MEASURING DEVICE FOR RECORDING A PROCESS VARIETY IN A CONTAINER

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting a process variable in a container and a container with a container opening and a measuring device arranged therein. Background of the invention

[0002] Sensors that detect data or properties of process variables or substances within a container are typically mounted externally on the container, or they are mounted inside the container and the container is then tightly sealed to prevent the contents from escaping. Therefore, they are installed externally, for example, using screw threads, with the electronics unit located outside the container and the sensor (antenna) inside. There are also measuring devices where, for example, only an antenna is located inside the container.

[0003] Measuring devices or sensors located inside a sealed container are not easily and flexibly mountable or dismountable. Sensors located outside the container or partially inside it have the disadvantage that the containers cannot be arranged in a space-saving manner, for example, by stacking them on top of each other. Furthermore, with mobile containers such as intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), there is a risk that the sensors could be damaged or even destroyed when the container is moved with a forklift.

[0004] WO 03 / 085365 A1 describes a radar level gauge for non-contact measurement of a fill level in a container, which has electronics and antenna in a single housing. US 6,363,784 B1 describes a level detector with a light transmitter, a light receiver, an electrical circuit, and a glass housing that essentially encapsulates the light receiver, the light transmitter, and the electrical circuit to protect the detector from hazardous environments. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to find a measuring device for a container and a container with a measuring device, which are designed in such a way that the containers can be set up in a space-saving manner, and the measuring device can still be mounted flexibly.

[0006] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0007] The invention is defined by the attached claims. Embodiments and examples not included in the claims are presented for illustration and better understanding of the claimed invention.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a measuring device for detecting a process quantity in a container is provided, comprising an electronic unit with a housing and a sealing arrangement attached to the housing. The measuring device is designed to be positioned in a container opening. The sealing arrangement is designed to seal the container opening, and the electronic unit is positioned below a geometric plane of the sealing arrangement when the measuring device is in the container opening, i.e., when the measuring device is installed.

[0009] In this context, a measuring device is understood to be an arrangement comprising a unit for the physical detection of the process variable, e.g., a physical sensor or a generator-receiver arrangement for, e.g., ultrasound waves or radar, as well as an electronic unit that at least provides the electrical power supply and, depending on the application, electronically processes the detected process variable and makes it available as digital data. The electronic elements that can be used for this purpose, such as voltage regulators, voltage converters, protection circuits, analog-to-digital converters, filters, amplifiers, microprocessors, memory modules, signal generators, vibration generators, emitters, piezoelectric transducers, etc., are known to those skilled in the art.

[0010] The measuring device can, for example, determine substances or components of a medium, such as a liquid or gas in a container, or measure temperature, pressure, or fill level. As mentioned above, the measuring device includes an electronic unit for operating the sensor and providing the measurement data, which is mounted in a housing. The housing contains the electronic unit, protects it from environmental influences, and is primarily used for mounting on or in the container. For this purpose, according to one embodiment, the housing has, for example, an external thread, so that it can be screwed into a container opening with a corresponding thread up to, for example, a protruding contact surface, such as a circumferential projection at the end of the housing remaining outside the container. The height of the protruding part can be, for example,The measuring device should be chosen so that it does not exceed a defined edge height at the top of the container, thus allowing the containers to be stacked. A sealing arrangement, e.g., a sealing ring, surrounds the threaded shank at the end of the thread on the contact surface with the container. Preferably, the shank portion enclosed by the sealing arrangement can be unthreaded. When the measuring device is screwed in, the sealing ring is pressed against the edge of the container opening, ensuring a seal.

[0011] According to the invention, the sealing arrangement consists of a sealing ring which, in the mounted state of the measuring device, runs along the, for example, circular container opening and seals the container. In this case, the plane of the sealing arrangement is the circular plane of the sealing ring in contact with the circular opening. The term "below" here refers to the reference frame of the measuring device, in which, in the mounted state, the direction "downwards" points perpendicular to the container opening and into the container. Thus, if the sensor is mounted on the container lid, this means that the part "below" a geometric plane of the sealing arrangement is located inside the container. If the sensor is mounted laterally, the plane of the lateral container opening is perpendicular to the container bottom or lid, and "below" this plane refers to the part of the measuring device that projects into the container. This part houses the electronic unit.This is therefore located in the area of ​​the housing that is surrounded by the thread and, when screwed in, is inside the container, with "inside" being defined by the plane of the sealing ring.

