Vortex flow measuring instrument and method for operating a vortex flow measuring instrument

Abstract

A vortex flowmeter with at least one measuring tube, with at least one disturbance body and with at least one sensor element arranged behind the disturbance body in the flow direction of the medium, with at least one measuring transducer and with at least one evaluation unit, the sensor element being arranged in such a way that it is deflected in operation by the vortex flow of the medium formed behind the disturbance body, wherein the measuring transducer is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the deflection of the sensor element into a corresponding change in the measurement value in operation and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit, wherein there is an actuator for checking the functionality of the measuring transducer, wherein the actuator is arranged in such a way and can be actuated by a control unit that it can deflect and / or deform the measuring transducer and / or the sensor element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application is based on a vortex flowmeter with at least one measuring tube, with at least one disturbance body and with at least one sensor element arranged behind the disturbance body in the flow direction of the medium, with at least one measuring transducer and with at least one evaluation unit, wherein the sensor element is arranged in such a way that it is deflected in operation by the vortex flow of the medium formed behind the disturbance body, wherein the measuring transducer is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the deflection of the sensor element in operation into a corresponding change in the measured value and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit.

[0002] Furthermore, the present application also relates to a method for operating a vortex flowmeter, wherein the vortex flowmeter has at least one measuring tube, at least one disturbance body and at least one sensor element arranged behind the disturbance body in the flow direction of the medium, at least one measuring transducer and at least one evaluation unit, wherein the sensor element is arranged in such a way that it is deflected in operation by the vortex flow of the medium formed behind the disturbance body, wherein the measuring transducer is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the deflection of the sensor element in operation into a corresponding change in the measured value and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit. BACKGROUND

[0003] Vortex flowmeters of this type are known from the background art. From the measurement signal of the measuring transducer, which is triggered by the deflection of the sensor element, the velocity of the medium flowing through the measuring tube can be determined. To this end, there is a disturbance body in the measuring tube, from which the vortex flow of the medium separates in operation, wherein the vortex flow is detected by the deflection of the sensor element. As a sensor element, for example, a sensor flag is arranged in the measuring tube behind the disturbance body. Furthermore, the sensor element can also have a diaphragm, in particular a diaphragm pocket, which has a measuring diaphragm arranged in the diaphragm pocket, wherein the vortex flow formed in operation deflects or deforms the diaphragm or the diaphragm pocket and thus the measuring diaphragm arranged in the diaphragm pocket. The disturbance body is, for example, a cylinder arranged inside the measuring tube, wherein the base surface can assume a triangular, circular or any other geometric shape. Further disturbance body shapes are likewise conceivable and suitable for the scope according to the present application.

[0004] Within the scope of this invention, the measurement converter converts the offset of the sensing element into a corresponding change in the measured value during operation. Here, the detectable measured value, depending on the configuration of the measurement converter, can be, for example, an electrical parameter, or it can also be formed as an offset of at least a portion of the detectable measurement converter. Depending on the configuration of the measurement converter, other detectable measured values ​​are equally conceivable and suitable for the current application.

[0005] For the user, when the evaluation unit does not receive a measurement signal from the measurement converter, it is impossible to distinguish whether there is no medium flowing through the measurement tube or whether the measurement converter is damaged.

[0006] Diagnostics for a measurement converter are known from documents US 6,531,884 B1 and US 9,310,412 B2, respectively. The measurement converter in these documents includes a piezoelectric element, wherein the electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric element are examined within the scope of the diagnostics. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Based on this background technology, the objective of this invention is to provide an eddy current flow meter that enables the checking of the functionality of the measurement converter. Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to provide a corresponding method for operating the eddy current flow meter, the method including checking the functionality of the measurement converter.

[0008] According to the first teaching of the present invention, the aforementioned task is thus solved by the eddy current flow meter described at the beginning: there is an actuator for checking the functionality of the measurement converter, wherein the actuator is arranged and can be manipulated by a control unit: the actuator is capable of offsetting and / or deforming the measurement converter and / or sensing element.

