Vibration measurement system

Abstract

A measuring system comprising a vibration-type measuring transducer (10) comprising a tube assembly, an excitation assembly, a sensor assembly and an electronic measuring system (20) electrically coupled to the excitation assembly and the sensor assembly. The electronic measuring system (20) is designed to energize the vibration exciters (31, 32) of the excitation assembly in a first operating mode, i.e., feed an electrical drive signal (e1 and e2) to each vibration exciter (31 and 32, respectively), whereby the tubes (111, 112) of the tube assembly experience corresponding useful vibrations, i.e., forced mechanical vibrations having a vibration frequency specified by the corresponding drive signal (e1 and e2, respectively), and is designed to receive and evaluate a vibration measurement signal representing the vibration motion of the useful vibration. Furthermore, the electronic measuring system (20) is designed to energize the vibration exciters (31, 32) in a second operating mode so that, although the mechanical vibrations are coupled to the useful vibrations of the tube (111), only the tube (111) experiences the useful vibrations and the tube (112) does not experience the useful vibrations, and is designed to receive and evaluate vibration measurement signals representing the vibration movement of the useful vibrations and vibration measurement signals representing the vibration movement of the coupled vibrations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vibrating measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flow measuring device or a Coriolis mass flow / density measuring device, formed by means of a vibrating measuring transducer and measuring system electronics electrically connected thereto, for measuring and / or monitoring at least one measured variable of a flowing measured substance. Background Art

[0002] For example, in US-A 2006 / 0266129, US-A 2007 / 0113678, US-A2010 / 0011882, US-A2012 / 0123705, US-A 2017 / 0356777, US-B6,311,136, US-A 5,602,345, US-A 59 26 096、WO-A 2009 / 136943、WO-A2019 / 017891、WO-A 2019 / 081169、WO-A 2019 / 081170、WO-A87 / 06691、WO-A 96 / 05484、WO-A 96 / 08697、WO-A Vibration measurement systems in the field of the present invention are described in WO-A-97 / 26508, WO-A-99 / 39164 and the applicant's own international patent application PCT / EP2019 / 082044 (which application had not been published as of the earliest filing date of the present application). Each of the above-mentioned measurement systems comprises a measuring transducer having a tube arrangement for conveying a flowing fluid, an exciter arrangement for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy for exciting and maintaining forced mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement, and a sensor arrangement for recording the mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement and for providing an oscillating measurement signal representative of the oscillating motion of the tube arrangement, and also comprising measuring system electronics electrically coupled to the measuring transducer (i.e. electrically coupled to both its exciter arrangement and its sensor arrangement) for operating the measuring transducer and for evaluating the oscillating measurement signal delivered by the measuring transducer.

[0003] The pipe arrangements shown in US-A 2012 / 0123705, US-A 5,602,345, US-A 5,926,096, WO-A 2009 / 136943, WO-A 87 / 06691, WO-A 96 / 05484, WO-A 96 / 08697, WO-A 97 / 26508, WO-A 99 / 39164 and WO-A 2019 / 017891 each comprise: a first flow splitter, which serves as a line branch or inlet side and has exactly two flow openings; a second flow splitter, which is designed identically to the first flow splitter, serves as a line connection or outlet side and has exactly two flow openings; and two pipes, namely a first pipe and a second pipe, whereas in US-A The pipe arrangements shown in WO-A-96 / 08697, US-A-2017 / 0356777, WO-A-2019 / 081169, WO-A-2019 / 081170, and the cited patent application PCT / EP2019 / 082044 each comprise: a first flow splitter, which serves as a line branch or inlet side and has exactly two flow openings; a second flow splitter, which is designed identically to the first flow splitter, serves as a line connection or outlet side, and has exactly two flow openings; and two pipes, namely a first pipe and a second pipe. Each pipe of the pipe arrangement in each case extends over the pipe length from a first pipe end to a second pipe end and in each case has a pipe lumen enclosed by a metal pipe wall, and in each case the pipe lumen extends from the first pipe end to the second pipe end. Furthermore, in each case, each tube is connected to each of the first and second flow splitters such that the first tube communicates with its first end to the first flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the first flow opening of the second splitter, the second tube communicates with its first end to the second flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the second flow opening of the second splitter, or such that the first tube communicates with its first end to the first flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the first flow opening of the second splitter, the second tube communicates with its first end to the second flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the second flow opening of the second splitter, the third tube communicates with its first end to the third flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the third flow opening of the second splitter, and the fourth tube communicates with its first end to the fourth flow opening of the first splitter and with its second end to the fourth flow opening of the second splitter. Furthermore, in each case, each tube of each tube arrangement is also adapted to have a substance to be measured flow through it and to be caused to vibrate during this process.

[0004] In the case of the measuring systems shown in US Pat. No. 5,602,345, WO-A 2009 / 136943, WO-A 96 / 08697, WO-A 97 / 26508, WO-A 99 / 39164, or WO-A 2019 / 017891, each exciter device additionally comprises two electrodynamic oscillation exciters, a first of which is mechanically connected to the first tube and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, and a second of which is mechanically connected to the second tube and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics. Furthermore, each of the first and second oscillation exciters is adapted to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy for exciting oscillations of the tube, thereby applying a time-varying driving force to the tube at the junction formed with the tube by means of the oscillation exciter.

[0005] The measuring system electronics of the measuring system are further adapted to supply an electrical current to the oscillation exciter, i.e., to generate and supply an electrical drive signal to the oscillation exciter, so that the first and second tubes, or the first, second, third, and fourth tubes, at least partially execute a desired oscillation, i.e., a forced mechanical oscillation having at least one or more desired frequencies (i.e., an oscillation frequency predetermined by the drive signal, e.g., which also corresponds to one or more resonant frequencies of the tube arrangement), wherein, among other things, the desired oscillation is adapted to occur in the measured substance flowing through the tubes, in each case the Coriolis force being dependent on the mass flow rate. To record the oscillations of the tube arrangement, the sensor arrangement comprises four (e.g., electrodynamic) oscillation sensors spaced apart from one another, of which a first and a second oscillation sensor are mechanically connected to the first tube or to the first and third tubes, and a third and a fourth oscillation sensor are mechanically connected to the second tube or to the second and fourth tubes. Furthermore, in each case, each oscillation sensor is suitable for recording the oscillatory movement of the first, second, third or fourth tube to which it is mechanically connected and for providing a first, second, third and fourth oscillation measurement signal representing the oscillatory movement and for transmitting it to the measuring system electronics.

[0006] Furthermore, each of the above-described measurement systems further comprises a support structure (embodied as a transducer protection housing) which is fixed to the flow divider of the pipe arrangement. In the case of WO-A 96 / 08697 or WO-A 2019 / 017891, the support structure and the pipe arrangement are releasably connected together, for example, to enable on-site replacement of a defective or worn pipe arrangement with a complete pipe arrangement.

[0007] As discussed, among other things, in the above-mentioned references US-A 2012 / 0123705, US-A 2006 / 0266129 and WO-A 99 / 39164, vibrating measuring transducers and therefore the measuring systems formed thereby can be exposed to a variety of different types of loads during their total service life, which can lead to significant deviations of the measuring system from a determined earlier reference state, for example in the case of calibration carried out in the factory and / or at start-up of the measuring system, and, in this regard, this can significantly reduce the measuring system accuracy with which the parameters to be recorded for the medium are ultimately mapped into the corresponding measured values. Examples of such loads, which result in an overall irreversible change in the oscillation behavior of the at least one measuring tube, whether repeated one or more times, occurring steadily, or only for a short period of time, include, for example, excessive temperatures of the at least one measuring tube, high temperature shocks or other heat-related overloads, high pressure fluctuations in the medium, excessive clamping forces and / or shock forces exerted by the process line on the measuring transducer and the associated crack formation and / or plastic deformation in the at least one measuring tube, internal corrosion of the at least one measuring tube and consequently a reduction in its wall thickness due to the medium conveyed in the measuring transducer (e.g., due to corrosion and / or wear), the formation of deposits within the medium-contacting interior of the at least one measuring tube, and material fatigue or other wear phenomena in the at least one measuring tube. Furthermore, during the lifetime of the measuring system, the at least one oscillation exciter and each oscillation sensor may also experience changes that are relevant to the measurement accuracy, e.g., due to heat-related overloads or aging, so that, for example, the electrical impedance of the measuring transducer also changes. As a result of such loading, the transfer function of the measuring transducer ultimately changes. According to this transfer function, the measuring transducer, operated by at least one drive signal, ultimately converts the desired parameter of the medium into a corresponding oscillating signal in a manner that is initially undetectable or unpredictable, but sometimes no longer negligible in terms of the desired high measurement accuracy, causing the measuring system to no longer function as intended. Furthermore, since such overloading can even affect the overall structural integrity of the measuring transducer, attention must be paid to a deterioration in the measuring system's ability to operate, or in certain cases, even the possibility of leaks or explosions. Particularly with toxic and / or flammable media or with high-pressure gases, such variations from a reference state can also have catastrophic consequences for the entire process plant and the personnel within it, particularly with regard to the operational safety of measuring systems of the type in question. For this reason, measuring systems of the type in question are typically periodically and accordingly checked (e.g., during measurements related to predictive maintenance and, if necessary, for example, upon diagnosis of a decrease in measurement accuracy), and sometimes recalibrated or replaced accordingly.

[0008] In order to detect as early as possible a deviation of a measuring system from a reference state previously determined therefor exceeding a tolerance, or for example in the case of a subsequently installed or, among other things, a field-installed pipe arrangement, such as proposed in WO-A 2019 / 017891, a reference state predetermined therefor (and therefore a diagnosis of a fault of the measuring system associated with a measuring transducer) and, associated therewith, an impending significant reduction in the measurement accuracy or the operational safety of a measuring system of the type in question, such as in US-A 2012 / 0123705, 20-A 2010 / 0011882, US-A 2007 / 0113678, WO-A 96 / 05484, WO-A 99 / 39164 and US-A 59 26096 proposes detecting the aforementioned changes of such a measuring system based on a comparison of the current (i.e. determined during operation) oscillation response of selected components of the measuring transducer or system parameters representing the oscillation response (e.g. stiffness, number, number of frequencies also selectively recorded in given cases, damping factor, mechanical eigenvalues ​​or resonance ratio, frequency of at least one measuring tube or other system parameters, etc.) to describe a predetermined measuring transducer transfer function and thus characterizing the response of the measuring system to selected (broadband or frequency-selective) oscillation excitations, such as impulses or continuous (in given cases, also multimodal) oscillation excitations of one or more eigenfrequencies of the tubes, with the measuring transducer transfer function (system function of the measuring transducer) appropriately determined earlier in a reference state of the measuring system or reference system parameters representing such a measuring transducer transfer function, so as to generate a system status or disturbance report (e.g. an alarm) to issue such a signal accordingly, for example, when a corresponding predetermined threshold value representing a still acceptable tolerance measurement is exceeded, and therefore when a fault or an impending fault is diagnosed. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve a vibration measuring system of the type described above, in particular, however, also to utilize already conventional (and therefore established) oscillation exciters and sensors “on board” in a measuring system of the type in question and to be able to detect possible disturbances in the measuring system (e.g. wear or aging of the measuring transducer which would reduce the measuring accuracy and / or operational safety of the measuring system) as early as possible and, in given cases, also to reliably signal them, without having to have any notable effects or without having to interrupt the actual measuring operation; in particular, this is also largely independent of the medium flowing in the measuring transducer and, importantly, in given cases, also to apply specifically a design that is already established for such a measuring system, in particular for the measuring transducer to be installed therein, and, just as importantly, to maintain the already established mature technology and architecture of the measuring system electronics.

[0010] To achieve this object, the present invention relates to a vibration measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flow measuring device or a Coriolis mass flow / density measuring device, for measuring and / or monitoring at least one (in particular time-varying) flow parameter, in particular a mass flow, a volume flow and / or a flow velocity, and / or for measuring and / or monitoring at least one (in particular time-varying) material parameter (in particular density and / or viscosity) of a flowing measured substance (in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion), in particular a vibration measuring system according to the invention.

