A high temperature and high pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of level detection, and specifically provides a high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, which is intended to solve the drawbacks of the detection conductor in the existing radio frequency admittance level meter probe caused by high temperature. To this end, the radio frequency admittance level meter probe of the present invention includes a shell, an insulating thermal insulation sleeve and a detection conductor, the insulating thermal insulation sleeve is accommodated in the shell and the end extends from the shell, the insulating thermal insulation sleeve is hollow and the end is closed; the detection conductor includes a spring, and the end of the spring abuts against the insulating thermal insulation sleeve. After the temperature of the detection conductor changes, the spring can shrink or stretch, always maintaining the same length, and will not affect the measurement accuracy of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe; in addition, the elongation and contraction of the spring caused by temperature changes can be converted into elastic potential energy, and the force applied by the spring to the insulating thermal insulation sleeve does not change much, and will not damage the insulating thermal insulation sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of level detection, and in particular provides a high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe. Background Art

[0002] There are several types of existing level meter probes, such as capacitive and radio frequency admittance. Capacitive level meter probes include a detection conductor. As the material level rises, the material covers the detection conductor, causing the capacitance between the detection conductor and the medium (for conductive materials) or between the detection conductor and the pipe wall (for insulating materials) to increase. Because the level change causes an imbalance in the capacitance bridge, the change in capacitance depends on the dielectric constant of the material being measured. This signal is then detected and amplified, and the corresponding output signal is generated.

[0003] The measurement principle of an RF admittance level meter probe is similar to that of a capacitive level meter probe. The detection conductor and the container wall form two capacitors with a fixed spacing. When the material level in the container covers the detection conductor, the medium and the air above it act as the filler between the capacitors. The RF admittance level meter probe emits a constant high-frequency radio wave that acts on the detection conductor. As the medium level changes, the electrical parameters (such as capacitance and admittance) between the detection conductor and the container wall change, causing the radio wave acting on the detection conductor to change. Based on these changes in the radio wave, the medium level can be analyzed and calculated. RF admittance level meter probes provide highly accurate measurement results and are unaffected by material buildup on the detection conductor.

[0004] To extend the measuring range of an RF admittance level meter probe, the length of the detection conductor can reach up to four meters. As the temperature of the detection conductor changes, the length of the detection conductor in a conventional RF admittance level meter probe will slightly change (for example, due to thermal expansion or contraction). This change in the detection conductor's length can affect the measurement accuracy of the RF admittance level meter probe. Furthermore, since the initial end of the detection conductor is fixed, any increase in the length of the detection conductor will exert a significant force on the insulating and thermal insulation sleeve surrounding the detection conductor, potentially damaging the insulation sleeve.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe to solve the drawbacks of the detection conductor in the existing radio frequency admittance level meter probe caused by high temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above technical problem, that is, to solve the drawbacks of the detection conductor in the existing radio frequency admittance level meter probe caused by high temperature.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a high-temperature, high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, comprising: a shell having a cavity extending through the shell along an axis; an insulating and thermally insulating sleeve accommodated in the cavity and with its distal end extending from the shell, the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve being hollow and having its distal end closed; and a detection conductor comprising a spring, the spring being inserted into the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve and having its distal end abutting against the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, after the temperature of the detected conductor changes, the spring can contract or extend, always maintaining the same length, without affecting the measurement accuracy of the RF admittance level meter probe; in addition, the extension and contraction of the spring caused by temperature changes can be converted into elastic potential energy, and the force applied by the spring to the insulating and thermal insulation sleeve does not change much, so as not to damage the insulating and thermal insulation sleeve.

[0009] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, the detection conductor further includes a hard portion, which is connected to an end of the spring away from the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve and fixed to the housing.

[0010] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, the top of the cavity is a receiving groove, and the initial end of the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve is located in the receiving groove; the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe also includes a pressing piece and a thermal insulation sealing gasket, the thermal insulation sealing gasket is located in the receiving groove and is sleeved on the initial end of the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve, at least a portion of the pressing piece is located in the receiving groove and is connected to the shell to force the thermal insulation sealing gasket to abut the bottom of the receiving groove.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the compression member can press the thermal insulation sealing gasket tightly, thereby sealing the gap between the insulating thermal insulation sleeve and the shell, preventing hot air from transferring heat upward from the gap between the insulating thermal insulation sleeve and the shell; at the same time, it can also improve the pressure resistance of the RF admittance level meter probe.