[0009] The meaning of "the actuator can be operated by a control unit in such a way that the actuator can cause the measurement converter and / or sensing element to offset and / or deform" is that, in order to check the functionality of the measurement converter, the actuator is operated in such a way that it mechanically causes the measurement converter and / or sensing element to offset and / or deform. Essentially, within the scope of this invention, "offset" is understood as a shift from the rest position of the measurement converter and / or sensing element, and in particular, "offset" includes stimulating the sensing element to oscillate. Deformation of the sensing element and / or measurement converter, within the scope of this invention, also includes, in particular, deformation of a localized region of at least a portion of the measurement converter and / or sensing element. Compression or stretching of the measurement converter and / or sensing element is also deformation in the sense of this invention.

[0010] It is identified according to the application that by detecting the reaction of the measuring transducer to a displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element and / or of the measuring transducer by means of the actuator, it can be checked whether the measuring transducer is functional, that is to say, whether the measuring transducer generates a preferably desired measurement signal from the mechanical displacement and / or deformation, and / or whether the measurement signal is displaced from the desired measurement signal or by what degree. If the measuring transducer detects the displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element and / or of the measuring transducer and forwards the corresponding measurement signal to the evaluation unit, it follows that the measuring transducer is functioning properly. In this case, the absence of a measurement signal received by the evaluation unit in operation is attributed to the absence of a medium flowing through the measuring tube.

[0011] The technical solution according to the application has the advantage that the checking of the measuring transducer can be carried out at any time. If the evaluation unit does not receive a measurement signal in the operation of the vortex flowmeter, it can be checked by a short actuation of the actuator whether the measuring transducer is substantially functional. In contrast, if there is a measurement signal, the plausibility of this signal can be checked. For example, the deviation of the measurement signal from the desired measurement signal can be determined. For this purpose, according to a technical solution, the measurement signal can be superimposed with a test signal, whereby error-free functionality can be determined.

[0012] In addition to ascertaining whether the measuring transducer is substantially functional or not, it is also possible to ascertain aging phenomena of the measuring transducer by evaluating the absolute value of the measurement signal. For example, if the value of the measurement signal deviates from the desired value, this can be regarded as an indication that the measuring transducer is to be replaced soon.

[0013] According to a preferred technical solution, the sensor element has an inner chamber, wherein the measuring transducer and / or the actuator are arranged at least partially in the inner chamber of the sensor element. It is particularly preferred that the inner chamber of the sensor element is at least partially filled with potting and / or with a fluid, preferably with a suspension.

[0014] According to an advantageous technical solution, the measuring transducer has at least one piezoelectric element. Preferably, the at least one piezoelectric element is connected to the sensor element in such a way that a displacement of the sensor element causes a deformation and / or displacement of the piezoelectric element, whereby an electrical signal is generated in operation and forwarded to the evaluation unit as a measurement signal. According to a further technical solution, the measuring transducer comprises at least two piezoelectric elements, which can independently of one another detect a displacement of the sensor element in operation.

[0015] According to a further technical solution, the displacement of the sensor element is determined in operation by means of a measuring transducer by means of a - preferably optical - scanning signal. To this end, the measuring transducer has a transmitting unit for transmitting the scanning signal and at least one receiving unit for receiving the scanning signal. It is particularly preferred that the transmitting unit transmits the scanning signal into the interior of the sensor element, where it is reflected on a reflecting element, for example on a mirror. The reflecting element is arranged in such a way that the displacement of the sensor element causes a displacement of the reflecting element. In this respect, the displacement of the sensor element is perceived at the receiver as a displacement of the scanning signal in operation. For example, the transmitting unit is designed as a laser and the at least one receiving unit is designed as a photodiode, in particular as a two-quadrant diode or as a four-quadrant diode.

[0016] According to a further technical solution, the optical scanning signal is transmitted to the receiving unit by means of an optical fiber. According to this technical solution, the fiber is arranged in such a way that, in the event of a displacement of the sensor element, the fiber of the light is compressed, stretched or displaced, so that the properties of the fiber change in a measureable manner.

[0017] According to a further technical solution, the scanning signal can also be configured as an acoustic signal.

[0018] According to a further technical solution, the displacement of the sensor element is determined in operation inductively by means of a - preferably needle-shaped - transmission element. To this end, the measuring transducer has an inductive detection unit comprising at least one magnet coil pair, wherein the displacement of the sensor element is determined in operation by a change in the distance of the magnet coil pair.

