Protective device for sealing a sensor device

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device for sealing an intermediate region (160) outside a sensor device (110) mounted on a container (150), a measuring apparatus, a container (150) having a fastening device (100) for fastening the protection device, and a use of the protection device for sealing an intermediate region (160) outside a sensor device (110), in particular a level radar sensor assembly, mounted on a container (150). The protection device comprises a housing (140) and a peripheral seal (130) arranged on a side (142) of the housing (140) for proximity to the container (150) or on an outer side (143) of the housing (140).

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to German patent application 10 2020 201954.1, filed on February 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to measurement technology. In particular, this invention relates to protective devices for sealing sensor devices on containers, measuring equipment, containers having fastening devices for securing the protective devices, and the use of protective devices for sealing sensor assemblies, particularly level radar sensor assemblies. Background Technology

[0004] In automation technology, measuring devices or field equipment, such as level radar sensors, are frequently used to monitor characteristics of the filling medium in containers equipped with these devices, such as level, pressure, or temperature. There is a strong need to further develop measuring devices to improve their durability and reliability, and ultimately, to improve measurement results, especially when used outdoors in environments with relatively fluctuating conditions, unaffected by environmental factors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide reliable measurement results even under strongly fluctuating environmental conditions.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a protective device for sealing an intermediate region outside a sensor device mounted on a container, comprising a housing and a peripheral seal. The peripheral seal is disposed on the side of the housing adjacent to the container or on the outer side of the housing.

[0007] In other words, the peripheral seal can be designed to be located below the housing or circumferentially surrounding the housing.

[0008] For example, the sensor device is a level radar sensor assembly, which includes a radar sensor having an antenna for transmitting and / or receiving measurement signals in the direction of the main beam. For measurement purposes, the sensor assembly is arranged on the upper outer wall of the container.

[0009] The container can be made of plastic, allowing radar sensors to take measurements through the container walls.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the protective device further includes a fastening device configured to fasten the protective device to the container.

[0011] Fastening devices can be installed on the container.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the peripheral seal is configured to seal an intermediate region created by the peripheral seal, the housing, and the container, or created by the peripheral seal, the housing, the container, and the fastening device.

[0013] The antenna of the sensor assembly is configured to transmit measurement signals through the container wall and / or receive measurement signals reflected from the surface of the filling material in the container, either along the main beam direction towards the lower side of the housing or towards the side of the housing closest to the container. When the sensor device is mounted on the container, an intermediate region or enclosed space exists, created by peripheral seals, the housing of the sensor device, the outer wall of the container, and possible fastening devices. In contrast, the "environment" is understood as the broader space outside the container and the enclosed intermediate region. Therefore, the intermediate region is at least separated from the environment, or even isolated from it, by the peripheral seals.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the housing includes a connection channel and a diaphragm, and is configured to encapsulate a sensor device.

[0015] The wall of the connection channel can be part of the housing of the sensor device. For example, a diaphragm is disposed at the upper end of the connection channel, which is opposite to the side of the housing intended to be close to the container.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the diaphragm is a waterproof and breathable pressure-balancing diaphragm.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the housing is configured to balance the pressure in the intermediate region by connecting channels and diaphragms.

[0018] The connection channel can be designed as a through-hole in the housing, having an upper end and a lower end. When balancing the pressure between the environment and the intermediate region, the arrangement of the diaphragm at the upper end of the connection channel can advantageously allow only the transport of gaseous molecules. Therefore, for example, it can prevent the accumulation of generated water on the outside of the diaphragm, thereby improving the protective effect of the device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the protection device is configured to protect the sensor device from condensation in the intermediate region via a peripheral seal, a connection channel in the housing, and a diaphragm.

[0020] Peripheral seals can prevent liquid media such as rainwater or humid air / water vapor from entering the enclosed intermediate zone or separated volume from the environment to the greatest extent possible. However, moisture or other media may still enter the intermediate zone, or condensation may still form from the air or gas volume present in the intermediate zone. For example, condensation in the form of water droplets can accumulate in the intermediate zone or on the outer wall of the container in the direction of the main beam. Since most of the measurement signal is reflected or absorbed by the condensation, or cannot continue to travel in the direction of the main beam at all, it may hinder the measurement performed by the sensor assembly, making the measurement quite difficult, or even impossible.

