DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE INSTANT FLOW RATE OF A FLOWABLE MEDIUM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for determining an instantaneous flow rate of a flowable medium according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2011 084 243 A1 discloses a mechatronic flow sensor. DE 2 043 252 discloses a flow meter with a float. WO 2009 / 010742 A1 discloses a pipe connection with an integrated filter and a flow meter.

[0003] The known flow monitors of the state of the art are limited to narrow measuring ranges and low voltage and have a complex design.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for determining an instantaneous flow rate of a flowable medium, which enables a simple and safe measurement of a flow rate.

[0005] The problem is solved by a device for determining the instantaneous flow rate of a flowable medium, comprising a measuring housing section for receiving measuring means, a measuring line section through which the flowable medium can flow, and a float that projects into the flowable medium with a measuring section, wherein the float is connected to a guide section that projects into the measuring housing section, wherein a signaling means, a magnetic means, is arranged in a holding area, in particular an end area, of the guide section, wherein a position sensor, in particular a reed contact and / or Hall sensor, is arranged adjacent to the signaling means, magnetic means, on the holding area of ​​the guide section of the float, and is in particular height-adjustable, for registering the movement of a signaling means, magnetic means, essentially stationary with respect to the outer measuring housing section.wherein the position sensor, in particular the reed contact and / or Hall sensor, can be activated as a result of a magnetic center movement caused by the float movement, wherein the measuring housing section is arranged on a side region of the measuring line section at a predetermined angle, in particular not equal to approximately 90°, at an angle adapted to a flow direction of the flowable medium, wherein the measuring line section comprises at least a part of a y-shaped pipe section, wherein the measuring housing section is to be attached to another leg, wherein the float has a cylindrically convex and / or approximately conical shape, wherein a pipe section is arranged in the measuring housing section which has a window comprising predominantly transparent material, so that optical detection of the position of the float is possible, for example by a camera or light- and / or color-sensitive sensors.

[0006] The present invention, among other things, prevents the cross-section of the measuring line section from being reduced by a float and thus the flow rate from being diminished. The susceptibility to dirt caused by small bores and annular gaps is reduced. The sensitivity to pressure surges is also reduced. Electrical currents and voltages are not limited.

[0007] Inductive and / or capacitive sensors, which react to the approach of signal transmitters, especially metallic conductors, can be used as signaling devices. Furthermore, optical detection of the float's position is possible, for example, using a camera or light- and / or color-sensitive sensors. In particular, various types of proximity sensors can be used, such as magnetic sensors (reed sensors and / or Hall sensors) and non-magnetic sensors (inductive and / or capacitive sensors).

[0008] The device according to the invention allows even higher switching capacities to be handled in a simple and safe manner. In particular, no operating voltage needs to be applied to the reed contact, or it can be operated without potential, which further increases safety and reliability.

[0009] It is advantageous if the measuring housing section is arranged on a side area of ​​the measuring line section at a predetermined angle, in particular not equal to approximately 90°, especially at an angle adapted to a flow direction of the flowable medium.

[0010] It is advantageous if the float has a customized rotational shape, in particular a conical and / or cylindrical and / or cylindrically convex shape, wherein, in particular, a tapered section, especially the tip of the cone, is oriented with a component pointing into the flow of the fluid medium. This customized float allows for more precise measurement and monitoring.

[0011] According to the invention, a pipe section is arranged in the measuring housing section, the pipe section having a window that comprises predominantly transparent material. The sight glass enables optical visualization and, in particular, allows the function of the magnetic element to be checked.

[0012] It is advantageous if the magnetic means is tubular in form, in particular one or more, in particular comprising two, magnetic ring means, wherein in particular a tubular means surrounds the magnetic means.

[0013] It is advantageous if a spring mechanism is used to exert a counterforce against the deflection force of the magnetic element.

[0014] It is advantageous if a first spring element is arranged in an upper area of ​​the measuring housing section facing the guide section and a second spring element is arranged in a lower area on a drive area of ​​the guide section facing a lower area of ​​the measuring housing section.

[0015] It is advantageous if a venting medium is provided in the upper area of ​​the measuring housing section.

[0016] It is advantageous if the position sensor is located on the outside of the measuring housing section at a height within a fluctuation range of the magnetic medium.

[0017] It is advantageous if one or more channel adapters are provided to which a device can be connected, whereby a volume flow to be measured can be branched off into a device in each case.

[0018] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1 a device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 2 a device according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 3 a device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 4a a floating body, Fig. 4b a floating body, Fig. 4c a floating body, Fig. 5a a multiple arrangement of devices and Fig. 5b a device according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention for determining an instantaneous flow rate of a flowable medium 2, comprising a measuring housing section 4 for receiving measuring means, a measuring line section 5 through which the flowable medium 2 can flow, and a float 6, which projects into the flowable medium 2 with a measuring section 7, can be lifted. The float 6 is connected to a guide section 8, which projects into the measuring housing section 4. A magnetic means 11 is arranged in a holding area 9, in particular an end area 10, of the guide section 8. Adjacent to the magnetic means 11 on the holding area 9 of the guide section 8 of the float 6, a position sensor 12 for registering the movement of a magnetic means 11, in particular a reed contact 13, is arranged, essentially stationary with respect to the outer measuring housing section 4. The position sensor 12The schematic representation shows, in particular, that the reed contact 13 can be activated as a result of a movement of the magnetic medium caused by the movement of the float. The float 6 has a conical shape, with one tip 16 of the cone oriented with a directional component into the flow of the fluid medium 2.