[0011] A measuring system, for example, implemented as an online measuring device and / or a measuring device of compact design, comprising:

[0012] - a measuring transducer having a tube arrangement for conveying a flowing measured substance, and having an exciter arrangement for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy for exciting and maintaining forced mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement, and having a sensor arrangement for recording the mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement and for providing an oscillating measurement signal representing the oscillating movement of the tube arrangement, and a measuring system electronics device, which is electrically coupled to the measuring transducer, i.e. to both its exciter arrangement and its sensor arrangement, for example by means of electrical connecting lines, and is formed and / or arranged in an electronics protective housing, for example by means of at least one microprocessor, for operating the measuring transducer and for evaluating the oscillating measurement signal delivered from the measuring transducer. The tube arrangement comprises: a first flow divider having at least two flow openings, for example, a first flow divider serving as a pipeline branch and / or a first flow divider on the inlet side; a second flow divider having at least two flow openings, for example, a second flow divider implemented in the same manner as the first flow divider and / or a second flow divider serving as a pipeline joint and / or a second flow divider on the outlet side; and a first tube, for example, a first tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight; and a second tube, for example, a second tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight and / or a second tube of the same construction as the first tube and / or a second tube that is at least partially parallel to the first tube. Each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement in each case extends over a tube length from a first tube end to a second tube end and in each case has a tube lumen surrounded by a tube wall (e.g., a metal tube wall) and extending in each case from the first tube end to the second tube end, wherein each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case connected to each of the first and second flow splitters in each case such that the first tube communicates with its first end with a first flow opening of the first flow splitter and with its second end with a first flow opening of the second flow splitter, and such that the second tube communicates with its first end with a second flow opening of the first flow splitter and with its second end with a second flow opening of the second flow splitter, and wherein each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case adapted to have a substance to be measured flow through and thereby be caused to vibrate, and wherein the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement are mechanically coupled to one another at least via the first and second flow splitters in such a way that a forced mechanical oscillation of the first tube causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of the second tube, and vice versa. The exciter device includes two oscillation exciters, for example electric and / or identically constructed oscillation exciters, a first oscillation exciter of which is mechanically connected to the first tube, for example positioned at the midpoint of the first tube, and a second oscillation exciter is mechanically connected to the second tube, for example positioned at the midpoint of the second tube.Each oscillation exciter is adapted to convert the electrical energy of a time-varying current into mechanical energy, in particular so that a time-varying driving force acts on the first and second tubes at the junction formed with the mechanically connected tubes by means of the oscillation exciter. The sensor arrangement comprises at least four oscillation sensors, for example, electrodynamic oscillation sensors and / or oscillation sensors of equivalent construction and / or oscillation sensors spaced apart from one another, of which a first and a second oscillation sensor are spaced apart from one another on the first tube, for example, positioned symmetrically with respect to the first oscillation exciter and, for example, at least partially mechanically connected to the first tube, and a third and a fourth oscillation sensor are spaced apart from one another on the second tube, for example, positioned symmetrically with respect to the second oscillation exciter and, for example, at least partially mechanically connected to the second tube. Each of the first and second oscillation sensors is in each case suitable for recording the oscillatory movement of the first tube and converting it into, for example, first and second oscillation measurement signals, which are electrical or optical and represent the oscillatory movement, for example such that each of the first and second oscillation measurement signals contains in each case one or more sinusoidal signal components, whose frequency corresponds in each case to the oscillation frequency of the oscillatory movement of the first tube, and each of the third and fourth oscillation sensors is in each case suitable for recording the oscillatory movement of the second tube and converting it into, for example, third and fourth oscillation measurement signals, which are electrical or optical and represent the oscillatory movement, for example such that each of the third and fourth oscillation measurement signals contains in each case one or more sinusoidal signal components, whose frequency corresponds in each case to the oscillation frequency of the oscillatory movement of the second tube.

[0013] The measuring system electronics are further adapted to supply current to the first oscillation exciter, i.e., supply an electrical first drive signal to the first oscillation exciter, whereby the first tube performs forced mechanical oscillations (e.g., bending oscillations) having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the first drive signal and the second tube performs mechanical oscillations coupled to at least one oscillation of the first tube; and to supply current to the second oscillation exciter, i.e., supply a second electrical drive signal to the second oscillation exciter, whereby the second tube performs forced mechanical oscillations (e.g., bending oscillations) having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the second drive signal and the first tube performs mechanical oscillations coupled to the oscillations of the second tube.

[0014] Furthermore, in the case of the measuring system of the present invention, the measuring system electronics are adapted to, in a first operating mode, generate a first drive signal having a first desired current, i.e., a current level having an (alternating current) frequency that is dominant or a single sinusoidal current component, and supply it to a first oscillation exciter, and also generate a second drive signal having at least a second desired current, i.e., a current level having an (alternating current) frequency that is dominant or a single sinusoidal current component, and supply it to a second oscillation exciter, so that the first tube at least partially (e.g., primarily) performs a first desired oscillation, i.e., a mechanical oscillation forced by the first oscillation exciter (supplied with current) and having at least the first desired frequency, the first desired frequency being the oscillation frequency corresponding to the (alternating current) frequency of the first desired current, and the second The two tubes at least partially (for example, mainly) perform a second desired oscillation, that is, a mechanical oscillation forced by a second oscillation exciter (supplied with current) and having at least a second desired frequency, that is, the second desired frequency corresponds to an oscillation frequency of the (alternating current) frequency of the second desired current, for example, so that the first desired oscillation and / or the second desired oscillation are suitable for inducing a Coriolis force that depends on the mass flow rate in the flowing measured substance, and each of the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal respectively has a first desired signal component and a second desired signal component, that is, a sinusoidal signal component with a frequency corresponding to the first desired frequency, and each of the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal respectively has a third desired signal component and a fourth desired signal component, that is, a sinusoidal signal component with a frequency corresponding to the second desired frequency.

[0015] Furthermore, the measuring system electronics are particularly suitable for at least temporarily generating a first drive signal having a first desired current and supplying it to the first oscillation exciter in a second operating mode, e.g. a second operating mode activated before and / or after the first operating mode, e.g. supplying current to the first oscillation exciter as in the first operating mode, and at the same time not supplying a drive signal containing a second desired current component to the second oscillation exciter, so that the first tube at least partially performs the first desired oscillation and the second tube performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to the first desired oscillation and having the first desired frequency, similarly without the second desired oscillation, and each of the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal in each case has a desired signal component, and each of the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal in each case has a coupled signal component, i.e. a specific sinusoidal signal component, the frequency of which corresponds to the (alternating current) frequency of the first desired current.

[0016] Furthermore, in the case of the measuring system of the present invention, the measuring system electronics are adapted to: in a first operating mode, receive and evaluate the first, second, third and fourth oscillating signals, i.e., based on the oscillation signals, e.g., in each case at least on one of the desired signal components, determine a measurement value quantifying at least one physical measured variable (in chronological order); and in a second operating mode, receive and evaluate at least the third and / or fourth oscillating signals, e.g., both the third and the fourth oscillating signals, e.g., receive and evaluate the first, second, third and fourth oscillating signals.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the above-described measuring system for measuring at least one flow parameter, such as a mass flow rate and / or a volume flow rate, and / or at least one material parameter, such as a density and / or a viscosity of a fluid measured substance, in particular a substance flowing in a pipeline, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion.

[0018] In a first embodiment of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the measuring system electronics to be adapted to receive and evaluate the first oscillating signal and / or the second oscillating signal also in the second operating mode.

[0019] In a second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are adapted to determine measured values ​​(in chronological order) quantifying at least one physical measured variable based on at least one of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal received in the second operating mode (e.g. each of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal), and for example also to compare these measured values ​​with measured values ​​determined for the measured variable based on the oscillating signals received in the first operating mode.

[0020] In a third embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are adapted to obtain or determine one or more desired signal components from at least one of the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal received in the first operating mode (e.g., received in the first operating mode and in the second operating mode) (e.g., each of the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal), and also to obtain or determine one or more desired signal components from at least one of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal received in the first operating mode (e.g., each of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal).

[0021] In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that each desired signal component of the first, second, third, and fourth oscillating signals has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow rate of the measured substance. Further developing this embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that the measurement system electronics are adapted to determine (e.g., calculate) a mass flow measurement value, i.e., a measurement value representing the mass flow rate of the flowing measured substance in at least the first operating mode, based on a first phase difference, i.e., the difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the first oscillating signal and the phase angle of the desired signal component of the second oscillating signal, and based on a second phase difference, i.e., the difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the third oscillating signal and the phase angle of the desired signal component of the fourth oscillating signal.

[0022] In a fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to obtain or determine one or more coupled signal components from at least one of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal received in the second operating mode, e.g. from each of the third oscillating signal and the fourth oscillating signal.

[0023] In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, it is furthermore provided that each coupled signal component of the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow rate of the substance to be measured.

[0024] In a seventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that each desired signal component of the first, second, third and fourth oscillating signals has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow rate of the measured substance, and each coupled signal component of the third and fourth oscillating signals has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow rate of the measured substance, and that the measuring system electronics is adapted to determine (e.g., calculate) a mass flow measurement value, i.e., a measurement value representing the mass flow rate of the flowing measured substance, at least in a first operating mode, based on a first phase difference, i.e., a difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the first oscillating signal and the phase angle of the desired component of the second oscillating signal, and based on a second phase difference, i.e., a difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the third oscillating signal and the phase angle of the desired signal component of the fourth oscillating signal, and to determine (e.g., calculate) a mass flow measurement value, i.e., a measurement value representing the mass flow rate of the flowing measured substance, based on a first phase difference, i.e., a difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the first oscillating signal and the phase angle of the desired signal component of the second oscillating signal, at least in a second operating mode, based on the first phase difference and based on a third phase difference, i.e., a difference between the phase angle of the coupled signal component of the third oscillating signal and the phase angle of the coupled signal component of the fourth oscillating signal, and / or to compare the mass flow measurement values ​​determined based on the first phase difference and the second phase difference. Developing this embodiment of the invention further, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to compare the first phase difference and the third phase difference with each other and, in case of an excessive difference (ie the difference exceeds a predetermined reference value), output a report, such as a (disturbance) alarm.

[0025] In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are suitable for detecting, based on at least one of the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal received in the second operating mode (e.g., coupled signal components thereof), whether there is a disturbance in the measuring system, for example, a disturbance which reduces the operating capability of the measuring system and / or causes a malfunction of the measuring system and / or reduces the integrity of at least one of the first, second, third and fourth oscillation signals or the measured values ​​obtained therefrom and / or causes a measurement error in the measured values ​​obtained therefrom, for example, a disturbance caused by deposits on the inner side of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to a reduction in the thickness of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to aging of one or more of the oscillation sensors and / or the oscillation exciters, for example, by comparing the measured value of at least one measured variable determined based on the oscillation signal received in the first operating mode with the measured value of the measured variable determined based on the oscillation signal received in the second operating mode. Developing this embodiment of the invention further, it is further provided that the disturbance of the measuring system comprises a (e.g. irreversible) change of one or more oscillation characteristics of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a reduction in the thickness of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to plastic deformation of one or more of the pipes and / or due to deposits on the inside of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to cracks in the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes, and / or the disturbance of the measuring system comprises a (e.g. irreversible) change of one or more flow characteristics of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a reduction in the flow cross section of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a blockage of one or more of the pipes and / or or due to deposits on the inner side of the wall of one or more of the tubes, and / or the disturbance of the measuring system comprises a (e.g. irreversible) change in the characteristics of one or more electromechanical transducers, for example due to aging of one or more of the oscillation sensors and / or oscillation exciters and / or due to changes in the mechanical connection between one or more oscillation sensors or one or more oscillation exciters and their tube or tubes, and / or the disturbance of the measuring system comprises: a (e.g. irreversible) change in the (scale) zero point of the measuring system and / or the (measurement) sensitivity of the measuring system corresponding to the first phase difference and / or the second phase difference measured at the stationary measured substance.

[0026] In a ninth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are adapted to calculate one or more values ​​of at least one measuring system characteristic number characterizing an operating state, such as a system function (transfer function) intrinsic to the measuring system, based on one or more oscillating measurement signals received in the second operating mode, and to determine one or more functional dependencies of the one or more oscillating measurement signals on the one or more drive signals, and to determine the operating capability of the measuring system, such that, for example, the measuring system characteristic number depends on one or more parameters of a system function of the measuring system mediating between the first desired current of the first drive signal and the coupled signal components of the third oscillating measurement signal and / or the fourth oscillating measurement signal. In further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system characteristic number depends on a system amplitude ratio between a first desired current of the first drive signal and a coupled signal component of at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal, for example the sum of the coupled signal components of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal, for example the measuring system characteristic number quantifies the system amplitude ratio, and / or the measuring system characteristic number depends on a desired signal component of at least one of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal, for example the sum of the desired signal components of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal, and a coupled signal component of at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal, for example The system phase difference between the sums of the coupled signal components of the measurement signals, for example the system characteristic number quantifies the system phase difference, and / or provides that the measuring system electronics is adapted to compare one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number with one or more reference values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number, for example one or more reference values ​​determined by the manufacturer of the measuring system and / or determined during manufacture and / or startup of the measuring system, for example one or more reference values ​​indicating a reduction in the operational capability of the measuring transducer and / or one or more reference values ​​indicating a malfunction of the measuring transducer and / or one or more reference values ​​indicating a defective measuring transducer, for example for evaluating and / or quantifying deviations of the one or more characteristic values ​​from the one or more reference values. The measuring system electronics can also be adapted to determine whether one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number are greater than at least one reference value of the measuring system characteristic number, for example to output a report signal, for example in the form of a (disturbance) alarm, if the one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number are greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a reduction in the operational capability of the measuring transducer and / or greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a malfunction of the measuring transducer and / or greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a no longer intact measuring transducer.

[0027] In a tenth embodiment of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the measuring system electronics to comprise a non-volatile electronic data memory (EEPROM) which is suitable for storing digital data, e.g. in the absence of an applied operating voltage, e.g. in the form of one or more earlier determined reference values ​​for characteristic quantities of the measuring system.

