MEASURING SYSTEM AND USING A MEASURING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring system or its use for detecting pressure fluctuations in a flowing fluid and / or for measuring at least one flow parameter of a fluid flowing in a pipeline.

[0002] In process measurement and automation technology, measuring systems designed as vortex flow meters are often used to measure flow velocities of fluids flowing in pipelines, especially fast-flowing and / or hot gases and / or fluid flows of high Reynolds number (Re), or volume or mass flow rates corresponding to a respective flow velocity (u). Examples of such measuring systems are known, among others, from US 5 313 ​​843 A, US-A 2006 / 0230841, US-A 2008 / 0072686, US-A 2011 / 0154913, US-A 2011 / 0247430, US-A 60 03 384, US-A 61 01 885, US-B 63 52 000, US-B 69 10 387 or US-B 69 38 496 and are also offered by the applicant itself, for example under the trade name "PROWIRL D 200", "PROWIRL F 200", "PROWIRL O 200", "PROWIRL R 200".

[0003] The measuring systems shown each feature a baffle body projecting into the lumen of the respective pipeline (e.g., a component of a heat supply network or a turbine circuit) or into the lumen of a measuring tube inserted into the pipeline. This baffle body is thus exposed to the fluid flow and generates vortices arranged in a so-called Kärmännian vortex street within the portion of the fluid flow flowing immediately downstream of the baffle body. As is known, the vortices are generated at the baffle body with a separation rate (1 / f Vtx) that depends on the flow velocity of the fluid flowing through the measuring tube in a main flow direction.

[0004] Furthermore, the measuring systems have a sensor integrated into or connected to the dam body, or located downstream of it, namely in the region of the Kärman vortex street into the flow, thus projecting into the lumens of the dam body, which serves to detect pressure fluctuations in the Kärman vortex street formed in the flowing fluid and to convert them into a sensor signal representing the pressure fluctuations, namely to deliver a signal - for example, electrical or optical - that corresponds to a pressure prevailing within the fluid, which is subject to periodic fluctuations as a result of counter-rotating vortices downstream of the dam body, or that has a signal frequency (~ f Vtx ) corresponding to the shedding rate of the vortices.

[0005] The sensor comprises a sensor assembly formed by means of a deformation body – usually designed as a thin and essentially flat membrane – and a sensor vane – usually plate-shaped or wedge-shaped – extending from an essentially planar surface of the deformation body. This assembly is designed to detect pressure fluctuations acting in the Kármán vortex street in a detection direction perpendicular to the main flow direction, namely to convert these pressure fluctuations into movements of the deformation body corresponding to them. As a result of the pressure fluctuations, the sensor vane performs pendulum movements in the detection direction, elastically deforming the deformation body. This causes the deformation body and sensor vane to be excited into forced oscillations around a common static equilibrium position.The deformation body also has an outer edge segment – ​​usually annular – which is designed to be hermetically sealed, for example by a material bond, to a socket serving to hold the deformation body or the sensor formed by it on the wall of a pipe, such that the deformation body covers or hermetically seals an opening provided in the wall of the pipe and that the surface of the deformation body carrying the sensor flag faces the fluid-carrying lumen of the measuring tube or pipeline, thus the sensor flag projects into this lumen. Since the deformation body is typically membranous or...Since the deformation body is disc-shaped, the thickness of the inner segment, which carries the sensor flag but is bounded by the outer edge segment, is usually much smaller than the largest diameter of an area of ​​that segment bounded by the outer edge segment. To achieve sufficiently high measurement sensitivity—that is, sufficiently high sensitivity of the sensor to the pressure fluctuations to be detected—deformation bodies in established measurement systems typically have a corresponding diameter-to-thickness ratio, which is approximately on the order of 20:1. As demonstrated, among other things,As shown in the aforementioned US-B 63 52 000, sensor assemblies of the aforementioned type may occasionally also have a compensating body, usually rod-, plate- or sleeve-shaped, extending from a surface of the deformation body facing away from the surface supporting the sensor flag, which serves in particular to compensate for forces or moments resulting from movements of the sensor assembly, for example as a result of vibrations of the pipeline, or to prevent resulting undesirable movements of the sensor flag.

[0006] For the purpose of generating the sensor signal, the sensor further comprises a corresponding transducer element, formed, for example, by means of a capacitor mechanically coupled to or integrated into the sensor assembly or by means of a piezo stack serving as a piezoelectric transducer, which is designed to detect movements of the deformation body, not least also movements of the deformation body corresponding to pressure fluctuations, or of the compensating body that may be present, and to modulate them onto an electrical or optical carrier signal.

[0007] The sensor assembly, or the sensor formed from it, is connected on a side facing away from the fluid-carrying lumen to a converter electronics unit – typically encapsulated to be pressure- and impact-resistant, and possibly hermetically sealed to the outside. Converter electronics in industrial-grade measuring systems usually include a corresponding digital measuring circuit, electrically connected to the converter element via connecting lines, possibly with the interposition of electrical barriers and / or galvanic isolation points. This circuit processes the at least one sensor signal generated by the converter element and generates digital measured values ​​for the respective measured quantity, namely the flow velocity, the volumetric flow rate, and / or the mass flow rate. The converter electronics of industrial-grade systems are typically housed in a protective enclosure made of metal and / or impact-resistant plastic.Established measurement systems in industrial measurement technology also typically provide external interfaces compliant with an industry standard, such as DIN IEC 60381-1, for communication with higher-level measurement and / or control systems, for example, those implemented using programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Such an external interface can, for example, be designed as a two-wire connection that can be integrated into a current loop and / or be compatible with established industrial fieldbuses.

