the side of the medium, the probe diaphragm non-metallic material (e.g., PEEK) 4 made definition. The separator 4 is tightly connected to the process and the adapter 10 is located within the resonator space. In the space between the inner housing of the resonator shield 8 and the diaphragm 410 of the antenna 3, as for example strip conductors, for example, mounted on the printed circuit board 7. In the space between the interior of the resonator shield 8 and the diaphragm 410, the temperature sensor 6, for example, mounted to a printed circuit board 7. The antenna 3 and 6, for example, a temperature sensor 10 via an external printed circuit board plated through hole 7 and the resonator space data processing unit 9 (including microwave chip 13) electrically in contact.
[0037] By different from the first medium 12 second medium 12 'is introduced into the pipe, and thereby is introduced into the resonator, the resonance frequency and resonance bandwidth changes due to changes in dielectric properties. Resonance curve associated with correlation measurements associated material may be the width, amplitude, slope or edge of the frequency shift. In one embodiment, this change is determined by detecting the complex reflection parameters S11. For this purpose, the component must be propagated through the wave having directivity to the measurement object and return waves separated from each other. In one embodiment, for example, determining the phase of the reflected parameters. This Figure 5 Arbitrary units to S11 shown parameters, these parameters are plotted over time.
[0038] Instead of or in addition to the analysis of the complex reflection factor S11 can also measure other scattering parameters S21, S12 and / or S22. Instead of or in addition to measuring the phase of the scattering factor, you can also measure the amplitude of the scattering factor.
[0039] Probe 1 comprises an inductive transmission of energy and data interface 14. The probe cable 16 is connected to a measuring transducer, i.e., the upper unit 15. This Figure 4 Down. The transmitting and receiving data in digital form.
[0040] Instead of inductive interfaces and a measuring transducer connected to the digital cable, the probe 1 in one embodiment is a compact apparatus, which apparatus comprises a compact integrated operation panel, the analog power output and display options.
[0041] Instead of inductive interfaces and a measuring transducer connected to the digital cable, the probe 1 in a fixed cable connection with this embodiment comprises a digital transmission embodiment.
[0042]Instead of only one antenna 3, multiple antennas can be provided, the shape of these antennas (antenna geometry) is different, and thus allow measuring in different planes (for near-field measurement, for far field measurement Antenna appliance).
[0043] The probe 1 may not be equipped with a temperature sensor. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor 6 is located on the side of the resonator such as the printed circuit board 7, see figure 1 This temperature sensor is used for temperature compensation of the medium 12. It is also contemplated that there is an additional temperature sensor, for example, on one side of the printed circuit board has an additional temperature sensor, which is attached to compensates for ambient temperature.
[0044] Instead of design as a strip conductor, antenna 3 and a temperature sensor 6 can also be welded to a resonator of the printed circuit board as a wired component.
[0045] Instead of the clamp connector, in various diameters of the container 11, any other process connectors used in the industry, such as a sanitary coupling threaded joint, aseptic threaded joint, ISO 2852 clamp, SMS threaded joint , Varivent N or Neumo BioControl, etc. In particular, the above variations including the resonator space 10 are independent of the pipe diameter.
[0046] In one embodiment, the probe 1 is fixedly attached to the tube segment using the flange connector. In this sense, probes 1 can be provided for different pipe diameters.
[0047] In one embodiment, the process connector 2 is a metallized electrically conductive plastic process connector.
[0048] In one embodiment, the diaphragm 4 is made of non-metallic such as plastic, ceramic or glass.
[0049] replace figure 1 The resonator measured is measured, and any other type of microwave measurement system is also envisioned.
[0050] figure 2 The reflection measurement (left) and transmissive measurement (right) performed by the antenna 3 as the contact sensor 17 or two contact sensor 17 are shown by the non-metal pipe section 11 (by the corresponding antennas 3, 3 ') are shown. The emission wave is referred to by reference numeral 18, and the received wave is referred to by reference numeral 19.
[0051] image 3 The reflection measurement (top) and transmission measurement (bottom) are shown by the free antenna 3 or two free antennas 3, 3 'at the open dielectric beam 12. One of the possible applications here is a fill process.
[0052] In some branches of the industry, the so-called cleanster is used to clean the pipe. This cleaning tank is made of plastic (having a dielectric constant of about 2 to 5) or metal / plastic, and thus can be readily detected. These tanks can be detected by the probe 1.
[0053] In order to optimize the energy requirements of the probe 1, the discontinuous mode of operation with the largest sequence, multi-tone or burst measurement is possible.

PUM

no PUM

Description & Claims & Application Information

We can also present the details of the Description, Claims and Application information to help users get a comprehensive understanding of the technical details of the patent, such as background art, summary of invention, brief description of drawings, description of embodiments, and other original content. On the other hand, users can also determine the specific scope of protection of the technology through the list of claims; as well as understand the changes in the life cycle of the technology with the presentation of the patent timeline. Login to view more.
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products