Electrically operated pressure gauge for process measurement technology with optical signaling arrangement for the pressure state of a medium in a container

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically operated pressure measuring device for process measurement technology for measuring the pressure of a process medium, comprising a process connection (2) for mechanical connection to a container holding the process medium and a housing (3) connected to the process connection (2) and containing a pressure measuring cell arranged inside the housing (3) as well as measuring and evaluation electronics. According to the invention, a display device (10) is provided which optically signals the pressure state of the medium in the container independently of the measured value detected by the pressure measuring cell, wherein the display device (10) comprises a cylinder (11) and a pressure receiving element (12) arranged in the cylinder (11), and the pressure state is indicated by a plunger (13) located on the pressure receiving element (12) and which is displaceable with the pressure receiving element (12) depending on the pressure.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrically operated pressure measuring device for process measurement technology for measuring the pressure of a process medium in a container.

[0002] Pressure transmitters of the type in question have been known for some time and are used in many areas of process measurement technology for process monitoring. Such measuring devices are available both with a display or operating unit directly on the device and as so-called transmitter devices, which have no display or operating unit and are instead operated and parameterized via a higher-level control unit. The display unit can be a digital segment display or a pointer display, i.e., a pressure gauge. The applicant manufactures and markets measuring devices of the aforementioned types in various versions.

[0003] In the event of an external operating voltage failure, it is crucial for the plant operator, and especially for emergency services, to know whether the container is pressurized or not. For this purpose, an optical signaling device is known from DE 10 2022 101 944 A1. This device requires no energy and conveys a color impression to the observer depending on the applied pressure.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a pressure measuring device with an optical signaling arrangement for the pressure state of a medium in a container that requires no energy, is simple in design, operates maintenance-free and is cost-effective.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by a pressure measuring device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a display device is provided that optically signals the pressure state of the medium in the container independently of the measured value detected by the pressure measuring cell. This display device comprises a cylinder and a pressure-sensing element arranged in the cylinder, which is preferably designed as a diaphragm or a piston. The pressure state is indicated by a plunger located on the pressure-sensing element and which is displaceable with the pressure-sensing element depending on the pressure.

[0007] Thus, even when the power is off, it can be easily and immediately determined from the outside whether the container is under pressure or not, i.e., whether the container poses a danger, especially in the event of an accident.

[0008] An advantageous further development involves arranging a damping element in the cylinder between the pressure-receiving element and the end of the cylinder facing away from the process. This allows for the damping of significant displacement of the pressure-receiving element during large pressure surges within the system, thus preventing the associated increased material stress.

[0009] A further advantageous improvement provides that the plunger has an overpressure indicator, which is implemented, for example, in the form of a marking and gives the user, in addition to the pressure / no pressure indication, a clearly visible indication of the presence of an overpressure situation. Preferably, the overpressure indicator includes a counting function for the mechanical contacts of a section of the plunger with the cylinder, thus allowing a retrospective statement to be made as to how often an overpressure situation occurred during operation.

[0010] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0011] They show schematically: Fig. 1 a pressure measuring device according to the invention in the pressureless state and Fig. 2 a pressure measuring device according to the invention with applied pressure.

[0012] In the following description of preferred embodiments, identical reference numerals denote identical or comparable components.

[0013] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a pressure measuring device 1 according to the invention in its unpressurized state. Here, the pressure measuring device 1 is indicated as a manometer, but without a pointer. However, the invention also encompasses measuring devices with a digital segment display or so-called transmitter devices, which have no display or operating unit and are instead operated and parameterized via a higher-level control unit.

[0014] The pressure gauge 1 includes a process connection 2 for mechanical connection to a container holding the process medium, in Fig. 1 container not shown further and a housing 3 which is connected to the process connection 2 and includes a pressure measuring cell arranged inside the housing 3 as well as measuring and evaluation electronics.

[0015] Depending on the design of the pressure gauge 1, a display device 10 is arranged on the housing 3 or in the area of ​​the process connection 2. This display device visually indicates the pressure of the medium in the container, independent of the measured value detected by the pressure measuring cell. The display device 10 comprises a cylinder 11 and a pressure receiving element 12 arranged in the cylinder 11, in this case in the form of a piston, against which the medium to be measured rests. The pressure is visually indicated by a plunger 13 located on the pressure receiving element 12, which is displaceable with the pressure receiving element 12 depending on the pressure. Fig. 1. The plunger 13 is fully retracted, thus indicating a pressureless state.

[0016] To prevent excessive displacement of the pressure-receiving element 12 and the associated increased material stress in the event of large pressure surges within the system, a damping element can be provided. Furthermore, a spring 14 is arranged inside the cylinder 11 around the plunger 13, which defines a release force and enables the pressure-receiving element 12 to return to its original position after pressure has been applied.

[0017] In Fig.Figure 2 shows the pressure gauge 1 according to the invention under pressure. The pressure receiving element 12 has moved far into the cylinder 11 against the spring 14, and the plunger 13 protrudes clearly from the cylinder 11, thus indicating to the user that there is pressure in the container. An overpressure indicator 15, in this case in the form of a colored ring around the plunger 13, which is visible when the plunger 13 has moved very far out of the cylinder 11, signals an overpressure situation in the container. Additionally, the overpressure indicator 15 can have a counting function for mechanical contacts of a portion of the plunger with the cylinder 11, in order to retrospectively determine how often an overpressure situation occurred during operation. Reference symbol list 1 pressure gauge 2 Process connection 3 cases 10 Display device 11 cylinders 12 Pressure receiving element 13 pestles 14 springs 15 Overpressure indicator QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2022 101 944 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electrically operated pressure measuring device for process measurement technology for measuring the pressure of a process medium, with a process connection (2) for mechanical connection to a container containing the process medium and a housing (3) which is connected to the process connection (2) and includes a pressure measuring cell arranged inside the housing (3) as well as measuring and evaluation electronics, characterized by , that a display device (10) is provided which optically signals the pressure state of the medium in the container independently of the measured value detected by the pressure measuring cell, wherein the display device (10) comprises a cylinder (11) and a pressure receiving element (12) arranged in the cylinder (11) and the pressure state is indicated by a plunger (13) located on the pressure receiving element (12) and which is displaceable with the pressure receiving element (12) depending on the pressure. [2] Pressure gauge according to claim 1, characterized by that the pressure receiving element (12) is designed as a diaphragm or as a piston. [3] Pressure gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a damping element is arranged in the cylinder (11) between the pressure receiving element and the end of the cylinder (11) facing away from the process. [4] Pressure gauge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the plunger has an overpressure indicator (15). [5] Pressure gauge according to claim 4, characterized by , that the overpressure indicator (15) has a counting function of mechanical contacts of a partial area of ​​the plunger with the cylinder (11).

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