[0028] In an eleventh embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide the first desired current component of the first drive signal with an (alternating current) frequency, which frequency differs from the resonant frequency of the first tube by less than 1% of this resonant frequency and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0029] In a twelfth embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide the second desired current component of the second drive signal with an (alternating current) frequency, which differs from the resonance frequency fr2 of the second tube by less than 1% of the resonance frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0030] In a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide the desired current component of the first drive signal with an (alternating current) frequency which differs from the resonance frequency fr2 of the second tube by less than 1% of the resonance frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0031] In a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide the second desired current component of the second drive signal with an (alternating current) frequency, which differs from the resonance frequency fr1 of the first tube by less than 1% of the resonance frequency fr1 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0032] In a fifteenth embodiment of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the first tube and the second tube to have at least one common resonance frequency fr12, and wherein the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide the first desired current component and the second desired current component of the first drive signal and the second drive signal in each case with an (alternating current) frequency which differs from the common resonance frequency fr12 of the first tube and the second tube by less than 1% of this resonance frequency fr12 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0033] In a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that the tube arrangement comprises: a first coupling element mechanically connected to each of the tubes, for example a first coupling element positioned further away from the second diverter than from the first diverter, for example a plate-shaped first coupling element; and a second coupling element mechanically connected to each of the tubes, for example a second coupling element positioned further away from the first diverter than from the second diverter, for example a plate-shaped second coupling element and / or a second coupling element of the same construction as the first coupling element.

[0034] In a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, it is furthermore provided that the measuring transducer has a natural bending oscillation mode (e.g. a fundamental mode of bending oscillation), in which case the first tube and the second tube can perform or perform mechanical oscillations of opposite phases, and wherein the measuring system electronics are adapted to supply first and second drive signals to the first oscillation exciter and the second oscillation exciter in a first operating mode to force mechanical oscillations of opposite phases, for example to supply the first desired current and the second desired current with an (alternating current) frequency that differs from the resonant frequency fr12 of the bending oscillation mode by less than 1% of the resonant frequency and / or by less than 1 Hz.

[0035] In an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is adapted to, in a third operating mode (e.g., in a third operating mode activated after the second operating mode): at least temporarily generate a second drive signal having a second desired current and supply it to the second oscillation exciter, e.g., supply current to the second oscillation exciter in the same manner as in the first operating mode, and at the same time not supply a drive signal containing the first desired current component to the first oscillation exciter, so that the second tube at least partially performs the second desired oscillation and the first tube performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to the second desired oscillation and having the second desired frequency, while likewise not performing the first desired oscillation, and each of the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal in each case has a desired signal component, and each of the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal in each case has a coupled signal component, i.e., a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the (alternating current) frequency of the second desired current, and the measuring system electronics is adapted to receive and evaluate at least the first oscillation signal and / or the second oscillation signal, e.g., both the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal, in the third operating mode, e.g., to receive and evaluate the first oscillation signal, the second oscillation signal, the third oscillation signal and the fourth oscillation signal.

[0036] In a first additional development of the invention, both the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter each comprise, for example, exactly four flow openings, and the tube arrangement comprises: a third tube, for example, an at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight third tube and / or a third tube at least partially parallel to the first tube; and a fourth tube, for example, an at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight fourth tube and / or a fourth tube of the same construction as the third tube and / or a fourth tube at least partially parallel to the third tube, wherein each of the third and fourth tubes of the tube arrangement in each case extends with a tube length from a first tube end to a second tube end and in each case comprises a tube wall (for example, a metal tube wall) ) surrounded by a tubular cavity, and the tubular cavity extends in each case from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube, and wherein each of the third tube and the fourth tube of the tube device is in each case connected to each of the first diverter and the second diverter, so that the third tube is connected with its first end to the third flow opening of the first diverter and with its second end to the third flow opening of the second diverter, and the fourth tube is connected with its first end to the fourth flow opening of the first diverter and with its second end to the fourth flow opening of the second diverter, and each of the third tube and the fourth tube of the tube device is in each case suitable for a substance to be measured to flow through and to be caused to vibrate during this process.

[0037] In a first embodiment of the first additional development of the present invention, it is furthermore provided that the third tube and the fourth tube of the tube arrangement are mechanically coupled to each other at least via the first diverter and the second diverter, such that the forced mechanical oscillation of the third tube causes the coupled mechanical oscillation of the fourth tube, and the forced mechanical oscillation of the fourth tube causes the coupled mechanical oscillation of the third tube, and / or such that the forced mechanical oscillation of the first tube and the third tube (for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of the first tube and the third tube) causes the coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the second tube and the fourth tube (for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of the second tube and the fourth tube), and the forced mechanical oscillation of the second tube and the fourth tube (for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of the second tube and the fourth tube) causes the coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the first tube and the third tube (for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of the first tube and the third tube), and / or such that the forced mechanical oscillation of each of the first, second, third and fourth tubes causes in each case the coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the other first, second, third and fourth tubes. Furthermore, the first oscillation exciter may be adapted to, for example, differentially excite mechanical oscillations of the first tube and the third tube, and the second oscillation exciter may be adapted to, for example, differentially excite mechanical oscillations of the second tube and the fourth tube.

[0038] In a second embodiment of the first additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the first oscillation exciter to be mechanically connected to both the first tube and the third tube, and for the second oscillation exciter to be mechanically connected to both the second tube and the fourth tube.

[0039] In a third embodiment of the first additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for each of the first and second oscillation sensors to be adapted in each case to (e.g. differentiatedly) register the oscillatory movements of the first and third tubes, such that each of the first and second oscillation measurement signals represents the (e.g. oppositely phased) oscillatory movements of the first and third tubes; and

[0040] - wherein each of the third oscillation sensor and the fourth oscillation sensor is in each case suitable for (e.g., separately) recording the oscillatory movements of the second tube and the fourth tube, so that each of the third oscillation measurement signal and the fourth oscillation measurement signal represents the (e.g., oppositely phased) oscillatory movements of the second tube and the fourth tube.

[0041] In a fourth embodiment of the first additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the first and second oscillation sensors to be mechanically connected in each case both to the first and to the third tube, and for the third and fourth oscillation sensors to be mechanically connected in each case both to the second and to the fourth tube.

[0042] In a fifth embodiment of the first additional development of the present invention, it is furthermore provided that the first, second, third and fourth tubes have the same structure only in pairs, for example so that the first tube has only the same structure as the third tube and the second tube has only the same structure as the fourth tube.

[0043] In a sixth embodiment of the first additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for each of the four tubes to have a caliber equal to the caliber of each of the other tubes.

[0044] In a seventh embodiment of the first additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the tube wall of each of the four tubes to have a thickness equal to the thickness of each of the other tubes.

[0045] In a second additional development of the invention, the measuring system further comprises a support structure, eg embodied as a transducer protection housing, wherein the support structure and the tube arrangement are (eg releasably) fixed to each other by means of the first and second flow splitter.

[0046] In a first embodiment of a second additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the first oscillation exciter and the second oscillation exciter to be mechanically connected to the support structure.

[0047] In a second embodiment of a second additional development of the invention, provision is furthermore made for the first, second, third and fourth oscillation sensors to be mechanically connected to the support structure.

[0048] In a third additional development of the invention, the measuring system further comprises an electronics protection housing for the measuring system electronics, for example an electronics protection housing fixed to a support structure of the measuring transducer.

[0049] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to utilize the sensitivity of the regularly occurring mechanical coupling between the tubes in a vibrating measuring transducer to changes in the measured variable, whereas the measuring transducer also changes in order to monitor the operational capabilities of the vibrating measuring system formed by it; in given cases, this is also cyclical and does not interrupt the actual measuring operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The invention and its advantageous embodiments will now be explained in more detail based on the examples of embodiments shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Components having the same or identical effects or functions are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures; reference numerals already shown in previous figures are omitted in subsequent figures where this is necessary for clarity or appears to be appropriate. Furthermore, further advantageous embodiments or additional developments (in particular, combinations of aspects of the invention initially explained only individually) may result from the figures of the accompanying drawings and / or the claims themselves.

[0051] The accompanying drawings are shown as follows:

[0052] Figure 1 An example of embodiment of the measuring system of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0053] Figure 2 、 Figure 3 Schematically shows other variations of the measuring system of the present invention; and

[0054] Figure 4 、 Figure 5 is Figure 1 or Figure 2 and Figure 3 Phase diagram of the drive signal and the oscillating measurement signal generated during operation of the measurement system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] exist Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 and Figure 3 Schematically shown in FIG. 1 are examples of embodiments of a vibration measuring system for measuring and / or monitoring at least one (in particular time-varying) measured variable of a measured material FL, which is at least sometimes flowing and, for example, at least sometimes also two-phase or more phased and / or inhomogeneous, wherein the measured variable can be, for example, a flow parameter, for example, a mass flow rate. Volume flow rate and / or flow velocity, or for example material parameters, for example density ρ and / or viscosity η of the measured material FL. The measuring system is particularly designed and adapted to be inserted into a process line for conveying a fluid FL (for example a gas, liquid or dispersion) as the measured material and, during operation (at least sometimes), through which flows the fluid FL supplied and discharged via the process line. Furthermore, the measuring system is arranged to determine (in particular calculate and / or chronologically output) the measured value X M , in given cases also digital measured values, to quantify at least one physical measured variable. The process line can be, for example, a pipeline, such as a pipeline of a filling plant, a fuel filling plant or other industrial plant.

[0056] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in each case, or as is directly apparent from their combination, the measuring system comprises: a vibration-type measuring transducer 10, i.e. a measuring transducer having a tube arrangement formed by means of at least two tubes (111, 121, 112, 122), for example by means of exactly two or exactly four tubes (for example, tubes embodied identically at least in pairs) and in each case two shunts (21, 22) connected thereto; an exciter device (31, 32) for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy in order to excite and maintain forced mechanical oscillations of the tubes; and a sensor device (41, 42, 43, 44) for recording the mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement and for providing oscillation measurement signals (s1, s2, s3, s4), for example electrical or optical oscillation measurement signals, which in each case represent the oscillatory motion of the tube arrangement, in particular the oscillatory motion of its tubes. Furthermore, the measuring transducer MT is also equipped to be connected to the aforementioned process line via an inlet port 10+ formed by one of the aforementioned flow dividers (e.g., an inlet port held by a connection flange) and via an outlet port 10# formed by the other aforementioned flow divider (e.g., an outlet port held by a connection flange), and to have a measured substance FL flow through it during operation. Furthermore, each tube of the tube arrangement is suitable for conveying a certain volume fraction of the measured substance FL in its lumen and for causing it to vibrate during this process, e.g., in each case, by performing forced mechanical oscillations about a static rest position associated in each case, in particular to achieve forced mechanical oscillations corresponding to at least one measured variable and / or a measurable effect excited by means of an exciter device; in particular, this causes each tube of the tube arrangement to be caused to vibrate, and during the vibrations, a fluid flows through each tube from its first end in the direction of its second end. The forced mechanical oscillations can (as is very common in the case of measuring transducers of the type in question) at least partially be forced bending oscillations of the tube about an imaginary oscillation axis of the tube arrangement (i.e. an imaginary axis intersecting the tube); in particular, this also results in these (two or four) imaginary oscillation axes (e.g. in the case of a tube in a static rest position) also being essentially parallel to one another. In addition to the measuring transducer 10, the measuring system also comprises measuring system electronics 20 for operating the measuring transducer, in particular for achieving the above-mentioned mechanical oscillations of the tube, and for evaluating the oscillating measurement signals delivered by the measuring transducer, for example for determining the above-mentioned measured values ​​therefrom. The measuring system electronics are, for example, electrically coupled to the above-mentioned exciter device of the measuring transducer and to the above-mentioned sensor device of the measuring transducer by means of corresponding electrical connecting lines and are in particular formed by means of at least one microprocessor (μC) and / or are arranged in an electronics protection housing (200) and / or can serve as a transmitter.

[0057] The exciter device of the measuring transducer 10 is in particular arranged and adapted to convert electrical energy supplied (from the measuring system electronics 20) into mechanical energy such that the tube arrangement (in particular each tube thereof) at least sometimes performs a forced mechanical oscillation about a static rest position, whereas the sensor device is arranged and adapted to record the mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement, in particular the mechanical oscillations and / or bending oscillations of the tubes forced by means of the exciter device; and is arranged and adapted to provide a first oscillating measurement signal s1, a second oscillating measurement signal s2, a third oscillating measurement signal s3 and a fourth oscillating measurement signal s4, which (e.g. electrical) oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4 each at least partially represent an oscillating movement of one or more tubes of the tube arrangement, for example, in each case by means of a variable voltage corresponding to the oscillating movement of the tubes; in particular, this enables (such as Figure 4 The oscillating measurement signals s1, s2 (in each case their spectral signal components s1N, s2N) follow the mass flow of the measured substance conveyed in the tube arrangement as a function of the first phase difference The variation of the phase angle of the oscillating measurement signal s1 and the phase angle of the oscillating measurement signal s2) and the oscillating measurement signals s3, s4 (in each case their spectral signal components s3N, s4N) follow the mass flow of the measured substance conveyed in the tube arrangement as a function of the second phase difference s4) and / or causing each of the above-mentioned oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4 to follow the change of the density of the measured substance transported in the tube device as the signal frequency of at least one spectral signal component changes.

