Sanitary pipe adapter

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe adapter (7) for a pipe line for conducting a medium (M), comprising a pipe line section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) for inserting the pipe line section (8) into the pipe line and a tubular second channel (K2) which is arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first channel (K1) and is connected to the first channel (K1). According to the invention, at least one molded part (10) is produced in the transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2) in the wall of the first channel (K1) and / or the second channel (K2). The invention also relates to an assembly having a measuring device (1) and a pipe adapter (7) according to the invention and a method for producing a pipe adapter (7) according to the invention.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a pipe adapter for conveying a medium, an arrangement for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable using a sensor and the pipe adapter according to the present application, and a method for producing a pipe adapter according to the present application. In this case, the sensor can in particular be introduced into the pipe adapter, which can then be integrated into an existing pipe system, for example. BACKGROUND

[0002] The measuring arrangement with sensor and pipe adapter is used in automation technology for determining various process variables in connection with a large number of field devices and / or measuring devices produced and marketed by the applicant. Examples of process variables include the flow rate of a flowing fluid or the fill level, as well as the pressure, density, viscosity, conductivity, temperature or pH value of a fluid. However, optical sensors such as turbidity or absorption sensors are also known and fall within the scope of the present application.

[0003] In many cases, the sensor is integrated into the pipe adapter by means of suitable sealing mechanisms by shape and / or force interlocking, for example friction interlocking, and even welded and / or bonded directly with the pipe adapter. The person skilled in the art is also aware of a variety of ways in which the pipe adapter can be integrated into an existing pipe system.

[0004] The introduction of the sensor into the pipe adapter can be accompanied by unfavorable gaps, joints and / or dead spaces. For a large number of applications, such as in the case of sterile processes, in which products are made from raw materials or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures, for example in the pharmaceutical and / or food industry, such gaps, joints and / or dead spaces between the individual components are not acceptable or only to a very limited extent. Such connection areas form potential habitats for health-endangering germs. In order to avoid deposits within the pipe or to avoid the formation of biofilms, for example, it should be ensured that the cleaning is as residue-free as possible.

[0005] In this regard, different international and national regulatory authorities have established standards, in particular for the production and implementation of devices allowed for the production of sterile processes, in which products are produced from raw materials or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. In this regard, reference is made, for example, to the standards of the "American Society of Mechanical Engineers" (ASME), in particular the so-called "ASME BioProcessing Equipment - Standard" (BPE), the "3-A Sanitary Standards Inc." (3-A) and the "European Hygienic Design Group" (EHEDG). The standards of ASME, BPE and 3A are particularly relevant to US affairs, while the standards of EHEDG are mainly considered in Europe. Typical requirements made for components in these standards relate in particular to the geometry and / or surface features, which are to be formed in such a way that no deposits can form and the components are easily cleanable and / or sterilizable. For example, no narrow gaps should exist.

[0006] With regard to measuring devices that comply with these standards, reference is made, for example, to DE 102 013 100 158 A1, which describes an integrated device with a sensor and a T-shaped pipe section. The sensor is arranged in a portion of the adapter such that an end surface of the sensor facing the medium lies flush with the inner wall of the first portion of the adapter. This end surface of the sensor is thus virtually an integral part of the inner wall of the first portion of the adapter.

[0007] Furthermore, it is known from DE 102 016 121 643 A1 to have a measuring arrangement with a sensor that can be introduced into an opening of a pipe section in a releasable manner. In order to prevent the occurrence of gaps in the connection region, at least one component of the sensor is embodied such that it terminates flush with the inner wall of the pipe section in the installed state. Said at least one component of the sensor thus matches the geometry of the pipe section.

[0008] DE 102 017 115 139 A1, on the other hand, describes a measuring tube, which is embodied in such a way that in the transition region between the pipe section and the tubular body connected thereto, all points of at least a first portion of the wall, in particular the inner wall, of the pipe section defining the opening lie in one plane. In this way, a gap-free and dead-space-free transition between a particular sensor and the measuring tube is achieved. SUMMARY

[0009] Starting from the above-mentioned state of the art, it is an object of the present application to provide a measuring point which meets the usual hygienic requirements in a particularly easy manner.

