Positioning device of clamping type ultrasonic measuring equipment, clamping type ultrasonic transducer, clamping type ultrasonic measuring equipment and tool bracket

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning device (1) for a clamping-type ultrasonic measuring device (10) for positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer (20) or tool (60) on a medium delivery line (50), said positioning device (1) comprising: at least one pair of fastening rails (11) for fastening the at least one ultrasonic transducer (20) or tool (60) on the medium delivery line (50); a fastening track designed to position and fasten at least one of the at least one ultrasonic transducer or to position and fasten a tool for treating an outer surface (52) of the pipeline wherein the fastening track is designed to be aligned parallel to an axis (51) of the pipeline; at least one pair of support means (12) designed to support at least one pair of fastening rails (11), respectively, where the fastening rails have a minimum distance from the outer surface of the pipeline, where the minimum distance is designed to provide a junction (13) between the fastening rails and the pipeline; a gripping device (14) for each of the pair of support devices; wherein each support device comprises at least one pair of contact surfaces (12.1), and wherein the contact surfaces of each pair of contact surfaces lie in a cross-sectional plane (53) of the pipeline when the support device is positioned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning device for a clamping ultrasonic measuring device for positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer or tool on a medium conveying pipeline, an ultrasonic transducer that can be used on the positioning device, a tool carrier that can be used on the positioning device, and such a clamping ultrasonic measuring device. Background Art

[0002] A clamping ultrasonic measuring device such as that shown in DE102016119910A1 has an ultrasonic transducer attached to the outside of a medium conveying pipeline. Generally, a fixing strap or fixing hoop is used to fix such an ultrasonic transducer. However, with traditional solutions, the pressing force is not high enough for good ultrasonic signal coupling between the ultrasonic transducer and the pipeline, or the positioning accuracy of the ultrasonic transducer is not good enough, making it very difficult to achieve the theoretically achievable measurement quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to better utilize the measurement potential of the clamping ultrasonic measuring device.

[0004] The object is achieved by the positioning device according to claim 1, by the tool carrier according to independent claim 10, by the clamping ultrasonic transducer according to independent claim 12, and by the clamping ultrasonic measuring device according to independent claim 15.

[0005] The positioning device of the clamping ultrasonic measuring device according to the present invention, which is used to position at least one ultrasonic transducer or tool on a medium conveying pipeline having a pipeline axis, includes: At least one pair of fastening tracks, which are designed to position and fasten at least one of the at least one ultrasonic transducer or a tool for processing the outer surface of the pipeline, wherein the fastening tracks are designed to be aligned parallel to the pipeline axis, and each pair of fastening tracks defines a track plane; At least one pair of supporting devices, which are designed to respectively support at least one pair of fastening tracks, wherein the fastening tracks are at a certain distance from the outer surface of the pipeline, and the distance is designed to provide a joint between the fastening tracks and the pipeline; A clamping device for each supporting device in a pair of supporting devices, which is designed to press at least one of the supporting devices in the at least one pair of supporting devices against the outer surface of the pipeline; Wherein, each support device includes at least a pair of contact surfaces, and when the support device is positioned, the contact surfaces of each pair of contact surfaces are located in the cross-sectional plane of the pipeline.

[0006] In this way, the fastening tracks can be precisely aligned and each provide a joint for the ultrasonic transducer, such that it can be safely and precisely moved and positioned along the tracks.

[0007] This means that, for example, the ultrasonic transducer can be positioned at a point on the pipeline wall and pressed against the pipeline wall without inclination, and the pipeline wall has been machined by a tool previously.

[0008] The ultrasonic measuring device can be, for example, a measuring device for measuring the sound velocity or damping of a medium. A single ultrasonic transducer may already be sufficient for this purpose. However, it can also be a flowmeter. In this case, usually one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers are used to implement the transit time or transit time difference measurement principle.

[0009] This distance is, for example, at least 2 millimeters and preferably at least 5 millimeters.

[0010] In one embodiment, each clamping device is designed to generate a pressing force of at least 500 Newtons, particularly at least 800 Newtons, preferably at least 1000 Newtons.

