Sample collection

Abstract

A device (1) according to the invention for sample collection from a gaseous / fluid medium flow is provided with a housing (2), with a medium feed (3), with a medium outlet line (4), and with a medium line (5) which allows a flow of medium from the medium supply (3) to the medium outlet line (4) through the housing (2). In the housing (2), a plurality of controllable valves (10) are arranged in the medium line (5). Furthermore, a plurality of receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c) are provided for the gas-tight / fluid-tight reception of removable sample tubes (7a, 7b, 7c). Each of the receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c) is connected to a single valve (10) by means of a line (9a, 9b, 9c). A plurality of removable sample tubes (7a, 7b, 7c) for storing samples of the gaseous / fluid medium flow are provided as part of the device (1) and are designed to be received in a gas-tight / fluid-tight manner in the receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c). In the housing (2), a control unit (8) is also provided which is designed to control controllable valves (10) for selectively conducting the medium flow in the direction of the allocated receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c) with the removable sample tubes (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged therein. With this device (1) for sample collection from a medium flow, it is possible at the current point in time to examine the medium with the aid of the allocated gas sensor (13) by removing a sample volume from the medium flow and examining same, and additionally removing the removed sample volume, which is located in a removable sample tube (7a, 7b, 7c), from the rest of the device for sample collection and thus from the receptacle and providing it for a further, in particular in-depth analysis.

Description

[0001] Sampling

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a device for taking samples from a fluid, particularly gaseous, media stream. Such sampling devices are known, for example, from exhaust gas treatment in internal combustion engines. Such sampling devices are also suitable for clean gas monitoring.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Such devices for taking samples in a fluid, particularly gaseous, media stream are frequently used to examine the composition of gases and, in doing so, to indicate disturbing concentrations of dangerous or undesirable gases in the medium being examined or, depending on this, to initiate certain measures to eliminate or mitigate the negative effects of a dangerous or undesirable gas. Such devices for taking samples in a fluid, particularly gaseous, media stream are used in particular in exhaust gas purification or in clean gas monitoring.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2017 122 150 A1 discloses a method for cleaning gas sensors in an exhaust system. In this method, a gas sensor is arranged within the exhaust line and takes a gas sample at its sampling end, which is then analyzed by the gas sensor. The analysis result is forwarded via an electrical line to the electronic engine control unit (ECM), which checks the exhaust gas according to standard procedures and strategies. The exhaust gas sample taken cannot be re-submitted for later, subsequent analysis, in particular using a different gas sensor, which limits the quality of the exhaust gas analysis.

[0007] From the German utility model DE 20 2020 005 856 U1 an analysis device and an analysis system for analyzing a measurement target gas contained in a sample gas are known. The analysis device shows a filling unit which is designed to be filled with a sample gas which contains the measurement target gas. Measuring light is introduced into the filter unit via a radiation unit and the concentration of the measurement target gas in one of the filling units is determined based on the effect of the optical properties of the sample gas or the measurement target gas. If necessary, the filling unit is cleaned with a purge gas or calibrated using a reference gas. This analysis also does not allow the analyzed sample gas to be subsequently fed back into the filter unit, in particular for further investigation.

[0008] Another sampling device for taking samples from a media stream as part of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device in a motor vehicle is known from German patent DE 10 2015 217 178 B3. In this device, samples are taken from the exhaust gas stream at various points in the exhaust gas stream using a plurality of sampling elements in the exhaust pipe, thus enabling analysis. This analysis enables spatially differentiated information on the measured values. The vehicle's electronic engine control unit (ECM) will use this information to monitor the exhaust gas stream in accordance with common procedures and strategies. This analysis also does not allow the analyzed sample gas to be subsequently subjected to further investigation.

[0009] The German utility model DE 20 2021 104 545 Ul discloses a test kit for the detection of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This test kit features a sampling device in the form of a cotton swab that is inserted into various sample tubes containing different reagents that react with the sample taken. These various sample tubes are tightly sealed with appropriate lids and allow a statement to be made about the presence of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the sample. This test kit is suitable exclusively for the detection of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and is not suitable for automatically and reliably taking samples from a media stream.

[0010] These sampling devices prove to be unsuitable for taking samples from a gaseous or fluid media stream and for subjecting them to later, particularly more detailed, examination or analysis.

[0011] A water sampling system for contamination-free water samples is known from US2013145867A1. The water samples are taken at a depth-dependent rate and introduced into tubes using a pump, where they are stored. A squeeze mechanism for the tubes allows them to be filled and sealed with the introduced sample. The flexible tubes can then be removed. The tubes prove to be unsuitable for storage and subsequent handling, including analysis.