[0008] Not least due to the relatively high diameter-to-thickness ratios of the deformation body inherent in the measuring principle, conventional sensors of the type in question—even when using a high-strength nickel-based alloy, such as Inconel 718 (Special Metals Corp.), as the material for the deformation body—generally exhibit a compressive strength, namely a maximum permissible operating pressure, above which irreversible plastic deformation of the sensor or its deformation body is to be expected. This may be too low for the extremely high pressures that occasionally occur in certain applications; this is regularly the case to such an extent that even with only brief or sudden overloads, the integrity of the respective measuring system or the declared measuring accuracy can no longer be guaranteed. This, among other things,Even in (hot) steam applications with fluid temperatures above 400°C, which are actually ideally suited for the measuring principle in question, so-called condensation-induced water hammers (CIWH) in the area of ​​the sensor can lead not only to extremely high dynamic pressures of over 140 bar, but occasionally to very uneven or asymmetrical pressure distributions within the fluid to be measured, such that the pressure fluctuations acting on the sensor flag during this time, measured in the detection direction, show peak values ​​of more than 20 bar and, as a result, corresponding irreversible deformations of the respective sensor assembly, accompanied by a failure of the measuring system, are increasingly observed in such applications.

[0009] Based on this, one object of the invention is to improve the measuring system for measuring at least one flow parameter in such a way that, as a result, it exhibits a higher pressure resistance or a dependence of the pressure resistance on the operating temperature that also enables its use in superheated steam applications with steam temperatures above 400°C and occasionally sudden pressure changes with pressure peaks above 140 bar.

[0010] To solve the problem, the invention consists of a measuring system according to claim 1.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention consists in using a aforementioned measuring system for measuring a flow parameter - for example, a flow velocity and / or a volumetric flow rate and / or a mass flow rate - of a fluid, for example, a steam, flowing in a pipeline, for example, at least temporarily at a temperature of more than 400°C and / or at least temporarily at a pressure of more than 140 bar acting on the deformation body and / or the sensor flag of the sensor.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the overload protection device has a connecting element, for example a ring-shaped one, at an end facing the edge segment of the deformation body.

[0013] Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the connecting element and the support bracket are integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part. Alternatively, the support bracket and the connecting element can be joined or connected to each other, for example by a material bond, such as by welding.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting element of the overload protection device and the edge segment of the deformation body can be connected or joined together, for example by a material bond, such as by welding.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged in such a way that, when the sensor flag is in a common static rest position together with the deformation body, it does not contact either the support bracket or any of the stops.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in a common static rest position together with the deformation body, a gap is formed between the sensor flag and each of the two stops, for example such that each of the gaps has a minimum gap width that is greater than 0.02 mm and / or less than 0.2 mm, and / or that the sensor flag does not contact either of the stops.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in a common static rest position together with the deformation body, a gap is formed between the sensor flag and the support bracket, for example such that the gap has a minimum gap width greater than 0.02 mm and / or that the sensor flag does not contact the support bracket.

[0018] According to the present invention, the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in a common first end position together with the deformation body that deviates from the common static rest position, it contacts the first stop, but does not contact, for example, the support bracket.

[0019] According to the present invention, the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in a common second end position together with the deformation body and deviates from both the common static rest position and the common first end position, it contacts the second stop, but does not contact, for example, the support bracket.

[0020] According to the invention, the deformation body, the sensor flag and the overload protection device are further dimensioned and arranged such that both a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the first end position and a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the second end position is merely elastic, for example linear-elastic, and thus the same deformation of the deformation body is not plastic.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor flag has a projection, for example terminal and / or pin-shaped, and the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that the projection extends into the space formed between the stops.

[0022] Furthermore, it is provided that the stops are formed by edge segments of a recess provided in the support bracket - for example, designed as a through-opening or as a bore - and the space between is formed by a lumen of the same recess enclosed by the edge segments.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support bracket is guided at least partially on the left side of the sensor flag.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support bracket is guided at least partially on the right side of the sensor flag.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support bracket is guided at least partially on the front side of the sensor flag.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support bracket is guided at least partially behind the sensor flag.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the overload protection device is formed by means of a single monolithic molded part.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first stop, the second stop and the support bracket are integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the stops are formed at least partially by edge segments of a recess provided in the support bracket.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the gap is formed at least partially by a lumen of a recess provided in the support bracket.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the overload protection device consists at least partially, for example predominantly or completely, of a metal, for example a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body and the overload protection device are made of the same material.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body and overload protection device are components of one and the same monolithic molded part, for example cast or produced by 3D laser melting.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body and the overload protection device are connected to each other by a material bond, for example by welding or soldering them together.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body and the sensor flag are materially bonded to each other, for example by welding or soldering them together.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the outer edge segment is provided for being connected to a socket serving to hold the deformation body on a wall of a tube, for example in a material-bonded and / or hermetically sealed manner, for example in such a way that the deformation body covers an opening provided in the wall of the tube, for example in a hermetically sealed manner, and / or in such a way that the first surface of the deformation body faces a lumen of the tube, and thus the sensor flag projects into the same lumen.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one sealing surface, for example circumferential and / or annular, is formed in the outer edge segment.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body consists at least partially, for example predominantly or completely, of a metal, for example a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sensor flag consists at least partially, for example predominantly or completely, of a metal, for example a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.

[0040] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the deformation body and the sensor flag are made of the same material.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body and sensor flag are components of one and the same monolithic molded part, for example cast or produced by 3D laser melting.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the support bracket has a U-shaped silhouette. Alternatively, the support bracket can, for example, also have a V-shaped or an L-shaped silhouette.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an opening is formed in the wall of the tube, for example having a socket serving to hold the deformation body on the wall, and the sensor is inserted into the same opening in such a way that the deformation body covers the opening, for example hermetically seals it, and the first surface of the deformation body faces the lumen of the tube, so that the sensor flag projects into the same lumen.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the opening has a receptacle for holding the deformation body against the wall. This receptacle can also incorporate at least one sealing surface, for example, circumferential and / or annular. Furthermore, at least one sealing surface, for example, circumferential and / or annular, can also be formed in the edge segment, and this sealing surface, as well as the sealing surface of the receptacle, can be configured for a hermetic closure of the opening, for example, also with the interposition of at least one gasket.

