Mounting device, clamp-on ultrasonic converter, and clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting device (10) which is designed to install an ultrasonic converter (20) on a media-conducting pipeline (40), comprising: a rocker (11) with a first end (11.1), a second end (11.2), and a rotational bearing (11.3) which lies therebetween; and a base (12), on which the rocker is mounted by means of the rotational bearing and on which the rocker is secured with respect to a lateral and vertical movement, wherein the base has at least two securing bearings (12.1) for a securing device for securing the base to the pipeline, the first end of the rocker has a coupling body bearing (13) which is designed to exert a force onto a coupling body of an ultrasonic converter in the direction of a first installation device side (10.1) facing in the direction of the pipeline, and the second end of the rocker has a housing (14) for linearly guiding a stamp (15), said stamp being designed to exert a force against the base in the direction of the first side by means of a first end of the stamp (15.1).

Description

[0001] Mounting device, clamp-on ultrasonic transducer and clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device

[0002] The invention relates to a mounting device configured for mounting a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer, a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer, and a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device for measuring a measured variable of a medium flowing through a pipeline.

[0003] Clamp-on ultrasonic measuring devices, such as those shown in DE102016119910A1, feature ultrasonic transducers that are attached to the outside of media-carrying pipes. Typically, fastening straps or bands are used to secure such ultrasonic transducers. However, this can lead to displacement of the ultrasonic transducer during installation.

[0004] The object of the invention can be seen to propose a simple and robust mounting of a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer.

[0005] The object is achieved by a mounting device according to independent claim 1, by a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer according to independent claim 7 and by a clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device according to independent claim 9.

[0006] A mounting device according to the invention configured for mounting an ultrasonic transducer on a media-carrying pipeline comprises a rocker having a first end, a second end and a rotary bearing located therebetween; a base on which the rocker is mounted by means of the rotary bearing and is fastened with respect to lateral and vertical movement, wherein the base has at least one fastening bearing for a fastening device for fastening the base to the pipeline; wherein the first end of the rocker has a coupling body bearing, which coupling body bearing is configured to exert a force on a coupling body of an ultrasonic transducer in the direction of a first side of the

[0007] Mounting device, wherein the second end of the rocker has a linearly guided stamp, wherein the stamp is configured to act by means of a first end of the stamp a force in the direction of the first side against the base.

[0008] By attaching the base and clamp-on ultrasonic transducer separately, the mounting fixture can be positioned and secured first, and then the ultrasonic transducer can be fixed to the pipeline. By applying force against the base using the plunger, with the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer in position, the first end of the rocker is moved toward the pipeline, exerting a corresponding contact force on the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer.

[0009] In one embodiment, the punch is guided in a housing, the housing comprising: a housing pot arranged on a first side of the housing facing the pipeline, with a centrally arranged first opening, a housing cover arranged on a side of the housing facing away from the pipeline, with a centrally arranged second opening, a punch sleeve for radially supporting the punch with an open first end, wherein the punch is movable in the punch sleeve along a sleeve axis, wherein the first end of the punch extends through the first opening of the housing and protrudes from the open first end of the punch sleeve, wherein the housing cover has an internal thread in the region of the second opening, into which an external thread of the punch sleeve engages, wherein a spring device arranged in the housing is designed, in the fastened state of the mounting device,To create a preload between the punch and the punch sleeve along the sleeve axis, wherein the preload can be established by inserting the punch into the punch sleeve through the first end of the punch sleeve. In one embodiment, the spring device comprises a disc spring, which acts against a radial projection of the punch and against the first end of the punch sleeve facing the radial projection.

[0010] In one embodiment, a second end of the punch has a punch end face, wherein the punch sleeve has a second open end with an annular sleeve end face, wherein in the fastened state of the mounting device, alignment of the punch end face with the sleeve end face indicates the presence of a desired force on the coupling body.

[0011] In this way, a technician can easily determine whether the clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is being pressed against the pipeline with a desired force.

[0012] In one embodiment, a lever length of the first end of the rocker with respect to the rotary bearing is greater than a lever length of the second end of the rocker.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rocker and base are each made of a metal such as steel, or in particular stainless steel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the mounting device can be pressed against a pipeline with a first force, wherein the coupling body bearing is designed to cause a second force against the coupling body, wherein the second force is smaller than the first force.

[0015] A clamp-on ultrasonic transducer according to the invention comprises: a transducer element for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; a coupling body for transmitting the ultrasonic signals between the pipeline and the transducer element, with a counter bearing configured for the coupling body bearing.

