Measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring device. The invention relates to a measuring device (100, 200, 300) having an optical sensor for optically measuring at least one measured variable of a medium, comprising a closed housing (1), a flow cell (3) having a measurement chamber (5) arranged in the housing (1), a reference chamber (7) arranged in the housing (1), and a carrier (9) rotatably mounted in the housing (1). The optical sensor comprises at least one light source (Li) and at least one detector (Dj), which are arranged on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in a measurement position that can be reached by rotating the carrier (9), a measurement of the measured variable can be carried out on the medium located in the measurement chamber (5) using the optical sensor, and when the carrier (9) is in a reference position reachable by rotating the carrier (9), a reference measurement can be performed on a reference medium located in the reference chamber (7) using an optical sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device having an optical sensor for measuring a measured variable of a medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Measuring devices having optical sensors, such as turbidity sensors, absorption sensors and / or sensors for measuring the concentration of an analyte contained in a medium, are used in a variety of different applications, for example, in breweries, sewage treatment plants, laundries and drinking water plants, for measuring different measured variables of a medium.

[0003] The optical sensor generally comprises a light source which emits light into the medium during a measurement operation, and a detector which receives measurement radiation resulting from an interaction of the emitted light with the medium, such as absorption, reflection, fluorescence and / or scattering, and provides detector signals corresponding to the received measurement radiation. These detector signals are generally used for evaluation equipment which uses the detector signals to determine and provide a measured value of the measured variable.

[0004] In order to ensure a consistently high measurement accuracy of the optical sensor, the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is generally checked at fixed time intervals. Alternatively or additionally, a calibration and / or adjustment of the optical sensor is performed at regular intervals. The verification and calibration and / or adjustment are generally performed using reference measurements performed with a corresponding sensor on a reference medium. In some cases, it can be possible to use reference media which are harmful to health and / or can pose a risk to humans and / or the environment for other reasons. One example of this is the carcinogenic reference medium formaldehyde, which is prescribed as a standard in many locations for performing reference measurements with turbidity sensors. When using reference media such as formaldehyde which are harmful to health and / or dangerous for other reasons, measures are required to protect operating personnel and the environment.

[0005] DE 11 2017 005 875 B4 describes a system for process-integrated optical analysis of flowable media, comprising an optical measuring head, a flow cell through which the medium can flow, and a reference unit for performing reference measurements. The system comprises kinematics for moving the measuring head into defined relative positions relative to the flow cell and / or the reference unit. Using this kinematics, the measuring head can be moved into a first relative position in which measurements can be made with the measuring head on the medium flowing through the flow cell, or into a second relative position in which measurements can be made with the measuring head on the reference unit. Measurements can also be made in ambient air in a relative position in which the measuring head is neither adjacent to the flow cell nor to the reference unit.

[0006] The system offers the advantage that measurements can be made on a reference medium located in a reference unit without influencing and / or contaminating the medium flowing through the flow cell. However, in some locations there is a risk that components of the measuring device exposed to the environment, such as the measuring head, the flow cell and / or the reference unit of the system described in DE 11 2017 005 875 B4, can fog up due to condensation of moisture thereon. Condensation on components through which optical signals are transmitted during the measurement, such as windows, can significantly impair the measurement accuracy that can be achieved by the optical sensor. The greater the moisture in the ambient air and the higher the temperature of the ambient air compared to the temperature of the corresponding components and / or the medium, the more severe this problem. High air humidity can occur, for example, in poorly ventilated locations. In addition, air movements can also continuously deliver moisture to the components, which can then condense on the components.

[0007] There are various applications in which the optical sensor is operated in a bypass or in a sampling line through which the medium can be diverted from the application. This offers the advantage that maintenance work, the measurement accuracy of the sensor and the checking of calibrations and / or adjustments can be carried out without interrupting the processes running in the application. A further advantage is that, after a measurement has been made, a sample of the medium via the sampling line branch can be processed to avoid contaminating the medium remaining in the application. It is generally desirable to keep the volume of medium required for the measurement as small as possible. In these applications, there is also a risk of condensate formation. This risk is particularly high if the medium in the bypass or sampling line has a significantly lower temperature than the environment of the optical sensor. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present application to provide a measuring device having an optical sensor with which measurements on a medium can be made and, if required, also reference measurements on a reference medium, and which offers improved protection against condensate formation.

[0009] To this end, the invention comprises a measuring device for optically measuring at least one measured variable of a medium, comprising: an enclosed housing, with a flow cell for receiving a measurement chamber for the medium arranged in the housing, and a reference chamber for receiving a reference medium arranged in the housing, a carrier arranged in the housing, the carrier having a first carrier region and a second carrier region, the first carrier region extending into a cavity arranged between the measurement chamber and the reference chamber, and the second carrier region extending at least in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first carrier region outside the cavity, wherein the carrier is rotatably mounted in the housing about the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region, and an optical sensor for measuring the measured variable, comprising at least one light source and at least one detector, which are arranged on the carrier such that a measurement of the measured variable of the medium located in the measurement chamber can be performed using the optical sensor when the carrier is in a measurement position which can be reached by rotating the carrier. And a reference measurement of the reference medium located in the reference chamber can be performed using the optical sensor when the carrier is in a reference position which can be reached by rotating the carrier.

[0010] The measuring device provides the advantage that the measurement chamber, the reference chamber and the optical sensor are protected from any moisture which can be present around the housing by the enclosed housing. In addition, the rotatably mounted carrier provides the advantage that the carrier can be easily transferred to the measurement position for performing a measurement of the medium and to the reference position for performing a reference measurement of the reference medium without moisture penetrating from the outside into the housing and without a large amount of air moving inside the housing. This also provides reliable protection against condensation, in particular in combination with the limited internal volume of the housing.

[0011] One embodiment comprises that the first carrier region is rod-shaped and the second carrier region is designed as a rod-shaped region extending on one side of the first carrier region in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region, or comprises a disc which also extends at least in a direction perpendicular to the first carrier region and / or is rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region.

[0012] One refinement configures the carrier to comprise a third carrier region,

[0013] a) at least one light source and / or at least one detector of the optical sensor arranged thereon or a reflector arranged thereon, and / or

[0014] b) which is arranged in the housing outside the cavity arranged between the measurement chamber and the reference chamber on a side of the cavity opposite the second carrier region, and / or

[0015] c) which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region is designed as a rod-shaped region or comprises a disc.

[0016] Further embodiments comprise:

[0017] a) each light source and each detector are arranged on a side of one of the carrier regions of the carrier which faces the measurement chamber in the measurement position and the reference chamber in the reference position,

[0018] b) each light source is designed to emit at least one wavelength, or at least one wavelength of the ultraviolet, visible and / or infrared spectrum, and / or comprises one or more light emitting diodes, and / or

[0019] c) each detector is positioned on the carrier such that it receives measurement radiation produced by the interaction of light emitted by at least one of the light source or the plurality of light sources with the medium when the carrier is in the measurement position and by the interaction of light emitted by the light source with the reference medium when the carrier is in the reference position, and / or is designed in a manner which provides a detector signal corresponding to the received measurement radiation, and / or comprises one or more photodiodes.

[0020] A further improvement comprises that the optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as a turbidity sensor, and / or at least one of the detector or the plurality of detectors is arranged on the carrier such that it receives measurement radiation produced by the scattering of light emitted by one of the light source or the plurality of light sources into the medium at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector when the carrier is in the measurement position and by the scattering of light emitted by the light source into the reference medium at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector when the carrier is in the reference position.

[0021] A further improvement provides:

[0022] a) the optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as an absorption sensor,

[0023] b) the light source and the detector of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier such that an optical signal transmission path extending from the light source to the detector along an emission direction of the light source comprises a transmission path extending through the measurement chamber when the carrier is in the measurement position and comprises a transmission path through the reference chamber when the carrier is in the reference position, and / or

[0024] c) at least one first reflector and at least one second reflector are arranged in the housing and the light source and the detector of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier such that an optical signal transmission path extending from the light source to the detector via the at least one first reflector and comprising at least one transmission path extending through the measurement chamber when the carrier is in the measurement position and an optical signal transmission path extending from the light source to the detector via the at least one second reflector and comprising at least one transmission path extending through the reference chamber when the carrier is in the reference position.

[0025] Further developments include that the carrier comprises a third carrier region, which is arranged outside the cavity between the measurement chamber and the reference chamber, on the side of the cavity opposite to the second carrier region, in the housing, that the reflector is arranged on one of the two opposite carrier regions formed by the second carrier region and the third carrier region, and on the opposite carrier region the light source and the detector are arranged such that the optical signal transmission path from the light source to the detector via the reflector comprises a transmission path extending through the measurement chamber when the carrier is in the measurement position and a transmission path extending through the reference chamber when the carrier is in the reference position.

[0026] Further developments provide that:

[0027] a) the optical sensor is designed and / or usable as a fluorescence sensor, and / or

[0028] b) the light source and the at least one detector of the optical sensor are designed and arranged on the carrier such that a fluorescent component contained in the medium can be excited by means of the light source when the carrier is in the measurement position and a fluorescent component contained in the reference medium can be excited when the carrier is in the reference position, and the detector receives fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the medium when the carrier is in the measurement position and fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the reference medium when the carrier is in the reference position, and provides a detector signal corresponding to the received fluorescence.

[0029] Further developments provide that the housing comprises a housing cover which is detachably connected to a housing body of the housing, and / or the carrier is fastened to the housing cover, the housing cover being detachably connected to the housing body of the housing such that it can be removed from the housing body together with the housing cover.

[0030] According to further developments, the measuring device comprises a detection device for detecting the carrier position of the carrier, the detection device detecting when the carrier is in the measurement position and / or detecting when the carrier is in the reference position, and providing an output signal corresponding to the carrier position, wherein the detection device:

[0031] a) comprises two switches or is designed as two switches which are pressure switches, proximity switches or light barriers, which are positioned in the housing such that one of the switches can be triggered by the carrier in the measurement position and the other switch can be triggered by the carrier in the reference position,

[0032] b) is connected to a display for displaying the carrier position of the carrier determined by means of the detection device, and / or

[0033] c) an electronic system connected to the measuring device, via which the optical sensor is supplied with energy, the electronic system comprising a controller for controlling a measurement sequence to be carried out using the optical sensor and / or for controlling the light source, and / or making the detector signal available to an evaluation device designed to determine a measurement result of the measured variable of the medium based on the detector signal when the carrier is in the measurement position and to make it available and / or to determine a measurement result (mr) of the measured variable of the reference medium when the carrier is in the reference position and to make it available.

[0034] According to a further refinement, the measuring device is designed such that:

[0035] When the carrier is in the measurement position and / or depending on an output signal of the detection device indicating the measurement position of the carrier position detected, it can be operated in a measurement mode in which a measurement can be carried out on the medium using the optical sensor, and

[0036] When the carrier is in the reference position and / or depending on an output signal of the detection device indicating the reference position, the carrier can be operated in a reference mode in which a reference measurement can be carried out on the reference medium using the optical sensor.

