Flowmeter and product family of flowmeters

Abstract

The invention relates to a flowmeter (1), comprising: - a sensor (20), wherein the sensor (20) has at least one sensor measuring unit (70) for determining a process variable of the medium, wherein the sensor (20) has a sensor housing (22), wherein the sensor measuring unit (70) is at least partly arranged in the sensor housing (22), wherein the sensor (20) has sensor electronics (23); and - a transmitter (30), wherein the sensor electronics (23) are arranged in a transmitter housing cover (33), wherein the transmitter housing cover (33) is designed such that it can be arranged directly on a sensor-transmitter interface (24) of the sensor housing (22) and also on a transmitter holder (36) which is external, i.e. detached or separated from the sensor housing (22), wherein the transmitter housing cover (33) is configured to be arranged on the sensor-transmitter interface (24) or the transmitter holder (36), wherein the transmitter electronics (32) have a radio module (133) which is configured to form a wireless connection between the transmitter electronics (32) and an external receiver (400). The invention further comprises a product family of the flowmeter (1) for automation technology.

Description

[0001] Flowmeter and product family of flowmeters

[0002] The invention relates to a flow meter and a product family of flow meters.

[0003] In automation technology, particularly in process automation technology, flow meters are widely used to record and / or influence process variables. Sensors integrated into, for example, level measuring devices, flow meters, pressure and temperature measuring devices, pH and redox potential measuring devices, conductivity meters, etc., are used to record process variables. These sensors record the corresponding process variables: level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value, or conductivity. Actuators such as valves or pumps are used to influence process variables; they can be used to change the flow of a liquid in a section of pipe or the fill level in a container. In principle, flow meters are all devices that are used close to the process and that supply or process process-relevant information.In the context of the invention, flow measuring devices are also understood to include remote I / Os, radio adapters or generally electronic measuring components that are arranged at the field level.

[0004] Flow meters include, in particular, Coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, thermal and / or magnetic-inductive flow meters.

[0005] Flow measuring devices of the type described further comprise a transmitter which, as proposed in US 63 97 683 A or WO 00 / 36379 A1, can be arranged remotely from the sensor and connected to it only via a flexible line or which, as shown in EP 903 651 A1 or EP 1 008 836 A1, is arranged directly on the sensor or in a sensor housing which separately encloses the sensor.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing an alternative solution.

[0007] The problem is solved by the flow meter according to claim 1 and the product family according to claim 15.

[0008] The flow meter according to the invention for automation technology comprises:

[0009] - a sensor for determining a process variable of a medium, wherein the sensor has a measuring tube for guiding the, in particular flowable, medium, wherein the sensor has at least one sensor measuring unit for determining the process variable of the medium, wherein the sensor has a sensor housing which is arranged on an outer surface of the measuring tube, wherein the sensor measuring unit is at least partially arranged in the sensor housing, wherein the sensor has sensor electronics which are configured to operate the at least one sensor measuring unit with an operating signal and to determine the process variable as a function of a measurement signal provided by the at least one sensor measuring unit,

[0010] - a transmitter, wherein the transmitter has a transmitter housing, wherein the transmitter housing has a transmitter housing cover which forms the front section of the transmitter housing, wherein the sensor electronics are arranged in the transmitter housing cover, wherein the transmitter, in particular the transmitter housing cover, is designed such that it is directly connected to a sensor transmitter interface of the sensor housing and also to an external interface, ie detached from the sensor housing orremote transmitter holder can be arranged, wherein the transmitter, in particular the transmitter housing cover, is designed to be arranged on the sensor transmitter interface or the transmitter holder, wherein the transmitter has transmitter electronics that are in communication with the sensor electronics, wherein the transmitter electronics are arranged in the transmitter housing, wherein the transmitter electronics has a radio module for supporting Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, ANT, ANT+, NFC, Long Range Wide Area Network, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G or other radio standards, which is designed to form a wireless connection between the transmitter electronics and an external receiver.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] One embodiment provides that the transmitter housing cover has a housing cover base body, in particular one that is essentially tub-shaped or pot-shaped, wherein the housing cover base body delimits a housing cover cavity and has an open end, wherein the sensor electronics are arranged exclusively in the housing cover cavity.

[0013] One embodiment provides that the transmitter housing cover has a display, wherein the display is arranged in the transmitter housing cover in such a way that it can be viewed through a viewing window in a front surface of the transmitter housing cover.