[0012] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention is based on the object of providing a device for taking samples from a gaseous or fluid media stream which is improved compared to the prior art.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention with a device for taking samples from a media stream, which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0016] The device according to the invention for taking samples from a gaseous or fluid media stream is provided with a housing, with a media supply for supplying the medium to be examined, which is supplied continuously or discontinuously in the form of a media stream, with a media outlet for discharging the supplied medium from the housing, and with a media line which enables a media flow from the media supply to the media outlet of the device. Furthermore, a plurality of controllable valves are arranged in the media line in the housing of the device for taking samples. Also provided are a plurality of receptacles for gas-tight reception of removable sample sleeves, wherein the receptacles are connected to individual valves via a respective line. The plurality of removable sample sleeves are provided for storing samples of the media stream.A control unit is provided in the housing of the sampling device, which is designed to control controllable valves and thus enables the media flow to be selectively fed to individual receptacles or individual sample sleeves in the corresponding receptacle. The device for taking samples from a media flow has at least one gas sensor which is assigned to the sampling device. The gas sensor is connected to the control unit in such a way that it transmits an alarm signal to the control unit depending on whether a threshold value for the measured value of the gas sensor is exceeded or not reached. The control unit then controls at least one controllable valve depending on this alarm signal so that the sample sleeve assigned to this valve is supplied with a sample volume from the media flow, whereby this occurs depending on the alarm signal.This makes it possible, for example, if the gas sensor detects that the supplied medium is too heavily contaminated with an interfering or harmful component and the concentration of this component has therefore exceeded a predetermined threshold value, an alarm signal is generated in the gas sensor and fed to the control unit in the sampling device. Accordingly, a sample is taken from the medium flow in a situation-specific manner when the alarm condition exists and the concentration of the interfering component is therefore too high. The duration of the sampling and thus the activation of the controllable valve can be selected according to a number of different alternative options.For example, after a predetermined period of time, the controllable valve can be closed and sampling thus ended, which represents a very simple control system. Alternatively, the control of the controllable valve can be ended as soon as the alarm signal is canceled again because the value falls below the threshold, which enables very specific and meaningful sampling with regard to the interfering component. Furthermore, it is also possible to select the control of the valve so that a defined volume is taken as a sample from the sample stream and fed via the controlled valve into the assigned sample sleeve. This is particularly reliable when the device includes a volume sensor.

[0017] With this device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream, it is possible to examine the medium at a current time by taking a sample volume from the media stream and examining this, and additionally to remove the taken sample volume, which is located in a removable sample sleeve, from the rest of the sampling device and thus from the receptacle and to subject it to a further, in particular a more in-depth analysis. This now makes it possible to carry out this further, in particular more in-depth analysis at a later time, for example using an additional gas sensor or using a specific, different method for analyzing the medium, in order to obtain additional, in particular better information on the properties of the medium to be examined.Thus, with the aid of the sampling device according to the invention, it is possible to obtain more in-depth and improved information about the medium under investigation. The sampling and the associated possibility of subsequent, particularly differentiated, examination or analysis play a special role.

[0018] In addition, it has also proven very advantageous that not only one sample sleeve is provided, which can be selectively controlled via the controllable valves and thus selectively supplied with the medium from the media flow. Rather, several sample sleeves or receptacles are provided, each of which is assigned to a controllable valve. This makes it possible to have several different sample volumes available for later and, in particular, differentiated analysis, with these different sample volumes being taken from the media flow at different times, thus providing the option of a differentiated observation of the media flow, in particular of the change in the media flow. Such an analysis can, for example, be carried out using PID, mass spectroscopy or similar methods.Such devices therefore prove to be particularly suitable for taking samples in a fluid, in particular gaseous, media stream, particularly in exhaust gas purification or in clean gas monitoring.

[0019] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention such that a volume sensor is arranged in the media flow between the media supply and the first controllable valve in the direction of the media flow—i.e., downstream. This makes it possible to obtain reliable information about the media flow with regard to the volume of the flowing medium or with regard to the size of the volume flow and thus the throughput of the medium as a whole, because the entire media flow supplied via the media supply is fed to this first, downstream, controllable valve.This information on the volume or volume flow of the medium through the flow sensor proves to be very valuable, since different media flow rates can lead to very different properties, particularly in the composition of the media, particularly with regard to impurities that can influence the quality of the medium. Such changes in the properties of the medium can be very significant and make subsequent, particularly in-depth, examination or analysis of the samples taken, which are stored in removable sample sleeves, possible and, if necessary.

[0020] In a corresponding way, it has proven useful for the sampling device to be further developed in such a way that it has a time recording unit which is connected to the control unit. With the help of the time recording unit, it is possible to control the controllable valves using the time information from the time recording unit. The time control can be directed on the one hand to the period of time in which a valve enables the filling of the associated sample sleeve, or alternatively or additionally to a defined point in time at which a specific valve or several valves make it possible to fill the associated sample sleeves. This leads to a very flexible and informative option of taking samples from the media flow with the help of the sampling device and subjecting them to a differentiated, in particular in-depth, later examination or analysis.This is all the more true since the knowledge about the period of filling the sample volume or the time of filling is known via the control unit with assigned time recording unit and can be read out if necessary.