[0019] Within the scope of the present application, a "magnet coil pair" is understood to be a unit consisting of a magnet and a coil, wherein one component, that is to say the magnet or the coil, is arranged on a movable transmission element, and wherein the other component, that is to say the coil or the magnet, is arranged on a stationary spacer in the action range of the first component, which is connected to the measuring tube and / or the sensor element.

[0020] The technical solutions of the measuring transducer described above can also exist in combination with one another.

[0021] According to a further advantageous technical solution, the actuator has a direct contact with the sensor element at least at the point in time of the displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element. In particular, the actuator is arranged directly on or in the sensor element. Preferably, the actuator is permanently connected directly to the sensor element.

[0022] According to a further technical solution, the actuator is connected indirectly to the sensor element. For example, the actuator is arranged in an inner chamber of the sensor element and is connected to the sensor element by means of a potting material.

[0023] According to a particularly preferred technical solution, the actuator has a mechanical coupling to the sensor element, such that the displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element is carried out by the actuator by means of a mechanical force.

[0024] According to a next technical solution, the actuator is directly connected to the measuring transducer at least at the point in time of the displacement and / or deformation of the measuring transducer. According to this technical solution, the actuator can directly deform and / or displace the measuring transducer, whereby, in the case of a functional capability of the measuring transducer, a measurement signal is generated and forwarded.

[0025] According to a technical solution, the actuator is permanently connected directly to the measuring transducer. This technical solution comprises, for example, an arrangement in which the measuring transducer has at least two piezoelectric elements which are arranged directly on top of one another, wherein one piezoelectric element is at least temporarily operated as an actuator. According to this technical solution, in a first state, the second piezoelectric element can be operated as an actuator, wherein the first piezoelectric element detects the deformation of the second piezoelectric element by direct contact and forwards it as a corresponding measurement signal to the evaluation unit. In a second state, the operating mode of the piezoelectric elements as actuator or measuring transducer is exchanged, as a result of which it is possible to check the two piezoelectric elements in terms of their functionality.

[0026] According to a next technical solution, the actuator is connected indirectly to the measuring transducer. For example, the actuator is arranged in an inner chamber of the sensor element and is connected to the measuring transducer by means of a potting material.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred technical solution, the actuator has a mechanical coupling to the measuring transducer, such that the displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element is carried out by the actuator by means of a mechanical force.

[0028] The actuator is particularly preferably configured as a hydraulic actuator and / or a pneumatic actuator and / or an electric actuator and / or an electromagnetic actuator. In actuating the actuator, a force is generated which acts on the measuring transducer and / or the sensor element, the generation of which can take place in any conceivable and suitable manner within the scope of the application.

[0029] According to a particularly preferred technical solution, the actuator comprises at least one piezoelectric element and / or at least one vibration motor and / or at least one oppositely wound coil pair and / or at least a portion of the measuring transducer.

[0030] In another technical solution, the actuator comprises a single coil, wherein the coil has a cavity between the windings. In another technical solution, the actuator has two oppositely wound coils. According to a next technical solution, the actuator comprises a coil and a permanent magnet.

[0031] If the actuator comprises at least one piezoelectric element or is configured as a piezoelectric element, the measuring transducer preferably likewise comprises a piezoelectric element which is connected to the piezoelectric element of the actuator, in particular mechanically coupled, either indirectly or directly. The deformation of the piezoelectric element which functions as an actuator by the application of a voltage then acts mechanically on the piezoelectric element of the measuring transducer. This piezoelectric element, if functionally capable, generates an electrical signal and forwards this signal as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit.

[0032] According to a next technical solution, there is a total of one piezoelectric element which functions both as an actuator and as a measuring transducer. According to this technical solution, in order to check the measuring transducer, the piezoelectric element is initially actuated as an actuator by briefly applying a voltage such that the sensor element is deflected. Subsequently, the piezoelectric element mechanically detects the decay process of the deflection of the sensor element as a measuring transducer and forwards the electrical signal thus generated as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit.

[0033] If the actuator comprises at least one vibration motor or is designed as a vibration motor, the actuator is preferably arranged on or in the sensor element. If the vibration motor is arranged in an inner chamber of the sensor element, the motor is preferably at least partially arranged in the potting material and, in operation, an eccentric weight driven by the motor is arranged in a cavity of the potting material, so that the eccentric weight can rotate freely in operation in order to generate vibrations.