[0021] To prevent or at least reduce the formation of condensation in the intermediate region, a connection channel can be provided inside the housing. For example, the lower end of the connection channel can be located in the intermediate region immediately adjacent to the lower end of the antenna. The connection channel is configured to connect the volume of the enclosed intermediate region, separated from the environment by a peripheral seal, to the environment via a waterproof and breathable pressure-balancing diaphragm, and to balance the pressure within the intermediate region with that of the environment. Because the diaphragm is located at the upper end of the connection channel in the housing, pressure balance is achieved, for example, by the transfer or diffusion of air or gas molecules from the enclosed intermediate region to the environment when the pressure in the enclosed intermediate region is higher than the pressure in the environment. The diffusion of gaseous molecules from the intermediate region through the pressure-balancing diaphragm can lead to a reduction in the amount of condensation formed, for example, due to temperature or pressure fluctuations.

[0022] Advantageously, the protective device, comprising an assembly consisting of a surrounding sealing element and a housing with connecting channels and a diaphragm, provides dual protection for the sensor device. This dual protection, on the one hand, prevents most liquid and gaseous media from entering the enclosed intermediate region from the environment through the peripheral seal, and on the other hand, prevents condensation from forming in the intermediate region through the connecting channels and diaphragm of the housing, thus improving the durability and reliability of the sensor assembly. Consequently, the cost of maintaining and repairing the sensor assembly or the measuring equipment containing the sensor assembly can be significantly reduced.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the peripheral seal is designed to be deformable.

[0024] Peripheral seals can be flexible or compressible, or made of synthetic rubber or elastic plastic. After prolonged use, containers or housings may develop unevenly curved surfaces that make it difficult to fasten the housing to the container. For example, the container surface may further deform due to filling or emptying processes, movement of the filling material or medium within the container during transport, or the effects of changes in ambient temperature. The flexibility or deformability of the peripheral seal allows it to better adapt to or fit the surface of the container, fastener, or housing when tightened, thus optimizing the seal.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the peripheral seal has a hollow chamber profile, or the peripheral seal is made of a closed porous material.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the peripheral seal has a widened portion configured to press the peripheral seal into the housing and secure it to the housing.

[0027] The housing may also have a recess on the side of the housing facing the container, in which a peripheral seal can be disposed. The recess may be designed to correspond to the shape of the widened portion of the peripheral seal. This allows for a very strong and stable fastening of the housing to the container and makes the seal very reliable and durable, because, for example, lateral forces on the housing can be absorbed by the seal. Furthermore, the recess in the housing and the widened portion of the seal allow the housing and the peripheral seal to be combined or integrally formed.

[0028] Alternatively, the peripheral seal can be mounted on or integrated into the fastener.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the fastening device is designed as a spring lock, a bayonet lock, or a screw lock.

[0030] Alternatively, the housing can be secured to the container or fastening device by screwing or tightening it in.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the fastening device is configured to generate compressive force on the peripheral seal when the protective device is fastened to the container, so as to press the peripheral seal against the container or the fastening device.

[0032] The fastening device can be designed such that when the housing is fastened to the container, the contact pressure deforms or compresses the flexible peripheral seal, thereby applying a compressive force to the seal. This contact pressure can deform the seal to a degree that increases the contact area between the seal and the bottom of the housing, as well as the contact area between the seal and the container, thus ensuring the airtightness of the sensor device.

[0033] When the peripheral seal is mounted on or integrated into the fastening device, fastening can be achieved by deforming the peripheral seal with compressive force and pressing it against the housing.

[0034] Alternatively or supplementally, the fastening device may have a tension band that compresses the peripheral seal when the housing is fastened to the container, allowing only minimal or no unwanted foreign objects to enter the enclosed space.

[0035] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a measuring device that includes a sensor assembly and a protective device for sealing an intermediate region outside the sensor assembly mounted on a container.

[0036] The intermediate region may include at least a portion of the area along the main beam direction of the antenna, which can be protected from environmental influences during measurement by the measuring equipment.

[0037] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a container having a fastening device for securing and protecting the device.

[0038] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to the use of a protective device for sealing the intermediate region outside a sensor assembly (particularly a level radar sensor assembly) mounted on a container.

[0039] Other embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. If the same reference numerals are used in the following description of the drawings, they denote the same or similar elements. The illustrations in the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a protective device for sealing a sensor device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0041] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a protective device for sealing a sensor device according to another embodiment is shown.

[0042] Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a protective device for sealing a sensor device according to another embodiment is shown.

[0043] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of the arrangement of the seals according to one embodiment is shown.

[0044] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of the peripheral seal of a protective device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0045] Figure 3B A schematic diagram of the peripheral seal of a protective device according to another embodiment is shown.

[0046] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the peripheral seal of a protective device according to another embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a protective device for sealing an intermediate region 160 outside a sensor device 110 mounted on a container 150 is shown. The protective device includes a housing 140 and a peripheral seal 130. The protective device also includes a fastening device 100 configured to secure the protective device to the container 150.

[0048] The housing 140 has a lower side (i.e., a side 142 positioned close to the container 150) on which a peripheral seal 130 is arranged when the protective device is fastened to the container 150.