[0021] In addition to the possibility of arranging a gas sensor outside the housing of the sampling device with a signaling connection to the control unit, a particularly preferred development of the invention has proven particularly advantageous, which features an arrangement of a gas sensor in the housing between the media supply and the first controllable valve in the direction of the media flow. This development creates a very compact and self-contained sampling device that is fully functional and enables later, particularly in-depth, examination or analysis of the sample volumes taken in the removable sample sleeves, thus enabling better significance and information about the medium being examined.

[0022] A particularly preferred development of the invention features a control unit designed such that only a single controllable valve releases the flow of the media stream to a receptacle and thus to the receptacle associated with the respective valve or to a sample sleeve in this receptacle. This development of the sampling device makes it possible to direct the sample taken from the media stream, and thus the sample volume, into a single sample sleeve and store it therein.Since this sample sleeve is removable and shields the sample volume gas-tight or fluid-tight against the environment of the sample sleeve, it is possible to subject this removed sample volume to further, particularly later, investigation or analysis in a very simple manner, which leads to a very meaningful result, since the assignment of the removed sample volume to a single extraction process from the media flow is reliably given.

[0023] A particularly preferred development of the invention shows one or more or all removable sample sleeves which are provided with a data memory. The data memory is connected to the control unit in such a way that data can be loaded onto the data memory of the sample sleeve via the control unit and stored therein and thus made available for later readability, in particular when the sample sleeve has been removed. This makes it possible to further improve the handling of the device for taking samples and to make the quality of the information which is or can be relevant for a later, in particular in-depth examination or analysis of the taken sample in the sample sleeve with the data memory available for the later, in particular in-depth analysis.

[0024] The data preferably contain information such as the date of sampling, the time of sampling, the duration of sampling, the media volume during or during sampling, the media volume flow and thus the throughput of the medium during or during sampling, the type of gas or fluid during sampling, in particular from an associated gas sensor, the type of possible alarm information, in particular from the associated gas sensor and / or information for identifying the device for sampling or the sample sleeve in which the sample taken is stored for removal from the device. It has also proven useful to record the temperature and / or the pressure of the medium in the media flow during sampling and to record this in addition or alternatively with the other information in the data memory of the sample sleeve.This information can be essential for further examination or analysis and for classifying the findings obtained from the sample later through further examination or analysis, and can be crucial for evaluation. This makes it possible for the sampling device to provide significantly improved information or findings on the sample taken.

[0025] It has proven particularly useful to design the data storage device for electronic readout, particularly for contactless electronic readout, which provides a simple and secure method for reading, particularly for automatically reading the contents of the data storage device with the aforementioned data. In addition or alternatively, it has also proven useful to equip the sample sleeve with a display that presents individual pieces of information in a directly legible manner, which significantly simplifies handling.

[0026] A further, particularly preferred development of the invention shows a data memory which is designed as a permanent data memory and / or as a changeable data memory. Information for identifying the sample sleeve or the device for taking samples from a media stream is preferably written into a permanent data memory, as a result of which this information is immutably and permanently imprinted and is therefore permanently available for later use and thus for later reading. In contrast, highly variable data is preferably stored in a changeable data memory, which is particularly the case for information on the time or period of the sample taking or on the volume flow. The design of the data memory consisting of one part with a permanent data memory and another part with a changeable data memory has proven particularly useful.This allows the relevant information to be stored very securely and up-to-date and made available for later evaluation, which can lead to meaningful information about the medium being examined. A particularly preferred development of the invention features removable sample sleeves, each of which can be positively connected to a sample sleeve holder and secured in this position. This design of the connection between a sample sleeve and its associated holder is ensured in a simple and reliable manner, so that a gas- or fluid-tight connection is achieved through the positive fit.By securing this position of the tight, positive connection, it is also possible to ensure this tightness even under difficult external conditions, for example due to vibrations or difficult, aggressive environments, which makes the removal of a sample from the media flow and the transfer into the sample sleeve particularly reliable and thus makes the quality of an analysis of the sample in the removed sample sleeve at a later time particularly meaningful and reliable.

[0027] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream in such a way that at least one removable sample sleeve has a closure mechanism which automatically closes a sample volume in the sample sleeve when it is removed from the receptacle and tightly seals off the received sample volume of the medium from the environment. By providing the closure mechanism in the removable sample sleeve, it is possible to tightly, in particular gas-tightly, shield the interior of the sample sleeve, which is intended to receive the sample volume taken from the media stream, from the environment, so that contamination of the taken sample can be largely excluded. By providing automatic closure by means of the closure mechanism during removal, protection against contamination is achieved to a particularly high degree, which has a positive effect on the

[0028] The significance of a later, particularly in-depth analysis of the sample taken from the media stream.