[0014] One embodiment provides that the flow meter further comprises:

[0015] - a transmitter adapter which is arranged on the sensor housing, in particular on the sensor-transmitter interface, wherein the transmitter adapter comprises an adapter housing, wherein the transmitter adapter has adapter electronics which are arranged at least in sections in the adapter housing and are in communication with the transmitter electronics and the sensor electronics, wherein communication, ie transmission of the measurement signal and / or the operating signal, between the sensor measuring unit and the sensor electronics always takes place via the adapter electronics.

[0016] One embodiment provides that the adapter housing has identical dimensions and / or housing geometry as the transmitter housing, and preferably differs from the transmitter housing in that it does not have a viewing window.

[0017] The transmitter adapter can, for example, have an adapter housing that is identical in shape and dimensions to the transmitter housing, but differs only in that it does not have a display and therefore no viewing window.

[0018] One embodiment provides that the transmitter housing has a transmitter cover arranged on the rear side of the transmitter housing cover, wherein the transmitter cover is designed such that the transmitter can be connected via this to the transmitter holder, in particular a support rail and preferably a top-hat rail.

[0019] One embodiment provides that a width of the transmitter housing, i.e., an extension of the transmitter housing in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube, is less than 150 millimeters, in particular less than 100 millimeters, while a length of the transmitter housing, i.e., an extension of the transmitter housing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube, is less than 250 millimeters, in particular less than 200 millimeters. One embodiment provides that the sensor electronics and the transmitter electronics each have electronic components arranged on exactly one common circuit board.

[0020] One embodiment provides that the sensor electronics and the transmitter electronics each have electronic components that are arranged on exactly two printed circuit boards, in particular arranged one above the other and parallel to each other.

[0021] This allows the dimensions of the sensor-transmitter interface to be maintained when designing the transmitter housing—regardless of the nominal measuring tube diameter—while still accommodating the electronic components within the transmitter housing. This is particularly challenging for sensors with a small measuring tube diameter.

[0022] One embodiment provides that the sensor housing, the transmitter housing and / or the adapter housing is or are made of cast aluminum.

[0023] One embodiment provides that the sensor-transmitter interface is designed as a recess, in particular a trough-shaped recess, in the sensor housing, wherein the transmitter and / or the transmitter adapter can be arranged in the recess, in particular in a fitting manner.

[0024] This results in a flowmeter in which the transmitter housing does not protrude from the sensor housing, but is positioned separately within the sensor housing. This results in a more compact flowmeter overall. It is particularly advantageous if the maximum distance between the transmitter housing and the measuring tube is no greater than the maximum distance between the sensor housing and the measuring tube.

[0025] One embodiment provides that only the transmitter has a device connection, in particular two device connections, via which the individual electronics are supplied.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the device connection, in particular the two device connections, are arranged in the transmitter cover.

[0027] One embodiment provides that the flowmeter is a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, wherein the at least one sensor measuring unit comprises a magnetic field-generating device and at least two measuring electrodes for tapping a flow velocity-dependent measuring voltage in the medium to be conveyed. A product family of flowmeters according to the invention for automation technology comprises:

[0028] - at least two flow meters according to the invention, wherein the sensors of the respective flow meters differ in terms of different measuring tube nominal widths, wherein the measuring tube nominal width is selected from a nominal width range of 15 to 300 millimeters, wherein the sensor housings of the respective flow meters differ in terms of their dimensions and / or housing geometry, wherein the sensor housings each have identically designed sensor transmitter interfaces, so that identically designed transmitters and / or transmitter adapters can be connected to all sensor housings.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 : a perspective view of an embodiment of the flow meter;

[0031] Fig. 2: an exploded view of a first embodiment of the transmitter;

[0032] Fig. 3: an exploded view of a second embodiment of the transmitter;

[0033] Fig. 4: an exploded view of an embodiment of an alternative flow meter;

[0034] Fig. 5: a perspective view of an embodiment of an alternative flow meter;

[0035] Fig. 6: a perspective view of a transmitter arranged remotely from the sensor;

[0036] Fig. 7: perspective views of an alternative design of the flow meter;

[0037] Fig. 8: a perspective view of an alternative transmitter arranged remotely from the sensor;