[0012] The container opening can be designed, for example, as a nozzle with or without a thread, projecting outwards or inwards. It can also be, for example, the entire top of the container, which can be covered by a container lid that incorporates the sensor.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the housing can have an internal or an external thread. In the case of an external thread, the housing is cylindrical and encloses the electronic unit. In the case of an internal thread, the housing is extended so that it forms the container lid and is screwed onto the container body. The electronic unit can then, for example, be integrally connected to the extended housing or the container lid within a portion of the housing and, when mounted (i.e., screwed in), project downwards towards the bottom of the container. The sealing arrangement with the sealing plane defined above is then located along the internal thread.

[0014] Alternatively, the electronic unit can be screwed into a container opening in a second housing as described above, from above or from the outside, into a container lid that forms an extended housing and has an internal thread.

[0015] As another alternative, the electronic unit can be screwed into the container lid from below in a separate housing. This separate housing can have a second sealing arrangement at the lower end of its external thread. For the definition of "below a geometric plane of the sealing arrangement," the sealing arrangement at the internal thread is decisive.

[0016] According to the invention, the electronic unit comprises a sensor, an antenna, and a communication unit. The sensor is configured to acquire a measurement signal, for example, by transmitting a radar signal via the antenna and receiving the reflected signal back via the antenna, or by measuring, for example, temperature or pressure. Furthermore, it can include an evaluation unit that, for example, conditions analog measurement signals and converts them into digital data, temporarily stores this data, and outputs it. The power supply is provided to supply the sensor and, optionally, the antenna with current via a suitable voltage. The communication unit is configured to receive, for example, control signals that, for example, initiate a measurement, allow specific data to be retrieved in a particular format, or enable synchronization.The communication unit is further equipped to receive the digital measurement data from the sensor, to embed the data in a format that corresponds to a transmission protocol, and finally to provide or transmit the measurement data generated from the measurement signal in accordance with the transmission protocol.

[0017] The communication unit is designed for wireless communication, for example, via a low-energy radio standard such as LoRa, Sigfox, Bluetooth LE, or NB-IoT. The electronic unit is configured to be powered by a battery, such as a primary cell integrated into the housing (e.g., a lithium battery), eliminating the need for external wiring of the measuring device and allowing the housing to be placed anywhere. Alternatively, though not used here, the communication unit can be wired. This requires an external interface for connecting wires, which is located, for example, on the side of the housing outside the housing.The advantage of this variant is that the power can be supplied via the external interface, thus eliminating the need for battery voltage monitoring and battery maintenance.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the housing can have a structure for receiving a tool for mounting from the outside of the container. Such a structure is, for example, a recess on the top of the measuring device that corresponds to the shape of the tool, e.g., a barrel wrench or bung wrench, so that the tool can engage in the recess and assist in screwing the measuring device in or out.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the side of the housing facing the bottom of the container is shaped inside the container such that it has one or more inclines relative to the horizontal for draining liquid or condensate. The liquid can be, for example, the medium in the container or condensate that has formed on the housing inside the container. The incline can be achieved, for example, by a conical shape on the lower part of the cylindrical housing. The liquid can, for example, be drained along the incline to the apex of the conical shape and drip off there.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical housing, at least between the sealing arrangement and one or more inclinations, advantageously has a constant diameter in this area. For example, the diameter is two inches. This allows, for example, a thread, e.g., a two-inch thread, to be arranged in this area, and the entire housing, except for any protruding projection, can be screwed in and out, e.g., from the outside.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the measuring device is flush with the container and / or the lid on the outside. This is possible, for example, if the edge of the container opening has a concave or indentation that corresponds to the height of the protruding projection of the measuring device, i.e., the part of the housing above the plane of the sealing arrangement. Alternatively, the protruding projection of the housing may be absent, and the sealing arrangement may be recessed into a notch in the housing, so that the sealing arrangement is pressed laterally against, for example, an upper, unthreaded edge of the container opening.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the measuring device further comprises a venting and deaeration valve for pressure equalization of pressure differences that occur, for example, due to evaporation of the medium, withdrawal of the medium, filling of the container, or temperature changes. For this purpose, corresponding channels for the supply and discharge of air or gas are incorporated into the housing.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the sensor is a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a level sensor. Depending on the embodiment, a level sensor can also be screwed into the side of the container, meaning the container opening is then located in the side wall of the container.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the housing consists of plastic (e.g., high-density polyethylene, HDPE) and / or metal, such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.

[0025] A second aspect requires a container with an opening and a measuring device positioned within it, as described above. The container can be, for example, a barrel or a canister made of plastic, tinplate, stainless steel, or wood. A canister, for instance, might have a recessed screw opening with an external or internal thread. A wooden barrel, for example, might have an opening into which an adapter with a corresponding internal thread for the measuring device can be inserted, or the housing might have a thread diameter that tapers downwards, into the barrel.

