Vibronic measuring system for a fluid medium conveyed in a pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring system comprising a (vibronic) measuring transducer (10) and measuring system electronics (20) electrically connected to the measuring transducer (10). The measuring transducer (10) has at least one vibrating element (111) which is designed to come into contact with the measurement substance and to vibrate while in contact, and is also designed to be (fluidically) connected to a pipe or to be inserted into the course of the pipe. The measuring system electronics are designed, in one operating mode (I - active mode), both to supply power to an exciter arrangement of the measuring transducer in such a way that the vibrating element (111) performs useful oscillations at least to some extent, and also to receive and evaluate at least one sensor signal (s1) that is generated by means of a sensor arrangement of the measuring transducer and at least to some extent represents the useful oscillations of the vibrating element (111), and, in one operating mode (II - passive mode), said electronics are designed both to stop supplying power to the exciter arrangement for a set duration Tnexc and to receive and evaluate the at least one sensor signal (s1). Furthermore, the measuring system electronics (20) are designed both to determine measurement values for at least one measurement variable (of a flowing measurement substance) using the sensor signal (s1) received during operating mode (I) and to identify one or more (interference) parameter values for at least one interference parameter (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed by said measuring system) using the at least one sensor signal (s1) received during operating mode (II).

Description

[0001] VIBRONIC MEASURING SYSTEM FOR A FLUID MEDIUM CARRIED IN A PIPE

[0002] The invention relates to a vibronic measuring system formed by means of a vibration-type measuring transducer and measuring system electronics electrically connected thereto, for example having one or more microprocessors, in particular as a Coriolis mass flow measuring device or Coriolis mass flow-density measuring device or Coriolis mass flow / density / viscosity measuring device and / or as in-line measuring devices in a compact design, a vibronic (flow) measuring system for measuring and / or monitoring at least one measured variable of a fluid measuring medium, in particular namely a gas, a liquid or a dispersion and / or a measuring medium guided or flowing in a pipeline (connected to the measuring system).

[0003] Vibronic measuring systems of the type in question have been known for a long time and have proven themselves in industrial applications, not least in the control and monitoring of automated process engineering processes or process plants or in the area of ​​transfer points for goods transport, which may also be subject to legal metrology. A measured variable that can be measured using such a measuring system can, for example, be a time-varying flow parameter, for example a mass flow (mass flow rate), a

[0004] Volume flow (volume flow rate) or a flow velocity, and / or a time-varying material parameter, for example a density and / or viscosity, of the respective measured material and / or a (flow) characteristic derived from one or more flow and / or material parameters, for example a Reynolds number. Examples of vibronic measuring systems of the type in question are, for example, in EP-B 564 682, the

[0005] US-A 2015 / 0268082, US-A 2010 / 0011882, US-A 2010 / 0139416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0271756, US-A 2011 / 0265580,

[0006] US-A 2016 / 0033314, US-A 2016 / 0334316, US-A 2016 / 0349091, US-A 2020 / 0132529, US-A 2020 / 0408581, US-A 2021 / 0140804, US-A 2023 / 0037109, US-A 44 20 983, US-A 45 24 610, US-A 53 92 656, US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 36 653, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 57 96 012, US-A 58 04 741, US-A 59 26 096, US-A 63 11 136, US-B 93 72 107, US-B 1 040 86 52, US-B 1 05 98 534, US-B 1 08 09 109, US-B 1 1 073 416, US-B 1 15 30 967, US-B 65 57 422,

[0007] WO-A 2015 / 155044, WO-A 2017 / 069749, WO-A 2019 / 017891, WO-A 2019 / 040089, WO-A 2019 / 081169, WO-A 2019 / 081170, US-A 2020 / 0408581, WO-A 2021 / 136626, WO-A 01 / 29519, WO-A 93 / 21505, WO-A 95 / 33981, WO-A 96 / 05484 or WO-A 96 / 08697 and have been manufactured by the applicant itself for a long time and are used as Coriolis mass flow meters or as Coriolis mass flow-density measuring device, for example under the product name “PROMASS G 100”, “PROMASS O 100”, “PROMASS E 200”, “PROMASS F 300”, “PROMASS X 500”, “CNGmass”, “LPGmass” or “Dosimass” (https: / / www.endress.com / de / search?filter.text=promass).

[0008] The measuring transducer of each of the aforementioned measuring systems is designed to be connected (fluidically) to the pipeline or to be inserted (measuring medium conductive) into the pipeline, forming a corresponding (process) measuring point, and in each case comprises at least one (tubular or plate-shaped) vibration element, an electro-mechanical excitation arrangement electrically connected to the respective measuring system electronics for converting electrical power provided by the measuring system electronics into mechanical power useful for exciting and maintaining forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element, as well as a sensor arrangement likewise electrically coupled to the measuring system electronics for detecting mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and for providing sensor signals representing vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element.In the measuring systems shown in US-B 93 72 107 or US-B 1 040 86 52, the measuring transducer has, for example, two vibration elements, each of which can be selectively excited by means of the excitation arrangement and which may also have vibration properties or resonance frequencies that differ considerably from one another, the mechanical vibrations of which are selectively detected by means of the sensor arrangement.

[0009] In modern measuring systems of the type in question, the measuring system electronics, as described, for example, in the aforementioned US-B 63 11 136, are typically implemented using one or more microprocessors and / or one or more digital signal processors. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics of a measuring system of the type in question are usually also designed to be electrically connected, for example, via a (standard) fieldbus, to a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP), formed, for example, by a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PCS) and / or an edge (computing device) and / or a cloud (computing) system, for the purpose of transmitting (measurement system) data collected by the measuring system and / or for remote control and / or for power supply.In addition, the measuring system electronics can also be set up to communicate wirelessly with the respective data processing system, for example to transmit (measurement system) data wirelessly to the respective data processing system. To protect the measuring system electronics from environmental influences, these are usually housed within at least one comparatively robust, in particular impact-, pressure-, and / or weather-resistant, electronics housing. The electronics housing can, for example, be arranged away from the measuring transducer and connected to it only via a flexible cable; however, it can also be arranged directly on the measuring transducer or a measuring transducer housing, as shown, for example, in the aforementioned US-A 57 96 011. In addition, however, as shown, among other things, in US-B 93 72 107 or WO-A 01 / 29519, it is also quite common, if necessary.to use modular electronics housed in two or more separate housing modules to form a measuring system of the type in question.

[0010] The at least one vibration element of each of the aforementioned measuring systems is specifically configured to be contacted by the respective measured substance to be measured, in particular to be flowed around or through by the measured substance (flowing through the transducer in a flow direction), and to be vibrated during this time (driven by the respective excitation arrangement and the measuring system electronics electrically connected thereto); this is typically done in such a way that the at least one vibration element is actively excited by the excitation arrangement to resonate oscillations in a natural oscillation mode suitable for measuring the respective measured quantity or generating Coriolis, inertial or frictional forces dependent thereon, occasionally also referred to as the drive or useful mode, for the purpose of generating sensor signals influenced by the respective measured quantity to be measured or corresponding thereto.For this purpose, the excitation arrangement is configured to convert the electrical power supplied by the measuring system electronics into mechanical power that (actively) excites forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the vibration element around a static rest position. Furthermore, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element contacted by the measured substance around a static rest position, including the aforementioned useful vibrations (simultaneously with their active excitation), and to convert each of these vibrations into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the respective vibration element, for example, a speed of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element.

[0011] The excitation arrangement of each of the measuring transducers is formed by at least one (electrodynamic or piezoelectric) vibration exciter that is partially mechanically connected to the respective vibration element, while the sensor arrangement is formed by at least one vibration sensor that is also partially mechanically connected to the respective vibration element, for example optoelectronic, piezoelectric, or electrodynamic, namely having a permanent magnet and an (air) coil flooded by its magnetic field. Last but not least, for the aforementioned case in which the measuring system is designed as a Coriolis mass flow meter, the sensor arrangement is formed by at least two spaced-apart, typically identical, vibration sensors, namely by a first vibration sensor (on the inlet side) and at least one (in a flow direction of the measuring transducer orof the medium conveyed therein (spaced therefrom) outlet-side second vibration sensor, wherein each of the at least two vibration sensors is configured to detect vibrational movements of the vibration element and to convert them into a first or second sensor signal representing the same vibrational movements, in particular an electrical or optical one, for example with an electrical voltage dependent on the vibrations of the vibration element, which has both a signal frequency corresponding to the instantaneous vibration frequency of the vibration element and a phase angle dependent on the instantaneous mass flow (mass flow rate) of the medium conveyed therein; this in particular in such a way that a relative phase difference dependent on the instantaneous mass flow exists between the sensor signal of the first vibration sensor and the sensor signal of the second vibration sensor.In the case of electrodynamic vibration sensors, these can, as already indicated, for example, be formed by means of a plunger coil electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, for example in such a way that its respective permanent magnetic armature is mechanically connected to the at least one vibration element and that its air coil (held at a distance from the respective armature) flooded by the magnetic field of the respective armature is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics.

[0012] Each of the aforementioned sensor signals is, as already indicated, also fed to the measuring system electronics of the respective measuring system, which in turn serves, among other things, to receive and evaluate sensor signals supplied by the sensor arrangement, in particular to determine the (digital) measured values ​​representing at least one measured variable. In addition to evaluating the sensor signals of the sensor arrangement or the measuring transducer formed thereby, the measuring system electronics, as already indicated, also serves, among other things, to control the measuring transducer, in particular its excitation arrangement; this in particular in such a way that, at least during normal measuring operation of the measuring system, the at least one vibration element of the measuring transducer is at least temporarily excited to useful oscillations, namely forced mechanical oscillations with at least one (useful) frequency, by means of the excitation arrangement and the measuring system electronics connected to it, for the purpose of generating the aforementioned sensor signals.Accordingly, the measuring system electronics are further configured to generate at least one electrical driver signal, for example, harmonic and / or clocked, for the at least one vibration exciter acting on the vibration element or the exciter assembly formed thereby, which serves to feed electrical energy into the exciter assembly. The driver signal can be configured, for example, as a broadband signal with a signal component with a signal frequency matching the intended useful frequency, or, for example, as a rather narrowband or harmonic signal with a single dominant signal component of a matching signal frequency. This signal component or the driver signal as a whole can also be regulated, for example, with respect to a current intensity and / or a voltage level.In measuring systems of the type in question, a natural, instantaneous resonance frequency of the vibrating element is typically selected as the useful frequency. This resonance frequency in turn depends essentially on the natural frequency of the vibrating element, which is determined, among other things, by the size, shape and material of the vibrating element, as well as on the instantaneous density and viscosity of the medium or measuring substance in contact with the vibrating element. Such resonance frequencies of vibrating elements of the type in question that serve as the useful frequency lie within a frequency range between 50 Hz (Hertz) and a maximum of 2 kHz. Due to the fluctuating density and / or viscosity of the respective measuring substance and / or due to measurement substance metabolisms that occur during operation of the measuring system, the respective resonance frequency and therefore the corresponding respective useful frequency is naturally within a predetermined, in particular calibrated orThe specified (useful) frequency band of the respective measuring system is determined to vary in a determined manner. Based on the currently excited useful frequency corresponding to a current resonance frequency of the vibration element (lying within the aforementioned useful frequency band), such measuring systems can also measure, among other things, the density of the measured material or determine measured values ​​for other material and / or flow parameters that depend on it.

[0013] As shown, inter alia, in EP-B 564 682, US-A 44 20 983, US-A 53 92 656, US-A 2016 / 0334316, US-B 1 15 30 967, WO-A 2015 / 155044, WO-A 95 / 33981 or US-B 93 72 107, the at least one vibration element can, for example, be a (plate- or rod-shaped) immersion body which is arranged at least partially within a lumen of a partial segment of the pipeline or within a lumen of a tube of the measuring transducer which is inserted into the course of the pipeline (serving as a flow-through measuring cell).

[0014] In the cases described in US-A 2015 / 0268082, US-A 2010 / 0011882, US-A 2010 / 0139416, US-A 2011 / 0271756, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580, US-A 2016 / 0033314, US-A 2016 / 0349091, US-A 2020 / 0132529, US-A 2020 / 0408581, US-A 2021 / 0140804, US-A 2023 / 0037109, US-A 45 24 610, US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 36 653, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 57 96 012,

[0015] US-A 58 04 741 , US-A 59 26 096, US-A 63 11 136, US-B 65 57 422,

[0016] US-B 73 25 462, US-B 73 53 717, US-B 93 72 107, US-B 1 040 86 52,

[0017] US-B 1 05 98 534, US-B 1 08 09 109, US-B 1 1 073 416, WO-A 2017 / 069749,

[0018] In the measuring systems shown in WO-A 2019 / 017891, WO-A 2019 / 040089, WO-A 2019 / 081169, WO-A 2019 / 081170, WO-A 2021 / 136626, WO-A 96 / 05484 or WO-A 96 / 08697, the at least one vibration element is designed as a (measuring) tube arrangement serving to guide flowing measuring medium - occasionally also referred to as (transducer) inner part - in such a way that the at least one vibration element has one or more (measuring) tubes which are each at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved. To protect against external influences, the vibration element formed by the aforementioned tube arrangement is housed together with the excitation and sensor arrangement in a typically metallic transducer housing.In the measuring systems shown in WO-A 96 / 08697 or WO-A 2019 / 017891, the transducer housing and the respective vibration element are, in particular, detachably connected to each other, for example, to enable subsequent insertion of the vibration element formed by such a tube arrangement or to enable on-site replacement of a defective or worn vibration element with an (identical) intact vibration element. Furthermore, in the case of electrodynamic vibration exciters and / or vibration sensors, their respective (air) coils can be directly attached to the transducer housing. Alternatively or in addition, the aforementioned electronics housing can be mounted directly on the aforementioned converter housing, for example, namely removably fixed to it, to form a Coriolis mass flow meter or a Coriolis mass flow density meter in a compact design.