[0010] This object is achieved by the pipe adapter according to claim 1, by the arrangement according to claim 10 and by the method according to claim 11.

[0011] With regard to the pipe adapter, the object is achieved by a pipe adapter for a pipe for conveying a medium, comprising a pipe section having a tubular first channel for inserting the pipe section into the pipe and a tubular second channel which is arranged at a first predefinable angle to the first channel, in particular perpendicular to the first channel, and which is connected to the first channel. According to the invention, in the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel, there is at least one hollow in the wall of the first and / or second channel. In the case where the longitudinal axis of the second channel is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first channel, the pipe adapter is a T-piece.

[0012] The hollow serves to prevent dead spaces and / or gaps in the transition region, in particular when a device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable is introduced into the pipe adapter. The hollow in the sense of the invention is a predefinable volume of the pipe section in the transition region which is missing from the wall of the first and / or second channel. The precise geometry of the hollow depends, inter alia, on the geometry of the pipe section and the method used to produce the pipe adapter.

[0013] The walls of the two tubular channels described above are generally curved, in particular they have a circular cross section. Correspondingly, the openings which connect the two channels together are likewise curved. This can disadvantageously lead to the formation of deposits in the transition region between the pipe adapter and a device arranged in the pipe adapter. Due to the at least one hollow in the transition region between the two channels, this disadvantageous effect can be significantly reduced. The feature of the pipe adapter according to the invention thus ensures a gap-free and / or dead space-free transition between the wall, in particular the inner surface, of the first channel and the components of a measuring device which can be introduced into the second channel.

[0014] Advantageously, no additional modifications of the sensor are required in order to meet established hygiene requirements. The components of the sensor or the end surfaces of the components can be arranged such that they end substantially flush with the wall of the first channel in the region of the opening to the second channel. Thus, established hygiene regulations can be met without special requirements for the sensor. For example, a gap-free transition between the components and the wall of the first channel can be ensured.

[0015] The pipe adapter comprises two openings in the region of the first channel, for example for inserting the pipe adapter into an existing pipe system. In the case of straight pipe sections, the two openings are generally arranged along a common longitudinal axis of the pipe section. However, the invention is not limited to such pipe sections. Rather, the pipe section can also have at least one curved section.

[0016] Any of the fixing options generally known to the person skilled in the art, such as, for example, a flange connection, a welded connection or a clamping connection, can be used to fix the pipe section in the existing pipe system. The length of the passage and the dimensions of the pipe section can be chosen to suit the required application. Thus, for example, it can be advantageous for some applications to minimize the length of the first passage.

[0017] Furthermore, it is noted that the pipe adapter of the present application can be produced either as one piece or from a plurality of components which are joined together. This can vary depending on the production method. For example, the pipe adapter or at least the individual components of the pipe adapter can be produced using a lathe or an automatic screw machine and / or by milling. The individual components can also be welded to one another, for example. However, other suitable production methods which are well known to the person skilled in the art, such as generative or additive production methods, can also be suitable for manufacturing the pipe adapter of the present application. In the case of generative or additive production methods, such as, for example, 3D printing methods, the components are produced in a primary shaping process. Such generative production methods represent, in principle, an industrial and mass production which can be further developed from so-called rapid prototyping and are increasingly accepted by industrial production. The various production methods which have been established are known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail here.

[0018] In an embodiment, in the end region of the second passage, in particular in the region of the opening of the second passage, a thread can be provided in the wall of the second passage. By means of the thread, the measuring device or components of the measuring device can be fixed in the pipe adapter in a releasable manner.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the volume and / or the geometry of the at least one hollow is chosen in dependence on the diameter of the first and / or second passage. Preferably, the volume of the hollow is additionally adjusted by taking into account the diameter of the device provided in the second passage for determining and / or monitoring a process variable. In particular, the volume of the hollow is chosen in such a way that the component introduced into the second passage ends substantially flush with the wall of the first passage in the transition region.