[0016] A clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device according to the invention comprises a mounting device according to the invention; at least one ultrasonic transducer according to the invention, in particular at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers, each configured for mounting by means of the mounting device; an electronic measuring / operating circuit for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for evaluating measurement signals from the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing measured values ​​of at least one measured variable, such as flow rate or speed of sound of a medium flowing through a pipeline.

[0017] In the following, the invention is described using exemplary embodiments.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary mounting device according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a section through a rocker of an exemplary mounting device according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 3 outlines a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer attached to a pipeline according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 4 outlines an example clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary mounting device 10 according to the invention for fastening a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer 20. The mounting device has a base 12, which can be fastened to a pipeline by means of a fastening bearing 12.1 via a fastening device. A rocker 11 is mounted on the base by means of a rotary bearing 11.3 so as to be rotatably movable and laterally fixed. A first end 11.1 of the rocker has a coupling body bearing 13 for supporting a counter bearing 22.1 of a coupling body 22 of a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer 20. A second end 11.2 of the rocker has a housing 14 for the linear guidance of a punch 15, wherein the punch is configured to act on the base in the direction of the first side by means of a first end of the punch 15.1, a force. In this way, a contact force can be exerted on the coupling body of an ultrasonic transducer 20 via a lever action of the rocker 11.Instead of a housing, the punch can also be guided linearly using other constructions.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a section through the housing 14 of the rocker shown in Fig. 1, wherein the housing has a first housing part 14.1 on a side 14.01 facing the pipeline, and a second housing part 14.2 on a side 14.02 facing away from the pipeline. One of the two housing parts is designed as a housing pot and the other of the two housing parts is designed as a housing cover. In this example, the first housing part forms a housing pot and the second housing part forms a housing cover. A punch sleeve 14.3 is designed to mount the punch 15 in a radially fixed and axially movable manner. The punch sleeve has a first open end 14.31 which faces the first side of the housing, wherein the punch protrudes from the first open end.

[0024] The punch sleeve is mounted in the second housing part, here the housing cover, by means of an external thread 14.32, which engages with an internal thread 14.22 of the second housing part. A spring device 16, for example as shown here with two disc springs 16.1, is arranged in the housing. This spring device is designed to create a preload between the punch 15 and the punch sleeve 14.3 along the sleeve axis 14.33, wherein the preload can be built up by inserting the punch into the punch sleeve through the first end 14.31 of the punch sleeve. By turning the punch sleeve in the internal thread of the second housing part, the preload between the punch and the punch sleeve and thus the force that the punch exerts against the base can be adjusted. The spring device acts or the disc springs act against a radial projection 15.3 of the punch and against the first end of the punch sleeve 14.31 facing the radial projection.

[0025] In one embodiment, as shown here, a second end 15.2 of the punch has a punch end face 15.21, wherein the punch sleeve 14.3 has a second open end 14.34 with an annular sleeve end face 14.4, wherein in the fastened state of the mounting device, alignment of the punch end face with the sleeve end face indicates the presence of a desired force on the coupling body.

[0026] Fig. 3 outlines a clamp-on ultrasonic transducer attached to a pipe 40

[0027] 20, which is attached to an outer side of the pipeline by means of a mounting device 10 according to the invention. The mounting device can be attached, for example, via a rod system as indicated here; however, the skilled person has free choice in the selection of the mounting device. By means of the mounting device 10, a coupling body 22 of the ultrasonic transducer 20 is pressed against the pipeline via the counter-bearing 22.1 of the coupling body, so that ultrasonic signals generated by the transducer element 21 can be effectively coupled into the pipeline.

[0028] Fig. 4 outlines an exemplary schematic clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device 1 with two clamp-on ultrasonic transducers 20, which are arranged on an outer side of the pipeline 40. An electronic measuring / operating circuit 30 is configured to operate the clamp-on ultrasonic transducers, evaluate measurement signals from the clamp-on ultrasonic transducers, and provide measured values ​​of a measured variable. Such a measured variable can be, for example, a flow velocity or a speed of sound of a medium flowing through the pipeline. A transit time or transit time difference method can be used, for example. The number and arrangement of clamp-on ultrasonic transducers shown here are purely exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting.