[0019] The aforementioned vibration elements, each designed as a (measuring) tube arrangement, are each specifically intended to be integrated (directly) into the course of a process line used to convey the respective measured substance and each comprise at least one (measuring) tube—for example, exactly one (measuring) tube, exactly two (measuring) tubes, or exactly four (measuring) tubes—which extends from a respective first tube end to a respective second tube end with a tube length and has a lumen enclosed by a—typically metallic—tube wall extending from the first tube end to the second tube end. The (measuring) tubes of commercially available (standard) Coriolis mass flow / density measuring devices typically have at least two mutually orthogonal planes of symmetry and can, for example, have a U-shaped, V-shaped, rectangular, or triangular shape, or more rarely, a Q-shaped or helix-shaped shape.In addition, their respective tube walls are typically made of a steel, for example, a stainless, duplex, or superduplex steel, a titanium alloy, a zirconium alloy, such as Zircaloy, and / or a tantalum alloy. The tube length of such (measuring) tubes can range between approximately 100 mm and 2000 mm, and a

[0020] The caliber (inner diameter) of such tubes can range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 100 mm, typically such that the respective tube has a caliber-to-tube length ratio that lies between approximately 0.08 and 0.25. In transducers with a single (measuring) tube forming the vibration element, this tube usually communicates with the aforementioned process line via a substantially straight connecting pipe section (of the respective vibration element) opening into the inlet side and a substantially straight connecting pipe section (of the respective vibration element) opening into the outlet side.Furthermore, the vibration element of such measuring transducers with a single (measuring) tube comprises at least one single-piece or multi-piece counteroscillator, for example, tubular, box-shaped, or plate-shaped, which is coupled to the tube on the inlet side, forming a first coupling zone, and which is coupled to the tube on the outlet side, forming a second coupling zone. During operation, the counteroscillator is essentially stationary or is allowed to oscillate inversely to the tube, i.e., at the same frequency and in opposite phase. A vibration element formed by a (measuring) tube and counteroscillator is usually mounted in the respective transducer housing in a manner capable of oscillation solely by means of the two connecting tube sections described above.In the (standard) measuring transducers shown, for example, in US-A 52 91 792, US-A 57 96 010, US-A 59 45 609, US-B 70 77 014, US-A 2007 / 0119264, WO-A 01 / 02816, or WO-A 99 / 40394, with a single, essentially straight (measuring) tube, the latter and the counteroscillator are aligned essentially coaxially with each other, as is quite common in conventional measuring transducers. The materials used for such a counteroscillator are usually comparatively inexpensive steel grades, such as structural steel or free-cutting steel, not least when titanium, tantalum, or zirconium are used for the (measuring) tube. If two or more (measuring) tubes are used, these can be, as also described in US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580 orWO-A 96 / 08697, can be connected in parallel in terms of flow technology by means of inlet- and outlet-side flow dividers, in that a first of the (measuring) tubes opens with an inlet-side first (measuring) tube end into a first flow opening of a first flow divider (on the inlet side or serving as a line branch) and with an outlet-side second (measuring) tube end into a first flow opening of a second flow divider (on the outlet side or serving as a line connection) and a second of the (measuring) tubes opens with an (inlet-side) first (measuring) tube end into a second flow opening of the first flow divider and with an (outlet-side) second (measuring) tube end into a second flow opening of the second flow divider. In the case of US-B 1 040 86 52, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580 respectively.Furthermore, according to WO-A 96 / 08697, a third of the (measuring) tubes opens with a first (inlet-side) measuring tube end into a third flow opening of the first flow divider and with a second (outlet-side) measuring tube end into a third flow opening of the second flow divider, and a fourth of the (measuring) tubes opens with a first (inlet-side) measuring tube end into a fourth flow opening of the first flow divider and with a second (outlet-side) measuring tube end into a fourth flow opening of the second flow divider. Each of the flow dividers can furthermore have a connecting flange with a sealing surface for fluid-tightly connecting the measuring transducer to a line segment of the pipeline used to supply medium or to discharge medium from the measuring transducer. The flow dividers can, for example, be designed as an integral component of the aforementioned converter housing. Each of the aforementioned flow dividers orEach of the above-mentioned connecting pipe sections of commercially available measuring transducers is typically also equipped with a (standard) connection flange for connection to the respective process line.

[0021] Each of the aforementioned (measuring) tubes forming the at least one vibration element is, as already indicated, furthermore each particularly configured to be flowed through by the measured substance, which is supplied or discharged via the connected process line, at least in a flow direction pointing from the respective first tube end to the respective second tube end, during (measuring) operation of the measuring system and to be caused to vibrate (driven by the at least one vibration exciter of the respective exciter arrangement); this for the aforementioned case that the measuring system is designed as a Coriolis mass flow measuring device and the vibration element as a tube arrangement, typically in such a way that at least the vibrations excited or discharged by means of the at least one vibration exciter.The useful vibrations of the vibration element detected by the at least one vibration sensor are at least partially lateral bending vibrations of at least one of the (measuring) tubes about its respective static rest position, which are suitable for causing (Coriolis) vibrations superimposed on the useful vibrations in the medium flowing through the same (measuring) tube, forcing Coriolis forces. In vibration elements of conventional (standard) Coriolis mass flow meters formed by a tube arrangement, the at least one vibration exciter is typically also designed and arranged such that a time-varying drive force generated thereby acts practically only punctually on the respective tube at a drive point formed by the vibration exciter on the mechanically connected (measuring) tube.In the case of a vibration element formed by two (measuring) tubes, the at least one vibration exciter is typically designed as a differential vibration exciter, namely one that introduces excitation forces acting along a common line of action but in opposite directions into the (measuring) tubes, and / or the useful vibrations are also typically designed as counter-equivalent bending vibrations. For the other aforementioned case, in which the (measuring) tube arrangement forming the vibration element has a counter-oscillator, the vibration exciter can be partially attached thereto in such a way that the vibration exciter acts differentially on the (measuring) tube and counter-oscillator. Alternatively, the vibration exciter can, for example, also be partially attached to the aforementioned transducer housing. Likewise, the vibration sensors can also be designed as differential vibrations, namely only relative or opposite vibrations of the (measuring) tubes orVibration sensors detecting the single (measuring) tube and the counter-oscillator must be designed. Not least in commercially available (standard) Coriolis mass flow meters, the respective excitation arrangements, as also described, among others, in US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 96 010, the.

[0022] US-B 68 40 109, US-B 70 77 014 or US-B 70 17 424, US-A 2014 / 0352454, WO-A 93 / 01472, WO-A 2005 / 050145, WO-A 2013 / 002759, WO-A 2011 / 019345, is typically also designed such that each of the (measuring) tubes is (proportionately) connected to exactly one vibration exciter, such that the exciter arrangement, apart from the (one) vibration exciter, has no further vibration exciter connected to the respective (measuring) tube, and / or the vibration exciter is typically of the electrodynamic type, namely formed by means of a voice coil, for example such that its magnetic armature is mechanically connected to the at least a (measuring) tube and that its air coil, which is flooded by the magnetic field of the armature, is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics and mechanically connected to the other tube or the counter-oscillator of the tube arrangement or to the transducer housing.

[0023] Nevertheless, vibronic measuring systems are also known, for example from the

[0024] WO-A 2017 / 069749, WO-A 2017 / 019016, WO-A 2006 / 036139, US-A 59 26 096, WO-A 99 / 28708, WO-A 99 / 44018, WO-A 99 / 02945, US-A 2020 / 0132529, US-A 48 31 885, US-B 65 57 422, US-A 60 92 429 or US-A 48 23 614, in which the exciter arrangement has two or more vibration exciters each connected to one and the same of the tubes of the respective tube arrangement and / or formed by means of one or more piezo elements.

[0025] To define a free oscillation length of each of the (measuring) tubes and thus to adjust the respective resonance frequency to be excited or the respective

[0026] Useful frequency band (of the measuring system) tube arrangements with two or four tubes serving as vibration elements further comprise, in most cases, at least one (inlet-side) first coupler element for forming inlet-side vibration nodes for opposing vibrations, in particular bending vibrations, of both (measuring) tubes, which is fixed to the (measuring) tubes at a distance from both flow dividers, as well as at least one (outlet-side) second coupler element for forming outlet-side vibration nodes for (opposing) vibrations, in particular (opposing) bending vibrations, of the (measuring) tubes, which is fixed to the (measuring) tubes at a distance from both flow dividers and from the inlet-side coupler element. Furthermore, the vibration quality of the tube arrangement or the (measuring) sensitivity of the measuring transducer as a whole can be influenced by means of the coupler elements.As discussed in the aforementioned US-A 57 36 653, vibronic measuring systems of the type in question can also exhibit cross-sensitivities to externally excited mechanical interference vibrations - occasionally also referred to as (process) noise - which are not generated by the respective excitation arrangement or merely from outside the measuring system and have an vibration frequency corresponding to the aforementioned resonance frequencies of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby; this in particular also in the way that the measuring accuracy of the measuring system or the functionality of the measuring system as a whole is at least temporarily impaired, for example that the measured values ​​determined for the mass flow rate deviate to a considerable, yet unforeseeable extent from the actual mass flow rate, possibly also accompanied by a comparatively high degree of scatter, orthat the same measured values ​​have a correspondingly high measurement error or a correspondingly low reproducibility. Sources of interference causing such parasitic vibrations can, for example, be vibrating pumps and / or valves mechanically coupled to the respective measuring transducer via a pipeline. Furthermore, as also described in the aforementioned US-B 63 11 136 or US-B 1 08 09 109, the flowing medium itself can, for example, establish a source of interference for parasitic vibrations of the type in question, for example in such a way that the medium flowing through the measuring transducer, depending on its mass flow and / or foreign substances entrained in the medium, excites oscillations of the vibrating element at one or more of its resonance frequencies, for example also an intended useful frequency.Accordingly, it can be assumed that, in the case of measuring systems of the type in question, they can occasionally be operated within a risk frequency range (of the measuring point) which is determined by the respective application or by the measuring point formed by means of the respective measuring system and which comprises one or more interference frequencies, in such a way that the risk frequency range at least partially corresponds to the aforementioned useful frequency band (of the measuring system) or that at least one of the interference frequencies corresponds at least approximately to the intended or actually excited useful frequency.

[0027] In order to also detect the aforementioned disturbing vibrations during operation, the sensor arrangements of the measuring systems shown in US-A 57 36 653 comprise, in addition to the two aforementioned (standard) vibration sensors, each of which detects, for example, the speed of vibration movements of the at least one vibration element, at least two additional (additional) vibration sensors, each of which detects, for example, the acceleration of vibration movements of the at least one vibration element. Furthermore, the respective measuring system electronics is also configured to use the sensor signals of all four vibration sensors to determine a mass flow measurement signal free of disturbances (resulting from disturbing vibrations of the aforementioned type) or, accordingly, error-free measured values ​​for the mass flow of the respective medium. One disadvantage of such a solution is, among other things,However, the use of such (additional) vibration sensors requires, on the one hand, increased technical effort with regard to the construction of both the measuring transducer and the measuring system electronics, such that the costs of the respective sensor arrangement as well as the (hardware) costs for signal processing are approximately twice as high as those of a standard measuring system. On the other hand, the increased number of vibration sensors naturally increases the risk of failure of the sensor arrangement, accompanied by a total failure of the measuring system formed with it. A further disadvantage of the aforementioned solution is that it is only applicable to measuring transducers in which the vibration element is formed by means of a single (measuring) tube and a counteroscillator coupled to it.

[0028] Based on the aforementioned prior art, one object of the invention is to improve vibronic measuring systems such that any interfering vibrations or sources of interference causing them in the area of ​​the respective measuring point (formed by such a measuring system) can be detected as early and reliably as possible, and if necessary, reported cost-effectively; this is particularly true when using the (standard) transducers or typical vibration elements established for conventional measuring systems of the type in question, as well as while maintaining, to a large extent, proven technologies and architectures of already established measuring system electronics.