[0029] Furthermore, it has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream in such a way that at least one removable sample sleeve with a closure mechanism is designed in two parts, one part having the closure mechanism and the other part being designed to hold the sample volume. This makes it possible to improve the handling and production and thus also the operational reliability of the two-part sample sleeve. This is all the more true since the tightness of the sample sleeve and thus the protection of the introduced sample volume from the environment is particularly guaranteed with simple production and handling, even in the event of maintenance, which has a positive effect on the informative value of later, particularly in-depth, analyses of the sample.

[0030] In order to make the field of application of the device for taking samples from a media stream as diverse as possible, it has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream in such a way that at least one removable sample sleeve has one or more accumulators, which may be separate from one another, which are arranged in the sample sleeve and are suitable for storing or absorbing the taken-up sample of the medium or parts thereof. By providing one or more accumulators, which may contain, for example, a zeolite, activated carbon and / or Anasorb, it is possible to accumulate or collect small components of the supplied sample volume over the time of the sample being taken, thereby enabling a more meaningful result to be obtained in later, particularly more detailed, analysis.The accumulator is selected so that it is adapted to the expected interfering substances or contaminants and can accumulate them efficiently. By providing different accumulators or accumulators of different sizes, even more differentiated information about the interfering substances can be obtained. In particular, this makes it possible to limit the influence of noise by improving the useful signal based on the accumulated component to be sensed, thus improving the quality of the evaluation.

[0031] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream such that at least one removable sample sleeve has a glass tube that defines a receiving volume for a sample of the medium. The provision of such a glass tube has proven particularly useful because such glass tubes are particularly leak-proof and robust, thus permanently and reliably preventing damage or contamination of the sample or at least reducing the risk of such damage or contamination.

[0032] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media flow in such a way that a bypass line is provided which, by means of a valve controllable by the control unit, leads the media flow directly to the media outlet without being led via further valves. This further development with a bypass line makes it possible to design the device with very low maintenance because, for the time when no sample volume is to be taken from the media flow for collection in a removable sample sleeve, the media flow is passed on directly to the media outlet without the interposition of the switchable valves connected to the receptacles for sample sleeves. This makes it possible to reduce the flow resistance and reduce the risk of the switchable valves connected to the receptacles for sample sleeves becoming dirty or damaged by the media flow.This also makes it possible to ensure the functionality of the device for taking samples from a media stream to a particular degree and thus to increase the quality of a possible later or more in-depth analysis of the sample taken in a removable sample sleeve.

[0033] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream with the control unit in such a way that a controllable valve enables or blocks the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle or to the associated sample sleeve within the framework of predetermined specific situations. Such a situation occurs, for example, when an alarm signal is active.

[0034] Another such situation occurs, for example, when another controllable valve releases the flow of the media stream to the assigned receptacle or to the assigned sample sleeve for a sampling time which is selected to be equal to the sampling time with an active alarm, if the alarm signal is no longer active after the active alarm signal.

[0035] Another such situation occurs, for example, when another controllable valve releases the flow of the media stream to the assigned receptacle or to the assigned sample sleeve for a predetermined sampling period regardless of an alarm signal. Such a situation can also occur, for example, when another controllable valve releases the flow of the media stream to the media outlet when no alarm signal is active and / or no other controllable valve has released the flow of the media stream to the assigned receptacle or to the assigned sample sleeve. These various example situations can be implemented individually, in combination, or alternatively to one another, with these situations regularly being provided alongside one another for controlling controllable valves implemented alongside one another with assigned receptacles and assigned sample sleeves.This means that these four example situations can be controlled in a situation-dependent and thus differentiated manner by four example arrangements consisting of a combination of a controllable valve, a receptacle assigned to the valve, and a sample sleeve assigned to the valve, all implemented side by side. This means that different sample sleeves can be provided with samples from the media stream depending on the situation. This situation-dependent control of the controllable valves by the control unit, depending on the respective situation, enables a differentiated analysis of the various samples in the various sample sleeves, whereby very meaningful information can be obtained about the samples and the gas or fluid to be analyzed.

[0036] It has proven particularly useful to further develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media flow in such a way that a pre-filter, in particular a pre-filter designed as a particle filter, is arranged in the area of ​​the media supply. This pre-filter ensures that substances that can damage the device for taking samples, in particular the switchable valves, the volume sensor or the lines for the media flow, are filtered out. For example, in the case of a device for taking samples from gaseous media, which can be damaged by solids or liquids, it has proven useful to design this as a pre-filter by providing a particle filter which filters out solids (e.g. dust) or liquids (e.g. oil droplets).This makes it possible to ensure the functionality of the device for taking samples from a media stream to a particular degree and thus to increase the quality of a possible later or more in-depth analysis of the sample taken in a removable sample sleeve.

