FLOW METER, METHOD FOR OPERATING A FLOW METER, PLANT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A PLANT

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a flow measuring device with at least one control and evaluation unit and with a sensor unit for detecting a primary variable, wherein the control and evaluation unit has at least one computing unit for determining the flow and for operating the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is connected to the computing unit and wherein the computing unit is designed such that it determines the flow from the primary variable during operation and with at least one memory for storing a plurality of data sets.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a flow measuring device according to the invention, wherein a plurality of data sets are stored in the at least one memory.

[0003] In addition, the invention relates to a system, in particular a filling system for filling a fluid medium, comprising at least two flow meters according to the invention, wherein the at least two flow meters are arranged in the course of a pipe system, in other words, the at least two flow meters can of course be arranged in the course of a pipe system, further comprising a communication system via which the control and evaluation units of the flow meters can communicate with each other during operation.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a system according to the invention.

[0005] Particularly in complex systems, such as systems for filling a medium, changing process conditions prevail, particularly with regard to the media to be measured. For example, changing process conditions can occur regularly or as part of the process.

[0006] In beverage bottling, such processes include: Filling systems that change the filling medium, in particular media with different solid contents and / or media with different conductivities, filling systems that have to be cleaned frequently, where the cleaning agent differs in particular in temperature and / or conductivity from the medium to be filled, multi-phase processes in which, within a filling process, first a very small amount of one medium is filled and shortly afterwards a larger amount of another medium is filled through the same filling valve, where the media can change in its properties, in particular in terms of viscosity, conductivity and / or solid content, processes in which the medium flows in a forward and backward direction through the measuring device.

[0007] State-of-the-art flowmeters operate based on a standard configuration and / or standard calibration, which is typically based on the measurement of water, regardless of the customer's specific process situation. Consequently, if the process conditions deviate from the process conditions underlying the standard configuration and / or standard calibration, the measurement process exhibits increased error.

[0008] From the document EP 2 082 191 B1 it is known to provide partially reconfigurable function modules for determining and monitoring a process variable by means of a field device, to which application-specific information is supplied via a control and evaluation unit.

[0009] The document DE 102 60 959 A1 relates to a level measuring device with a memory, in which parameter sets for various applications are stored. An evaluation unit selects a parameter set during operation and uses this parameter set to derive the level from the measurement signal. A parameter set preferably contains information about the installation height of the level measuring device in the container, the container geometry, possible internal components, or the dielectric constant of the medium.

[0010] From the document DE 103 51 313 A1 a method for the zero point correction of a measuring device is known, wherein zero point measurements are first carried out for various device and system parameters and a parameter set comprising both the zero measured value and a device and system parameter set is stored and wherein during operation a suitable stored device and / or system parameter set is searched for for the respective current system and device parameters, so that the zero measured value assigned to this parameter set is used as the current zero point value.

[0011] The document DE 10 2005 018 396 A1 discloses a method for determining the volume or mass flow of a medium, wherein during a calibration phase successively different flow profiles of a measuring medium are formed in the pipeline or in the measuring tube, wherein each flow profile formed in the pipeline or in the measuring tube is described by a characteristic set of parameters, and wherein a flow profile-dependent correction factor is calculated for each flow profile, and wherein subsequently in the measuring operation a volume or mass flow determined via the set of parameters is corrected with the flow profile-dependent correction factor determined during the calibration phase.

[0012] The document DE 10 201 044 182 discloses a system for adjusting a measuring device, comprising the measuring device, an analysis tool, and a database in which the data sets containing analysis data for different process conditions and the associated parameter sets for adjusting the measuring device are stored, or in which a plurality of models with associated calculation rules are stored. It also comprises a computing / control unit that determines the data set of stored analysis data that exhibits the greatest agreement with the determined analysis data and adjusts the measuring device according to the associated parameter set. The adjustment of the measuring device relates, for example, to filter settings with which reflections from interference factors or noise signals are masked out.