[0034] According to a further technical solution, the actuator comprises at least one pair of oppositely wound coils. Here, the pair of coils is arranged in such a way that the coils repel each other when current is passed through them. In this way, too, a mechanical force acting on the sensor element and / or the measuring transducer can be generated.

[0035] According to a next technical solution, the actuator comprises at least a part of the measuring transducer. This technical solution in particular comprises the measuring transducer having a piezoelectric element or an arrangement of at least two piezoelectric elements.

[0036] According to a second teaching of the application, the task mentioned at the outset is solved by the method described above for operating a flow measuring instrument in such a way that an actuator is present for checking the functionality of the measuring transducer, wherein the actuator is arranged in such a way and can be controlled by a control unit that the actuator can displace and / or deform the measuring transducer and / or the sensor element, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0037] - the actuator is controlled in such a way that it displaces and / or deforms the measuring transducer and / or the sensor element,

[0038] - the displacement and / or deformation is detected by the measuring transducer as a change in the respective measurement value and the measurement signal is forwarded to the evaluation unit, and

[0039] - the measurement signal is evaluated by the evaluation unit.

[0040] In this respect, the functionality of the measuring transducer can be checked in such a way that a measurement signal is forwarded to the evaluation unit upon active displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element and / or the measuring transducer. If the evaluation unit does not receive a measurement signal despite the active displacement and / or deformation of the sensor element and / or the measuring transducer, this is an indication of a damage or malfunction of the measuring transducer.

[0041] It is particularly advantageous if the flow measuring instrument is configured according to one of the technical solutions described above.

[0042] According to an advantageous technical solution of the method, the actuator displaces the sensor element in order to check the functionality of the measuring transducer.

[0043] Particularly advantageous is that the active offset and / or active deformation of the measurement converter and / or sensing element caused by the actuator continues during the evaluation of the measurement signal by the evaluation unit. According to this method, the offset and / or deformation of the sensing element and / or measurement converter, as well as the evaluation by the evaluation unit, occur simultaneously.

[0044] Alternatively, the active excitation and / or active deformation of the measurement converter and / or sensing element caused by the actuator occurs temporally prior to the evaluation, allowing the evaluation of the measurement signal to detect the attenuation process of the offset and / or deformation. This approach is particularly advantageous when the active offset and / or active deformation of the measurement converter and / or sensing element is performed by the measurement converter itself. For example, the sensing element can be offset by a piezoelectric element operating as a measurement converter, which can also function as an actuator, and subsequently, the attenuation process of the oscillation of the sensing element can be detected by the piezoelectric element now operating as a measurement converter. In this respect, the evaluation is particularly advantageous because no additional elements are required for offsetting and / or deforming the sensing element and / or measurement converter.

[0045] According to another technical solution of the method, the evaluation of the measured signal is performed by comparing the measured signal with a desired measured signal. If the measured signal deviates from the desired measured signal, this is an indication of a damaged measurement converter. In this respect, not only can complete damage be identified, but also impending damage or failure can be identified early, taking into account tolerances, by observing the deviation between the measured signal and the desired measured signal.

[0046] Another advantageous method is characterized in that, when the measurement converter is functional, the actuator is operated by the control unit such that the magnitude of the offset and / or deformation adopts different values, wherein the evaluation unit determines the relationship between the magnitude of the offset and / or deformation and the measurement signal—preferably a proportionality coefficient. This method follows immediately after a method for checking the functionality of the measurement converter. Advantageously, the proportionality coefficient between the force applied and the signal strength of the measurement signal can be determined thereby. By periodically determining or checking the proportionality coefficient, it can be ensured that aging phenomena, such as corrosion of the contact surfaces, which affect this proportionality coefficient, are taken into account when measuring flow rate.

[0047] In detail, there are now many possibilities for designing and improving the eddy current flow meter according to the invention and the method according to the invention. For this purpose, reference is made to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0048] In the drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 First embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0050] Figure 2 Second embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0051] Figure 3 Third embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0052] Figure 4 Fourth embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0053] Figure 5 Fifth embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0054] Figure 6 Sixth embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0055] Figure 7 Seventh embodiment of a vortex flowmeter according to the application;

[0056] Figure 8 First embodiment of a method according to the application and

[0057] Figure 9 Second embodiment of a method according to the application.