[0037] A further refinement comprises the measuring device being designed as a measurement module which can be inserted into a measurement module socket of the measuring assembly, and / or

[0038] The measuring device comprises an extension which adjoins the housing, and through which an inlet connected to the measurement chamber and an outlet connected to the measurement chamber pass, and which can be inserted into a measurement module socket of the measuring assembly, such that the inlet can be connected to a supply line and the outlet can be connected to a discharge line, the supply line being connectable to the measuring assembly via a channel integrated in the measuring assembly, the discharge line being connectable to the measuring assembly via a channel integrated in the measuring assembly.

[0039] A further refinement provides that the reference chamber is designed as a closed and / or replaceable chamber filled with the reference medium, or the reference chamber is designed as a refillable chamber, wherein at least one channel extending through the housing, in each case designed as a filling and / or removal channel, is connected to the reference chamber, the end of the channel arranged outside the housing can be a closure or closed with a closure.

[0040] According to a further refinement, the measuring device is designed such that:

[0041] a) the measurement chamber and the reference chamber are mirror-symmetrical to the first carrier region and / or have the same cross-sectional area at least in their region arranged at the level of the first carrier region,

[0042] b) the measurement chamber and the reference chamber have a circular, rectangular, square or octagonal cross-sectional area at least in the region of their arrangement at the level of the first carrier region,

[0043] c) the carrier is connected to a knob arranged outside the housing for rotating the carrier and / or a drive or an electric motor arranged inside or outside the housing for rotating the carrier,

[0044] d) it comprises a first stopper against which the carrier hits when reaching the measurement position and / or a second stopper against which the carrier hits when reaching the reference position,

[0045] e) it comprises a fixing device, a fixing device with magnets and magnets of opposite polarity, a locking device with mutually complementary locking elements or a parking brake, by means of which the carrier can be fixed in the measurement position and / or the reference position, and / or

[0046] f) the optical sensor comprises an electronic system or an electronic system arranged in the carrier, on the carrier or in the knob, which is connected to the carrier or can be connected or coupled to the electronic system, via which the optical sensor is supplied with energy, which electronic system comprises a controller for controlling a measurement sequence to be carried out using the optical sensor and / or for controlling the light sources, and / or makes the detector signal of each detector available to an evaluation device which can be connected to the electronic system, wherein the evaluation device is designed to determine a measurement result of the measured variable of the medium based on the detector signal when the carrier is in the measurement position and to make it available and / or to determine a measurement result of the measured variable of the reference medium when the carrier is in the reference position and to make it available, and / or

[0047] g) at least one or each light source and / or at least one or each detector of the optical sensor is arranged in a recess of the carrier which is open to the environment.

[0048] Further improvement configurations provide:

[0049] the measurement cavity and the reference cavity each comprise a tube section of a tube produced in a tube stretching process, or

[0050] the tube section of the measurement chamber and the tube section of the reference chamber are parts of a single tube produced in a tube stretching process, wherein the tube sections have ends facing each other in the tube and / or abutting each other in the tube, the mutually facing ends of the two tube sections in the housing are each arranged on the same side of the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region in a direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube sections, and / or markings pointing in the same radial spatial direction are applied to the tube sections on the outside of the tube, and the measurement chamber and the reference chamber are inserted into the housing in an orientation in which the markings on the tube section of the measurement chamber and the markings on the tube section of the reference chamber point in the same spatial direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube sections.

[0051] Further refinements include that the measuring chamber is equipped with an exhaust valve and / or an inlet which can be connected to a supply line to a first end region of the measuring chamber, wherein the first end region forms or comprises a bubble trap, and / or the inlet opens into an outer edge region of the first end region.

[0052] Further refinements provide that a desiccant comprising a hygroscopic material, a zeolite or silica gel is arranged in the housing, and / or at least one condensate trap is arranged in the housing, and / or the condensate trap arranged in the housing is attached to a portion of the measuring chamber which is located outside a measuring portion of the measuring chamber, wherein the medium can be measured by means of an optical sensor through a wall of the measuring portion, a sleeve or a coating designed to surround a portion of the measuring chamber on the outside, and / or comprising a material or a metal having a higher thermal conductivity than a wall of the measuring portion of the measuring chamber, the medium can be measured by means of an optical sensor through a wall of the measuring portion of the measuring chamber.

[0053] Embodiments include:

[0054] The second carrier region arranged outside the cavity between the measuring chamber and the reference chamber and the third carrier region of the carrier opposite the second carrier region on the other side of the cavity each comprise a disc-shaped and / or rotationally symmetrical region with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first carrier region, and

[0055] The region of the first carrier region arranged in the cavity is rotationally symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and has a cross-sectional area in a cross section spanned by the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and a transverse axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the measuring chamber and the reference chamber, which cross-sectional area corresponds to a cross-sectional area of the cavity which the cavity has in this cross section.

[0056] Another embodiment includes the fact that:

[0057] The region of the first carrier region arranged in the cavity has an outer diameter at each position along its longitudinal axis, which outer diameter is dimensioned such that between an outer circumferential surface of the measuring chamber facing the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and the region, and between an outer circumferential surface of the reference chamber facing the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and the region, in a cross section spanned by the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and a transverse axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the measuring chamber, a gap is present, which gap has a gap width enabling a rotation of the carrier and / or a gap width of 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and / or

[0058] The outer dimensions of the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region and of the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region are each set such that each of these regions has a cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area which one of the two partial regions of the interior of the housing adjacent to the cavity in the housing has in a cross-section spanned by the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and a transverse axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the measurement chamber and the reference chamber.

[0059] Further refinements include:

[0060] arranging at least one filling body in the housing, and / or

[0061] the measurement chamber is surrounded on all sides by the outside of the filling body, the filling body has a through-opening for each light source and in each case a through-opening for each detector, the corresponding light source emits light into the measurement chamber through the through-opening when the carrier is in the measurement position, the corresponding detector receives the measurement radiation emerging from the measurement chamber through the through-opening when the carrier is in the measurement position, and / or

[0062] the reference chamber is surrounded on all sides by the outside of the filling body, the filling body has a through-opening for each light source and a through-opening for each detector, the corresponding light source emits light into the reference chamber through the through-opening when the carrier is in the reference position, the corresponding detector receives the measurement radiation emerging from the measurement chamber through the through-opening when the carrier is in the reference position.

[0063] A further refinement provides that the carrier is equipped with at least one element which at least partially limits and / or reduces the free volume in the housing directly or indirectly adjacent to the measurement chamber and / or the reference chamber, wherein:

[0064] a) each element is annular, designed as a seal, O-ring or shaped seal, inserted into a recess configured for this purpose in the carrier, designed as an element projecting in a radial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis or in an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and / or arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region,

[0065] b) the elements include at least one element extending outside the first carrier region, at least one element arranged on each end face of the second carrier region or the third carrier region facing the measurement chamber and the reference chamber, at least two elements arranged opposite each other on the mutually facing end faces of the second carrier region and the third carrier region, and / or at least one element extending outside the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region and / or at least one element extending outside the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region,

[0066] c) the at least two elements each have a portion facing the measurement chamber and a portion facing the reference chamber, and / or

[0067] d) the at least one or each light source and / or the at least one or each detector of the optical sensor is / are in each case arranged at a position on or in the carrier which is located between two mutually adjacent elements.

[0068] Further embodiments include that the optical sensor is designed and / or usable as a turbidity sensor or a fluorescence sensor, and / or the optical sensor:

[0069] comprises a light source which is designed to emit light into the measurement chamber in an emission direction which extends at an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region when the carrier is in the measurement position, and to emit light into the reference chamber at an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis when the carrier is in the reference position, and

[0070] comprises a detector which is designed to receive measurement radiation which exits from the measurement chamber at an angle of 90° to the emission direction as a result of the interaction of light with the medium when the carrier is in the measurement position, and to receive measurement radiation which exits from the reference chamber at an angle of 90° to the emission direction as a result of the interaction of light with the reference medium when the carrier is in the reference position.

[0071] A further refinement provides that the carrier can be transferred to an intermediate position by rotating the carrier about the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region, wherein:

[0072] when the carrier is in the intermediate position, each detector and each light source of the optical sensor is / are aligned with a partial region of the interior space of the housing which is located between the measurement chamber and the reference chamber,

[0073] the housing has a removable housing cover which closes a housing opening through which each detector and each light source of the optical sensor can be accessed when the carrier is in the intermediate position, and / or

[0074] a reference body made of a resin glass, a glass or a reference material is arranged in the housing in such a way that the reference body can be subjected to a reference measurement using the optical sensor when the carrier is in the intermediate position.

[0075] According to a further refinement, the measuring device comprises a connection device which is operable in a first mode in which the measurement chamber can be filled with the medium via the connection device and in a second mode in which the measurement chamber can be filled with a reference fluid which is different from the medium via the connection device, wherein:

[0076] the connection device is connected to the measurement cavity, and / or

[0077] The connecting device comprises a fitting or a fitting comprising a multi-way valve, wherein the fitting comprises a measurement chamber connection connected to the measurement chamber, a medium connection connectable to a supply line of the carrier medium, and a connecting device via which the measurement chamber can be connected to a supply line of a reference fluid for filling the measurement chamber with the reference fluid, and via which the measurement chamber can be connected to a withdrawal line for withdrawing the reference fluid located in the measurement chamber, and / or

[0078] The connecting device comprises a closing device inserted into an outlet for connecting to the medium of the measurement chamber, via which the measurement chamber can be ventilated when the measurement chamber is filled with the reference fluid and / or when the reference fluid is withdrawn from the measurement chamber, and / or via which the outlet can be closed at least temporarily, such that the closing device prevents the reference fluid from escaping from the measurement chamber via the outlet.

[0079] Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for operating a measuring device according to the invention, wherein a measurement of a measured variable of the medium is performed using the optical sensor when the carrier is in the measurement position, at least one reference measurement on a reference medium in the reference chamber is performed using the optical sensor at least once, repeatedly or as required when the carrier is in the reference position, and an examination, calibration and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is performed based on the reference measurement.

[0080] Improvements of the method comprise:

[0081] a) transferring the carrier at least once, repeatedly or as required to an intermediate position, in which an examination of at least one reference measurement performed on a reference body arranged in the housing and / or of at least one property of the reference body can be performed using the optical sensor, and based on the at least one reference measurement performed on the reference body, an examination, calibration and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is performed, and / or an examination of at least one reference measurement performed on a reference medium located in the reference chamber and / or of at least one property of the reference medium is performed, and / or

[0082] b) filling the measurement chamber at least once, repeatedly or as required with a reference fluid, performing at least one reference measurement on the reference fluid in the measurement chamber using the optical sensor, and based on the reference measurement performed on the reference fluid, an examination, calibration and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is performed, and / or an examination of at least one reference measurement performed on a reference medium in the reference chamber and / or of at least one property of the reference medium is performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0083] The invention will now be explained in detail using the drawings, which show several examples of embodiments. Identical elements are indicated by identical reference signs in the drawings.