[0026] Because the measuring device, due to its shape, can be screwed completely or almost completely into the container and protrudes little or not at all, it is possible to stack several containers on top of each other. Depending on the exact shape of the container and the design of the housing or the container itself, rectangular containers with a side-mounted measuring device can be placed next to each other with little or no gap. Brief description of the characters

[0027] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Neither the description nor the figures are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Here, [the following is shown] Fig. 1 a diagram of a measuring device for a container with an electronic unit outside the container, Fig. 2 a diagram of a measuring device for a container and a container according to a first embodiment with an electronic unit below the sealing arrangement, Fig. 3 a diagram of a measuring device for a container and a container according to a second embodiment with a venting and aeration valve, Fig. 4 a diagram of a measuring device for a container and a container according to a third embodiment with a limit level sensor based on the capacitive measuring principle, Fig. 5 a diagram of a container lid and a measuring instrument according to a fourth embodiment, Fig. 6 a diagram of a measuring device for a container and a vessel according to a fifth embodiment, in which the top of the measuring device and the top of the vessel are arranged flush, Fig. 7 a diagram of a measuring device for a container and a container according to a sixth embodiment, in which the top of the measuring device and the top of the container are also arranged flush.

[0028] The drawings are schematic only and not to scale. Identical or similar parts are generally identified by the same reference symbols. Detailed description of the figures

[0029] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows, as an example, a level sensor 100 in which only the antenna 101 protrudes into the container, while the electronics housing 115 is located outside the container. The antenna 101 transmits signals, for example, a radar signal, which is reflected by the liquid 170 in the container and received again by the antenna 101 for level measurement. The electronics housing 115 has a thread 105 located on the underside of the housing, which has a through-hole through which the antenna 101, protruding into the container, can be connected to the sensor 150. The external thread 105 of the housing 115 engages with the internal thread 110 of the container lid 111. The diameter 120 of the electronics housing 115 can be larger than the diameter 130 of the thread. In the example in Figure 105, the external thread 105 of the housing 115 engages with the internal thread 110 of the container lid 111. The diameter 120 of the electronics housing 115 can be larger than the diameter 130 of the thread. Fig. 1 The housing 115 is wider than the opening for the thread 105, so that when screwed in it it is pressed onto the sealing rings 145 and the arrangement is tight.

[0030] The electronic unit in housing 115 is in Fig. 1 above level 140, which is formed by the sealing ring 145. Because the diameter 120 of the electronic housing 115 is larger than the diameter 130 of the thread 105, the electronic unit cannot protrude into the container. Thus, the electronic housing 115 protrudes upwards from the container, making the container unstackable.

[0031] Fig. 2 Figure 1 schematically shows a measuring device 200 according to a second embodiment and a container 111. The measuring device 200 includes an electronics unit 220 with a sensor 221, a communication unit 222, and a power supply unit 223 including an antenna 225. The housing 250 of the measuring device 200 also has a thread 205 with which the measuring device 200 can be screwed into an opening of the container, which also has a corresponding thread 110. The measuring device 200 has a diameter corresponding to the thread diameter, so that the measuring device 200 can be screwed almost completely into the container 290, except for an overhanging projection 280.The overhanging projection 280 limits the screw-in length, preventing the measuring device 200 from being screwed through the thread 110. It also allows pressure to be exerted on the sealing ring 145, ensuring that the housing 250 of the measuring device 200 tightly seals the container 290. The antenna 225 has a maximum diameter smaller than that of the thread 110 or the thread 205. The walls with the thread 110 can also project upwards, forming an outward-facing nozzle. Furthermore, the flange 280 can be connected to the container 111 without the need for a thread. In this case as well, the electronic unit is located below the plane defined by the sealing arrangement, such as sealing rings. Because the sealing rings between the flange and the container create a tight seal, the diameter of the housing can be smaller than the diameter of the container opening or the upward- or downward-facing nozzle.

[0032] The electronic unit is thus located essentially within the container in the media-facing half-space 230, the upper boundary of which is defined by the sealing plane 140, in which the sealing ring 145 is located. The housing shape on the outside of the container has a geometry 260, which facilitates screwing in with a suitable tool, for example, a bung wrench, drum opener wrench, drum wrench, IBC lid wrench, or a hex key. Furthermore, the housing tip has, for example, a conical geometry 250, which facilitates the drainage of condensate and medium 270.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a measuring device 300 in a further embodiment, which in addition to the ones in Figur 2 The features shown include a venting and aeration valve 301, which allows pressure equalization between the inside of the container and the environment via the gas channels 310 to facilitate filling and emptying processes.