[0029] To achieve the object, the invention consists in a vibronic measuring system, for example a Coriolis mass flow meter and / or a density meter and / or a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured variables, for example a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, guided in a pipe (connected thereto), which measuring system comprises:

[0030] • a (vibronic) measuring transducer with at least one vibration element, for example having or formed thereby at least one (measuring) tube, with an excitation arrangement formed by means of at least one, for example electrodynamic or piezoelectric, vibration exciter, and with a sensor arrangement formed by means of at least one, for example electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, vibration sensor; as well as measuring system electronics electrically connected to the measuring transducer, for example namely to both the excitation arrangement and the sensor arrangement, for example formed by means of one or more microprocessors;

[0031] • wherein the measuring transducer is designed to be (fluidically) connected to the pipeline or inserted into the pipeline;

[0032] • wherein the at least one vibration element is designed to be contacted by the measuring substance, for example namely to be flowed around or through, and to be allowed to vibrate during this;

[0033] • wherein the at least one vibration exciter or the exciter arrangement formed thereby is configured to convert supplied electrical power into forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position (actively) exciting mechanical power;

[0034] • wherein the at least one vibration sensor or the sensor arrangement formed thereby is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element about a static rest position and to convert them into a (first) sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element, for example a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element;

[0035] • wherein the measuring system electronics is arranged, in a first

[0036] Operating mode (active operation) to energize the exciter arrangement, namely to feed an electrical drive signal, for example having a predeterminable and / or a current resonance frequency fR of the measuring transducer corresponding signal frequency and / or a predeterminable signal amplitude, into the at least one vibration exciter, such that the vibration element at least during a first measuring interval at least partially generates useful vibrations, namely forced mechanical vibrations with at least one, for example a current

[0037] resonance frequency fR of the measuring transducer and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 2 kHz, useful frequency and the sensor signal at least partially represents the useful vibrations of the vibration element, as well as to receive and evaluate the at least one (first) sensor signal; • wherein the measuring system electronics is set up, in a second

[0038] Operating mode (passive operation) both not to energize the excitation arrangement for a set, for example adaptable and / or not less than 1 s (second), time period T nexc, for example in such a way that the at least one vibration element does not carry out any useful oscillations (excited by the excitation arrangement) at least during a second measuring interval and / or that at least during a second measuring interval useful oscillations of the at least one vibration element (previously excited by means of the excitation arrangement) have decayed, and also to receive and evaluate the at least one sensor signal representing, for example, (only) passive oscillations of the at least one vibration element excited (only) externally of the measuring transducer;

[0039] • and wherein the measuring system electronics are set up both to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable using the at least one (first) sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) received during the first operating mode, for example a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency, and to determine one or more, for example digital, (disturbance) parameter values ​​for at least one disturbance parameter (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed therewith), for example an (disturbance) frequency and / or an (disturbance) amplitude, for example a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbance oscillations of the measuring system ora measuring point formed thereby and / or to calculate one or more measured values ​​for at least one measured variable using one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​of the at least one disturbance parameter.

[0040] According to a first embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one disturbance parameter represents a (externally excited) (fluid-)mechanical disturbance oscillation coupled into the measuring system, for example via a pipeline and / or via a fluid carried in the pipeline, for example a frequency of the disturbance oscillation and / or an amplitude of the disturbance oscillation. According to a second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​represent, for example quantify, one or more (disturbance) amplitudes of one or more (externally excited) mechanical (disturbance) oscillations coupled into the measuring system, for example via a pipeline and / or via a fluid carried in the pipeline.

[0041] According to a third embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​represent, for example, quantify, one or more (disturbance) frequencies of one or more (externally excited) mechanical (disturbance) vibrations, for example coupled into the measuring system via a pipeline and / or via a fluid guided in the pipeline and / or generated by a fluid flowing through the measuring transducer.

[0042] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the time period Tnexc is greater than 2 s (second), for example not less than 5 s (set).

[0043] According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is configured to activate or execute the second operating mode after the first operating mode, for example, to determine a cause for reduced functionality of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for reduced measurement accuracy of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for a failure of the measuring system.

[0044] According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration element has a (decay) time constant which is dependent on a (modal) quality factor Q1 of the vibration element at the (last excited) useful frequency fN, for example, which is more than 5000, for example corresponding to a ratio Q1 / f1 of the quality factor Q1 relative to the (last excited) useful frequency fN. Developing this embodiment of the invention, the quality factor Q1 * of the at least one vibration element is greater than 5000, for example not less than 10000, and / or the time period T nexc is greater (set) than 5 times the (decay) time constant and / or greater (set) than 50 s, for example greater than 1 min (minute), and / or the useful frequency fN is more than 50 Hz and / or less than 2 kHz, for example more than 200 Hz and less than 1500 Hz.According to a seventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration element has a (decay) time constant which is dependent on a (modal) quality factor Q1 of the vibration element at the (last excited) useful frequency fN, for example more than 5000, for example corresponding to a ratio Q1 / f1 of the quality factor Q1 in relation to the (last excited) useful frequency fN, and that the measuring system electronics are set up to activate or execute the second operating mode after the first operating mode, for example to determine a cause for reduced functionality of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for reduced measurement accuracy of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for a failure of the measuring system.Developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the time period Tnexc is (selected) greater than the (decay) time constant (of the vibration element), for example, more than 3 times the (decay) time constant and / or greater than 20 s.

[0045] According to an eighth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to activate or execute the second operating mode prior to the first operating mode, for example, for the (passive) calibration of a measuring point formed by the measuring system (involving the at least one vibration element or the transducer formed thereby) and / or during (re-)commissioning of the measuring system. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the time period T nexc is (set) to less than 60 s, for example, not greater than 30 s.

[0046] According to a ninth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to use measurement data collected during the second operating mode, for example one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values, during the first operating mode, for example to determine one or more of the measured values ​​and / or to check the functionality of the measuring system and / or to check the measurement accuracy of the measuring system.

[0047] According to a tenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to provide the driver signal in the first operating mode with at least one predetermined signal frequency, for example an adjustable one and / or a mechanical resonance frequency of the vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby corresponding and / or serving to set the useful frequency fN.Developing this embodiment of the invention further, the measuring system electronics are further configured to set the signal frequency of the driver signal in the first operating mode using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the first operating mode, for example, namely based on a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency fN, and / or the measuring system electronics are further configured to check in the first operating mode using one or more (interference) parameter values ​​whether the at least one signal frequency of the driver signal or the useful frequency fN of the useful oscillations of the at least one vibration element lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, for example, namely if necessary.to issue a (warning) message indicating this and / or an (error) report indicating one or more sources of interference (causing interference vibrations) and / or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

[0048] According to an eleventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are set up to determine at least one (instantaneous) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer, for example namely its vibration element, or of the measuring system formed thereby, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the first operating mode, for example namely to determine one or more digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing the same resonance frequency on the basis of the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the first operating mode and / or to determine one or more digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing the same resonance frequency using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode.to check, using one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether at least one (instantaneous) resonance frequency (of the measuring transducer) lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (disturbance) frequencies of one or more disturbing oscillations.

[0049] According to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are set up to determine a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbing oscillations of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby (involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom. According to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are set up to determine at least one usable frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point) containing no detectable or detected disturbing oscillations, namely one which does not contain any detectable or detected disturbing oscillations, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more disturbance parameter values ​​obtained therefrom.a measuring point formed thereby), for example in such a way that an upper range limit of the usable frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the usable frequency range are determined on the basis of one or more of the (interference) parameter values.

[0050] According to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are set up to check, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby lie within a usable frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby) containing no detectable or detected (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, for example, if necessary, to output a (release) message signaling this and / or enabling the first operating mode and / or to automatically switch to the first operating mode.

[0051] According to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to vary, in the first operating mode, a signal frequency of the driver signal determining the useful frequency within a predetermined (useful) frequency band, for example, corresponding to a predetermined density measuring range of the measuring system.

[0052] According to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine at least one (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, for example in such a way that an upper range limit of the (risk) frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the (risk) frequency range are determined based on one or more of the (interference) parameter values. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are further configured to determine at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom,to check one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby lie within the (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby), for example, if necessary, to issue a (warning) message signalling this and / or an (error) report identifying one or more sources of interference (causing interference oscillations) and / or to block the first operating mode (at least temporarily) or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

[0053] According to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to vary, in the first operating mode, a signal frequency of the driver signal determining the useful frequency within a predetermined (useful) frequency band, for example, corresponding to a predetermined density measuring range of the measuring system, and to determine at least one (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, for example in such a way that an upper range limit of the (risk) frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the (risk) frequency range are determined based on one or more of the (interference) parameter values.Developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are further configured to determine—for example, in the second operating mode—whether the (useful) frequency band and the (risk) frequency range at least partially coincide, for example, by issuing a (warning) message indicating this and / or blocking the first operating mode (at least temporarily) or deactivating the measuring system (at least temporarily). According to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to subject at least the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode to a spectral analysis, for example, a Fourier analysis, for example, based on a (fast) discrete Fourier transform (DFT).

[0054] According to a nineteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is configured to carry out a modal analysis for a measuring point involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby, at least on the basis of the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode.

[0055] According to a twentieth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is set up to set a, for example, adaptive, (digital) filter using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, for example to adapt to a (interference) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) interference oscillations of the measuring system or a measuring point formed therewith, such that the filter is set up to suppress or block (interference) signal components contained in the at least one sensor signal and resulting from one or more of the interference oscillations.Developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is further configured to filter the (first) sensor signal received by at least one during the first operating mode by means of the filter, for example to block (interference) signal components contained in the same sensor signal.

[0056] According to a twenty-first embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are set up to determine one or more (instantaneous) resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer orof the measuring system formed thereby to determine digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing the measuring system, and that the measuring system electronics are set up to check using one or more, for example non-volatilely stored, (measuring system) parameter values ​​and one or more, for example non-volatilely stored, (interference) parameter values, for example by means of a comparison of one or more (interference) parameter values ​​with one or more (measuring system) parameter values, whether the at least one resonance frequency of the vibration element lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference vibrations, for example namely if necessary.to issue a (warning) message indicating this and / or an (error) report indicating one or more sources of interference (causing interference frequencies) and / or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

[0057] According to a twenty-second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration exciter is an electrodynamic vibration exciter (formed by means of a voice coil).

[0058] According to a twenty-third embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration sensor is an electrodynamic vibration sensor (formed by means of a moving coil).

[0059] According to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one sensor signal represents a speed of oscillatory movements of the vibration element.

[0060] According to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the vibration sensor and the vibration exciter are functionally identical, for example structurally identical.

[0061] According to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration sensor is spaced from the vibration exciter, for example in the direction of a (main) flow axis of the vibration element and / or the measuring transducer formed thereby.

[0062] According to a twenty-seventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration element has or is formed with at least one (measuring) tube, for example one that is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, for example in such a way that the at least one (measuring) tube is designed to be flowed through by the measured substance and to be vibrated during this process, and that the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by means of the at least one vibration exciter or detected by means of the at least one vibration sensor are at least partially bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube.Developing this embodiment of the invention further, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement comprises (vibration) sensors, each of which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element, for example a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element, in total no more than twice the number of (measuring) tubes (of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby), and / or that the sensor arrangement comprises (vibration) sensors, each of which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the measuring transducer and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the measuring transducer, in total no more than twice the number of (measuring) tubes (of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby).Alternatively or additionally, the at least one vibration element may further comprise at least one further (measuring) tube, for example in such a way that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibration element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to one another and / or are designed to be simultaneously flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated (in opposite directions) during this time.

[0063] According to a twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration element has or is formed with at least one (measuring) tube, for example one which is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, for example in such a way that the at least one (measuring) tube is designed to be flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated during this process, and that the vibrations excited or generated by the at least one vibration exciterthe (useful) vibrations of the vibration element detected by the at least one vibration sensor are at least partially bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube, and that the at least one vibration element has at least one further (measuring) tube, for example in such a way that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibration element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to one another and / or are designed to be simultaneously flowed through by the measuring medium and to be vibrated (in opposite directions) during this time. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by the at least one vibration exciter or detected by the at least one vibration sensor are at least partially (in opposite directions) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes.

[0064] According to a twenty-ninth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one vibration element has or is formed with a, for example, plate-shaped or rod-shaped, immersion body, for example in such a way that the immersion body is arranged at least partially within a lumen of a partial segment of the pipeline or within a lumen of a tube of the measuring transducer inserted into the course of the pipeline and is designed to be surrounded by the measuring medium and to be vibrated during this process.

[0065] According to a thirtieth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement comprises at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example, one that is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or electrodynamic, optoelectronic, or piezoelectric. According to a thirty-first embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement comprises at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example, one that is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or electrodynamic, optoelectronic, or piezoelectric, and that the further (second) vibration sensor is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, for example in the same way as the (first) vibration sensor.

[0066] According to a thirty-second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, opto-electronic or piezo-electric, and that the further (second) vibration sensor, for example in the same way as the (first) vibration sensor, is set up to detect mechanical vibrations of the vibration element about a static rest position and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the measuring transducer) representing vibrations of the vibration element, for example a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element.

[0067] According to a thirty-third embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the at least two vibration sensors of the measuring transducer are structurally identical.

[0068] According to a thirty-fourth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the at least two vibration sensors of the sensor arrangement are spaced apart from one another, for example such that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element.

[0069] According to a thirty-fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the at least two vibration sensors of the sensor arrangement are equidistant from the at least one vibration exciter, for example such that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element.According to a thirty-sixth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) has no further (vibration) sensors which are designed to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the at least one vibration element.

[0070] According to a thirty-seventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) has no further vibration sensors which are designed to detect mechanical vibrations of the measuring transducer and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the measuring transducer.

[0071] According to a thirty-eighth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, and that the at least one vibration exciter is positioned within at least one imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element.

[0072] According to a thirty-ninth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement comprises at least one further (second) vibration sensor, for example one which is identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or is electrodynamic, opto-electronic or piezo-electric, and that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable, also using the at least one sensor signal received during the first operating mode from the further (second) vibration sensor, for example a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency,For example, based on a phase difference between spectral (useful) signal components of the sensor signals of each of the two vibration sensors (each with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency), to determine a volume flow and / or a mass flow of a medium flowing through the measuring transducer.

