Modular measurement system for measuring measurement variable of fluid medium and method for operating and / or verifying modular measurement system

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular measuring system for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium, comprising:-measuring system electronics (ME); -a base module (M1) having:-a (protective) housing (11) with at least one chamber (11 *) which is at least partially closed by a housing wall (11 +); -at least one first electrical coil (12) mechanically connected at least indirectly to the housing wall (11 +) and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics (ME); and-at least one second electrical coil (14) positioned at a distance from the first electrical coil and at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11 +) and electrically connected to the measurement system electronics (ME); the base module (M1) is designed to accommodate an electronic vibration module (M2) of the measuring system, in particular in the chamber (11 *), and is connected to the electronic vibration module in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, and wherein, in the measuring mode, when an electronic vibration module (12) is present in the chamber (11 *), the electronic vibration module (12) is not present in the chamber (11 *). The measuring system electronics (ME) are designed to inject a (measured) driver signal into the first electrical coil (12) in order to excite a vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2), and to capture and evaluate an electrical (measured) voltage from the second electrical coil (14) induced in the second electrical coil (14) by the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2), in particular a measured value of the at least one measured variable is determined, and wherein in a test mode in which the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present in the chamber (11 *), in particular also in which no further mobile magnetic field generating device is present, in particular a device not belonging to the base module (M1), in particular in a test mode in which the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present in the chamber (11 *), in particular in a test mode in which the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present in the chamber (11 *). The measurement system electronics (ME) are designed to perform verification, in particular (re) calibration, of the base module (M1) and / or of the measurement system electronics (ME), in particular when the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present, inject a (first) (test) driver signal into the first electrical coil (12) and capture and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage from the second electrical coil (14), the (test) voltage is inductively coupled in particular from the first electrical coil (13) into the second electrical coil (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular measurement system, in particular a Coriolis mass flowmeter, and to a method for commissioning and / or inspecting / testing an electronic vibration measurement system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flowmeter. Background Art

[0002] WO2019 / 017891 A1 or WO2021 / 121867 A2 and German patent applications DE102021105397 A1, DE102020133614 A1, DE102020132685 A1, DE102020133851 A1, DE102020133566 A1, DE102020132986 A1, DE102020132686 A1, DE102020132685 A1, DE102020131452 A1, DE102020132223 A1, DE102020127356 A1, DE102020114519 A1 or DE102020112154 A1 each disclose a modular electronic vibration measurement system, in particular a measurement system formed by means of a basic module, an electronic vibration module mechanically connected to the basic module, and measurement system electronics electrically connected to the basic module and for detecting at least one measurement variable of a fluid medium flowing in a (media) pipeline, in particular for determining one or more measurement variables of the medium, such as the mass flow rate, volume flow rate, density and / or viscosity of the medium.

[0003] The basic module of such a (modular) electronic vibration measurement system has a (protective) housing which has at least one chamber which is at least partially enclosed by a housing wall and one or more electrical coils (e.g., cylindrical and / or designed as air coils), the one or more electrical coils being placed (at a certain distance from each other) inside the chamber of the (protective) housing and being at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall. Each coil is also electrically connected to the measurement system electronics. The measurement system electronics can be at least partially accommodated inside the (protective) housing and / or at least partially accommodated outside the (protective) housing - for example, in a separate electronics housing. In particular, the basic module is also configured to receive the electronic vibration module of the measurement system and to mechanically fix (forming a vibration type transducer) and detachably connect to the electronic vibration module of the measurement system, in particular to form the electronic vibration measurement system itself; this is also done in such a way that the electronic vibration module is locked in the basic module or cannot move.

[0004] The electronic vibration module of the corresponding measurement system is also designed to be replaceable, such that it can be inserted into the chamber, in particular on-site, from the outside of the (protective) housing of the basic module or through an (insertion) opening of the housing provided in the housing wall, and such that it can be removed again from the basic module in a non-destructive manner, possibly without tools, in particular from the outside of the housing and / or through a (sliding-in) opening of the housing, or without the basic module itself having to be handled or removed from the (process) equipment. In particular, this also allows the electronic vibration module to be inserted on-site into an already installed basic module subsequently, or to replace a defective or worn electronic vibration module on-site with a complete new electronic vibration module, which can be used only once or only for a specified period of time ("disposable"). The electronic vibration module also has one or more (e.g., cylindrical) permanent magnets and is further configured to be mounted in the basic module such that each of the permanent magnets is placed within the above-mentioned chamber, but still spaced apart from the housing wall, in particular such that each of the permanent magnets is held in a static mounting position predetermined in each case with respect to the alignment and / or minimum distance from one of the electric coils in the basic module, and such that the respective imaginary longitudinal axes of each of the permanent magnets and at least one of the imaginary longitudinal axes of the electric coils are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other in the extension.

[0005] In the measurement system under discussion, each electronic vibration module also has at least one (measurement) tube, for example, which is at least partly straight and / or at least partly curved, which has a tube wall forming the outer surface of the tube, especially made of metal or plastic, and has a cavity wound by the same tube wall, especially two, substantially identical parallel (measurement) tubes, and each of the aforementioned permanent magnets is mounted on the outer side of the tube wall, especially at the ends of the first section and the second section, i.e., two, substantially identical parallel (measurement) tubes, and each of the aforementioned permanent magnets is fixed to the outside of the tube wall, especially in the central section of the tube wall extending between the ends of the first section and the second section remote from it, especially by means of a material-bonding connection to the tube wall. Additionally, the electronic vibration module or at least one of its (measurement) tubes is designed to be installed in the housing without tools if necessary, such that the tube is at least partly, especially completely, placed in the chamber, but still spaced apart from the housing wall, and such that each permanent magnet in the corresponding installation position forms a voice coil together with the corresponding electric coil, especially serving as an electric vibration exciter and / or a plunger coil, especially serving as an electric vibration sensor. In the case of at least partly curved (measurement) tubes, the aforementioned central section can be, for example, substantially U-shaped or V-shaped. In such an electronic vibration measurement system, each of the aforementioned (measurement) tubes is also configured to carry a fluid medium flowing in the tube cavity during operation, especially having a predeterminable flow direction and / or flow direction pointing from the first section end to the second section end, and at the same time be vibrated to generate a measurement effect related to one or more measurement variables of the medium, especially such that the central section performs an oscillatory movement around a static rest position and / or such that the (measurement) tube is driven by at least one of the aforementioned (energized) voice coils and / or such that a (measurement) voltage representing the oscillatory movement of at least one tube and thus serving as an oscillatory signal is generated by means of the aforementioned plunger coil. The measurement system electronics of such a measurement system is then correspondingly configured by means of an electrical drive signal, which especially has an applied alternating current and / or an applied (alternating) frequency substantially corresponding to the resonant frequency of at least one tube, to feed electrical power into at least one electric coil forming the aforementioned voice coil, and / or to determine, in the case of a measuring device designed as a Coriolis mass flowmeter or a measuring device designed as a Coriolis mass flow / density measuring device, the measured value of one or more measurement variables to be detected for the medium flowing through one or more (measurement) tubes, for example, especially based on the (measurement) phase difference between two oscillatory signals in the aforementioned oscillatory signal caused by the Coriolis force in the medium flowing through the oscillating tube and the phase difference-measured value characteristic function configured in the measurement system electronics to generate a (mass flow) measured value representing the mass flow.The phase difference - measured mass flow characteristic function can be, for example, a (linear) parametric function with a (scaled) zero point, which corresponds to the (measured) phase difference of two oscillating signals that can be measured when the medium is at rest or when the mass flow is zero, and has a slope corresponding to the (measurement) sensitivity of the measurement system or the change in the (measured) phase difference related to the change in mass flow. Since the one or more resonant frequencies of at least one tube depend in particular also on the instantaneous density of the respective medium, with the aid of such a measurement system, in addition to the mass flow, the density of the respective medium flowing through it can also be directly measured by means of the (alternating current) frequency of the drive signal and / or by means of the (signal) frequency of at least one of the oscillating signals. Thus, the measurement system electronics of a measurement system of the type under discussion are usually also equipped to generate a (density) measurement value representing the density based on the aforementioned (alternating current) frequency of the drive signal and / or based on the corresponding signal frequency of at least one of the oscillating signals (for example, using a characteristic curve function configured accordingly in the measurement system electronics). In addition, the viscosity of the flowing medium can also be directly measured with the aid of an electronic vibration measurement system of the type under discussion, for example, based on the excitation energy or excitation power required to maintain the useful oscillation and / or based on the damping of the excitation (resonant) oscillation by the dissipation of the oscillation energy or by using a damping - measurement characteristic curve function set accordingly in the measurement system electronics. Additionally, other measured variables derived from the aforementioned flow and / or material parameters (such as the Reynolds number) can be easily determined with the aid of such an electronic vibration measurement system.