[0038] Fig. 9: a perspective view of a product family; and

[0039] Fig. 10: a cross-section through a magnetic-inductive flowmeter.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a flowmeter 1 in automation technology. The flowmeter 1 according to the invention comprises a sensor 20 for determining a process variable of a medium and a transmitter 30, in which electronic components are housed for operating the sensor 20, for evaluating process data or measurement data, and for communicating measured process data or measurement data with a higher-level unit (receiver) or a handheld device (smartphone, laptop, tablet, or similar). The sensor 20 shown has a measuring tube 21 for guiding the medium, in particular a flowable medium. The measuring tube can be made of metal, plastic, glass, or ceramic, or can comprise these. A sensor housing 22 of the sensor 20, which is arranged on an outer surface of the measuring tube 21, encloses at least in sections a sensor measuring unit (see Fig.10) for determining the process variable of the medium. This is arranged in or on, i.e., on an outer surface of the measuring tube 21. Another essential feature of the sensor is the sensor electronics (see Fig. 10), which is configured to operate the at least one sensor measuring unit with an operating signal and to determine the process variable depending on a measurement signal provided by the at least one sensor measuring unit. The sensor electronics can also be configured to supply the sensor measuring unit with energy.

[0041] The transmitter 30 has a transmitter housing 31, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises, for example, two, in particular metallic, housing shells, which can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, or by means of a material fit. The transmitter housing 31 has a transmitter housing cover 33, which forms the front section of the transmitter housing 31. The shape of the transmitter housing cover 33 is irrelevant here. It can be round, oval, square, rectangular, or angular with rounded corners. The transmitter housing cover 33 can be designed as a pressure housing, which does not require any further machining - by threading, milling, drilling, etc. The transmitter housing cover 33 covers or closes an opening or receptacle in the transmitter housing 31, through which electrical connectors for connecting the sensor measuring unit to the sensor electronics (see Figs. 2 and 3) are located.The opening forms the sensor-transmitter interface 24. The sensor electronics themselves are arranged in the transmitter housing cover 33. This means that the sensor housing is free of any sensor electronics. Only electrical connectors, which are designed to connect the sensor electronics to the sensor measuring unit or to subunits of the sensor measuring unit, extend in the sensor housing. The transmitter 30, in particular the transmitter housing cover 33, is designed such that it can be arranged directly on a sensor-transmitter interface 24 of the sensor housing 22 and also on an external transmitter holder (see Fig. 5), i.e. one that is detached or separated from the sensor housing 22. Accordingly, the transmitter 30, in particular the transmitter housing cover 33, is designed to be arranged on the sensor-transmitter interface 24 or the transmitter holder.This has the advantage that the measured values ​​shown on the display can be read in a user-friendly manner, even if the sensor is difficult to access. The sensor housing 22, the transmitter housing 31 and / or the adapter housing 52 are each made of cast aluminum. In addition to the sensor electronics, the transmitter 30 has transmitter electronics (see Figs. 2 and 3) that communicates with the sensor electronics and is also arranged in the transmitter housing 31. The transmitter electronics according to the invention has a radio module (see Figs. 2 and 3) for supporting Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, ANT, ANT+, NFC, Long Range Wide Area Network, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G or other radio standards. The radio module is intended to establish a wireless connection between the transmitter electronics and an external receiver.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitter housing cover 33 has a display 60, which outputs the determined process data and sensor data. The display 60 is arranged in the transmitter housing cover 33 such that it can be viewed through a viewing window 34 in a front surface 35 of the transmitter housing cover 33. Alternatively, the viewing window can also be located in a side window of the transmitter housing cover 33.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, only the transmitter 30 has a device connection 26', via which the individual electronics are supplied. Although a radio module is provided to form a wireless connection via which process data and sensor data can be exchanged with an external unit, the device connection can also be configured to exchange process and sensor data with an external unit via a wired connection.

[0044] A width B of the transmitter housing 31, i.e., an extension of the transmitter housing 31 in the longitudinal direction A of the measuring tube 21, is less than 150 millimeters, in particular less than 100 millimeters. A length L of the transmitter housing 31, i.e., an extension of the transmitter housing 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A of the measuring tube 21, is less than 250 millimeters, in particular less than 200 millimeters.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the transmitter 30. The transmitter housing of the transmitter 30 has a transmitter housing cover 33, which forms the front section of the transmitter housing. The transmitter housing cover 33 has a housing cover base body 37, which is in particular essentially tub- or pot-shaped, which defines a housing cover cavity 38 and has an open end 39 through which the electronics can be inserted. The sensor electronics and also the transmitter electronics are arranged exclusively in the housing cover cavity 38.