[0012] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe also includes an insulating block and a locking piece, the insulating block and the locking piece are inserted into the pressing piece, the insulating block is located between the locking piece and the pressing piece, and the initial end of the detection conductor is fixed to the locking piece.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the insulating block can insulate and isolate the locking part and the pressing part, preventing the detection conductor from being electrically connected to the shell through the locking part and the pressing part; in addition, the insulating block can also reduce the heat conduction efficiency between the locking part and the pressing part, thereby reducing the temperature of the detection conductor and further increasing the maximum heat resistance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level switch.

[0014] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, a heat sink is provided on the outer periphery of the shell.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the heat sink can accelerate the heat dissipation speed of the shell, thereby reducing the temperature of the shell and improving the ultimate tolerance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level switch.

[0016] In the specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, an isolator is provided in the cavity, which is sleeved on the outside of the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve and is configured to isolate the cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity that are not connected to each other.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the isolating member can block the first cavity and the second cavity, reducing the efficiency of heat transfer from the second cavity to the first cavity, thereby improving the ultimate tolerance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level switch.

[0018] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, the shell is provided with a first interface and a second interface, the first interface and the second interface are connected to the first cavity away from the end of the insulating and thermal insulation sleeve, and the first interface is connected to the cooling medium.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooling medium is introduced from the first interface and flows out from the second interface, thereby cooling the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve and the shell, thereby improving the ultimate tolerance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level switch.

[0020] In the above-mentioned specific embodiment of the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve is made of insulating glass.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention includes a shell, an insulating thermal insulation sleeve and a detection conductor. The shell is provided with a cavity extending through the shell along the axis; the insulating thermal insulation sleeve is accommodated in the cavity and the end thereof extends from the shell, the insulating thermal insulation sleeve is hollow and the end thereof is closed; the detection conductor includes a spring, the spring is inserted into the insulating thermal insulation sleeve and the end thereof abuts against the insulating thermal insulation sleeve. After the temperature of the detection conductor changes, the spring can contract or extend, always maintaining the same length, and will not affect the measurement accuracy of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe. In addition, the elongation and contraction of the spring due to temperature changes can be converted into elastic potential energy, and the force applied by the spring to the insulating thermal insulation sleeve does not change much, and will not damage the insulating thermal insulation sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of another radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1. Shell; 11. Cavity; 111. First cavity; 112. Second cavity; 12. Receiving groove; 13. Heat sink; 14. Isolator; 2. Insulating sleeve; 3. Detection conductor; 31. Hard part; 32. Spring; 4. Insulating gasket; 5. Pressing ring; 6. Pressing piece; 61. Lock nut; 7. Insulating block; 8. Locking piece; 81. Positioning bolt; 82. Electrical connection bolt; 91. Cover cap; 92. Lead protection cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used solely for ease of description and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component described must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "disposed," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] In order to solve the drawbacks of the detection conductor in the existing radio frequency admittance level meter probe caused by high temperature, the present invention provides a high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, comprising: a shell with a cavity extending through the shell along the axis; an insulating and thermally insulating sleeve accommodated in the cavity and with a distal end extending from the shell, the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve being hollow and with a closed distal end; and a detection conductor including a spring, the spring being inserted into the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve and with a distal end abutting against the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve.

[0034] The high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probes of some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below through specific examples.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the high-temperature, high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe comprises a housing 1, a power supply module, an insulating sleeve 2, and a detection conductor 3. The insulating sleeve 2 is hollow and sealed at its end. The detection conductor 3 is disposed within the insulating sleeve 2. The initial end of the insulating sleeve 2, housing the detection conductor 3, is located within the housing 1, while the distal end extends beyond the housing 1 to contact the measured medium. The power supply module supplies power to the detection conductor 3. The detection conductor 3 and the container wall containing the measured medium form a two-stage capacitor with a fixed spacing. After the material level within the container is covered by the insulating sleeve 2, the medium and the air above it act as the filler between the capacitors. The radio frequency admittance level meter probe emits a constant high-frequency radio wave that acts on the detection conductor 3. As the medium level changes, the electrical parameters (such as capacitance and admittance) between the detection conductor 3 and the container wall change, causing changes in the radio wave acting on the detection conductor 3. Based on these changes in the radio wave, the medium level can be analyzed and calculated.