[0006] To simplify the commissioning of the measurement system formed in this way, the electronic vibration module can also have at least one identification element that relates to or carries identification information about the electronic vibration module, such as a barcode, QR code, or RFID tag attached to at least one tube, and / or the base module can have at least one light - emitting semiconductor element (such as a light - emitting diode (LED)) positioned inside the (protective) housing and connected to the measurement system electronics and / or one or more radio transmitter / receivers (RF transceivers) and / or optical sensors (for example, one or more CCD optoelectronic sensors and / or one or more CMOS optoelectronic sensors), each optoelectronic sensor being positioned inside the (protective) housing and connected to the measurement system electronics.

[0007] It is also necessary to regularly check the functional efficiency of an electronic vibration measurement system of the type under discussion or any deviation from a correspondingly predefined reference state, for example, in the state determined by the manufacturer or at the manufacturer's factory and / or during the calibration or commissioning of the corresponding measurement system on site, for example, in order to be able to detect as early as possible a reduction in the functionality or measurement accuracy of the measurement system associated with an increasing deviation from the reference state, the measurement system ultimately mapping the measurement variables to be detected (in particular mass flow and density) into corresponding measured values. Such a reduction in the functionality or measurement accuracy of the measurement system can occur, for example, in the form of a largely irreversible change in the electrical impedance of the above-described pendulum and / or immersion coil and / or a permanently reduced stability of the mechanical connection between the basic module and the electronic vibration module or the accuracy of the positioning of the electronic vibration module in the basic module, or can be caused, for example, by thermal and / or mechanical overload, which is caused approximately by very high or very low temperatures, aging, increased or condensed moisture in the basic module and / or wear of the components of the basic module caused by frequent replacement of the electronic vibration module. Other influencing factors that at least indirectly and / or at least temporarily impair the functionality of the measurement system include multi-frequency and / or high-frequency electromagnetic (external) radiation or fields (EMC) propagating in the basic module or (external) sound waves propagating in the basic module, for example, in the form of structure-borne sound.

[0008] Therefore, one or more of the system functions (transfer functions) inherent in the measurement system must be assumed periodically, each of which characterizes the functional correlation of the aforementioned vibration signal with the corresponding drive signal, or the functional correlation of the vibration signal with one or more of the corresponding flow and / or material parameters of the drive signal and the medium, and is also changed compared to the (reference) system function inherent in the corresponding original transducer. Examples of such system functions of the measurement system include the mass flow - phase difference system function, according to which the aforementioned (measured) phase difference of the oscillation signal depends on the mass flow, or the density - resonance frequency system function of the transducer, according to which the resonance frequency of one or more of at least one tube depends on the density of the medium. Accordingly, the measurement function of the measurement system involving the aforementioned system function is also correspondingly affected by such (over)loading of the transducer. According to this measurement function, the measurement system as a whole converts the corresponding measurement variable to be recorded into a corresponding measurement value. For example, a characteristic curve function composed of the aforementioned mass flow - phase difference system function and the phase difference - mass flow measurement value characteristic curve function, that is, a characteristic function implemented in the measurement system electronics, according to which the determined phase difference is converted into the mass flow measurement value of the measurement system. The mass flow - measurement value measurement function of the measurement system, according to which the determined mass flow measurement value depends on the mass flow. The phase difference - mass flow measurement characteristic curve function can be, for example, a (linear) parametric function, which has a (scale) zero point and a (measurement) sensitivity. The (scale) zero point corresponds to the (measured) phase difference measured when the medium is stationary, and the (measurement) sensitivity corresponds to the change in the (measured) phase difference related to the change in mass flow (the slope of the characteristic curve function). Other examples of such system functions that may also be affected by the interference or measurement functions formed by them include the density - resonance - frequency system function of the transducer or the density - measurement value (measurement) function related to this measurement system, as well as the resonance - frequency - density measurement value characteristic function of the measurement system electronics and / or the viscosity - damping system function of the transducer or the viscosity - measurement value (measurement) function related to this measurement system and the damping - viscosity measurement value characteristic function of the measurement system electronics. The change in the corresponding system function can correspondingly have, for example, the effect of a drift in one or more of the corresponding characteristic curve parameters of one or more of the aforementioned characteristic curve functions - for example, in the case of a linear parametric function, the drift of its zero point and / or its slope. The aforementioned that may also irreversibly change one or more of the system or measurement system's measurement functions can also occasionally cause the measurement system as a whole to work incorrectly to such an extent that the usually high measurement accuracy for such a measurement system is no longer guaranteed, which means that the function of the measurement system is significantly impaired, may even be suspended, or that there are corresponding critical failures of the affected measurement system.

[0009] Taking this into account, corresponding (re)checks are usually carried out on measurement systems of the type under discussion, for example, at regular intervals in the process of conventional predictive maintenance; this also makes it possible, in particular, during the process of time-controlled (self-)diagnosis carried out with the aid of the measurement system, to check the function of the electronic vibration module or the overall measurement system on-site, and / or to be triggered by corresponding control commands transmitted to the measurement system electronics, so that appropriate repair or replacement measures can be initiated as quickly as possible if necessary, especially at least when a fault in the measurement system is detected. In the case of an electronic vibration measurement system of the type under discussion, such (repair or replacement) measures regularly involve replacing a defective electronic vibration module with a new one, which can also be carried out quickly and easily on-site. However, a disadvantage of the test process in this way is that only the function of the measurement system can be verified as a whole, or conversely, any detected faults cannot be precisely located within the measurement system, that is, assigned to the basic module, the electronic vibration module or the measurement system electronics. In particular, it is not easy to identify, using this (self-)diagnosis, faults that only impair the measurement accuracy of the basic module or the measurement system electronics electrically connected to it, so that in the process of such an inspection of a measurement system of the type under discussion, it is also possible to determine whether the basic module and / or the measurement system electronics need to be replaced. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Based on the foregoing prior art, an object of the present invention is to improve the inspection of a modular electronic vibration measurement system such that any faults or defects in the basic module and / or the measurement system electronics, in particular signs of wear or aging of the basic module or the measurement system electronics, which overall reduce the measurement accuracy of the measurement system, can be detected as early as possible and reliably, and reported if necessary.