[0049] Alternatively, Figure 1B A protective device having a housing 140 and a peripheral seal 130 arranged on the outer side 143 of the housing 140 is shown.

[0050] Figure 1A and 1B The sensor assembly 110 is shown enclosed in a housing 140. The sensor assembly 110 includes an antenna 125 and an electronics unit 126. The antenna 125 is configured to transmit and receive measurement signals toward or within the container 150 or the filling material in the container 150. The electronics unit 126 is configured to evaluate the measurement signals. For example, the measurement signal, in the form of an electromagnetic wave, propagates along a main beam direction 120 toward the container 150.

[0051] exist Figure 1A In this configuration, when the housing 140 is mounted on the container 150, an intermediate region or enclosed space 160 is created or formed by the peripheral seal 130, the housing 140, and the container 150. Figure 1A In contrast, when the housing 140 is mounted onto the container 150, an intermediate region 160 is formed by the peripheral seal 130, the housing 140, the container 150, and the fastening device 100. The intermediate region 160 is separated from the environment, which is the entire space outside the container and the enclosed intermediate region 160.

[0052] In addition, the housing 140 includes a connecting channel 180 and a diaphragm 190 (in particular, a waterproof and breathable pressure-balancing diaphragm), and is configured to balance the pressure in the intermediate region 160 with the environment through the connecting channel 180 and the diaphragm 190.

[0053] The connecting channel 180 is designed as a through-hole in the housing and may have upper and lower ends. A diaphragm 190 is disposed at the upper end of the connecting channel 180. Furthermore, the connecting channel 180 is configured to connect the volume in the intermediate region 160 to the environment via the waterproof and breathable pressure-balancing diaphragm 190. For example, when a higher pressure exists in the intermediate region, pressure balance is achieved by transporting gaseous molecules from the intermediate region 160 to the environment. Therefore, the formation of condensate or water accumulation in the intermediate region 160 can be prevented.

[0054] In addition, the protection device is configured to protect the sensor device 110 from condensation in the intermediate region 160 via the peripheral seal 130, the connecting channel 180 and the diaphragm 190.

[0055] The peripheral seal 130 prevents most moisture (e.g., rainwater or other liquid media, as well as humid air) from entering the enclosed intermediate region 160 from the environment. However, it cannot completely prevent humid air or other gases from entering or seeping into the intermediate region 160 through the peripheral seal 130. Furthermore, due to changes in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature fluctuations), condensate can also form as condensate water from the air volume present in the intermediate region and accumulate on the outer wall of the container 150 in the area of ​​the intermediate region 160. This may hinder or make quite difficult measurements by the sensor assembly 110, as the measurement signal may be reflected or absorbed by the condensate, or simply unable to continue propagating in the main beam direction 120.

[0056] The protective device is configured to prevent condensation formation in the intermediate region 160 by means of the connection channel 180 and diaphragm 190 of the housing 140: the intermediate region 160 is reconnected to the environment via the connection channel 180 and the waterproof and breathable pressure-balancing diaphragm 190, and the pressure within the intermediate region 160 is balanced with the environment. Therefore, the diffusion of gaseous molecules from the intermediate region 160 through the pressure-balancing diaphragm 190 can reduce the amount of condensation formed, such as a small amount due to temperature or pressure fluctuations. Thus, condensation formation in the main beam direction 120 of the measurement signal can be prevented.

[0057] Advantageously, the protective device, comprising an assembly consisting of a surrounding seal and a housing with connecting channels and a diaphragm, provides dual protection for the sensor device. This dual protection, on the one hand, prevents most water or other liquid media and humid air from entering the enclosed space 160 from the environment via the surrounding seal 130, and on the other hand, prevents condensation from forming within the enclosed space via the connecting channels 180 and the diaphragm 190 of the housing 140. Therefore, the durability and reliability of the sensor assembly 180 can be improved. Consequently, maintenance and repair costs for the sensor assembly can be reduced.

[0058] The fastening device 100 of the protective device can be fixedly installed on the container 150.

[0059] Alternatively, the protective device 110 can be secured, for example, by using double-sided closed-cell acrylic tape 195 for sealing the enclosed intermediate region 160.

[0060] For example, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The protective device is secured by screwing or bolting the housing 140 to the container 150 using the fastening device 100. The fastening device 100 may also be designed as a spring lock or a bayonet lock.

[0061] Alternatively, such as Figure 2A As shown, the fastening device 100 can be designed as a screw cap. For this purpose, a thread 145 is provided on the housing 140, and a corresponding mating thread 105 is provided on the fastening device 100.