[0036] The insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2 in the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention completely wraps the detection conductor 3, thereby isolating the detection conductor 3 from the medium to be measured. The insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2 in contact with the conductor to be measured has a low heat conduction efficiency, which can effectively reduce the temperature conducted to the initial end of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe and improve the ultimate heat resistance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe.

[0037] The insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2 is made of insulating glass, such as phosphate glass or silicate glass.

[0038] The distal end of the housing 1 is fixedly connected to the container wall (e.g., by threading), ensuring the stability of the RF admittance level meter probe. A cavity 11 extends through the housing 1 along its axis. The initial end of the cavity 11 forms a receiving groove 12, which has a larger diameter than the rest of the cavity 11, forming a limit surface at the bottom of the groove 12. The initial end of the insulating sleeve 2 is located within the receiving groove 12.

[0039] A thermal insulation seal 4 and a pressure ring 5 are provided in the receiving groove 12. The thermal insulation seal 4 and the pressure ring 5 are sequentially inserted from the initial end of the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2, so that the thermal insulation seal 4 and the pressure ring 5 are located between the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2 and the shell 1. A pressing member 6 is provided at the initial end of the shell 1. At least a portion of the pressing member 6 is located in the receiving groove 12 and is connected to the shell 1 to force the thermal insulation seal 4 to abut the bottom of the receiving groove 12. For example, the pressing member 6 is threadedly connected to the shell 1. When the pressing member 6 is gradually screwed into the receiving groove 12, the pressing member 6 will squeeze the pressure ring 5 and the thermal insulation seal 4 close to the bottom of the receiving groove 12 until the thermal insulation seal 4 tightly abuts the bottom of the receiving groove 12. After the thermal insulation seal 4 abuts the bottom of the receiving groove 12, it can seal the gap between the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2 and the shell 1, preventing hot air from transferring heat upward from the gap between the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2 and the shell 1, and at the same time, it can also improve the pressure resistance of the RF admittance level meter probe.

[0040] The high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe also includes an insulating block 7 and a locking member 8. The insulating block 7 and the locking member 8 are inserted into the pressing member 6. The insulating block 7 is located between the locking member 8 and the pressing member 6. The initial end of the detection conductor 3 is fixed to the locking member 8. The insulating block 7 can insulate the locking member 8 and the pressing member 6 to prevent the detection conductor 3 from being electrically connected to the housing 1 through the locking member 8 and the pressing member 6. In addition, if the insulating block 7 is made of a heat-insulating material, it can reduce the heat conduction efficiency between the locking member 8 and the pressing member 6, thereby reducing the temperature of the detection conductor 3 and thereby increasing the ultimate heat resistance temperature of the radio frequency admittance level switch.

[0041] The sidewall of the compression member 6 is radially provided with several spacer grooves, allowing the compression member 6 to retract inward. The outer circumference of the compression member 6 is tapered, with the diameter gradually decreasing towards the end away from the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2. A lock nut 61 is provided on the outer circumference of the compression member 6 and is threadedly connected to the outer circumference of the compression member 6. As the lock nut 61 is gradually screwed in, it compresses the compression member 6 inward, compressing the insulating block 7 and preventing it from dislodging from the compression member 6.

[0042] The detection conductor 3 of the radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention includes a hard portion 31 and a spring 32. One end of the hard portion 31 is connected to the spring 32, and the other end is fixed to the housing 1. Specifically, the hard portion 31 is inserted into the locking member 8, and a positioning bolt 81 is screwed into the side wall of the locking member 8 to abut the hard portion 31, thereby limiting the relative positional relationship between the hard portion 31 and the locking member 8 and preventing the hard portion 31 from disengaging from the locking member 8, thereby achieving relative fixation of the hard portion 31 and the housing 1. The side wall of the locking member 8 is also provided with an electrical connection bolt 82 for connecting an external conductor. The external conductor is electrically connected to the hard portion 31 via the electrical connection bolt 82, thereby supplying power to the detection conductor 3.

[0043] The initial end of the spring 32 is connected to the rigid portion 31, and the distal end abuts the bottom of the interior space of the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2. By utilizing the spring 32 as a primary component of the detection conductor 3, the spring 32 can contract or expand upon temperature changes in the detection conductor 3, maintaining a constant length without affecting the measurement accuracy of the RF admittance level meter probe. Furthermore, the expansion and contraction of the spring 32 due to temperature changes is converted into elastic potential energy, minimizing the change in force applied by the spring 32 to the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2, preventing damage to the sleeve.