[0084] Figure 1 A measuring device with a rod-shaped second carrier region is shown;

[0085] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of an optical sensor of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position; Figure 1

[0086] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position; Figure 2

[0087] Figure 4 A measuring device is shown having a disc-shaped second carrier region;

[0088] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of an optical sensor of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position; Figure 4

[0089] An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position; Figure 6 Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position;

[0090] Figure 7 Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position;

[0091] Figure 8 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position; Figure 7

[0092] An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position; Figure 9

[0093] An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown having a third carrier region, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position; Figure 10 Figure 9 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position;

[0094] Figure 11 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown having an absorption sensor, wherein the carrier is arranged at a measurement position; Figure 9 10 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position;

[0095] Figure 12 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged at a reference position; Figure 11

[0096] An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, which comprises a stop and a detection device; Figure 13 Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, which comprises a stop and a detection device;

[0097] Figure 14 Figure 4 ​​​​​​​​Exemplary embodiments of a measuring device comprising a stop and a locking device are shown;

[0098] Figure 15 A method for manufacturing a measuring chamber and a reference chamber is shown;

[0099] Figure 16 A measuring device inserted into a measuring device is shown; and

[0100] Figure 17 A measuring device with a bubble trap, a condensate trap and a desiccant is shown;

[0101] Figure 18 A measuring device with a refillable reference chamber is shown.

[0102] Figure 19 Another exemplary embodiment of a measuring device is shown, wherein the carrier is arranged in a measuring position;

[0103] Figure 20 A measuring device is shown Figure 19 with a carrier arranged in a reference position;

[0104] Figure 21 A measuring device is shown with at least one filling body, wherein the carrier is arranged in a measuring position;

[0105] Figure 22 A measuring device is shown Figure 21 with a carrier arranged in a reference position;

[0106] Figure 23 A measuring device is shown with a carrier that can be transferred to an intermediate position; and

[0107] Figure 24 A switching device connected to a measuring chamber is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] The invention comprises a measuring device 100 for optically measuring at least one measured variable of a medium. Exemplary embodiments thereof are shown in Figure 1 The measuring device 100 comprises an enclosed housing 1, a flow cell 3 with a measuring chamber 5 arranged in the housing 1 for receiving the medium, and a reference chamber 7 arranged in the housing 1 for receiving a reference medium. A carrier 9 is arranged in the housing 1 of the measuring device 100. This carrier 9 comprises a first carrier region 11 which extends in the housing 1 into a cavity arranged between the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7, and a second carrier region 13a which extends in the housing 1 at least also outside the cavity in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. Furthermore, the carrier 9 is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 about the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11.

[0109] Furthermore, the measuring device 100 comprises an optical sensor for metrological detection of the measured variable, which comprises at least one light source Si arranged on the carrier 9 and at least one detector Dj arranged on the carrier 9. The light source Si and the or each detector Dj are arranged on the carrier 9 in such a way that, when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, which is accessible by rotating the carrier 9, a measurement of the measured variable can be carried out using the optical sensor on the medium located in the measurement chamber 5, and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, which is accessible by rotating the carrier 9, a reference measurement can be carried out using the optical sensor on the reference medium located in the reference chamber 7.

[0110] Figure 1 The carrier 9 is shown in the measurement position. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The carrier 9 is shown in the measurement position. Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment of the measuring device 100 shown in Figure 2 is shown with the carrier 9 in the measurement position, and in Figure 3 is shown with the carrier 9 in the reference position. As indicated by the arrow P in Figure 1 , the carrier 9 in the exemplary embodiment shown can be transferred from the measurement position to the reference position by rotating the carrier 9 by 180° about the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 9. Similarly, the carrier 9 can be moved from the reference position to the measurement position by rotation, in particular in the opposite direction.

[0111] The rotation of the carrier 9 from the measurement position to the reference position and from the reference position to the measurement position can be implemented in different ways. Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the carrier 9 is connected to a knob 15 arranged outside the housing 1, which enables the carrier 9 to be rotated manually. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier 9 can also be connected to a drive, such as an electric motor, arranged inside or outside the housing 1 for rotating the carrier 9.

[0112] The carrier 9 can be designed in different ways. Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the first carrier region 11 and the second carrier region 13a are rod-shaped, and the second carrier region 13a extends only on one side of the first carrier region 11 in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. This embodiment offers the advantage that the height of the housing 1 can be limited to the minimum height required to rotate the carrier 9 from the measurement position to the reference position and back, which is only slightly greater than the length of the second carrier region 13a. The correspondingly small internal space remaining free in the housing 1 offers the advantage that a correspondingly small volume of air is enclosed in the housing 1, which can contain residual air humidity.

[0113] As another exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 It shows something similar to Figure 1 The measuring device 100 shown is constructed as a measuring device 200, wherein the first carrier region 11 is rod-shaped, and the second carrier region 13b includes a disk that extends at least in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the first carrier region 11 and / or is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring device 200, wherein the carrier 9 is in a measuring position in a cross-section passing through the first carrier region 11. Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 The exemplary embodiment shown illustrates that the carrier 9 is in a reference position in a cross-section passing through the first carrier region 11. Figure 4 As indicated by arrow P, by rotating the carrier 9 180° around the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11, the carrier 9 can also be rotated from... Figure 4 and 5 The measurement position shown is transferred to Figure 6 The reference position is shown. Similarly, the carrier 9 can be moved from the reference position to the measurement position by rotation—specifically, rotation in the opposite direction. The disc-shaped second carrier region 13b provides superior performance compared to... Figures 1 to 3 The advantage of the rod-shaped second carrier region 13a shown is that the disk can rotate within the housing 1 without causing any significant displacement of the air trapped within the housing 1. This reduces air exchange between the adjacent measuring chamber 5 and reference chamber 7 caused by the rotation of the carrier 9. This provides the advantage of even better prevention of condensation.

[0114] exist Figures 1 to 6 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second carrier regions 13a and 13b are each aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. Alternatively, the second carrier regions, which are arranged outside the cavity and extend at least perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first carrier region 11, may also have an orientation that deviates from the vertical orientation.

[0115] Regardless of the related implementation of the carrier 9, e.g. by arranging each light source Si and each detector Dj on one side of the measurement chamber 5 in the measurement position and the reference chamber 7 in the reference position of one of the carrier regions 11 and 13a, 13b of the carrier 9, a measurement of the medium and a reference measurement of the reference medium are possible. Each light source Si is designed to emit, e.g., at least one wavelength of light, such as at least one wavelength in the ultraviolet, visible and / or infrared spectrum. One exemplary embodiment thereof is a light source Si comprising one or more light emitting diodes. Further, each detector Dj is positioned on the carrier 9 in such a way that it receives, when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, measurement radiation resulting from an interaction of light emitted by the light source Si or one of the light sources Si with the medium, such as fluorescence, reflection, absorption and / or scattering, and that it receives, when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, measurement radiation resulting from an interaction of light emitted by the light source Si with the reference medium. In this case, each detector Dj is designed in such a way that it determines and provides a detector signal corresponding to the received measurement radiation, such as a detector signal corresponding to a radiation intensity of the received measurement radiation. One exemplary embodiment thereof is a detector Dj comprising one or more photodiodes.

[0116] Depending on the number, positioning and / or orientation of the light sources Si and / or detectors Dj, the optical sensor can be used to measure different measured variables of the medium, such as a turbidity of the medium, an absorption of the medium, a measured variable determinable based on the measured absorption, such as a concentration of an analyte contained in the medium, a fluorescence of the medium and / or a measured variable determinable based on the measured fluorescence, such as a concentration of a fluorescent component contained in the medium.

[0117] One embodiment thereof is that the optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as a turbidity sensor. In this case, the detectors Dj or at least one of the detectors Dj of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier 9 in such a way that, when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, they receive measurement radiation resulting from a scattering of light emitted by the light source Si or one of the light sources Si into the medium at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector Dj, and that, when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, they receive measurement radiation resulting from a scattering of light emitted by the light source Si into the reference medium at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector Dj.

[0118] Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1An exemplary embodiment of the optical sensor of the measuring device 100 shown, wherein the light source S1 is arranged on the first carrier region 11 in such a way that it transmits light into the measurement chamber 5 in a direction of emission extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and that it emits light into the reference chamber 7 in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 when the carrier 9 is in the reference position. As Figure 2 and 3 The detectors D1, D2, D3 shown as an example in

[0119] Alternatively or additionally, the optical sensor is designed and / or usable as a fluorescence sensor. In this case, the sensor comprises a light source Sj that excites a fluorescent component contained in the medium when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and that excites a fluorescent component contained in the reference medium when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, and a detector Dj that receives the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the medium when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and that receives the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the reference medium when the carrier 9 is in the reference position. For this purpose, the measuring device shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 may be used. In this case, the light source S1 is designed as a fluorescence excitation light source, and at least one of the detectors D1, D2, D3 is designed to provide a detector signal corresponding to the fluorescence transmitted in the direction of the corresponding detector D1, D2, D3 and received by the corresponding detector D1, D2, D3.

[0120] Alternatively or additionally, the optical sensor is designed and / or usable as an absorption sensor. Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows Figure 4An exemplary embodiment of the optical sensor of the measuring apparatus 200 is shown, wherein the light source S2 and the detector D4 of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier 9 in such a way that the optical signal transmission path extending from the light source S2 along the emission direction of the light source S2 to the detector D4 comprises a transmission path extending through the measurement chamber 5 when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and comprises a transmission path extending through the reference chamber 7 when the carrier 9 is in the reference position. In the example shown, the light source S2 is arranged in the region of the second carrier region 13b facing away from the first carrier region 11 and the detector D4 is arranged on the region of the first carrier region 11 facing away from the second carrier region 13b. This offers the advantage of long transmission paths extending through the medium in the measurement position and through the reference medium in the reference position.

[0121] Alternatively or additionally, the absorption measurements in the measurement position and in the reference position can also be performed by means of optical signal transmission paths extending via at least one reflector 17, 19. Figure 7 and Figure 8 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring apparatus 200 is shown in a cross section through the first carrier region 11, Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring apparatus 200 is shown in a cross section through the first carrier region 11, Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring apparatus 200 is shown in a cross section through the first carrier region 11, Figure 8 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the measuring apparatus 200 comprises at least one first reflector 17 arranged within the housing 1 and at least one second reflector 19 arranged within the housing 1. Furthermore, the light source S3 and the detector D5 of the optical sensor are positioned as an emitter-receiver pair on the carrier 9 such that the optical signal transmission path extending from the light source S3 to the detector D5 when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position extends via the at least one first reflector 17 and comprises at least one transmission path extending through the measurement chamber 5 and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position extends via the at least one second reflector 19 and comprises at least one transmission path extending through the reference chamber 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first reflector 17 is arranged on the side of the measurement chamber 5 opposite the first carrier region 11 and the second reflector 19 is arranged on the side of the reference chamber 7 opposite the first carrier region 11. The light source S3 and the detector D5 are thus arranged side by side on the side of the first carrier region 11 facing the first reflector 17 in the measurement position and the second reflector 19 in the reference position.

[0122] Similarly, the emitter-receiver pairs comprising the light sources and the detectors can of course also be arranged on the second carrier area 13b. In this case, when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, the first reflectors are arranged on the side of the measurement chamber 5 opposite the second carrier area 13b, and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, the second reflectors are arranged on the side of the reference chamber 7 opposite the second carrier area 13b. Alternatively, however, different positioning of the light sources Si and the detectors Dj of the emitter-receiver pairs and the reflectors can be chosen, wherein when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, the optical signal transmission paths extending from the light sources Si to the detectors Dj extend over at least one reflector and comprise at least one transmission path extending through the measurement chamber 5, and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, extend over at least one reflector and comprise at least one transmission path extending through the reference chamber 7.