[0011] This object is achieved by a modular measurement system according to the invention, which is in particular a Coriolis mass flowmeter for measuring a measurement variable of a fluid medium, the measurement system comprising:

[0012] - Measurement system electronics (ME);

[0013] - A basic module (M1), the basic module (M1) having:

[0014] -- A (protective) housing having at least one chamber at least partially enclosed by a housing wall,

[0015] -- At least one first electric coil placed inside the chamber of the (protective) housing, the at least one first electric coil being in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and electrically connected to the measurement system electronics (ME), and

[0016] -- at least one second electrical coil, which is in particular arranged in a chamber of the (protective) housing, which at least one second electrical coil is in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the first electrical coil, and which is in particular positioned at a distance from the first electrical coil and is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and is electrically connected to the measurement system electronics (ME);

[0017] - wherein the basic module (M1) is configured to receive the electronic vibration module (M2) of the measurement system, in particular in the chamber, and is connected to it in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, in particular by forming a measurement sensor of the vibration type or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or such that the electronic vibration module (M2) is locked in the basic module (M1) or cannot be moved; and

[0018] - wherein, in the measurement mode when the electronic vibration module (M2) is present in the chamber, the measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to feed a (measurement) drive signal into the first electrical coil to excite the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2), and to detect and evaluate the electrical (measurement) voltage induced in the second electrical coil by the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2) passing through the second electrical coil, in particular to determine the measured value of at least one measurement variable,

[0019] - and wherein, in the test mode when the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present in the chamber, in particular when there is no other moving magnetic field generating device, specifically a device that does not belong to the basic module (M1), the measurement system electronics (ME) is designed to perform an inspection, in particular a (re)calibration, of the basic module (M1) and / or the measurement system electronics (ME), specifically when the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present, both for feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electrical coil and for capturing and evaluating the electrical (test) voltage from the second electrical coil, said (test) voltage being in particular inductively coupled from the first electrical coil into the second electrical coil, in particular comparing at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured value of the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance, with a previously determined reference value and / or a specified threshold value.

[0020] In the test mode, neither the electronic vibration module nor the test module according to one of (not pre-published) DE102021126587.8, DE102022134029.5 or DE102022100234.9 or another external magnetic field generating device that is not part of the basic module or the measurement system electronics is arranged in the chamber of the basic module.

[0021] One embodiment provides that the measuring system electronics is configured to feed electrical power into a first electrical coil by means of an electrical (measurement system) drive signal and / or a (first) (test) drive signal, in particular by means of an applied alternating current.

[0022] One embodiment provides that the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to feed the (first) (test) drive signal at at least two different frequencies, in particular the resonance frequency of the (protective) housing, the nominal resonance frequency of the electronic vibration module (M2) and / or the mains frequency.

[0023] One embodiment provides that in the test mode, the measuring system electronics (ME) is further configured to feed electrical power into a second electrical coil by means of a (second) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular by means of an applied alternating current.

[0024] One embodiment provides that in the test mode, the measuring system electronics (ME) is further configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage which is inductively coupled into the first electrical coil or induced in the first electrical coil, in particular by means of a second coil, and in particular using the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured value of the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance, and to compare said parameter with a previously determined reference value and / or a specified threshold value.

[0025] One embodiment provides that in the test mode, the measuring system electronics is configured to determine in particular the inductance of the first electrical coil based on the (test) voltage, in particular to compare the determined inductance with a previously determined (inductance) reference value and / or one or more threshold values specified therefor; and / or the measuring system electronics is configured to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured value of the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle, based on the (test) voltage, in particular to compare the measured value with a previously determined reference value and / or one or more threshold values specified therefor.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the basic module has at least one third electrical coil which is in particular placed in a chamber of the (protective) housing, which is in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, and / or is identical in structure to the second electrical coil, and is in particular positioned at a certain distance from the second electrical coil and is in particular at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall; and the third electrical coil is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics.

[0027] One embodiment provides that in the test mode, the measuring system electronics is configured to feed electrical power into the third electrical coil by means of a (third) electrical (measurement) drive signal, in particular by means of an applied alternating current.

[0028] One embodiment provides that, in a test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage that is inductively coupled into or induced in a third electrical coil, in particular via a first electrical coil and / or a second electrical coil, in particular using the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the inductance.

[0029] One embodiment provides that, in a test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage that is inductively coupled into or induced in a second electrical coil and a third electrical coil, in particular by means of a first electrical coil, in particular using the (test) voltage to determine in each case at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the inductance and / or the phase difference between the (test) voltage detected at the second coil and the (test) voltage detected at the third coil.

[0030] One embodiment provides that, in a test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage from a first electrical coil and / or a second electrical coil that is inductively coupled into or induced in the first electrical coil and / or the second electrical coil, in particular by means of a third electrical coil, in particular using the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the inductance.

[0031] One embodiment provides that, in a test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to supply the electronic vibration module with a mechanical resonance frequency corresponding to the signal frequency of a (first) electrical (test) drive signal, a (second) electrical (test) drive signal, and / or a (third) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular a first mechanical resonance frequency and / or a second mechanical resonance frequency.

[0032] One embodiment provides that the electronic vibration module has at least one, in particular cylindrical, first permanent magnet, wherein the electronic vibration module is configured to be mounted in the base module such that its first permanent magnet is placed in a chamber but still spaced apart from the housing wall, in particular in a static (first) mounting position specified with respect to the orientation and / or the minimum distance from the first electrical coil, and / or is held in the static (first) mounting position, and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first electrical coil are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other as extensions.

[0033] One embodiment provides that the third electrical coil is part of the measuring system electronics.

[0034] One embodiment provides that the third electrical coil is designed to be spatially displaceable.

[0035] One embodiment provides that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine and evaluate measured values of the coil current or measured values of variables associated therewith, in particular to compare one or more (parameters) measured values of the coil current or one or more (parameters) measured values of variables associated therewith with previously determined (coil current) reference values and / or one or more (coil current) thresholds specified for this purpose.

[0036] One embodiment provides that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine and evaluate measured values of the signal strength of a (test) drive signal, in particular to compare one or more measured values of the signal strength of the (test) drive signal with previously determined (signal strength) reference values and / or one or more (signal strength) thresholds specified for this purpose.

[0037] One embodiment provides that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine and evaluate the signal curve of the drive signal over time.

[0038] A method according to the invention for commissioning and / or checking / testing an electronic vibration measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flowmeter, comprises:

[0039] - a measuring system having

[0040] - a basic module (M1) having

[0041] -- a (protective) housing having at least one chamber at least partially enclosed by a housing wall;

[0042] -- and at least one first electrical coil placed in the chamber of the (protective) housing, the at least one first electrical coil being in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics,

[0043] - and an electronic vibration module, in particular the electronic vibration module according to claim 13;

[0044] - wherein the basic module is configured to receive the electronic vibration module and connect it in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, in particular by forming a measuring sensor of the vibration type or an electronic vibration measuring system and / or by immobilizing or locking the electronic vibration module (M2) in the basic module (M1);

[0045] The method comprises:

[0046] - During the test mode, with the aid of the measuring system electronics, in the absence of the electron vibration module (M2) in the chamber, in particular in the absence of other mobile magnetic field generating devices that do not belong to the basic module (M1), in particular by feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electric coil and by detecting and evaluating the electric (test) voltage from the second electric coil, in particular the electric (test) voltage inductively coupled from the first electric coil into the second electric coil, in particular by comparing at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured values of the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or self-inductance, with previously determined reference values and / or specified threshold values, to check or (re)calibrate the basic module (M1) and / or the measuring system electronics (ME);

[0047] - Insert an electron vibration module (M2), in particular the electron vibration module according to claim 13, into the basic module (M1) to form a vibration-type measurement sensor or an electron vibration measurement system; and

[0048] - During the measurement mode, by feeding a (measurement) drive signal into the first electric coil to excite the vibration of the electron vibration module (M2) and detecting the electric (measurement) voltage induced in the second electric coil by the vibration of the electron vibration module (M2), to determine the measured value of at least one measurement variable.

