Mounting tool for mounting an insertable flowmeter and method for setting up such a flowmeter

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting tool (10) configured to mount a measuring device (1) that can be inserted into a pipe (20), such as a flowmeter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flowmeter, comprising: - a receiving device (11) configured to receive a sensor neck (2.1) of the measuring device, - a pointer device (12) which is configured to indicate an alignment of the mounting tool and is fastened to the receiving device, - a fastening device (13), the receiving device having a body (11.1) with two end faces (11.11) which run parallel to one another, in particular are identical and are arranged one above the other, and an edge surface (11.12) connecting the end faces, wherein on at least one of the end faces the body has a first marking (11.14), which is configured to be brought into alignment with a second marking (2.11) of the sensor neck (2.1), the pointing device having a laser (12.1), by means of which an alignment of the mounting tool can be adjusted.

Description

[0001] Assembly tool for assembling a plug-in flow meter and method for setting up such a flow meter

[0002] The invention relates to an assembly tool for assembling and aligning a flowmeter that can be inserted into a pipeline, and to a method for setting up such a flowmeter. Typically, such flowmeter tubes have a sensor neck with a marking, by means of which the orientation of a sensor of the flowmeter can be adjusted to within a few degrees. DE102017112622A1 shows such an exemplary thermal flowmeter. It has been shown that this relatively coarse adjustment accuracy is often insufficient to achieve good measurement accuracy for a measured variable.

[0003] The task is therefore to propose a robust and precise alignment of a flow meter that can be inserted into a pipeline.

[0004] The object is achieved by an assembly tool according to independent claim 1, by an assembly arrangement according to independent claim 13 and by a method according to independent claim 14.

[0005] An assembly tool according to the invention designed for mounting a measuring device that can be inserted into a pipeline, such as a flow meter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flow meter, comprises:

[0006] - a receiving device adapted to receive a sensor neck of the measuring device,

[0007] - a pointer device which is arranged to indicate an orientation of the assembly tool and is attached to the receiving device,

[0008] - a fastening device which is designed to fasten the assembly tool to the sensor neck via at least three contact areas, wherein the receiving device has a body with two end faces running parallel to one another, in particular identical and lying one above the other, and an edge face connecting the end faces, wherein the body has an indentation for receiving the sensor neck, wherein the edge face has at least two of the at least three contact areas, wherein the body has a first marking on at least one of the end faces, which is designed to be aligned with a second marking on the sensor neck, wherein the pointing device has a laser which is designed to project a light marking, in particular in the form of a point or line, by means of which an alignment of the assembly tool can be adjusted.

[0009] In this way, a sensor that can be inserted into a pipeline can be precisely and robustly aligned using the assembly tool.

[0010] In one embodiment, the fastening device has a screw device with a screw, which screw is designed to press the sensor neck against the contact areas of the edge surface, wherein the screw forms one of the contact areas.

[0011] In this way, the assembly tool can be stored precisely and firmly on the sensor neck.

[0012] In one embodiment, the screw has a screw axis, wherein the contact areas of the edge surface are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the screw axis.

[0013] In this way, the assembly tool can be positioned even more precisely on the sensor neck.

[0014] In one embodiment, the laser is configured to project a linear light marking, wherein the laser has an aperture angle of at least 10 angular degrees in a first plane passing through the light marking for the purpose of projecting the linear light marking, and an aperture angle of less than 1 angular degree in a second plane passing through the laser, which is perpendicular to the first plane.

[0015] In this way, a clearly visible light mark can be created, which can further minimize alignment inaccuracies. When rotating with absolute tangential uncertainty, the mark becomes increasingly more accurate with increasing pointer length with respect to angular error.

[0016] In one embodiment, the body has a first marking on each end face, wherein the first markings are in particular identical in a projection onto a plane passing through one of the end faces.

[0017] This simplifies the handling of the assembly tool, as the user always has an initial marking in mind.

[0018] In one embodiment, the receiving device comprises at least one of the following materials: metal such as stainless steel, a plastic, a wood, a composite material.