[0011] In this way, the at least one ultrasonic transducer can be fastened with a high pressing force.

[0012] In one embodiment, the clamping device has a compensation device which is designed to at least partially compensate for the change in the pipeline size caused by temperature fluctuations.

[0013] In this way, the clamping force of the clamping device can be kept substantially constant or at least high enough to firmly hold the ultrasonic transducer. This promotes the long-term stability of the ultrasonic transducer positioning.

[0014] In one embodiment, the clamping device has at least one clamping element, such as a belt, a chain or a strap, and the at least one clamping element is designed to act on a mating device so as to establish a pressing force.

[0015] The mating device can be, for example, the pipeline or the clamping device which is located on the opposite side of the pipeline.

[0016] In one embodiment, the clamping element is designed to surround the pipeline and be fastened to the support device and press at least one of the support devices in the support device against the outer surface of the pipeline.

[0017] In one embodiment, the positioning device has two pairs of fastening tracks arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline, wherein the positioning device includes two pairs of support devices, and in each case, each pair of support devices is designed to support a pair of fastening tracks, wherein, in each case, the clamping device is designed to clamp two support devices in different pairs of support devices against each other.

[0018] In one embodiment, each support device has at least one rotatable moving element, wherein when the support device is positioned, the rotation axis of each rotating element extends parallel to the pipeline axis, and wherein the clamping element is mounted on the at least one rotatable moving element.

[0019] In this way, the asymmetry of the clamping force of the clamping element can be compensated.

[0020] In one embodiment, both the fastening track and the support device are made of a metal such as steel or especially stainless steel.

[0021] A tool carrier of a tool for processing the outer wall of a pipeline according to the present invention, the tool carrier being designed to be mounted on a pair of fastening tracks of a positioning device according to the present invention, wherein the tool carrier has at least three positioning supports, especially roller bearings or sliding bearings, wherein at least one positioning support of the positioning supports is assigned to each fastening track, and wherein the positioning supports define a first support plane, wherein the tool carrier has tool mounting means for mounting the tool.

[0022] With the tool carrier according to the present invention, a milling machine can be used, for example, to smooth the outer surface of the pipeline. Since the fastening track defines the position of the tool carrier and the ultrasonic transducer along the pipeline axis, the clamped ultrasonic transducer can be accurately and non-inclinedly positioned on the processed outer surface after the outer surface has been processed.

[0023] In one embodiment, the tool carrier has at least one safety support, especially a roller bearing or a sliding bearing, the at least one safety support being arranged in a second support plane perpendicular to the first support plane and parallel to the fastening track, and especially at a distance of at least 5 mm from the first support plane, wherein the at least one safety support can be firmly and durably positioned on one of the fastening tracks.

[0024] In this way, considering the vertical alignment of the orbital plane and the horizontal alignment of the fastening track, slippage of the tool carriage can be prevented. Since the safety support is arranged at a 90° angle to the positioning support, the safety support provides support for the associated fastening track. Thus, it can be suspended on the track and supported by another track to prevent lateral tipping.

[0025] A clamping ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention, which is designed for a positioning device according to the present invention, the clamping ultrasonic transducer comprising: A transducer element for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; A coupling body for transmitting ultrasonic signals between the pipeline and the transducer element; An ultrasonic transducer mounting device for mounting on the positioning device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer mounting device has engaging means for each fastening track, by means of which the clamping ultrasonic transducer can be displaced parallel to the fastening track and can be fixedly mounted perpendicular to the orbital plane.

[0027] In one embodiment, the engaging means each have a recess which is designed to receive the particular fastening track and partially surround it along the periphery of the fastening track; wherein the recesses are spatially oriented in the same direction.