[0062] Alternatively, such as Figure 2B As shown, a seal 130 can also be formed between the housing 140 and the fastening device 100. For this purpose, the fastening of the fastening device 100 and / or the adhesion by means of the tape 195 can have sealing properties. Furthermore, the fastening device 100 is configured to generate a compressive force on the peripheral seal 130 when the protective device 110 is fastened to the container 150, thereby pressing the peripheral seal towards the container 150 or the fastening device 100.

[0063] The fastening device 100 may be designed to deform or compress the flexible peripheral seal 130 when the housing 140 is fastened to the container 150, thereby applying a compressive force to the peripheral seal 130. This compression allows the peripheral seal 130 to deform sufficiently to increase the contact area between the seal 130 and the housing 140, as well as the contact area between the seal 130 and the container 150 or the fastening device 100, thus ensuring the sealing of the enclosed intermediate region 160.

[0064] Alternatively or supplementally, the fastening device 100 may have a tension band that compresses the peripheral seal 130 when the housing 140 is fastened to the container 150, thereby minimizing the central region 160.

[0065] To ensure that the peripheral seal 130 remains in contact under applied compressive force, the peripheral seal 130 is designed to be flexible, deformable, or compressible, and is externally positioned between the housing 140 and the container 150 or fastener 100. The peripheral seal 130 may be made of synthetic rubber or elastic plastic. Since the container 150, housing 140, or fastener 100 may have unevenly curved surfaces after prolonged use, and / or the surface of the container 150 may deform due to filling or emptying processes, movement of filler material during transport, or the effects of temperature changes, using a flexible and deformable peripheral seal 130 allows for better adaptation to the surfaces in contact with the seal, thereby optimizing the seal.

[0066] Peripheral seal 130 can be designed such that the seal has the following properties: Figure 3A The hollow chamber outline shown, or made of, as Figure 3B It is made of the closed porous material shown.

[0067] Alternatively, Figure 4 A peripheral seal 130 with a widened portion 310 is shown, which is configured to press the peripheral seal 130 into and secure it to a housing 140. Therefore, the housing 140 has a recess 320. For this purpose, the recess 320 can be designed to correspond to the shape of the widened portion 310 of the peripheral seal 130. The housing 140 can be integrally formed with the peripheral seal 130 via the recess 320 and the widened portion 310.

[0068] It should also be noted that "comprising" or "having" does not exclude other elements, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, it should be noted that features described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of the other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A protective device for sealing an intermediate region (160) outside a sensor device (110) mounted on a container (150), comprising: Casing (140); A fastening device (100) is configured to be fixedly mounted on the container (150) and to fasten the protective device on the container (150), the fastening device comprising an internal thread into which the external thread of the housing can be screwed or a screw into which the fastening device can be screwed, to fasten the protective device to the fastening device. as well as A peripheral seal (130) is disposed on the side (142) of the housing (140) near the container (150), or on the outer side (143) of the housing (140). The peripheral seal (130) is configured to seal a cavity formed by the peripheral seal (130), the housing (140) and the container (150) or by the peripheral seal (130), the housing (140), the container (150) and the fastening device (100).

2. The protection device according to claim 1, in, The housing (140) includes a connection channel (180) and a diaphragm (190) disposed at one end of the connection channel, and is configured to enclose the sensor device (110).

3. The protection device according to claim 2, in, The housing (140) is configured to balance the pressure in the intermediate region (160) via the connecting channel (180) and the diaphragm (190).

4. The protection device according to claim 2, in, The protective device is configured to protect the sensor device (110) by means of the peripheral seal (130), the connection channel (180) of the housing (140), the diaphragm (190), and the fastening device (100) to prevent the formation of condensate in the intermediate region (160).

5. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The peripheral seal (130) is designed to be deformable.

6. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The peripheral seal (130) has a hollow chamber profile, or The peripheral seal (130) is made of a closed porous material.

7. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The peripheral seal (130) includes a widening portion (310) configured to press the peripheral seal (130) into the housing (140) and secure it to the housing.

8. The protection device according to claim 2, in, The diaphragm (190) is a waterproof and breathable pressure-balanced diaphragm.

9. The protection device according to claim 1, in, The fastening device (100) is designed as a screw lock.

10. The protection device according to claim 1, in, The fastening device (100) is configured to generate a compressive force on the peripheral seal (130) when the protective device is fastened to the container (150) to press the peripheral seal (130) against the container (150) or the fastening device (100).

11. A measuring device comprising: Sensor device (110); as well as The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used to seal the intermediate region (160) outside the sensor device (110) mounted on the container (150).

12. A container (150) having a fastening device (100) for fastening the protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used to seal the intermediate region (160) outside the sensor assembly (110) mounted on the container (150).

14. The use according to claim 13, wherein, The sensor assembly is a level radar sensor assembly.

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