[0058] The tube arrangement of the measuring transducer 10 according to the invention comprises (as already indicated): a first flow splitter 21 with at least two flow openings (21a, 21b), for example, a first flow splitter serving as a line branch and / or an inlet-side first flow splitter; a second flow splitter 22 with at least two flow openings (22a, 22b), for example, a second flow splitter embodied identically to the first flow splitter 21 and / or serving as a line joint and / or an outlet-side second flow splitter; and a first tube 111, in particular, an at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight first tube; and a second tube 112, for example, an at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight second tube and / or a second tube constructed identically to the first tube and / or a second tube at least partially parallel to the first tube. Each of the tubes 111, 112 in each case extends over a tube length from a first tube end to a second tube end and in each case comprises a tube lumen surrounded by a tube wall (for example, a metal tube wall) and extending in each case from the first tube end to the second tube end. Each tube 111, 112 of the tube arrangement is connected to each flow divider 21, 22, so that the tube 111 communicates with its first end with the first flow opening 21a of the flow divider 21 and with its second end with the first flow opening 22a of the flow divider 22, and the tube 112 communicates with its first end with the second flow opening 21b of the flow divider 21 and with its second end with the second flow opening 22b of the flow divider 22. In addition to the tubes 111, 112, the tube arrangement may have additional tubes, for example (and also in Figure 3 Indicated in, or from Figure 2 and Figure 3111 , and a fourth tube 114 , in particular a fourth tube 114 which is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight and / or is at least partially parallel to the tube 113 . Furthermore, each of these tubes 113, 114 of the tube arrangement in each case extends over a tube length from a first tube end to a second tube end and in each case has a tube lumen enclosed by a tube wall (e.g., a metal tube wall) and extending in each case from the first tube end to the second tube end. Furthermore, each tube 113, 114 is connected to each flow divider 21, 22 in each case such that tube 113 communicates with its first end with the third flow opening 21c of flow divider 21 and with its second end with the third flow opening of flow divider 22, and tube 114 communicates with its first end with the fourth flow opening 21d of flow divider 21 and with its second end with the fourth flow opening 22d of flow divider 22; in particular, this results in the tube arrangement having exactly four tubes, so that apart from the aforementioned tubes 111, 112, 121, 122, no further tubes are connected to flow dividers 21 and 22.

[0059] In the case of a curved tube arrangement, the aforementioned tube length corresponds to the straightened length of the tube or the length of the imaginary centerline of the tube. The tube length of tube 111 is preferably equal to the tube length of tube 112. In the case of a tube arrangement with four tubes, the tube length of tube 113 is preferably equal to the tube length of tube 114; for example, this also means that the tube length of tube 111 is only equal to the tube length of tube 112, and is also greater than the tube lengths of both tubes 113 and 114, and the tube length of tube 113 is only equal to the tube length of tube 114, and is also less than the tube lengths of both tubes 111 and 112. In an additional embodiment of the invention, the wall of each tube of the tube arrangement has a predetermined (e.g. also substantially uniform) thickness and can (as is very common in the case of tube arrangements of the type in question or measuring transducers or measuring systems formed therefrom) be made, for example, of the same material and / or metal (in particular in each case stainless steel or in each case a nickel-based alloy); this also results, for example, in the wall of each tube of the tube arrangement having a thickness equal to the thickness of the or each other tube, and / or in the wall of each tube of the tube arrangement having a caliber (i.e. inner diameter) equal to the caliber of the or each other tube. In an additional embodiment of the invention, each tube has a caliber of not less than 1 mm, for example also greater than 10 mm, and / or in each case in the wall of each tube having a minimum thickness of not less than 0.5 mm, for example also greater than 1.5 mm and / or equal to the minimum thickness of the wall of each other tube. Furthermore, for example, the tubes of the tube arrangement can each be embodied in one piece (e.g., seamlessly or at least with a metal tube wall made of a weld seam) and / or formed by bending a tubular semi-finished product, for example, so that each tube is embodied essentially in a V-shape, i.e., has a V-shaped profile, and / or each tube thus has a tubular form lying in a single (bending) plane. For the above-described case in which the tube arrangement comprises four tubes, the tubes can, for example, also be embodied so that they have the same structure only in pairs, for example, so that tube 111 only has the same structure as tube 112, and tube 113 only has the same structure as tube 114.

[0060] In order to set the mechanical oscillation characteristics of the tube arrangement, in particular in order to set one or more resonance frequencies of its tubes, the tube arrangement can (and also Figure 12) comprises a first coupling element 23, for example, a plate-shaped first coupling element, in particular a first coupling element positioned further away from the flow splitter 22 than from the flow splitter 21 and mechanically connected to each of its tubes; and at least one second coupling element 24, for example, a plate-shaped second coupling element and / or a second coupling element constructed identically to the coupling element 23, in particular a second coupling element positioned further away from the flow splitter 21 than from the flow splitter 22 and mechanically connected to each of its tubes. In order to connect the tube arrangement and the measuring transducer, or the measuring system formed thereby, to the aforementioned process line conveying the measured substance FL, the flow splitter 21 may further comprise a first connecting flange, for example, a first connecting flange for connecting the tube arrangement to a line section of the process line for supplying the fluid FL during operation, and the flow splitter 22 may comprise a second connecting flange, for example, a second connecting flange for connecting the tube arrangement to a line section of the process line for removing the fluid FL. For example, a sealing surface can be implemented in each case on each of the aforementioned connecting flanges for fluid-tight, leak-free connection of the pipe arrangement to a desired line section of a process line.

[0061] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the measuring system further comprises a support structure 100 which is particularly resistant to bending and / or torsion, wherein, as well as also Figure 1 , the support structure 100 and the pipe arrangement are releasably fixed to one another, for example by means of flow diverters 21, 22. In order to protect the measuring transducer and its components from damaging environmental influences, to prevent the vibrating pipe from emitting undesirable sounds, or to contain measured matter escaping from a leaking pipe arrangement, such as is very common in the case of vibration measuring systems of the type in question, the support structure 100 is embodied as a transducer protection housing, which encloses the pipes 111, 112 of the pipe arrangement, for example, so that the transducer protection housing has a pressure resistance that is greater than the maximum pressure resistance of the pipes of the pipe arrangement and / or a volume greater than 50 bar.

[0062] In the case of the measuring system of the invention as already mentioned, each tube of the tube arrangement (thus each of the tubes 111, 112, and in given cases, the tubes 113, 114) is particularly suitable in each case for having the measured substance FL (or its volume fraction) flow through and during which to be caused to vibrate. For this purpose, in the case of the measuring system of the invention, the exciter arrangement comprises two (e.g., electrodynamic and / or identically constructed) oscillation exciters 31, 32, of which the first oscillation exciter 31 (e.g., electrodynamic or piezoelectric first oscillation exciter) is mechanically connected to the tube 111 (e.g., not mechanically connected to the tube 112) and is positioned, for example, at the midpoint of the tube 111, and the second oscillation exciter 32 (e.g., electrodynamic or piezoelectric second oscillation exciter) is mechanically connected to the tube 112 (e.g., not mechanically connected to the tube 111) and is positioned, for example, at the midpoint of the tube 112. Furthermore, in each case, each oscillation exciter 31, 32 is adapted to convert electrical energy having a time-varying current into mechanical energy, in particular such that the oscillation exciter exerts a time-varying driving force on the respective tube at a junction point (i.e., a junction point formed by means of the oscillation exciter on the tube to which it is mechanically connected). In an additional embodiment of the invention, for the above-mentioned case in which the tube arrangement comprises four tubes, the oscillation exciter 31 is adapted to excite mechanical oscillations of two tubes 111, 113, and the oscillation exciter 32 is adapted to excite mechanical oscillations of the other two tubes 112, 114; in particular, this enables the oscillation exciter 31 to act differentially between the two tubes 111, 113, i.e., to introduce or only introduce opposite and equal excitation forces into the two tubes 111, 113, and the oscillation exciter 32 to act differentially on the two tubes 112, 114, i.e., to introduce or only introduce opposite and equal excitation forces into the two tubes 112, 114. For this purpose, for example, the oscillation exciter 31 can be mechanically connected to both the tube 111 and the tube 113, and the oscillation exciter 32 can thus be mechanically connected to both the tube 112 and the tube 114, for example, so that the above-mentioned driving force acts on both the tube 111 and the tube 113, and can act on both the tube 112 and the tube 114. In particular, for another case in which the measuring system includes the above-mentioned support structure and the tube arrangement has exactly two tubes, the oscillation exciters 31, 32 can, for example, be partially mechanically connected to the support structure 100, for example, so that the above-mentioned driving force acts between the tube 111 or the tube 112 (as the case may be) and the support structure.

[0063] In order to generate the above-mentioned oscillation measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4, the sensor device includes at least four oscillation sensors, for example, oscillation sensors of the same structure and / or oscillation sensors separated from each other, and the first oscillation sensor 41 and the second oscillation sensor 42 of the four oscillation sensors (for example, in the form of electric or optical sensors) are positioned separated from each other along the tube 111, for example, also symmetrically with respect to the oscillation exciter 31, and the third oscillation sensor 43 and the fourth oscillation sensor 44 of the four oscillation sensors (for example, in the form of electric or optical sensors) are positioned separated from each other along the tube 112, in particular symmetrically with respect to the oscillation exciter 32. In each case, each oscillation sensor 41, 42 is suitable for recording the oscillatory movement of the tube 111 and converting it accordingly into the above-mentioned oscillatory measurement signal s1 and the above-mentioned oscillatory measurement signal s2, and in each case, each oscillation sensor 41, 42 is suitable for recording the oscillatory movement of the tube 112 and converting it accordingly into the above-mentioned oscillatory measurement signal s3 and the above-mentioned oscillatory measurement signal s4; in particular, this makes each oscillation measurement signal s1, s2, s3, s4 represent the corresponding oscillatory movement, or makes each oscillation measurement signal s1, s2, s3, s4 contain one or more sinusoidal signal components, the frequency of which corresponds in each case to the oscillation frequency of the oscillatory movement of the tube 111 and the tube 112, respectively. Also as Figure 1 As shown, or from Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , furthermore, for example, the oscillation sensors 41, 42, 43, 44 can also be positioned such that in each case the oscillation sensor 41 and the oscillation sensor 43 register the inlet-side oscillation movement of the tube 111, and in each case the oscillation sensor 42 and the oscillation sensor 44 register the outlet-side oscillation movement of the tube 112. Furthermore, the oscillation sensors can also be positioned, for example, such that the distance between the oscillation sensor 41 and the flow diverter 21 and the distance between the oscillation sensor 42 and the flow diverter 22 are equal, and / or such that the distance between the oscillation sensor 43 and the flow diverter 21 and the distance between the oscillation sensor 44 and the flow diverter 22 are equal, and / or such that in each case the two oscillation sensors 41, 42 are positioned equidistantly from the aforementioned oscillation exciter 31, and / or such that in each case the two oscillation sensors 43, 44 are positioned equidistantly from the aforementioned oscillation exciter 32.

[0064] In particular for the above-mentioned case in which the oscillation sensors are electric (thus implemented in the manner of oscillation or solenoid oscillation sensors), provision is made in an additional embodiment of the invention that both oscillation sensor 41 as well as oscillation sensor 42 are also at least partially mechanically connected at least to tube 111, however, in particular not mechanically connected to tube 112, and that both oscillation sensor 43 as well as oscillation sensor 44 are at least partially mechanically connected at least to tube 112, however, in particular not mechanically connected to tube 111. For the other case in which the measuring system comprises a support structure and a tube arrangement having exactly two tubes, the oscillation sensors can also be mechanically connected to the support structure on one side, for example, so that in each case the oscillation sensors 41, 42, 43 and 44 record the oscillating movements of the tubes 111 and 112 relative to the support structure. For this purpose, the oscillation sensors 41, 42 can in each case be mechanically connected to the tube 111 as well as to the support structure, and the oscillation sensors 43, 44 can in each case be mechanically connected to the tube 112 as well as to the support structure. For the previously indicated tube arrangement comprising four tubes (and also as Figure 2 and Figure 3In another case (as shown, or directly evident from their combination), both the oscillation sensor 41 and the oscillation sensor 42 can be mechanically connected to each of the two tubes 111, 113, and both the oscillation sensor 43 and the oscillation sensor 44 can be mechanically connected to each of the two tubes 112, 114, for example, so that in each case the oscillation sensor 41 and the oscillation sensor 43 record the inlet-side oscillation movement of the tubes 111, 112, 113 and 114, and in each case the oscillation sensor 42 and the oscillation sensor 44 record the outlet-side oscillation movement of the tubes 111, 112, 113 and 114. Furthermore, for this case, the oscillation sensors 41, 42 can be adapted to record the opposite (and therefore oppositely phased, and in given cases also oppositely equal) oscillatory movements of the tubes 111, 113 and convert them into oscillation measurement signals s41, s42 (in each case, representing the oscillation movement), and correspondingly, each of the above-mentioned oscillation sensors 43, 44 can also be adapted to record the opposite (and therefore oppositely phased, and in given cases also oppositely equal) oscillatory movements of the tubes 112, 114 and convert them into oscillation measurement signals (in each case, representing the oscillation movement); for example, this also makes the oscillation sensors 41, 42 adapted to differentiate between recording the oscillation movements of the two tubes 111, 113, i.e., only converting the opposite oscillation movements of the tubes 111, 113 into oscillation measurement signals s1, s2, and the oscillation sensors 43, 44 adapted to differentiate between recording the oscillation movements of the two tubes 112, 114, i.e., only converting the opposite oscillation movements of the tubes 112, 114 into oscillation measurement signals s3, s4. For this purpose, the oscillation sensors 41 , 42 can be mechanically connected in each case both to the tube 111 and to the tube 113 , and the oscillation sensors 43 , 44 can be mechanically connected in each case both to the tube 112 and to the tube 114 .