[0045] The measuring system according to the invention comprises a pipe with a lumen that can be inserted into the course of the pipeline and is designed to guide the fluid flowing in the pipeline, wherein the sensor is inserted into the same pipe, such that the first surface of the deformation body faces the lumen of the pipe and the sensor flag projects into the same lumen.

[0046] According to the invention, the sensor flag has a length, measured as the minimum distance between a proximal end of the sensor flag bordering the deformation body and a distal end of the sensor flag away from the deformation body or its surface, wherein the length corresponds to less than 95% of a caliber of the tube and / or more than half of that caliber.

[0047] According to the invention, the overload protection device has a length, measured as the minimum distance between a proximal end of the overload protection device bordering the deformation body and a distal end of the overload protection device away from the deformation body or its surface, which length corresponds to less than 95% of the diameter of the pipe and / or more than half of that diameter. According to a second embodiment of the measuring system of the invention, this further comprises a pipe with a lumen, which can be inserted into the pipeline and is designed to guide the fluid flowing in the pipeline. An opening is formed in the wall of the pipe, in particular a receptacle for holding the deformation body on the wall, and the sensor is inserted into this opening such that the deformation body covers the opening.namely, hermetically sealed, and that the first surface of the deformation body faces the lumen of the tube, thus the sensor flag protrudes into the same lumen.

[0048] The measuring system according to the invention comprises a baffle arranged in the lumen of the tube, which is designed to create a Kármán vortex street in the flowing fluid.

[0049] The invention and advantageous embodiments thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing. Identical, equivalent, or similarly functioning parts are designated with the same reference numerals in all figures; where clarity requires it or it otherwise appears appropriate, previously mentioned reference numerals are omitted in subsequent figures. The present invention is defined in the appended claims 1-19.

[0050] Specifically, we show: Figs. 1, 2 schematically in various views a measuring system - here designed as a vortex flow meter - with a sensor and measuring electronics for measuring at least one flow parameter of a fluid flowing in a pipeline; Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d schematically, partly also in sectioned views of a (first variant) sensor assembly for one, in particular for use in a measuring system according to the Fig. 1 or 2 suitable sensors; Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d schematically in two different cutaway side views a further, second variant of a sensor assembly for a, in particular for use in a measuring system according to the Fig. 1 or 2 suitable sensors; Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d schematically in two different cutaway side views a further, third variant of a sensor assembly for a, in particular for use in a measuring system according to the Fig. 1 or 2 suitable sensors; Fig. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d schematically in two different cutaway side views a further, fourth variant of a sensor assembly for a, in particular for use in a measuring system according to the Fig. 1 or 2 suitable sensors; and Figs. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d schematically in two different cutaway side views a further, fifth variant of a sensor assembly for a, in particular for use in a measuring system according to the Fig. 1 or 2 suitable sensors.

[0051] In Fig. 1 and 2Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a measuring system for measuring at least one flow parameter, which may also vary over time, such as a flow velocity v and / or a volumetric flow rate V', of a fluid flowing in a pipeline, for example, a hot gas, in particular one that has a temperature of more than 400°C at least temporarily, and / or a gas that is at least temporarily under high pressure, in particular more than 140 bar. The pipeline can, for example, be a component of a heat supply network or a turbine circuit; thus, the fluid can be, for example, steam, in particular saturated steam or superheated steam, or, for example, condensate discharged from a steam line. The fluid can also be, for example, (compressed) natural gas or biogas; thus, the pipeline can also be, for example, a component of a natural gas or biogas plant or a gas supply network.

[0052] The measuring system includes a sensor 1, which is designed and configured to detect pressure fluctuations in the fluid flowing past the sensor in a main flow direction and to convert these fluctuations into a sensor signal s1 corresponding to those pressure fluctuations, for example, an electrical or optical signal. As can be seen from the overview of the Fig. 1 and 2As can be seen, the measuring system further comprises measuring electronics 2 – housed, for example, in a pressure- and / or impact-resistant protective enclosure 20 – which are connected to the sensor 1 or communicate with the sensor 1 during operation of the measuring system. The measuring electronics 2 are specifically designed to receive and process the sensor signal s1, for example, to generate measured values ​​XM representing at least one flow parameter, such as the flow velocity v or the volumetric flow rate V'. The measured values ​​XM can, for example, be visualized locally and / or transmitted – wired via a connected fieldbus and / or wirelessly via radio – to an electronic data processing system, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control station.The protective housing 20 for the measuring electronics 2 can, for example, be made of a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, and / or by means of a casting process, such as investment casting or a die casting process (HPDC); however, it can also be formed, for example, by means of a plastic molded part produced by an injection molding process.

[0053] Sensor 1 comprises, as also in Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d As shown in each figure, or readily apparent from a comparison of the figures, a sensor assembly 11 is formed by means of a deformation body 111, in particular a membrane-like or disc-shaped one, and a sensor flag 112 having a first side surface 112+ on the left and a second side surface 112# on the right. The sensor flag extends from a first surface 111+ of the deformation body 111 to a distal (free) end, i.e., away from the deformation body 111 or its surface 111+. The deformation body 111 also has a second surface 111# opposite the first surface 111+, for example, at least partially parallel to the first surface 111+, and an outer edge segment 111a, for example, annular and / or provided with a sealing surface. The outer edge segment 111a has a thickness which—as shown in the figures—is determined by the following factors: Fig. 2 or indicated in 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d - compared to a minimum thickness of an inner segment 111b enclosed by the same outer segment 111a - namely the sensor flag 112 bearing the sensor flag - which is significantly larger.