[0058] List of reference signs:

[0059] 1 vortex flowmeter

[0060] 3 measuring tube

[0061] 4 disturbing body

[0062] 5 sensor element

[0063] 6 measuring transducer

[0064] 7 evaluation unit

[0065] 8 actuator

[0066] 9 control unit

[0067] 10 piezoelectric element

[0068] 11 inner chamber of the sensor element

[0069] 12 potting material

[0070] 14 oscillation motor

[0071] 15 transmitting unit

[0072] 16 receiving unit

[0073] 17 optical signal

[0074] 19 transmission element

[0075] 20 magnet coil pair

[0076] 21 spacing holder

[0077] 22 actuator control

[0078] 23 displacement and / or deformation detection

[0079] 24 measurement signal forwarding

[0080] 25 measurement signal evaluation

[0081] 26 displacement and / or deformation with different amplitudes

[0082] 27 measurement signal detection

[0083] 28 determination of scaling factor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] Figure 1 An embodiment of a vortex flowmeter 1 is shown, with a measuring tube 3, with an interference body 4, and with a sensor element 5 arranged behind the interference body 4, viewed in the flow direction of the medium, which sensor element is arranged in such a way that it is displaced in operation by the vortex flow in the medium formed behind the interference body 4. Furthermore, there is a measuring transducer 6, not further shown here, and an evaluation unit 7 connected to the measuring transducer 6. The measuring transducer 6 is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the displacement of the sensor element 5 in operation into a corresponding change in the measurement value and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit 7. Furthermore, there is also an actuator 8, not further shown here, for checking the functionality of the measuring transducer 6, wherein the actuator 8 is arranged in such a way and can be controlled by a control unit 9 that it can displace and / or deform the measuring transducer 6 and / or the sensor element 5.

[0085] Various technical solutions of the measuring transducer 6 and the actuator 8 are shown in detail in the following embodiments.

[0086] In Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement converter 6 has two piezoelectric elements 10, which are operable via a control unit 9 and are also connected to the evaluation unit 7. Each piezoelectric element 10 is arranged within a chamber 11 of the sensing element 5, which is filled with a potting material 12. To check the functionality of the measurement converter 6, the piezoelectric element 10 is now operated as an actuator in such a way that it deforms, and this mechanical deformation is mechanically transmitted to a second piezoelectric element 10 via the potting material 12, and the second piezoelectric element 10, if functional, sends an electrical signal to the evaluation unit 7 based on the mechanical deformation. Next, to check the other piezoelectric element 10, the function is swapped; that is, the second piezoelectric element 10 acts as an actuator 8, and the first piezoelectric element 10 is deformed by the second piezoelectric element 10 through mechanical coupling via the potting material 12. Based on this modification, the first piezoelectric element 10 can send an electrical signal to the evaluation unit 7 when it is functional.

[0087] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement converter 6 also has two piezoelectric elements 10 arranged in a chamber 11 of the measurement converter 5, wherein the chamber 11 is filled with a potting material 12. The actuator 8 is designed as a pair of two opposing coils that can be applied current via a control unit 9. To check the functionality of the measurement converter 6, specifically the functionality of the two piezoelectric elements 10, alternating current is briefly applied to the opposing coils, whereby the coils repel each other due to their opposing windings, and a force is applied to the piezoelectric elements 10 via the potting material 12. If functional, each piezoelectric element 10 sends an electrical signal to the evaluation unit 7.

[0088] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement converter 6 also has two piezoelectric elements 10 arranged in the inner chamber 11 of the sensing element 5. The actuator 8 includes a vibration motor 14 also arranged in the potting material 12, which can be controlled by means of the control unit 9 to place the sensing element 5 in an oscillating state. For this purpose, an eccentrically arranged weight is present in the cavity of the potting material 12, which can be placed in a rotating state by means of the motor. When functional, the piezoelectric elements 10 detect the vibration or displacement of the sensing element 5 and forward the corresponding measurement signal to the evaluation unit 7.

[0089] exist Figure 5In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the measuring transducer 6 has exactly one piezoelectric element 10, which is likewise arranged inside the sensor element 5 in the potting material 12. In order to check the functionality of the measuring transducer 6, the piezoelectric element 10 is operated in a first step by the control unit 9 as an actuator 8 in order to displace the sensor element 5 after a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 10. In a subsequent step, the piezoelectric element 10 detects the damping process of the sensor element 5 as a measuring transducer 6 if it is functional and forwards the corresponding measurement signal to the evaluation unit 7.