[0019] In one embodiment, the receiving device has a surface coating that is particularly hydrophobic. This ensures long-term mechanical stability of the receiving device.

[0020] In one embodiment, a screw tip has a softer material than the sensor neck.

[0021] In this way, damage to the sensor neck can be avoided.

[0022] In one embodiment, the body is configured with respect to the contact areas to encompass the sensor neck at least by 200 angular degrees, and in particular at least by 210 angular degrees and preferably at least by 220 angular degrees and / or at most by 260 angular degrees, and in particular at most by 250 angular degrees and preferably at most by 240 angular degrees when the assembly tool is positioned on the sensor neck.

[0023] In this way, a secure and robust fit of the assembly tool on the sensor neck can be ensured.

[0024] In one embodiment, the assembly tool comprises a separate aiming device which is configured to be positioned at a distance greater than 50 centimeters from the pointing device and to provide an optimal alignment to the light marking, wherein the laser is configured to be aligned in the direction of the aiming device.

[0025] In one embodiment, the aiming device has a device for checking a particularly horizontal or vertical alignment.

[0026] The alignment device can, for example, include a spirit level, a support or holder for an electronic position measuring device such as a smartphone, or a recess adapted to the sensor neck. The recess can be placed against the sensor neck and thereby forced into the correct alignment. Depending on the orientation of the sensor neck, the targeting device's desired alignment may also deviate from horizontal or vertical.

[0027] In one embodiment, a first end of the first marking facing the sensor neck has a distance of at most 5 millimeters and in particular at most 3 millimeters from a wall of the sensor neck in the mounted state.

[0028] This minimizes the adjustment uncertainty of the mounting tool on the sensor neck. A mounting arrangement according to the invention comprises: a pipeline for conveying a medium; a measuring device that can be inserted into the pipeline, such as a flowmeter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flowmeter; and an installation tool according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged on a sensor neck of the measuring device for aligning the measuring device with respect to the pipeline.

[0029] This allows the measuring device to be aligned with respect to the pipeline.

[0030] In a method according to the invention for installing a measuring device that can be inserted into a pipeline, in particular a flow meter, preferably a thermal flow meter, the measuring device comprises the following:

[0031] - a sensor for providing measurement signals of a flow measurement variable, in particular with at least two probes, wherein at least one of the probes is designed to heat a medium flowing through the pipeline, and wherein at least one of the probes is designed to detect a temperature of the medium,

[0032] - a housing with an electronic measuring / operating circuit arranged in the housing for operating the probes, for evaluating measuring signals from the probes and for providing measured values ​​of a measured quantity,

[0033] - a sensor neck which connects the sensor to the housing and guides electrical lines between the electronic measuring / operating circuit and the probes, the sensor neck being designed to be guided through an opening in a wall of the pipeline and to be sealed to the wall in a media-tight manner, the assembly tool being aligned and fastened to the sensor neck in a first method step, the sensor being guided through the opening in the wall in a second method step and the pointer device being aligned, for example, parallel to a pipeline axis in a third method step, the sensor neck being sealed to the wall by means of a closure mechanism.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second method step comprises positioning the target device before aligning the pointing device.

[0035] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 shows an exemplary assembly tool according to the invention;

[0036] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the assembly tool shown in Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the assembly tool shown in Fig. 1 mounted on a sensor neck;

[0038] Fig. 4 outlines a mounting arrangement with a measuring device that can be inserted into a pipeline and has a sensor neck to which an exemplary mounting tool according to the invention is attached;

[0039] Fig. 5 outlines an embodiment of an assembly tool according to the invention;

[0040] Fig. 6 outlines a measuring device that can be inserted into a pipeline and has a sensor neck to which an exemplary assembly tool according to the invention is attached;

[0041] Fig. 7 shows an oblique view of a measuring device that can be plugged into a pipeline;

[0042] Fig. 8 outlines the sequence of an exemplary method according to the invention for setting up a measuring device that can be inserted into a pipeline.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an exemplary assembly tool 10 according to the invention, which comprises a receiving device 11 for receiving a sensor neck 2.1 (not shown here) of a measuring device that can be plugged into a pipeline, a pointer device 12 with a pointer 12.1 for aligning the assembly device, and a fastening device 13 for fastening to the sensor neck. The receiving device comprises a body 11.1 with two parallel, here in particular identical and superimposed end faces 11.11 and an edge surface 11.12 connecting the end faces, wherein the body has an indentation 11.13 for receiving the sensor neck.