[0020] In order to avoid dead angles and / or gaps in the transition region independently of the diameters of the first and second passage, the volume of the hollow and, in the given case, the geometry of the hollow must be adjusted appropriately. The characteristics of the transition region depend on the diameters of the two passages. Thus, in the case of different diameters of the two passages, other geometric characteristics of the transition region are taken into account compared to the case in which the diameters of the two passages are equal.

[0021] It is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment that the tube adapter comprises a third tubular channel which is arranged at a second predefinable angle to the first channel and which is connected to the first channel. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the second channel and the third channel extend parallel to one another, in particular aligned with one another, such that the second channel and the third channel are arranged opposite one another across the first channel. In this case, for example, two measuring devices or two components of one or both measuring devices can be introduced into the tube adapter.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the tube adapter comprises at least two hollows which are introduced into the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel. In particular, the two hollows are identically embodied in terms of their geometry and are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another.

[0023] Advantageously, the two hollows are arranged opposite one another across the cross section of the second channel. Also advantageously, the two hollows are arranged opposite one another across the longitudinal axis of the first channel. In these regions, it is particularly possible for deposits to form or dead spaces to arise.

[0024] Finally, advantageously, the volume of the first hollow and the volume of the second hollow are differently dimensioned, in particular, wherein a first increase in the diameter of the first channel as a result of the first hollow and a second increase in the diameter of the first channel as a result of the second hollow are differently dimensioned, in particular in the transition region. In this way, for example, it is possible to prevent traps from forming in the transition region of the two channels. This in particular relates to the case of a horizontal orientation of the second channel. This corresponds to a horizontal, transverse installation of the device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable. For this case of a horizontal orientation of the second channel, the first hollow arranged below the first channel is preferably of smaller volume than the second hollow arranged above the second channel.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the tube adapter, the at least one hollow has a sickle-shaped geometry. The surface of the first and / or second wall of the first and / or second channel in the region of the hollow is thus embodied at least partially cylindrically. However, the at least one hollow can be embodied in the most diverse ways. In particular, it can also have a rotationally symmetrical geometry.

[0026] In an embodiment of the tube adapter, at least in the edge of the at least one hollow, an extension region is provided which in particular adjoins the hollow tangentially. In the case where at least two hollows are provided in the tube adapter, the extension region can also be embodied such that it connects the two hollows to one another.

[0027] Furthermore, the object of the present application is achieved by a device for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a pipe, comprising:

[0028] - a device for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable, and

[0029] - a tube adapter of the invention.

[0030] At least one component of the device can be introduced into or is introduced into the second channel of the tube adapter. In an embodiment, the at least one component of the measuring device is a component of a sensor element. In particular, the component is a component which at least sometimes and / or partially in the course of the operation of the measuring device comes into contact with the medium, in particular in the region of the end surface. Advantageously, for this purpose, the tube adapter comprises a securing unit, in particular a thread, for securing the at least one component to or in the tube adapter. In this case, the securing unit is preferably arranged in the end region of the second channel which is remote from the first channel.

[0031] Since the device or the component of the device ends substantially flush with the wall of the first channel by virtue of the provision of the at least one hollow in the tube adapter, the contact area between the device and the medium is advantageously limited to this area. This flush arrangement thus ensures a substantially residue-free cleaning of the arrangement, which is of particular relevance for applications in aseptic processes in which a product is produced from a raw material or starting material by means of chemical, physical or biological procedures.

[0032] The second channel and, if given, the third channel are advantageously dimensioned such that the device or the component of the device introduced into the second channel fits precisely therein. Thus, in the case of a cylindrical embodiment of the device or component, the second channel also has a cylindrical geometry, wherein the cross section matches the dimensions of the device or the component of the device. In an embodiment, the second channel can also be at least a portion of the housing of the component.

[0033] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the transition between the tube adapter and the device is substantially gap-free and / or dead-space-free in the region of the first channel. Thus, the device or the component ends in the introduced state in the second channel substantially flush with the wall of the first channel. Advantageously, no deposits or dirt can accumulate between the device or the component and the wall of the first channel.

[0034] The device or the component can be equipped in the second channel with a sealing element, for example. In this case, the sealing element is advantageously an O-ring.