[0013] The document WO 2015 / 010072 A1 relates to a method for measuring a process medium with a measuring device having at least two process medium matrices, wherein during operation the relevant process medium matrix is ​​selected based on the properties of the process medium and wherein the concentration of the process medium is determined based on the process medium matrix.

[0014] From the document DE102016115397A1 a method for processing a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar signal is known, comprising the following steps: retrieving a configuration parameter set corresponding to a working environment or a detected material, selectively executing a process according to the configuration parameter set and analyzing the processed signal and generating a detection result.

[0015] Furthermore, the publication DE 10 2018 123 434 A1 relates to a field device in automation technology, wherein a plurality of parameter sets are stored in a memory unit, and wherein a parameter set forms the basis for the operation of the field device depending on an environmental variable. In detail, the variable parameters relate to settings of the field device, in particular settings regarding warning messages or the timing of the measuring device's operation, or the menu display of the display unit.

[0016] From the document US 2006 / 155496 A1 a flow meter with a compensation module is known, wherein the compensation module carries out a reference measurement in order to compensate for the effect of variations in process or medium parameters.

[0017] Furthermore, the document US 2020 / 209022 A1 relates to a flow meter that measures a differential pressure in the medium to determine the flow rate. Depending on the measured differential pressure, a parameter set is selected to calculate the flow rate.

[0018] A flow meter is known from the document EP 3 470 800 A1, where the flow calculation also takes current process parameters into account.

[0019] EP 2 801 875 A1 discloses a flow meter in a filling plant, wherein a parameterization is adapted to a changed operating state.

[0020] Further flow meters are known from the documents US 2009071264 A1 and US5831175 A1.

[0021] Based on the prior art described, the invention is based on the object of providing a flowmeter with increased measuring accuracy. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of providing a system comprising at least two flowmeters according to the invention and a method for operating such a system with increased measuring accuracy.

[0022] According to a first teaching of the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a flow measuring device as described above in that the computing unit, during operation, controls the sensor unit based on at least one data set from the plurality of data sets, wherein the at least one data set comprises at least one set of calibration values ​​and / or at least one parameter for the operation of the sensor unit, in detail for the control of the sensor unit, wherein the at least one data set is assigned to at least one value of a state variable, wherein the at least one state variable is in particular a medium parameter and / or a process parameter, and wherein the computing unit is designed such that it exchanges the data set during operation as a function of a change in the state variable.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the computing unit determines the flow rate during operation based on at least one data set, wherein the at least one data set additionally comprises at least one parameter for determining the flow rate.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the memory is arranged in the control and evaluation unit. Alternatively, the memory is arranged externally, preferably in an external control unit.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the computing unit is designed such that, during operation for determining the flow rate and / or for operating the sensor unit, in particular for controlling the sensor unit, it selects the at least one data set associated with the state variable as a function of the value of at least one state variable.

[0026] It should be noted that the aforementioned features are not intended to establish a sequence of procedures for operating such a flowmeter. In this regard, reference is made to the explanations for the corresponding procedure.

[0027] According to the invention, it was recognized that the measuring accuracy of a flowmeter can be increased by designing the flowmeter in such a way that, during operation, the parameters relevant for calculating the flow and / or the parameters for operating the sensor unit, in particular the parameters for controlling the sensor unit, can be adapted to the respective current operating conditions. In this way, the operation of the flowmeter can be adapted to the respective measuring situation, thus minimizing the flow measurement error and thus increasing the measuring accuracy.

[0028] In contrast to the prior art of DE 10 2018 123 434 A1, the present invention is therefore not about adapting settings of the measuring device to optimize the operation of the measuring device independent of the actual measuring process, but rather about adapting precisely the parameters that form the basis of the measuring process and / or the evaluation of the measured data.

[0029] The flowmeter according to the invention is particularly preferably a magnetic inductive flowmeter (MID). According to another preferred embodiment, the flowmeter is a Coriolis flowmeter, an ultrasonic flowmeter, or a vortex flowmeter.

