Measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a hose

Abstract

Measuring device for the non-contact determination of the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose (1) with two ultrasonic transducers (2) spaced apart from each other and connectable and / or linked to a data processing system on a carrier (3), characterized in that at least two wedge-shaped guides (4) of the flexible hose (1) are spaced apart from each other on the carrier (3) and that a detachable cover element (5) for clamping a section of the flexible hose (1) onto the carrier (3) is arranged between the wedge-shaped guides (4), wherein the side surfaces (7) of the wedge-shaped guides (4) connecting the side surfaces (6) arranged at an angle to each other point towards the ultrasonic transducers (2) and the flexible hose (2) has a first curvature,is arranged in a straight line and with a second curvature between the wedge-shaped guides (4) and the cover element (5), so that the ultrasonic waves (8) of at least one ultrasonic transducer (2) pass longitudinally through the straight-line arranged area of ​​the flexible tube (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose with two ultrasonic transducers spaced apart from each other and connectable and / or linked to a data processing system on a carrier.

[0002] German patent application DE 20 2017 106 804 U1 discloses a measuring device for determining the flow rate of liquids for parenteral nutrition, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology, or of blood or blood components, which includes a measuring tube. The measuring tube is a tube closed at both ends by a tube sheet and has flanges at the ends, each of which serves as a connection. The measuring tube can be positioned between housing sections, each containing an ultrasonic transducer, with at least one of the ultrasonic transducers being movable by means of a piston. This allows the ultrasonic transducers to be coupled to the tube sheets of the measuring tube.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2011 084 171 A1 discloses a device for non-contact flow measurement of fluids in flexible hoses. The flexible hose can be placed in a measuring cell containing four ceramic elements, which serve as piezoelectric transmitters and receivers for sound signals. The ceramic elements are arranged such that the sound signals couple laterally into the flexible hose positioned between them and are coupled out on the opposite side.

[0004] In such an arrangement, the measuring length of the ultrasonic measurement is limited to ID / sin(alpha), where ID is the inner diameter of the tube and alpha is the angle of incidence of the sound wave. Furthermore, due to the oblique passage of the sound wave, only a fraction of the velocity vector contributes to the time-of-flight difference.

[0005] The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the objective of measuring the flow rate and the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose in a simple and safe manner.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features listed in claim 1.

[0007] The measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose, comprising two ultrasonic transducers spaced apart from each other and connectable and / or linked to a data processing system on a carrier, is characterized in particular by the fact that the flow rate and the presence of the flowable medium in the flexible hose can be measured easily and reliably.

[0008] At least two wedge-shaped guides for the flexible tube are positioned between the ultrasonic transducers on the carrier, spaced apart from each other. A detachable cover element is arranged between the wedge-shaped guides to clamp a section of the flexible tube to the carrier. The side surfaces of the wedge-shaped guides, which connect the angled surfaces of the guides, point towards the ultrasonic transducers. The flexible tube is arranged with a first bend, running straight, and a second bend between the wedge-shaped guides and the cover element. This allows the ultrasonic waves from at least one ultrasonic transducer to travel longitudinally through the straight section of the flexible tube.

[0009] Advantageously, the carrier with at least two wedge-shaped guides for the flexible tube containing the ultrasonic transducers and the detachable cover element form a compact sensor that can be connected to the data processing system as measurement and evaluation electronics. Furthermore, the data processing system can also be an integral part of the compact sensor. The data processing system can incorporate a known microcontroller.

[0010] The flexible hose follows a curve with a first bend, a straight section, and a second bend. To measure the flow in the straight section of the flexible hose between the ultrasonic transducers, one transducer acts as a transmitter and the other, positioned opposite it, as a receiver of the ultrasonic waves. The velocity of the flowing medium in this section, and thus the flow rate, can be determined by the data processing system from the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves in and / or against the flow direction within the flexible hose.

[0011] Furthermore, the speed of sound of the medium contained in the flexible hose can be determined as a medium parameter. In addition, a full-empty test of the flexible hose area or the detection of air bubbles of various sizes can be performed to minimize errors during a dosing process and / or for process monitoring.