[0073] According to a fortieth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the

[0074] Measuring system electronics has at least one (data) storage element (EEPROM) for, for example, non-volatile storage of digital (measurement and / or operating costs), for example one or more measured values ​​and / or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​and / or one or more (measurement system) parameter values. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is further configured to (in the first operating mode) store one or more (measurement system) parameter values ​​in the at least one (data) storage element, for example, namely to (re)read them out in the first and / or second operating mode, and / or (in the second operating mode) store one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​in the at least one (data) storage element, for example, namely to (re)read them out in the first and / or second operating mode.Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to store one or more measured values ​​in at least one (data) memory element (EEPROM).

[0075] According to a forty-first embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics or the measuring system formed thereby is integrated into a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP), for example formed by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PCS) and / or an edge (computing) device and / or a cloud (computing) system, for example being connected to the higher-level electronic data processing system in terms of signal and data technology.Developing this embodiment of the invention further, the measuring system electronics is further configured to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system via a data line and / or by radio, for example to activate the second operating mode (in a network) and / or to carry out a switch from the second operating mode to the first operating mode automatically and / or in dialogue with a user of the measuring system.

[0076] According to a forty-second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics comprises a radio unit, for example for transmitting measuring system data (to a higher-level electronic data processing system) and / or for receiving process data (from a higher-level electronic data processing system).

[0077] According to a forty-third embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is set up to receive a (process status) message, for example generated externally from the measuring system electronics and transmitted to the measuring system electronics via data transmission and / or causing an activation of the second operating mode, from a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) (connected to the measuring system electronics for data purposes) and / or a display and control element connected to the measuring electronics for signaling purposes, for example a display and control element of the measuring system and / or an (on-site) control device for the measuring system, for example to activate or execute the second operating mode depending on the (process status) message.Developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the (process state) message signals that the measured substance, for example with a predetermined (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow, is flowing through the measuring transducer, and / or that the (process state) message signals that a pump connected to the measuring transducer, for example via a pipeline, is switched on.

[0078] According to a forty-fourth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics is set up to activate or execute the second operating mode after the first operating mode, for example to determine a cause for reduced functionality of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for reduced measuring accuracy of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for a failure of the measuring system, wherein a starting time and / or a time duration Ta of the second measuring interval is dimensioned such that at least the sensor signal generated and evaluated during the second measuring interval can no longer contain or contains any signal components attributable to a (preceding) active excitation of the useful oscillations.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the time duration Ta of the second measuring interval is dimensioned less than the time duration Tnexc, for example in such a way that the time duration Ta is not more than 95% of the time duration Tnexc and / or is at least 1 s (second) shorter than the time duration Tnexc (Tnexc - Ta > 1 s) and / or that the start time of the second measuring interval is set in such a way that the second measuring interval only begins after a waiting time, for example of at least 1 s (second) and / or corresponding to at least 5% of the time duration Tnexc, after the start of the second operating mode, for example in such a way that the waiting time corresponds to at least twice a (decay) time constant of the vibration element and / or is greater than 10 s.

[0079] According to a forty-fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to adjust, in the first operating mode, a signal amplitude of the driver signal that determines an oscillation amplitude of the useful oscillations, for example, to a (predetermined) amplitude setpoint. According to a forty-sixth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the measuring system electronics are configured to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable, in particular the viscosity and / or the density, using the driver signal (generated during the first operating mode).

[0080] According to a first development of the invention, the measuring system further comprises an electronics housing for the measuring system electronics, which is fastened, for example, to a transducer housing of the measuring transducer and / or is metallic (having several resonance frequencies).

[0081] According to a second development of the invention, the measuring system further comprises a transducer housing, for example a metallic one (having several resonance frequencies), wherein the transducer housing and the at least one vibration element are fastened to one another, for example detachably.

[0082] A basic idea of ​​the invention is, among other things, to be able to detect or to detect interfering vibrations (on site) which impair the measuring accuracy and / or the functionality of vibronic measuring systems of the type in question as early as possible, for example during (re-)commissioning of the respective measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby, by directly detecting said interfering vibrations by means of the measuring transducer of the respective measuring system, and to do so while the at least one vibration exciter or the excitation arrangement formed thereby is not energized, namely while it is not drawing any electrical power from the connected measuring system electronics; this in particular in such a way that any vibrations detected by means of the at least one vibration sensor or the sensor arrangement formed thereby cannot be or are not (actively excited) useful vibrations, but (at most orare merely passively excited vibrations of the measuring transducer, namely vibrations generated by (external) interference vibrations coupled into the measuring system. This makes it possible to record the interference vibrations relevant for the measurement accuracy or functionality as well as their actual influence on the measuring system in a very simple and cost-effective, yet very precise manner directly on site and, if necessary, to report them very promptly. One advantage of the invention is, among other things, that such interference vibrations can be detected without complex additional sensors or by means of conventional (standard) measuring transducers. Another advantage of the invention is, among other things,This can be seen in the fact that the detection can also be adopted in principle for conventional measuring systems, not least (standard) Coriolis mass flow meters, established measuring transducers and measuring system electronics - for example, those known from the aforementioned US-B 63 11 136 or US-A 2020 / 0408581 or even those offered by the applicant itself for Coriolis mass flow meters (http: / / www.endress.com / de / messgeraete-fuer-die- prozesstechnik / produktfinder?filter.business-area=flow&filter.measuring-principle-parameter=coriolis&filter.text=) - and can be implemented simply by making comparatively minor modifications to the software or firmware of the respective measuring system electronics; this can also be done, for example, by retrofitting or reprogramming the measuring system electronics of already installed measuring systems, if necessary even on site.

[0083] The invention and advantageous embodiments thereof are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing. Identical or similarly acting or functioning parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures; where clarity requires it or it otherwise seems expedient, previously mentioned reference numerals are omitted in subsequent figures. Further advantageous embodiments or developments, in particular combinations of partial aspects of the invention initially explained only individually, will become apparent from the figures of the drawing and / or from the claims themselves.

[0084] In detail:

[0085] Figs. 1 , 2, 3 each show different variants or designs of a (vibronic) and 4 measuring system;

[0086] Figs. 5 and 6 in various (partially sectioned) side views one for a

[0087] Measuring system according to Fig. 1 or 4 suitable measuring transducer;

[0088] Fig. 7a shows a (vibronic) measuring system exposed to disturbing vibrations, in particular according to one of Figs. 1, 2, 3 or 4; and

[0089] Fig. 7b, 7c schematically show an example of a respective (interference) spectrum and 7d of interference vibrations according to Fig. 7a. In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively, a vibronic measuring system for flowable, in particular fluid or pourable, media, for example also of an at least temporarily 2- or multi-phase or inhomogeneous measuring substance, which can be inserted into a pipeline, in particular a pipeline of an industrial (process) plant, for example a piping system of a chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological or other process engineering process, a filling plant or for example a refueling device.

[0090] The measuring system - designed, for example, as a Coriolis mass flow meter, Coriolis mass flow density and / or Coriolis mass flow viscosity meter - is used in particular to measure and / or monitor a mass flow m or to determine mass flow measured values ​​(XM) representing the mass flow m of a (fluid) medium being conveyed in the aforementioned pipeline or at least temporarily allowed to flow therein, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion. Furthermore, the measuring system can also be used to determine a density p and / or a viscosity r| and / or a Reynolds number Re of the (flowing) medium being conveyed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the measuring system is used to determine mass flow measured values ​​of a medium to be transferred, for example with a predetermined orto use a predeterminable quantity of a measuring substance to be transferred from a supplier to a customer, for example a liquefied gas, such as a liquid gas containing methane and / or ethane and / or propane and / or butane or a liquefied natural gas (LNG) or a mixture of substances formed using liquid hydrocarbons, for example petroleum or a liquid fuel. The measuring system can accordingly also be designed, for example, as a component of a transfer point for goods transport subject to legal metrology, such as a refueling station, and / or as a component of a transfer point of the type shown in the aforementioned WO-A 02 / 060805, WO-A 2008 / 013545, WO-A 2010 / 099276, WO-A 2014 / 151829 or WO-A 2016 / 058745.

[0091] The measuring system comprises a physical-electrical (vibronic) measuring transducer 10, which is designed to be connected to the aforementioned pipeline via an inlet end #111 and an outlet end #112 (fluidic) or to be inserted (measured medium conductive) into the course of the same pipeline or to be flowed through by the respective measured medium during operation, as well as an electronic measuring system electronics 20 electrically coupled thereto - in particular, supplied with electrical energy during operation by means of internal energy storage and / or externally via a connecting cable.

[0092] Advantageously, the measuring system electronics 20, which can also be programmed and / or remotely parameterized, can also be designed such that, during operation of the measuring system, it can communicate with a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) (not shown here), for example a programmable logic controller (PLC), a personal computer, a workstation, an edge (computing) device, or a cloud (computing) system, via a data transmission system, for example a (wired) fieldbus system, in particular, namely exchange measuring system data, for example via a data line and / or (wirelessly) via radio. Measuring system data can be, for example, current measurement and / or diagnostic values ​​and / or setting values ​​useful for parameterizing the measuring system electronics or controlling the measuring system.Accordingly, the measuring system electronics 20 can, for example, have such connection electronics (VS; NRG), which is powered during operation by a (central) evaluation and supply unit provided in the aforementioned data processing system and remote from the measuring system. For example, the measuring system electronics 20 (or its aforementioned connection electronics) can be designed such that it can be electrically connected to the external electronic data processing system via a two-wire connection 2L, possibly also configured as a 4-20 mA current loop, and can thereby both draw the electrical power required for the operation of the measuring system from the aforementioned evaluation and supply unit of the data processing system and transmit measured values ​​to the data processing system, for example, by (load) modulation of a direct current supply fed by the evaluation and supply unit.In addition, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be designed such that it can be nominally operated with a maximum electrical power of 1 W or less and / or is intrinsically safe. For storing, in particular non-volatilely storing, digital (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, one or more digital measurement values ​​and / or (measurement system) parameter values ​​generated internally by the measuring system electronics, the measuring system electronics, according to a further embodiment of the invention, has at least one, in particular non-volatile, (data) storage element, EEPROM.

[0093] The measuring transducer 10 is, as already indicated, a measuring transducer of the vibration type, namely a measuring transducer with at least one vibration element 111, for example having or formed with at least one (measuring) tube, which is set up to be contacted by the measuring substance, for example namely to be flowed around or through, and to be allowed to vibrate during this time, with a by means of at least one, in particularelectrodynamic or piezoelectric vibration exciter 41 and with a (vibration) sensor arrangement (51, 52) formed by at least one, for example, electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric, (first) vibration sensor 51; this, for example, in such a way that the at least one vibration exciter 41 is partially fixed to the at least one vibration element 111 and that the at least one vibration sensor 51 is partially fixed to the vibration element 111 or is arranged in the vicinity thereof (detecting the vibrations without contact).Not least for the aforementioned case in which the measuring system is a Coriolis mass flow meter, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration exciter is positioned within at least one imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element and / or in the range of a vibration amplitude of at least one natural vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element. Both the at least one vibration exciter 41 or the exciter arrangement formed thereby, as well as the at least one vibration sensor 51 or the sensor arrangement formed thereby, are each electrically connected to the measuring system electronics. The at least one vibration exciter 41 orThe excitation arrangement formed thereby is particularly configured to convert electrical power fed in (by the measuring system electronics 20) into forced mechanical (useful) oscillations of the at least one vibration element 111 around a static rest position (actively) exciting mechanical power; this in particular in such a way that the (useful) oscillations are suitable for generating Coriolis forces in the medium flowing through the measuring transducer 10 that are dependent on the mass flow thereof (forcing additional elastic deformations of the vibration element 111), and / or that the (useful) oscillations have a (useful) frequency fN corresponding to a (momentary) resonance frequency of the vibration element 111 or of the measuring transducer 10 formed thereby. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration element 111 or the measuring transducer formed thereby is designed such that the useful frequency fN is more than 50 Hz and / or less than 2 kHz, in particular.more than 200 Hz and less than 1500 Hz.

[0094] In addition, the at least one vibration sensor 51 or the sensor arrangement formed thereby is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 around the aforementioned static rest position and to convert them into a (first) sensor signal s1 (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element 111, in particular a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element 111. The at least one vibration sensor 51 can advantageously be configured to measure a speed (of vibrational movements of the vibration element 111) or the at least one sensor signal s1 can advantageously be configured such that it represents a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element 111. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one vibration sensor 51 and the at least one vibration exciter 41 can, for example, also be (effectively) functionally identical, in particular structurally identical.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration exciter 41 is an electrodynamic vibration exciter (formed by means of a voice coil) and / or the at least one vibration sensor 51 is an electrodynamic vibration sensor (formed by means of a voice coil).