[0044] In addition, the maximum temperature tolerance of the RF admittance level meter probe can also be increased by lowering the temperature of the housing 1. In a specific example of the present invention, a heat sink 13 is provided on the circumference of the housing 1 to accelerate the heat dissipation of the housing 1, thereby lowering the temperature of the housing 1 and increasing the maximum temperature tolerance of the RF admittance level meter probe.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, an isolator 14 may also be provided within the cavity 11, and is disposed outside the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2. The isolator 14 divides the cavity 11 into a first cavity 111 and a second cavity 112, with the first cavity 111 being located away from the end of the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2. The isolator 14 is configured to isolate the first cavity 111 from the second cavity 112, thereby reducing the efficiency of heat transfer from the second cavity 112 to the first cavity 111, thereby lowering the temperature of the housing 1 and the insulating and thermally insulating sleeve 2, thereby increasing the maximum temperature tolerance of the RF admittance level meter probe.

[0046] The housing 1 may also be provided with a first interface and a second interface, which communicate with the first cavity 111. The first interface receives a cooling medium. The cooling medium enters the first interface and exits the second interface, thereby cooling the insulating sleeve 2 and the housing 1, thereby increasing the maximum temperature tolerance of the RF admittance level meter probe. For example, the cooling medium may be low-temperature or room-temperature air, or water.

[0047] The initial end of the housing 1 is provided with a cap 91 and a lead protection cover 92. The cap 91 covers the initial end of the housing 1 to protect the internal components. The lead protection cover 92 covers the end of the cap 91 away from the housing 1 to protect the leads electrically connected to the detection conductor 3.

[0048] In summary, the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe provided by the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0049] (1) The spring 32 is used as the main part of the detection conductor 3. After the temperature of the detection conductor 3 changes, the spring 32 can shrink or stretch, always maintaining the same length, and will not affect the measurement accuracy of the RF admittance level meter probe; in addition, the elongation and contraction of the spring 32 caused by temperature changes can be converted into elastic potential energy, and the force applied by the spring 32 to the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2 does not change much, and will not damage the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve 2.

[0050] Thus far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high temperature and high pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe, characterized in that: include: A housing (1) is provided with a cavity (11) extending through the housing (1) along its axis; an insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2), which is accommodated in the cavity (11) and has its end extended from the shell (1); the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2) is hollow and has a closed end; A detection conductor (3) includes a spring (32), wherein the spring (32) is inserted into the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2) and the end thereof abuts against the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2); The detection conductor (3) further comprises a hard portion (31), wherein the hard portion (31) is connected to an end of the spring (32) away from the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2) and is fixed to the housing (1); The top of the cavity (11) is a receiving groove (12), and the initial end of the insulating heat-insulating sleeve (2) is located in the receiving groove (12); the high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe further comprises a pressing member (6) and a heat-insulating sealing pad (4), the heat-insulating sealing pad (4) is located in the receiving groove (12) and is sleeved on the initial end of the insulating heat-insulating sleeve (2), at least a portion of the pressing member (6) is located in the receiving groove (12) and is connected to the housing (1) to force the heat-insulating sealing pad (4) to abut against the bottom of the receiving groove (12); The high-temperature and high-pressure radio frequency admittance level meter probe further comprises an insulating block (7) and a locking piece (8), wherein the insulating block (7) and the locking piece (8) are plugged into the pressing piece (6), the insulating block (7) is located between the locking piece (8) and the pressing piece (6), and the initial end of the detection conductor (3) is fixed to the locking piece (8); An isolating member (14) is provided in the cavity (11), and the isolating member (14) is sleeved on the outside of the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2) and is configured to isolate the cavity (11) into a first cavity (111) and a second cavity (112) that are not connected to each other; The outer periphery of the housing (1) is provided with heat sinks (13); The housing (1) is provided with a first interface and a second interface, the first interface and the second interface being in communication with a first cavity (111) away from the end of the insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2), and the first interface being connected to a cooling medium; The insulating and heat-insulating sleeve (2) is made of heat-insulating glass; A capacitance is formed between the detection conductor and the container wall to measure the level height of the medium to be measured between the detection conductor and the container wall.

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