[0090] In Figure 6 The measuring transducer 6 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a transmitting unit 15 for transmitting an optical signal 17 and a receiving unit 16 for receiving the optical signal 17, wherein the transmitting unit 15 and the receiving unit 16 are arranged in such a way that the optical signal 17 is transmitted into the inner chamber 11 of the sensor element 5 and impinges on the receiving unit 16 after reflection at a reflecting element arranged in the inner chamber 11 of the sensor element 5. In the embodiment shown, the path of the optical signal is configured in a V-shape, wherein the transmitting unit 15 and the receiving unit 16 are arranged one after the other. The reflecting element is arranged in such a way that a displacement of the sensor element 5 likewise causes a displacement of the reflecting element, so that a displacement of the sensor element 5 can be detected as a displacement of the optical signal 17 on the receiving element 16. The actuator 8 is configured as a vibration motor 14, wherein the vibration motor 14 is arranged in the potting material 12 in the inner chamber 11 of the sensor element 5. In order to check the functionality of the measuring transducer 6, the vibration motor 14 brings the sensor element 5 into an oscillating state, which can be detected by the optical signal 17 on the receiving unit 16.

[0091] In Figure 7 An embodiment is shown in Fig. 3, in which the actuator 8 is likewise arranged as a vibration motor 14 inside the sensor element 5 in the potting material 12 as shown before and can excite the sensor element 5 to oscillate in this respect. The measuring transducer 6 has a transfer element 19, wherein the transfer element 19 is connected to the potting material 12 in such a way that a displacement of the sensor element 5 or of the potting material 12 causes a displacement of the transfer element 19. The displacement of the transfer element 19 is inductively detected by a change in the distance of a magnet coil pair 20 at a distance from the measuring tube, wherein one component of the magnet coil pair 20, i.e. the magnet or the coil, is arranged fixedly on a distance holder 21 and the other component, i.e. the coil or the magnet, is arranged on the displaceable transfer element 19.

[0092] Figure 8 A first embodiment of a method for operating a vortex flowmeter 1 is shown, wherein the vortex flowmeter 1 is configured according to one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 In detail, a method for checking the measuring transducer 6 is shown. In a first step 22, the actuator 8 is controlled in such a way that it deflects and / or deforms the measuring transducer 6 and / or the sensor element 5.

[0093] In the case that the measuring transducer 6 is functionally capable, it detects the deflection and / or deformation in a following step 23 and forwards them as measuring signals 24 to the evaluation unit 7. The evaluation unit 7 evaluates 25 the measuring signals.

[0094] In detail, the evaluation 25 refers to a comparison of the measured measuring signals with expected measuring signals. If the measured measuring signals differ from the expected measuring signals, this can indicate as a hint that the measuring transducer 6, although basically functioning properly, has signs of wear or is to be replaced soon due to aging.

[0095] In the technical solution of the shown method, the deflection and / or deformation caused by the actuator 8 persists during the evaluation 25. In another technical solution of the shown method, the actuator 8 deflects and / or deforms the sensor element 5 and / or the measuring transducer 6 briefly, wherein the evaluation 25 comprises a measurement of the decay process of the deflection and / or deformation.

[0096] In the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 9 immediately after the functional check in principle (steps 22 to 25), a relationship between the amplitude of the deflection and / or deformation and the value of the measuring signals is established. For this purpose, the measuring transducer 6 and / or the sensor element 5 is deflected and / or deformed 26 with different amplitudes and the corresponding measuring signals are detected 27 by the evaluation unit 7. Next, the evaluation unit 7 determines 28 the corresponding scaling factor. This has the advantage that in operation, the corresponding current, that is to say taking into account the state of the flowmeter, scaling factor can be used as a basis when determining the flow.