[0054] The deformation body 111 and the sensor vane 112 of the sensor assembly 11 according to the invention are specifically designed to be excited to – typically forced – oscillations around a common static equilibrium position, such that the sensor vane 112 performs oscillatory movements that elastically deform the deformation body 111 in a detection direction that extends essentially transversely to the aforementioned main flow direction. Accordingly, the sensor vane 112 has a width b, measured as a maximum extent in the direction of the main flow direction, which is significantly greater than a thickness d of the sensor vane 112, measured as a maximum lateral extent in the direction of the detection direction. Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor flag 112 is also essentially wedge-shaped; however, it can also be designed, for example, as is quite common with such sensor assemblies or sensors formed therewith, as a relatively thin, flat plate.

[0055] Furthermore, the deformation body 111 and the sensor flag 112 can, for example, be components of one and the same monolithic molded part, which is, for example, cast or manufactured by an additive manufacturing process such as 3D laser melting; however, the deformation body and the sensor flag can also be designed as individual parts that are initially separate from one another or only subsequently joined together by a material bond, for example, by welding or soldering, and thus made of materials that can be joined together by a material bond. The deformation body 111 can—as is quite common with such sensor assemblies—consist at least partially, for example, predominantly or completely, of a metal, such as stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy. Likewise, the sensor flag can also consist at least partially of a metal, for example, stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.a nickel-based alloy; in particular, the deformation body 111 and the sensor flag 112 can also be made of the same material.

[0056] In addition to the sensor assembly 11, the sensor further comprises a transducer element 12 – for example, designed as a piezoelectric transducer, as a component of a capacitor, a capacitive element, or, for example, as a component of a photodetector – for generating a signal representing time-changing – typically at least periodic – movements of the sensor flag or equally time-changing deformations of the deformation body 111, which also serves as a sensor signal, for example, a variable electrical voltage modulated by the aforementioned movements or correspondingly modulated laser light.

[0057] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system further comprises a pipe 3, which can be inserted into the course of the aforementioned pipeline, with a lumen 3' enclosed by a wall 3* of the pipe (e.g., made of metal), extending from an inlet end 3+ to an outlet end 3#, and designed to guide the fluid flowing in the pipeline. The sensor 1 is also inserted into the same pipe such that the first surface of the deformation body 111 faces the lumen 3' of the pipe, and thus the sensor flag projects into the lumen. In the embodiment shown here, a flange is also provided at both the inlet end 3+ and the outlet end 3#, serving to create a leak-free flange connection with a corresponding flange on an inlet-side and outlet-side pipe segment of the pipeline, respectively. Furthermore, the pipe 3 can be, as in Fig. 1 or 2The pipe 3 is depicted as being essentially straight, for example as a hollow cylinder with a circular cross-section, such that the pipe 3 has an imaginary straight longitudinal axis L connecting the inlet end 3+ and the outlet end 3#. The sensor 1 is located in the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sensor 1 is inserted from the outside through an opening 3 formed in the wall into the lumen of the tube and fixed to the wall 3* from the outside in the area of ​​this opening – for example, releasably – such that the surface 111+ of the deformation body 111 faces the lumen 3' of the tube 3, and thus the sensor flag 112 projects into this lumen. In particular, the sensor 1 is inserted into the opening 3" such that the deformation body 111 covers or hermetically seals the opening 3". This opening can, for example, be designed such that – as is quite common in measuring systems of the type in question – it has an (inner) diameter in the range between 10 mm and approximately 50 mm.

[0058] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a socket 3a is formed in the opening 3" for holding the deformation body on the wall 3*. The sensor 1 can be fixed to the tube 3, for example, by a material-bonded connection, in particular by welding or soldering, between the deformation body 111 and the wall 3*; however, it can also be detachably connected to the tube 3, for example, by being screwed or attached. Furthermore, at least one sealing surface, for example, circumferential or annular, can be formed in the socket 3a, which is designed to seal the opening 3" accordingly in conjunction with the deformation body 111 and an optional sealing element, for example, annular or disc-shaped.Not least in the event that the sensor assembly is to be inserted into the aforementioned version 3a and detachably connected to the tube 3, the edge segment 111a of the deformation body 111 can also advantageously be provided with a sealing surface, for example, corresponding to and / or annular in shape, which may also be provided with the sealing surface provided in the opening 3".

[0059] In the embodiment shown here, the measuring system is specifically designed as a vortex flow meter with a baffle 4 arranged in the lumen of the tube 3 - here upstream of the sensor 1 - which serves to create a Kármán vortex street in the flowing fluid.

[0060] The sensor and baffle are specifically dimensioned and arranged such that the sensor vane 112 projects into the lumen 3* of the pipe or the fluid conveyed therein in a region that is regularly occupied by a (stationary) Kármán vortex street during operation of the measuring system. This ensures that the pressure fluctuations detected by the sensor 1 are periodic pressure fluctuations caused by counter-rotating vortices detached from the baffle 4 at a shedding rate (~ 1 / f Vtx). The sensor signal s1 has a signal frequency (~ f Vtx) corresponding to the shedding rate of these vortices. In the embodiment shown here, the vortex flowmeter is also designed as a compact measuring system, in which the measuring electronics 2 are housed in a protective casing 20, which is held on the pipe – for example, by means of a neck-shaped connecting piece 30.

