Method for mounting clip-on ultrasonic measuring device and clip-on ultrasonic measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for mounting a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device (1) on a pipeline (200) in order to measure a medium property of a medium flowing through the pipeline, the clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device having at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10). The pipeline has a pipe wall (210) with an outer surface (211), and the outer surface has a surface roughness having an average roughness value of at least 10 microns. In a first step (101), the sealing layer (20) comprises a flowable compound (21), which sealing layer (20) is applied to the pipe wall section; in a second step (102), the sealing layer is cured; and in a third step (103) during or after the curing step, one of the at least one clamping ultrasonic transducer is positioned and establishes acoustic and mechanical contact with the separating device or the contact element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for installing a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device on a pipeline to measure medium properties of a medium flowing through the pipeline, and to such a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device, which has at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer. Background Art

[0002] Clamp-on ultrasonic measuring devices and devices for contacting clamp-on ultrasonic transducers on pipelines are known, as shown, for example, in DE 10 20 20 11 1 122 B4. However, in the case of pipelines with a rough outer surface, such as pipelines containing fibers such as made of asbestos cement, contact or acoustic coupling of the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is problematic, since long-term stable solutions are difficult to implement. For example, when grease is applied to such a pipeline, the grease penetrates into the pipe wall of the pipeline, so that the original coupling function is lost.

[0003] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a robust and long-term stable method for mounting a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device and such a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device. Summary of the invention

[0004] This object is achieved by a method according to independent claim 1 and a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device according to independent claim 14 .

[0005] In the method according to the invention for installing a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device on a pipeline in order to measure medium properties of a medium flowing through the pipeline, the clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device has at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer, The pipeline has a pipe wall with an outer surface. wherein, in a first method step, the sealing layer comprises a flowable compound, the sealing layer being applied to a portion of the outer surface, wherein, in a second method step, the sealing layer is cured or caused to cure, Therein, in a third method step, one of the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned on the sealing layer during or after curing.

[0006] In this way, good acoustic, long-term stable contact between the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer and the pipeline can be achieved, while the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer can be easily removed.

[0007] In the present context, curing means that a flowable compound becomes an elastic compound which, depending on the starting material, has rubber-like or metal-like elasticity.

[0008] In one embodiment, the flowable compound is a plastic self-curing compound and comprises at least one of the following materials: Silicone, acrylic, PU, ​​adhesives such as one-component or two-component adhesives, putties, epoxies, varnishes, paints, concrete, mortars.

[0009] In one embodiment, the flowable compound is brought into a flowable state by heating, solidified by cooling, and comprises at least one of the following materials: Solder, glass, hot melt adhesives.

[0010] In one embodiment, the curing is controlled by UV light.

[0011] In one embodiment, the sealing layer is applied by additive manufacturing such as deposition welding, sintering such as laser sintering, or vulcanization.

[0012] In one embodiment, a separation device is mounted between the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer and the compound.

[0013] By means of the separation device, the geometry of a plastic self-curing compound can be influenced during or after curing, or the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer can be prevented from adhering to the compound. For example, in the case of materials that are liquid before curing (such as solder), surface roughness caused by curing can be rendered harmless.

[0014] In one embodiment, the separating device comprises a sheet or a film or a fabric and has a thickness of at most 10 mm, in particular at most 3 mm, preferably at most 1 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the separation device is disc-shaped and, in particular, is coordinated with the geometry of the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer.

[0016] In one embodiment, the separation device comprises at least one of the following materials: Plastic materials such as PET, PE, PVC, PS, PEI, PI, metals such as aluminium, copper or stainless steel, metal alloys such as bronze or brass, ceramics or glass.

[0017] In one embodiment, the separation device has a coating on at least one side, the coating being self-adhesive, adhesion-enhancing or adhesion-reducing.

[0018] In one embodiment, the separation device has a volume or forms a volume, wherein the curable compound is arranged in the volume.

[0019] This makes it possible to ensure that the compound does not change its position before or during curing.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer has the following components: Transducer element; a coupling body having a first side facing away from the pipeline and a second side facing the pipeline, wherein the transducer element is arranged on the first side, a base disposed on the second side of the coupling body, wherein the base is made of a plastic or elastic material such as silicone or acrylic, Wherein, when the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned, the base forms acoustic and mechanical contact with the separation device or with the sealing layer.