[0046] Arranged in or on the transmitter housing cover 33 are a display 60, a display front glass 61, a display glass 64, a display frame 65, a seal 63 for sealing the viewing window 34, a device connection 26' via which a measurement signal can be output and the flow meter 1 can be supplied with power, a sensor electronics 23, a transmitter electronics 32, which is arranged together with the sensor electronics 23 on exactly one circuit board 32' and is formed by electronic components, a radio module 133 and a transmitter cover 80, which serves to close off an open rear side of the transmitter cover 33. The sensor electronics 23 and the transmitter electronics 32 are arranged together in the transmitter housing cover 33 and communicate with each other. The sensor electronics 23 thus provides measurement data to the transmitter electronics.The measurement data is then transmitted wirelessly to an external receiver via a radio module 133, which supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, ANT, ANT+, NFC, Long Range Wide Area Network, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G, or other wireless standards. The sensor and transmitter electronics 23, 32 each comprise electronic components such as electrical capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc.

[0047] The illustrated transmitter 30 is designed such that it can be arranged directly on a sensor-transmitter interface of the sensor housing and is configured to be arranged on the sensor-transmitter interface.

[0048] The transmitter housing cover 33 further comprises a display 60, via which the sensor can be operated and which is configured to output process and / or sensor data. The display 60 is arranged in the transmitter housing cover 33 such that it can be viewed through a viewing window 34 in a front surface 35 of the transmitter housing cover 33. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 60 is arranged on the circuit board 32' and fixed by a display frame 65. A display glass 64 is arranged on the display 60. To seal the viewing window 34 against liquids, a display seal 63, in the illustrated case an O-ring, is arranged or pressed between the display glass and the inner surface of the transmitter cover 33. A display front glass 61 is arranged on an outer surface of the transmitter cover 33.

[0049] The transmitter housing 31 has a transmitter cover 80. This cover is arranged on the rear side of the transmitter housing cover 33 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is essentially planar.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the transmitter 30. The main differences from the embodiment of Fig. 2 are the use of two circuit boards 32', 32" which are arranged essentially parallel to one another, the dimensioning of the transmitter housing cover 33 and the design of the transmitter cover 80.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor electronics 23 and the transmitter electronics 32 each have electronic components that are distributed across exactly two printed circuit boards 32', 32", which are arranged, in particular, one above the other and parallel to one another. This allows the length L of the transmitter housing cover 33 to be reduced. At the same time, the height H of the transmitter housing cover 33 is increased. The illustrated transmitter cover 80 is trough-shaped and has two device connections 26", 26'". The transmitter cover 80 is preferably designed such that the transmitter 30 can be connected via it to the transmitter holder (see Fig. 5), in particular a mounting rail and preferably a top-hat rail. For this purpose, it has at least one, in particular at least two angle elements that can be fixed in a mounting rail.The transmitter cover 80 is designed as a wall housing and is therefore suitable for mounting on a wall or in a control cabinet. Alternatively, the transmitter cover 80 can be designed such that it can be positively attached to a cylindrical body (e.g., a pipe or the process line) and can be non-positively connected to the cylindrical body via a counterpart.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an alternative flowmeter. Instead of a transmitter housing, a transmitter adapter 50 is arranged on the sensor housing 21, in particular on the sensor-transmitter interface 24. The transmitter adapter 50 itself has an adapter housing 52 and adapter electronics 51, which are arranged at least partially in the adapter housing 52 and are in communication with the transmitter electronics (not shown) and the sensor electronics. This means that the transmitter adapter cannot independently output process and / or sensor data wirelessly to an external unit (receiver) or establish a connection to an external unit. Thus, communication with the external unit exclusively via the transmitter adapter is not possible. Instead, the communication, i.e.a transmission of the measuring signal and / or the operating signal between the sensor measuring unit 70 and the sensor electronics (not shown) always takes place via the adapter electronics 51 and the communication with the external unit always takes place via the transmitter.

[0053] The adapter housing 52 shown has identical dimensions and / or housing geometry to the transmitter housing 31 of Figs. 1 to 3, and preferably differs from the transmitter housing only in that it has no viewing window and thus no display.