[0029] List of reference symbols

[0030] I Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter

[0031] 10 Mounting device

[0032] 10.1 first page

[0033] II Seesaw

[0034] 11.1 first end

[0035] 11.2 second end

[0036] 11.3 Rotation bearings

[0037] 12 bases

[0038] 12.1 Mounting bearing

[0039] 13 coupling body bearings

[0040] 14 housings

[0041] 14.01 first page

[0042] 14.02 second page

[0043] 14.1 first housing part

[0044] 14.11 first opening

[0045] 14.2 second housing part

[0046] 14.21 second opening

[0047] 14.22 Internal thread

[0048] 14.3 Stamp sleeve

[0049] 14.31 open first end

[0050] 14.32 External thread 14.33 Sleeve axis

[0051] 14.34 open second end

[0052] 14.4 Sleeve end face

[0053] 15 stamps

[0054] 15.1 first end

[0055] 15.2 second end

[0056] 15.21 Stamp face

[0057] 15.3 radial projection

[0058] 16 Spring device

[0059] 16.1 Disc spring

[0060] 20 ultrasonic transducers

[0061] 21 Transducer element

[0062] 22 coupling bodies

[0063] 22.1 Counter bearing

[0064] 30 electronic measuring / operating circuit

[0065] 40 pipeline

Claims

Patent claims 1. A mounting device (10) configured for mounting an ultrasonic transducer (20) on a media-carrying pipeline (40), comprising: a rocker (11) having a first end (11.1), a second end (11.2), and a rotary bearing (11.3) located therebetween; a base (12) on which the rocker is mounted by means of the rotary bearing and is fastened for lateral and vertical movement, wherein the base has at least two fastening bearings (12.1) for a fastening device for fastening the base to the pipeline; wherein the first end of the rocker has a coupling body bearing (13), which coupling body bearing is configured to exert a force on a coupling body of an ultrasonic transducer in the direction of a first side (10.1) of the mounting device facing the pipeline, wherein the second end of the rocker has a linearly guided punch (15), wherein the punch is configured to be guided by means of a first end of the punch (15.1 ) a force is applied in the direction of the first side of the mounting device against the base.

2. Mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the punch is guided in a housing, wherein the housing (14) comprises: a first housing part (14.1) arranged on a first side of the housing (14.01) facing the pipeline (40) with a centrally arranged first opening (14.11), a second housing part (14.2) arranged on a side of the housing (14.02) facing away from the pipeline with a centrally arranged second opening (14.21), a punch sleeve (14.3) for radially supporting the punch with an open first end (14.31), wherein the punch is movable in the punch sleeve along a sleeve axis (14.33), wherein the first end of the punch extends through the first opening of the housing (14.11) and protrudes from the open first end of the punch sleeve, wherein the housing cover has an internal thread (14.22) in the region of the second opening (14.21), into which an external thread (14.32) of the punch sleeve engages, wherein a spring device (16) arranged in the housing is designed, in the fastened state of the mounting device, to bring about a preload between the punch (15) and the punch sleeve (14.3) along the sleeve axis (14.33), wherein the preload can be built up by introducing the punch into the punch sleeve through the first end (14.31) of the punch sleeve.

3. Mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the spring device (16) has at least one disc spring (16.1) which acts against a radial projection (15.3) of the punch and against the first end of the punch sleeve (14.31) facing the radial projection.

4. Mounting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a second end (15.2) of the punch has a punch end face (15.21), wherein the punch sleeve (14.3) has a second open end (14.34) with an annular sleeve end face (14.4), wherein in the fastened state of the mounting device, alignment of the punch end face with the sleeve end face indicates the presence of a desired force on the coupling body.

5. Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lever length of the first end (11.1) of the rocker with respect to the rotary bearing is greater than a lever length of the second end (11.2) of the rocker.

6. Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rocker and base are each made of a metal such as a steel, or in particular a stainless steel.

7. Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting device can be pressed against a pipeline with a first force, wherein a second force can be exerted against the coupling body (22) via coupling body bearings (22.1), wherein the second force is smaller than the first force.

8. A clamp-on ultrasonic transducer (20) configured for a mounting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: a transducer element (21) for generating and detecting ultrasonic signals; a coupling body (22) for transmitting the ultrasonic signals between the pipeline and the transducer element, with a counter-bearing (22.1) configured for the coupling body bearing (13).

9. Clamp-on ultrasonic measuring device (1) comprising: a mounting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims; at least one ultrasonic transducer (20) according to claim 8, in particular at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers, each configured for mounting by means of the mounting device; an electronic measuring / operating circuit (30) for operating the at least one ultrasonic transducer, for evaluating measurement signals from the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and for providing measured values ​​of at least one measured variable, such as flow rate or speed of sound of a medium flowing through a pipeline.

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