[0095] Not least for the aforementioned case that the measuring system is a Coriolis mass flow measuring device, the at least one vibration sensor 51 is arranged at a distance from the vibration exciter according to a further embodiment of the invention, for example in the direction of a (main) flow axis of the vibration element 111 or the measuring transducer formed thereby, and / or the sensor arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention has at least one further (second) vibration sensor 52, for example of the same construction as the first vibration sensor 51 and / or electrodynamic, opto-electronic or piezo-electric type, wherein the sensor arrangement (51, 52) of the measuring transducer 10 thus formed is designed toto detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 by means of both the first vibration sensor 51 and the second vibration sensor 52 and to provide first and second sensor signals s1, s2 (of the same signal type) that at least partially represent vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element 111; this in particular in such a way that the same sensor signals s1, s2 (in the case of the vibration element 111 executing useful vibrations) follow a change in the mass flow of the medium conveyed in the measuring transducer 10 with a change in at least one phase difference Acp12, namely a change in at least one difference between a (first) phase angle cp1 of the sensor signal s1 (or one of its spectral signal components) and a (second) phase angle cp2 of the sensor signal s2 (or one of its spectral signal components). Furthermore, the sensor signals s1,s2 have at least one signal frequency and / or signal amplitude dependent on the density and / or viscosity of the medium. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the (further) vibration sensor 52 is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, for example, in the same way as the vibration sensor 51, and / or the vibration sensor 52 (similarly to the vibration sensor 51) is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 about its aforementioned static rest position and to convert them into the sensor signal s2 representing vibrations of the vibration element 111, for example, a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element 111. Not least for the aforementioned case that the measuring system is a Coriolis mass flow meter,The at least two vibration sensors of the measuring transducer can be constructed identically and / or arranged at a distance from each other or from the vibration exciter, for example, such that they are symmetrical and / or equidistant from the at least one vibration exciter with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element. According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) does not have any further (vibration) sensors that are configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the at least one vibration element, and / or it is provided that the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) does not have any further vibration sensors that are configuredto detect mechanical vibrations of the transducer and convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the transducer. To control or drive the transducer or its excitation arrangement, the measuring system electronics 20, as shown schematically in Fig. 2 and 3 in the form of a block diagram, can further comprise drive electronics Exc connected to or electrically coupled to the excitation arrangement—for example, connected to the excitation arrangement via electrical connecting lines.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the at least one vibration element 111 has at least one (measuring) tube, for example, one that is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, or the at least one vibration element is formed by means of the same (measuring) tube, wherein the same (measuring) tube is designed to guide the at least temporarily flowing fluid medium (or to be flowed through by the same medium) and, as already mentioned, to be allowed to vibrate at least temporarily during this time. Accordingly, the measuring transducer can, for example, also be a transducer known from the prior art, not least the aforementioned US-A 2015 / 0268082, US-A 2011 / 0271756, US-A 2010 / 0011882, US-A 2010 / 0139416,

[0097] US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580, US-A 2016 / 0033314, US-A 2016 / 0349091 , US-A 2020 / 0132529, US-A 2020 / 0408581 ,

[0098] US-A 2021 / 0140804, US-A 2023 / 0037109, US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 36 653, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 57 96 012, US-A 58 04 741, US-A 59 26 096,

[0099] US-A 63 11 136, US-B 65 57 422, US-B 73 25 462, US-B 73 53 717,

[0100] US-B 93 72 107, US-B 1 040 86 52, US-B 1 05 98 534, US-B 1 08 09 109,

[0101] US-B 1 1 073 416, WO-A 2017 / 069749, WO-A 2019 / 017891, WO-A 2019 / 040089, WO-A 2019 / 081169, WO-A 2019 / 081170, WO-A 2021 / 136626, WO-A 93 / 21505, WO-A 96 / 05484 or WO-A 96 / 08697 or a transducer of a conventional Coriolis mass flow meter. The vibration element 111 formed by means of the at least one (measuring) tube can - as also indicated in Fig. 2 or as is readily apparent from a synopsis of Figs. 1 and 2 - be accommodated together with the excitation arrangement (41) and the sensor arrangement as well as possibly further components of the measuring transducer within a transducer housing 100, for example made of (stainless) steel.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned (useful) vibrations of the vibration element formed by the at least one (measuring) tube are at least partially designed as bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube, in particular those bending vibrations that are suitable for generating Coriolis forces in the medium flowing through the (measuring) tube that are dependent on its mass flow (which additionally deform the measuring tube). According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration exciter 41 is positioned for this purpose - as also indicated in Fig. 2 - for example, in the center of the at least one (measuring) tube (111) and / or the vibration exciter 41 is the only vibration exciter of the exciter arrangement or of the measuring transducer formed thereby that causes vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube (111).In the aforementioned case where the sensor arrangement comprises two vibration sensors, it is also possible - as already indicated and quite common in a measuring system of the type in question designed as a Coriolis mass flow measuring device - for the first vibration sensor 51 to be mounted, for example, on the inlet side, and for the second vibration sensor 52 to be mounted, for example, on the outlet side, on at least one (measuring) tube serving as a vibration element; this can also be done, for example, in such a way that the vibration sensors 51, 52 are each positioned at the same distance from the center of the same (measuring) tube, for example also forming a sensor arrangement that is (mirror-)symmetrical with respect to an imaginary (mirror) plane that imaginarily intersects the (measuring) tube in its center.In addition, the two vibration sensors 51, 52 described above can, for example, also be the only vibration sensors used to detect vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube forming the vibration element, such that the sensor arrangement has no further vibration sensors apart from the aforementioned vibration sensors 51, 52. According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the sensor arrangement has a total of no more than twice the number of (measuring) tubes (of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby) of (vibration) sensors, each of which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert each into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element, in particular a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element.In addition to the aforementioned (vibration) sensor arrangement, the measuring transducer can also be provided with, for example, a temperature measuring arrangement 71 for detecting temperatures within the measuring transducer and / or a strain measuring arrangement for detecting mechanical stresses within the vibration elements. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one vibration element, as also schematically shown in Fig. 3, can also be formed by means of at least one further (measuring) tube, thus by means of at least two (measuring) tubes, for example in such a way that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibration element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to one another and / or are designed to have the medium flowing through them simultaneously and to be vibrated (in opposite directions) during this process. In the vibrations excited orIn this case, the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element detected by the at least one vibration sensor can, for example, also be at least partially (opposite) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes. In a further variant of the invention, the at least one vibration element, as also schematically shown in Fig. 4, 5, and 6, can have or be formed with a, in particular plate-shaped or rod-shaped, immersion body; this can also be done, for example, in such a way that the immersion body (111) is arranged at least partially within a lumen of a partial segment of the aforementioned pipeline or within a lumen of a tube of the measuring transducer inserted into the pipeline, and is also designed to be surrounded by the measured substance and to be vibrated during this process.Accordingly, the measuring transducer can also be formed, for example, by means of a vibration element such as that described in the above-mentioned EP-B 564 682, US-A 44 20 983, US-A 53 92 656, the.

[0102] US-A 2016 / 0334316, US-B 1 15 30 967, WO-A 2015 / 155044, WO-A 95 / 33981 or US-B 93 72 107, or the transducer may correspond to one of the transducers shown therein.

[0103] To process the one or more sensor signals s1, s2 supplied by the measuring transducer, the measuring system electronics 20 further comprises (digital) measuring and control electronics DSV. As already indicated and schematically shown in Fig. 2, this measuring and control electronics DSV is electrically connected to the measuring transducer 10 or its sensor arrangement 51, 52 and is configured to receive and evaluate the at least one sensor signal s1, namely to generate the at least one (digital) measured value representing a measured variable and, if necessary, also to output them, for example in the form of digital values, to the aforementioned data processing system (EDP). Furthermore, the measuring and control electronics DSV can be electrically or digitally connected to the drive electronics Exc, for example via a digital bus internal to the measuring system electronics.be signal-coupled and also be designed to control the drive electronics Exc and / or to form a drive control loop of the measuring system electronics (serving the generation of the useful vibrations) by means of the drive electronics Exc.

[0104] For the aforementioned case in which the sensor arrangement is formed by means of two vibration sensors and is therefore configured to provide two sensor signals s1, s2, the measuring and control electronics DSV is also configured in particular to receive and evaluate both the sensor signal s1 and the sensor signal s2, for example, to determine analog and / or digital (mass flow) measured values ​​representing the mass flow based on the aforementioned at least two sensor signals s1, s2. The sensor signals (s1, s2) generated by the measuring transducer 10 and fed to the measuring system electronics 20 or the measuring and control electronics DSV provided therein, for example via electrical connecting lines, can also be preprocessed there, if necessary, for example, pre-amplified, filtered, and digitized.Not least for the aforementioned case that the measuring system is a Coriolis mass flow measuring device, the measuring and control electronics DSV has a first measuring signal input for the sensor signal s1 and at least one second measuring signal input for the sensor signal s2 and the measuring and control electronics DSV is further configured to determine the aforementioned phase difference from the same sensor signals s1, s2.In addition, the measuring and control electronics DSV can also be set up to determine the respective aforementioned phase angle and / or at least one signal frequency and / or a signal amplitude from at least one of the applied sensor signals s1, s2, for example to generate during operation a sequence of digital phase values ​​representing the respective phase angle and / or a sequence of digital frequency values ​​representing the signal frequency and / or a sequence of digital amplitude values ​​representing the signal amplitude.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring and control electronics DSV has a digital phase output and a digital amplitude output, and the measuring and control electronics DSV is further configured to output an amplitude sequence, namely a sequence of digital amplitude values ​​determined on the basis of at least one of the sensor signals, for example, quantifying the signal amplitude of one of the sensor signals, at the amplitude output, and a phase sequence, namely a sequence of digital phase values ​​determined on the basis of the sensor signals, at the phase output.

[0105] The measuring and control electronics DSV can also be implemented, for example, by means of a microcomputer provided in the measuring system electronics 20, for example, implemented using a digital signal processor (DSP), and by means of program codes implemented and executed therein. The program codes can, for example, be stored persistently in the aforementioned (non-volatile) data memory (EEPROM) of the microcomputer and, when the microcomputer is started, loaded into a volatile data memory (RAM), for example, integrated into the microcomputer.

[0106] As already indicated, the sensor signals s1, s2 are to be converted into corresponding digital signals (conforming to the WKS sampling theorem) for processing in the microcomputer by means of corresponding analog-to-digital converters (A / D converters) of the measuring and control electronics DSV or the measuring system electronics 20 formed thereby, cf. for example the aforementioned US-B 63 11 136 or US-A 2011 / 0271756. Accordingly, according to a further embodiment, the measuring and control electronics DSV provides a first analog-to-digital converter for the first sensor signal s1 and, in the case where the sensor arrangement comprises the second vibration sensor 52, a second analog-to-digital converter for the aforementioned second sensor signal s2. The measuring system electronics 20, including the aforementioned drive electronics Exc and measuring and control electronics DSV as well as other electronic components of the measuring system electronics 20 that serve the operation of the measuring system, such as an internal

[0107] The power supply circuit VS for providing internal DC supply voltages and / or transmitting and receiving electronics COM for communication with a higher-level measurement data processing system or an external fieldbus can - as is also readily apparent from a synopsis of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 - also be housed, for example, in a corresponding, in particular impact- and / or explosion-proof and / or hermetically sealed and / or metallic, electronics housing 200. This electronics housing 200 can, for example - as also shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively - be mounted on the aforementioned converter housing 100 to form a vibronic measuring system or a Coriolis mass flow measuring device in a compact design.

[0108] The electrical connection of the measuring transducer MW to the measuring system electronics 20 can be established using appropriate electrical connecting cables and corresponding cable bushings. The connecting cables can be designed, at least in part, as electrical conductors, at least partially covered by electrical insulation, e.g., as twisted-pair cables, ribbon cables, and / or coaxial cables. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting cables can also be formed, at least in part, by conductor tracks of a printed circuit board, especially a flexible one, possibly coated.For visualizing measured values ​​generated internally by the measuring system and / or status messages generated internally by the measuring system, such as an error message or an alarm, on site and / or for operating the measuring system on site, the measuring system can further comprise a display element HMI1 that communicates at least temporarily with the measuring system electronics 20 and / or an operating element HMI2 that communicates at least temporarily with the measuring system electronics 20, such as an LCD, OLED or TFT display placed in the aforementioned electronics housing 200 behind a window provided therein, as well as a corresponding input keyboard and / or a touchscreen (as a combined display and operating element).According to a further embodiment of the invention, the operating element HMI2 is configured to convert one or more manual inputs (from a user of the measuring system) into one or more control signals, for example, also containing one or more (control) commands for the measuring system electronics 20, and to send them to the measuring system electronics 20. Accordingly, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be configured to receive and process one or more control signals, possibly also containing one or more (control) commands, from the operating element HMI2, for example, to execute one or more (control) commands transmitted via one or more control signals. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to generate control signals for the aforementioned display element HMI1 and output them to the display element HMI1.In addition, the display element HMI1 can be configured to receive and process one or more control signals from the measuring system electronics 20, for example to display one or more messages transmitted by means of one or more control signals.

[0109] In order to excite the aforementioned useful vibrations of the at least one vibration element, the measuring system electronics of the measuring system according to the invention, for example the aforementioned drive electronics Exc together with the measuring and control electronics DSV which control them, are particularly designed to operate in a first operating mode I (active operation) which lasts for more than 10 ms (milliseconds) and during this time to energize the exciter arrangement, namely to feed electrical power into the at least one vibration exciter or the exciter arrangement formed thereby by means of an electrical drive signal e1 which, for example, has a signal frequency which can be predetermined and / or corresponds to a current resonance frequency of the measuring transducer and / or a signal amplitude which can be predetermined, in such a way that the at least one vibration element at least during a first operating mode I (active operation), in particularmore than 10 ms lasting, first measuring interval Texc at least partially executes forced mechanical oscillations serving as useful oscillations with at least one useful frequency, for example also with a predetermined (useful) amplitude, and that the at least one sensor signal (at least during the first measuring interval) at least partially represents the useful oscillations of the vibration element; this, for example, in such a way that the at least one sensor signal contains a (useful) signal component, namely a (spectral) signal component with a (signal) frequency corresponding to the useful frequency and with the aforementioned (first) phase angle. The driver signal e1 can, for example, be a harmonic orsinusoidal electrical (alternating) signal or, for example, a multi-frequency electrical (alternating) signal composed of several (spectral) signal components, but containing a spectral (useful) signal component with the signal amplitude and signal frequency, possibly also periodic for a predeterminable period of time.