[0012] By pressing the flexible tube against the wedge-shaped guides, an acoustic connection is established such that the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer, acting as the transmitter, travel through the first wedge-shaped guide, the tube wall, the flowing fluid, the tube wall again, and the second wedge-shaped guide opposite the first to the ultrasonic transducer, acting as the receiver. The wedge-shaped guides and the ultrasonic transducers are parallel and fit snugly against each other. The wedge-shaped guides and the ultrasonic transducers are thus connected in such a way that the ultrasonic waves couple into the first wedge-shaped guide at its end face and out of the second wedge-shaped guide at its end face. Advantageously, this results in the ultrasonic waves being guided parallel to the flowing fluid.This results in a longer measurement distance compared to ultrasound waves propagating perpendicular to the flow. The flow velocity of the fluid is fully utilized to determine the transit-time difference.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the following further developments and embodiments. These can further develop the measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose, with two ultrasonic transducers spaced apart from each other and connected to a data processing system, mounted on a carrier, either individually or in combination.

[0014] In one embodiment, two wedge-shaped guides connected by a web can be arranged parallel to each other. The web is smaller in its longitudinal cross-section, at least in some areas, than the wedge-shaped guides, so that there is a gap between them.

[0015] In one embodiment, two arrangements, each consisting of two wedge-shaped guides connected to each other via the support, can be spaced apart and arranged parallel to each other by means of at least one holder, so that there is a gap between the arrangements.

[0016] The two arrangements and the holder can be a plastic part, and the plastic can be, in particular, an elastic plastic.

[0017] In one embodiment, coupling means can be arranged in the spaces between the wedge-shaped guides, so that there is a surface contact between the coupling means and the flexible hose.

[0018] For this purpose, precisely fitting inserts made of a sound-transparent, rubber-elastic polymer can be used. The inserts are designed to provide both a surface-level connection to the gap and to the flexible hose.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers can be located in housings, each with a hollow cylinder having a base. The housings are spaced apart from each other by means of a bridge or a support.

[0020] The cover element can be designed in a hood-like shape during further training.

[0021] In one embodiment, the carrier or the cover element can have at least one locking lug and the cover element or the carrier can have at least one locking hole for positioning and fastening the cover element to the carrier with the flexible hose.

[0022] In one embodiment, one of the ultrasonic transducers acts as a transmitter and the other, oppositely positioned transducer, as a receiver of the ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, the data processing system is connected to the ultrasonic transducers in such a way that the flow rate is determined from the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves in the flowing medium, and / or a media check is performed based on the speed of sound in the flowing medium, and / or a full / empty check is carried out, and / or air bubble detection is performed, and / or process monitoring is performed.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention is the use of a measuring device for the non-contact determination of the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose.

[0024] For the realization of the invention, it is also advantageous to combine the aforementioned inventive configurations, embodiments and features of the claims.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is shown in principle in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1. A measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose, Fig. 2 a wedge-shaped guide and Fig. 3 a support with wedge-shaped guides.

[0027] A measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose 1 essentially consists of two ultrasonic transducers 2 arranged apart from each other on a support 3, at least two wedge-shaped guides 4 and a cover element 5.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a measuring device for determining the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose 1 in a schematic representation.

[0029] At least two wedge-shaped guides 4 of the flexible tube 1 are spaced apart from each other between the ultrasonic transducers 2 on the carrier 3. The side surfaces 7 of the wedge-shaped guides 4, which connect the mutually angularly arranged side surfaces 6, point towards the ultrasonic transducers 2. The mutually angularly arranged side surfaces 6 can have a straight or curved cross-section. A detachable cover element 5 is arranged between the wedge-shaped guides 4 for clamping a section of the flexible tube 1 onto the carrier 3. Thus, the flexible tube 1 is arranged with a first curvature, in a straight line, and with a second curvature between the wedge-shaped guides 4 and the cover element 5. The ultrasonic waves 8 of at least one ultrasonic transducer 2 thus travel longitudinally through the straight section of the flexible tube 1.Advantageously, this results in the ultrasonic waves 8 being guided parallel to the flowable medium flowing in the flexible tube 1. The ultrasonic transducers 2 are located in housings 9, each with a hollow cylinder having a base. The housings 9 containing the ultrasonic transducers 2 are arranged at intervals from one another on the carrier 3. The cover element 5 is hood-shaped. Furthermore, the carrier 3 or the cover element 5 has at least one locking lug and the cover element 5 has at least one locking hole for positioning and securing the cover element 5 on the carrier 3 with the flexible tube 1.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a wedge-shaped guide 4 in a schematic representation.