[0030] If the flowmeter is an MID, the at least one parameter for the operation of the sensor unit is the field frequency of the magnetic field and / or a parameter for controlling the magnetic field and / or the zero point setting and / or the gain for low flow velocities and / or the measuring range setting and / or the field current strength and / or a constant for the flow direction.

[0031] For the other flow meters mentioned, the parameters relating to the operation or control of the sensor unit are designed according to the principle underlying the measuring device.

[0032] Particularly preferably, a data set comprises at least two parameters for the operation, in particular for controlling, of the sensor unit and / or for determining the flow rate. This embodiment has the advantage that the parameterization of the flow meter adapted to a state variable can be carried out particularly easily by selecting a data set.

[0033] According to one embodiment, each data set is linked to a value range of a state variable.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the parameters stored in the majority of data sets differ in their type.

[0035] If the flowmeter is designed as an MID, for example, at least one data set contains parameters regarding the field frequency of the magnetic field, and another data set contains a constant for the flow direction. Independent parameters can therefore be adjusted separately during operation. Data sets that contain different parameters are preferably assigned to different state variables.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the computing unit is preferably designed such that, during operation, it selects individual parameters from a plurality of data sets for determining the flow and / or for operating the sensor unit.

[0037] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one further sensor is provided for measuring the state variable, in particular for measuring at least one process parameter and / or one medium parameter, wherein the at least one further sensor is preferably connected to the computing unit. During operation, the at least one further sensor preferably forwards the measured value of the state variable to the computing unit, which then selects at least one data set for determining the flow rate and / or for operating the sensor unit depending on the measured state variable.

[0038] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the computing unit has a sensor interface to the at least one further sensor for measuring the state variable, in particular for measuring a process parameter and / or a medium parameter, wherein the at least one further sensor can be part of the flow measuring device or wherein the at least one further sensor can be arranged separately from the flow measuring device or wherein the at least one further sensor can be part of a further measuring device.

[0039] For example, the at least one further sensor can also be arranged in an external control unit.

[0040] Particularly preferably, the at least one further sensor or the further measuring device is connected to the computing unit via a cable connection or a wireless connection, in particular via a radio connection.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the at least one further sensor is a conductivity sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor and / or an acceleration sensor and / or a sensor for measuring the density of the medium and / or a sensor for measuring the composition of the medium and / or a sensor for measuring the flow direction of the medium.

[0042] According to a next embodiment, the control and evaluation unit has a, preferably digital, device interface, wherein the control and evaluation unit is preferably connected to the external control unit via the device interface. Likewise preferably, the device interface is connected to the computing unit and / or the at least one further sensor. Via such an interface, the state variable and / or the at least one data set on which the measurement is to be based can be specified, for example manually, or a measurement of the state variable by the further sensor can be requested. Furthermore, the computing unit can be connected via the device interface to a further, preferably higher-level, control unit or to a further flow measuring device, such that the computing unit receives the state variable and / or the data set on which the measurement is to be based from another device via the device interface.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the sensor interface corresponds to the device interface.

[0044] The state variable can also define a temporal process segment. For example, the state variable can be a command to close valves in a filling system. If the flowmeter's processing unit receives this command via the device interface, in particular by monitoring the communication, the processing unit selects the at least one data set associated with this command for operating the sensor unit and / or for determining the flow rate.

[0045] According to a second teaching of the present invention, the object set out at the outset is achieved by a method for operating a flow measuring device mentioned at the outset in that the method comprises the following steps: Selection of at least one data set on which the measurement is based, preferably by measuring a state variable, operation of the sensor unit according to the at least one selected data set, detection of a primary variable by the sensor unit and forwarding of the primary variable to the computing unit, determination of the flow rate by the computing unit from the primary variable and preferably the at least one selected data set.

[0046] For this purpose, the flow meter is preferably designed according to one of the previously described embodiments. The first step of selecting at least one data set does not have to be carried out again before each measurement. According to one embodiment of the method, at least one data set is selected for operating the sensor unit and / or for determining the flow rate, and this at least one data set also forms the basis for subsequent measurements. For example, the state variable can be determined at regular intervals and / or the at least one selected data set forms the basis for the measurement until the computing unit receives notification that a new process step is beginning, with which the data set is reselected.