[0037] It has proven particularly useful to develop the device according to the invention for taking samples from a media flow in such a way that no media pump is provided in the media line to convey the media flow, so that the media flow is conveyed passively. This is preferably achieved in that the pressure of the medium in the area of ​​the media supply is selected to be higher than the pressure of the medium in the area of ​​the media outlet, whereby a pressure gradient is created in the media line in the housing of the device, which ensures that the medium is guided passively, i.e. solely by the pressure gradient, in the direction of the media outlet. If individual controllable valves in the media line between the media supply and media outlet are closed, the pressure of the medium in the supply is also available at the first closed controllable valve. If this is opened in such a way that the associated sample sleeve can be filled, the medium flows into the sample sleeve.This can be done until the media pressure in the sample sleeve is in equilibrium with the medium in the media flow in the area of ​​the controllable valve, or it can be time-controlled or volume-controlled, resulting in defined, particularly predetermined, media quantities in the assigned sample sleeve. This design of the sampling device makes it possible to create a simple and robust device that also makes it possible to store very specific sample volumes or sample quantities in a sample sleeve and to subject them to later analysis.

[0038] The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. The invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary device according to the invention for taking samples from a media stream and

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary removable sample sleeve according to the invention from Fig. 1.

[0041] Fig. 1 schematically shows a device 1 for taking samples from a gaseous / fluid media stream. The device 1 is provided with a housing 2, two media inlets 3, one media outlet 4, and a media line 5 that allows a media flow from the media inlet 3 to the media outlet 4 through the housing 2.

[0042] In the housing 2, a plurality of controllable valves 10 are arranged in the media line 5. Also provided are a plurality of receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c for the gas-tight / fluid-tight reception of removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c. The receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c are each connected to an individual valve 10 by means of a line 9a, 9b, 9c. A plurality of removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c for storing samples of the gaseous / fluid media stream are provided as part of the device 1 and are designed for gas-tight / fluid-tight reception in the receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c. Furthermore, a control unit 8 is provided in the housing 2, which is designed to control controllable valves 10 for selectively directing the media flow in the direction of the associated receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c with the removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c arranged therein.

[0043] With this device for taking samples 1 from a media stream, it is possible to examine the medium at the current time using the associated gas sensor by taking a sample volume from the media stream and examining this, and additionally to remove the removed sample volume, which is located in a removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c, from the rest of the sampling device and thus from the receptacle and to subject it to a further, in particular a more in-depth analysis. This now makes it possible to carry out this further, in particular more in-depth analysis at a later time, for example using an additional gas sensor or using a specific, different method for analyzing the medium, in order to obtain additional, in particular better information on the properties of the medium to be examined.Such an analysis can also be carried out, for example, by means of gas-liquid chromatography, gas chromatography (in particular by means of photoionization detection PID, flame ionization detection EID or thermal conductivity detection TCD), mass spectroscopy or similar methods.

[0044] In addition, it has also proven to be very advantageous that not only one sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c is provided, which can be selectively controlled via the controllable valves 10 and thus selectively supplied with the medium from the media flow. Rather, several sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c or receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c are provided, each of which is assigned to a controllable valve 10. This makes it possible for several different sample volumes to be available for later and in particular differentiated analysis, wherein these different sample volumes can be taken from the media flow in particular at different times, thus providing the option of a differentiated observation of the media flow, in particular of the change in the media flow.Such devices for taking samples 1 in a fluid, in particular gaseous, media stream have therefore proven to be particularly suitable, in particular in exhaust gas purification or also in clean gas monitoring. For example, the purity of gases such as compressed air can be monitored with regard to interfering substances such as oil droplets or oil vapors, and these devices for taking samples 1 make it possible to carry out a further, in particular more in-depth analysis at a later time, for example using an additional gas sensor or using a specific, different method for analyzing the medium, and thereby obtain additional, in particular better information on the properties of the medium to be examined.

[0045] The control unit 8 is designed in such a way that only a single controllable valve 10 releases the flow of the media stream to a receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c or to a sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c.

[0046] This design of the sampling device 1 makes it possible to direct the sample taken from the media flow, and thus the sample volume, into a single sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c and store it therein. Since this sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c is removable and shields the sample volume from the environment of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c in a gas-tight or fluid-tight manner, it is possible to subject this taken sample volume to further, in particular later, examination or analysis in a very simple manner, which leads to a very meaningful result, since the taken sample volume can be reliably assigned to a single sampling process from the media flow.

[0047] The sampling device 1 shows a volume sensor 13, which is arranged in the media flow between the media inlets 3 and the first controllable valve 10 in the direction of the media flow. Furthermore, the sampling device 1 shows a time recording unit 14, which is integrated into the control unit 8 and thus connected to it via signaling.