[0061] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor 1 and the tube 3 are dimensioned such that the length l of the sensor flag 112, measured as the minimum distance between a proximal end of the sensor flag 112 (i.e., the end bordering the deformation body 111) and the distal end of the sensor flag 112, corresponds to more than half a diameter DN of the tube 3 or less than 95% of that diameter DN. The length l can, for example—as is quite common with a comparatively small diameter of less than 50 mm—also be selected such that the distal end of the sensor flag 112 has only a very small minimum distance to the wall 3* of the tube 3. For tubes with a comparatively large diameter of 50 mm or more, the sensor flag 112—as is quite common with measuring systems of the type in question, or as can be seen from the invention—can be selected to be 112 or longer. Fig. 2 evidently - for example, it may also be significantly shorter than half the caliber of a tube 3.

[0062] As already mentioned, the sensor assembly, and thus the sensor and measuring system formed by it, is specifically designed for use in measuring points where extremely high dynamic pressures can occur briefly in the fluid being measured, for example, due to condensation-induced water hammer (CIWH). These pressure fluctuations, acting on sensor 1 in the detection direction, can have peak values ​​exceeding 20 bar. Specifically, they can exert an overpressure of more than 20 bar on the left-hand first side surface of the sensor vane or an overpressure of more than 20 bar on the right-hand second side surface of the sensor vane, resulting in correspondingly high asymmetric loads on the sensor vane and the deformation body. To prevent overloading of the deformation body due to asymmetric pressure fluctuations acting on the sensor vane, especially those with peak values ​​exceeding 20 bar, the sensor vane is designed with a correspondingly high asymmetric load.The sensor assembly 1 according to the invention, as also shown in the . Fig. 2 , 3c, 3d , each schematically represented, furthermore an overload protection device 113 extending from the edge segment 111a to a distal end, namely away from the edge segment 111a, i.e. from the deformation body, of which further variants are also shown in the Fig. 4a-d , 5a-d , 6a-d or are shown in Figures 7a-d. The overload protection device 113 is formed by means of a support bracket 113a guided at a lateral distance from the sensor flag 112 and by means of two stops 113b, 113c for the sensor flag 112 held by the support bracket, of which a first stop 113b is placed on the left side of the sensor flag 112 and a second stop 113c is placed on the right side of the sensor flag 112. Namely, stops 113b, 113c are dimensioned and arranged such that an intermediate space 113' formed between them only accommodates a selected, for example, edge or end-shaped and / or pin or cone-shaped, first sub-area 112a of the sensor flag 112, while not accommodating or leaving free a second sub-area 112b extending between said sub-area 112a and the first surface 111+ of the deformation body 111.Furthermore, the deformation body 111 and the sensor flag 112 are designed to be moved around their common static rest position relative to the overload protection device 113 during the aforementioned oscillations, such that, in conjunction with the pendulum movements of the sensor flag 112, its section 112a located within the space 113' is moved alternately to the left, namely towards the first stop 113b, and to the right, namely towards the second stop 113c. The overload protection device 113 can, for example, consist at least partially, but in particular also predominantly or completely, of a metal, such as stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy. It can also be advantageous to manufacture the deformation body 111 and the overload protection device 113, and possibly also the sensor flag, from the same material.Furthermore, the two stops and the support bracket can, for example, be integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part, such that the entire overload protection device is formed by a single monolithic molded part. This monolithic molded part can, for example, be a cast part or a part manufactured by an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D laser melting, especially from a metal.

[0063] The deformation body 111 and the overload protection device 113 can, for example, be joined together, namely by a material bond, in particular by welding or soldering. Not least for the purpose of simplifying such joining of the deformation body 111 and the overload protection device 113, the overload protection device 113, according to a further embodiment of the invention, has a connecting element 113d at an end facing the edge segment 111a of the deformation body 111. This connecting element 113d can, as can also be seen from a review of the Fig. 3a-d The connecting element 113d and the edge segment 111a can be arranged coaxially with each other, as is readily apparent. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting element 113d and the edge segment 111a are also bonded together by a material connection, in particular by welding. Likewise, the support bracket 113a and the connecting element 113d can also be bonded together by a material connection, in particular by welding; however, the connecting element 113d and the support bracket 113a can also be integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part.

[0064] The deformation body 111, the sensor flag 112, and the overload protection device 113 are further dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in a common static rest position with the deformation body, it does not contact either the support bracket or any of the stops. This ensures that, firstly, the sensor flag (in a static rest position with the deformation body) does not actually contact any of the stops, and secondly, that the pendulum movements of the sensor flag 112, which elastically deform the deformation body 111, do not cause sufficient disturbance for the detection of pressure fluctuations.To ensure that the maximum deflection required to determine the shedding rate of vortices causing periodic pressure fluctuations is sufficient, the deformation body 111, the sensor flag 112, and the overload protection device 113 are, according to a further embodiment of the invention, dimensioned and arranged such that, at least when the sensor flag is in its static rest position, a sufficiently large gap is formed between it and each of the two stops, in particular such that each gap has a minimum gap width greater than 0.02 mm. Furthermore, it is also provided that the deformation body, sensor flag, and overload protection device are dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag is in its static rest position, a sufficiently large gap is formed between it and the support bracket, in particular such that the gap has a minimum gap width greater than 0.02 mm, and in particular greater than 0.05 mm.