[0049] According to one embodiment, a basic module is further provided with at least one second electrical coil, which is placed in a chamber of a (protective) housing, and the at least one second electrical coil is, for example, cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or identical in construction to the first electrical coil, and the at least one second electrical coil is particularly positioned at a certain distance from the first electrical coil, is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall, and the second electrical coil is electrically connected to the measurement system electronics. In this embodiment of the invention, the measurement system electronics are further configured to feed electrical power into the first electrical coil by means of an electrical (measurement) drive signal, for example having an applied alternating current, and to feed electrical power into the second electrical coil by means of an electrical (first) electrical (test) drive signal, for example having an applied alternating current. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage from the second electrical coil or from a third electrical coil, which voltage is inductively coupled, for example, from the first electrical coil into the second electrical coil or induced in the third electrical coil, and, for example, specifically using the (test) voltage, to determine the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or another parameter of the (test) voltage and / or a (parameter) measured value of the inductance, in particular a (parameter) measured value of the first and / or second electrical coil and / or a measured value of at least one measured variable of the flowing fluid, and / or the measurement system electronics can also be configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage from the third electrical coil, which voltage is inductively coupled, for example, from the first electrical coil of the basic module into the third electrical coil or induced in the third electrical coil, and, for example, specifically using the (test) voltage, to determine the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or another parameter of the (test) voltage and / or a (parameter) measured value of the inductance, in particular a (parameter) measured value of the first and / or third electrical coil and / or a measured value of at least one measured variable of the flowing fluid, and / or the measurement system electronics can also be configured to determine the phase difference established between the (test) voltages - for example, in order to use it to determine a measured value of the mass flow rate and / or a measured value of another measured variable of the flowing fluid. In addition, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to compare one or more of the (parameter) measured values with previously determined (parameter) reference values and / or one or more specified threshold values.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the base module is configured to receive the electronic vibration module of the measurement system and be connected to it in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, in particular by forming a measurement sensor of the vibration type or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or such that the electronic vibration module is locked in the base module or cannot be moved. This embodiment of the invention also provides that the base module has at least one (first) electric coil, which is placed in a chamber of the (protective) housing, the at least one (first) electric coil being, for example, cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, being at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and subsequently electrically connected to the measurement system electronics, and the measurement system electronics being further configured to feed electrical power into the first electric coil by means of, for example, a first electrical (measurement) drive signal having an applied alternating current, for example, that is, a (first) electrical (measurement) drive signal having a signal frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance frequency of the electronic vibration module, and / or provides that the electronic vibration module has at least one, in particular cylindrical, first permanent magnet. Furthermore, the electronic vibration module can also be configured to be installed in the base module such that the aforementioned (first) permanent magnet is placed in the chamber but spaced apart from the housing wall, for example, being held in a static (first) mounting position, the static (first) mounting position being specified and / or with respect to the alignment and / or minimum distance from the aforementioned (first) electric coil of the (base module) and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the (first) permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the (first) electric coil are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other as extensions. However, according to the invention, calibration is performed without the electronic vibration module, that is, during calibration, the electronic vibration module is not arranged in the chamber of the base module.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the base module is configured to receive the electronic vibration module of the measurement system and be connected to the electronic vibration module of the measurement system in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, for example, by forming a measurement sensor of the vibration type or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or by locking the electronic vibration module in the base module, wherein the electronic vibration module of the (measurement system) has at least one (first) tube, for example, which is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, which has a tube wall of the outer shell surface forming the tube, for example made of metal or plastic, and has a lumen wrapped by the same tube wall, and wherein the electronic vibration module is configured to be installed in the (protective) housing of the (base module) without tools, for example, such that at least one tube is at least partially or completely placed in the chamber, but still spaced apart from the housing wall. This embodiment of the invention also provides that the first tube is at least partially designed in a U-shape or V-shape, and / or is configured to guide a fluid medium flowing in its lumen, in particular in a predeterminable flow direction and / or flow direction from a first section end (on the inlet side) to a second section end (on the outlet side), and / or to guide the medium and vibrate the medium in the process. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic vibration module can also have at least one second tube having, for example, the same construction and / or function as the first tube, which has a tube wall of the outer shell body surface forming the second tube, for example made of metal or plastic or the same material as the tube wall of the first tube, and has a lumen wrapped by the same tube wall - for example which has a second permanent magnet fixed to the outside of the tube wall.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the base module is configured to receive the electronic vibration module of the measurement system and connect to the electronic vibration module of the measurement system in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, for example, by forming a vibration-type measurement sensor or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or by locking the electronic vibration module in the base module, wherein the electronic vibration module of (the measurement system) includes at least one (first) tube, for example, which is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, which has a tube wall forming the outer shell surface of the tube, for example made of metal or plastic, and has a lumen wrapped by the same tube wall, and at least one (for example, cylindrical) first permanent magnet, which is fixed on the outside of the tube wall, for example, on the central section extending between the end of the first section and the second section far from it of the tube wall, for example, connected to the tube wall by material bonding, and wherein the electronic vibration module is configured to be installed in the (protection) housing of (the base module) without tools, for example, such that at least one tube is at least partially or completely placed in the chamber, but still spaced apart from the housing wall. This embodiment of the present invention also provides that the base module has at least one (first) electric coil, which is placed in the chamber of the (protection) housing, the at least one (first) electric coil is, for example, cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and then electrically connected to the measurement system electronics, and / or the vibration electronic module is configured to be installed in the base module such that the aforementioned (first) permanent magnet of (the electronic vibration module) is placed in the chamber, but still spaced apart from the housing wall, for example, held in a static (first) installation position, the static (first) installation position is specified and / or aligned with and / or at a minimum distance from the aforementioned (first) electric coil of (the base module), and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the (first) permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the (first) electric coil are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other in the extension. For example, the (first) permanent magnet of (the electronic vibration module) can also be configured to form a voice coil together with the first electric coil of (the base module) in the installation position, which is particularly used as an electric vibration exciter and / or a plunger coil, particularly used as an electric vibration sensor. In addition, the (first) tube can be configured to have a fluid medium flowing through it and being vibrated simultaneously, for example, driven by an oscillation exciter formed by the first electric coil and the first permanent magnet, for example, such that at least the aforementioned central section of the tube wall performs an oscillating motion around a static rest position or the (measurement) voltage induced in the (first) electric coil represents the oscillating motion of the (first) tube. Using the first (measurement) voltage measurement value, the measurement system electronics can also determine the measurement value of at least one measurement variable of the medium flowing through the first tube. In addition, the electronic vibration module can have a second permanent magnet (far from the first permanent magnet) fixed to the first tube, for example, its central section, and particularly connected to the first tube by material bonding.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the base module has at least one second electrical coil, which is placed in a chamber of the (protective) housing. For example, the at least one second electrical coil is cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or is identical in structure to the first electrical coil, and is particularly positioned at a distance from the first electrical coil, is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall, the second electrical coil is electrically connected to the measurement system electronics, and the base module is further configured to receive the electronic vibration module of the measurement system and is connected to the electronic vibration module of the measurement system in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner. For example, by forming a vibration type measurement sensor or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or by locking, building, or inserting the electronic vibration module into the base module, particularly from outside the housing and / or through an (insertion) opening of the (protective) housing provided in the housing wall. This embodiment of the present invention also provides that the electronic vibration module has a first permanent magnet (e.g., cylindrical) and at least one second permanent magnet (e.g., cylindrical and / or identical in structure to the first permanent magnet), such as a second permanent magnet and a third permanent magnet. In addition, the electronic vibration module can be configured to be installed in the base module such that the (first) permanent magnet of the (electronic vibration module) is placed in the chamber but still spaced apart from the housing wall. For example, in a static first device position specified by the orientation and / or minimum distance relative to the first electrical coil of the (base module) and / or is held in the first installation position, and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first electrical coil are aligned with each other and / or extend parallel to each other, and / or the electronic vibration module can also be configured to be installed in the base module such that the second permanent magnet of the (electronic vibration module) is placed inside the chamber but still spaced apart from the housing wall. For example, in a static second installation position predetermined by the alignment and / or minimum distance relative to the second electrical coil of the (base module) and / or away from the first installation position and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the second permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the second electrical coil are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other as extensions.