[0048] The control unit 8 of the sampling device 1 is signal-connected to at least one gas sensor which is separate and detached from the device 1 in such a way that the gas sensor can transmit an alarm signal to the control unit 8 depending on whether a threshold value for the measured value of the gas sensor is exceeded or not reached, and the control unit 8 of the device 1 can open or close at least one controllable valve 10 in a targeted manner depending on this alarm signal in such a way that the removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c assigned to it can receive a sample taken from the media flow, store it and supply it for later, in particular more detailed, analysis.

[0049] The sampling device 1 has a plurality of removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c which are provided with a data memory. The data memory is connected to the control unit 8 in such a way that data can be loaded onto the data memory of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c via the control unit 8 and stored therein and can thus be made available for later readability, in particular when the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c has been removed. This makes it possible to further improve the handling of the sampling device 1 and to make the quality of the information which is or can be relevant for a later, in particular in-depth examination or analysis of the sample taken in the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c with the data memory available for the later, in particular in-depth analysis.

[0050] The stored data preferably contain information such as the date of the sample taking, the time of the sample taking, the duration of the sample taking, the media volume during or during the sample taking, the media volume flow and thus the throughput of the medium during or during the sample taking, the type of gas or fluid during the sample taking, in particular from an associated gas sensor, the type of possible alarm information, in particular from the associated gas sensor and / or information for identifying the device for sampling or the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c in which the sample taken is stored for removal from the device 1. The date of the sample taking, the time of the sample taking and / or the duration of the sample taking are obtained with the aid of the time recording unit 14.

[0051] The media volume during or during sampling, the media volume flow and thus the throughput of the medium during or during sampling are obtained using the volume sensor 13. In addition, a gas sensor 13 is integrated in the volume sensor. The gas sensor 13 is connected to the control unit 8 via signal technology in such a way that it can be triggered depending on whether a threshold value is exceeded or not reached.

[0052] Measured value of the gas sensor 13 transmits an alarm signal to the control unit 8. Subsequently, the control unit 8 controls at least one controllable valve 10 depending on this alarm signal so that the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c assigned to this valve 10 is pressurized with a sample volume from the media flow, this taking place depending on the alarm signal. This makes it possible, for example, if the gas sensor 13 detects that a supplied medium is too heavily contaminated with an interfering or harmful component and thus a predetermined threshold value for the concentration of this component is exceeded, an alarm signal is generated in the gas sensor 13 and fed to the control unit 8 in the device for sampling 1 and accordingly, a sample is taken from the media flow in a situation-specific manner when the alarm state exists and thus the concentration of the interfering component is too high.The duration of the sampling and thus the activation of the controllable valve 10 can be selected according to a number of different alternative options. For example, after a predetermined period of time, the controllable valve 10 can be closed, thus ending the sampling, which represents a very simple control method. Alternatively, the activation of the controllable valve 10 can be terminated as soon as the alarm signal is canceled due to the value falling below the threshold, which enables very specific and meaningful sampling with regard to the interfering component.Furthermore, it is also possible to select the control of the valve 10 in such a way that a defined volume is taken as a sample from the sample stream and is passed via the controlled valve 10 into the associated sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c, which is particularly reliably possible in particular with a volume sensor 13 present in the device 1.

[0053] It has also proven useful to measure the temperature and pressure of the medium in the media stream during sampling using a temperature sensor 15 or a pressure sensor 15, respectively, and to record this information in the data storage device of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c in addition to or alternatively with the other information. This information can be of essential importance for further investigation or analysis and for classifying the findings subsequently obtained from the sample with the aid of further investigation or analysis, and can be crucial for the evaluation.

[0054] It has proven particularly useful to design the data storage device to be electronically readable without contact, which provides a simple and secure way of reading it, in particular for automatically reading the contents of the data storage device with the aforementioned data.

[0055] The data storage is designed as a combination of permanent data storage and variable data storage. Information for identifying the sample sleeve or the device for taking samples 1 from a media stream is preferably written into the permanent data storage part, whereby this information is immutably and permanently imprinted and is thus permanently available for later use and thus for later reading. In contrast, highly variable data is preferably stored in a variable data storage part, which is particularly the case for information on the time or period of sampling or on the volume flow.

[0056] The device 1 for taking samples from a media stream, including the control unit 8, is designed such that a controllable valve 10 enables or blocks the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c or to the associated sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c within the framework of predetermined, specific situations. Such a situation occurs, for example, when an alarm signal from the remote gas sensor is active.

[0057] Another such situation arises, for example, when another controllable valve 10 releases the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c or to the associated sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c for a sampling time, which is selected, in particular, to be equal to the sampling time with an active alarm, when the alarm signal is no longer active after the active alarm signal. The alarm signal is obtained from the remote gas sensor and the time information from the time recording unit 14.

[0058] Another such situation occurs, for example, when another controllable valve 10 allows the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c or to the associated sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c for a predetermined sampling period, independent of an alarm signal. The time information is obtained from the time recording unit 14.