[0065] In order to further improve the determination of the measured value X M The accuracy of the measuring transducer can also be (and also Figure 1 ) further comprises: temperature sensors 71, 72 for recording the temperature within the tube arrangement and / or providing corresponding temperature measurement signals θ1, θ2, for example, in each case the temperature sensors are applied directly to the tubes of the tube arrangement; and / or strain sensors for recording mechanical stresses within the tube arrangement and providing corresponding strain measurement signals, for example, in each case the strain sensors are applied directly to the tubes of the tube arrangement.

[0066] As already mentioned, in addition to the measuring transducer 10, the measuring system includes measuring system electronics 20 electrically coupled to the measuring transducer (and therefore to the exciter device and sensor device of the measuring transducer 10). For example, the measuring system electronics 20 can be programmable and / or remotely parameterizable, for example, by means of at least one microprocessor and / or at least one digital signal processor (DSP) and / or by means of a programmable logic chip (FPGA) and / or by means of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can be supplied with the electrical energy required during operation by means of an internal energy storage device and / or from outside the measuring system electronics 20 via a connecting cable. The electrical coupling or connection of the measuring transducer 10 to the measuring system electronics 20 can be provided by means of corresponding electrical connecting lines and corresponding cable glands. In this case, the connecting lines can be implemented at least partially as electrical wires at least partially surrounded by an electrical insulator, for example, in the form of a twisted pair, a flat ribbon cable, and / or a coaxial cable. As an alternative or in addition thereto, the connecting lines can also be formed at least partially by means of conductive tracks of a (particularly flexible, in given cases lacquered) printed circuit board. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can (also as Figure 1The measuring system electronics 20 are, for example, housed in a corresponding (particularly shock-resistant and / or even explosion-proof and / or at least water-mist-proof) electronics housing 200 and are furthermore designed so that during operation of the measuring system, measurements (and / or other operating data, such as status reports, such as in each case current measured values ​​or settings) and / or diagnostic values ​​for controlling the measuring system can be exchanged (via a data transmission system, such as a fieldbus system and / or a wireless personal radio) with a superordinate electronic data processing system (not shown), such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a personal computer and / or a workstation. Thus, for example, the measuring system electronics 20 can have a transmission and reception circuit COM, which is fed during operation from a (central) evaluation and supply unit provided in the aforementioned data processing system remote from the measuring system. For example, the measuring system electronics 20 (and its aforementioned transmission and reception circuit COM) can also be designed to be electrically connected to the aforementioned remote electronic data processing system via a two-conductor connection 2L (which can also be configured as a 4-20 mA current loop in certain cases), and can draw the power required for the operation of the measuring system from the aforementioned evaluation and supply unit of the data processing system via this connection, and can also, in certain cases, transmit digitized measured values ​​to the data processing system, for example, by (load) modulation of the direct current supplied from the evaluation and supply unit. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be designed so that it can nominally operate with a maximum power of 1 W or less and / or be intrinsically safe. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be constructed modularly, for example, so that the different electronic components of the measuring system electronics 20 are arranged on their own circuit boards and / or are formed with the aid of one or more microprocessors, for example a measuring and evaluation circuit DSP for processing and evaluating the (oscillating) measurement signal provided by the measuring transducer 10, a driver circuit Exc for operating the measuring transducer (in particular its exciter device), an internal power supply circuit PS for providing one or more internal operating voltages, and / or the above-mentioned transmission and reception circuit COM for communication with a superordinate measurement data processor system and / or an external field bus, formed with the aid of one or more microprocessors and / or with the aid of one or more digital signal processors. Figure 1 It is obvious that, for example, the transmission and reception circuit COM can also provide measurement values ​​(X) determined, for example, internally by the measurement and control circuit DSP of the measurement system. M ) output (x m ). Therefore, in addition, the transmission and reception circuit COM can be adapted to convert the received measurement value X M Converted to provide measurement value X M The output signal x m, for example output signals in accordance with industrial standards such as DIN IEC 60381-1:1985-11, IEC 61784-1CPF1 (FOUNDATION Fieldbus), IEC 61784-1CPF3 (Industrial Fieldbus), IEC 61158 or IEC 61784-1CPF9 (HART). In order to visualize the measured values ​​generated within the measuring system on site (X M ) and / or status reports generated within the measuring system, such as error reports or alarms, the measuring system may also have a display and interaction element HMI which at least sometimes also communicates with the measuring system electronics 20, such as an LCD display, an OLED display or a TFT display placed behind a correspondingly provided window in the electronics housing 200, and a corresponding input keypad and / or touchpad. In the case where the measuring system comprises the above-mentioned support structure 100 formed as a transducer protection housing, for example, the electronics protection housing 200 may also (e.g. Figure 1 ) is fixed to a supporting structure.

[0067] The measuring system electronic device 20 of the measuring system of the present invention is particularly suitable for supplying current to the oscillation exciter 31, that is, supplying an electrical first drive signal e1 to the first oscillation exciter 31, and supplying current to the second oscillation exciter 32, that is, supplying an electrical second drive signal e2 to the second oscillation exciter 32, whereby the tube 111 or tubes 111, 113 perform forced mechanical oscillations (for example, bending oscillations) having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the drive signal e1, and the tube 112 or tubes 112, 114 perform forced mechanical oscillations (for example, bending oscillations) having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the drive signal e2. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics are adapted to a first operating mode to provide the drive signal e1 with a first desired current e1N, i.e. to generate a dominant or single sinusoidal current component with respect to a current level having an (alternating current) frequency and supply it to the oscillation exciter 31, and also to provide the second drive signal e2 with at least a second desired current eN2, i.e. to generate a dominant or single sinusoidal current component with respect to a current level having an (alternating current) frequency and supply it to the oscillation exciter 32, so that at least the tube 111 at least partially (in particular predominantly) performs the first desired oscillation. , i.e. mechanical oscillations forced by the (current supplied) oscillation exciter 31 and having at least a first desired frequency fN1, i.e. an oscillation frequency corresponding to the (alternating current) frequency of the desired current e1N, and at least the tube 112 at least partially (in particular predominantly) performs a second desired oscillation, i.e. mechanical oscillations forced by the (current supplied) oscillation exciter 32 and having at least a second desired frequency fN2, i.e. an oscillation frequency corresponding to the (alternating current) frequency of the desired current e2N, and in each case each oscillation signal s1, s2 has (and also as Figure 4 indicated) first desired signal component s1N and corresponding second desired signal component s2N, i.e. a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the first desired frequency, and in each case each oscillating signal s3, s4 having (and also as Figure 4 (indicated) a third desired signal component s3N and a corresponding fourth desired signal component s4N, i.e. a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the second desired frequency fN2; for example, this also makes the first desired oscillation and / or the second desired oscillation suitable for inducing a mass flow-dependent Coriolis force in the flowing measured substance. To generate the drive signals e1, e2, for example, the measuring system electronics 20 can (and in Figure 1 and very common in the case of such measuring systems) has one or more separate driver circuits Exc, in particular driver circuits formed in each case by means of one or more phase control loops (PLL—phase-locked loop) for determining and setting the desired frequencies fN1 and fN2.

[0068] In the measuring system electronics 20, for example in one or more of the aforementioned microprocessors or digital signal processors of the measuring system electronics 20, the program code executed during operation of the measuring system can be permanently stored, for example in one or more non-volatile data memories (EEPROMs) of the measuring system electronics 20 that provide digital data without the application of an operating voltage, and loaded during startup into a volatile data memory (RAM) provided in the measuring system electronics 20 (for example, in the aforementioned measuring and evaluation circuit DSP, for example, integrated in the microprocessor). For processing in the microprocessor or digital signal processor, the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4 are first converted into corresponding digital signals by means of corresponding analog-to-digital converters (A / D), for example, by appropriately digitizing the signal voltages of the electrical oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4; for example, compare the above-cited US Pat. No. 6,311,136. Therefore, in the measuring system electronics 20, for example in the above-mentioned measuring and evaluation circuit DSP, corresponding analog-to-digital converters for the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4 and / or at least one non-volatile electronic data memory EEPROM suitable for providing digital data (in particular without the need for applied operating voltage) can be provided.

[0069] The aforementioned (AC) frequency of the desired current e1N (thus, the first desired frequency fN1) can, for example, correspond to the resonant frequency of the tube arrangement (e.g., the lowest resonant frequency of tube 111), which depends on the density of the measured substance FL conveyed in the tube arrangement, and the aforementioned (AC) frequency of the desired current e2N (thus, the second desired frequency fN2) can, for example, correspond to the second resonant frequency of the tube arrangement, which in given cases also differs from the aforementioned first resonant frequency (e.g., the lowest resonant frequency of tube 112), which also depends on the density of the measured substance FL conveyed in the tube arrangement. Therefore, in an additional embodiment of the present invention, the measuring system electronics 20 is further adapted to provide the desired current component e1N of the drive signal e1 with an (AC) frequency that differs from the resonant frequency fr1 of tube 111 by less than 1% of the resonant frequency fr1 and / or by less than 1 Hz, and / or to provide the desired current component e2N of the drive signal e2 with an (AC) frequency that differs from the resonant frequency fr2 of tube 112 by less than 1% of the resonant frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz. For the typical case where the aforementioned resonant frequencies fr1, fr2 are equally large (fr1 = fr2) (thus, tubes 111, 112 have at least one common resonant frequency fr12), the measuring system electronics can also be particularly adapted to provide the desired current components e1N, e2N with an (alternating current) frequency that differs from the aforementioned common resonant frequency fr12 by less than 1% and / or less than 1 Hz, for example, also such that a phase difference of 180° is established between the two desired currents e1N, e2N. The aforementioned common resonant frequency fr12 can, for example, be the resonant frequency fr12 of a natural bending oscillation mode inherent to the measuring transducer (e.g., a fundamental bending oscillation mode), in which the two tubes 111, 112 can perform or execute mechanical oscillations of opposite phase. Therefore, in the first operating mode, the measuring system electronics can also be adapted to supply drive signals e1, e2 to the oscillation exciters 31, 32 to force mechanical oscillations of opposite phase.

[0070] In addition to generating the two drive signals e1, e2, the measuring system electronics 20 is also adapted to receive and evaluate the oscillating signals s1, s2, s3, s4 in a first operating mode, i.e. based on the oscillating signals s1, s2, s3, s4, in particular based in each case at least on one of the above-mentioned desired signal components s1N, s2N, s3N, s4N, to determine the above-mentioned measured value of the at least one physical measured variable, for example based on the above-mentioned first phase difference And / or based on the second phase difference To generate a mass flow measurement value, that is, a measurement value X representing the mass flow rate of the substance FL being measured M, and / or based on at least one signal frequency of at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s41, s42, s43, s44, for example based on one of the above-mentioned desired frequencies fN1, fN2 of at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4, to generate a density measurement value, i.e. a measurement value representative of the density ρ of the measured substance FL; for example, even in the case of a measuring system of the type in question, in particular from the above-cited US-A 2006 / 0266129, US-A 2007 / 0113678, US-A 2010 / 0011882, US-A 2012 / 0123705, US-A 2017 / 0356777, US-A 5,602,345, US-A 5,926,096, WO-A 2009 / 136943, WO-A 2019 / 017891, WO-A2019 / 081169, WO-A 2019 / 081170, WO-A87 / 06691, WO-A 96 / 05484, WO-A 96 / 08697, WO-A97 / 26508, WO-A99 / 39164 or the applicant's own international patent application PCT / EP2019 / 082044, which has the earliest filing date enjoyed by the present application and has not yet been published. Alternatively or in addition, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be configured or adapted to generate a viscosity measurement value, i.e. a measurement value representing the viscosity of the measured substance FL, based on at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s41, s42, s43, s44 and / or at least one of the drive signals e1, e2. In a given case, the processing of the oscillating measurement signal (also a very common operation of the above-mentioned driver circuit Exc of such a measuring system) can (also as Figure 1 ) is performed, for example, via the above-mentioned measuring and evaluation circuit DSP.