[0044] A laser 12.1 of the pointing device is configured to project a light marking, particularly a point or line, by means of which the alignment of the assembly tool can be adjusted. This makes it easy to achieve sufficiently precise alignment of the measuring device, since during rotation with an absolute tangential uncertainty, the pointer positioning becomes increasingly accurate with increasing pointer length with respect to an angular error.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the assembly tool shown in Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the holding device.

[0046] According to the invention, the body has on at least one of the end faces 11.11 a first marking 11.14 with a first end 11.141, which first end is designed to be aligned with a second marking 2.11 of the sensor neck 2.1; see also Fig. 3, which shows an enlarged detail of the assembly tool attached to a sensor neck 2.1. The fastening device 13 with a screw device 13.1 is designed to fasten the assembly tool to the sensor neck via at least three contact areas 14 (see also Fig. 3) between the assembly tool 10 and the sensor neck 2.11, wherein the edge surface in the area of ​​the indentation comprises at least two of the at least three contact areas 14, and wherein a screw tip 13.112 of the screw 13.11 forms a further contact area 14.

[0047] In one embodiment, the body 11 is configured with respect to the contact areas 14 to encompass the sensor neck at least by 200 angular degrees, and in particular at least by 210 angular degrees and preferably at least by 220 angular degrees and / or at most by 260 angular degrees, and in particular at most by 250 angular degrees and preferably at most by 240 angular degrees with respect to a center point of the sensor neck when the assembly tool 10 is positioned on the sensor neck 2.1.

[0048] In this way, a secure fit of the mounting tool on the sensor neck can be ensured when fastening, for example, across three contact areas.

[0049] In one embodiment, the screw 13.11 has a screw axis 13.111, wherein the contact regions 14 of the edge surface 11.12 are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the screw axis.

[0050] In one embodiment, the screw tip has a softer material than the sensor neck, so that damage to the sensor neck is avoided.

[0051] In one embodiment, the body has a first marking on each end face, wherein the first markings are particularly identical when projected onto a plane passing through one of the end faces. This simplifies handling of the assembly tool, as a user always has a first marking in view.

[0052] In one embodiment, the receiving device comprises at least one of the following materials: metal, such as stainless steel, a plastic, wood, or a composite material. In one embodiment, the receiving device has a surface coating, which is particularly hydrophobic. This ensures long-term mechanical stability of the receiving device.

[0053] In one embodiment of the assembly tool as shown in Fig. 3, the first end 11.141 of the first marking 11.14, which faces the sensor neck 2.1, has a distance of no more than 5 millimeters, and in particular no more than 3 millimeters, from a wall of the sensor neck in the assembled state. In this way, an alignment error of the assembly tool relative to the sensor neck can be reduced.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows a schematic oblique view of a mounting arrangement 40 with a measuring device 1 inserted into a pipeline, comprising a housing 3, in which housing an electronic measuring / operating circuit is arranged (see Fig. 6), a sensor for generating measuring signals for a measured variable, wherein the sensor and housing are connected via a sensor neck 2.1, to which sensor neck an exemplary assembly tool 10 according to the invention is fastened. In this example, the laser 12.1 is configured to generate a point-shaped light marking. As shown, for example, a sighting device 30 can be arranged on the pipeline 20, which indicates a desired alignment of the laser by means of a marking on a screen 34 of the sighting device. In this way, the measuring device 1 can be aligned in a simple manner. The sighting device can be used for the purpose of correct, e.g.horizontal alignment, a device for alignment such as a spirit level 31, or a storage for an electronic position measuring device such as a smartphone, or a recess adapted to the sensor neck, wherein the recess can be placed on the sensor neck and the aiming device can thus be aligned relative to the sensor neck, see also Fig. 5.