[0059] Such a situation can also arise if another controllable valve 11 releases the flow of the media stream to the media outlet 4 via the line 12, as soon as, for example, no alarm signal is active and / or no other controllable valve has released the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c or to the associated sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c.

[0060] These different situations are realized together .

[0061] This means that these four exemplary situations can be controlled side by side in a situation-dependent and thus differentiated manner by four exemplary arrangements consisting of a combination of controllable valve 10, a receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c assigned to the valve 10 and a sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c assigned to the valve 10, and thus, depending on the situation, different sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c are provided with samples from the media flow. This situation-dependent control of the controllable valves 10 by the control unit 8, depending on the respective situation, enables a differentiated analysis of the various samples in the various sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c, whereby very meaningful information about the samples and the gas or fluid to be examined can be obtained.

[0062] The device for taking samples has removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c, each of which can be positively connected to a receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c for sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c and can be secured in this position. This design of the connection between a sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c and the receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c assigned to it is ensured in a simple and reliable manner, so that a gas-tight or fluid-tight connection is achieved through the positive fit. This positive fit is achieved by appropriate shaping and dimensioning of the abutting parts of the removable sample sleeves 7a, 7b, 7c and the receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c. This can be improved by providing additional seals, in particular rubber-elastic seals.By securing this position of the tight, positive connection, it is also possible to ensure this tightness even under difficult external conditions, for example due to vibrations or difficult, aggressive environments, which makes the removal of a sample from the media flow and the transfer into the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c particularly reliable and thus makes the quality of an analysis of the sample in the removed sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c at a later time particularly meaningful and reliable.

[0063] By providing the closure mechanism in the removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c, it is possible to shield the interior of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c, which is intended to receive the sample volume taken from the media flow, tightly, in particular gas-tight, from the environment, so that contamination of the taken sample can be largely ruled out. By providing automatic closure by means of the closure mechanism, for example by check elements or spring-reinforced elements for gas-tight and / or fluid-tight closure, protection against contamination when removing the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c is achieved to a particularly high degree, which has a positive effect on the informative value of a later, in particular in-depth analysis of the sample taken from the media flow.

[0064] In Fig. 2, a removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c of the device for taking samples 1 from a gaseous / fluid media stream from Fig. 1 is shown schematically.

[0065] The at least one removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c of the sampling device 1 is provided with a closure mechanism and is formed in two parts.

[0066] One part 20 has the locking mechanism and the other part 21 is designed to hold the sample volume and additionally as a sealing counterpart for the receptacles 6a, 6b, 6c. This makes it possible to improve the handling and production and thus also the operational reliability of the two-part sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c. This is all the more true since the tightness of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c and thus the protection of the introduced sample volume from the environment is particularly guaranteed with simple production and handling, even in the event of maintenance, which has a positive effect on the informative value of later, particularly in-depth, analyses of the sample.

[0067] In this case, a glass tube 22 for receiving and storing the sample is arranged in the second part 21 of the removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c. The glass tube 22 has tapers in its end regions 23 which have a nozzle-like shape and thus enable the defined inflow from the line 9a, 9b, 9c from the valve 10 into the receiving volume of the glass tube 22 or the defined outflow after removal of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c for later, in particular more detailed, analysis of the gas stored in the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c. Sealing is also possible in a particularly effective manner thanks to this tapered shape. The glass tube 22 is arranged in a tubular recess in the second part 21, the shape and size of the tubular recess corresponding to the external shape of the glass tube 22.The glass tube is sealed against the tubular housing of the second part 21 of the removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c by means of an annular seal 25. The provision of such a glass tube 22 has proven particularly useful, since such glass tubes 22 are particularly leak-proof and robust, thus permanently and reliably preventing damage or contamination of the sample or at least reducing the risk of such damage or contamination.

[0068] Furthermore, two annular seals 26 are provided on the outside of the second part 21 of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c, which are suitable for sealing against the housing 2 of the sampling device 1, wherein this occurs in the region of the receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c for the respective sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c. The annular seals 26 are arranged at different positions and with different orientations on the outside of the second part 21 and thus seal in different ways against the housing 2. By means of these seals 26, a very effective sealing effect of the second part 21 of the sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c in the receptacle 6a, 6b, 6c for the respective sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c is achieved.