[0071] In the case of the tube arrangement of the measuring transducer 10, its tubes 111, 112 or its tubes 111, 112, 113, 114 (as the case may be) are naturally mechanically coupled to one another at least via two diverters 21, 22 (in given cases, supplementarily also via the above-mentioned coupling elements), so that a forced mechanical oscillation of tube 111 then causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of tube 112, and vice versa. In the above-mentioned case where the tube arrangement is formed by means of four tubes, the tubes 113, 114 are also mechanically coupled to each other via at least two flow dividers 21, 22, so that the forced mechanical oscillation of tube 113 subsequently causes coupled mechanical oscillations of at least tube 114, and the forced mechanical oscillations of tube 114 subsequently cause coupled mechanical oscillations of tube 113; in particular, the tubes 111, 112, 113, 114 are mechanically coupled to each other so that the forced mechanical oscillations of the tubes 111, 113 (in particular, the opposite and equal bending oscillations of the tubes 111, 113) can cause each of the tubes 112, 114 to be mechanically coupled to each other. One coupled mechanical oscillation, for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of tubes 112, 114, and the forced mechanical oscillations of each of tubes 112, 114 (in particular, the opposite and equal bending oscillations of tubes 112, 114) can cause coupled mechanical oscillations of each of tubes 111, 113, for example, opposite and equal bending oscillations of tubes 111, 113, and in each case, the forced mechanical oscillations of each tube 111, 112, 113, 114 can subsequently cause coupled mechanical oscillations of each other tube 111, 112, 113, 114. Due to this mechanical coupling of the tubes of the tube arrangement, one or more tubes 112 or 112, 114 in each case not only performs the aforementioned mechanical oscillations, i.e., mechanical oscillations forced by oscillation exciter 32 supplied with current by drive signal e2, but also mechanical oscillations coupled to at least one of the oscillations of one or more tubes 111 or 111, 113. And one or more tubes 111 or 111, 113 in each case not only performs the aforementioned mechanical oscillations, i.e., mechanical oscillations forced by oscillation exciter 31 supplied with current by drive signal e1, but also mechanical oscillations coupled to at least one of the oscillations of tube 112 or tubes 112, 114. Based on these coupled oscillations, for example, a measured value representing at least one physical measured variable can also be determined. Furthermore, based on the coupled oscillations, the operating state of the measuring system can also be characterized, and in this connection, the functional capability of the measuring system can be checked during operation.For example, the operating state can correspond to or specify a system function (or even a transfer function) of the measuring system inherent to the measuring system and determine one or more functional dependencies of one or more oscillating measurement signals on one or more drive signals; in particular, this makes it possible for a temporal change in the operating state or a (temporary or continuous) deviation of the operating state from a predetermined reference state to correspond to a change in the above-mentioned system function of the measuring system and therefore to a degradation of the operational capability of the measuring system.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the invention, the measuring system electronics 20 is also adapted to operate in a second operating mode (e.g., a second operating mode which is also automatically activated by the measuring system electronics 20 before and / or after the first operating mode in given cases) and, during this, at least temporarily, to generate a drive signal e1 having a desired current e1N and supply it to the oscillation exciter 31, e.g., to supply current to the oscillation exciter 31 as in the first operating mode, but, at the same time, not supplying a drive signal containing a desired current component e2N to the oscillation exciter 32, so that one or more tubes 111 or 111, 113 at least partially execute the first desired oscillation and one or more tubes 112 or 112, 114 execute a mechanical oscillation coupled to the first desired oscillation and having a desired frequency fN1, without simultaneously executing the second desired oscillation, and, therefore, so that each oscillation signal s1, s2 has in each case the desired signal components s1N and s2N, respectively, and each oscillation signal s3, s4 has in each case (also as in the first operating mode) the desired signal components s1N and s2N, respectively. Figure 5 (as shown) coupled signal components s3K and s4K, i.e. specific sinusoidal signal components having a frequency corresponding to the (alternating current) frequency of the desired current e1N of the drive signal e1. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 is adapted to receive and evaluate in the second operating mode at least the oscillating signal s3 and / or the oscillating signal s4, in given cases also the oscillating signals s3, s4 and / or the oscillating signal s1 and / or the oscillating signal s2 or all the oscillating signals s1, s2, s3, s4, e.g. in order to determine a measured value representing at least one physical measured variable and / or to check the operational capability of the measuring system. In an additional embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is therefore further adapted to obtain or determine the coupled signal components s3K and s4K, respectively, from one or each of the oscillating signals s3, s4 received in the second operating mode. For example, the measuring system electronics 20 may be adapted, at least in the second operating mode, to determine the coupled signal components s3K and s4K based on the above-mentioned phase difference And based on the third phase difference (i.e., the difference between the phase angle of the coupled signal component s3K of the oscillating signal s3 (which also depends on the mass flow rate of the material being measured) and the phase angle of the coupled signal component s4K of the oscillating signal s4 (which also depends on the mass flow rate of the material being measured)) determines the mass flow measurement value.

[0073] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the measuring system electronic device 20 is particularly also suitable for detecting whether there is a disturbance ε in the measuring system based on at least one of the oscillating signals s3, s4 received in the second operating mode (in particular their coupled signal components s3K and s4K), for example, a disturbance that reduces the operating capability of the measuring system, or a disturbance that affects a malfunction of the measuring system, and / or a disturbance that reduces the integrity of at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4 (and therefore also reduces the integrity of the measurement values ​​obtained from the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2, s3, s4), and / or a disturbance that causes measurement errors in the measurement values.

[0074] The interference ε can be (also as Figure 5 ) significantly affects the phase angle and / or amplitude of at least one of the coupled signal components s3K and s4K, for example, such that the above phase difference Phase difference and / or the difference between the corresponding reference values ​​exceeds a previously determined tolerance measurement. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be adapted to output a (disturbance) report, such as a (disturbance) alarm, if a disturbance in the measuring system is detected. A disturbance ε in the measuring system can occur, for example, due to deposits on the inside of the pipe wall of one or more pipes, a reduction in the thickness of the pipe wall of one or more pipes, aging of one or more oscillation sensors, and / or aging of one or more oscillation exciters. A disturbance ε in the measuring system can also include, in particular, (in certain cases, irreversible) changes in one or more oscillation characteristics of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a reduction in the thickness of the pipe wall of one or more pipes and / or due to plastic deformation of one or more pipes and / or due to deposits on the inside of the pipe wall of one or more pipes and / or due to cracks in the pipe wall of one or more pipes. For the case where the above-mentioned support structure and the pipe arrangement are releasably fixed to one another, for example in order to enable the support structure and the pipe arrangement to be assembled or mounted together on site at or in the vicinity of the measuring point, as proposed in the above-cited WO-A 96 / 08697 or WO-A 2019 / 017891, disturbances ε of the measuring system may, however, also result from, for example, a defective mounting of the support structure and the pipe arrangement. Furthermore, disturbances of the measuring system may, in given cases, also result from irreversible changes in one or more flow characteristics of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a reduction in the flow cross section of the pipe arrangement, for example due to a blockage of one or more pipes and / or due to deposits on the inside of the pipe wall of one or more pipes, and / or in given cases also from irreversible changes in the characteristics of one or more electromechanical transducers, for example due to ageing of one or more oscillation sensors and / or oscillation exciters and / or due to changes in the mechanical connection between one or more oscillation sensors or one or more oscillation exciters and one or more pipes to which they are attached. However, disturbances of the measuring system may also be due to (which may correspond, for example, to the above-mentioned phase differences measured at a stationary measured substance) due to (in given cases also irreversible) changes in the (scale) zero point of the measuring system and / or from phase differences (which may correspond to changes in the reference mass flow) A (in given circumstances, irreversible) change in the (measurement) sensitivity of a measurement system.

[0075] The detection of one or more of these disturbances ε of the measuring system can take place, for example, by means of a simple comparison of the measured value of at least one measured variable determined on the basis of the oscillating signal received in the first operating mode with the measured value of the measured variable determined on the basis of the oscillating signal received in the second operating mode. For example, in order to check the operational capability of the measuring system and thus to detect the above-mentioned disturbances ε, the measured value of the at least one measured variable determined on the basis of the phase difference in the second operating mode can be compared. The mass flow measurement value determined in the first operating mode is based on the phase difference The mass flow rate measurement determined is compared and / or the phase difference can be used in the second operating mode based on the phase difference. The determined (fractional) mass flow measurement is compared with the phase difference in the second operating mode. Alternatively or additionally, for this purpose, two nominally proportional phase difference values ​​can also be compared with each other by means of the measuring system electronics 20. Therefore, in an additional embodiment of the present invention, the measuring system electronics 20 is furthermore adapted to compare the phase difference and phase difference The comparison is made with each other, for example, so that in case the difference is too large (ie the difference exceeds a predetermined reference value), the above-mentioned (interference) report is output. In particular also for the above-mentioned case in which the resonance frequency fr1 of the tube 111 deviates from the resonance frequency fr2 of the tube 112 or in which the resonance frequency fr1 of the tubes 111, 113 deviates from the resonance frequency fr2 of the tubes 112, 114, the measuring system electronics 20 can furthermore advantageously be adapted to provide a desired current component e1N of the drive signal e1 with an (alternating current) frequency which differs from the above-mentioned resonance frequency fr2 by less than 1% of the resonance frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz, and / or to provide a desired current component e2N of the drive signal e2 with an (alternating current) frequency which differs from the above-mentioned resonance frequency fr1 by less than 1% of the resonance frequency fr1 and / or by less than 1 Hz; for example, this also results in that in the second operating mode of the measuring system electronics 20 the mechanical oscillations of the tube 112 coupled to the first desired oscillations of the tube 111 correspond to the resonant oscillations of the tube 112 and the mechanical oscillations of the tubes 112, 114 coupled to the first desired oscillations of the tubes 111, 113 correspond to the resonant oscillations of the tubes 112, 114.

[0076] For the purpose of detecting possible disturbances in the measurement system, in an additional embodiment of the present invention, the measurement system electronics 20 is further adapted to calculate, based on one or more oscillating measurement signals received in the second operating mode, at least occasionally (in particular cyclically) one or more values ​​of at least one measurement system characteristic number MK1, which characterizes the aforementioned operating state of the measurement transducer or the measurement system formed thereby. In particular, this allows the measurement system characteristic number K1 to depend on one or more parameters of a system function of the measurement system interposed between the desired current e1N of the drive signal e1 and the coupled signal component s3K of the oscillating measurement signal s3 and / or the coupled signal component s4K of the oscillating measurement signal s4, or on a temporal variation of one or more of these parameters. The measurement system characteristic number MK1 can, for example, depend on the system amplitude ratio between the desired current e1N of the drive signal e1 and the coupled signal component s3K or s4K of at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s3, s4 (e.g., the sum s3K+s4K of the coupled signal components of the oscillating measurement signals s3, s4), or on a variation of the system amplitude ratio, and the system amplitude ratio (s3+s4) / e1 or its variation can be evaluated and / or quantified accordingly. Alternatively or in addition, the measurement system characteristic number K1 may also depend on the system phase difference between the desired signal components s1N, s2N of at least one of the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2 (for example, the sum s1N+s2N of the desired signal components s1N, s2N of the oscillating measurement signals s1, s2) and the coupled signal components s3K, s4K of at least one oscillating measurement signal s3, s4 (for example, the sum s3K+s4K of the coupled signal components s3K, s4K of the oscillating measurement signals s3, s4) or on a change in the system phase difference, and the system phase difference or its change may be evaluated and / or quantified.

[0077] In order to detect the presence of disturbances which degrade the operational capability of the measuring transducer (and thus the measuring accuracy of the measuring system), the measuring system electronics 20 in an additional embodiment of the invention is furthermore adapted to evaluate one or more values ​​of at least one measuring system characteristic number MK1, for example to compare them in each case with one or more reference values ​​RK11 (RK11, RK12, . . . RK12) previously determined for the measuring system characteristic number MK1. i...) (e.g., reference values ​​stored in the aforementioned non-volatile electronic data memory EEPROM). Therefore, the measuring system electronics 20 is furthermore adapted to determine whether one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number MK1 are greater than one or more such reference values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number MK1 (which indicates, for example, that the measuring system is no longer intact), and, in given cases, for example, to output a (disturbance) report signal, for example, to display such a report on site and / or to transmit such a report as a status to the aforementioned electronic data processing system. The reference value of the measuring system characteristic number MK1 can, for example, be a reference value indicating a reduction in the operating capability of the measuring transducer (due to one of the aforementioned disturbances) or a failure of the measuring transducer (due to one of the aforementioned disturbances). For example, the reference value can be determined earlier, for example, by the manufacturer of the measuring system, for example, during production of the measuring system and / or during startup on site and / or in a (factory) calibration performed during operation of the measuring system; this allows, for example, first determining a specific measuring system characteristic number MK1 for a prepared (and therefore intact) measuring system and correspondingly converting it into a reference value RK11 with a tolerance corresponding to the still tolerable influences and storing it in the data memory EEPROM.