[0054] According to further developments of the method according to the invention, this also includes integrating the test device into a higher-level electronic data processing system. The data processing system can also be formed, for example, by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or by means of a process control system (PCS) and / or by means of an edge (computing) device and / or by means of a cloud (computing) system.

[0055] The basic idea of the present invention is to perform testing or (re)calibration of the base module and / or the measurement system electronics without an electronic vibration module (or test module) being arranged in the base module or in a chamber of the base module, and thus being able to influence the (re)calibration. In particular, if a defect exists on the electronic vibration module during transportation, for example, this can lead to errors when calibrating the base module and / or the measurement system electronics when the electronic vibration module is first inserted. However, it is not clear whether the source of the error lies in the electronic vibration module or in the base module. By (re)calibrating a Coriolis mass flowmeter, in particular the base module and / or the measurement system electronics in the absence of an electronic vibration module, measurement errors can be clearly attributed to the base module and / or the measurement system electronics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The present invention and its advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail below based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Components that are the same or have the same function or the same role have the same reference numerals in all the drawings; for the sake of clarity or if it seems reasonable for other reasons, the reference numerals mentioned above are assigned in the subsequent drawings. In addition, other advantageous embodiments or developments are derived from the drawings and / or the claims themselves, in particular combinations of partial aspects of the present invention that were initially only explained separately.

[0057] Are shown in detail:

[0058] Figure 1 、 Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a base module, measurement system electronics, and an electronic vibration module of a modular electronic vibration measurement system (still to be constructed / not yet assembled);

[0059] Figure 3a 、 Figure 3b is according to Figure 1 of the modular electronic vibration measurement system of the respective side views of the exemplary embodiment;

[0060] Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the base module of the measurement system electronics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3a and Figure 3bAn exemplary embodiment of a (modular) electronic vibration measurement system is schematically shown, which is designed to detect at least one measurement variable of a fluid medium flowing in a (medium) pipeline, i.e., to determine the measured values of one or more measurement variables of the medium (e.g., mass flow rate, volume flow rate, density, and / or viscosity). For this purpose, the measurement system includes a basic module M1, an electronic vibration module M2, and, for example, programmable measurement system electronics ME.

[0062] The measurement system electronics ME can, for example, be formed by means of one or more microprocessors (μC) and / or have a display and operating elements formed, for example, by means of a touch display, - for example, for displaying the measurement and / or operating data of the measurement system.

[0063] The basic module M1 has a (protective) housing 11, the housing 11 having at least one chamber 11* at least partially surrounded by a housing wall 11+ and at least one first electric coil 12 (e.g., cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil), the first electric coil 12 being placed inside the chamber 11* of the (protective) housing and at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall 11+ and electrically connected to the measurement system electronics ME, and the electronic vibration module M2 having at least one first permanent magnet 22 (e.g., cylindrical). As is quite common in measurement systems of the type discussed, the measurement system electronics ME can also be at least partially accommodated inside the chamber 11* and / or at least partially outside the chamber 11*, in particular in the electronics housing 100 of the measurement system, or be designed modularly. For example, the measurement system can be designed as a modular Coriolis mass flowmeter and / or correspond to one of the electronic vibration measurement systems disclosed in the patent applications mentioned at the beginning in WO2019 / 017891 A1, WO2021121867 A1, DE102021105397 A1, DE102020133614 A1, DE102020132685 A1, DE102020133851 A1, DE102020133566 A1, DE102020132986 A1, DE102020132686 A1, DE102020132685 A1, DE102020131452 A1, DE102020132223 A1, DE102020127356 A1, DE1020201144519 A1, and DE102020112154 A1.

[0064] As schematically shown in FIG. 3 and Figure 3b in, or as can be seen from Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3a and Figure 3bThe combined view of which can be seen without further ado. The basic module M1 is in particular configured to receive the electronic vibration module M2 and to be connected to it in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, for example, such that the electronic vibration module M2 is locked in the basic module M2, and / or such that the electronic vibration module can also be (subsequently) inserted on-site into the basic module that has already been installed (in the factory). In particular, the basic module M1 and the electronic vibration module M2 are also configured to be constructed or assembled to form a vibration-type measuring sensor (of the measuring system), such that the electromechanical vibration exciter and / or (electric) vibration sensor of the measuring system is formed by means of an electric coil 12 (connected to the measuring system electronics ME) and by means of a permanent magnet 22. According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic vibration module is in particular configured to be installed in the basic module such that its permanent magnet 22 is placed within the chamber 11*, but still spaced apart from the housing wall 11+, in particular in a static (first) installation position E1 specified with respect to the alignment and / or minimum distance from the electric coil 12, and / or to be held such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the electric coil 12 are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other in an extension. In particular, the permanent magnet 22 is also configured to form a voice coil together with the electric coil 12 in the installation position E1, for example, serving as an electromechanical vibration exciter and / or a plunger coil, for example, serving as an electric vibration sensor. According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic vibration module M2 and the basic module M1 are also in particular configured to be assembled and / or disassembled again on-site without tools, in particular non-destructively, such that the electronic vibration module can be removed again non-destructively from the basic module M1. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic vibration module M2 is in particular designed to be replaceable or configured to be able to be removed again, in particular non-destructively, in particular also on-site from the outside of the housing and / or through an (insertion) opening of the (protective) housing 11 provided in the housing wall 11+, and / or the electronic vibration module M2 is in particular also configured to be installed on-site in the basic module M1, in particular such that it can be inserted into the chamber 11* from the outside of the (protective) housing 11 or through the (insertion) opening. This can be done, for example, without having to handle the basic module M1 itself or remove it from the corresponding (process) plant. If desired, the aforementioned (sliding-in) opening can also be sealed after installing the electronic vibration module with a suitable cover - for example, also dust-proof and / or sealed against strong water jets and / or explosion-proof. Thus, a defective or worn (old) electronic vibration module can also be easily replaced on-site with a complete, new electronic vibration module, which can be used only once or only for a specified period of time ("disposable").To support the correct installation of the electronic vibration module M2 into the base module M1, the electronic vibration module M2 and the base module M1 can each have corresponding guiding structures or elements. For example, a corresponding (guiding) groove in one of the two modules (M1, M2) and a (guiding) spring and / or (guiding) pin in the other of the two modules that slides therein during assembly. To further simplify the commissioning of the measurement system, the electronic vibration module M2 can also include at least one identification element 28, such as a bar code, QR code, or RFID tag (RFID TAG), which relates to or carries identification information about the electronic vibration module M2, and / or the base module M1 can have at least one light-emitting semiconductor element 19a, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which is positioned inside the (protective) housing and connected to the measurement system electronics (into chamber 11*) for reading the identification element 28, and / or one or more radio transmitters / receivers (RF transceivers), each positioned inside the (protective) housing and connected to the measurement system electronics and / or a light sensor 19b (which is sensitive to the light illuminating chamber 11*)-for example, namely, one or more CCD photoelectric sensors and / or one or more CMOS photoelectric sensors.

[0065] According to another embodiment of the invention, the electronic vibration module M2 has at least one second permanent magnet 24, which is positioned at a distance from the permanent magnet 22 and is in particular cylindrical and / or structurally identical to the permanent magnet 22. In addition, the base module M1 correspondingly has at least one second electric coil 14 placed inside the chamber 11* of the (protective) housing, which is, for example, cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the first electric coil 12. The second electric coil 14 (remote from the electric coil 12) is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall 11+ and is also electrically connected to the measurement system electronics, and the base module is further configured to receive the electronic vibration module such that the permanent magnet 24 is held in a second mounting position, in particular aligned with and / or remote from the first mounting position, or such that the imaginary longitudinal axes of the permanent magnet 24 and the electric coil 14 are aligned with or parallel to each other in the extension. Additionally, the electronic vibration module M2 can also have more than two permanent magnets 22, 24, which are arranged at a distance from each other, and thus there is at least one third permanent magnet 26, and the base module M1 can have more than two electric coils 12 and 14, which are arranged at a distance from each other inside the chamber 11*, and thus there is at least one third air coil 16.