[0047] According to the invention, the data set on which the measurement is based is exchanged depending on the value of the state variable assigned to the data set.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the at least one state variable is determined anew before each measurement.

[0049] The at least one state variable is preferably a process parameter, in particular the velocity of the medium and / or the temperature of the medium or the temperature within the measuring tube and / or the pressure of the medium or the pressure within the measuring tube. Furthermore, the state variable can also be a medium parameter, in particular the density of the medium and / or the conductivity of the medium and / or the composition of the medium.

[0050] However, the state variable can also define a temporal process segment. For example, the state variable can be a command to operate a valve and / or information about the position or orientation of the flow meter.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the computing unit receives the value of the state variable via a device interface by monitoring the communication between other devices and / or explicitly from another device and / or manually by the user. According to a further embodiment, the data set underlying the measurement is communicated to the control and evaluation unit by an external control unit via the device interface.

[0052] According to a next embodiment, the at least one further sensor determines the at least one state variable.

[0053] According to a third teaching of the present invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a system described at the outset in that the flow measuring devices are designed and linked to one another in such a way that, during operation, they use an identical data set or identical data sets for determining the flow and / or for operating the respective sensor unit, in particular for controlling the respective sensor unit, depending on the value of at least one state variable.

[0054] This design has the advantage that, on the one hand, the operation of the flow meters can be adapted to the current measuring situation and, on the other hand, it can be ensured that all flow meters operate based on an identical data set or identical data sets.

[0055] Particularly preferably, at least partially identical data sets are stored in the at least two control and evaluation units of the flow measuring devices.

[0056] Alternatively, at least one external memory may be provided, which is associated with the flowmeters. For example, the at least one external memory may be located in a central control unit.

[0057] Particularly preferably, a central control unit is provided which is connected to the at least two flow measuring devices designed according to the invention via the communication system and which, during operation, communicates the state variable to the control and evaluation units, so that the flow measuring devices select the at least one corresponding data set depending on the transmitted state variable.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, the central control unit is provided, which is connected to the at least two flowmeters via the communication system. During operation, the central control unit communicates to the control and evaluation units the at least one data set on which the measurement is to be based. For example, the central control unit can have an additional sensor for determining the state variable.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the system is a filling system for the controlled filling of a medium into at least one container. Particularly preferably, the flowmeters are each arranged in the area of ​​a filling point. By adapting the parameters of the flowmeters to the current measurement situation, the error in the flow measurement can be minimized and thus the accuracy of the filling process can be increased.

[0060] According to a further embodiment, the plant can also be a batch plant or another plant in which a change in process conditions or changing compositions of the media occur regularly or as part of the process.

[0061] According to a fourth teaching of the present invention, the object set out at the outset is achieved by a method for operating a system as described at the outset in that the flow measuring devices designed according to the invention use an identical data set or identical data sets for operating the sensor unit and / or for determining the flow rate during operation.

[0062] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the central control unit is provided which is connected to the at least two flow measuring devices designed according to the invention via the communication system, wherein the central control unit communicates the state variable to the control and evaluation units during operation, so that the flow measuring devices select the corresponding data set depending on the transmitted state variable or wherein the central control unit communicates the data set on which the measurement is to be based to the control and evaluation units during operation.

[0063] It is also particularly preferred if exactly one flow measuring device is designed in such a way that it selects the data set during operation and communicates it to the other flow measuring devices via the communication system.

[0064] If the flow meters are arranged one after the other in the direction of flow of the medium, the one flow meter that determines the relevant data set can be the first flow meter in the direction of flow.

[0065] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and developing the flowmeter according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the filling system according to the invention. Reference is made to the claims subordinate to the independent claims as well as to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a flow meter according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a flow meter, Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a flow meter, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a system according to the invention, Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of a system according to the invention, Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a method for operating a system according to the invention and Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of a method for operating a system according to the invention.