[0078] The determination of the value MK1 and the determination of the presence of a disturbance in the measuring system (as already indicated) can also be started or stopped automatically, for example, depending on time and / or also on changes in other diagnostic values. Alternatively or additionally, however, the determination of the value can also be started and / or stopped externally to the measuring system, for example, from the aforementioned electronic data processing system via the transmission and reception circuit COM and / or from an on-site operator via the display and interaction element HMI. Therefore, in an additional embodiment, the measuring system electronics 20 is adapted to receive and evaluate a start command that at least starts the determination of at least the value of the characteristic number MK1 and, in certain cases, also its aforementioned evaluation, i.e., detects the input of a start command and then starts the determination of the value of the first measuring system characteristic number MK1, and / or the measuring system electronics is adapted to receive and evaluate a stop command that at least temporarily suppresses the determination of the value of the measuring system characteristic number MK1, i.e., detects the input of a stop command and then at least temporarily stops the determination of the value of the measuring system characteristic number MK1.

[0079] In order to further improve the accuracy and reliability of determining the occurrence of measured values ​​and / or disturbances during operation, in an additional embodiment of the present invention, the measuring system electronics 20 is furthermore adapted to at least temporarily generate a drive signal e2 having a desired current e2N in a third operating mode (e.g. activated after and / or alternately with the second operating mode) and to supply it to the oscillation exciter 32, e.g., supplying current to the oscillation exciter 32 as in the first operating mode, and at the same time not supplying a drive signal containing the desired current component e1N to the first oscillation exciter, so that the tube 112 at least partially performs a second desired oscillation and the tube 111 correspondingly performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to the second desired oscillation and having a desired frequency fN2, and likewise, not performing the first desired oscillation, and therefore, the oscillation signals s3, s4 respectively have desired signal components s3N and s4N, and the oscillation signals s1, s2 respectively have coupled signal components sK1, sK2, i.e., sinusoidal signal components, whose frequencies correspond to the (alternating current) frequency of the desired current e2N. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be adapted in a third operating mode to receive and evaluate at least the oscillating signal s1 and / or the oscillating signal s2, for example, and also the oscillating signal s3 and / or the oscillating signal s4, for example (analogously to the second operating mode) to determine a measured value of at least one measured variable and / or to determine whether a disturbance ε of the measuring system is present.

Claims

1. A vibration measurement system for measuring and / or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a flowing measured substance and / or for measuring and / or monitoring at least one substance parameter, the measurement system comprising: - a measuring transducer (10) having a pipe device for conveying the flowing substance to be measured, - exciter means for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy for exciting and maintaining forced mechanical oscillations of the tube means, and a sensor arrangement for recording the mechanical oscillations of the tube arrangement and for providing an oscillation measurement signal representative of the oscillatory movement of the tube arrangement; as well as - measuring system electronics (20) electrically coupled to the measuring transducer (10), i.e. both to its actuator arrangement and to its sensor arrangement, for operating the measuring transducer and for evaluating the oscillating measurement signal delivered from the measuring transducer; - wherein the tube arrangement comprises: a first flow divider (21) having at least two flow openings, a second flow splitter (22) having at least two flow openings, and a first tube (111) and at least a second tube (112), wherein each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement extends in each case by a tube length from a first end of each tube to a second end of each tube and in each case has a lumen surrounded by a tube wall, and the lumen extends in each case from the first end of each tube to the second end of each tube, - wherein each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case connected to each of the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter, such that The first tube is connected with the first flow opening of the first diverter (21) at its first end and is connected with the first flow opening of the second diverter (22) at its second end, and The second tube is connected with the second flow opening of the first splitter (21) at its first end and is connected with the second flow opening of the second splitter (22) at its second end, --- wherein the first tube and the second tube of the tube arrangement are mechanically coupled to each other via at least the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter, such that a forced mechanical oscillation of the first tube causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of the second tube, and a forced mechanical oscillation of the second tube causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of the first tube; and --- wherein each of the first and second tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case adapted to have a substance to be measured flow through and during this to be caused to vibrate; - wherein the exciter device comprises two oscillation exciters (31, 32), - a first oscillation exciter (31) of the two oscillation exciters is mechanically connected to the first tube, and - the second oscillation exciter (32) of the two oscillation exciters is mechanically connected to the second tube, - wherein each of the first oscillation exciter and the second oscillation exciter is in each case adapted to convert the electrical energy of a time-varying current into mechanical energy; - wherein the sensor device comprises at least four oscillation sensors, -- the first oscillation sensor (41) and the second oscillation sensor (42) of the four oscillation sensors are spaced apart from each other on the first tube, and -- the third oscillation sensor (43) and the fourth oscillation sensor (44) of the four oscillation sensors are spaced apart from each other on the second tube; - wherein each of the first oscillation sensor and the second oscillation sensor is adapted in each case to record the oscillatory movement of the first tube and convert it into a first oscillation measurement signal and a second oscillation measurement signal representing the oscillatory movement; - wherein each of the third oscillation sensor and the fourth oscillation sensor is in each case adapted to record the oscillatory movement of the second tube and convert it into a third oscillation measurement signal and a fourth oscillation measurement signal representing the oscillatory movement; - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to - supplying current to the first oscillation exciter (31), that is, supplying an electric first drive signal (e1) to the first oscillation exciter (31), thereby ---the first tube performs forced mechanical oscillation having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the first drive signal (e1), and --- the second tube performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to at least one oscillation of the first tube, and - supplying current to the second oscillation exciter (32), that is, supplying an electrical second drive signal (e2) to the second oscillation exciter (32), thereby ---the second tube performs forced mechanical oscillation having one or more oscillation frequencies predetermined by the second drive signal (e2), and ---the first tube performs mechanical oscillation coupled with the oscillation of the second tube; - wherein the measurement system electronics are adapted to: In the first operating mode - generating a first drive signal (e1) having a first desired current (e1N), i.e., a predominantly or single sinusoidal current component with respect to a current level having an alternating current frequency, and supplying it to the first oscillation exciter, and further - generating a second drive signal (e2) having at least a second desired current (e2N), i.e., a dominant or single sinusoidal current component with respect to a current level having an alternating current frequency, and supplying it to the second oscillation exciter, so that ---The first tube at least partially performs a first desired oscillation, i.e., a mechanical oscillation having at least a first desired frequency, forced by a first oscillation exciter supplied with current, the first desired frequency being an oscillation frequency corresponding to the frequency of the alternating current of the first desired current, and the second tube at least partially performs a second desired oscillation, i.e., a mechanical oscillation having at least a second desired frequency, forced by a second oscillation exciter supplied with current, the second desired frequency being an oscillation frequency corresponding to the frequency of the alternating current of the second desired current, and --- Each of the first oscillation measurement signal and the second oscillation measurement signal has a first desired signal component (s1N) and a second desired signal component (s2N), respectively, i.e., a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the first desired frequency, and each of the third oscillation measurement signal and the fourth oscillation measurement signal has a third desired signal component (s3N) and a fourth desired signal component (s4N), i.e., a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the second desired frequency, - and in a second operating mode, - at least temporarily generating a first drive signal (e1) having the first desired current (e1N) and supplying it to the first oscillation exciter, supplying current to the first oscillation exciter as in the first operating mode, and at the same time not supplying a drive signal containing the second desired current component to the second oscillation exciter, so that --- the first tube at least partially performs the first desired oscillation, and the second tube performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to the first desired oscillation and having the first desired frequency, and likewise, there is no second desired oscillation, and --- Each of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal in each case has a desired signal component, and each of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal in each case has a coupled signal component (s3K; s4K), i.e. a sinusoidal signal component, the frequency of which corresponds to the alternating current frequency of the first desired current (e1N); and - wherein the measurement system electronics are adapted to: - in the first operating mode, receiving and evaluating the first, second, third and fourth oscillating measurement signals, i.e., determining a measured value quantifying the time sequence of at least one physical measured variable based on the first, second, third and fourth oscillating measurement signals, and In the second operating mode, at least the third oscillation measurement signal and / or the fourth oscillation measurement signal are received and evaluated.

2. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration measurement system is a Coriolis mass flow measurement device or a Coriolis mass flow / density measurement device.

3. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one flow parameter is at least one flow parameter that varies with time.

4. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one flow parameter is a mass flow, a volume flow and / or a flow velocity.

5. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one material parameter is at least one material parameter that varies with time.

6. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one material parameter is density and / or viscosity.

7. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The flowing substance to be measured is gas, liquid or dispersion.

8. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring system is designed as an online measuring device and / or as a compact measuring device.

9. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The first flow divider (21) is a first flow divider used as a pipeline branch and / or an inlet-side first flow divider, and the second flow divider (22) is a second flow divider implemented in the same way as the first flow divider (21) and / or a second flow divider used as a pipeline joint and / or an outlet-side second flow divider.

10. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The first tube (111) is a first tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight, and the second tube (112) is a second tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight and / or a second tube of the same construction as the first tube and / or a second tube that is at least partially parallel to the first tube.

11. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The tube wall is a metal tube wall.

12. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The two oscillation exciters (31, 32) are electrodynamic and / or identically constructed oscillation exciters, and the at least four oscillation sensors are electrodynamic and / or identically constructed oscillation sensors and / or oscillation sensors spaced apart from one another.

13. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The first tube performs forced bending oscillations, and the second tube performs forced bending oscillations.

14. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring system electronics are adapted to receive and evaluate the first, second, third and fourth oscillating measurement signals in the second operating mode.

15. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is also adapted to receive and evaluate the first oscillating measurement signal and / or the second oscillating measurement signal in the second operating mode.

16. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measuring system electronics are adapted to determine measurement values ​​of at least one physical measured variable quantified in time sequence based on at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal received in the second operating mode, and also to compare these measurement values ​​with measurement values ​​determined for the measured variable based on the oscillating measurement signals received in the first operating mode.

17. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measurement system electronic device is suitable for obtaining or determining one or more desired signal components from at least one of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal received in the first operating mode, and also obtaining or determining one or more desired signal components from at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal received in the first operating mode.

18. The measurement system according to claim 17, wherein: The measurement system electronics is adapted to obtain or determine one or more desired signal components from at least one of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal received in the first operating mode and in the second operating mode.

19. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: Each desired signal component of the first, second, third and fourth oscillating measurement signals has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow rate of the measured substance.

20. The measurement system according to claim 19, wherein The measuring system electronics (20) are adapted to determine a mass flow measurement value, i.e., a mass flow measurement value representing the mass flow rate of the flowing measured substance in at least the first operating mode, based on a first phase difference, i.e., the difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the first oscillating measurement signal and the phase angle of the desired component of the second oscillating measurement signal, and based on a second phase difference, i.e., the difference between the phase angle of the desired signal component of the third oscillating measurement signal and the phase angle of the desired signal component of the fourth oscillating measurement signal.

21. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measurement system electronics is adapted to obtain or determine one or more coupled signal components from at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal received in the second operating mode.

22. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: Each coupled signal component of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal has a phase angle that depends on the mass flow of the measured substance.

23. The measurement system according to claim 20, wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to determine, at least in the second operating mode, a mass flow measurement value based on the first phase difference and based on a third phase difference, the third phase difference being the difference between the phase angle of the coupled signal component of the third oscillating measurement signal and the phase angle of the coupled signal component of the fourth oscillating measurement signal, and / or the measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to compare the mass flow measurement values ​​determined based on the first phase difference and the second phase difference.

24. The measurement system according to claim 23, wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to compare the first phase difference and the third phase difference with each other and to output a report if the difference is too large, ie if the difference exceeds a predetermined reference value.

25. The measurement system according to claim 24, wherein: The report is a disturbance alert.

26. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The measurement system electronics is adapted to detect whether a disturbance of the measurement system is present based on at least one of a third oscillating measurement signal and a fourth oscillating measurement signal received in the second operating mode.

27. The measurement system according to claim 26, wherein: The measurement system electronics is adapted to detect whether a disturbance of the measurement system is present based on a coupled signal component of at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal received in the second operating mode.

28. The measurement system according to claim 26, wherein: The disturbance of the measuring system is a disturbance which reduces the operational capability of the measuring system and / or causes a failure of the measuring system and / or reduces the integrity of at least one of the first oscillation measurement signal, the second oscillation measurement signal, the third oscillation measurement signal and the fourth oscillation measurement signal or the measurement value obtained therefrom and / or causes a measurement error in the measurement value obtained therefrom, a disturbance caused by deposits on the inner side of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to a reduction in the thickness of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes and / or due to aging of one or more of the oscillation sensors and / or oscillation exciters, and is detected by comparing the measured value of at least one measured variable determined based on the oscillation measurement signal received in the first operating mode with the measured value of the measured variable determined based on the oscillation measurement signal received in the second operating mode.

29. The measurement system according to claim 26, -in, the disturbance of the measuring system comprises an irreversible change of one or more oscillation characteristics of the tube arrangement, said change being due to a reduction in thickness of the tube wall of one or more of the tubes and / or due to plastic deformation of one or more of the tubes and / or due to deposits on the inside of the tube wall of one or more of the tubes and / or due to cracks in the tube wall of one or more of the tubes; and / or wherein the disturbance of the measurement system comprises an irreversible change of one or more flow characteristics of the pipe arrangement, said change being due to a reduction in the flow cross section of the pipe arrangement, said reduction in the flow cross section being due to a blockage of one or more of the pipes and / or to deposits on the inside of the pipe wall of one or more of the pipes; and / or - wherein the disturbance of the measuring system comprises an irreversible change in the characteristics of one or more electromechanical transducers, said change being due to aging of one or more of the oscillation sensors and / or oscillation exciters and / or due to a change in the mechanical connection between one or more oscillation sensors or one or more oscillation exciters and their tube or tubes.