[0054] The transmitter adapter 50 has a device connection 26* via which the adapter electronics 51 can be connected to the transmitter electronics via an electrical connector.

[0055] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an alternative flowmeter 1 with a transmitter adapter 50 from Fig. 4. The transmitter adapter 50 is connected to the transmitter 30 via an electrical conductor (connector) - in this case a data and supply cable. The process and sensor data are sent to the transmitter 30 via the electrical conductor. Furthermore, the sensor 20 is supplied with power via the electrical conductor. The transmitter 30 is attached to a transmitter holder 36. The transmitter holder 36 can be a mounting rail and preferably a top-hat rail into which the transmitter 30 can be clicked. In this way, the transmitter 30 can be arranged on a control cabinet or a wall housing with a DIN rail. The transmitter 30 is also connected to a power supply via another electrical conductor.

[0056] Transmitter 30, in particular the radio module located therein, is wirelessly connected to an external receiver 400. The external receiver 400 is a handheld device, in particular a smartphone. The dimensions of the smartphone are selected to maintain a realistic size ratio to the transmitter 30.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a transmitter 30 arranged remotely from the sensor (not shown). The transmitter 30 has a transmitter cover 80 which is mechanically connected to the transmitter housing cover 33 and covers its rear. The cover 80 has two device connections 26", 26'". The sensor electronics (in transmitter 30) are electrically connected to the sensor measuring unit via the device connections 26", and the transmitter electronics (also in transmitter 30) and the sensor electronics are connected to a power supply via the device connections 26'". A device connection 26' of the transmitter 30, which is designed to connect the transmitter 30 to a power supply, is not in use and can be closed or is closed by a cover 500.Alternatively, an additional device connection (making a total of three device connections) can be provided, via which the transmitter electronics are connected or can be connected to the sensor electronics. Data is transmitted via a data line, and the magnet system is operated via a separate power line.

[0058] Fig. 7a and 7b show perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the flowmeter. The flowmeter 101 shown differs from the flowmeter of Fig. 1 to 5 in that the transmitter 120 and / or the transmitter adapter (see Fig. 8) can be arranged, in particular in a trough-shaped, recess 25 of the sensor housing 122, in particular in a fitting manner. The recess 25 forms the sensor-transmitter interface 24. Furthermore, the recess 25 is designed to be complementary to the sensor housing 122. The resulting solution is very compact and The recess 25 can accommodate at least one trough connector and / or at least one cable harness 128, with which the sensor electronics (not shown) arranged in the transmitter 120 can be connected to the sensor measuring unit arranged in the sensor housing 122.

[0059] In the illustrated solution, the sensor 122 has a device connection 126, via which the sensor measuring unit, the transmitter electronics and / or the sensor electronics are supplied. Alternatively, multiple device connections are also possible. It may be advantageous or necessary to separate the power line and the data line from each other. This is particularly necessary for voltages higher than 60V. Alternatively, the transmitter can have the device connection 126 instead of the sensor 122. In this case, the flowmeter 101 can be operated exclusively with an arranged transmitter 120 or an arranged transmitter adapter (see Fig. 8). Fig. 7b shows the finally assembled flowmeter 101. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in which the transmitter 120 is arranged remotely from the sensor 122.To make this possible, a transmitter adapter 150 is arranged in the sensor-transmitter interface instead of the transmitter 120. For this purpose, it has a device plug 128', via which it is electrically connected to the device connection 128" of the transmitter 120 by means of an electrical conductor (connector). Process and / or sensor data are transmitted from the sensor measuring unit to the sensor electronics via the electrical conductor, and power is provided to the sensor measuring unit. The transmitter adapter 150 corresponds to the transmitter adapter 50 in Figs. 4 and 5 and therefore also has adapter electronics (not shown). The adapter electronics itself does not have a radio module, but is designed exclusively to forward the process and / or sensor data (i.e. also measurement data) to the transmitter electronics (see Figs. 2 / 3).The adapter housing 151 of the transmitter adapter 150 is identical in dimensions and geometry to the transmitter housing 121. The adapter housing 151 itself differs essentially from the transmitter housing 121 in that it does not have a viewing window for a display. The transmitter 120 itself additionally has an additional device connection 128', via which it is connected to a power supply. Alternatively, the transmitter 120 can have an electrical storage device (battery, accumulator, etc.). In this case, the additional device connection 128' is omitted.