[0028] A clamping ultrasonic flowmeter according to the present invention comprises: A positioning device according to the present invention as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; At least one ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention, in particular at least a pair of ultrasonic transducers, wherein each ultrasonic transducer has an ultrasonic transducer mounting device for mounting on the positioning device; An electronic measurement / operation circuit for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for evaluating the measurement signals of the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing a measured value of at least one measurement variable, such as the flow velocity or the speed of sound of the medium flowing through the pipeline. Description of the Drawings

[0029] The present invention will be described below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1a ) is a perspective view of an exemplary clamping ultrasonic measuring device according to the present invention having an exemplary positioning device according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 1b ) shows another embodiment of an exemplary clamping ultrasonic measuring device according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2a is a perspective view of an exemplary support device according to the positioning device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2b shows a cross-section through Figure 2a the support device shown in );

[0034] Figure 3 shows an exemplary ultrasonic transducer mounting device according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4a and Figure 4b outline an exemplary tool carrier according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1a shows a clamping ultrasonic measuring device 1 according to the present invention having an exemplary positioning device 10 according to the present invention. The clamping ultrasonic transducer 20 is attached to the outer surface 52 of the medium conveying pipeline 50 and is designed to transmit ultrasonic signals into the pipeline and receive them. The electronic measurement / operation circuit 30 is designed to operate the ultrasonic transducer 20 and to evaluate the measurement signals of the ultrasonic transducer in order to generate measurement values of the measurement variables. The ultrasonic measuring device can be designed to measure, for example, the flow velocity or the speed of sound by measuring the transit time or the transit time difference of the medium located in the pipeline. As shown here by way of example, the positioning device 10 has two fastening tracks 11 which are oriented parallel to the pipeline axis 51 and define a track plane. The fastening tracks are each supported at their ends by a support device 12, with a distance being established between the outer surface 52 and the tracks. In this way, the engaging device of the ultrasonic transducer mounting device 23 (see Figure 3 ) can engage in the joint 13 between the pipeline and the fastening track 11, so that the ultrasonic transducer 20 can be safely and precisely guided before being fixed along the fastening track, without the risk of tilting. The clamping device 14 surrounds the pipeline and the support device 12 by means of a clamping element 14.2 and generates a pressing force on the support device. The clamping elements can be joined together, for example, by means of a belt lock or the like to form a ring or a closed belt. In one embodiment, the clamping device generates a pressing force of at least 100 Newtons, in particular at least 800 Newtons, preferably at least 1000 Newtons. In this way, the ultrasonic transducer can be pressed against the pipeline with a sufficiently high pressing force by means of the ultrasonic transducer mounting device.

[0037] The fastening track 11 fixed via the support device then provides support for the ultrasonic transducer mounting device.

[0038] The ultrasonic transducer 20 has a connection body 22 and a transducer element 21 which is designed to generate and detect ultrasonic signals. The connection body is designed to transmit ultrasonic signals between the pipeline and the transducer element and acoustically couple them.

[0039] Figure 1b Fig. ) shows another exemplary clamping ultrasonic measuring device according to the invention, in which ultrasonic transducers are arranged on both sides of the pipeline, wherein two pairs of fastening rails 11 are arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline and are borne by two pairs of support devices 12. Each clamping device 14 is designed to clamp two support devices in different pairs of support devices against each other.

[0040] The number and arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers shown here are purely exemplary.

[0041] It is essential for the present invention to configure a positioning device according to the present invention for cleaning and precisely positioning the ultrasonic transducer.

[0042] Figure 2a Fig. ) and Figure 2b Fig. ) show an exemplary support device 12 according to the invention for supporting one end of each of the two fastening rails 11 of a pair of fastening rails in an oblique view and in section. The support device has, for example, two pairs of contact surfaces 12.1, wherein, when the support device is positioned, the contact surfaces of each pair of contact surfaces lie in a transverse plane of the pipeline. In this way, it is ensured that the fastening rail extends parallel to the pipeline axis. As shown here by way of example, the support device can have a compensation device 12.4 which is designed to at least partially compensate for changes in the pipeline dimensions caused by temperature fluctuations. For example, a spring mechanism under preload can hold the clamping element under the desired tension. As shown here, the support device can, for example, have a rotatable moving element 12.2 for supporting the clamping element so that an asymmetric stress distribution in the clamping element can be avoided. The compensation device and the support device can be designed independently of each other. In the installed state, the axis of rotation of the rotatable moving element is parallel to the pipeline axis.