[0055] Fig. 5 outlines an embodiment of the aiming device 30, in which, as here, for example, a base 32 of the aiming device has a recess 33 that can be brought into alignment with a portion of the sensor neck 2.1, allowing alignment relative to an axis of the sensor neck. For example, the aiming device can subsequently be brought to a desired or minimum distance from the pointing device using markings.

[0056] Fig. 6 sketches an oblique view corresponding to Fig. 4, showing an exemplary embodiment of the assembly tool according to the invention, wherein the laser 12.1 is configured to generate a linear light marking 12.11 which has an opening angle of at least 10 angular degrees in a first plane running through the light marking, and an opening angle of less than 1 angular degree in a second plane running through the laser and perpendicular to the first plane. In this way, a correct alignment of the assembly tool 10 can be detected quite accurately even without an aiming device, in particular when the pipeline has a curved surface, such as in the case of a round measuring tube. In this case, the linear light marking is only straight if it runs parallel to a measuring tube axis.

[0057] The plug-in measuring device 1 can be, for example, a flow meter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flow meter.

[0058] Fig. 7 outlines an exemplary measuring device 1 that can be inserted into a pipeline and can be aligned by means of an assembly tool 10 according to the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Such a measuring device comprises a housing 3 for an electronic measuring / operating circuit 4 for operating the measuring device, such an electronic measuring / operating circuit 4, a sensor 2, and a sensor neck, which sensor neck 2.1 connects the sensor to the housing.

[0059] Fig. 8 outlines the sequence of an exemplary method according to the invention, wherein in a first method step 101 the assembly tool is aligned and fastened to the sensor neck, wherein in a second method step 102 the sensor is guided through the opening in the wall and the pointer device is aligned in the direction of a desired orientation, for example parallel to a pipeline axis, wherein in a third method step 103 the sensor neck is tightly sealed to the wall by means of a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism, as indicated by the nut, serves to tightly seal the sensor neck to a wall of the pipeline. For example, however, the sensor can also be guided through the opening in the wall first and then the assembly tool applied.

[0060] In this way, the sensor of a measuring device can be aligned precisely and safely in the measuring tube.

[0061] List of reference symbols

[0062] 1 measuring device

[0063] 2 sensors

[0064] 2.1 Sensor neck

[0065] 2.11 second mark

[0066] 2.12 Center point

[0067] 3 housings

[0068] 4 electronic measuring / operating circuit

[0069] 10 assembly tools

[0070] 11 Mounting device

[0071] 11.1 Body

[0072] 11.11 Frontal surface

[0073] 11.12 Edge area

[0074] 11.13 Indentation

[0075] 11.14 first mark

[0076] 11.141 first end of the first mark

[0077] 12 Pointer device

[0078] 12.1 Laser

[0079] 12.11 Light marking

[0080] 13 Fastening device

[0081] 13.1 Screwing device

[0082] 13.11 Screw

[0083] 13.111 Screw axis

[0084] 13.112 Screw tip 14 Contact area

[0085] 20 pipeline

[0086] 21 Wall

[0087] 21.1 Opening 30 Aiming device

[0088] 31 spirit level

[0089] 32 feet

[0090] 33 recess

[0091] 34 Shield 40 Mounting arrangement

[0092] 100 procedures

[0093] 101 first procedural step

[0094] 102 second procedural step

[0095] 103 third procedural step

Claims

Patent claims 1. Assembly tool (10) designed for assembling a measuring device (1) that can be inserted into a pipeline (20), such as a flow meter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flow meter, comprising: - a receiving device (11) arranged to receive a sensor neck (2.1) of the measuring device, - a pointer device (12) which is arranged to indicate an orientation of the assembly tool and is attached to the receiving device, - a fastening device (13) which is designed to fasten the assembly tool to the sensor neck via at least three contact areas (14), wherein the receiving device has a body (11.1) with two end faces (11.11) which run parallel to one another, in particular are identical and lie one above the other, and an edge face (11.12) connecting the end faces, wherein the body has an indentation (11.13) for receiving the sensor neck, wherein the edge face has at least two of the at least three contact areas, wherein the body has on at least one of the end faces a first marking (11.14) which is designed to be aligned with a second marking (2.11) of the sensor neck (2.1), wherein the pointing device has a laser (12.1) which is designed to produce a light marking (12.1), in particular a point-shaped or linear one.11) to project, by means of which marking the alignment of the assembly tool can be adjusted.