[0031] In one embodiment, two wedge-shaped guides 4 connected to each other via a web 10 are arranged parallel to each other. The web 10 can be smaller in its longitudinal cross-section, at least in some areas, than the wedge-shaped guides 4, so that a space between the wedge-shaped guides 4 forms a guide groove. A coupling element 11 made of a sound-transparent, rubber-elastic polymer can be arranged in the space between the wedge-shaped guides 4.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a support with wedge-shaped guides 4 in a schematic representation.

[0033] In a further embodiment, two arrangements, each consisting of two wedge-shaped guides 4 connected to each other via the support 3, can be spaced apart and arranged parallel to each other by means of at least one holder 12. This creates gaps between the arrangements. The two arrangements and the holder 12 are advantageously a single component, particularly made of a plastic. Coupling elements 11 made of a sound-transparent, rubber-elastic polymer can be arranged in the gaps between the wedge-shaped guides 4. The component can remain on the flexible hose 1 or be replaced.

[0034] For measurement purposes, one of the ultrasonic transducers 2 is a transmitter and the other, oppositely arranged ultrasonic transducer 2 is a receiver of the ultrasonic waves 8. A data processing system can be connected to the ultrasonic transducers 2 in such a way that the flow rate and / or a media check based on the speed of sound of the flowable medium and / or a full / empty check and / or the detection of air bubbles and / or process monitoring can be determined from the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves 8 in the flowable medium in the flexible hose 1. Reference symbol list 1 flexible hose 2 ultrasound transducers 3 carriers 4 wedge-shaped guide 5 Cover element 6 side surface 7 side surface 8 ultrasound waves 9 cases 10 Bridge 11 Coupling agents 12 holders 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 20 2017 106 804 U1

[0002] DE 10 2011 084 171 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Measuring device for non-contact determination of the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose (1) with two ultrasonic transducers (2) spaced apart from each other and connectable and / or linked to a data processing system on a carrier (3), characterized by, that at least two wedge-shaped guides (4) of the flexible tube (1) are spaced apart from each other on the carrier (3) between the ultrasonic transducers (2) and that a detachable cover element (5) is arranged between the wedge-shaped guides (4) for clamping a section of the flexible tube (1) onto the carrier (3), wherein the side surfaces (7) of the wedge-shaped guides (4) connecting the side surfaces (6) arranged at an angle to each other point in the direction of the ultrasonic transducers (2) and the flexible tube (2) is arranged with a first curvature, in a straight line and with a second curvature between the wedge-shaped guides (4) and the cover element (5), so that the ultrasonic waves (8) of at least one ultrasonic transducer (2) pass in the longitudinal direction through the straight-line arranged section of the flexible tube (1). [2] Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized by, that two wedge-shaped guides (4) connected to each other via a web (10) are arranged parallel to each other and that the web (10) is at least partially smaller in its longitudinal cross-section than the wedge-shaped guides (4), so that there is a space between the wedge-shaped guides (4). [3] Measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that two arrangements, each consisting of two wedge-shaped guides (4) connected to each other via the support (3) by means of at least one holder (12), are arranged parallel to each other at a distance. [4] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the two arrangements and the holder (12) are a plastic part. [5] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that coupling means (11) are arranged in the spaces between the wedge-shaped guides (4) so ​​that there is a planar contact between the coupling means (11) and the flexible hose. [6] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the coupling agents (11) consist of a sound-transparent, rubber-elastic polymer. [7] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the ultrasonic transducers (2) are located in housings (9) each having a hollow cylinder having a bottom and that the housings (9) are arranged spaced apart from each other on the support (3). [8] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the cover element (5) is hood-shaped. [9] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the carrier (3) or the cover element (5) has at least one locking lug and the cover element (5) or the carrier (3) has at least one locking hole for positioning and fastening the cover element (5) on the carrier (3) with the flexible hose (1). [10] Measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that for measuring one of the ultrasonic transducers (2) is a transmitter and the other opposite ultrasonic transducer (2) is a receiver of the ultrasonic waves (8) and that the data processing system is connected to the ultrasonic transducers (2) in such a way that the flow rate and / or a media check based on the speed of sound of the flowable medium and / or a full-empty check and / or a detection of air bubbles and / or for process monitoring is determined from the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves (8) in the flowable medium. [11] Use of a measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for non-contact determination of the flow rate and / or the presence of a flowable medium in a flexible hose.

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