[0123] Optionally, the optical sensor is designed such that two or more measured variables can be measured simultaneously or consecutively using the optical sensor. Figure 5 and Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the optical sensor is designed such that it can be used for both absorption measurements and turbidity measurements. For this purpose, the optical sensor shown here merely as a possible example comprises, in addition to the light source S2 and the detector D4 that can be used for absorption measurements in the manner described above, the light source S1 and the detector Dj described above with reference to the turbidity measurement. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The light source S1 described in connection with the turbidity measurement, and at least one of the detectors D1, D2, D3 that can operate as a turbidity detector in the above-described manner with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The detectors D1, D2, D3 that can operate as a turbidity detector in the above-described manner with reference to

[0124] The measurement apparatus 100, 200 is operated, for example, in such a way that when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, a measurement of a measured variable of a medium is performed using the optical sensor. In addition, preferably at least once, repeatedly or as required with the carrier 9 in the reference position, at least one reference measurement is performed on a reference medium located in the reference chamber 7 using the optical sensor, and based on this at least one reference measurement, a check, calibration and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is performed. During the test, for example, it is checked whether certain measured values of the measured variable of the reference medium using the optical sensor correspond to specified reference values within a specified error tolerance. During calibration, for example, the process is such that based on at least one measured value of the measured variable of the reference medium determined using the optical sensor and a reference value of the measured variable determined in another way, at least one adjustment value is determined, based on which at least one calibration value for determining the measured value is checked. During adjustment, if necessary, the calibration values checked during calibration are adjusted using the corresponding adjustment values.

[0125] With regard to the execution of the measurement and the reference measurement, the measuring apparatus 100, 200 is designed, for example, such that the optical sensor comprises or can be connected or connected to an electronic system 21 via which the optical sensor is supplied with energy, which electronic system 21 comprises a controller for controlling the sequence of measurements to be performed using the optical sensor and / or for controlling the light source Si and / or such that the detector signal is available to an evaluation device 23. The evaluation device 23 is designed as a component of the measuring apparatus 100, 200 or can be connected or connected to the measuring apparatus 100, 200, for example, is designed to determine and provide a measurement result mv of the measured variable of the medium based on the detector signal when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and / or a measurement result mr of the measured variable of the reference medium when the carrier 9 is in the reference position. Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the electronic system 21 is arranged in the housing 1 on the carrier 9 and is connected or can be connected to the evaluation device 23 via a connection line leading from the housing 1.

[0126] Alternatively or additionally, the measuring apparatus 100, 200 is designed, for example, such that it can be operated in a measurement mode in which a measurement can be performed on the medium using the optical sensor when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position and in a reference mode in which a reference measurement can be performed on the reference medium using the optical sensor when the carrier 9 is in the reference position. The measurement and the reference measurement are each performed according to a sequence specified by the controller. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation of the detector signal by means of the evaluation device 23 in the measurement mode and in the reference mode is performed in a predetermined manner for the corresponding operating mode.

[0127] The above-described measuring apparatus 100, 200 and the method of operation thereof have the above-described advantages. The individual components of the measuring apparatus 100, 200 and / or the method steps of the method can each have alternative embodiments which can be used individually and / or in combination with one another.

[0128] An alternative embodiment comprises that the housing 1 comprises a housing cover 27 which is detachably connected to the housing body 25 of the housing 1. This provides the advantage that the housing 1 can be opened, if necessary, for example for maintenance purposes, for the purpose of performing maintenance and / or cleaning. Figures 1 to 8An exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the carrier 9 is attached to the removable housing cover 27. In this embodiment, the carrier 9 can be removed from the housing body 25 together with the housing cover 27. This offers the advantage that each light source Si and each detector Dj and, if applicable, the electronic system 21 arranged in the housing 1 are freely accessible and can thus be maintained, repaired and / or replaced if necessary. At the same time, the outer surface of the transparent window or the transparent outer wall of the measurement chamber 5, through which the measurement is made, and the outer surface of the transparent window or the transparent outer wall of the reference chamber 7, through which the reference measurement is made, are freely accessible when the carrier 9 is detached and can thus be cleaned if necessary.

[0129] A further alternative embodiment comprises that, in addition to the first carrier region 11 and the second carrier regions 13a, 13b, the carrier 9 comprises at least one further carrier region. This offers the advantage of a correspondingly greater flexibility with regard to the positioning of the light sources Si and the detectors Dj, which can be used in particular by arranging at least one light source Si and / or at least one detector Dj of the optical sensor on the further carrier region. Figure 9 and Figure 10 An exemplary embodiment of a measurement device 300 is shown, which is configured in a cross section through the first carrier region 11, similar to the previously described measurement devices 100, 200, in Figure 9 is shown with the carrier 9 in the measurement position, and in Figure 10 is shown with the carrier 9 in the reference position. In this exemplary embodiment, the carrier 9 comprises a third carrier region 29, which extends in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. The third carrier region 29 is arranged in the housing 1 on the side of the cavity arranged between the measurement chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 opposite the second carrier region 13a, outside the cavity. Thus, the carrier 9 can also be transferred from the measurement position to the reference position and vice versa by rotating around the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11.

[0130] Similar to the second carrier region 13a, the third carrier region 29 is also designed as, for example, a rod-shaped region or a disc-shaped region. In Figure 9 and 10 the second carrier region 13a and the third carrier region 29 are formed as rod-shaped regions arranged opposite one another. This offers the advantage that the carrier 9 can be rotated into an intermediate position in which the third carrier region 29 can be inserted into the housing 1 through the cavity between the measurement chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 and can be removed from the housing 1. Thus, in this embodiment, the carrier 9 can also be mounted and / or detached together with the previously described housing cover 27.

[0131] The flexibility with regard to the positioning of the light sources Si and / or the detectors Dj obtained by the third carrier region 29 can be used in various ways.Figure 9 and Figure 10 An exemplary embodiment is shown by way of example, in which the light source S4 is arranged on one of the two opposite carrier regions formed by the second carrier region 13a and the third carrier region 29. This light source S4 forms, together with the detector D6 arranged on the carrier region opposite the light source S4 in Figure 9 and 10 In this case, the light source S4 forms, together with the detector D6 arranged on the carrier region opposite the light source S4 in Figure 9 and Figure 10 The at least one of the detectors D6, D7, D8 arranged on the first carrier region 11 in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The optical sensor shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 The optical sensor shown in

[0132] Figure 11 and 12 Another exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as an absorption sensor. To this end, the emitter-receiver pair is arranged on one of the two opposite carrier regions formed by the second carrier region 13a and the third carrier region 29, and the reflector 30 is arranged on the opposite carrier region. Similar to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 7 and 8 The emitter-receiver pair here also comprises a light source S5 and a detector D9, which are positioned on the carrier 9 such that the optical signal transmission path extending from the light source S5 to the detector D9 via the reflector 30 comprises a transmission path extending through the measurement chamber 5 when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, and a transmission path extending through the reference chamber 7 when the carrier 9 is in the reference position.

[0133] Another alternative embodiment includes a measuring device 100, 200, 300 comprising a first stop 31 and / or a second stop 33, wherein when the measuring position is reached, the carrier 9 impacts the first stop 31, and when the reference position is reached, the carrier 9 impacts the second stop 33. As an example, Figure 13 It shows Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment of the measuring device 100 shown has a longitudinal section passing through the second carrier region 13a, wherein the first stop 31 is arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 in the housing 1, such that when reaching... Figure 13 In the measurement position shown, the end of the second carrier region 13a facing away from the first carrier region 11 rests on it. Similarly, Figure 13 The second stop 33 is arranged in the housing 1 such that when the reference position is reached, the end of the second carrier region 13a that is away from the first carrier region 11 rests on it.

[0134] As another exemplary embodiment, Figure 14 It shows Figure 4 The illustrated measuring device 200 is a variation of the longitudinal section in the cross-section passing through the second carrier region 13b, wherein the second carrier region 13b includes an outwardly projecting extension 35, which, when reaching... Figure 14 When the measurement position is shown, the outwardly protruding extension 35 rests on the first stop 31, and when the reference position is reached, the outwardly protruding extension 35 rests on the second stop 33.

[0135] Alternative or additional embodiments may include measuring devices 100, 200, 300 including a fixing device by which the carrier 9 is secured at the measuring position and / or reference position. A parking brake is suitable for this purpose, such as a parking brake actuated on knob 15 or a parking brake integrated into the actuator, such as a parking brake integrated into an electric motor, which prevents further rotation of the carrier 9 when activated. As another exemplary embodiment, Figure 13 A fixing device including a magnet 37 and magnets 39 with opposite poles is shown, by means of which the carrier 9 can be fixed at the measuring position and the reference position. For this purpose, the magnet 37 is arranged, for example, on the opposite side of the end of the second carrier region 13a away from the first carrier region 11. In this case, one of the magnets 39 with opposite poles is arranged on the first stop 31 and the second stop 33. As another exemplary embodiment, Figure 14 A fixing device is shown, comprising locking elements 41 and 43 that complement each other, by means of which the carrier 9 can be fixed at the measuring position and the reference position. Figure 14 In the middle, the locking device includes locking elements 41 arranged on opposite sides of the extension 35, and inFigure 14 In this case, the locking element 43 is complementary to the locking element 41 integrated in the stop 31, 33.

[0136] In Figure 13 Another embodiment, which is also shown as an option, is that the measuring device 100, 200, 300 comprises a detection device 45 for detecting the carrier position, which detects when the carrier 9 is in the measuring position and / or detects when the carrier 9 is in the reference position and makes this information available via a corresponding output signal. Figure 13 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the detection device 45 comprises two switches 47, 49, such as pressure switches, proximity switches or light barriers, which are positioned in the housing 1 in such a way that one of the switches 47 can be triggered by the carrier 9 in the measuring position and the other switch 49 can be triggered by the carrier 9 in the reference position.

[0137] Optionally, the detection device 45 is connected to a display 51, for example, for displaying the carrier position of the carrier 9 determined by means of the detection device 45. A suitable display 51 is, for example, a display attached to the housing 1 or to the evaluation device 23, such as a display or a display comprising at least one display element, such as a monochrome or multicolor light-emitting diode.

[0138] Alternatively or additionally, the detection device 45 is connected to the electronic system 21 and / or the evaluation device 23, for example. The detection device 45 offers the advantage that the operating mode of the measuring device 100, 200, 300 can be selected and / or specified depending on the output signal of the detection device 45. In this case, the measuring device 100, 200, 300 is designed, for example, such that it can be operated in the measuring mode when the output signal of the detection device 45 indicates the measuring position and in the reference mode when the output signal of the detection device 45 indicates the reference position.

[0139] Independent of the aforementioned embodiments, the measuring chamber 5 and / or the reference chamber 7 can also be designed differently. Figures 1 to 12 The embodiments shown comprise that the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 are formed mirror-symmetrically to the first carrier region 11 at least in their region arranged at the level of the first carrier region 11 and / or have the same cross-sectional area. Figure 2 and Figure 3 and Figure 5 and Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 have a circular cross-sectional area at least at the level of the first carrier region 11.