[0110] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are further configured to provide the driver signal e1—for example, a bipolar and / or at least temporarily periodic, possibly also harmonic—with a signal frequency of not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 2 kHz; this is particularly also done in such a way that the signal frequency of the driver signal e1 corresponds to a momentary resonance frequency fR of the measuring transducer, for example, namely a resonance frequency (co-determined by the density and viscosity of the medium) of a natural (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element 111, in particular a fundamental (bending) vibration mode, or that the excited (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 are resonance vibrations (co-determined by the density and viscosity of the medium).The corresponding respective useful frequency fN (fN = fR) is subject to temporal changes due to temporal changes in the density or viscosity of the respective measuring medium during operation of the measuring system, such that the resonance or useful frequency can assume frequency values ​​within a (useful) frequency band AfN having predetermined (measuring system-specific) lower and upper limit frequencies, for example, corresponding to a predetermined density measuring range of the measuring system. The lower limit frequency can, as already mentioned and quite common for such measuring systems, be, for example, more than 50 Hz, in particular more than 200 Hz, while the upper limit frequency, as also already mentioned, can be, for example, less than 2 kHz, in particular less than 1500 Hz.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is further configured to vary, in operating mode I, the signal frequency of the driver signal e1 determining the useful frequency fN within the aforementioned (useful) frequency band, in particular to adapt or adjust it to a momentary resonance frequency (fR) of the vibration element 111.

[0111] Not least in order to set the signal frequency of the driver signal e1 to one of the aforementioned resonance frequencies, the measuring system electronics according to a further embodiment of the invention are also designed, among other things, to set the signal frequency of the driver signal e1 at least in the first operating mode I using the at least one sensor signal received during the first operating mode I, for example, namely based on a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency fN, or the measuring system electronics are designed to determine at least one (instantaneous) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer, in particular its vibration element, or of the measuring system formed thereby, using the at least one (first) sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@l) received during the operating mode I, for example, namely based on the sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @l) to determine one or more digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing the same resonance frequency. Advantageously, the measuring system electronics can also be configured (in operating mode I) to store one or more (measuring system) parameter values ​​in the aforementioned at least one EEPROM memory element in a non-volatile manner and, if necessary, to read them out again.

[0112] To set or measure the useful frequency fN or the corresponding resonant frequency of the transducer, the aforementioned drive electronics Exc can, as is quite common in vibronic measuring systems of the type in question or Coriolis mass flow meters, for example, have one or more phase-locked loops (PLLs) (controlled by at least one sensor signal). According to a further embodiment of the invention, the drive electronics Exc has a digital frequency output. Furthermore, the drive electronics Exc is also configured to output a frequency sequence, namely a sequence of digital frequency values ​​quantifying the signal frequency set for the drive signal e1, for example, the currently set useful frequency (or the signal frequency of its signal component E1), at the same frequency output.According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the aforementioned phase output of the measuring and control electronics DSV is electrically connected to a phase input, formed, for example, by a phase comparator provided within the drive electronics Exc. This phase comparator can, for example, also be configured to detect a phase difference between the aforementioned signal component E1 of the driver signal e1 and at least one of the aforementioned useful components S1*, S2* and / or to determine the extent of this phase difference. Furthermore, the amplitude output of the measuring and control electronics DSV can also be electrically connected to an amplitude input of the drive electronics Exc that detects the amplitude of the signal component or the oscillations excited thereby of the at least one vibration element.

[0113] The measuring system electronics of the measuring system according to the invention, for example the aforementioned measuring and control electronics DSV, is furthermore also designed to generate at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @l) or the sensor signals s1 , s2 (s1 s1 @l, s2 s2@l) during the first operating mode I, in particular during the first measuring interval, and to evaluate them accordingly, in particular using the at least one sensor signal s1 received during the operating mode I or using the at least two sensor signals s1, s2 received during the operating mode I, for example using the respective aforementioned spectral (useful) signal component, to determine the measured values ​​for at least one measured variable. Advantageously, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to store one or more measured values ​​in the aforementioned at least one (data) storage element EEPROM (non-volatile), for example also together with (additional) data specifying the time and / or location of the determination of the measured values.

[0114] After a five the invention is further that is, in the first operating mode a determining of the namely on a the invention is further that the is, (digital) measured values one in particular the viscosity and / or the density, under the (during the first

[0115] Operating mode to determine. Not least for the aforementioned case that the measuring system is designed as a Coriolis mass flow measuring device and the sensor arrangement is formed by means of two spaced-apart vibration sensors, the useful vibrations thus excited during the first operating mode are, as already indicated, particularly designed in such a way that the at least one vibration element causes additional (elastically) deforming Coriolis forces in the medium flowing through the measuring transducer and that each of the sensor signals s1, s2 contains a (spectral) signal component serving as a (useful) signal component sN1 or sN2 with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency and with a respective (first or second) phase angle, or that between the two (useful) signal components sN1, sN2 there is a corresponding phase difference Acp12 (Acp12' = cp1 - cp2 = f(m)) exists.Accordingly, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured, in particular, to measure a volume flow and / or a mass flow of a medium flowing through the measuring transducer or to determine measured values ​​representing the volume flow and / or the mass flow based on the same phase difference, possibly also taking into account the current operating frequency. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring and control electronics DSV is further configured to initially determine one or more, in particular digital, (first) phase difference measured values ​​X based on sensor signals s1, s2 received during one or more first measuring intervals. A(pito determine, each of which represents the first phase difference Acp 12 (of the sensor signals s1, s2 received during one or more first measuring intervals), for example, to determine one or more of the aforementioned mass flow measured values ​​XM using one or more (first) phase difference measured values ​​X A(piAlternatively or additionally, the measuring and control electronics can be further configured to determine, based on sensor signals s1 received during one or more first measuring intervals, one or more (first) phase angle measured values ​​X, in particular digital ones, representing the first phase angle cp1 (of the sensor signal s1 received during one or more first measuring intervals). <pi und / oder basierend auf während eines oder mehreren ersten Meßintervallen empfangenen Sensorsignalen s2 einen oder mehrere den zweiten Phasenwinkel cp2 (des während eines oder mehreren ersten Meßintervallen empfangenen Sensorsignals s2) repräsentierende, insb. digitale, (zweite) Phasenwinkel-Meßwerte X<p2 zu ermitteln. Die vorbezeichneten Phasenwinkel cp1 , cp2 bzw. Phasenwinkel-Meßwerte X<pi, X<p2 können beispielsweise in Referenz zum elektrischen Treibersignal e1 oder auch zu einem, insb.by means of the measuring and control electronics DSV or the drive electronics Exc, the internal (clock) reference signal of the measuring system electronics 20 is determined with a clock frequency corresponding to the useful frequency, for example, namely as a phase difference to the driver signal e1 or its useful signal component E1 and / or to the aforementioned (clock) reference signal. Advantageously, the operating mode I and the first measuring interval can also be selected, for example, such that the first useful oscillations carried out during this time are as stationary or stable as possible, in particular with regard to their useful frequency and / or their useful amplitude, and / or that both the operating mode I and the first measuring interval each have a duration that corresponds to more than one reciprocal (1 / fN) of the useful frequency fN, or each lasts longer than 1 s (second), in particular longer than 1 min (minute) or, for example, longer than 1 h (hour).

[0116] As already mentioned, vibronic measuring systems of the type in question can exhibit cross-sensitivities, among other things, to externally excited mechanical disturbing vibrations D (Fig. 7a), namely those not generated by the respective excitation arrangement or merely generated externally of the measuring system - for example in the form of turbulence or pressure fluctuations (in the measuring medium), sound waves propagating through the connected pipeline (structure-borne sound) and / or shaking movements of the connected pipeline, etc., which are coupled into the measuring transducer - in such a way that the measuring accuracy of the measuring system or the functionality of the measuring system as a whole is at least temporarily impaired; this is particularly the case if one or more of the disturbing vibrations assume (disturbance) frequencies fD which correspond to or are similar to the current or indicated useful frequency fN, namely have only a negligibly small frequency difference to the useful frequency fN.are located within the aforementioned (useful) frequency band AfN, and / or in the event that one or more of the interference oscillations with a (interference) frequency similar to the same useful frequency fN have a (interference) amplitude comparable to the instantaneous (useful) amplitude of the useful oscillations or have an overall (spectral) power density that is too high. However, oscillations of the measuring transducer or the measuring system formed thereby that can be undesirably excited or excited by the aforementioned interference oscillations can also be oscillations generated externally of the measuring system, for example, whose respective oscillation frequency corresponds to a (mechanical) resonance frequency of the aforementioned transducer housing 100 and / or the aforementioned electronics housing 200. The aforementioned interference sources causing interference vibrations D can, for example, be mechanically coupled system components (line) that cause vibrations via the pipeline to the respective measuring transducer, such asPumps and / or valves, or for example turbulences and / or inhomogeneities in the flowing medium.

[0117] Not least in order to reduce or avoid impairments of the measuring system associated with the aforementioned interference vibrations, in particular a reduction in its measuring accuracy, the measuring system electronics of the measuring system according to the invention are furthermore particularly also designed not to energise the excitation arrangement in a second operating mode II for a set period of time Tnexc, in particular not less than 1 s (second) and / or not more than 15 min (minute), for example, which can also be adjusted; this is particularly also done in such a way that the at least one vibration element does not carry out any useful vibrations (excited by the excitation arrangement) at least during a second measuring interval (within operating mode II), during which the measuring system electronics operating in operating mode II receives and evaluates the at least one sensor signal s1 or the sensor signals s1, s2.that at least during the second measuring interval, the useful vibrations of the vibration element 111 (which may have been previously excited by the excitation arrangement) have died down. In this way, it can be very easily ensured that during operating mode II or at least during the second measuring interval, any vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 that nevertheless occur can and do only be passive vibrations or vibrations excited externally by the measuring transducer, and thus possibly only the aforementioned unwanted interference vibrations. Accordingly, the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) also represents - as also schematically shown in Fig. 7b - during operating mode II (or during the second measuring interval) at most the aforementioned - merely passive oronly (interference) vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 (none of which are useful vibrations) excited externally of the measuring transducer 10, such that one or more signal parameters, for example, one or more signal frequencies and / or one or more (spectral) signal amplitudes, represent one or more interference parameters, for example, one or more of the aforementioned (interference) frequencies and / or (interference) amplitudes, or correspond to the same interference parameters. Thus, the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) recorded in the aforementioned period, namely during operating mode II or the second measuring interval, contains frequency information relevant to the measurement accuracy or functionality of the measuring system, or a corresponding (spectroscopic) fingerprint of the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby.

[0118] Assuming that at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @ll) can or contains essentially only the frequency information relevant for determining the external interference influences - useful as a (spectroscopic) fingerprint - but nevertheless does not represent any actively excited (useful) oscillations of the at least one vibration element 111, the measuring system electronics 10 of the measuring system according to the invention is accordingly also set up to use the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) received during operating mode II (passive operation) or during the aforementioned second measuring interval to determine one or more (digital) (interference) parameter values ​​for the at least one interference parameter (of the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby) - possibly also influencing the functionality or the measuring accuracy of the measuring system, in particularnamely, to determine a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbing oscillations of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby – serving as a (spectroscopic) fingerprint – and / or to calculate one or more measured values ​​for at least one measured variable using the at least one sensor signal received during the aforementioned second measuring interval or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom. Advantageously, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be configured to store one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​in a non-volatile manner in the aforementioned at least one EEPROM memory element, for example, already during operating mode II and / or also together with (additional) data specifying the time and / or location of the determination of the (disturbance) parameter values.Furthermore, the measuring system electronics 20 can advantageously also be configured to (re)read one or more of the (interference) parameter values ​​stored in the memory element EEPROM (non-volatile) in operating mode I and / or in operating mode II, for example for the purpose of a mutual comparison of (interference) frequency spectra or fingerprints determined for different time intervals.

[0119] In order to ensure that as many (spectral) signal components as possible of the interference oscillations relevant for qualifying the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby can be determined on the basis of the sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) generated during operating mode II, the time period Tnexc is selected or set to be greater than 2 s, in particular not less than 5 s, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0120] Operating mode II can, for example, be executed directly from operating mode I by the measuring system electronics or its drive electronics switching off the previously provided driver signal e1 and also leaving it switched off for at least the previously specified time period Tnexc.

[0121] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are accordingly also configured to activate or execute operating mode II after operating mode I, for example, to determine as quickly as possible a cause for a (since determined) reduced functionality of the measuring system and / or to determine as quickly as possible a cause for a (since determined) reduced measurement accuracy of the measuring system and / or to determine as quickly as possible a cause for a failure of the measuring system, for example due to a loss of at least one sensor signal s1; this, for example, also in such a way that the measuring system electronics are operated alternately, for example also cyclically intermittently, in operating mode I or operating mode II, for example for the purpose of improving the detection of only occasional or temporarily occurring interference oscillations.Alternatively or in addition, the measuring system electronics can, for example, also be set up to activate or execute operating mode II before operating mode I, for example for the (passive) calibration of the measuring point formed by the measuring system (involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) or during a (re-)commissioning of the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby. The aforementioned time period Tnexc can advantageously be selected to be as short as possible for this purpose, not least for the purpose of optimising the overall (commissioning) time budget to be estimated for the commissioning of the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby, for example less than 60 s, in particular not greater than 30 s. If necessary, the time period Tnexc can easily be selected or set to be greater than 1 min, in particular greater than 10 min.be set, for example in connection with the initial commissioning of the measuring system or the measuring point created thereby.