[0021] The position sensor can be height-adjustable and set to a predetermined flow rate within the measuring range using a scale on the housing. A position sensor that provides an analog signal encoding the position of the float and thus the flow rate is also advantageous. Such a sensor can also be designed to be non-adjustable.

[0022] A pipe section 16 is arranged in the measuring housing section 4, which has a window 17 comprising, in particular, predominantly transparent material, and on which a scale for reading the flow rate is provided. The magnetic element 11 is tubular and comprises two magnetic ring elements 18, with an optional pipe element 19 surrounding the magnetic element 11. Two spring elements 20 exert a counterforce against excessive deflection of the magnetic element 11, so that it remains within a predetermined deflection range.A first spring element 21 is arranged in an upper region 22 of the measuring housing section 4 facing the guide section 8, and a second spring element 23 – advantageously, with a correspondingly adapted spring constant, a single spring element can also be used – is arranged in a lower region 24 on a drive area 25 of the guide section 8 facing a lower region 26 of the measuring housing section 4. The position sensor is, in particular, mounted at a predetermined, adapted height 30.

[0023] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view with the attached position sensor, in particular a reed contact, the measuring line section 5 comprising at least a part 27 of a y-shaped pipe section, wherein the measuring housing section 4 is to be attached to another leg 28. A venting means 29 is provided in the upper region 22 of the measuring housing section 4.

[0024] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in sectional view with a floating body 6 in an angular position inclined towards the flow.

[0025] Fig. 4a, b, c Show suspended bodies 6 with different shapes, which are adapted to a different flow pattern in type and / or strength. Fig. 4a shows a suspended body 6 in an approximately cylindrical shape. Fig. 4b shows a suspended body 6 in an approximately cylindrical convex shape. Fig. 4c shows a suspended body 6 in an approximately conical shape.

[0026] Fig. 5a shows a multiple arrangement of devices 1, which are built on a channel adapter through which a transverse volume flow 32 can flow, from which individual flows to be measured can be branched off, which can then each be supplied to a device 1.

[0027] Fig. 5b shows a device 1 according to the invention with an exemplary channel adapter 31 having a passage for a transverse volume flow 32. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

[0028] 1 Device 2 Flowable medium 4 Measuring housing section 5 Measuring line section 6 Float 7 Measuring section 8 Guide section 9 Holding area 10 End area 11 Magnetic element 12 Position sensor 13 Reed contact 15 Angle 16 Pipe section 17 Window 18 Magnetic ring element 19 Pipe element 20 Spring element 21 First spring element 22 Upper area 23 Second spring element 24 Lower area 25 Drive area 26 Lower area 27 Part 28 Section 29 Venting element 30 Height 31 Channel adapter 32 Cross-volume flow

Claims

1. Device (1) for determining a current flow rate of a flowable medium (2) with a measuring housing section (4) for receiving measuring means, with a measuring line section (5) through which the flowable medium (2) can flow, whereby a floating body (6) that protrudes into the flowable medium (2) with a measuring section (7) can be raised, wherein the floating body (6) is connected to a guide section (8) that protrudes into the measuring housing section (4), wherein a signal means, a magnetic means (11), is arranged in a holding area (9), in particular end area (10), of the guide section (8), wherein a particularly height-adjustable position sensor (12) for recording the movement of a signal means, magnetic means (11), is arranged adjacent to the signal means, magnetic means (11), at the holding area (9) of the guide section (8) of the floating body (6), in particular a reed contact (13) and / or Hall sensor essentially fixed in relation to the outer measuring housing section (4), wherein the position sensor (12), in particular the reed contact (13) and / or Hall sensor, can be activated as a result of the magnetic medium movement caused by the floating body movement, wherein the measuring housing section (4) is arranged at a side area (14) of the measuring line section (5) at a predetermined angle (15), in particular not equal to approximately 90°, at an angle adapted to a flow direction of the flowable medium (2), wherein the measuring line section (5) comprises at least a part (27) of a Y-shaped pipe section, wherein the measuring housing section (4) is to be attached to another leg (28), wherein the floating body (6) has a cylindrically convex and / or approximately conical shape.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating body (6) has an adapted rotational shape, in particular a conical shape and / or a cylindrical shape and / or a cylindrically convex shape, wherein in particular a tapering feature, in particular a tip (16) of the conical shape, is oriented with a directional component into the flow of the flowable medium (2).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the magnetic means (11) is tubular, in particular one or more, in particular comprising two magnetic ring means (18), wherein in particular a tubular means (19) surrounds the magnetic means (11).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a counterforce against an excursion movement force of the magnetic means (11) is to be exerted by spring means (20).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first spring means (21) is arranged in an upper region (22) of the measuring housing section (4) opposite the guide section (8) and a second spring means (23) is arranged in a lower region (24) on a carrying region (25) of the guide section (8) opposite a lower region (26) of the measuring housing section (4).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the measuring housing section (4) in the upper region (22) an air vent (29) is provided.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the position sensor (12) is provided on the outside of the measuring housing section (4) at a height (30) of a fluctuation range of the magnetic medium (11).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one or more channel adapters (31) are provided to which a device (1) is to be connected, with a volume flow to be measured being branchable into a device (1) in each case.