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a product family of flowmeters 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention. The flowmeters 1a, 1b, 1c comprise sensors 20a, 20b, 20c, each with different measuring tube nominal diameters. The measuring tube nominal diameters are selected from a nominal diameter range of 15 to 300 millimeters. For separate variants (see Figs. 5, 6, and 8), the use of the transmitter according to the invention can also be advantageous with different nominal diameters. While the sensor housings 22a, 22b, 22c of the respective flow measuring devices 1a, 1b, 1c differ in their dimensions and / or housing geometry, they each have identically designed sensor transmitter interfaces, so that identically designed transmitters 30a, 30b, 30c and / or transmitter adapters (not shown) can be connected or are connected for all different sensor housings 22a, 22b, 22c.

[0061] Fig. 10 shows a cross-section through a magnetic-inductive flowmeter 1000. The magnetic-inductive flowmeter 1000 has a sensor measuring unit 1070 that is configured to determine a flow velocity-dependent measured variable of a medium that is guided through a measuring tube 1001. The measuring tube 1001 can be made of plastic, glass, or ceramic, or can have a metallic support tube that has an electrically insulating inner lining (liner) made of plastic, ceramic, or glass on its inner surface. In order to determine the flow velocity-dependent measured variable, the sensor measuring unit 1070 has a magnetic field-generating device 1010 and at least two measuring electrodes 1030, 1031 for tapping a flow velocity-dependent measuring voltage in the medium to be guided.In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic field generating device 1010 is a two-coil system comprising two coils, each with a pole piece, which are arranged opposite one another on the measuring tube 1001, and a magnetic field guidance system that mechanically connects the two coils. Alternatively, the magnetic field generating device 1070 can also have only one coil or at least one or exactly two saddle coils. If saddle coils are provided, the magnetic field guidance system can be omitted. The two measuring electrodes 1030, 1031 are each arranged in an opening in the measuring tube 1001, so that they are in contact with the medium when the medium is flowing. Alternatively, the measuring electrodes 1030, 1031 can also be configured to capacitively determine a flow velocity-dependent measured variable.In this case, the measuring tube 1001 would be completely electrically insulating, and the measuring electrodes 1030, 1031 would not come into contact with the medium being conveyed. Alternatively, more than two measuring electrodes 1030, 1031 could be provided.

[0062] The sensor measuring unit 1070 itself is arranged in a sensor housing 1022 such that it is substantially completely enclosed or concealed by the measuring tube 1001 radially and parallel to a longitudinal direction of the latter.

[0063] The magnetic-inductive flowmeter 1000 further comprises a transmitter 1020, which is arranged at the sensor-transmitter interface 1024 of the sensor housing 1022. The transmitter 1020 comprises two circuit boards 1032", 1032", which are arranged essentially parallel to one another inside the transmitter housing 1033. The radio module 1133, via which the communication of sensor and / or process data with an external unit takes place, is arranged on the circuit board 1032". Alternatively, three or more circuit boards can be provided. This can be particularly necessary when more space is required, since larger distances are necessary between the electronic components and device connections. Alternatively, the third circuit board can be arranged non-parallel to the other two parallel circuit boards 1032", 1032", for example, at 90° or 45°.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Flow meter (1) for determining a flow velocity-dependent measured variable, comprising: - a sensor (20) for determining a process variable of a medium, wherein the sensor (20) has a measuring tube (21) for guiding the, in particular flowable, medium, wherein the sensor (20) has at least one sensor measuring unit (70) for determining the process variable of the medium, wherein the sensor (20) has a sensor housing (22) which is arranged on an outer surface of the measuring tube (21), wherein the sensor measuring unit (70) is at least partially arranged in the sensor housing (22), wherein the sensor (20) has sensor electronics (23) which are configured to operate the at least one sensor measuring unit (70) with an operating signal and to determine the process variable as a function of a measurement signal provided by the at least one sensor measuring unit (70), - a transmitter (30), wherein the transmitter (30) has a transmitter housing (31), wherein the transmitter housing (31) has a transmitter housing cover (33) which forms the front section of the transmitter housing (31), wherein the sensor electronics (23) are arranged in the transmitter housing cover (33), wherein the transmitter (30), in particular the transmitter housing cover (33), is designed such that it can be arranged directly on a sensor-transmitter interface (24) of the sensor housing (22) and also on an external transmitter holder (36), i.e. detached or separated from the sensor housing (22), wherein the transmitter (30), in particular the transmitter housing cover (33), is designed to be arranged on the sensor-transmitter interface (24) or the transmitter holder (36), wherein the transmitter (30) has transmitter electronics (32) which are in communication with the sensor electronics (23), wherein the transmitter electronics (32) are arranged in the transmitter housing (31), wherein the transmitter electronics (32) has a radio module (133) for supporting Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, ANT, ANT+, NFC, Long Range Wide Area Network, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G or other radio standards, which is configured to form a wireless connection between the transmitter electronics (32) and an external receiver (400).