[0122] Not least in the case of an activation, for example repeated activation, of operating mode II from the (activated) operating mode I, when dimensioning the time period Tnexc to be used for operating mode II, a (decay) time constant naturally inherent in the at least one vibration element must also be taken into account accordingly, which is dependent on a (modal) quality factor Q1 of the vibration element at the (last excited) useful frequency fN - which in measuring systems of the type in question is typically more than 5000, for example not less than 10000. In the case of two-phase or multi-phase media and / or media with high viscosity, the quality factor Q1 can, for example, also be less than 100. The aforementioned (decay) time constant of the at least one vibration element corresponds to a ratio Q1 / fN of the quality factor Q1 related to the (last excited) useful frequency f1 orcan be determined in advance for the at least one vibration element experimentally and / or numerically (based on the aforementioned ratio Q1 / fN). This is especially important in order to ensure, when activating operating mode II from operating mode I, that the at least one vibration element generated during operating mode II.

[0123] Sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @ll) contains as far as possible no signal components attributable to the (previous) active excitation of the useful oscillations, the time period Tnexc according to another embodiment of the invention is at least for this case that the

[0124] Operating mode II is carried out chronologically after operating mode I, accordingly greater (selected) than the aforementioned (decay) time constant (of the at least one vibration element), advantageously for example such that the time duration Tnexc is more than 3 times the same (decay) time constant (Q1 / fN), in particular also more than 5 times the (decay) time constant, and / or is greater than 20 s, in particular also greater than 50 s, possibly also greater than 1 min (minute).

[0125] According to a further embodiment, a time duration Ta of the second measuring interval and / or a start time of the second measuring interval is also dimensioned such that at least the sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@Ta) generated and evaluated during the second measuring interval can no longer contain any signal components attributable to a (preceding) active excitation of the useful oscillations. Accordingly, the time duration Ta of the second measuring interval can, for example, also be dimensioned shorter than the time duration T nexc , in particular such that the time duration Ta is no more than 95% of the time duration T nexc and / or is at least 1 s (second) shorter than the time duration T nexc (T nexc - Ta > 1 s).Alternatively or in addition, the start time of the second measuring interval can also be set such that the second measuring interval begins at the earliest after a predetermined waiting time, for example at least 1 s (second) and / or corresponding to at least 5% of the time duration Tnexc, after starting operating mode II, for example such that the waiting time corresponds to at least twice the (decay) time constant (Q1 / fN) and / or is greater than 10 s.

[0126] As already indicated, the at least one disturbance parameter can, for example, represent a (externally excited) (fluid-)mechanical disturbance oscillation (D), in particular one coupled into the measuring system via a pipeline and / or via a fluid conveyed in the pipeline, for example in such a way that one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​quantify one or more (disturbance) amplitudes of a (disturbance) oscillation. Alternatively or additionally, one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​can, for example, also quantify one or more (disturbance) frequencies of a (disturbance) oscillation and / or one or more (disturbance) power density spectra of one or more superimposed (disturbance) oscillations.

[0127] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are accordingly further configured to determine a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbing oscillations of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby (involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) using the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) received during operating mode II or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to determine a usable frequency range (of the measuring system or of the measuring point) containing no detectable or detected disturbing oscillations using the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) received during operating mode II or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom.a measuring point formed thereby), for example also in such a way that an upper range limit of the usable frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the usable frequency range are determined on the basis of one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values, and / or to check whether - as also schematically shown in Fig. 7c - one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby lie within the aforementioned usable frequency range, in particular namely, if necessary, to output a (release) message (©) signaling this and / or releasing the first operating mode I and / or to switch automatically to operating mode I.

[0128] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is further configured to use the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) received during operating mode II or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom to determine and / or check at least one (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, whether - as also schematically shown in Fig. 7d - one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer orof the measuring system thus formed lie within the previously specified (risk) frequency range; This can also be done, for example, in such a way that the measuring system electronics are set up (in operating mode II) to determine whether the aforementioned (useful) frequency band and the (risk) frequency range at least partially coincide, and / or in such a way that the measuring system electronics, in the event that one or more of the mechanical resonance frequencies (of the measuring transducer or the measuring system) lie within the (risk) frequency range, and / or in the event that the (useful) frequency band and the (risk) frequency range at least partially coincide (®), outputs a (warning) message signaling this accordingly and / or an (error) report identifying one or more interference sources (causing interference oscillations) and / or blocks operating mode I (at least temporarily) or takes the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).An upper range limit of the (risk) frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the (risk) frequency range can be determined, for example, based on one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values, for example by using a lowest determined (disturbance) frequency as the lower range limit and / or a highest determined (disturbance) frequency as the upper range limit.

[0129] The determination of the aforementioned (risk) frequency range or the aforementioned usable frequency range can, for example, also be carried out using (disturbance) parameter values ​​and / or (measurement system) parameter values ​​stored intermittently in at least one (data) storage element EEPROM. Alternatively or additionally, (disturbance) parameter values ​​and / or (measurement system) parameter values ​​stored intermittently in at least one (data) storage element EEPROM can also be taken into account when determining measured values ​​representing the at least one measured variable. According to another embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is accordingly further configured tonamely to use one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values, for example those already stored (non-volatilely) in the aforementioned (data) memory element EEPROM, during operating mode I, for example to determine one or more of the measured values ​​representing the at least one measured variable and / or for (ad hoc) checking the functionality and / or measuring accuracy of the measuring system (during operating mode I or normal measuring operation); this in particular in such a way that the measuring system electronics checks in operating mode I using one or more disturbance parameter values ​​(previously determined in operating mode II or stored non-volatilely), for example by comparing one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​with one or more (measuring system) parameter values, whether the at least one signal frequency of the driver signal e1 orthe (notified) useful frequency fN of the useful vibrations of the at least one vibration element lies within the aforementioned (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) or whether the at least one (current) resonance frequency (of the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) lies within the same (risk) frequency range. Advantageously, the measuring system electronics can also be configured, in the event (®) that one of the aforementioned (signal, useful or resonance frequencies of the measuring system lies within the (risk) frequency range, to output a (warning) message signaling this and / or an (error) report identifying one or more sources of interference (causing interfering vibrations) and / or to deactivate the measuring system (at least temporarily) or to deactivate operating mode I.

[0130] Not least for the purpose of determining the aforementioned (risk) frequency range or estimating its effects on the functionality or measurement accuracy of the measuring system, the measuring system electronics are further configured according to a further embodiment of the invention to carry out a modal analysis for a measuring point involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby, at least on the basis of the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) received during operating mode II, and / or to evaluate at least the same sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @ll) to a spectral analysis, for example a Fourier analysis, for example also based on a (fast) discrete Fourier transformation (DFT). Alternatively or in addition to determining and possibly avoiding the aforementioned (risk) frequency range, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured to use the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @ll) or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, to set a (signal filter (of the measuring system electronics), for example, namely an adaptive and / or digital (signal filter), in particular to adapt it to a (interference) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) interference oscillations of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby, such that the filter is (subsequently) configured to suppress or block (interference) signal components contained in at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@ll) and resulting from one or more of the interference oscillations. Advantageously, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to apply the said (signal filter) to the sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@l) received during operating mode I or to filter the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @l) received during operating mode I by means of the filter, for example in the said sensor signal s1 (s1 s1 @l) contained

[0131] To block (interference) signal components. A filtered sensor signal supplied by the (signal) filter can be used, for example, to determine one or more measured values ​​for the at least one measured variable, if necessary, for example, together with the sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@l) present at the input of the (signal) filter.

[0132] The activation of operating mode I and / or operating mode II can, as already mentioned, be carried out automatically, namely by the measuring system electronics itself, for example, time- and / or event-controlled. An event activating operating mode II can, for example, be due to an insufficient signal quality of the at least one sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@l) received by the measuring system electronics during operating mode I, for example as a result of a

[0133] (Process) disruption, or the aforementioned loss of the same

[0134] sensor signal s1 (s1 s1@l), for example as a result of a (process-related) too low or non-existent useful amplitude of the useful vibrations of at least one vibration element. Alternatively or additionally, the activation of operating mode I and / or operating mode II can also be initiated or triggered externally of the measuring system and / or by manual input, for example in conjunction with the aforementioned data processing system and / or in dialogue with a user of the measuring system, for example in order to carry out the aforementioned (passive) calibration of the measuring system or the measuring point formed thereby in operating mode II, in particular during its planned (re-)commissioning and / or during an (ad hoc) decommissioning of the measuring system.

[0135] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics is further configured to receive and evaluate a (process status) message, for example, one generated externally from the measuring system electronics and transmitted to the measuring system electronics via data transmission and / or generated by an (on-site) control element or (on-site) control device connected to the measuring system electronics via signal technology, in particular to activate or execute operating mode II depending on the (process status) message. The control element used to transmit the (process status) message to the measuring system electronics can be, for example, the aforementioned control element HMI2 or the aforementioned display and control element. The aforementioned (process status) message can advantageously be configured such that it contains information about the subsequently determined (fault) parameter values ​​orthe quality of the measurement data collected for determining the aforementioned (spectroscopic) fingerprint by means of the measuring system electronics during its operating mode II is further improved, for example by one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values ​​then being temporally and / or spatially assignable to a process state (of the (process) plant formed by the measuring system or the measuring point involving it, or to at least one (process) parameter characterizing the process state). For this purpose, the (process state) message is further designed according to a further embodiment of the invention such that it signals the operation of a (switched-on) pump connected (via pipeline) to the measuring transducer. Alternatively or additionally, the (process state) message can also signal, for example, that medium is flowing through the measuring transducer, in particular with a predetermined (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Vibronic measuring system, in particular a vibronic measuring system designed as a Coriolis mass flow meter and / or as a density meter and / or as a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured variables, in particular a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, conveyed in a (connected) pipeline, which measuring system comprises: - a (vibronic) transducer (10) - with at least one vibration element (111), in particular having or formed therewith at least one (measuring) tube, - with an excitation arrangement formed by means of at least one, in particular electrodynamic or piezoelectric, vibration exciter (41), - and with a sensor arrangement formed by means of at least one, in particular electrodynamic, opto-electronic or piezo-electric, vibration sensor (51); - and a measuring system electronics (20) electrically connected to the measuring transducer (10), in particular both to the excitation arrangement and to the sensor arrangement, in particular formed by means of one or more microprocessors; - wherein the measuring transducer (10) is designed to be (fluidically) connected to the pipeline or inserted into the course of the pipeline; - wherein the at least one vibration element (111) is arranged to be contacted by the measuring substance, in particular to be flowed around or through, and to be allowed to vibrate during this time; - wherein the at least one vibration exciter (41) or the exciter arrangement formed thereby is configured to convert supplied electrical power into forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position (actively) exciting mechanical power; - wherein the at least one vibration sensor (51) or the sensor arrangement formed thereby is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element (111) about a static rest position and to convert them into a (first) sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element (111), in particular a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element (111); - wherein the measuring system electronics is set up in a first operating mode (I - active mode) - both to energize the excitation arrangement, namely to feed an electrical driver signal (e1) into the at least one vibration exciter (41), in particular having a predeterminable signal frequency and / or a current resonance frequency fR of the measuring transducer (10) corresponding to it and / or a predeterminable signal amplitude, such that the vibration element (111) at least during a first measuring interval at least partially executes useful vibrations, namely forced mechanical vibrations with at least one useful frequency, in particular corresponding to a current resonance frequency fR of the measuring transducer (10) and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 2 kHz, and the (first) sensor signal (s1) at least partially represents the useful vibrations of the vibration element (111), - as well as to receive and evaluate at least one (first) sensor signal (s1); - the measuring system electronics are set up in a second operating mode (II - passive operation) - not to energise the excitation arrangement for a set, in particular adjustable and / or not less than 1 s (second) period Tnexc, in particular such that the at least one vibration element does not perform any useful vibrations (excited by the excitation arrangement) at least during a second measuring interval and / or that at least during a second measuring interval useful vibrations of the at least one vibration element (111) have decayed (previously excited by the excitation arrangement), - as well as to receive and evaluate the at least one (first) sensor signal (s1), in particular representing vibrations of the at least one vibration element (111) excited (only) passively or (only) externally of the measuring transducer (10); - and wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is arranged - to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable using the at least one (first) sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) received during the first operating mode (I), in particular a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency - as well as using the at least one (first) sensor signal (s1) received during the second operating mode (II) to determine one or more, in particular digital, (disturbance) parameter values ​​for at least one disturbance parameter (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed therewith), in particular a (disturbance) frequency and / or a (disturbance) amplitude, in particular to determine a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbance oscillations of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed therewith and / or to calculate one or more measured values ​​for at least one measured variable using one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​of the at least one disturbance parameter.

2. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one disturbance parameter represents a (externally excited), in particular via a pipeline and / or via a fluid conveyed in the pipeline, (fluid-)mechanical disturbance oscillation, in particular a frequency of the disturbance oscillation and / or an amplitude of the disturbance oscillation; and / or - where one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​represent, in particular quantify, one or more (disturbance) amplitudes of one or more (externally excited) mechanical (disturbance) vibrations coupled into the measuring system, in particular via a pipeline and / or via a fluid conveyed in the pipeline; and / or - wherein one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​represent, in particular quantify, one or more (disturbance) frequencies of one or more (externally excited) mechanical (disturbance) vibrations, in particular those coupled into the measuring system via a pipeline and / or via a fluid conducted in the pipeline and / or generated by a fluid flowing through the measuring transducer.

3. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the time period Tnexc is greater than 2 s (second), in particular not less than 5 s (set).

4. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to activate or execute the second operating mode (II) after the first operating mode (I), in particular to determine a cause for reduced functionality of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for reduced measurement accuracy of the measuring system and / or to determine a cause for a failure of the measuring system.

5. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one vibration element (111) has a (decay) time constant which is dependent on a (modal) quality factor Q1 of the vibration element (111) at the (last excited) useful frequency fN, in particular more than 5000, in particular namely a ratio Q1 / fN of the quality factor Q1 related to the (last excited) useful frequency fN.

6. Measuring system according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the time period T nexc is (selected) greater than the (decay) time constant (of the vibration element), in particular more than 3 times the (decay) time constant and / or is greater than 20 s.

7. Measuring system according to one of claims 5 to 6, - wherein the quality factor Q1* of the at least one vibration element (111) is greater than 5000, in particular not less than 10000; and / or - where the time duration Tnexc is more than 5 times the (decay) time constant and / or greater than 50 s, in particular greater than 1 min (minute), (set); and / or - where the useful frequency fN is more than 50 Hz and / or less than 2 kHz, in particular more than 200 Hz and less than 1500 Hz.

8. Measuring system according to one of claims 5 to 7, - wherein a time duration Ta of the second measuring interval is dimensioned such that at least the sensor signal s1 generated and evaluated during the second measuring interval (s1 s1 @Ta) can no longer contain or does not contain any signal components attributable to a (previous) active excitation of the useful oscillations; and / or - wherein a starting time of the second measuring interval is such that at least the sensor signal s1 generated and evaluated during the second measuring interval (s1 s1 @Ta) can no longer contain or does not contain any signal components attributable to a (previous) active excitation of the useful oscillations.

9. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - wherein the time duration Ta of the second measuring interval is less than the time duration Tnexc, in particular such that the time duration Ta is not more than 95% of the time duration Tnexc and / or is at least 1 s (second) shorter than the time duration Tnexc (Tnexc - Ta > 1 s); and / or - wherein the starting time of the second measuring interval is set such that the second measuring interval only begins after a waiting time after starting the second operating mode (II), in particular at least 1 s (second) and / or at least 5% of the time duration Tnexc, in particular such that the waiting time corresponds to at least twice the (decay) time constant (Q1 / fN) and / or is greater than 10 s.

10. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to activate or execute the second operating mode (II) prior to the first operating mode (I), in particular for the (passive) calibration of a measuring point formed by the measuring system (involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) and / or during a (re-)commissioning of the measuring system; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to use measurement data collected during the second operating mode (II), in particular one or more of the (disturbance) parameter values, during the first operating mode (I), in particular to determine one or more of the measured values ​​and / or to check the functionality of the measuring system and / or to check the measurement accuracy of the measuring system.

11. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the time period Tnexc is less than 60 s, in particular not greater than 30 s, (set).

12. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is arranged, in the first operating mode (I), to provide the driver signal (e1) with at least one predetermined, in particular adjustable and / or a mechanical resonance frequency of the vibration element (111) or of the measuring transducer (10) formed thereby and / or serving to set the useful frequency fN.

13. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to adjust the signal frequency of the driver signal (e1) in the first operating mode (I) using the at least one (first) sensor signal (s1) received during the first operating mode (I), in particular based on a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency fN; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to check in the first operating mode (I) using one or more (interference) parameter values ​​whether the at least one signal frequency of the driver signal (e1) or the useful frequency fN of the useful oscillations of the at least one vibration element (111) lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, in particular namely, if necessary, to output a (warning) message signaling this and / or an (error) report identifying one or more interference sources (causing interference oscillations) and / or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

14. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics are set up to determine at least one (instantaneous) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer, in particular namely its vibration element, or of the measuring system formed thereby, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the first operating mode, in particular to determine one or more digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing the same resonance frequency on the basis of the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the first operating mode and / or to check, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether the at least one (instantaneous) resonance frequency (of the measuring transducer) lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system ora measuring point formed with it).

15. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to determine a (disturbance) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) disturbing vibrations of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby (involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby) using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom.

16. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to determine at least one usable frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby) containing no detectable or detected interference oscillations using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more interference parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, in particular in such a way that an upper range limit of the usable frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the usable frequency range are determined on the basis of one or more of the (interference) parameter values.

17. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to check, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby lie within a usable frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby) containing no detectable or detected (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, in particular namely, if necessary, to output a (release) message signaling this and / or enabling the first operating mode and / or to automatically switch to the first operating mode.

18. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured, in the first operating mode, to vary a signal frequency of the driver signal, which determines the useful frequency, within a predetermined (useful) frequency band, in particular corresponding to a predetermined density measuring range of the measuring system; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to adjust, in the first operating mode, a signal amplitude of the driver signal that determines an oscillation amplitude of the useful oscillations, in particular to adjust it to a (predetermined) amplitude setpoint; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable, in particular the viscosity and / or the density, using the driver signal (generated during the first operating mode).

19. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to determine, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, at least one (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, in particular in such a way that an upper range limit of the (risk) frequency range and / or a lower range limit of the (risk) frequency range are determined based on one or more of the (interference) parameter values; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to check, using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, whether one or more (nominal) mechanical resonance frequencies of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby lie within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or of a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference oscillations, in particular to output a (warning) message signaling this and / or an (error) report identifying one or more interference sources (causing interference oscillations) and / or to block the first operating mode (at least temporarily) or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

20. Measuring system according to claim 18 and 19, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured, in particular in the second operating mode, to determine whether the (useful) frequency band and the (risk) frequency range at least partially coincide, in particular to issue a (warning) message signaling this and / or to block the first operating mode (at least temporarily) or to deactivate the measuring system (at least temporarily).

21. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to subject at least the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode to a spectral analysis, in particular a Fourier analysis, in particular based on a (fast) discrete Fourier transformation (DFT); and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to carry out a modal analysis for a measuring point involving the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed thereby, at least on the basis of the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode.

22. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to set a, in particular adaptive, (digital) filter using the at least one (first) sensor signal received during the second operating mode or one or more (interference) parameter values ​​obtained therefrom, in particular to adapt to a (interference) frequency spectrum of (externally excited) interference oscillations of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby, such that the filter is configured to suppress or block (interference) signal components contained in the at least one sensor signal and resulting from one or more of the interference oscillations.

23. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to filter the (first) sensor signal received by the at least one during the first operating mode by means of the filter, in particular to block (interference) signal components contained in the same sensor signal; and / or - where the filter is an adaptive filter.

24. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one vibration exciter is an electrodynamic vibration exciter (formed by means of a voice coil); and / or - wherein the at least one vibration sensor is an electrodynamic vibration sensor (formed by means of a moving coil); and / or - wherein the at least one sensor signal represents a speed of oscillatory movements of the vibrating element; and / or - the vibration sensor and vibration exciter are functionally identical, in particular structurally identical; and / or - wherein the at least one vibration sensor is spaced from the vibration exciter, in particular in the direction of a (main) flow axis of the vibration element and / or the measuring transducer formed thereby.

25. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to determine one or more digital (measuring system) parameter values ​​representing a (current) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed thereby, using the at least one sensor signal received during the first operating mode, - and wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to check, using one or more, in particular non-volatilely stored, (measuring system) parameter values ​​and one or more, in particular non-volatilely stored, (interference) parameter values, in particular by comparing one or more (interference) parameter values ​​with one or more (measuring system) parameter values, whether the at least one resonance frequency of the vibration element lies within a (risk) frequency range (of the measuring system or a measuring point formed thereby) containing (interference) frequencies of one or more interference vibrations, in particular if necessary to output a (warning) message signaling this and / or an (error) report identifying one or more interference sources (causing interference frequencies) and / or to take the measuring system out of operation (at least temporarily).

26. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one vibration element comprises or is formed with at least one (measuring) tube, in particular at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, in particular such that the at least one (measuring) tube is designed to be flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated during this process, - and wherein the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by the at least one vibration exciter or detected by the at least one vibration sensor are at least partly bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube.

27. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, which has at least one vibration element at least one further (measuring) tube, in particular such that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibration element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to one another and / or are arranged to be simultaneously flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated (in opposite directions) during this time.

28. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by the at least one vibration exciter or detected by the at least one vibration sensor are at least partially (opposite) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes.

29. Measuring system according to one of claims 26 to 28, - wherein the sensor arrangement comprises (vibration) sensors, each of which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert each into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the vibration element, in particular a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element, in total no more than twice the number of (measuring) tubes (of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby); and / or - wherein the sensor arrangement comprises vibration sensors, which are designed to detect mechanical vibrations of the measuring transducer and to convert each into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the measuring transducer, in total no more than twice the number of (measuring) tubes (of the vibration element or of the measuring transducer formed thereby).

30. Measuring system according to one of claims 1 to 25, wherein at least one vibration element comprises or is formed with a, in particular plate-shaped or rod-shaped, immersion body, in particular such that the immersion body is arranged at least partially within a lumen of a partial segment of the pipeline or within a lumen of a tube of the measuring transducer inserted into the course of the pipeline and is designed to be surrounded by the measuring medium and to be vibrated during this process.

31. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one further (second) vibration sensor, in particular one which is structurally identical to the first vibration sensor and / or electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric.

32. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - wherein the further (second) vibration sensor, in particular in the same way as the (first) vibration sensor, is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics; and / or - wherein the further (second) vibration sensor, in particular in the same way as the (first) vibration sensor, is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the vibration element around a static rest position and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the measuring transducer) representing vibrations of the vibration element, in particular a speed of vibrational movements of the vibration element; and / or - wherein the at least two vibration sensors of the transducer are of identical construction; and / or - wherein the at least two vibration sensors of the sensor arrangement are spaced apart from one another, in particular such that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element; and / or - wherein the at least two vibration sensors of the sensor arrangement are equidistant from the at least one vibration exciter, in particular such that they are imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element are arranged symmetrically; and / or - wherein the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) has no further (vibration) sensors which are configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the at least one vibration element; and / or - wherein the sensor arrangement (apart from the first and second vibration sensors) does not have any further vibration sensors which are configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the measuring transducer and to convert them into a sensor signal (of the sensor arrangement) representing vibrations of the measuring transducer; and / or - wherein the at least one vibration exciter is positioned within at least one imaginary plane of symmetry of the at least one vibration element; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to determine (digital) measured values ​​for at least one measured variable, also using the at least one sensor signal of the further (second) vibration sensor received during the first operating mode, in particular a spectral (useful) signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency, in particular to determine a volume flow and / or a mass flow of a medium flowing through the measuring transducer based on a phase difference between spectral (useful) signal components of the sensor signals of each of the two vibration sensors (each with a signal frequency corresponding to the useful frequency).

33. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - further comprising: an electronics housing (200) for the measuring system electronics (20), in particular attached to a transducer housing of the measuring transducer and / or metallic (having several resonant frequencies); and / or - further comprising: a transducer housing, in particular a metallic one (having several resonance frequencies), wherein the transducer housing and the at least one vibration element are fastened to one another, in particular detachably.

34. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics comprises at least one (data) storage element (EEPROM) for, in particular non-volatile, storage of digital (measurement and / or operating) data, in particular one or more measured values ​​and / or one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​and / or one or more (measurement system) parameter values.

35. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to store (in the first operating mode) one or more (measuring system) parameter values ​​in at least one (data) storage element, in particular to read them out (again) in the first and / or second operating mode; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to store (in the second operating mode) one or more (disturbance) parameter values ​​in at least one (data) storage element, in particular to read them out (again) in the first and / or second operating mode; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics is configured to store one or more measured values ​​in at least one (data) memory element (EEPROM).

36. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics or the measuring system formed thereby is integrated into a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP), in particular formed by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PCS) and / or an edge (computing) device and / or a cloud (computing) system, in particular namely connected to the higher-level electronic data processing system in terms of signal and data technology.

37. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (ME) is configured to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system via a data line (2L) and / or by radio, in particular to activate (in a network) the second operating mode and / or to carry out a switch from the second operating mode to the first operating mode automatically and / or in dialogue with a user of the measuring system.

38. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics comprises a radio unit, in particular for transmitting measuring system data (to a higher-level electronic data processing system) and / or for receiving process data (from a higher-level electronic data processing system).

39. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics is configured to receive a (process status) message, in particular one generated externally to the measuring system electronics and transmitted to the measuring system electronics via data transmission and / or initiating activation of the second operating mode, from a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) (connected to the measuring system electronics for data purposes) and / or a display and control element connected to the measuring electronics for signal transmission, in particular a display and control element of the measuring system and / or an (on-site) control device for the measuring system, in particular to activate or execute the second operating mode depending on the (process status) message.

40. Measuring system according to the previous claim, - where the (process status) message signals that the medium, in particular with a specified (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow, is flowing through the measuring transducer; and / or - where the (process status) message signals that a pump connected to the transducer, especially via a pipeline, is switched on.

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