[0069] The glass tube 22 of the second part 21 of the removable sample sleeve 7a, 7b, 7c is provided with an accumulator 24 in its receiving volume for a received sample of the medium, which accumulator is suitable for storing or absorbing the received sample of the medium or parts thereof. By providing an accumulator 24, which can contain, for example, a zeolite, activated carbon and / or Anasorb, it is possible to accumulate or collect small components of the supplied sample volume over the time of sampling and thus enable a more meaningful result in the later, in particular more detailed analysis. The accumulator 24 is selected such that it is adapted to the expected interfering substances or impurities to be examined and can accumulate these efficiently.This makes it possible to limit the influence of noise by means of an improved useful signal due to the accumulated component to be sensed and in turn to improve the quality of the evaluation. List of reference symbols Device for taking a sample Housing Media supply Media outlet Media line a Holder for the gas-tight / fluid-tight holder of removable sample sleeves b Holder for the gas-tight / fluid-tight holder of removable sample sleeves c Holder for the gas-tight / fluid-tight holder of removable sample sleeves a Removable sample sleeve b Removable sample sleeve c Removable sample sleeve Control unit a Line between the controllable valve (10) and the holder for removable sample sleeves b Line between the controllable valve (10) and the holder for removable sample sleeves c Line between the controllable valve (10) and the holder for removable sample sleeves 0 Controllable valve 1 Controllable valve.

[0070] 1 . 12Line between controllable valve ( 10 ) and media outlet3 Volume sensor or gas sensor Time recording unit Temperature and pressure sensor First part of the sample sleeve with locking mechanism Second part of the sample sleeve for the sample volume Glass tube End area of ​​the glass tube Accumulator Seal glass tube 22 against the housing of the second part 21 Seal second part against the housing 2 in the receptacle

[0071] 6a, 6b, 6c

Claims

Claims 1. Device for taking samples (1) from a gaseous / fluid media flow, comprising a housing (2), a media inlet (3), a media outlet (4), a media line (5) which enables a media flow from the media inlet (3) to the media outlet (4), wherein a plurality of controllable valves (10) are arranged in the media line (5) in the housing (2), wherein a plurality of receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c) are provided for the gas-tight / fluid-tight reception of removable sample sleeves (7a, 7b, 7c), and the receptacles (6a, 6b, 6c) are connected to a line (9a, 9b, 9c) by means of individual valves (10), wherein a plurality of removable sample sleeves (7a, 7b, 7c) are provided for storing samples of the gaseous / fluid media flow, wherein a control unit is connected to the housing (2). (8) is provided, which is designed to control controllable valves (10) for selectively directing the media flow,and wherein at least one gas sensor is assigned to the sampling device (1), wherein the gas sensor (13) is signal-connected to the control unit (8) and, depending on whether a threshold value for the measured value of the gas sensor is exceeded or not reached, transmits an alarm signal to the control unit (8), which controls at least one controllable valve (10) depending on this alarm signal.

2. Device for sampling (1) according to claim 1, wherein a volume sensor (13) is arranged in the media flow between the media supply (3) and the first controllable valve (10) in the direction of the media flow.

3. Device for sampling (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is arranged in the housing (3) between the media supply (3) and the first controllable valve (10) in the direction of the media flow.

4. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (8) is designed such that only a single controllable valve (10) releases the flow of the media stream to a receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) or to a sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c).

5. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more or all removable sample sleeves (7a, 7b, 7c) are provided with a data memory which is connected to the control unit (8) and which can be supplied via this control unit (8) with data, such as in particular date, time, duration of the sampling, media pressure, media temperature, media volume, media volume flow, type of gas, type of alarm information and / or identification of the device for sampling (1) or the sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c).

6. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the removable sample sleeves can be positively connected to a respective receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) for sample sleeves (7a, 7b, 7c) and can be secured in this position.

7. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one removable sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) has a closure mechanism which automatically closes a sample volume in the sample sleeve upon removal from the receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) and tightly seals off the collected sample of the medium from the environment.

8. Device for sampling (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one removable sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) with closure mechanism is designed in two parts and one part (20) has the closure mechanism and the other part (21) is designed to receive the sample volume.

9. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one removable sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) has one or more optionally separate accumulators (24), wherein the accumulator(s) (24) are arranged in a sample volume in the sample sleeve and store the collected sample of the medium or parts thereof.

10. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one removable sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) comprises a glass tube (22), the glass tube defining a receiving volume for a received sample of the medium.

11. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a bypass line is provided which, by means of a valve controllable by the control unit (8), directs the media flow directly, without being guided via further valves (10), to the media outlet (4) leads.

12. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit (8) is designed such that a controllable valve (10) releases the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) or to the associated sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) when an alarm signal is active, that another controllable valve (10) releases the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) or to the associated sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) for a withdrawal time, which is in particular selected to be equal to the withdrawal time with an active alarm, if the alarm signal is no longer active after the active alarm signal, in particular that another controllable valve (10) releases the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) or to the associated sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c) for a predetermined withdrawal period independently of an alarm signal, and in particular that another controllable valve (11) releases the flow of the media stream to the media outlet (4) when no alarm signal is active and / or no other controllable valve (10) has released the flow of the media stream to the associated receptacle (6a, 6b, 6c) or to the associated sample sleeve (7a, 7b, 7c).

13. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a pre-filter, in particular a pre-filter designed as a particle filter, is arranged in the region of the media supply (3).

14. Device for sampling (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein no media pump is provided in the media line for conveying the media flow, so that the media flow is conveyed passively.

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