[0021] A clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter according to the present invention configured according to the method of any one of the preceding claims comprises: at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer having a transducer element, a coupling body having a first side facing away from the pipeline and a second side facing the pipeline, a base arranged on the second side of the coupling body, wherein the transducer element is arranged on the first side, wherein when the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned, the base is in acoustic and mechanical contact with the separation device or with the sealing layer; Electronic measurement / operation circuitry is configured to operate the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer to evaluate a measurement signal of the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer and provide a measurement value of a measured variable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be described below with reference to Examples.

[0023] Figure 1 The method according to the invention is described by way of example;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing by way of example a cross-section of a front view of a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer mounted in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a simplified diagram of a cross section of a schematic clamp-on ultrasonic transducer;

[0026] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the method 100 according to the invention for installing a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device 1, Figure 1 As shown, in a first method step 101 , a flowable compound 21 is applied to an outer surface 211 of a pipe wall 210 of a pipeline 200 having a rough surface, the compound forming a sealing layer 20 .

[0028] In one embodiment, the flowable compound is a plastic self-curing compound and comprises at least one of the following materials: Silicone, acrylic, PU, ​​adhesives such as one-component or two-component adhesives, putties, epoxies, varnishes, paints, concrete, mortars.

[0029] In one embodiment, the flowable compound is brought into a flowable state by heating, solidified by cooling, and comprises at least one of the following materials: Solder, glass, hot melt adhesives.

[0030] When the compound solidifies, for example, by cooling or heating or waiting, the previously flowable compound assumes an elastic state, and the sealing layer adapts to the surface state of the outer surface of the pipeline and seals the outer surface. In this way, a long-term stable acoustic coupling between the pipeline and the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer can be ensured.

[0031] In one embodiment, a separation device 30 can be applied to the compound 21, the separation device being designed as a sheet or foil, a fabric or a disk, for example. In this case, the separation device can have at least one of the following materials: a plastic material, such as PET, PE, PVC, PS, PEI, PI; a metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel; a ceramic or a glass.

[0032] After the compound 21 is cured, the separation device can be removed so that the ultrasonic transducer can be in direct mechanical contact with the sealing layer without the risk of adhesion. For example, this can be advantageous in the case of a sealing layer that is soft and elastic after curing (such as silicone). However, after the compound is cured, the separation device can also be retained. This can be advantageous for hard elastic sealing layers such as concrete. In this case, a disc-shaped separation device made of metal, ceramic or glass can be advantageous. With the help of the separation device, the geometry of the plastic self-curing compound can be affected during or after curing, or the clamped ultrasonic transducer can be prevented from adhering to the compound. For example, in the case of a material that is liquid before curing (such as solder), the surface roughness caused by curing can become harmless.

[0033] In a third method step during or after curing, one of the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducers 10 of the clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device 1 is positioned on the separating device or the sealing layer.

[0034] In this way, a robust and long-term stable method for mounting a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device can be achieved.

[0035] Figure 2A schematic diagram of a cross section of a front view of a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer configured according to the present invention is shown by way of example, a sealing layer 20 having a compound 21, the sealing layer 20 being applied to a pipeline 200 having an outer surface of a pipe wall 210 and a pipe wall 211, wherein the compound is cured according to the present invention. By curing, the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer 10 is positioned on the sealing layer, and a separation device 30 can be arranged between the sealing layer and the ultrasonic transducer, as shown here. However, alternatively, the separation device can be omitted or can be removed before positioning the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer. For example, the separation device can form a convex envelope on the side of the sealing layer facing away from the pipeline, and can surround the sealing layer, thereby leaving the side facing the pipeline free. The separation device can have a coating 31 having a self-adhesive, adhesion-enhancing or adhesion-reducing effect. Therefore, the adhesive properties of the coating can be adapted to the sealing layer and / or the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer.

[0036] Figure 3 1 is a simplified diagram of a section through a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer 10 as an example, which has a transducer element 11, a coupling body 12 and a base 13. The transducer element 11 is arranged on a first side 12.1 of the coupling body facing away from the pipeline. The base 13 is arranged on a second side 12.2 of the coupling body facing the pipeline. Ultrasonic signals can be generated and received by the transducer element. The clamp-on ultrasonic transducer usually also has a housing 14, which guides and positions the coupling element and, if necessary, partially forms the separation device. The clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is usually pressed against the outer surface of the pipeline, for example by means of a screw connection or a spring device.