[0066] The exemplary embodiments described below relate to a magnetic-inductive flowmeter. Of course, this does not limit the invention to this measuring principle. The invention can also be advantageously implemented with other flowmeters.

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a flow measuring device 1 according to the invention with a control and evaluation unit 5, wherein the control and evaluation unit 5 has a memory 6 for storing a plurality of data sets 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 and a computing unit 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the flow measuring device 1 is designed as an MID. The data sets 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 stored in the memory 6 relate in this case to the field frequency and the parameters for controlling the magnetic field, overshoot and settling time. In this case, the data set 7.1 comprises the field frequency A, overshoot A and settling time A for forward filling and the data set 7.2 comprises the field frequency B, overshoot B and settling time B for reverse filling.

[0068] In addition, a sensor unit 9 is provided for detecting a primary variable, here the voltage between the measuring electrodes, wherein the sensor unit 9 is connected to the computing unit 8, and wherein the computing unit 8 determines the flow rate from the primary variable during operation.

[0069] In addition, the computing unit 8 is linked to the memory 6 in such a way that the computing unit 8 accesses a data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to determine the flow rate and / or to operate the sensor unit 9. Each data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 is linked to at least one state variable. In the illustrated embodiment, data set 7.1 is linked to a forward measurement, and data set 7.2 is linked to a reverse measurement.

[0070] A further sensor 10 is provided to determine the state variable. Depending on the respective state variable, the computing unit 8 selects the data set associated with the state variable for determining the flow or for operating the sensor unit.

[0071] In this respect, the flow meter 1 shown has the advantage that the respective measuring situation or changes in the measuring situation are taken into account during operation of the sensor unit 9 and during determination of the flow, so that the accuracy of the flow determination can be improved as a result.

[0072] The Fig. 2 The flowmeter 1 shown has a conductivity sensor as an additional sensor 10 for determining the state variable. During operation, the conductivity sensor transmits the measured conductivity value to the computing unit 8. Depending on the measured conductivity, the computing unit 8 selects a data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4, which forms the basis for the subsequent measurement.

[0073] In addition, an interface 11 is provided via which the computing unit 8 can also receive external commands regarding another state variable or the value of another state variable from a separately arranged sensor.

[0074] In this respect, the flow meter 1 shown is designed so that if the measuring situation changes, the data set on which the measurement is based can also be changed.

[0075] In contrast to the Fig. 2 The embodiment shown is in the Fig. 3 In the illustrated embodiment of a flow meter 1, the memory 6 with the plurality of data sets 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 is arranged in an external control unit 18. During operation, the control and evaluation unit 5 receives the at least one data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 for determining the flow and / or the operation of the sensor unit 9, in particular the control of the sensor unit 9, from the external control unit 18 via the device interface 11.

[0076] In Fig. 4 a first embodiment of a method 2 for operating a flowmeter 1 is shown, wherein the flowmeter 1 is operated according to the method described in Fig. 1 shown embodiment.

[0077] The procedure includes the following steps: Selection 12 of a data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to be used as the basis for the measurement by measuring a state variable using the additional sensor 10, operation 13 of the sensor unit 9 according to the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, detection 14 of a primary variable by the sensor unit 9 and forwarding of the primary variable to the computing unit 8, determination 15 of the flow by the computing unit 8 from the primary variable and the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a method 2 for operating a flowmeter 1, wherein the flowmeter 1 is operated according to the method described in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment.

[0079] Method 2 has the following steps: Selection 12 of a data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 on which the measurement is based, whereby the computing unit 8 receives information about the current process section via the device interface 11 and selects the data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 based on this information, operation 13 of the sensor unit 9 according to the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, detection 14 of a primary variable by the sensor unit 9 and forwarding it to the computing unit 8, determination 15 of the flow by the computing unit 8 from the primary variable and the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4.

[0080] Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of a system 3 according to the invention, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a filling system. Three flowmeters 1 are arranged on a pipe system 16, each in the area of ​​a filling point.

