DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND / OR CONTROLLING PROPERTIES OF A MATERIAL FLOW

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for measuring and / or controlling according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a device for measuring and / or controlling according to the preamble of claim 8.

[0002] From the publication "Hatzfeld, Christian et al: Flow sensor for field measurement of viscous liquid usage for consumer studies", 2015 IEEE SENSORS, IEEE, November 1, 2015, pages 1-4, DOI: 10.1109 / ICSENS.2015.7370343, a 3D-printed flow sensor for field measurement of the consumption of viscous liquids for consumer studies is known, wherein the sensor is a float-type flow meter with a spring-loaded float to ensure operation in all positions, and the displacement is measured by a Hall sensor and a magnet inside the float.

[0003] It is known to provide a device for measuring flow rates, specifically a flow meter, with pipe sections for a flowing medium. The device must withstand high loads and pressures and ensure visibility of the flow, therefore it typically needs to be manufactured from steel. Furthermore, it must be designed to be adaptable to various pipe sections and reliably connected to them.

[0004] A particular disadvantage here is that the manufacturing process requires a high degree of precision and it is necessary to have a large number of variants and adapters available.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that is simple in design and at the same time avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The problem is solved by a device for measuring and / or controlling the properties of a material flow, in particular an aerosol flow and / or a fluid flow, in particular a gas flow, in particular an air flow, and / or a liquid flow, comprising a conduit for the material flow with at least one conduit section, in particular a pipe section, in which the material flow can flow through and / or around it, wherein the conduit for the material flow with at least one conduit section is constructed essentially in one piece as a transparent area using an additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process, and wherein a float for a variable area flow meter is provided in the conduit section, in particular the float is constructed using the same additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process.where several color areas and / or different degrees of hardness are integrated into the transparent area using additive manufacturing processes, in particular 3D printing.

[0007] The device according to the invention enables the rapid and reliable construction of individually adapted flow measuring devices with virtually unlimited applications. A transparent area does not need to be installed separately but is essentially integrated as a single piece, or the device can be constructed entirely from the transparent material. This allows for the simple and precise application of individually customized scales, measuring ranges, and color gradations, such as multi-color printing, for example, to indicate different measuring ranges. The reliable construction ensures that high pressures can be withstood without leakage. The same printing process can be used to print hard-soft zones and precisely fit integrated sealing elements without requiring additional steps that could introduce inaccuracies.With a uniform material composition, an environmentally friendly device is possible through improved disposal or even recycling. The device can be reliably used for high pressures, particularly up to 10 bar in recent tests, and even at higher temperatures of around 60°C. A suitable material for the fluid and environment can be easily selected. If particularly high pressures or temperatures are required, this can be easily and flexibly taken into account in the material selection.

[0008] It is advantageous to use a transparent polymer-based plastic material for the transparent area. If the layer structure during 3D printing results in increased light refraction, polishing would be necessary.

[0009] It is advantageous if the conduit section of the conduit medium is tapered to influence the flow pattern of the material flow and / or conduit medium.

[0010] It is advantageous if a rotary insert connecting element with a cam element for connection to a corresponding pipe element with an insertion area, in particular with a locking lug element, is provided at an upper end and / or a lower end of the conduit element.

[0011] It is advantageous if a scale, especially arranged all around, can be integrated onto the transparent area using the additive manufacturing process, in particular the 3D printing process.

[0012] It is advantageous if an elastic sealing ring, in particular with a sealing lip that can be pressed against by an applied pressure, is integrated on the conduit for the material flow in the area of ​​the upper end and / or in the area of ​​the lower end, by means of the additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process, with different materials, in particular degrees of hardness, in particular comprising an elastic rubber-like printing material.

[0013] It is advantageous if the conduit is constructed essentially in one piece, in particular with metal and / or plastic and / or ceramic powder and / or glass, with a means for attaching and / or passing through a functional unit by means of an additive manufacturing process, wherein in particular several means for attaching and / or passing through a functional unit are to be provided, in particular as a standardized unit, wherein at least one functional unit can be used in contact with and / or spaced apart from the medium of the material flow, wherein the means for attaching and / or the functional unit can be an external means on the outside of the conduit, in particular an ultrasonic sensor, and / or a wall means in a wall of the conduit, in particular a temperature sensor, and / or an internal means inside the conduit, in particular a pressure sensor and / or a pH meter.wherein the functional unit in particular comprises: in particular a means for measuring pressure, temperature, flow rate, pH value, CO2 content, viscosity, hardness, mineral content, a variable area flow meter, an ultrasonic measuring device, in particular an RFID and / or NFC means and / or Bluetooth, which is in particular coupled with a docking station and / or a computer and / or smartphone.

[0014] The problem is also solved by a method for manufacturing a device for measuring and / or controlling properties of a material flow, according to one of claims 1 to 7, using an additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process, wherein, in particular, layers built up in 3D printing are to be polished to increase transparency.

[0015] 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.

[0016] They show: Fig. 1a a device according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 1b a device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 1c a section of a device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 2 a device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 3 a section of a device according to the invention in sectional view and Fig. 4a-c a section of a device according to the invention in sectional view.