[0066] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic vibration module M2 has at least one (first) tube 31, which tube 31 has a tube wall forming the outer shell surface of the tube 31, for example made of metal or plastic, and has an inner cavity 21* wound by the same tube wall, and a permanent magnet 22 is fixed to the outside of the tube wall - for example, connected to it by a material-binding connection. As in Figure 1 As schematically shown, at least one tube 31 can be at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved. For example, the central section extending between the first end portion of the tube wall and the second end portion remote from it is designed to be U-shaped or V-shaped, and / or, as also schematically shown in Figure 1 such that at least one permanent magnet 22 is attached to the outside of the aforementioned central section. For example, the aforementioned permanent magnet 24 and / or other permanent magnets (26) of the electronic vibration module M2 can also be attached to the outside of the central section. In addition, at least one tube 31 is also intended to be incorporated into the basic module M1 in the above manner and is also intended to be incorporated into the process of (medium) pipelines - for example, hose pipelines or plumbing pipelines). Additionally, at least one tube 31 is particularly configured to carry a fluid medium in its inner cavity, which fluid medium particularly flows at least temporarily in a predetermined flow direction, for example, from the aforementioned first end portion to the aforementioned second end portion, for example, via the aforementioned (medium) pipeline, and is vibrated during this process; in particular, it is also such that at least one tube 31 performs forced bending or resonance oscillation around a static rest position and / or such that at least one permanent magnet 22 moves relative to the electric coil 12. Such mechanical vibration of at least one (measurement) tube 31 or its central section can be excited or maintained, for example, by means of the above-mentioned vibration exciter formed by the permanent magnet 22 and the coil 12 and / or formed by (by means of the permanent magnet 22 and the coil 12), in particular such that at least one vibration signal representing the same vibration of the tube 31 or its central section is provided by a vibration sensor. In particular, in order to achieve such vibration of at least one (measurement) tube 31, especially the vibration of the aforementioned central section, the electronic vibration module M2 according to another embodiment of the present invention is also configured to be installed in the basic module M1 or its (protective) housing 11, as also Figure 3a schematically shown, such that at least the (measurement) tube 31 is at least partially (for example, also completely) placed within the chamber 11*, however, at least its aforementioned central section is spaced apart from the housing wall 11+.

[0067] Like such an electronic vibration module or an electronic vibration measurement system formed thereby, the electronic vibration module M2 can also have at least one second (measurement) tube 32. For example, the second (measurement) tube 32 is also the same as the first tube in terms of structure and / or function. It has a housing surface forming the second tube, especially made of metal or plastic, and has an inner cavity wrapped by the same tube wall. In this case, the aforementioned second permanent magnet 24 can be fixed to the second tube, for example, relative to the permanent magnet 22 fixed to the first tube 31, especially connected to it by material connection. The first (measurement) tube 31 and the second (measurement) tube 32 can also be fluidly connected to each other by means of a first diverter on the inlet side and a second diverter on the outlet side, which is quite common in an electronic vibration measurement system of the type discussed and can also be integrated into the process of the aforementioned (medium) pipeline during the operation of the measurement system. Especially for the case where the electronic vibration module M2 is formed by means of two tubes (31 and 32) as described above, the electronic vibration module M2 can also have more than three permanent magnets arranged at a certain distance from each other, for example, at least six permanent magnets in total, and the basic module M1 can correspondingly have more than three electric coils, and the more than three electric coils are arranged at a certain distance from each other in the chamber 11*, for example, at least six electric coils in total - for example, each is also designed as an air coil.

[0068] To excite and maintain the mechanical vibration of at least one (measurement) tube 31 or the electronic vibration module M2 formed thereby (during the above measurement mode), according to another embodiment, the measurement system electronics ME is also configured to provide a first electrical (measurement) drive signal and introduce it into at least one of the electric coils (12, 14) of the basic module M2, for example, the coil 12 and / or the aforementioned coil 14, so as to feed the electric power required for the aforementioned mechanical vibration into at least one electric coil; especially such that at least one (first) (measurement) drive signal has an externally applied alternating current and / or at least one signal frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance frequency of the electronic vibration module M2, especially at least one of its (measurement) tubes 31. In the aforementioned case where the basic module M1 includes at least a second electric coil 14 in addition to the electric coil 12, the measurement system electronics ME can also be configured to feed electric power into the second electric coil 14 by means of a second electrical (measurement system) drive signal, which especially has an externally applied alternating current and / or a signal frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance frequency of the electronic vibration module or at least one of its (measurement) tubes and / or simultaneously with the (first) (measurement) drive signal.

[0069] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the measurement system electronics ME is also configured to calculate the measured value of at least one measurement variable to be detected from the medium, especially based on the (measurement) voltage or (parameter) measurement value determined therefor.

[0070] The object of the present invention is to improve the inspection of a modular vibration measurement system such that any faults or defects in the basic module and / or the measurement system electronics, in particular signs of wear or ageing of the basic module or the measurement system electronics, which overall reduce the measurement accuracy of the measurement system, can be detected as early and reliably as possible and, if necessary, also reported. However, the detection of faults or defects in the basic module should not be distorted by defects in the electronic vibration module or by a moving magnetic field generating device (specifically, a device not belonging to the basic module).

[0071] For this purpose, in a test mode when there is no electronic vibration module (M2) in the chamber (11*), this test mode being in particular temporally before and / or after the measurement mode, in particular also when there are no other moving magnetic field generating devices, specifically devices not belonging to the basic module (M1), the measurement system electronics (ME) of the measurement system according to the invention is in particular configured to, in particular in the absence of the electronic vibration module (M2), perform an inspection, in particular a (re)calibration, of the basic module (M1) and / or the measurement system electronics (ME), both for feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electric coil (12) and capturing and evaluating the electrical (test) voltage from the second electric coil (14), said (test) voltage being inductively coupled from the first electric coil (13) into the second electric coil (14), in particular comparing a measured value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance, with a previously determined reference value and / or a specified threshold value.

[0072] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measurement system electronics ME is also configured to detect and evaluate a first electrical (test) voltage induced, for example, in the first electric coil 12 and / or the aforementioned second electric coil 14, for example specifically using the (test) voltage to determine a measured value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, such as amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle.

[0073] In addition or alternatively, the measurement system electronics ME can also be configured to calculate a measured value of the inductance based on a (test) voltage or a (parameter) measured value determined therefor, for example, in order to accordingly take into account these measured values when checking the functional capabilities of the measurement system, or in order to compare the determined inductance with a previously determined (inductance) reference value and / or one or more thresholds specified therefor. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics ME can also be configured, for example, to compare one or more of the aforementioned (parameter) measured values with one or more (parameter) reference values determined in advance therefor and / or one or more thresholds specified therefor, in order to check the functionality of the measurement system. In the aforementioned case where the basic module M1 includes at least the electrical coil 14 in addition to the electrical coil 12, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to detect and evaluate the electrical (test) voltage induced in the coil 14, for example, specifically by calculating a (parameter) measured value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage and / or also based on a phase difference established between (test) voltages, for example, in order to calculate a measured value of at least one measured variable to be detected by the medium. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the measurement system electronics ME is in particular also configured to use the phase difference established between (test) voltages to obtain a measured value of at least one measured variable (in particular the mass flow rate) of the flowing fluid, and / or the measurement system electronics is configured to determine and evaluate a (parameter) measured value of the aforementioned phase difference, for example, in order to compare one or more (parameter) measured values of the phase difference with a previously determined (parameter) reference value and / or one or more thresholds specified therefor. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to determine a measured value of the inductance of the first and / or second electrical coil.