30. The measurement system of claim 20, wherein: The interference of the measurement system includes: an irreversible change in the scale zero point of the measurement system corresponding to the first phase difference and / or the second phase difference measured at the stationary measured material; and / or an irreversible change in the measurement sensitivity of the measurement system corresponding to the change in the first phase difference and / or the second phase difference based on the change in the mass flow rate.

31. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measuring system electronics is adapted to calculate one or more values ​​of at least one measuring system characteristic number (MK1) characterizing an operating state based on one or more oscillating measurement signals received in the second operating mode.

32. The measurement system of claim 31, wherein: The operating state is a system function inherent to the measurement system and determines one or more functional dependencies of one or more oscillating measurement signals on one or more drive signals and determines the operating capability of the measurement system, so that the measurement system characteristic number depends on one or more parameters of the system function of the measurement system that mediates between the first desired current of the first drive signal (e1) and the coupled signal components of the third oscillating measurement signal and / or the fourth oscillating measurement signal.

33. The measurement system of claim 31 , wherein: The measurement system characteristic number (MK1) depends on the system amplitude ratio between the first desired current of the first drive signal (e1) and the coupled signal component of at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal, and the measurement system characteristic number quantifies the system amplitude ratio (s3+s4) / e1.

34. The measurement system of claim 33, wherein: The measurement system characteristic number (MK1) depends on the system amplitude ratio between the first desired current of the first drive signal (e1) and the sum (s3K+s4K) of the coupled signal components of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal.

35. The measurement system of claim 31 , wherein: The measurement system characteristic number (K1) depends on the system phase difference between the desired signal component (s1N; s2N) of at least one of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal and the coupled signal component (s3K; s4K) of at least one of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal, and the measurement system characteristic number quantifies the system phase difference.

36. The measurement system of claim 35, wherein: The measurement system characteristic number (K1) depends on the system phase difference between the sum (s1N+s2N) of the desired signal components (s1N, s2N) of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal and the sum (s3K+s4K) of the coupled signal components of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal.

37. The measurement system of claim 31 , wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to compare in each case one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic quantity with one or more reference values ​​of the measuring system characteristic quantity for evaluating and / or quantifying deviations of the one or more characteristic values ​​from the one or more reference values.

38. The measurement system of claim 37, wherein: The one or more reference values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number are one or more reference values ​​determined by the manufacturer of the measuring system and / or determined during the manufacture and / or startup of the measuring system, one or more reference values ​​indicating a reduction in the operating capability of the measuring transducer and / or one or more reference values ​​indicating a malfunction of the measuring transducer and / or one or more reference values ​​indicating a defective measuring transducer.

39. The measurement system of claim 37, wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to determine whether one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number (MK1) are greater than at least one reference value of the measuring system characteristic number, and to output a signal reporting in the form of a disturbance alarm if one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number are greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a reduction in the operational capability of the measuring transducer and / or greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a malfunction of the measuring transducer and / or greater than one or more reference values ​​indicating a measuring transducer that is no longer intact.

40. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The measuring system electronics (20) comprises a non-volatile electronic data memory (EEPROM) adapted to provide digital data storing one or more earlier determined reference values ​​for a characteristic number of the measuring system in the absence of an applied operating voltage.

41. The measurement system of claim 40, wherein: Stored in the electronic data memory are one or more reference values ​​for characteristic quantities of the measuring system, values ​​determined earlier by the manufacturer of the measuring system and / or during production of the measuring system and / or during operation of the measuring system, one or more reference values ​​indicating a reduction in the operating capability of the measuring transducer and / or one or more reference values ​​indicating a malfunction of the measuring transducer.

42. The measurement system of claim 41, wherein: The measuring system electronics (20) is adapted to compare in each case one or more values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number with one or more reference values ​​of the measuring system characteristic number stored in the data memory.

43. A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measurement system electronics (20) is adapted to provide an alternating current frequency to the first desired current component of the first drive signal, said frequency differing from the resonance frequency fr1 of the first tube by less than 1% of said resonance frequency fr1 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

44. A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measurement system electronics (20) is adapted to provide an alternating current frequency to the second desired current component of the second drive signal, said frequency differing from the resonant frequency fr2 of the second tube by less than 1% of said resonant frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

45. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The measurement system electronics (20) is adapted to provide an alternating current frequency to the desired current component of the first drive signal, said frequency differing from the resonant frequency fr2 of the second tube by less than 1% of said resonant frequency fr2 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

46. ​​A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein The measurement system electronics (20) is adapted to provide an alternating current frequency to the second desired current component of the second drive signal, said frequency differing from the resonant frequency fr1 of the first tube by less than 1% of said resonant frequency fr1 and / or by less than 1 Hz.

47. A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The first tube and the second tube have at least one common resonant frequency fr12, and wherein the measuring system electronics is adapted to provide an alternating current frequency to the first desired current component and the second desired current component of the first drive signal and the second drive signal in each case, which frequency differs from the common resonant frequency fr12 of the first tube and the second tube by less than 1% of the resonant frequency fr12 and / or by less than 1 Hz, such that a phase difference of 180° is set between the first desired current and the second desired current.

48. A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measuring transducer has a natural bending oscillation mode, in which case the first tube and the second tube can perform mechanical oscillations of opposite phases, and wherein the measuring system electronics are adapted to supply the first drive signal and the second drive signal to the first oscillation exciter and the second oscillation exciter in the first operating mode to force mechanical oscillations of opposite phases, and to supply an alternating current frequency to the first desired current and the second desired current, the frequency differing from the resonant frequency fr12 of the bending oscillation mode by less than 1% of the resonant frequency and / or by less than 1 Hz.

49. The measurement system of claim 48, wherein: The natural bending oscillation mode is the fundamental bending oscillation mode.

50. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a support structure (100), wherein The support structure and the tube arrangement are releasably secured to each other by means of the first flow divider and the second flow divider.

51. The measurement system of claim 50, wherein: The support structure (100) is a support structure implemented as a transducer protection housing.

52. The measurement system according to claim 50, -in, The first oscillation exciter (31) and the second oscillation exciter are mechanically connected to the support structure; and / or - wherein the first oscillation sensor, the second oscillation sensor, the third oscillation sensor and the fourth oscillation sensor are mechanically connected to the support structure.

53. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, -in, The first flow splitter (21) and the second flow splitter (22) each comprise exactly four flow openings, and - wherein the tube arrangement comprises a third tube (113) and a fourth tube (114), wherein each of the third and fourth tubes of the tube arrangement extends in each case over a tube length from a first end of each tube to a second end of each tube and in each case comprises a lumen surrounded by a tube wall, and the lumen extends in each case from the first end of each tube to the second end of each tube, wherein each of the third and fourth tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case connected to each of the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter such that: The third tube is connected with the third flow opening of the first flow splitter (21) at its first end and is connected with the third flow opening of the second flow splitter (22) at its second end, The fourth tube is connected with the fourth flow opening of the first splitter (21) at its first end and with the fourth flow opening of the second splitter (22) at its second end, and --- wherein each of the third and fourth tubes of the tube arrangement is in each case suitable for having a substance to be measured flow through and during this time being caused to vibrate.

54. The measurement system of claim 53, wherein: The third tube (113) is a third tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight and / or a third tube that is at least partially parallel to the first tube, and the fourth tube (114) is a fourth tube that is at least partially curved and / or at least partially straight and / or a fourth tube of the same structure as the third tube and / or a fourth tube that is at least partially parallel to the third tube.

55. The measurement system of claim 53, wherein: The tube wall is a metal tube wall.

56. The measurement system of claim 53, wherein: The third tube and the fourth tube of the tube arrangement are mechanically coupled to each other via at least the first flow splitter and the second flow splitter such that: - the forced mechanical oscillation of the third tube causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of the fourth tube, and the forced mechanical oscillation of the fourth tube causes a coupled mechanical oscillation of the third tube; and / or - the forced mechanical oscillation of the first tube and the third tube causes coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the second tube and the fourth tube, and the forced mechanical oscillation of the second tube and the fourth tube causes coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the first tube and the third tube; and / or The forced mechanical oscillation of each of the first, second, third and fourth tubes causes in each case a coupled mechanical oscillation of each of the other first, second, third and fourth tubes.

57. The measurement system of claim 56, wherein: - the opposite and equal bending oscillations of the first and third tubes induce the opposite and equal bending oscillations of the second and fourth tubes, and the opposite and equal bending oscillations of the second and fourth tubes induce the opposite and equal bending oscillations of the first and third tubes.

58. The measurement system according to claim 53, -in, The first oscillation exciter (31) is adapted to differentially excite mechanical oscillations of the first tube and the third tube; and - wherein the second oscillation exciter (32) is adapted to differentially excite the mechanical oscillations of the second tube and the fourth tube.

59. The measurement system according to claim 53, -in, The first oscillation exciter (31) is mechanically connected to both the first tube and the third tube, and - wherein the second oscillation exciter (32) is mechanically connected to both the second tube and the fourth tube.

60. The measurement system according to claim 53, -in, each of the first and second oscillation sensors is in each case adapted to register the oscillatory movements of the first and third tubes distinctively, such that each of the first and second oscillation measurement signals represents oscillatory movements of the first and third tubes in opposite phases; and - wherein each of the third oscillation sensor and the fourth oscillation sensor is in each case adapted to register the oscillatory movements of the second tube and the fourth tube differently, so that each of the third oscillation measurement signal and the fourth oscillation measurement signal represents oscillatory movements of the second tube and the fourth tube of opposite phase.

61. The measurement system according to claim 53, -in, The first oscillation sensor and the second oscillation sensor are in each case mechanically connected to both the first tube and the third tube; and - wherein the third oscillation sensor and the fourth oscillation sensor are in each case mechanically connected both to the second tube and to the fourth tube.

62. The measurement system according to claim 53, -in, The first tube, the second tube, the third tube, and the fourth tube have the same structure only in pairs, such that the first tube has the same structure only as the third tube, and the second tube has the same structure only as the fourth tube; and / or - wherein each of the four tubes has a caliber equal to the caliber of each of the other tubes; and / or - wherein the wall of each of the four tubes has a thickness equal to the thickness of each of the other tubes.

63. A measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The tube arrangement has a first coupling element mechanically connected to each of the tubes and a second coupling element mechanically connected to each of the tubes.

64. The measurement system of claim 63, wherein: The first coupling element is positioned further away from the first coupling element of the second shunt (22) than from the first shunt (21), and the second coupling element is positioned further away from the second coupling element of the first shunt (21) than from the second shunt (22).

65. The measurement system of claim 63, wherein: The first coupling element is a plate-shaped first coupling element, and the second coupling element is a plate-shaped second coupling element and / or a second coupling element having the same structure as the first coupling element.

66. The measurement system of any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising: An electronics protective housing (200) for measurement system electronics (20).

67. The measurement system of claim 66, wherein: The electronics protection housing (200) for the measuring system electronics (20) is an electronics protection housing that is fixed to a support structure of the measuring transducer.

68. The measurement system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, -in, The measuring system electronics (20) are adapted to, in a third operating mode activated after the second operating mode: - at least temporarily generating a second drive signal (e2) having the second desired current (e2N) and supplying it to the second oscillation exciter, supplying current to the second oscillation exciter as in the first operating mode, and at the same time not supplying a drive signal containing the first desired current component to the first oscillation exciter, so that --- the second tube at least partially performs a second desired oscillation and the first tube performs a mechanical oscillation coupled to the second desired oscillation and having the second desired frequency, while likewise not performing the first desired oscillation, and --- each of the third oscillating measurement signal and the fourth oscillating measurement signal in each case has a desired signal component, and each of the first oscillating measurement signal and the second oscillating measurement signal in each case has a coupled signal component (sK1; sK2), i.e. a sinusoidal signal component having a frequency corresponding to the alternating current frequency of the second desired current (e2N); and - wherein the measuring system electronics is adapted to receive and evaluate at least the first oscillating measurement signal and / or the second oscillating measurement signal in the third operating mode.

69. The measurement system of claim 68, wherein: The measuring system electronics are adapted to receive and evaluate the first, second, third and fourth oscillating measurement signals in the third operating mode.

70. Use of the measuring system according to any one of claims 1 to 69 for measuring at least one flow parameter and / or at least one substance parameter of a fluid measured substance.

71. The use according to claim 70, wherein The at least one flow parameter is a mass flow and / or a volume flow.

72. The use according to claim 70, wherein The at least one material parameter is density and / or viscosity.

73. The use according to claim 70, wherein The fluid substance to be measured is the fluid substance to be measured flowing in a pipeline.

74. The use according to claim 70, wherein The fluid substance to be measured is gas, liquid or dispersion.

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