[0081] The flowmeters 1 are coordinated with each other in such a way that identical data sets 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 are stored in the three control and evaluation units 5. In addition, a communication system 17 in the form of a communication bus is provided, via which the control and evaluation units 5 of the flowmeters 1 communicate with each other during operation.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the flow measuring device arranged first in the flow direction, which is indicated by an arrow, determines the data set to be used as the basis for the subsequent measurement for the operation of the respective sensor unit 9 and for determining the flow and communicates the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to the other flow measuring devices 1 via the communication system 17.

[0083] This ensures that the filling system shown uses the same parameters to control the flow meters and to calculate the flow at all filling points during operation.

[0084] As a result, the system shown has a particularly high measurement accuracy.

[0085] Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a filling system 3 with three flowmeters 1 designed according to the invention, which are connected to one another via a communication system 17, with each flowmeter 1 being arranged in the area of ​​a filling point. In addition, a central control unit 18 is provided, which communicates the state variable to the flowmeters 1 for selecting the data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 on which the measurement is based.

[0086] Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a filling system 3, in which, in contrast to the Fig. 7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central control unit 18 is not only designed to communicate a state variable to the individual flowmeters during operation. Rather, the majority of data sets 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to be selected are already stored in the central control unit 18, so that the central control unit 18 transmits an identical data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to the flowmeters 1 during operation for determining the flow and / or for operating the sensor unit 9.

[0087] In Fig. 9 an embodiment of a method 4 for operating a system 3 comprising several flow measuring devices 1 is shown, wherein the system 3 is operated according to the method described in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment.

[0088] In a first step 19, the flowmeter 1 arranged first in the flow direction determines the data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 relevant for flow measurement and operation of the sensor unit 9. In a next step 20, this first flowmeter 1 communicates the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 to the remaining flowmeters 1. The flowmeters 1 are then operated 21 according to the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4. In a next step 22, the flow through the different flowmeters 1 is determined based on the selected identical data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4.

[0089] In addition, Fig. 10 a second embodiment of a method 4 for operating a plant 3, wherein the plant 3 is operated according to the method described in Fig. 6 illustrated embodiment.

[0090] In a first step 23, the central control unit 18 communicates the state variable to the individual flowmeters 1 via the communication channel 17 for selecting the data set to be used for the subsequent measurement. The flowmeters 1 are then operated 21 according to the selected data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4. In a next step 22, the flow through the different flowmeters 1 is determined based on the same data set 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4.

[0091] As a result, the method presented also has increased accuracy in filling a medium due to the improved flow measurement. Bezugszeichen

[0092] 1Flowmeter 2Procedure for operating a flowmeter 3System 4Procedure for operating a system 5Control and evaluation unit 6Memory 7.1...7.4Data set 8Calculation unit 9Sensor unit 10Additional sensor 11Device interface 12Determination of a data set 13Control of the sensor unit 14Acquisition and forwarding of a primary variable 15Determination of the flow 16Pipe system 17Communication system 18Central control unit 19Selection of a data set 20Communication of the selected data set 21Operation of the flowmeters using the same data set 22Determination of the flow 23Communication of the state variable

Claims

1. Flowmeter (1) having at least one control and evaluation unit (5) and having a sensor unit for capturing a primary variable, wherein the control and evaluation unit (5) has at least one computing unit (8) for determining the flow rate and / or for operating the sensor unit (9), wherein the sensor unit (9) is connected to the computing unit (8), and wherein the computing unit (8) is designed in such a way that, during operation, it determines the flow rate from the primary variable having at least one memory (6) associated with the flowmeter for storing a plurality of data sets (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) characterized in that, during operation, the computing unit (8) controls the sensor unit (9) based on at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) of a plurality of data sets, wherein the at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) comprises at least one set of calibration values and / or at least one parameter for the operation of the sensor unit (9), in detail for the control of the sensor unit (9), and wherein the at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) is assigned to at least one value of a state variable, wherein the at least one state variable is a medium parameter and / or a process parameter, and wherein the computing unit is designed in such a way that it exchanges the data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) during operation depending on a change in the state variable.