[0074] The shown measurement system electronics ME is configured to perform a (re)calibration of the basic module and / or the measurement system electronics ME, especially in the case where the electronic vibration module M2 is not present in the chamber 11* (i.e., the electronic vibration module M2 or other external magnetic field generating devices are not arranged in the chamber), especially feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electrical coil 12 in the absence of the electronic vibration module M2. For example, for the purpose of changing the process control system and / or the process medium, such an operation is performed before inserting the electronic vibration module M2 into the chamber 11* or after removing the electronic vibration module M2 from the chamber 11*. For this purpose, the chamber opening of the chamber 11* can be closed with a chamber lid, and / or the chamber 11* can be filled with an insertable and removable magnetically transparent ( ) filling material.

[0075] The measuring system electronics ME is configured to feed electrical power into a first electrical coil by means of a (first) electrical (test) drive signal, which in particular has an applied alternating current. The (test) drive signal has known properties and is used to induce a voltage in a further (second) electrical coil 14 (16). The first electrical coil 12 can be, for example, a drive coil or an excitation coil, which is configured to oscillate an electron oscillation module or at least one (measurement) tube of the electron oscillation module when an electron oscillation module is present in the chamber 11*.

[0076] The measuring system electronics ME is configured to detect and evaluate a second electrical (test) voltage, which is in particular inductively coupled from the first electrical coil 12 into the second electrical coil 14 or induced in the second electrical coil 14, in particular using the (test) voltage, to determine a (parameter) measurement value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the phase difference established between the (test) voltages determined on the second and third electrical coils, and / or to determine a measurement value of at least one measurement variable of the flowing fluid and / or the inductance. After determining the specified measurement variable or parameter via the measuring system electronics ME, the (parameter) measurement value of the (test) phase difference is determined and evaluated, in particular by comparing one or more (parameter) measurement values of the (test) phase difference with previously determined (parameter) reference values and / or one or more thresholds specified for this purpose.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics ME is also configured to feed electrical power into the second electrical coil 14 by means of a (second) electrical (test) drive signal, which in particular has an applied alternating current. This is used to check the functionality of the first electrical coil 12 and / or the second electrical coil 14. For this purpose, the measurement system electronics ME is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage, which is inductively coupled into the first electrical coil 12 or induced in the first electrical coil 12, in particular by means of the second coil 14, in particular using the (test) voltage, to determine a (parameter) measurement value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle, and / or a measurement value of at least one measured variable of the flowing fluid medium and / or the inductance of the first electrical coil. According to this embodiment, not only can a magnetic field be generated via the first electrical coil 12, but also the magnetic field generated by the second electrical coil 14 can be measured or detected. For this purpose, the measurement system electronics ME is configured to determine the inductance of in particular the first or second electrical coil 12, 14 based on the (test) voltage, in particular to compare the determined inductance with a previously determined (inductance) reference value and / or one or more thresholds specified therefor; and / or the measurement system electronics is configured to determine a measurement value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle, based on the (test) voltage, in particular to compare the (parameter) measurement value with a previously determined (parameter) reference value and / or one or more thresholds specified therefor.

[0078] In addition, Figures 1 to 4 The embodiment depicted in also depicts a variant, in which the basic module M1 has at least one third electrical coil 16, which is in particular placed in a chamber 11* of the (protective) housing 11, in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the second electrical coil 12, and is in particular positioned at a distance from the second electrical coil and is in particular at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall 11+; and the third electrical coil 16 is electrically connected to the measurement system electronics ME. The purpose of the third electrical coil 16 is to measure a time-varying magnetic field. For this purpose, the measurement system electronics is configured to feed electrical power into the third electrical coil 16 during the test mode by means of a (third) electrical (test) drive signal, which in particular has an applied alternating current, and / or to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage, which is inductively coupled into the third electrical coil 16 or induced in the third electrical coil 16, in particular by means of the first electrical coil 12 and / or the second electrical coil 14, in particular to specifically determine a measurement value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle and / or the inductance.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics ME can be configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage which is inductively coupled, in particular by means of a third electrical coil 16, into the first electrical coil 12 and / or the second electrical coil 14 or induced in the first electrical coil 16 and / or the second electrical coil 14, in particular using the (test) voltage, to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude, the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or a (parameter) measured value of the inductance of the first electrical coil 12 or the second electrical coil 14.

[0080] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measurement system electronics ME is also configured to supply the mechanical resonance frequency corresponding to the signal frequency of the electronic vibration module to the (first) electrical (test) drive signal, the (second) electrical (test) drive signal and / or the (third) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular the first mechanical resonance frequency and / or the second mechanical resonance frequency.

[0081] Figure 4 An alternative embodiment according to the invention is shown, in which the first electrical coil 12, the second electrical coil 14 or the third electrical coil 16 is arranged in the measurement system electronics ME or is part of the measurement system electronics ME. This means that the first electrical coil 12, the second electrical coil 14 or the third electrical coil 16 can be arranged on the circuit board of the measurement system electronics ME. In this case, in addition to the drive coil and at least one sensor coil or at least two sensor coils (per tube), the first electrical coil 12, the second electrical coil 14 or the third electrical coil 16 or one of the three coils 12, 14, 16 is also provided. According to this embodiment, the first electrical coil 12, the second electrical coil 14 or the third electrical coil 16 is a diagnostic coil which is designed and arranged such that the magnetic field generated induces a voltage in at least one other electrical coil during operation and preferably in all other electrical coils of the basic module.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, a diagnostic coil arranged in the measurement system electronics ME or on the measurement system electronics ME can be configured to monitor the magnetic field generated by the first coil 12. In this case, the measurement system electronics ME is configured to detect the voltage induced at the diagnostic coil and to use it for (re)calibration.

[0083] Alternatively, the third electrical coil can also be replaced by a magnetic field sensor different from a coil, in particular a Hall sensor, which is configured to generate the magnetic field generated by the first electrical coil 12, the second electrical coil 14 and / or the third electrical coil 16.

[0084] In one embodiment, the third electrical coil 16 can also be designed to be spatially displaceable in order to bring it closer to the electrical coil to be tested.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the first electric coil 12, the second electric coil 14, and / or the third electric coil 16 are always arranged on a common chamber surface of the chamber 11*. However, the coils 12, 14, 16 can also be arranged on different chamber surfaces. For example, the second and / or third coils 14 (16) can be arranged on a chamber surface opposite the first coil 12, i.e., the first coil 12 is separated from the second and / or third coils 14 (16) by the receiving volume of the chamber 11*.

Claims

1. A modular measurement system, in particular a Coriolis mass flowmeter, for measuring measurement variables of a fluid medium, the measurement system comprising: - Measurement system electronics (ME); - A basic module (M1), the basic module (M1) having: -- A (protective) housing (11), the (protective) housing having at least one chamber (11*), the chamber being at least partially enclosed by a housing wall (11+), -- At least one first electrical coil (12), the at least one first electrical coil being placed inside the chamber (11*) of the (protective) housing, the at least one first electrical coil being in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and being at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+) and electrically connected to the measurement system electronics (ME), and -- At least one second electrical coil (14), the at least one second electrical coil being in particular placed inside the chamber (11*) of the (protective) housing (11), the at least one second electrical coil being in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or being identical in structure to the first electrical coil (12), and being in particular positioned at a distance from the first electrical coil, and being at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+), and being electrically connected to the measurement system electronics (ME); - Wherein the basic module (M1) is configured to receive the electronic vibration module (M2) of the measurement system, in particular in the chamber (11*), and to be connected to the electronic vibration module in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, in particular by forming a measurement sensor of the vibration type or an electronic vibration measurement system and / or by locking the electronic vibration module (M2) in the basic module (M1) or preventing it from being moved; - Wherein, in the measurement mode when the electronic vibration module (M2) is present in the chamber (11*), the measurement system electronics (ME) is designed to feed a (measurement) drive signal into the first electrical coil (12), the signal being used to excite the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2) and to capture and evaluate the electrical (measurement) voltage from the second electrical coil (14) induced by the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2) in the second electrical coil (14), in particular to determine the measured value of the at least one measurement variable, - And wherein, in a test mode when the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present in the chamber (11*), the test mode being in particular temporally before and / or after the measurement mode, in particular also when no other moving magnetic field generating device, specifically a device not belonging to the basic module (M1), is present, the measurement system electronics (ME) is designed to perform an inspection, in particular a (re)calibration, of the basic module (M1) and / or the measurement system electronics (ME), specifically when the electronic vibration module (M2) is not present, both for feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electric coil (12) and for capturing and evaluating an electric (test) voltage from the second electric coil (14), the (test) voltage being inductively coupled from the first electric coil (13) into the second electric coil (14) in particular, in particular for comparing a measured value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance, with a previously determined reference value and / or a specified threshold value.

2. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to the preceding claim, - Among them, The measurement system electronics is configured to feed electrical power into the first electric coil by means of the electrical (measurement system) drive signal and / or the (first) (test) drive signal, in particular using an externally applied alternating current.

3. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, The measurement system electronics (ME) is configured to feed the (first) (test) drive signal at at least two different frequencies, in particular at the resonance frequency of the (protective) housing, the nominal resonance frequency of the electronic vibration module (M2) and / or the mains frequency.

4. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, In the test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is further configured to feed electrical power into the second electric coil (14) by means of a (second) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular using an externally applied alternating current.

5. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to the preceding claim, - Wherein, in the test mode, the measurement system electronics (ME) is further configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage, the electrical (test) voltage being inductively coupled into or induced in the first electric coil (12) by means of the second coil (14) in particular, in particular using the (test) voltage to determine a measured value of at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance, and to compare the parameter with a previously determined reference value and / or a specified threshold value.

6. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, The measuring system electronics is configured to determine the inductance of in particular a first electrical coil based on the (test) voltage, in particular to compare the determined inductance with a previously determined (inductance) reference value and / or one or more specified thresholds therefor; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics is configured to use the (test) voltage to determine a measured value of at least one parameter of in particular the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle, in particular to compare the measured value with a previously determined reference value and / or one or more specified thresholds therefor.

7. Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, The basic module (M1) has at least one third electrical coil (16), in particular placed in the chamber (11*) of the (protective) housing (11), in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the second electrical coil (12), and in particular positioned at a distance from the second electrical coil, in particular at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+); and - wherein, The third electrical coil (16) is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics (ME).

8. Coriolis mass flowmeter according to the preceding claim, - Among them, The measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to feed electrical power into the third electrical coil by means of a (third) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular by means of an applied alternating current.

9. Coriolis flowmeter according to claim 7 or 8, - Among them, The measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage, in particular inductively coupled into or induced in the third electrical coil (16) by means of the first electrical coil (12) and / or the second electrical coil (14), in particular to use the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance.

10. Coriolis flowmeter according to one of claims 7-9, - Among them, The measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage from the first electrical coil (12) and / or the second electrical coil (14), in particular inductively coupled into or induced in the first electrical coil (12) and / or the second electrical coil (14) by means of the third electrical coil (16), in particular to use the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or inductance.

11. Coriolis flowmeter according to claim 7, - Among them, The measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to detect and evaluate an electrical (test) voltage, which is inductively coupled into or induced in the second electrical coil (14) and the third electrical coil (16), in particular by means of the first electrical coil (12), and in particular to use the (test) voltage to determine at least one parameter of the (test) voltage in each case, in particular the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the inductance and / or the phase difference between the (test) voltage detected at the second coil (14) and the (test) voltage detected at the third coil (16).

12. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to supply the mechanical resonance frequency corresponding to the signal frequency of the electronic vibration module to the (first) electrical (test) drive signal, the (second) electrical (test) drive signal and / or the (third) electrical (test) drive signal, in particular the first mechanical resonance frequency and / or the second mechanical resonance frequency.

13. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, the electronic vibration module (M2) has at least one, in particular cylindrical, first permanent magnet (22), - wherein the electronic vibration module (M2) is configured to be installed in the base module (M1) such that its first permanent magnet (22) is placed inside the chamber but still spaced apart from the housing wall, in particular in a static (first) installation position specified with respect to the orientation and / or the minimum distance from the first electrical coil (12) and / or held in the static (first) installation position, and / or such that the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first permanent magnet and the imaginary longitudinal axis of the first electrical coil (12) are aligned with each other or extend parallel to each other as extensions.

14. The Coriolis flowmeter according to one of claims 7-13, - Among them, the third electrical coil (16) is part of the measuring system electronics (ME).

15. The Coriolis flowmeter according to one of claims 7-14, - Among them, the third electrical coil is designed to be spatially displaceable.

16. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to determine and evaluate a measured value of the coil current or a measured value of a variable associated therewith, in particular to compare the measured value of the coil current or a measured value of a variable associated therewith with one or more previously determined (coil current) reference values and / or one or more (coil current) thresholds specified therefor.

17. The Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - Among them, The measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to determine and evaluate measured values of the signal strength of the (first, second, and / or third) (test) drive signal, in particular to compare one or more measured values of the signal strength of the (first, second, and / or third) (test) drive signal with a previously determined (signal strength) reference value and / or one or more (signal strength) thresholds specified for this purpose.

18. Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to determine and evaluate the signal curve of the drive signal over time.

19. Coriolis mass flowmeter according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to perform an inspection in the test mode in the absence of a test module known from DE102021126587 A1 and / or DE102022100234 A1, in particular without the test module, both for feeding the (first) (test) drive signal into the first electrical coil (12) and for detecting and evaluating the electrical (test) voltage from the second electrical coil (14), the electrical (test) voltage being inductively coupled from the first electrical coil (13) into the second electrical coil (14), in particular to compare at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured value of the amplitude and / or the frequency and / or the phase angle and / or the inductance, with the previously determined reference value and / or the specified threshold.

20. A method for commissioning and / or inspecting an electronic vibration measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flowmeter, comprising: - a measuring system having - a base module (M1) having -- a (protective) housing (11) having at least one chamber (11*), the chamber being at least partially enclosed by a housing wall (11+), -- and at least one first electrical coil (12) placed inside the chamber (11*) of the (protective) housing, the at least one first electrical coil being in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and being at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+) and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, - and an electronic vibration module, in particular an electronic vibration module according to claim 13; - wherein the base module is configured to receive the electronic vibration module and connect to it in a mechanically fixed but detachable manner, in particular by forming a vibration-type measuring sensor or an electronic vibration measuring system and / or such that the electronic vibration module (M2) cannot move or is locked in the base module (M1); The method comprises: - During the test mode, with the aid of the measurement system electronics, in the absence of the electronic vibration module (M2) in the chamber (11*), in particular in the absence of other mobile magnetic field generating devices not belonging to the basic module (M1), in particular by feeding a (first) (test) drive signal into the first electric coil (12) and by detecting and evaluating the electric (test) voltage from the second electric coil (14), in particular inductively coupled from the first electric coil (13) into the second electric coil (14), in particular by comparing at least one parameter of the (test) voltage, in particular the measured values of the amplitude and / or frequency and / or phase angle and / or self-inductance with previously determined reference values and / or specified threshold values, to check or (re)calibrate the basic module (M1) and / or the measurement system electronics (ME); - Insert the electronic vibration module (M2), in particular the electronic vibration module according to claim 13, into the basic module (M1) to form a measurement sensor of the vibration type or the electronic vibration measurement system; and - During the measurement mode, by feeding a (measurement) drive signal into the first electric coil (12) to excite the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2) and by detecting the electric (measurement) voltage induced in the second electric coil (14) by the vibration of the electronic vibration module (M2), to determine the measured value of the at least one measurement variable.

Images