Process connection with integrated radar sensor with high chemical resistance and laboratory arrangement

Abstract

Process connection (1) for measuring a fill level in a container (20) comprising: - a plug (13) with a media-facing side (15) and a media-remote side (16), - at least one radar sensor (10) arranged in the region of the side (16) facing away from the media, - at least one waveguide (11), and - at least one antenna (12) arranged on the media-facing side (15) within the plug (13), - wherein the at least one waveguide (11) connects the at least one radar sensor (10) to the at least one antenna (12), and - wherein the media-facing side (15) is designed as a capsule (14) permeable to electromagnetic waves, wherein - the plug (13) and the capsule (14) are made in one piece.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a process connection with an integrated radar sensor with a high chemical resistance, as well as a laboratory arrangement with the process connection according to the invention according to claims 1 and 9.

[0002] Process connections for radar sensors for measuring the fill level in a container are known in various designs from the prior art. Process connections are often arranged on containers in laboratory setups or pilot plants in the chemical industry at standardized connection openings. The containers are often made of highly chemically resistant glass to enable the processes and reactions to be observed. Process connections for radar sensors are typically designed with flange or screw connections or, for applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, as sterile connections, for example as clamp connections. In the prior art, the radar sensors are adapted to existing containers using appropriate adapters in order to adapt the standard connections of the radar sensors to the specific requirements of the laboratory setup or pilot plant.In particular, mechanical adaptation is necessary to meet the requirements with regard to the pressure, temperature and chemical resistance of the materials.

[0003] A disadvantage of this state-of-the-art technology is that adapting the radar sensor for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container in a laboratory setup to a conventional process connection is time-consuming. Depending on the operating conditions, the adapters must be customized for each application, making them uneconomical and error-prone. An incorrect selection of the adapter can, on the one hand, influence or contaminate the processes or chemical reactions taking place in the container, and, on the other hand, lead to incorrect level detection or damage to the radar sensor.

[0004] Further prior art is known from US 2016 / 0178426 A1 and DE 10 2007 057 211 A1.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process connection for a radar sensor and for measuring the fill level in a container, as well as a laboratory setup with such a process connection that is insensitive to pressure, temperature, and chemical influences, while still being easy to handle. Furthermore, reproducible measurement results should be ensured and the process connection should be cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the process connection should enable maximum occupational safety and ensure maximum chemical resistance.

[0006] These objects are achieved by the process connection according to the invention with the features of claim 1 and with the laboratory arrangement according to claim 9. Advantageous further developments are the subject of pending claims.

[0007] A process connection according to the invention for measuring a fill level in a container comprises a plug with a media-facing side and a media-remote side, at least one radar sensor arranged in the region of the media-remote side, at least one waveguide, and at least one antenna arranged on the media-facing side within the plug. The at least one waveguide is arranged between the radar sensor and the antenna and connects the at least one radar sensor to the at least one antenna. Furthermore, the media-facing side of the plug is designed as a capsule permeable to electromagnetic waves, through which the plug is sealed on the media-facing side in a gas- and liquid-tight, as well as highly chemically resistant manner.The radar sensor typically features signal processing for evaluating the level measurements, as well as electrical connections that connect the radar sensor to a voltage source and allow the measurement results to be read out. The waveguide transmits the electromagnetic waves with low loss to the antenna, which is configured to emit the signal in a focused manner. The media-facing side of the plug or capsule is positioned protectively in front of the antenna, protecting it, as well as the waveguide and radar sensor, from temperature, pressure, or chemical influences.

[0008] The radar sensor, the waveguide and the antenna are integrated into the process connection, so that it is particularly resistant to pressure, temperature and chemicals in the manner of a blind plug.

[0009] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the capsule is lens-shaped or conical. The shape of the capsule or the media-facing side of the plug positively influences signal focusing and increases measurement accuracy.

[0010] The stopper can also be made of glass or a highly chemically resistant plastic. The preferred materials are silica glass, borosilicate glass, or silicate glass. PTFE is the preferred plastic material.

[0011] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the plug to be conical. The tapered shape is particularly suitable for conical sealing systems, which are widely used and standardized in laboratory setups and pilot plants in the chemical industry.

[0012] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the capsule is made of glass or a highly chemically resistant plastic. The capsule, made of glass or plastics such as PTFE, can also be designed to achieve additional signal focusing.

[0013] According to the invention, the plug and the capsule are manufactured as a single piece. The plug and the capsule can be made of the same or different materials and bonded together, thereby achieving particularly good pressure, temperature, and chemical resistance.

[0014] In an alternative, non-patentable embodiment, the plug can be made of a ceramic material or a highly resistant metal, wherein the capsule on the media-facing side is fused into a recess in the plug and thus tightly closes the recess.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the plug has a ground outer surface, which ensures the best possible seal between the process connection and the vessel. Standard conical ground joints are particularly preferred.

[0016] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the plug has a stop that defines the position of the process connection along the longitudinal axis of the vessel or its connection opening. The stop can be formed or machined as a circumferential flange on the outer surface of the plug and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug.

[0017] The radar sensor can preferably be attached to the plug in a replaceable manner using its standard connectors or other suitable fastening means. This allows the radar sensor to be easily replaced in the event of damage or for specific application needs.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a laboratory arrangement consisting of a container with at least one connection opening and at least one process connection. The connection opening is preferably a standardized connection, wherein the plug of the process connection corresponds to the shape of the connection opening in such a way that it is properly closed.

[0019] Furthermore, it has proven particularly advantageous if the container is at least a single-walled glass container with at least one standardized ground joint sleeve.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a laboratory arrangement according to the invention consisting of a container and a process connection with a radar sensor for detecting the fill level of a medium in the container.

[0021] The following is based on the Fig. 1 a laboratory arrangement 2 with a process connection 1 for measuring a fill level of a medium 3 in a container 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail.