2. Flowmeter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit (8) determines the flow rate during operation based on at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) and that the at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) additionally comprises at least one parameter for determining the flow rate.

3. Flowmeter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the computing unit (8) has an interface to at least one further sensor (10) for measuring the state variable, in particular for measuring a process parameter and / or a medium parameter, wherein the at least one further sensor (10) is connected to the computing unit via a cable connection or a wireless connection, in particular via a radio connection.

4. Flowmeter (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one further sensor is part of the flowmeter.

5. Flowmeter (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one further sensor (10) is a conductivity sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor and / or an acceleration sensor and / or a sensor for measuring the density of the medium and / or a sensor for measuring the composition of the medium and / or a sensor for measuring the flow direction of the medium.

6. Flowmeter (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the control and evaluation unit (5) has a, preferably digital, device interface (11), wherein the control and evaluation unit is connected to the external control unit via the device interface (11).

7. Method (2) for operating a flowmeter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of data sets (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) is stored in the at least one memory, characterized in that the method (2) comprises the following steps, - selection (12) of at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) on which the measurement is to be based, preferably by measuring a state variable, - operation (13) of the sensor unit (9) according to the at least one selected data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4), - capture (14) of a primary variable by the sensor unit (9) and forwarding it to the computing unit (8), - determination (15) of the flow rate by the computing unit (8) from the primary variable and preferably the at least one selected data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4).

8. Method (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one state variable is a medium parameter and / or a process parameter.

9. Method (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one process parameter is the velocity of the medium and / or the temperature of the medium and / or the pressure of the medium.

10. Method (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one medium parameter is the density of the medium and / or the conductivity of the medium and / or the composition of the medium.

11. Method (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a device interface (11) is provided and that the determination of the data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) on which the measurement is to be based is carried out by a command via the device interface or that the control and evaluation unit is informed of the data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) on which the measurement is to be based by an external control unit via the device interface (11).

12. System (3), in particular filling system for filling a fluid medium, comprising at least two flowmeters (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least two flowmeters (1) are arranged in the course of a pipe system, further comprising a communication system (17) via which the control and evaluation units (5) of the flowmeters (1) can communicate with one another during operation, characterized in that the flowmeters (1) are designed and linked to one another in such a way that, during operation, they use an identical data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) or identical data sets (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) depending on at least one state variable for determining the flow rate and / or for operating the respective sensor unit (9), in particular for controlling the respective sensor unit (9).

13. System (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that at least partially identical data sets (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) are stored in the at least two control and evaluation units (5) of the flowmeters (1).

14. System (3) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the system comprises a central control unit which is connected to the at least two flowmeters via the communication system (17) and which is designed such that, during operation, it communicates the status variable to the control and evaluation units (5), wherein the flowmeters (1) are designed such that they select the at least one corresponding data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) in dependence on the transmitted status variable.

15. System (3) according to claim 14, characterized in that the central control unit (18) is provided which is connected to the at least two flowmeters (1) via the communication system (17), wherein the central control unit (18) is designed such that it communicates the at least one data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) on which the measurement is to be based to the control and evaluation units during operation.

16. Method (4) for operating a system (3) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the at least two flowmeters (1) are each operated according to a method (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the at least two flowmeters (1) use an identical data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) or identical data sets (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) for operating the sensor unit (9) and / or for determining the flow rate.

17. Method (4) according to claim 16, characterized in that the central control unit (18) is provided which is connected to the at least two flowmeters (1) via the communication system (17), wherein the central control unit (18) communicates the state variable to the control and evaluation units (5) during operation so that the flowmeters (1) select the corresponding data set (7. 1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) depending on the communicated state variable or wherein the central control unit (18) communicates the data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) on which the measurement is to be based to the control and evaluation unit (5) during operation.

18. Method (4) according to claim 16, characterized in that exactly one flowmeter (1) selects the data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) during operation and communicates the selected data set (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) to the remaining flowmeters (1) via the communication system (17).