[0035] A further embodiment provides that the device is a capacitive and / or conductive measuring device. The sensor element of the device then comprises at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode which is electrically insulated from the first electrode. The second electrode is also generally referred to as a guard electrode. In this embodiment, therefore, a flush-mounted capacitive and / or conductive sensor is of interest, which is preferably used to detect a predetermined fill level or the electrical conductivity of a medium. Such a sensor is also referred to as a multi-sensor, which is described, for example, in DE 10 2011 004 807 A1, DE 10 2013 102 055 A1 and DE 10 2013 104 781 A1, which are incorporated by reference. A corresponding sensor is also produced and marketed by the applicant under the name FTW 33.

[0036] The at least one component of the measuring device is preferably an electrode assembly having an end surface which is in particular circular, wherein at least one electrode of the electrode assembly substantially terminates at the end surface. The end surface can be planar or at least partially curved. In the state introduced into the pipe adapter, the electrode assembly advantageously terminates substantially flush with the wall of the first channel.

[0037] However, other types of measuring devices can be used. A further example of a measuring device is, for example, a device for determining and / or monitoring the pressure of a medium.

[0038] It is also an object of the application to be achieved by a method for producing a pipe adapter according to the application, which comprises the following method steps:

[0039] providing a pipe section having a tubular first channel and a tubular second channel, which is arranged at a first predetermined angle to the first channel and is connected to the first channel, and

[0040] milling at least one hollow in the wall of the first channel and / or the second channel in the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel.

[0041] Advantageously, the at least one hollow can be milled into the transition region between the two channels after the manufacture of the pipe segment. Thus, on the one hand, existing pipe adapters with two connected channels can be subsequently processed so as to be implemented for use in aseptic processes in which a product is manufactured from raw materials or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. However, various advantages also arise in the case of the complete production of the pipe adapter according to the application. In a first manufacturing step, the two channels are formed in the pipe segment. For this purpose, no special measures are required, so that, for example, a lathe or an automatic spiral machine can be applied to form the channels. Such production is carried out quickly and simply and requires little effort. In a second working step, the at least one hollow is then formed. For this purpose, a milling cutter can advantageously be introduced into the pipe adapter through an opening of the pipe adapter in order to mill out the hollow. Thus, an adaptation of the geometry in the interior volume of the pipe or pipe adapter can be implemented for ensuring aseptic conditions in a simple manner in the field of aseptic processes in which a product is manufactured from raw materials or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. No complex, difficult-to-handle, multi-step manufacturing steps are required.

[0042] Advantageously, for the milling, a spherical milling cutter and / or a circular-arc-segment milling cutter is used. With such a milling cutter, the hollow can be introduced in the transition region in a particularly simple manner. In particular, a sickle-shaped hollow can be formed.

[0043] It is likewise advantageous for the milling out of the at least one hollow that a tool, in particular a milling cutter in the form of a cutting tool or a chip-removing tool, is introduced into the interior volume of the pipe adapter through the first and / or second opening of the first channel, which is used for inserting the pipe adapter into a pipe, or through the opening of the second channel. As a result of the introduction of the milling cutter through the opening of the second channel, for example, an overall rotational surface can be manufactured and, as a result, a single rotationally symmetrical hollow, or even multiple hollows, in particular multiple hollows separated from one another, can be manufactured. In the case of the introduction of the milling cutter through at least one opening of the first channel, for example, it is possible, on the one hand, for the milling cutter to be introduced through the same opening in the first channel during the entire milling procedure for forming the hollow. However, it is also an option for the milling cutter to be introduced through different openings, in particular different openings of the first channel, in order to produce the hollow.

[0044] A preferred embodiment of the method comprises, for producing the hollow, establishing a virtual guide curve which has, in particular, two, in particular mirror-symmetrical, straight line segments which are connected together by a curved segment. In this case, the surface of the hollow is partially produced by the geometry of the guide curve.

[0045] Another preferred embodiment comprises milling out at least two hollows.