[0065] In order to protect the deformation body against plastic or irreversible deformation, for example as a result of pressure fluctuations acting asymmetrically on the sensor flag, or to protect the sensor assembly formed by means of the same deformation body from destruction resulting from such pressure fluctuations, the deformation body 111, the sensor flag 112 and the overload protection device 113 are, according to a further embodiment of the invention, further dimensioned and arranged such that when the sensor flag is in a common first end position together with the deformation body 111 that deviates from the common static rest position, it contacts the first stop 113b, but in particular does not contact the support bracket 113a.Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body 111, the sensor flag 112, and the overload protection device 113 are also dimensioned and arranged such that, when the sensor flag 112 is in a common second end position together with the deformation body that deviates from both the common static rest position and the common first end position, it contacts the second stop 113c, but in particular does not contact the support bracket 113a. In particular, the deformation body, the sensor flag, and the overload protection device are also dimensioned and arranged such that both a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the first end position and a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the second end position are elastic, in particular linear-elastic, and thus the deformations caused by the pendulum movements of the sensor flag are completely reversible.For sensor assemblies with typical dimensions for the sensor flag and the deformation body, this can be readily ensured, for example, by selecting the aforementioned gap formed between the sensor flag and the support bracket when the sensor flag is in a static rest position to be smaller than 0.2 mm, at least when measured in the detection direction. Furthermore, to form a sufficiently large space 113' to allow the aforementioned gap to form, the support bracket 113 is, according to a further embodiment of the invention, designed such that it has a thickness d2, measured as a maximum lateral extent in the direction of detection, which is not less than the aforementioned thickness d of the sensor flag 112.Alternatively or additionally, the support bracket 113 can also be designed such that at least one section of the support bracket 113 supporting the two stops 113b, 113c has a thickness d2 and / or that this section of the support bracket 113 has a thickness, measured as its lateral extent in the detection direction, that is less than the thickness d of the sensor flag 112, but greater than the thickness of the portion 112a of the sensor flag 112 enclosed by the gap, measured as its lateral extent in the detection direction. Furthermore, the support bracket 113a can, for example, have a square cross-section such that the width b2 of the support bracket 113a is approximately equal to its thickness d2.approximately on the order of the thickness d of the sensor flag 112; however, the cross-section can also be rectangular, for example, so the width b2 of the support bracket 113a can also be chosen to be somewhat larger or somewhat smaller than its thickness d2 or the thickness d of the sensor flag 112.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support bracket 113a is guided at least partially on the rear side, specifically downstream of the sensor flag in the main flow direction. Alternatively or additionally, the support bracket can also be guided at least partially on the front side, specifically upstream of the sensor flag in the main flow direction. According to another embodiment of the invention, the overload protection device 113 is designed and arranged such that the support bracket 113a is guided at least partially on the left side of the sensor flag 112 and / or that the support bracket 113a is guided at least partially on the right side of the sensor flag 112. The support bracket 113a, or the overload protection device 113 formed therewith, can accordingly be designed, for example, such that the support bracket 113a, as in the Fig. 3a-d , the Fig. 4a-d or the Fig. 5a-d each presented or from a synthesis of the Fig. 3a-d , 4a-d or 5a-d Each, as is readily apparent, has an essentially U-shaped silhouette. Not least in the case that the support bracket 113a is guided both to the left and to the right of the sensor flag 112, the support bracket 113a can, for example, also be arranged as shown in the Fig. 6a-d The figures shown, or as can be seen from their combination, have a V-shaped silhouette. In the other case, where the support bracket 113a is guided partly behind or partly in front of the sensor flag, the support bracket can, as shown, for example, in the Fig. 7a-d shown, but also, for example, an L-shaped silhouette.

[0067] For the purpose of forming the partial area 112a of the sensor flag 112 received by the space 113' of the overload protection device 113, the sensor flag, according to a further embodiment of the invention, has a projection, in particular cylindrical or cuboidal, or the partial area 112a is formed by such a projection. Furthermore, the deformation body, the sensor flag, and the overload protection device, as can also be seen from a combined view of the Fig. 3a-d or Fig. 5a-d or 6a-d As can be seen in each case, the projection is dimensioned and arranged such that it extends into the space 113' formed between the stops. The maximum diameter of this projection can, for example, be chosen such that, as can also be seen from a combination of the Fig. 3a-d or Fig. 5a-d or 6a-d The thickness d is evident in each case. However, this diameter can also be chosen to be smaller than the aforementioned thickness d of the sensor flag 112, for example, such that the aforementioned thickness d2 of the support bracket 113a may even be equal to or smaller than the thickness of the sensor flag.

[0068] In this embodiment of the invention, the two stops 113b, 113c can further be formed by edge segments of a recess provided in the support bracket 113a, and the space 113' by a lumen of the same recess enclosed by the edge segments, such that the recess serves practically as a bearing and the extension as a pin receiving the bearing with sufficient clearance, namely to allow the aforementioned pendulum movements of the sensor flag, or that the recess and extension form a clearance fit, for example with noticeable to ample clearance with respect to the "unit bore" fitting system (DIN EN ISO 286-2:2010). The recess can, for example, be a through-hole or bore provided in the support bracket 113a; however, the recess can also, for example, be an elongated hole or slot provided in the support bracket.It may be designed as a blind hole formed in the support bracket, one open end of which is oriented accordingly to receive the extension of the sensor flag 112. According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the recess forming the space 113', as for example also in the . Fig. 4a-d or Fig. 7a-d as indicated, it is essentially groove-shaped or essentially channel-shaped. Furthermore, the deformation body, the sensor flag, and the overload protection device, as well as a combination of the Fig. 4a-d or Fig. 7a-d in each case evident, and furthermore dimensioned and arranged in such a way that the recess provided in the support bracket 113a or the stops 113b, 113c formed therewith and the space 113' formed therewith each extend substantially over the entire width b of the sensor flag 112 or that the partial area 112a of the sensor flag received by the space 113' has a width corresponding to its width b.