[0017] Fig. 1aFigure 1 shows a device according to the invention for measuring and / or controlling properties of a material flow 2, in particular an aerosol flow and / or a fluid flow, in particular a gas flow, in particular an air flow, and / or a liquid flow, comprising a conduit 4 for the material flow 2 with at least one conduit section 5, in particular a pipe section 3, in which the material flow can be conducted through and / or around the conduit, wherein the conduit 4 for the material flow 2 with at least one conduit section 5 is constructed essentially in one piece by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process, using a transparent material 6 as a transparent area 14, wherein, for example, a transparent polymer-based plastic material can be used as the transparent material 6.wherein the conduit section 5 of the conduit element 4 is designed, for example, to influence the flow pattern of the material flow 2 and / or conduit element 4, wherein a rotary insert connecting element 9 with a cam element 10 for connection to a corresponding pipe element 11 with an insertion area 17, in particular with a locking lug 12, is provided at an upper end 7 and / or a lower end 8 of the conduit element 4. The pipe element 11 is, for example, pushed onto the conduit section 5 and rotated to one side. The cam element 10 on the conduit section 5 is thus inserted into a retaining element 20 in the insertion area 17. As soon as this locking element is inserted, the locking lug 12 is thus engaged on the pipe element 11 in the sense of a corresponding locking mechanism, thereby providing a very high degree of retention security.

[0018] Fig. 1bFigure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in sectional view, wherein a float 13 for a float flow meter is provided in the line section 5, in particular the float 13 can be built up in the same additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process, wherein several color areas and / or different degrees of hardness are integrated on the transparent area 14 by means of the additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process.

[0019] Fig. 1c shows a section of a device 1 according to the invention, shown in an exemplary enlarged cross-sectional view, including a sealing ring 16 with sealing lip 18. Fig. 1b .

[0020] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in sectional view with an exemplary thicker wall 19 for use at higher pressures, for example 10 bar to 20 bar, and an exemplary integrated sealing ring 16.

[0021] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a section of a device 1 according to the invention in a sectional view of a schematic sealing ring 16 with a sealing lip means 18, exemplarily integrated by means of 3D printing in an upper end 7 and / or a lower end 8 of a conduit means 4 for coupling to a pipe means 11, shown exemplarily in Fig. 1a If an exemplary pipe element 11 presses against the sealing lip 16, and if a liquid 21 is still flowing within the pipe element (not shown), the sealing lip will be pressed even more strongly against the pipe element 11 by the liquid pressure, thereby further increasing the tightness.

[0022] Fig. 4a-cFigure 1 shows a section of a device 1 according to the invention in sectional view in various insertion stages of a schematic cam means 10 with a locking lug means 12, exemplified as integrated in an upper end 7 and / or a lower end 8 of a conductor means 4 into a pipe means 11, exemplified in Fig. 1a The additional locking lug 12 provides double security against slipping out of an exemplary pipe element 11. Fig. 4a This illustrates how the conductor 5 is held in place by the cam 10 and the pipe 11 is rotated, in Fig. 4b is pushed against from below in the direction of 22 and in Fig. 4c is being filmed. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0023] 1 Measuring device 2 Material flow 3 Pipe section 4 Conducting element 5 Conducting section 6 Transparent material 7 Upper end 8 Lower end 9 Swivel insert connecting element 10 Cam element 11 Pipe element 12 Detent lug element 13 Float 14 Transparent area 15 Scale 16 Sealing ring 17 Insertion area 18 Sealing lip 19 Wall 20 Holding element 21 Liquid 22 Direction

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for measuring and / or controlling properties of a material flow (2), in particular aerosol flow and / or fluid flow, in particular a gas flow, in particular an air flow, and / or a liquid flow, comprising a conduction means (4) for the material flow (2) with at least one line section (5), in particular a pipe section (3) in which the material flow can be conducted through and / or circumferential, wherein the line means (4) for the material flow (2) with at least one pipe section (5) by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process, using a transparent material (6) is essentially constructed as a single-piece transparent area (14), wherein in the pipe section (5) a variable area (13) is provided for a variable area flow meter, in particular the variable area (13) is constructed in the same additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process characterized in that several color areas and / or different hardness levels are integrated in the transparent area (14) by means of the additive manufacturing process, in particular the 3D printing process.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a transparent polymer-based plastic material is used for the transparent area (14).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the line section (5) of the line means (4) is designed to flow in to influence the flow path for the material flow (2) and / or line means (4).

4. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at an upper end (7) and / or a lower end (8) of the line means (4) a rotary insert fastener (9) with a cam means (10) is provided for connection with a corresponding pipe means (11) with an insertion area (17), in particular with a locking nose means (12).

5. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a scale (15), in particular arranged all around, is integrated on the transparent area (14) by means of the additive manufacturing process, in particular the 3D printing process.

6. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an elastic sealing ring (16), in particular with a sealing lip (18) that can be pressed by an adjacent pressure, is integrated in the area of the upper end (7) and / or in the area of the lower end (8) on the guiding means (4) for the material flow (2) by the additive manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing process, with different materials, in particular hardness grades, in particular comprising an elastic rubber-like pressure material.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conduction means ( 4) is constructed with a means for attaching and / or passing through a functional unit by means of an additive manufacturing process, essentially one-piece, in particular with metal and / or plastic and / or ceramic powder and / or glasses, wherein in particular several means are provided for attaching and / or passing through a functional unit, in particular as a standardised unit, whereby at least one functional unit can be used in contact with the media and / or at a distance from the medium of the material flow, wherein the means for attachment and / or the functional unit can be used as an external means on the outside of the line means (4), in particular an ultrasonic knife, and / or as a wall means in a wall of the line means (4), in particular a temperature sensor, and / or as an internal means on the inside of the line means (4), particularly a pressure gauge and / or a pH meter, wherein the functional unit particularly comprises: particularly a means for measuring pressure, temperature, flow rate, pH value, CO2 content, viscosity, hardness, mineral content, a float flow meter, an ultrasonic measuring device, particularly an RFID and / or NFC means and / or Bluetooth, which is particularly coupled with a docking station and / or a computer and / or smartphone.

8. Method for producing a apparatus (1) for measuring and / or regulating properties of a material flow (2), according to one of claims 1 to 7, by means of an additive manufacturing process, in particular a 3D printing process, wherein in particular the layers built up in 3D printing are to be polished to increase transparency.