[0046] The form of the embodiments set forth for the tube adapter of the present application applies in each case, mutatis mutandis, also to the arrangement of the present application and to the method of the present application, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] The present application will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a capacitive and / or conductive sensor for flush mounting according to the prior art,

[0049] Fig. 2 a tube adapter according to the prior art,

[0050] Fig. 3 three possible embodiments of the tube adapter of the present application with two hollows,

[0051] Fig. 4 two cross-sectional views of a tube adapter without hollows (a) and with hollows (b) for illustrating the effect of the hollows,

[0052] Figure 5 is an embodiment of the tube adapter of the present application with a second and a third channel,

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic view of a production method by means of a milling procedure along an imaginary guide curve,

[0054] Figure 7 Possible embodiment of the tube adapter of the present application with two hollows and two connection areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The present application can be used with a variety of sensors 1. Without intending to limit the general applicability of the present application, the following description relates for the sake of simplicity to the case of a capacitive and / or conductive sensor 1 for flush mounting, such as schematically shown in Figure 1 Furthermore, the present application can be used for a large number of different embodiments of tube adapters 7, in particular a large number of different geometries. Again, without intending to limit the general applicability of the present application, the following description relates for the sake of simplicity to a T-shaped tube adapter 7 only. These considerations can be applied analogously to other measuring devices 1 and other embodiments of tube adapters 7.

[0056] The measuring method for supporting capacitive and / or conductive measuring devices, in particular fill level measuring devices, is known per se from the prior art. Corresponding field devices are produced and sold by the applicant, for example under the trademark LIQUIPOINT. Figure 1A schematic diagram of the corresponding measuring device 1 is shown. Sensor 1 includes: a sensor unit 2, which terminates substantially flush with the pipe when the field device 1 is introduced into the pipe; and an electronic unit 3, which, for example, can be releasably connected to an external unit (not shown) via a connecting cable 3a.

[0057] The sensor unit 2 is implemented substantially coaxially and includes an electrode assembly 4, which in the illustrated example includes a measuring electrode 5a, a protective electrode 5b, and a grounding electrode 5c. However, an electrode assembly 4 with fewer or more electrodes 5a-5c may also exist. Following the electrode assembly 4 is a housing 6, in which, among other things, an electronic unit 3 is arranged. Furthermore, a process connector 6a is used to releasably secure the sensor 1 to a process connector or pipe adapter 7, such as those shown in Figures 2 to 30. Figure 7 As shown in the image.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a pipe adapter 7 according to the prior art for a pipe (not shown) having a pipe segment 8. The pipe adapter 7 has: a tubular first channel K1 for inserting the pipe segment 8 into the pipe; and a tubular second channel K2 arranged perpendicular to and connected to the first channel K1. Figure 2a A perspective view of the pipe adapter 7 is shown, while Figure 2b A cross-sectional view of the pipe adapter 7 is shown. Figure 2c The same pipe adapter 7 is shown, and as Figure 1 The measuring device 1 shown is introduced into the second channel K2.

[0059] Two channels, K1 and K2, have circular cross-sections. The intersection of the first channel K1 and the second channel K2 within the region of opening O1 is correspondingly curved. If such as... Figure 1 As shown, when sensor 1 is fixed in the second channel K2, a dead zone appears in the transition region between the surface of electrode assembly 4 facing the medium M and the wall of the first channel K1. Electrode assembly 4 introduced into opening O1 typically has a different geometry than the portion of the wall surrounding opening O1. As a result, deposits and / or medium residues can easily form within the tube adapter 7, particularly in the transition region 9 between the end surface of electrode assembly 4 of sensor 1 and the wall of the first channel K1. This type of assembly is correspondingly impossible in applications in aseptic processes, where products are made from raw materials or starting materials through the application of chemical, physical, or biological processes.

[0060] To avoid this problem, according to the present invention, in the transition region between the wall of the first channel K1 and the wall of the second channel K2, at least one hollow portion H1 is provided in the wall of the first channel K1 and / or the second channel K2, as shown in Figure 3-Figure 7 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0061] The tube adapter 7 with two hollows 10a and 10b is shown in Fig. 3. As in the case of Fig. 2, a perspective view (a), a cross-sectional view and a view (c) in which the sensor 1 is introduced into the second channel K2 are shown. In comparison with the variant of the tube adapter 7 shown in Fig. 2, the tube adapter 7 of Fig. 3 is provided with two hollows 10a and 10b in the transition region 9 between the first channel K1 and the second channel K2.