[0022] The laboratory arrangement 2 according to Fig. 1 comprises the container 20, which is essentially rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis 6 and is designed as a three-necked round-bottomed flask. The container 20 has three connection openings 21, 22, 23, wherein the central connection opening 21 is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis 6 and is designed as a ground sleeve 25. The ground sleeve 25 is a standard conical ground joint according to DIN 12 242. The arrangement of the connection openings 22, 23 is inclined outwards at an angle around the central connection opening 21 or the longitudinal axis 6, although the arrangement and number of connection openings 21, 22, 23 can be varied as desired.

[0023] In addition, the laboratory arrangement 2 comprises a process connection 1, which is made of a chemically resistant glass in the manner of a blind plug along a longitudinal axis 5 and through which a radar sensor 10 is held positioned in the connection opening 21 for measuring the fill level of a medium 3 in the container 20.

[0024] The process connection 1 essentially consists of a plug 13 with a jacket surface 18, a media-facing side 16, and a media-facing side 15, which is designed as a capsule 14. The plug 13, the jacket surface 18, and the capsule 14 are formed coaxially with the longitudinal axis 5.

[0025] In addition, a stop 17 is formed or machined onto the outer surface 18 of the plug 13, which stop is designed as a circumferential shoulder or flange perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5. The stop 17 specifies the position along the longitudinal axis 6 in the connection opening 21 of the container 20. The stop 17 thus ensures that the process connection 1 can be reproducibly positioned in the connection opening 21.

[0026] The plug 13 corresponds to the shape of the receiving opening 21 or ground sleeve 25 and is accordingly conical in shape as a standard ground joint with a pitch of 1:20.

[0027] The process connection 1 comprises, in addition to the radar sensor 10, a waveguide 11 and an antenna 12. The waveguide 11 and the antenna 12 are arranged within the plug 13 and aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis 5.

[0028] The radar sensor 10 is equipped with signal processing for detecting the fill level and is arranged on the side 16 facing away from the media. The electrical connections of the radar sensor 10 are also positioned there, so that they are accessible for connection to a voltage source and for data transmission of the measured values ​​of the fill level measurement.

[0029] The waveguide 11 connects the antenna 12 to the radar sensor 10 and is configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves between the radar sensor 10 and the antenna 12 with as little loss as possible. The antenna 12 and the capsule 14 focus the signals such that the level measurement occurs along the longitudinal axis 6 and the longitudinal axis 5, respectively. For this purpose, the capsule 14, in particular, is lens-shaped and made of a material permeable to electromagnetic waves.

[0030] The plug 13 and the capsule 14 protect the antenna 12, the waveguide 11, and the radar sensor 10, thereby ensuring particularly high chemical resistance of the process connection 1. This resistance is achieved in particular by the fact that the plug 13 and the capsule 14, in the present embodiment, are made as a single piece from a chemically resistant glass. The sensitive components are thus protected from the medium 3 in the container 20 as well as from pressure and temperature influences.

[0031] The materials used for the plug 13 and the capsule 14 can be identical, but different material combinations are also possible. Among other materials, the plug 13 can be made of ceramic or a highly durable metal. The capsule 14 can be molded from glass or a plastic, such as PTFE. When using plastics such as PTFE, the surface of the antenna system can also be designed to provide additional signal focusing.

[0032] Ceramic materials or highly resistant metals can also be used to manufacture the plug 13. A recess must be provided on the media-facing side 15 of such a plug 13, into which the capsule 14, which is permeable to electromagnetic waves, can be melted or inserted. By melting the capsule 14 into the recess on the media-facing side 15 of the plug 13, the plug is optimally sealed, thus ensuring high resistance.

[0033] Thus, according to the invention, a process connection 1 for radar sensors 10 for measuring the fill level of a medium 3 in a container 20 can be provided, which has a high chemical resistance, is simple and reliable in use, ensures a maximum level of occupational safety and is cost-effective to manufacture. List of reference symbols 1 process connection 2 Laboratory setup 3 Medium 5 Longitudinal axis of 1 6 Longitudinal axis of 2 10 radar sensor 11 waveguides 12 Antenna 13 plugs 14 capsules 15 Media-facing page 16 Media-facing side 17 stop 18 Shell surface 20 containers 21 Connection opening 22 Connection opening 23 Connection opening 25 sleeve cut

Claims

[1] Process connection (1) for measuring a fill level in a container (20) comprising: - a plug (13) with a media-facing side (15) and a media-remote side (16), - at least one radar sensor (10) arranged in the region of the side (16) facing away from the media, - at least one waveguide (11), and - at least one antenna (12) arranged on the media-facing side (15) within the plug (13), - wherein the at least one waveguide (11) connects the at least one radar sensor (10) to the at least one antenna (12), and - wherein the media-facing side (15) is designed as a capsule (14) permeable to electromagnetic waves, wherein - the plug (13) and the capsule (14) are made in one piece. [2] Process connection (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the capsule (14) is lens-shaped or conical. [3] Process connection (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the plug (13) is made of glass or of a chemically highly resistant plastic, in particular PTFE. [4] Process connection (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the plug (13) is conical. [5] Process connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the capsule (14) is made of glass or a highly chemically resistant plastic. [6] Process connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plug (13) has a ground outer surface (18), in particular a standard ground surface. [7] Process connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plug (13) has a stop (17) which is designed to specify the position of the process connection (1) in a longitudinal axis (6) of the container (20). [8] Process connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the radar sensor (10) is arranged replaceably on the side of the plug (13) facing away from the media. [9] Laboratory arrangement (2) consisting of a container (20) with at least one connection opening (21) and at least one process connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Laboratory arrangement (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the container (20) is at least a single-walled glass container.

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