2. Assembly tool according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device (13) has a screw device (13.1) with a screw (13.11), which screw is designed to press the sensor neck against the contact areas (14) of the edge surface (11.12), wherein the screw forms one of the contact areas (14).

3. Assembly tool according to claim 2, wherein the screw (13.11) has a screw axis (13.111), wherein the contact regions (14) of the edge surface (11.12) are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the screw axis.

4. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser (12.1) is configured to project a linear light marking (12.11), wherein the laser has an aperture angle of at least 10 angular degrees in a first plane passing through the light marking for the purpose of projecting the linear light marking, and an aperture angle of less than 1 angular degree in a second plane passing through the laser, which is perpendicular to the first plane.

5. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (11.1) has a first marking (11.14) on each end face (11.11), wherein the first markings are in particular identical in a projection onto a plane passing through one of the end faces.

6. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (11) comprises at least one of the following materials: metal such as a stainless steel, a plastic, a wood, a composite material.

7. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (11) has a surface coating which is in particular hydrophobic.

8. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a screw tip (13.112) has a softer material than the sensor neck.

9. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (11) with respect to the contact areas (14) is designed to encompass the sensor neck at least to 200 angular degrees, and in particular at least to 210 angular degrees and preferably at least 220 angular degrees and / or at most 260 angular degrees, and in particular at most 250 angular degrees and preferably at most 240 angular degrees when the assembly tool (10) is positioned on the sensor neck (2.1).

10. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a targeting device (30) which is designed to be positioned at a distance greater than 20 centimeters, and in particular greater than 50 centimeters, from the pointing device (12) and to provide an optimal alignment to the light marking, wherein the laser (12.1) is designed to be aligned in the direction of the targeting device.

11. Assembly tool according to claim 10, wherein the aiming device has a device for alignment, in particular with respect to a horizontal or vertical line or on the sensor neck.

12. Assembly tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first end (11 .141) of the first marking facing the sensor neck (2.1) (11.14) when mounted, has a distance of no more than 5 millimetres and in particular no more than 3 millimetres.

13. A mounting arrangement (40) comprising: a pipeline (20) for conveying a medium; a measuring device (1) insertable into the pipeline, such as a flow meter, in particular a thermal or magnetic-inductive flow meter; an assembly tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged on a sensor neck of the measuring device for aligning the measuring device with respect to the pipeline.

14. Method (100) for installing a measuring device (1) that can be inserted into a pipeline, such as a flow meter, in particular a thermal or magnetic inductive flow meter, the measuring device comprising: - a sensor (2) for providing measurement signals of a flow measurement variable, in particular with at least two probes, wherein at least one of the probes is designed to heat a medium flowing through the pipeline, and wherein at least one of the probes is designed to detect a temperature of the medium, - a housing (3) with an electronic measuring / operating circuit (4) arranged in the housing for operating the sensor and in particular the probes, for evaluating measuring signals from the sensor and for providing measured values ​​of a measured variable, - a sensor neck (2.11) which connects the sensor to the housing and carries electrical lines between the electronic measuring / operating circuit and the probes, wherein the The sensor neck is designed to be guided through an opening (21.1) in a wall (21) of the pipeline and to be sealed media-tight with the wall, wherein in a first method step (101) the assembly tool is aligned and fastened to the sensor neck, wherein in a second method step (102) the sensor is guided through the opening in the wall and the pointer device is aligned in the direction of a desired alignment, for example parallel to a pipeline axis, wherein in a third method step (103) the sensor neck is sealed tightly with the wall by means of a closure mechanism.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second method step (102) comprises positioning the target device (30) before aligning the pointer device (12).

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