[0037] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device 1 having two ultrasonic transducers 10 which are offset along the pipeline axis and an electronic measuring / operating circuit 40 which is designed to operate the clamp-on ultrasonic transducers, evaluate the measurement signals of the clamp-on ultrasonic transducers and provide a measured value of the variable being measured.

[0038] The clamped ultrasonic measuring device shown here can be, for example, an ultrasonic flow meter based on the principle of transit time or transit time difference. Alternatively, the invention can also be applied to clamped ultrasonic measuring devices based on the Doppler principle. In this case, the person skilled in the art is not limited to measuring flow velocity, but can also apply the invention to, for example, filling level measurement, etc.

[0039] Reference numerals list

[0040] 1Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter

[0041] 10 Clip-on ultrasonic transducer

[0042] 11 Transducer element

[0043] 12 Connect the main body

[0044] 12.1 First side

[0045] 12.2 Second side

[0046] 13 Base

[0047] 14 Shell

[0048] 20 sealing layers

[0049] 21 compounds

[0050] 30Separation equipment

[0051] 31 coating

[0052] 40 Electronic measurement / operation circuits

[0053] 100 Methods

[0054] 101 First Method Steps

[0055] 102 Second method step

[0056] 103 Third Method Step

[0057] 200 pipeline

[0058] 210 pipe wall

[0059] 211 outer surface

Claims

1. A method (100) for installing a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device (1) on a pipeline (200) in order to measure medium properties of a medium flowing through the pipeline, wherein: The clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device comprises at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10). The pipeline has a pipe wall (210) with an outer surface (211), wherein, in a first method step (101), a sealing layer (20) comprising a flowable compound (21) is applied to a portion of the outer surface, wherein, in a second method step (102), the sealing layer is cured or caused to cure, Therein, in a third method step (103) during or after the curing, one of the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The flowable substance is a plastic self-curing substance and comprises at least one of the following materials: Silicone, acrylic, PU, ​​adhesives such as one-component or two-component adhesives, putties, epoxies, varnishes, paints, concrete, mortars.

3. The method according to claim 1, in, The flowable substance enters a flowable state by heating and solidifies by cooling, and includes at least one of the following materials: Solder, glass, hot melt adhesives, metals, wax or asphalt.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The curing is controlled by electromagnetic radiation such as UV, infrared or microwaves.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The sealing layer is applied by additive manufacturing such as deposition welding, sintering such as laser sintering, or vulcanization.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, A separation device (30) is installed between the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10) and the compound (21).

7. The method according to claim 6, in, The separating device (30) comprises a sheet or a film or a fabric and has a thickness of at most 10 mm, in particular at most 3 mm, preferably at most 1 mm.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The separation device (30) is disc-shaped and, in particular, the separation device (30) is matched to the geometric dimensions of the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The separation device (30) comprises at least one of the following materials: Plastic materials such as PET, PE, PVC, PS, PEI, PI, metals such as aluminium or stainless steel, ceramics or glass.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The separating device (30) has a coating (31) on at least one side, which is self-adhesive, adhesion-enhancing or adhesion-reducing.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The separation device (31) has or forms a volume in which the curable compound (21) is arranged.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10) has the following components: Transducer element (11); a coupling body (12), the coupling body (12) having a first side (12.1) facing away from the pipeline and a second side (12.2) facing the pipeline, wherein the transducer element is arranged on the first side, a base (13) arranged on the second side of the coupling body, wherein the base is made of a plastic or elastic material such as silicone or acrylic, Wherein, when the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned, the base forms acoustic and mechanical contact with the separation device (30) or the sealing layer (31).

13. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 12, in, The side of the separation device facing the pipeline is geometrically adapted to the outer surface of the pipeline and / or the side facing the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is geometrically adapted to the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer.

14. A clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device (1) configured to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10), the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (10) having a transducer element (11), a coupling body (12) having a first side (12.1) facing away from the pipeline and a second side (12.2) facing the pipeline, wherein the transducer element is arranged on the first side, a base (13) arranged on the second side of the coupling body, wherein the base forms acoustic and mechanical contact with the sealing layer when the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is positioned; An electronic measurement / operation circuit (40) is configured to operate the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer to evaluate a measurement signal of the at least one clamp-on ultrasonic transducer and to provide a measurement value of a measured variable.

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