[0034] Fig. 4 Figure 400 shows a measuring device 400 in a further embodiment, wherein the sensor 401 is a limit level sensor 401, which, for example, operates according to the capacitive measuring principle. That is, compared to the arrangement in Figure 401, the sensor 401 is a limit level sensor 401, which operates, for example, according to the capacitive measuring principle. Fig. 2 The antenna 225 is missing, and the communication unit 402 and the power supply unit 403 are located above the level sensor 401. In this embodiment as well, the complete electronic unit, consisting of the communication unit 402, the power supply unit 403, and the level sensor 401, is arranged entirely below the sealing plane 140. Only the upper projection 280 protrudes from the container. Depending on the measuring principle used, the geometry of the housing part facing the medium can be designed according to the physical requirements of the measuring principle.

[0035] Fig. 5 Figure 5 shows a container lid 530 and a measuring device 500, which is integrally integrated into the container lid 530, in a further embodiment. The container lid 530 has an internal thread 505 so that it can be screwed onto the container. The container lid can, for example, be in size DN 150 with NW 150 - internal thread S 165x7 or in size DN 225 with NW 225 - internal thread S245x6, and can have one or more optional threaded connections 510, each with an optional container opening 520 for screwing in, for example, a measuring device or for inserting a suction nozzle. According to the exemplary embodiments, the container lid 530 can also have either only the integrally integrated measuring device 500, i.e., without a further container opening 520 and thread 510. Furthermore, the container lid 530 can have only the opening 520 with thread 510 without a measuring device 500, into which a measuring device as described above can be screwed.In these embodiments as well, the sealing plane of the measuring device is located above the electronic unit 220. Furthermore, the cover can also have a venting valve.

[0036] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a measuring device for a container and a vessel according to a fifth embodiment, in which the upper surface of the measuring device 601 and the upper surface of the vessel 111 are flush, i.e., planar, in the assembled state. The sealing ring 145 is pressed laterally against the vessel opening during or after screwing it in. Preferably, the wall of the vessel opening has no thread at the upper part, so that the sealing ring can slide downwards on this part of the wall when screwed in.

[0037] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a measuring device for a container and a container with a thread 110 according to a sixth embodiment, in which the upper surface of the measuring device 701 and the upper surface of the container 111 are also arranged flush. In this example, the wall of the container opening is divided into a first part 711 with the thread 110 and a second part 712 without a thread, which is arranged offset outwards from the first part. The housing 250 has a circumferential projection 710 on its upper part, which, when the housing 250 is screwed into the container opening, presses the sealing ring 145 onto the upper surface of the first part 711, thus achieving the sealing effect.

[0038] Also in the exemplary embodiments according to Fig. 6 und Fig. 7The electronic unit 220 is located below the level 140 formed by the sealing ring, so that the containers with the mounted measuring instruments have an external shape that allows the containers to be set up or stacked even in space-critical locations, while still allowing the measuring instruments to be flexibly removed or used.

Claims

1. Measuring device (200) for detecting a process variable in a container, comprising an electronic unit (220) with a housing (250) and a sealing arrangement (145) bearing against the housing (250), wherein the measuring device (200) is arranged to be disposed in a container opening; wherein, when the measuring device (200) is located in the container opening, the sealing arrangement (145) is set up to seal the container opening; wherein the electronic unit (220) has a sensor (221) for detecting a measurement signal; an energy supply (223); an antenna (225) connected to the sensor (221) for transmitting and receiving the measurement signal; and a communication unit (222), for receiving control signals, and for providing and transmitting measurement data from the measurement signal according to a transmission protocol; characterised in that the electronic unit (220) is arranged below a geometric plane of the sealing arrangement (145) and at the same time inside the container; and the sealing arrangement (145) is designed as a sealing ring; and in that the communication unit (222) is a communication unit for wireless communication, and the electronic unit (220) is arranged to be supplied with electrical energy by a battery.

2. The measuring device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (250) has a thread (205) for screwing the measuring device (200) into the container opening.

3. The measuring device (200) according to claim 2, wherein the thread (205) is an internal thread or an external thread.

4. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (250) comprises a structure (260) for receiving a tool for mounting from the outside of the container.

5. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side of the housing (250) facing the bottom of the container is shaped within the container such that it has one or more inclinations relative to the horizontal for draining liquid or condensate.

6. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device (200) is flush on the outside with the container and / or a lid of the container in one plane.

7. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (250) has a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter at least between the sealing arrangement (145) and the one or more inclinations.

8. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device (200) further comprises an aeration and deaeration valve (301).

9. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (221) is a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or a sensor for point level detection.

10. The measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (250) is made of plastic and / or metal.

11. A container comprising a container opening and a measuring device (200) arranged therein according to any one of claims 1 to 10.