[0043] Figure 3 Fig. is an oblique view of an exemplary ultrasonic transducer mounting device 23 according to the invention, which is designed to press the connection body 22 of the clamping ultrasonic transducer against the pipeline by means of a fastening device 23.2. The ultrasonic transducer mounting device 23 has an engagement device 23.1 which is designed to engage in the engagement portion 13 (see Fig. 1) between the fastening rail and the pipeline. In this way, the clamping ultrasonic transducer can move parallel to the fastening rail and can be mounted perpendicular to the plane of the rail.

[0044] As shown here, the engagement devices 23.1 can each have a recess 23.11 that is designed to receive the particular fastening track 11 and to partially surround it around the periphery of the fastening track, where the recesses are spatially oriented in the same direction. This allows for an easy and secure construction of the ultrasonic transducer mounting device.

[0045] Figure 4a illustrates a tool 60 for machining the outer wall 51 of a pipeline 50 according to the present invention (see Figure 4b )) of an exemplary tool carrier 40, wherein the tool carrier 40 is designed to be mounted on a pair of fastening tracks 11 of the positioning device 10 according to any one of the preceding claims. As shown here, the tool carrier can have three positioning supports 41, which are particularly designed as roller bearings or sliding bearings. At least one of the positioning supports is assigned to each fastening track 11 such that the positioning support defines a first support plane. The tool carrier has a tool mounting device 42 for mounting the tool. In this way, the tool can be moved precisely parallel to the track. The tool can also have a height adjustment to set the machining feed.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tool carrier can have at least one safety support 43, particularly a roller bearing or a sliding bearing, as shown here, the at least one safety support 43 is arranged in a second support plane perpendicular to the first support plane and parallel to the fastening track and spaced apart from the first support plane such that the at least one safety support can be positioned on one of the fastening tracks.

[0047] Figure 4b illustrates an example of the direction for installing or removing the tool 60.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 1 Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter

[0050] 10 Positioning device

[0051] 11 Fastening track

[0052] 12 Support device

[0053] 12.1 Contact surface

[0054] 12.2 Rotatable moving element

[0055] 12.21 Axis of rotation

[0056] 12.3 Engagement device

[0057] 12.4 Compensation device

[0058] 13 Joint

[0059] 14 Clamping Device

[0060] 14.1 Clamping Element

[0061] 14.11 Belt

[0062] 20 Clamping Type Ultrasonic Transducer

[0063] 21 Transducer Element

[0064] 22 Connecting Body

[0065] 23 Ultrasonic Transducer Mounting Device

[0066] 23.1 Joining Device

[0067] 23.11 Recess

[0068] 23.2 Fastening Device

[0069] 30 Electronic Measurement / Operation Circuit

[0070] 40 Tool Bracket

[0071] 41 Positioning Support

[0072] 42 Tool Mounting Device

[0073] 43 Safety Support

[0074] 50 Pipeline

[0075] 51 Pipeline Axis

[0076] 52 Outer Surface

[0077] 60 Tool

Claims

1. A positioning device (10) for a clamping type ultrasonic measuring device (1), for positioning at least one ultrasonic transducer (20) or tool (60) on a medium conveying pipeline (50) having a pipeline axis (51), said positioning device (10) comprises: at least a pair of fastening tracks (11), said at least a pair of fastening tracks (11) being designed to position and fasten at least one of the at least one ultrasonic transducer or a tool for treating the outer surface (52) of the pipeline, wherein each of the pair of fastening tracks defines a track plane; at least a pair of supporting devices (12), said at least a pair of supporting devices (12) being designed to respectively support at least a pair of fastening tracks (11), wherein the fastening tracks have a minimum distance from the outer surface of the pipeline, wherein the minimum distance (11.2) is designed to provide a joint (13) between the fastening tracks and the pipeline; wherein, the supporting devices have contact surfaces aligned in the direction of the fastening tracks; a clamping device (14) for each of the pair of supporting devices, which is designed to press at least one of the supporting devices of the at least a pair of supporting devices against the outer surface of the pipeline; wherein each supporting device includes at least a pair of contact surfaces (12.1), wherein when the supporting device is positioned, the contact surfaces in each pair of contact surfaces are located in the cross-sectional plane of the pipeline.

2. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein, wherein, the clamping device (14) is designed to generate a pressing force of at least 500 Newtons, particularly at least 800 Newtons, preferably at least 1000 Newtons on each ultrasonic transducer.

3. The positioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, wherein, the supporting device (12) has a compensating device (12.4), the compensating device (12.4) being designed to at least partially compensate for the change in the size of the pipeline caused by temperature fluctuations.

4. The positioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, wherein, the clamping device (14) has at least one clamping element (14.1), such as a belt, chain or strap, the at least one clamping element being designed to cause a pressing force on the supporting device.

5. The positioning device according to claim 4, wherein, wherein, the clamping element (14.1) is designed to surround the pipeline (50) and the supporting device, and to press at least one of the supporting devices against the outer surface (52) of the pipeline.

6. The positioning device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, the positioning device (10) includes two pairs of fastening tracks arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline, wherein, the positioning device includes two pairs of supporting devices (12), each pair of supporting devices being used to support a pair of fastening tracks (11), wherein, in each case, the clamping device (14) is designed to clamp two supporting devices in different pairs of supporting devices against each other.

7. The positioning device according to any one of the preceding claims 4 - 6, wherein, Wherein, Each support device (12) has at least one rotatable moving element (12.2), wherein, when the support device is positioned, the rotation axis (12.21) of each rotating element extends parallel to the pipeline axis (51), and wherein the clamping element (14.2) is mounted on the at least one rotatable moving element.

8. The positioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Wherein, Both the fastening track (11) and the support device (12) are made of a metal such as steel or especially stainless steel.

9. A tool carrier (40) for a tool (60) for treating the outer wall (51) of a pipeline (50), Wherein, The tool carrier (40) is designed to be mounted on a pair of fastening tracks (11) of the positioning device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. The tool carrier has at least three positioning supports (41), especially roller bearings or sliding bearings. Each fastening track (11) is assigned at least one of the positioning supports, and the positioning supports define a first support plane. Wherein, the tool carrier has tool mounting means (42) for mounting the tool.

10. The tool carrier according to claim 9, wherein, Wherein, The tool carrier has at least one safety support (43), especially a roller bearing or a sliding bearing. The at least one safety support (43) is arranged in a second support plane perpendicular to the first support plane (41.1) and parallel to the fastening track (11), and is at a certain distance from the first support plane. Wherein, the at least one safety support can be positioned on one of the fastening tracks.

11. A clamping ultrasonic transducer (20) for the positioning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 - 8, Comprising: A transducer element (21) for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; A coupling body (22) for transmitting ultrasonic signals between the pipeline (50) and the transducer element; An ultrasonic transducer mounting device (23) for mounting on the positioning device.

12. The clamping ultrasonic sensor according to claim 11, Wherein, The ultrasonic transducer mounting device (23) has engaging means (23.1) for each fastening track (11). By means of the engaging means, the clamping ultrasonic transducer (20) can be displaced parallel to the fastening track and can be fixedly mounted perpendicular to the track plane.

13. The clamping ultrasonic sensor according to claim 12, Wherein, Each of the engaging means (23.1) has a recess (23.11) designed to receive the specific fastening track (11) and to partially surround the specific fastening track along the periphery of the fastening track. Wherein, the recesses are spatially oriented in the same direction.

14. A clamping ultrasonic measuring device (1), comprising: a positioning device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; at least one ultrasonic transducer (20) according to any one of claims 11-13, in particular at least a pair of ultrasonic transducers (20), wherein each ultrasonic transducer has an ultrasonic transducer mounting device for mounting on the positioning device; an electronic measuring / operating circuit (30) for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for evaluating the measurement signals of the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing a measured value of at least one measured variable, such as the flow velocity or the speed of sound of the medium flowing through the pipeline.

Images