[0062] The volumes V1, V2 and / or the geometry of the hollows 10a, 10b can be selected in dependence on the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 and / or the diameter d2 of the second channel K2. Preferably, especially in the case of two diameters d1 and d2 of the two channels having different sizes, such as in the embodiments shown by way of example in Figure 3d and Figure 3e an adjustment of the volumes V1 and V2 and / or the geometry takes place. For the variant shown, the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the second channel K2. In order to be able to ensure a substantially flush installation of the device (not shown) for determining and / or monitoring the process variable in this case as well, it is possible to proceed in such a way that the greater the ratio between the volumes V1 and V2 and the cross-sectional area of the first channel K1 is selected, the smaller the diameter d1 is and / or the greater the ratio of the diameters d1 and d2 of the two channels K1, K2 is.

[0063] A further option is to select the volumes V1 and V2 of the two hollows 10a and 10b such that they have different sizes, such as Figure 3f and Figure 3g shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The two views shown relate to the case of a horizontal installation of a particular sensor. For this case, this approach prevents a trap from being formed.

[0064] The volumes V1 and V2 are selected such that a first increase Ad1 of the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 due to the first hollow 10a and a second increase Ad2 of the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 due to the second hollow 10b have different sizes, especially in the transition region 9. In this way, a parallel displacement of the horizontal axis B, which extends through the centre M of the first diameter d1, in the transition region 9 between the first channel K1 and the second channel K2 with respect to the central horizontal axis A of the second channel K2 takes place. In this connection, horizontal means that the particular axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second channel.

[0065] For the shown variant, the volume V1 of the first hollow 10a extending in the lower region of the second channel K2 is smaller than the volume V2 of the second hollow 10b extending above the second channel K2. In this way, a deepening of the wall in the region of the first hollow 10a with respect to those portions of the lower wall of the second channel K2 which are arranged outside the transition region 9 can be prevented, and thus a trap in the lower transition region 9. In the case of recording a specific process variable by means of a measuring device installed in the second channel K2, the presence of such a trap or of a medium M in the trap can lead to errors. This can be prevented by the asymmetric embodiment of the two hollows 10a, 10b.

[0066] In all embodiments shown in Fig. 3, the hollows 10a and 10b ensure that deposits cannot accumulate in the transition region 9. This effect is further illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows another cross-sectional view of the pipe adapter 7 without (a) and with (b) two hollows 10a and 10b, thus corresponding to the cases shown in Fig. 2 (a) and Fig. 3 (b). In the case of Figure 4a In the case of Figure 4b In the case of

[0068] It is noted here, however, that the present application is not limited to embodiments with two hollows 10a and 10b. Rather, a plurality of embodiments with a different number of, however, at least one hollow 10 are possible and these embodiments likewise fall within the scope of the present application. Furthermore, the present application is also not limited to the geometry of the hollows 10 shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Other geometries can be used and other geometries fall within the scope of the present application.

[0069] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the pipe adapter 7 of the present application is shown, which has a second channel K2 and a third channel K3. The second channel K2 and the third channel K3 are arranged opposite to each other and aligned with each other. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the second channel K2 and the third channel K3 are provided with inner threads 12a and 12b for fastening the sensor 1 in the channels K2 and K3. Furthermore, Figure 5 The embodiment of

[0070] Figure 6The generation of the two hollows 10a and 10b is shown. The tool, in each case applied, in particular a cutting tool or a chip-removing tool, is introduced into the tube adapter 7 through one of the openings O2a, O2b. The tool is guided in such a way that the surface of each of the two hollows 10a and 10b follows the guide curve L. If a spherical milling cutter is applied to mill the hollows 10a and 10b, for example, the sickle-shaped geometry of the hollows 10a and 10b is produced in a simple manner. However, other geometries for the hollows 10a and 10b are also possible and can likewise be produced, for example, by establishing the guide curve L.