[0140] Figure 7 and Figure 8 and Figure 11 and Figure 12An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 have rectangular or square cross-sectional areas at least at the level of the first carrier region 11. Figure 9 and 10 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 have an octagonal cross-sectional area at least at the level of the first carrier region 11.

[0141] Regardless of their cross-sectional geometry, measuring chamber 5 and / or reference chamber 7 are each designed as cuvettes, such as glass or plastic cuvettes. The advantage of cuvettes is that they can be cost-effectively produced in injection molding processes.

[0142] Alternatively, the measuring chamber 5 and / or the reference chamber 7 may be designed, for example, in such a way that they include segments R1, R2 of the tube R produced in a tube drawing process, such as a glass tube drawn on a mandrel. Tube drawing processes offer advantages over injection molding processes, allowing for significantly higher accuracy in tube diameter and more uniform and precise wall thickness of the tube R. An advantageous embodiment, particularly regarding the maximum possible correspondence between the measurement-related dimensions of segment R1 in the measuring chamber 5 and segment R2 in the reference chamber 7, includes: segment R1 in the measuring chamber 5 and segment R2 in the reference chamber 7 being portions of a single tube R produced in the tube drawing process. Figure 15 The manufacturing process is illustrated, wherein two tube segments R1 and R2 are produced by cutting a single tube R, generated in a tube stretching process, into sections of a certain length. A measuring chamber 5 is then produced from one tube segment R1, and a reference chamber 7 is produced from the other tube segment R2. In this case, the tube segments R1 and R2 are preferably arranged such that the ends of tube segment R1 (measuring chamber 5) and tube segment R2 (reference chamber 7) are arranged facing each other and / or adjacent to each other within tube R, both on the same side of the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 in the housing 1 of the measuring device 100, 200, 300. This is achieved by rotating one of the two tube segments R1 by 180° about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

[0143] Alternatively or additionally, for example, markings M1 and M2 pointing in the same radial spatial direction are applied to pipe segments R1 and R2 on the outside of pipe R. In this case, measuring chamber 5 and reference chamber 7 are inserted into housing 1 with the markings M1 on pipe segment R1 of measuring chamber 5 and M2 on pipe segment R2 of reference chamber 7 pointing in the same spatial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the two pipe segments R1 and R2. Figure 15 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein markers M1 and M2 are arranged at the ends of adjacent pipe segments R1 and R2 within pipe R, such that they are adjacent to each other on pipe R. Alternatively, markers M1 and M2 may be placed elsewhere.

[0144] Regardless of the positioning of markers M1 and M2, the alignment performed using markers M1 and M2 provides the advantage of achieving the maximum possible correspondence between the dimensions of the measurement chamber 5 associated with the measurement and the dimensions of the reference chamber 7 associated with the reference measurement.

[0145] Regardless of the design, the flow cell 3 may preferably be connected to a supply line arranged outside the housing 1 via an inlet Z leading to the measuring chamber 5, and to a discharge line arranged outside the housing 1 via an outlet A connected to the measuring chamber 5. Figure 1 and Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the measuring devices 100, 200 are designed as measuring modules that can be inserted into the measuring module socket 410 of the measuring accessory 400. Figure 16 An exemplary embodiment of this measuring accessory 400 is shown in the figure. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the measuring devices 100, 200 include an extension 51 adjacent to the housing 1, an inlet Z connected to the measuring chamber 5, and an outlet A connected to the measuring chamber 5 passing through the extension 51. Figure 16 As shown, measuring devices 100 and 200 can be inserted into the measuring module socket 410 of the measuring accessory 400, such that inlet Z can be connected to or connected to supply line 430, which can be connected to the measuring accessory 400 via channel 420 integrated in the measuring accessory 400, and outlet A can be connected to or connected to discharge line 440, which can be connected to the measuring accessory 400 via channel 420 integrated in the measuring accessory 400. The measuring accessory 400 can readily include at least one additional measuring module socket 410 for receiving additional measuring modules 500, such as... Figure 16 The examples shown include a pH measurement module, a flow measurement module for measuring another variable of the medium, or a measurement module. In this case, the various measurement module sockets 410 are connected to each other, for example, via a channel 420 integrated in the measurement fitting 400, such that the medium supplied to the measurement fitting 400 via the supply line 430 flows through the various measurement module sockets 410 in series or in parallel.

[0146] Figure 17 Another exemplary embodiment of a measuring device 600, similar in design to the previously described measuring devices 100, 200, 300, is shown, wherein the inlet Z leads to a first end region 57 of the measuring chamber 5, and the outlet A is connected to a second end region 59 of the measuring chamber 5 opposite to the first end region 57. The measuring device 600 is also designed, for example, to be usable in… Figure 17The measuring module socket of the measuring accessory 400 is shown in dashed lines. Here, the inlet Z can also be connected to a supply line that can be connected to the measuring accessory 400 via a channel 420 integrated in the measuring accessory 400, and the outlet A can be connected to a discharge line that can be connected to the measuring accessory 400 via a channel 420 integrated in the measuring accessory 400.

[0147] Alternatively or additionally, the first end region 57 of the measuring chamber 5 is designed, for example, to form or include a bubble trap 60. Figure 17 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein inlet Z leads to the outer edge region of a first end region 57 of the measuring chamber 5. This causes the medium entering the first end region 57 via inlet Z to be set into a rotational motion, which degasses the medium. This rotational motion... Figure 17 The partial view circled in the middle shows a plan view of the bubble trap 60, in which the flow path of the medium flowing in through inlet Z is indicated by arrows.

[0148] Figure 17 Another exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, and which can also be similarly used in other exemplary embodiments, includes: a measuring chamber 5 or its first end region 57 facing the entrance Z is equipped with an exhaust valve 61.

[0149] Alternatively or additionally, reference chamber 7 can also be designed in different ways. Figure 1 and Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the reference chamber 7 is designed as a closed chamber filled with a reference medium. This ensures reliable protection of the environment and personnel from direct contact with the reference medium. In this embodiment, the reference chamber 7 is designed, for example, as a replaceable component, which can be replaced with a preferably identical replacement chamber if needed.

[0150] As another exemplary implementation Figure 18 It shows Figures 1 to 14 The longitudinal section of the modified measuring devices 100, 200, and 300 shown includes at least one channel 53 extending through the housing 1 and designed as a filling and / or removal channel connected to the reference chamber 7. The end of this channel located outside the housing 1 can be closed or sealed with a closure 55. This embodiment offers the advantage that the exchange of the reference medium can be performed without opening the housing 1. This provides the advantage that no moisture can penetrate the housing 1 before and after the replacement of the reference medium, and that the reference chamber 7 is located in exactly the same position within the housing 1 and has exactly the same dimensions. The latter provides the advantage that reference measurements can be performed under the same measurement conditions before and after each exchange.

[0151] Regardless of the design of the reference chamber 7, by arranging a desiccant 63 made of a hygroscopic material such as zeolite or silica gel in the housing 1, any residual moisture trapped in the housing 1 can be further reduced. Figure 17 The desiccant 63 shown in the example—which can also be used similarly in other exemplary embodiments—is designed to be solid, for example. Alternatively, desiccant 63 may also be used in granular or gel form. In this case, desiccant 63 is surrounded, for example, by a moisture-permeable wall, such as a wall made of silicone resin or silicone rubber.

[0152] Another alternative embodiment includes at least one condensate trap 65 arranged in the housing 1. For this purpose, a device made of a material such as a metal having high thermal conductivity that promotes condensate formation is suitable, for example. Figure 17 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein a condensate trap 65 is attached to a portion of a measuring chamber 5 located outside the measuring section of the measuring chamber 5, wherein an optical sensor can be used to measure the medium located in the measuring section through the wall of the measuring section. In this case, the condensate trap 65 is preferably made of a material such as metal having a higher thermal conductivity than the material used to manufacture the wall of the measuring section—such as glass or plastic. Figure 17 An exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the condensate trap 65 is designed, for example, as a sleeve surrounding the portion or a coating applied to the exterior of the portion. Alternatively, the condensate trap may also have different shapes and / or be arranged at different locations within the housing 1. If the temperature in the housing 1 drops below the dew point, the condensate trap 65 provides the advantage that any residual moisture contained in the housing 1 condenses primarily on the condensate trap 65. This protects the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 from condensation, which could adversely affect measurements and reference measurements that can be performed using optical sensors. This is particularly advantageous where the temperature of the medium flowing through the measuring chamber 5 can drop below the dew point of the air enclosed in the housing 1.

[0153] As an alternative to or supplement to the foregoing embodiments, the risk of condensation formation in the housing 1 can also be offset by reducing the free volume within the housing 1. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriately shaping the carrier 9. Figure 19 and Figure 20 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring device 700 is shown, which in Figure 19 As shown in the figure, the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, and... Figure 20 As shown, carrier 9 is in the reference position. Measuring device 700 is in... Figure 19 and Figure 20The diagram illustrates a cross-section extending through a first carrier region 11, spanned by a longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and a transverse axis Q extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, wherein the transverse axis Q extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7. In this exemplary embodiment, a second carrier region 13b disposed outside the cavity and a third carrier region 29b of a carrier 9 opposite the second carrier region 13b on the other side of the cavity each include a disc-shaped region, such as a disc-shaped region formed rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11. The first carrier region 11 extends through a cavity disposed in a housing 1 between the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis L. Therefore, the first carrier region 11 includes a region 67 disposed within the cavity. This region 67 is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and has a cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity in the illustrated cross-section. This embodiment provides the advantage that the region 67 disposed within the cavity almost completely fills the cavity in the illustrated cross-section.

[0154] In this respect, the outer diameter of region 67 arranged in the cavity is sized at each location along the longitudinal axis of region 67, for example, such that gaps 69 and 71 exist between the outer peripheral surface of the measuring chamber 5 facing the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and region 67, and between the outer peripheral surface of the reference chamber 7 facing the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and region 67 in the illustrated cross-section, the gaps having a gap width that allows the carrier 9 to rotate, such as a gap width of 0.05 mm to 1 mm. Similarly, the outer dimensions of the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region 13b and the outer dimensions of the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region 29b are each sized, for example, such that each of these regions has a cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​one of the two partial regions adjacent to the cavity in the housing 1 inside the housing in the illustrated cross-section.

[0155] exist Figure 19 and Figure 20 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 each have a circular cross-sectional area. Therefore, the carrier 9 here has an hourglass-shaped cross-sectional geometry, and the two gaps 69 and 71 each have a circular annular segmented cross-sectional region in the illustrated cross-section. If the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 have rectangular, square, or octagonal cross-sectional areas, the dimensions of the previously described first carrier region 11, second carrier region 13b, and third carrier region 29b can be used similarly.