Claims

1. A vortex flowmeter (1) with at least one measuring tube (3), with at least one disturbance body (4) and with at least one sensor element (5) arranged behind the disturbance body (4) viewed in the flow direction of the medium, with at least one measuring transducer (6) and with at least one evaluation unit (7), the sensor element (5) being arranged in such a way that it is deflected in operation by the vortex flow of the medium formed behind the disturbance body (4), wherein the measuring transducer (6) is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the deflection of the sensor element (5) into a corresponding change in the measurement value in operation and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit (7), characterized in that there is an actuator (8) for checking the functionality of the measuring transducer (6), wherein the actuator (8) is arranged and controllable by a control unit (9) in such a way that it can mechanically deflect and / or deform the measuring transducer (6) and / or the sensor element (5), the sensor element (5) has an inner chamber (11) and the actuator (8) and / or the measuring transducer (6) are arranged at least partially in this inner chamber (11), the measuring transducer (6) has at least one piezoelectric element (10) and / or a transmitting unit (15) for a scanning signal and at least one receiving unit (16) for this scanning signal and / or at least one transfer element (19) for an inductive probe element, the measuring transducer (6) has at least one piezoelectric element (10) and / or a transmitting unit (15) for an optical scanning signal and at least one receiving unit (16) for this scanning signal and / or at least one transfer element (19) for an inductive probe element, the actuator (8) has direct contact with the sensor element (5) at least at the point in time of the deflection and / or deformation of the sensor element (5), the actuator (8) is indirectly connected to the sensor element (5), the actuator (8) is indirectly connected to the sensor element (5) via a potting material (12), the actuator (8) is directly connected to the measuring transducer (6) at least at the point in time of the deflection and / or deformation of the measuring transducer (6), the actuator (8) is indirectly connected to the measuring transducer (6), the actuator (8) is indirectly connected to the measuring transducer (6) via a potting material (12), the actuator (8) comprises at least one piezoelectric element (10) and / or at least one vibration motor (14) and / or at least one oppositely wound coil pair (20) and / or at least a part of the measuring transducer (6), the vortex flowmeter (1) has at least one measuring tube (3), at least one disturbance body (4) and at least one sensor element (5) arranged behind the disturbance body (4) viewed in the flow direction of the medium, at least one measuring transducer (6) and at least one evaluation unit (7), wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: ​ 3. The flowmeter (1) of claim 1, characterized in that: ​ 4. The flow measuring instrument (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 5. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 6. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 7. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 8. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 9. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 10. The flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: ​ 11. A method for operating a vortex flowmeter (1), wherein ​ wherein the sensor element (5) is arranged in such a way that it is deflected in operation by a vortex of the medium formed behind the disturbing body (4), wherein the sensor element (5) has an inner chamber (11) and an actuator (8) and / or a measuring transducer (6) is arranged at least partially in the inner chamber (11), wherein the measuring transducer (6) is constructed and arranged in such a way that it converts the deflection of the sensor element (5) in operation into a corresponding change in the measurement value and forwards it as a measurement signal to the evaluation unit (7), characterized in that an actuator (8) is present for checking the functionality of the measuring transducer (6), wherein the actuator (8) is arranged in such a way and can be actuated by a control unit (9) that it can mechanically deflect and / or deform the measuring transducer (6) and / or the sensor element (5), and the method comprises the following steps: - actuating (22) the actuator (8) such that it mechanically deflects and / or deforms the measuring transducer (6) and / or the sensor element (5), - detecting (23) the deflection and / or deformation by the measuring transducer (6) as a change in the corresponding measurement value and forwarding a measurement signal (24) to the evaluation unit, - evaluating (25) the measurement signal by the evaluation unit (7).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The vortex flowmeter (1) is constructed according to the vortex flowmeter (1) of any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein: For checking the functionality of the measuring transducer (6), the actuator (8) places the sensor element (5) in an oscillating state.

14. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein: The active deflection and / or active deformation of the measuring transducer (6) and / or the sensor element (5) by the actuator (8) continues during the evaluation of the measurement signal by the evaluation unit (7).

15. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein: The active excitation and / or active deformation of the measuring transducer (6) and / or the sensor element (5) by the actuator (8) occurs in time before the evaluation (25) such that the evaluation (25) of the measurement signal detects a decay process of the deflection and / or deformation.

16. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein: The evaluation (25) of the measurement signal is effected by comparing it with an expected measurement signal.

17. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein: In the case of a functional measuring transducer (6), the actuator (8) is actuated by the control unit (9) in such a way that the amplitude of the deflection and / or deformation assumes different values, wherein the evaluation unit (7) determines a relationship between the amplitude of the deflection and / or deformation and the measurement signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The evaluation unit (7) determines a proportionality factor between the amplitude of the deflection and / or deformation and the measurement signal.

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