[0071] Figure 7 Finally, a further embodiment of the tube adapter 7 of the application with two hollows 10a and 10b is shown, in which two extension regions 13a and 13b adjoin the two hollows 10a and 10b and are arranged in the edges of the two hollows 10a and 10b. Due to this measure, the features of the transition region field 9 can be further improved in terms of the satisfaction of hygiene requirements.

[0072] Finally, it is noted that the length of the channels K1-K3 can vary depending on the application. Thus, for some applications, it is desirable to minimize the length of at least some of the channels K1-K3. Furthermore, the length of the channels K1-K3 can vary depending on the way in which the tube adapter 7 is fixed into the pipe. In order to fix the tube adapter 7 into the pipe in the region of the two openings O2a and O2b of the first channel, in such cases, all fixing connections known to the person skilled in the art, in particular clamping connections, can be used and fall within the scope of the application.

[0073] List of reference signs

[0074] 1 capacitive / conductive sensor

[0075] 2 sensor unit

[0076] 3 electronic unit

[0077] 4 electrode assembly

[0078] 5a-5c electrodes

[0079] 6 housing

[0080] 6a process connector

[0081] 7 tube adapter

[0082] 8 pipe section

[0083] 9 transition region

[0084] 10. 10a, 10b hollows

[0085] 11 dead angle

[0086] 12, 12a, 12b thread

[0087] 13, 13a, 13b connection area

[0088] K1, K2, K3 channel

[0089] O1, O2, O3 opening

[0090] L guide curve

[0091] M medium

Claims

1. A pipe adapter (7) for a pipe for conveying a medium (M), the pipe adapter (7) comprising: a pipe section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) for insertion of the pipe section (8) into the pipe and a tubular second channel (K2) arranged at a first predefinable angle to the first channel (K1) and connected to the first channel (K1), wherein in a transition region (9) between a wall of the first channel (K1) and a wall of the second channel (K2) there are at least two hollows (10a, 10b) in the wall of the first channel (K1) and / or the second channel (K2), characterized in that wherein the two hollows (10a, 10b) have a sickle-shaped geometry, and wherein the volume of the first hollow (10a) and the volume of the second hollow (10b) differ in size, wherein a first increase (Adi) of the diameter (di) of the first channel (K1) due to the first hollow (10a) and a second increase (Ad2) of the diameter (di) of the first channel (K1) due to the second hollow (10b) are dimensioned differently, wherein the first increase (Adi) of the diameter (di) of the first channel (K1) and the second increase (Ad2) of the diameter (di) of the first channel (K1) are dimensioned differently in the transition region (9).

2. The pipe adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a third tubular channel (K3) arranged at a second predefinable angle to the first channel (K1) and connected to the first channel (K1).

3. The pipe adapter (7) according to claim 1, wherein, the two hollows (10a, 10b) are arranged opposite each other across a cross section of the second channel (K2).

4. An arrangement for determining and / or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium (M) in a pipe, the arrangement comprising: - a device (1) for determining and / or monitoring the at least one process variable, and - a pipe adapter (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a transition between the pipe adapter (7) and the device (1) is substantially gap-free and / or dead-space-free in the region of the first channel (K1).

6. A method for producing a pipe adapter (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the following method steps: - providing a pipe section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) and a tubular second channel (K2) arranged at a first predefinable angle to the first channel (K1) and connected to the first channel (K1), and - machining the pipe section (8) in the transition region (9) between a wall of the first channel (K1) and a wall of the second channel (K2) in such a way that at least two hollows (10a, 10b) are produced in the wall of the first channel (K1) and / or the second channel (K2). - in a transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2), at least two hollows (10a, 10b) are milled in the wall of the first channel (K1) and / or of the second channel (K2).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, - using a spherical milling tool and / or a circular-arc segment milling tool.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, - for milling out the at least one hollow (10), the tool is introduced into the inner volume of the tube adapter (7) through a first opening (O2a) and / or a second opening (O2b) of the first channel (K1) or through an opening of the second channel (K2).

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