[0156] Another embodiment includes a carrier 9 equipped with at least one element 73, 75, 77 that at least partially defines and / or reduces the free volume in the housing 1 directly or indirectly adjacent to the measuring chamber 5 and / or the reference chamber 7. For this purpose, elements 73, 75, 77 that are readily available at low cost and designed as seals such as O-rings or molded seals are suitable. In this regard, elements 73, 75, 77 are, for example, designed to be arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and / or inserted into separate portions of a recess in the carrier 9 configured for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, each element 73, 75, 77 is designed to project, for example, in a radial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L or in an axial direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0157] Elements 73, 75, and 77 include, for example, at least one element 73 that extends outwardly around a region 67 of a first carrier region 11 disposed in a cavity between the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7. As an exemplary embodiment, Figure 19 and Figure 19 Two elements 73 are shown, which are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and extend concentrically around region 67 with the longitudinal axis L and protrude outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0158] Alternatively or additionally, elements 73, 75, 77 include, for example, at least one element 75 disposed on the end face of the second carrier region 13b facing the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 and / or at least one element 75 disposed on the end face of the third carrier region 29b facing the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7. Each of these elements 75 is arranged, for example, concentrically with the longitudinal axis L of the carrier region 11, such that it protrudes outward in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Figure 20 and 20 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein elements 75 arranged on opposite end faces are arranged in pairs opposite each other.

[0159] Figure 19 and Figure 20 Another embodiment shown includes: elements 73, 75, 77 including at least one element 77 extending, for example, outside the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region 13b and / or at least one element 77 extending outside the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region 29b. Each of these elements 77 is arranged, for example, concentrically with the longitudinal axis L of the carrier region 11, such that it protrudes outward in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0160] Each of the previously described elements 73, 75, and 77 provides additional protection against condensation formation in the wall regions of the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7, through which the medium is measured and reference measurements are performed on the reference medium.

[0161] Particularly advantageous embodiments in this regard include: elements 73, 75, 77 comprising at least two elements 73, 75, each element having a portion facing the measuring chamber 5 and a portion facing the reference chamber 7. This provides the advantage that the gap region existing in the gap 69 between the carrier 9 and the measuring chamber 5, and the gap 71 existing between the carrier 9 and the reference chamber 7—the gap region extending between the two elements of these elements 73, 75—are confined in the axial and radial directions. Figure 19 and Figure 19 The particularly advantageous embodiments shown include: at least one or each of the optical sensors S6 and / or at least one or each of the detectors D10 are arranged in each case at a position in or on the carrier 9 between two adjacent elements 73, 75.

[0162] Regardless of the design of the measuring device 700, the above reference Figure 21 and 20 The described cross-sectional geometry of the carrier 9 provides ample space for accommodating the components of the measuring device 700. In this respect, Figure 19 and Figure 20 The measuring device 700 shown is also similar in design to the previously described exemplary embodiments, for example, such that its electronic system 21 is arranged in or on the carrier 9. Figure 19 and Figure 20 In this configuration, the electronic system 21 is arranged inside the second carrier region 13b. Alternatively, it may be arranged in the first carrier region 11, the third carrier region 29b, or at another location on or within the carrier 9, or in a knob 15 connected to the carrier 9.

[0163] exist Figures 1 to 12 and Figure 19 Another embodiment, shown in the figures and also apparent from the previously described exemplary embodiments, includes: at least one or each of the optical sensors, light sources Li, L6 and / or at least one or each of the detectors Dj, D10, arranged in environmentally open recesses 79, 81 of the carrier 9. The optical sensors are designed with regard to the number, position, and orientation of the light sources Li and / or each detector Dj, for example, as previously referenced. Figure 20 One way to describe it is to design it.

[0164] Figure 19 and Figure 20Another exemplary embodiment of an optical sensor including a light source S6 and a detector D10 is shown. The light source S6 is arranged such that when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, it emits light toward the center of the measurement chamber 5 in an emission direction extending at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11, and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, it emits light toward the center of the reference chamber 7 at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis L. The detector D10 is arranged such that when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, it receives measurement radiation emitted from the measurement chamber 5 at a 90° angle to the emission direction, generated from the interaction of light with the medium, and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, it receives measurement radiation emitted from the reference chamber 7 at a 90° angle to the emission direction, generated from the interaction of light with the reference medium. Depending on the design of the light source S6 and the detector D10, interactions such as scattering or fluorescence excitation can be used. In this respect, the optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as a turbidity sensor or a fluorescence sensor. In conjunction with this embodiment of the optical sensor, Figure 19 and Figure 20 The cross-sectional geometry of the carrier 9 of the measuring device 700 shown provides the following advantages: in the transition region of the carrier 9 from region 67 of the first carrier region 11 arranged in the cavity to the second carrier region 13b and the third carrier region 29b, there is ample space available to accommodate the diagonally aligned light source L6 and the diagonally aligned detector D10.

[0165] exist Figure 21 and Figure 22 In the measuring device 700 shown, the free volume enclosed in the housing 1 is reduced by the corresponding shape of the carrier 9. Alternatively or additionally, the free volume can also be reduced by at least one filling body arranged in the housing 1. The filling bodies are designed such that they almost completely fill the free volume in the housing 1.

[0166] Figure 4 and Figure 21 It shows Figure 22 An exemplary embodiment of the measuring device 200 is shown, wherein the measuring chamber 5 and / or the reference chamber 7 are surrounded on all sides by filling bodies 82, 84. The filling body 82 surrounding the measuring chamber 5 has, in each case, a through opening 86 for each light source S1 of the optical sensor, when the carrier 9 is in... Figure 21 When the carrier 9 is in the measurement position, the corresponding light source S1 emits light into the measurement chamber 5 through the through opening 86. Furthermore, the filling body 82 has, in each case, a through opening 88 for each detector D1 of the optical sensor, through which the corresponding detector D1 receives the measurement radiation emitted from the measurement chamber 5 when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position. Similarly, the filling body 84 surrounding the reference chamber 7 has, in each case, a through opening 90 for each light source S1 of the optical sensor, when the carrier 9 is in the measurement position.Figure 22 When the reference position is shown, the corresponding light source S1 emits light into the reference chamber 7 through the through opening 90. Furthermore, the filling body 84 has a through opening 92 for each detector D1 of the optical sensor in each case, through which the corresponding detector D1 receives the measurement radiation emitted from the measurement chamber 5 when the carrier 9 is in the reference position.

[0167] In this exemplary embodiment, the cavity disposed between the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 extending therefrom from the first carrier region 11 is formed by recesses in the filling body 82 and the filling body 84. Figure 21 and Figure 22 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second carrier region 13b is also arranged in a recess in the filling body 82 and filling body 84 configured for this purpose. The dimensions of the recesses in the filling bodies 82 and 84 are set such that they allow the carrier 9 to rotate.

[0168] Optionally, Figure 19 and Figure 20 The carrier 9 of the measuring device 200 shown is also equipped with, for example, the previously combined Figure 21 and Figure 22 At least one of the elements 73, 75, and 77 described herein. A particularly advantageous embodiment herein is that at least one or each light source S1 and / or at least one or each detector D1 is arranged in each case at a position in or on the carrier 9 between two adjacent elements 73, 75.

[0169] exist Figure 21 and Figure 22In this configuration, a light source S1, arranged in or on the first carrier region 11, is positioned between two adjacent elements 73. These two adjacent elements 73 extend concentrically around the first carrier region 11 along its longitudinal axis L and protrude outwards in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The advantage of these elements 73 is that they reduce the volume of the gap that indirectly borders the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 via through openings 86 and 90 configured to fill the light source S1 in the bodies 82 and 84, and surrounds the first carrier region 11 on all external sides. Similarly, the end face of the second carrier region 13b facing the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 is equipped with two elements 75, which extend concentrically with the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11 and protrude outwards relative to the end face in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The detector D1 of the optical sensor is positioned between these two elements 75. The advantage of these elements 75 is that they reduce the gap volume between the end face of the second carrier region 13b and the filling bodies 82, 84, which indirectly borders the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 via through openings 88, 92 configured for the detector D1 in the filling bodies 82, 84. Figure 19 and Figure 20 In this context, the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7 are further reinforced by an optional outwardly protruding element 77 that extends concentrically with the longitudinal axis L on the exterior of the second carrier region 13b.

[0170] Similar to the previously described exemplary embodiments, Figure 21 and Figure 22 The measuring device 700 shown in the figure and Figure 23 and Figure 21 The carrier 9 of the measuring device 200 shown is also rotatably mounted in the housing 1 about the longitudinal axis L of the first carrier region 11, wherein rotation of the carrier 9 from the measuring position to the reference position and from the reference position to the measuring position can also be achieved in the manner described above. Another alternative embodiment of the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 described herein is that, if necessary, the carrier 9 can be moved to an intermediate position by corresponding rotation of the carrier 9 about the longitudinal axis L. One embodiment is that when the carrier 9 is in the intermediate position, each detector Dj and each light source Si of the optical sensor is aligned with a portion of the interior of the housing 1 located between the measuring chamber 5 and the reference chamber 7. Figure 21 The illustration shows a schematic representation of exemplary embodiments of the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 described herein, wherein the carrier 9 can be drawn from... Figure 23 The measurement position, indicated by arrow PM, is transferred by rotating 90°. Figure 23The middle position is indicated by arrow PZ, and from this middle position, one can rotate 90° to... Figure 19 The reference position is indicated by arrow PR. The intermediate position provides additional protection for the optical sensor against damage, especially if it is necessary to remove the measuring chamber 5 and / or the reference chamber 7.

[0171] Figure 20 One embodiment is shown in which the housing 1 includes a removable housing cover 83 that closes the housing opening through which each detector Dj and each light source Si can be accessed when the carrier 9 is in the intermediate position. This provides the following advantages, particularly... Figure 23 and Figure 24 In the case of the measuring device 700 shown, after the housing cover 83 has been removed with the carrier 9 in the middle position, the detector D10 or each detector Dj and the light source S6 or each light source Si can be used for any necessary cleaning, and the carrier 9 does not need to be removed from the housing 1.

[0172] Also there Figure 24 Another embodiment shown includes a reference body 85 made of a reference material such as resin glass or glass, arranged in the housing 1 in such a way that when the carrier 9 is in the intermediate position, an optical sensor can be used to perform a reference measurement on the reference body 85.

[0173] In this configuration, measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 operate, for example, in such a manner that at least one reference measurement is performed on the reference body 85 using an optical sensor, either at least once, repeatedly, or when necessary. In this regard, measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 are designed, for example, to operate in an intermediate mode when the carrier 9 is in an intermediate position, in which reference measurements can be performed on the reference body 85 using an optical sensor. The reference measurements performed in the intermediate mode are also performed, for example, according to a sequence specified by a controller. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation of the detector signal in the intermediate mode is performed, for example, in a manner predetermined for the intermediate mode, by means of the evaluation device 23. Similar to the above statement regarding reference measurements performed on the reference medium located in the reference chamber 7, the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor can also be checked, calibrated, and / or adjusted based on the reference measurements performed on the reference body 85. Alternatively or additionally, the process may be based, for example, on at least one reference measurement performed on the reference body 85, at least one reference measurement performed on the reference medium located in the reference chamber 7, and / or a check of at least one property of the reference medium. This provides the advantage that any changes in the reference medium that may occur over time, as well as any existing or improved variations in the measurement characteristics of the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, 700, can be detected and accounted for accordingly.