2. Flow meter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter housing cover (33) has a, in particular substantially tub-shaped or pot-shaped, housing cover base body (37), wherein the housing cover base body (37) delimits a housing cover cavity (38) and has an open end (39), wherein the sensor electronics (23) is arranged exclusively in the housing cover cavity (38).

3. Flow meter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitter housing cover (33) has a display (60), wherein the display (60) is arranged in the transmitter housing cover (33) such that it can be viewed through a viewing window (34) in a front surface (35) of the transmitter housing cover (33).

4. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a transmitter adapter (50) which is arranged on the sensor housing (21), in particular on the sensor-transmitter interface (24), wherein the transmitter adapter (50) comprises an adapter housing (52), wherein the transmitter adapter (50) has adapter electronics (51) which are arranged at least in sections in the adapter housing (52) and are in communication with the transmitter electronics (32) and the sensor electronics (23), wherein communication, ie transmission of the measuring signal and / or the operating signal, between the sensor measuring unit (70) and the sensor electronics (32) always takes place via the adapter electronics (51).

5. Flow meter (1) according to claim 4, wherein the adapter housing (52) has identical dimensions and / or housing geometry as the transmitter housing (31), and preferably differs from the transmitter housing (31) in that it has no viewing window.

6. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitter housing (31) has a transmitter cover (80) arranged on the rear side of the transmitter housing cover (33), wherein the transmitter cover (80) is designed such that the transmitter (30) can be connected via this to the transmitter holder (36), in particular a support rail and preferably a top-hat rail.

7. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a width (B) of the transmitter housing (31), ie an extension of the transmitter housing (31) in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube (21), is less than 150 millimeters, in particular less than 100 millimeters, wherein a length (L) of the transmitter housing (31), ie an extension of the transmitter housing (31) perpendicular to the width (B), is less than 250 millimeters, in particular less than 200 millimeters.

8. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor electronics (23) and the transmitter electronics (32) each have electronic components which are arranged on exactly one common circuit board (32').

9. Flow meter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor electronics (23) and the transmitter electronics (32) each have electronic components which are arranged on exactly two printed circuit boards (32', 32"), in particular arranged one above the other and parallel to one another.

10. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor housing (22), the transmitter housing (31) and / or the adapter housing (52) is / are formed from cast aluminum.

11. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-transmitter interface (24) is designed as a, in particular trough-shaped, recess (25) in the sensor housing (22), wherein the transmitter (20) and / or the transmitter adapter (50) can be arranged in the recess (25), in particular in a fitting manner.

12. Flow meter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein only the transmitter (30) has a device connection (26'), in particular two device connections (26", 26'"), via which the individual electronics (23, 32) are supplied.

13. Flow meter (1) according to claim 12, wherein the device connection (26'), in particular the two device connections (26", 26'"), are arranged in the transmitter cover (80).

14. Flowmeter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flowmeter (1) is a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, wherein the at least one sensor measuring unit (70) comprises a magnetic field generating device and at least two measuring electrodes for tapping a flow velocity-dependent measuring voltage in the medium to be conveyed.

15. A product family of flow measuring devices (1a, 1b, 1c), comprising: - at least two flow measuring devices (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors (20a, 20b, 20c) of the respective flow measuring devices (1a, 1b, 1c) differ in terms of different measuring tube nominal diameters, wherein the measuring tube nominal diameter is selected from a nominal diameter range of 15 to 300 millimeters, wherein the sensor housings (22a, 22b, 22c) of the respective flow measuring devices (1a, 1b, 1c) differ in terms of their dimensions and / or housing geometry, wherein the sensor housings (22a, 22b, 22c) each have identically designed sensor-transmitter interfaces, so that for all sensor housings (22a, 22b, 22c) identically designed transmitters (30a, 30b, 30c) and / or transmitter adapters (50) can be connected.

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