[0069] To compensate for any movements of the sensor assembly – for example, due to vibration of the aforementioned pipeline connected to the pipe – and to prevent resulting undesirable movements of the sensor flag or the deformation body 111 that would distort the sensor signal s1, the sensor assembly 11, according to a further embodiment of the invention, also comprises a compensating body 114 extending from the second surface 111# of the deformation body 111, which may be, for example, rod-, plate-, or sleeve-shaped. This compensating body 114 can also serve as a holder for the transducer element 12 or as a component of the transducer element 12, for example, as a movable electrode of a capacitor forming the transducer element (capacitive).The compensating body 114 can, for example, be made of the same material as the deformation body and / or the sensor flag, such as a metal. For example, the compensating body 114 can be made of stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deformation body 111 and the compensating body 114 are materially bonded to one another, for example, by welding or soldering. Thus, it is provided that the compensating body 114 and the deformation body 111 are manufactured from materials that can be materially bonded to one another. Alternatively, the deformation body 111 and the compensating body 114 can also be components of one and the same monolithic molded part, for example, such that the sensor flag 111, the deformation body 112, and the compensating body 114 are components of the same molded part.Sensor flag 112 and compensating body 114 can further - as can also be seen from a summary of the . Fig. 3c und 3d The sensor flag 112 and the deformation body 111 can be arranged in a way that is aligned with each other, such that a principal axis of inertia of the sensor flag 112 coincides with a principal axis of inertia of the compensating body 114. Alternatively or additionally, the compensating body 114 and the deformation body 111 can also be positioned and aligned with each other such that a principal axis of inertia of the deformation body 111 coincides with a principal axis of inertia of the compensating body 114. Furthermore, the sensor flag 112, compensating body 114, and deformation body 111 can also be positioned and aligned with each other such that—as can also be seen, for example, from a combined view of the Fig. 2 , 3a, 3b, 3c und 3devident - a principal axis of inertia of the sensor assembly 11 runs parallel to a principal axis of inertia of the sensor flag 112 as well as to a principal axis of inertia of the compensating body 114 as well as to a principal axis of inertia of the deformation body 111 or coincides with the same principal axis of inertia of the sensor flag as well as with the same principal axis of inertia of the compensating body as well as with the same principal axis of inertia of the deformation body.

Claims

1. A measuring system for measuring at least one, in particular time-variable, flow parameter, in particular a flow velocity and / or a volumetric flow rate, of a fluid flowing in a pipeline, said measuring system comprising: - a tube (3) which can be inserted into the course of said pipeline with a lumen (3') which is configured to conduct the fluid flowing in the pipeline; - a damming body (4) arranged in the lumen of the tube (3), which is configured to cause a Kármán vortex street in the flowing fluid; - a sensor for detecting pressure fluctuations in a flowing fluid, in particular for detecting pressure fluctuations in a Kármán vortex street formed in the flowing fluid, -- said sensor having a sensor assembly --- with an, in particular membrane-like and / or disk-shaped, deformation body (111) with a first surface (111+), an opposite second surface (111#), in particular at least partially parallel to the first surface (111+), and an outer edge segment (111a), in particular an annular one and / or one with a sealing surface, --- with an, in particular plate-shaped or wedge-shaped, sensor flag (112), extending from the first surface (111+) of the deformation body to a distal end, with a first lateral surface (112+) on the left-hand side and a second lateral surface (112#) on the right-hand side, --- and with an overload protection device (113) extending from the edge segment (111a) of the deformation body (111) to a distal end, serving to protect the deformation body (111) against plastic or irreversible deformation, with a support bracket (113a) guided at a distance from the side of the sensor flag and two limit stops (113b, 113c) held in place by the support bracket for the sensor flag (112), of which a first limit stop (113b) is positioned on the left-hand side of the sensor flag and a second limit stop (113c) is positioned on the right-hand side of the sensor flag, -- and said sensor having a converter element (12) for generating an, in particular electrical or optical, sensor signal representing, in particular at least occasionally periodic, movements of the sensor flag and / or time-variable, in particular at least occasionally periodic, deformations of the deformation body (111); - and measuring electronics (2) which are configured to receive and process the sensor signal, that is to say, in particular, to generate measured values (XM) representing the at least one flow parameter; - wherein the deformation body (111) and the sensor flag (112) are configured to carry out, in particular forced, oscillations around a shared static resting position and in the process to be moved relative to the overload protection device (113) in such a way that the sensor flag carries out pendulum movements which elastically deform the deformation body, during which the partial area (112a) of the sensor flag (112) inside the space (113') is moved alternately to the left, that is to say toward the first limit stop (113b), and to the right, that is to say toward the second limit stop (113c); - wherein the limit stops (113b, 113c) are measured and arranged so that a space (113') formed in between only houses an, in particular peripheral, partial area (112a) of the sensor flag (112), - and wherein the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are measured and arranged in such a way that -- when the sensor flag is located in a shared first end position together with the deformation body that differs from the shared static resting position, it is in contact with the first limit stop, but in particular is not in contact with the support bracket, -- when the sensor flag is located in a shared second end position together with the deformation body that differs from the shared static resting position as well as from the shared first end position, it is in contact with the second limit stop, but in particular is not in contact with the support bracket, -- and in such a way that both a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the first end position and a deformation of the deformation body corresponding to the second end position are elastic, in particular linear-elastic; - wherein the sensor flag (112) has a length, measured as the minimum distance between a proximal end of the sensor flag (112), that is to say adjacent to the deformation body (111), to a distal end of the sensor flag (112), that is to say at a distance from the deformation body (111) or its surface (111+), said length being equal to less than 95% of a caliber (DN) of the tube (3), - and wherein the overload protection device has a length, measured as the minimum distance between a proximal end of the overload protection device, that is to say adjacent to the deformation body (111), to a distal end of the overload protection device, that is to say at a distance from the deformation body (111) or its surface (111+), said length being equal to less than 95% of the caliber (DN) of the tube (3); - wherein the outer edge segment (111a) of the deformation body (111) is configured to be connected to a mount (3a) serving to hold the deformation body on a wall of the tube, in particular by means of permanent material bond and / or a hermetically sealed connection, in particular in such a way that the deformation body covers an opening provided in the wall of the tube, that is to say, in particular, hermetically seals it, and / or in such a way that the first surface of the deformation body faces toward a lumen of the tube, and therefore the sensor flag protrudes into said lumen; - and wherein the sensor (1) is inserted into the tube in such a way that the first surface of the deformation body (111) faces toward the lumen (3') of the tube and in such a way that the sensor flag protrudes into said lumen.

2. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the overload protection device (113) has an, in particular annular, connecting element (113d) at an end facing toward the edge segment (111a) of the deformation body (111).

3. The measuring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting element (113d) and the support bracket (113a) are integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part.

4. The measuring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support bracket (113a) and connecting element (113d) are connected together, in particular by means of a permanent material bond, that is to say, in particular, are welded together.

5. The measuring system as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting element (113d) of the overload protection device (113) and the edge segment (111a) of the deformation body (111) are connected together, in particular by means of a permanent material bond, that is to say, in particular, are welded together.

6. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are measured and arranged in such a way that, when the sensor flag is located in a shared static resting position together with the deformation body, it is in contact neither with the support bracket nor any of the limit stops; and / or - wherein the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are measured and arranged in such a way that, when the sensor flag is located in a shared static resting position together with the deformation body, a gap is formed between the sensor flag and each of the limit stops, in particular in such a way that each gap has a minimum gap width that is greater than 0.02 mm in each case and / or less than 0.2 mm, and / or that the sensor flag is not in contact with any of the limit stops; and / or - wherein the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are measured and arranged in such a way that, when the sensor flag is located in a shared static resting position together with the deformation body, a gap is formed between the sensor flag and the support bracket, in particular in such a way that the gap has a minimum gap width that is greater than 0.02 mm and / or that the sensor flag is not in contact with the support bracket.

7. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein the sensor flag has an, in particular terminal and / or pin-shaped, extension, - and wherein the deformation body, sensor flag and overload protection device are measured and arranged in such a way that said extension protrudes into a space formed between the limit stops.

8. The measuring system as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the limit stops are formed by edge segments of a recess provided in the support bracket, in particular formed as a passthrough opening or a drill hole, and the space is formed by a lumen of said recess surrounded by the edge segments.

9. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein the deformation body and overload protection device have a permanent material bond with each other, that is to say, in particular, are welded or soldered together; and / or - wherein the deformation body and sensor flag have a permanent material bond with each other, that is to say, in particular, are welded or soldered together; and / or - wherein the overload protection device is produced at least partially, in particular predominantly or completely, from a metal, in particular a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy; and / or - wherein the deformation body and overload protection device are made from the same material; and / or - wherein the deformation body and overload protection device are components of one and the same monolithic molded part, in particular cast or produced by 3D laser melting; and / or - wherein the deformation body is produced at least partially, in particular predominantly or completely, from a metal, in particular a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy; and / or - wherein the sensor flag is produced at least partially, in particular predominantly or completely, from a metal, in particular a stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy; and / or - wherein the deformation body and sensor flag are made from the same material; and / or - wherein the deformation body and sensor flag are components of one and the same monolithic molded part, in particular cast or produced by 3D laser melting.

10. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein the support bracket is guided at least partially on the left-hand side of the sensor flag; and / or - wherein the support bracket is guided at least partially on the right-hand side of the sensor flag; and / or - wherein the support bracket is guided at least partially at the front of the sensor flag; and / or - wherein the support bracket is guided at least partially at the rear of the sensor flag; and / or - wherein the overload protection device is formed by means of a single monolithic molded part; and / or - wherein the first limit stop, the second limit stop and the support bracket are integral components of one and the same monolithic molded part; and / or - wherein the limit stops are formed at least partially by edge segments of a recess provided in the support bracket; and / or - wherein the space is formed at least partially by a lumen of a recess provided in the support bracket; and / or - wherein at least one, in particular circumferential and / or annular, sealing surface is formed in the outer edge segment (111a).

11. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the support bracket has a U-shaped silhouette.

12. The measuring system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support bracket has a V-shaped silhouette.

13. The measuring system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support bracket has an L-shaped silhouette.

14. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein an opening (3") is formed in the wall of the tube (3), in particular having a mount (3a) serving to hold the deformation body (111) on the wall, - and wherein the sensor (1) is inserted into said opening (3") in such a way that the deformation body (111) covers the opening (20'), that is to say, in particular, hermetically seals it, and in such a way that the first surface of the deformation body (111) faces toward the lumen (3') of the tube, and therefore the sensor flag protrudes into said lumen.

15. The measuring system as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the opening (3") has a mount (3a) serving to hold deformation body (111) on the wall.

16. The measuring system as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein at least one, in particular circumferential and / or annular, sealing surface is formed in the mount (3a).

17. The measuring system as claimed in the preceding claim, - wherein at least one, in particular circumferential and / or annular, sealing surface is formed in the edge segment, and - wherein said sealing surface and the sealing surface of the mount are configured to hermetically seal the opening, in particular also inserting at least one seal.

18. The measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, - wherein the length of the sensor flag (112) is equal to more than half of said caliber (DN); and / or - wherein the length of the overload protection device is equal to more than half of said caliber (DN); and / or - wherein the sensor (1) is configured to detect pressure fluctuations in a fluid flowing past the sensor in a main flow direction, and wherein the support bracket is guided at least partially at the front, that is to say upstream of the sensor flag in the main flow direction, and / or at least partially at the rear, that is to say downstream of the sensor flag in the main flow direction.

19. The use of a measuring system as claimed in one of the preceding claims for measuring a flow parameter - that is to say, in particular, a flow velocity and / or a volumetric flow rate and / or a mass flow rate - of a fluid flowing in a pipeline, in particular a vapor, in particular impacting the deformation body and / or the sensor flag of the sensor at least occasionally at a temperature of more than 400 °C and / or at least occasionally at a pressure of more than 140 bar.