[0174] Another alternative embodiment includes: the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 include a connecting device capable of operating in a first mode in which the measuring chamber 5 is filled with a medium, and capable of operating in a second mode in which the measuring chamber 5 is filled with a reference fluid different from the medium. For this purpose, connecting devices of different designs for connecting to the measuring chamber 5 can be used. Figure 24 A block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a connection device connected to a measuring chamber 5 is shown. This connection device includes an accessory 87, such as a multi-way valve, comprising a measuring chamber connector 89 connected to the measuring chamber 5, a media connector 91 connectable to a supply line Z1 carrying a medium, and a connection device 93. The connection device 93 is designed such that the measuring chamber 5 can be connected via the connection device 93 to a supply line Z2 carrying reference fluid to fill the measuring chamber 5 with the reference fluid, and can also be connected via the connection device 93 to a withdrawal line E to drain the reference fluid located in the measuring chamber 5.

[0175] In the exemplary embodiment shown, accessory 87 can operate in a first switching position, such that the medium supplied via the supply line Z1 connected to the medium connector 91 flows into the measuring chamber 5 along a flow path F1 extending from accessory 87 to the measuring chamber 5, and flows out of the measuring chamber 5 via the discharge line A connected to the measuring chamber 5. Additionally, accessory 87 can operate in a second and a third switching position, such that reference fluid supplied via the supply line Z2 connected to the connecting device 93 and carrying reference fluid flows into the measuring chamber 5 along a flow path F2 passing through the connecting device 93 and accessory 87 to the measuring chamber 5, and in a third switching position, such that the reference fluid in the measuring chamber 5 flows out of the measuring chamber 5 along a flow path F3 passing through accessory 87 and connecting device 93 to the extraction line E connected thereto. ​ An exemplary embodiment in which accessory 87 is designed as a three-way valve is shown. In this case, connection device 93 is the third connection of the three-way valve, which can be connected to the supply line Z2 carrying the reference fluid for filling the measuring chamber 5 with the reference fluid and the extraction line E for removing the reference fluid. Alternatively, a four-way valve can be used, which includes a connector that can be connected to the supply line Z2 carrying the reference fluid and a connector that can be connected to the extraction line E.

[0176] Alternatively, the connection device may be designed in a different manner and / or include at least one additional component. ​An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the connection device includes a shut-off device 95 inserted into an outlet A for a medium, which can ventilate the measuring chamber 5 when the measuring chamber 5 with reference fluid is filled and / or when reference fluid from the measuring chamber 5 is discharged, and / or the outlet A can be shut off at least temporarily, such that the shut-off device 95 prevents reference fluid from escaping from the measuring chamber 5 via the outlet A.

[0177] Regardless of the design of the connecting device, the ability to fill the measuring chamber 5 with a reference fluid provides the advantage that a reference measurement of the reference fluid located in the measuring chamber 5 can be performed using an optical sensor. In this regard, operating the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, and 700 equipped with the connecting device, for example, causes the measuring chamber 5 to be filled with reference fluid at least once, repeatedly, or as needed, and at least one reference measurement of the reference fluid located in the measuring chamber 5 is performed using an optical sensor. Similar to the above statement regarding reference measurements performed on a reference medium located in the reference chamber 7, the process here also allows for the checking, calibration, and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor, for example, based on the reference measurement performed on the reference fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the process may, for example, be based on the reference measurement performed on the reference fluid, checking at least one reference measurement performed on the reference medium located in the reference chamber 7 and / or at least one property of the reference medium. This provides the following advantages: when the carrier 9 is in the measuring position and when the carrier 9 is in the reference position, any changes in the reference medium that may occur over time, as well as any existing or improved differences in the measuring properties of the measuring devices 100, 200, 300, 600, 700, can be detected and accounted for accordingly.

Claims

1. A measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) for measuring at least one measured variable of an optical measuring medium, comprising: A closed shell (1), The flow cell (3) has a measuring chamber (5) arranged in the housing (1) for receiving the medium. Reference chamber (7), which is arranged in the housing (1) for receiving a reference medium, A carrier (9) is disposed in the housing (1), the carrier (9) having a first carrier region (11) and a second carrier region (13a, 13b), the first carrier region (11) extending into a cavity disposed between the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), the second carrier regions (13a, 13b) extending into the outside of the cavity at least in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11), wherein the carrier (9) is rotatably mounted in the housing (1) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11), and An optical sensor for measuring the measured variable includes at least one light source (Li) and at least one detector (Dj), the at least one light source (Li) and the at least one detector (Dj) being arranged on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in a measurement position accessible by rotating the carrier (9), the optical sensor can be used to measure the measured variable of the medium located in the measurement chamber (5), and when the carrier (9) is in a reference position accessible by rotating the carrier (9), the optical sensor can be used to perform a reference measurement of the reference medium located in the reference chamber (7).

2. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to claim 1, wherein: The first carrier region (11) is rod-shaped, and The second carrier region (13a, 13b) is designed as a rod-shaped region extending on one side of the first carrier region (11) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11), or includes a disk that also extends at least in a direction perpendicular to the first carrier region (11) and / or is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11).

3. The measuring device (300, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The carrier (9) includes a third carrier region (29, 29b), the third carrier region (29, 29b): a) A reflector (30) is disposed thereon, or at least one light source (Si) and / or at least one detector (Dj) of the optical sensor is disposed thereon, and / or b) Outside the cavity arranged between the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), on the side of the cavity opposite to the second carrier region (13a, 13b), arranged in the housing (1), and / or c) Extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11), it is designed as a rod-shaped region or includes a disk.

4. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: a) Each light source (Si) and each detector (Dj) is arranged on one side of one of the carrier regions (11, 13a, 13b, 29, 29b) of the carrier (9), facing the measuring chamber (5) at the measuring position and the reference chamber (7) at the reference position. b) Each light source (Si) is designed to emit light of at least one wavelength, or at least one wavelength in the ultraviolet, visible, and / or infrared spectrum, and / or includes one or more light-emitting diodes, and / or c) Each detector (Dj) is positioned on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, it receives measurement radiation generated by the interaction of light emitted by the light source (Si) or at least one of the plurality of light sources (Si) with the medium, and when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, it receives measurement radiation generated by the interaction of light emitted by the light source (Si) with the reference medium, and / or is designed to provide a detector signal corresponding to the received measurement radiation, and / or includes one or more photodiodes.

5. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The optical sensor is designed and / or is capable of being used as a turbidity sensor, and / or The detectors (D1, D10) or at least one of the detectors (D1, D2, D3, D6, D7, D8, D10) are arranged on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, it receives measurement radiation generated by the scattering of light emitted into the medium by the light source (S1, S6) or one of the light sources (S1, S4) at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector (D1, D2, D3, D6, D7, D8, D10), and when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, it receives measurement radiation generated by the scattering of light emitted into the reference medium by the light source (S1, S4, S6) at a scattering angle predetermined by the position of the corresponding detector (D1, D2, D3, D6, D7, D8, D10).

6. The measuring device (100, 200, 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: a) The optical sensor is designed and / or is capable of being used as an absorption sensor. b) The light source (S2, S4) and the detector (D4, D6) of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier (9) such that the optical signal transmission path from the light source (S2, S4) along the emission direction of the light source (S2, S4) to the detector (D4, D6) includes a transmission path extending through the measurement chamber (5) when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, and includes a transmission path extending through the reference chamber (7) when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, and / or c) At least one first reflector (17) and at least one second reflector (19) are arranged in the housing (1), and the light source (S3) and detector (D5) of the optical sensor are arranged on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, the optical signal transmission path from the light source (S3) to the detector (D5) extends via at least one first reflector (17) and includes at least one transmission path extending through the measurement chamber (5), and when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, the optical signal transmission path from the light source (S3) to the detector (D5) extends via at least one second reflector (19) and includes at least one transmission path extending through the reference chamber (7).

7. The measuring device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The carrier (9) includes a third carrier region (29), which is located outside the cavity between the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), and inside the housing (1) on the side of the cavity opposite to the second carrier region (13a). The reflector (30) is arranged on one of the two opposing carrier regions formed by the second carrier region (13a) and the third carrier region (29), and In the relative carrier area, the light source (S5) and the detector (D9) are arranged in such a way that the optical signal transmission path from the light source (S5) to the detector (D9) via the reflector (30) includes a transmission path through the measurement chamber (5) when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, and includes a transmission path through the reference chamber (7) when the carrier (9) is in the reference position.

8. The measuring device (100, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: a) The optical sensor is designed and / or is capable of being used as a fluorescence sensor, and / or (b) The light source (S1, S6) and at least one detector (D1, D2, D3, D10) of the optical sensor are designed and arranged on the carrier (9) such that when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, the fluorescent component contained in the medium can be excited by the light source (S1, S6), and when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, the fluorescent component contained in the reference medium can be excited, and the detector (D1, D2, D3, D10) receives the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the medium when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, and the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent component of the reference medium when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, and provides a detector signal corresponding to the received fluorescence.

9. The measuring device (100, 200, 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The housing (1) includes a housing cover (27) detachably connected to the housing body (25) of the housing (1), and / or The carrier (9) is fastened to the housing cover (27), which is detachably connected to the housing body (25) of the housing (1) so that it can be removed from the housing body (25) together with the housing cover (27).

10. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a detection device (45) for detecting the carrier position of the carrier (9), the detection device (45) detecting when the carrier (9) is in the measuring position and / or detecting when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, and providing an output signal corresponding to the carrier position, wherein, The detection device (45): a) Includes two switches (47, 49) or two switches (47, 49) designed as pressure switches, proximity switches, or light barriers, positioned within the housing (1) such that one switch (47) can be triggered by the carrier (9) at the measurement position, and the other switch (49) can be triggered by the carrier (9) at the reference position. b) Connected to a display (51) for displaying the carrier position of the carrier (9) determined by means of the detection device (45), and / or c) An electronic system (21) connected to the measuring devices (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) supplies energy to the optical sensor via the electronic system (21), the electronic system (21) including a controller for controlling the measurement sequence to be performed using the optical sensor and / or for controlling the light source (Si), and / or the controller enables the detector signal to be used for evaluation device (23), the evaluation device (23) being designed to determine and make available the measurement result (mv) of the measured variable of the medium based on the detector signal when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position and / or to determine and make available the measurement result (mr) of the measured variable of the reference medium when the carrier (9) is in the reference position.

11. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is designed such that: When the carrier (9) is in the measurement position and / or depends on the output signal of the measurement position indicating the carrier position of the carrier (9) from the detection device (45), the carrier (9) is capable of operating in a measurement mode in which the optical sensor can be used to perform measurements on the medium. When the carrier (9) is in the reference position and / or depends on the output signal indicating the reference position from the detection device (45), the carrier (9) is able to operate in a reference mode in which the optical sensor can be used to perform reference measurements on the reference medium.

12. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a measuring module is designed to be inserted into a measuring module socket (410) of a measuring accessory (400), and / or: The extension (51) adjacent to the housing (1), the inlet (Z) connected to the measuring chamber (5), and the outlet (A) connected to the measuring chamber (5) pass through the extension (51), and A measuring module socket (410) that can be inserted into a measuring accessory (400) allows the inlet (Z) to be connected to a supply line (430) and the outlet (A) to be connected to a discharge line (440). The supply line (430) can be connected to the measuring accessory (400) via a channel (420) integrated in the measuring accessory (400), and the discharge line (440) can be connected to the measuring accessory (400) via a channel (420) integrated in the measuring accessory (400).

13. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The reference chamber (7) is designed as a closed and / or replaceable chamber filled with a reference medium, or The reference chamber (7) is designed as a refillable chamber, wherein at least one channel (53) extending through the housing (1) and designed as a filling and / or removal channel is connected to the reference chamber (7), and the end of the channel arranged outside the housing (1) can be a closure (55) or closed by means of a closure (55).

14. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is designed such that: a) The measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), at least in the areas where they are arranged at the level of the first carrier region (11), are mirror-symmetric to the first carrier region (11) and / or have the same cross-sectional area. b) The measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7) have a circular, rectangular, square, or octagonal cross-sectional area, at least in the area where they are arranged at the level of the first carrier region (11). c) The carrier (9) is connected to a knob (15) arranged outside the housing (1) for rotating the carrier (9) and / or to a drive arranged inside or outside the housing (1) or to a motor for rotating the carrier (9). d) It includes a first stop (31) and / or a second stop (33), wherein the carrier (9) impacts the first stop (31) when it reaches the measurement position, and the carrier (9) impacts the second stop (33) when it reaches the reference position. e) It includes a fixing device, a fixing device having a magnet (37) and a magnet (39) of opposite polarity, a locking device having mutually complementary locking elements (41, 43) or a parking brake, by virtue of which the carrier (9) can be fixed at the measuring position and / or the reference position, f) The optical sensor includes an electronic system (21) or an electronic system (21) disposed in, on, or in a knob (15) of the carrier (9), the knob (15) being connected to or capable of being connected to or coupled to the electronic system (21), the optical sensor being powered via the electronic system (21), the electronic system (21) including a controller for controlling a measurement sequence to be performed using the optical sensor and / or for controlling the light source (Si), and / or enabling detector signals of each detector (Dj) to be used for connection to or to an evaluation device (23) of the electronic system (21), wherein the evaluation device (23) is designed to determine and make available the measurement result (mv) of the measured variable of the medium based on the detector signals when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position and / or to determine and make available the measurement result (mr) of the measured variable of the reference medium when the carrier (9) is in the reference position, and / or g) At least one or each light source (Li, L6) and / or at least one or each detector (Dj, D10) of the optical sensor are arranged in the recess (79, 81) of the carrier (9) which is open to the environment.

15. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7) each include sections (R1, R2) of the tube (R) produced in the tube stretching process, or The tube segment (R1) of the measuring chamber (5) and the tube segment (R2) of the reference chamber (7) are portions of a single tube (R) produced during the tube stretching process, wherein: The pipe segments (R1, R2) have ends that face each other and / or are adjacent to each other in the pipe (R). In the tube (R), the mutually facing ends of the two tube segments (R1, R2) in the housing (1) are arranged on the same side of the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube segments (R1, R2), and / or Marks (M1, M2) pointing in the same radial spatial direction are applied to the pipe segments (R1, R2) outside the pipe (R), and the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7) are inserted into the housing (1) with the markings (M1) on the pipe segment (R1) of the measuring chamber (5) and the markings (M2) on the pipe segment (R2) of the reference chamber (7) pointing in the same spatial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe segments (R1, R2).

16. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The measuring chamber (5) is equipped with an exhaust valve, and / or An inlet (Z) is available for connection to a supply line leading to a first end region (57) of the measuring chamber (5), wherein the first end region (57) forms or includes a bubble trap (60), and / or the inlet (Z) leads to the outer edge region of the first end region (57).

17. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The housing (1) contains a desiccant (63) comprising a moisture-absorbing material, zeolite, or silica gel, and / or At least one condensate trap (65) is arranged in the housing (1) and / or a condensate trap (65) arranged in the housing (1): The portion attached to the measuring chamber (5) outside the measuring section of the measuring chamber (5), wherein the optical sensor can be used to measure the medium through the wall of the measuring section. A sleeve or coating designed to surround a portion of the measuring chamber (5) on the outside, and / or Composed of a material or metal having a higher thermal conductivity than the wall of the measuring section of the measuring chamber (5), the medium can be measured using the optical sensor through the wall of the measuring section of the measuring chamber (5).

18. The measuring device (700) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The second carrier region (13b) arranged outside the cavity between the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7) and the third carrier region (29b) of the carrier (9) on the other side of the cavity, opposite to the second carrier region (13b), each include a disc-shaped and / or rotationally symmetric region relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11). Region (67) of the first carrier region (11) arranged in the cavity is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and has a cross-sectional area in a section spanned by the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), which corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity in that section.

19. The measuring device (700) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The region (67) of the first carrier region (11) arranged in the cavity has an outer diameter at each location along its longitudinal axis, the size of which is set such that there are gaps (69, 71) in the cross section spanned by the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and the region (67), and between the outer peripheral surface of the measuring chamber (5) facing the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and the region (67), and between the outer peripheral surface of the reference chamber (7) facing the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and the transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7), the gaps (69, 71) having a gap width that allows the carrier (9) to rotate and / or a gap width of 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and / or The external dimensions of the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region (13b) and the external dimensions of the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region (29b) are each set such that each of these regions has a cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​one of the two partial regions adjacent to the cavity in the housing (1) within the housing, in a cross-section spanned by the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7).

20. The measuring device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, At least one filling body (82, 84) is arranged in the housing (1), and / or The measuring chamber (5) is surrounded on all sides by a filling body (82), which in each case has a through opening (86) for each light source (S1) and in each case has a through opening (88) for each detector (D1). When the carrier (9) is in the measuring position, the corresponding light source (S1) emits light into the measuring chamber (5) through the through opening (86), and when the carrier (9) is in the measuring position, the corresponding detector (D1) receives the measuring radiation emitted from the measuring chamber (5) through the through opening (88), and / or The reference chamber (7) is surrounded on all sides by a filling body (84) having a through opening (90) for each light source (S1) and a through opening (92) for each detector (D1). When the carrier (9) is in the reference position, the corresponding light source (S1) emits light into the reference chamber (7) through the through opening (90). When the carrier (9) is in the reference position, the corresponding detector (D1) receives the measurement radiation emitted from the measurement chamber (5) through the through opening (92).

21. The measuring device (200, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein, The carrier (9) is equipped with at least one element (73, 75, 77) that at least partially restricts and / or reduces the free volume in the housing (1) directly or indirectly adjacent to the measuring chamber (5) and / or the reference chamber (7), wherein: a) Each element (73, 75, 77) is annular and designed as a seal, O-ring, or shaped seal, inserted into a recess disposed in the carrier (9) for this purpose, and designed to protrude in a radial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) or in an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), and / or arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11). b) The components (73, 75, 77): It includes at least one element (73) extending outward around the first carrier region (11). Includes at least one element (75) arranged on one end face of the second carrier region (13b) or the third carrier region (29b) facing the measuring chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7). Includes at least two elements (75) arranged opposite each other on the mutually facing end faces of the second carrier region (13b) and the third carrier region (29b), and / or Includes at least one element (77) extending outside the disc-shaped region of the second carrier region (13b) and / or at least one element (77) extending outside the disc-shaped region of the third carrier region (29b). c) At least two elements (73, 75), each of the at least two elements (73, 75) having a portion facing the measuring chamber (5) and a portion facing the reference chamber (7), and / or d) At least one or each of the optical sensors (S1, S6) and / or at least one or each of the detectors (D1, D10) are arranged in each case at a position in or on the carrier (9) between two mutually adjacent elements (73, 75).

22. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein, The optical sensor is designed and / or can be used as a turbidity sensor or a fluorescence sensor, and / or an optical sensor: Includes a light source (S6), which is designed to emit light into the measurement chamber (5) along an emission direction at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11) when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, and to emit light into the reference chamber (7) along an emission direction at a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis (L) when the carrier (9) is in the reference position. Includes a detector (D10) designed to receive measurement radiation emitted from the measurement chamber (5) at a 90° angle to the emission direction, caused by the interaction of light with the medium, when the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, and designed to receive measurement radiation emitted from the reference chamber (7) at a 90° angle to the emission direction, caused by the interaction of light with the reference medium, when the carrier (9) is in the reference position.

23. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein, The carrier (9) can be transferred to an intermediate position by rotating the carrier (9) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the first carrier region (11), wherein: When the carrier (9) is in the intermediate position, each detector (Dj) and each light source (Si) of the optical sensor is aligned with a portion of the interior of the housing (1) located between the measurement chamber (5) and the reference chamber (7). The housing (1) has a removable housing cover (83) that closes the housing opening, allowing each detector (Dj) and each light source (Si) of the optical sensor to be accessed through the housing opening when the carrier (9) is in the intermediate position, and / or A reference body (85) made of resin glass, glass or reference material is arranged in the housing (1) such that when the carrier (9) is in the intermediate position, the optical sensor can be used to perform reference measurements on the reference body (85).

24. The measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising a connecting device capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the measuring chamber (5) is capable of being filled with the medium via the connecting device, and in the second mode, the measuring chamber (5) is capable of being filled with a reference fluid different from the medium via the connecting device, wherein: The connecting device is connected to the measuring chamber (5), and / or The connecting device includes a fitting (87) or a fitting (87) including a multi-way valve, wherein the fitting (87): Includes a measuring chamber connector (89) connected to the measuring chamber (5). Includes a media connector (91) that can be connected to a supply line (Z1) carrying the media, and the measuring chamber (5) can be filled with the media via the supply line (Z1). Including a connecting device (93), the measuring chamber (5) is connectable via the connecting device (93) to a supply line (Z2) carrying the reference fluid for filling the measuring chamber (5) with the reference fluid, and the measuring chamber (5) is connectable via the connecting device (93) to an extraction line (E) for discharging the reference fluid located in the measuring chamber (5), and / or The connection device includes a shut-off device (95) inserted into an outlet (A) of a medium for connection to the measuring chamber (5), which is capable of ventilating the measuring chamber (5) via the shut-off device (95) when the measuring chamber (5) is filled with the reference fluid and / or when the reference fluid from the measuring chamber (5) is discharged, and / or capable of at least temporarily closing the outlet (A) via the shut-off device (95) such that the shut-off device (95) prevents the reference fluid from escaping from the measuring chamber (5) via the outlet (A).

25. A method for operating a measuring device (100, 200, 300, 600, 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein: When the carrier (9) is in the measurement position, the measured variable of the medium is measured using the optical sensor. With the carrier (9) in the reference position, reference measurements are performed on the reference medium in the reference chamber (7) at least once, repeatedly, or as needed using the optical sensor, and Based on the reference measurement, the accuracy of the measurement of the optical sensor is checked, calibrated, and / or adjusted.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: a) The carrier (9) is transferred at least once, repeatedly, or as needed to an intermediate position in which reference measurements can be performed using an optical sensor disposed on a reference body (85) in the housing (1), and based on at least one reference measurement performed on the reference body (85), checks, calibrations, and / or adjustments are performed on the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor, and / or at least one reference measurement is performed on the reference medium located in the reference chamber (7) and / or checks are performed on at least one property of the reference medium, and / or b) Fill the measurement chamber (5) with a reference fluid at least once, repeatedly or as needed, perform at least one reference measurement on the reference fluid in the measurement chamber (5) using the optical sensor, and perform a check, calibration and / or adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor based on the reference measurement performed on the reference fluid, and / or perform at least one reference measurement on the reference medium in the reference chamber (7) and / or check at least one property of the reference medium.

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