Sensing element for rotary consistency measuring device

Abstract

A sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, the sensing element (10) comprising a body portion (11) configured to be operatively coupled to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, at least one blade portion (12) movably coupled to the body portion (11) to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said second position the at least one blade portion (12) extends radially, relative to an axis of rotation (100) of the sensing element (10), further than in said first position. [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Detection element for rotary consistency measuring device

[0001] Domain

[0002] The present invention relates to a sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, and to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus.

[0003] CONTEXT

[0004] A consistency measuring apparatus, such as a consistency transmitter, may be used to determine a consistency or viscosity, for example, of a material or substance. For example, such a consistency measuring apparatus may be used in the process industry and generally for process control.

[0005] Consistency measurement can be based on different operational principles. Some possible examples include, for example, microwave, optical, and rotary consistency measuring devices.

[0006] A rotary consistency measuring device, such as a rotary consistency transmitter, performs the measurement by rotating a sensing element within the material or substance to be measured. A torque produced by the force resisting rotation of the sensing element within the material or substance can then be measured and used to determine the consistency or viscosity of the material or substance to be measured. The sensing element may, for example, generally be disc-shaped or helix-shaped. The shape, size, and / or surface quality of the sensing element may determine the magnitude of the frictional or shear force resisting rotation of the sensing element. Generally, the lower the consistency of the material or substance to be measured, the larger the diameter of the sensing element must be to produce sufficient torque for accurate measurement.

[0007] A problem with the sensing elements for such a rotary consistency measuring apparatus is that since different sizes of sensing elements may be required for measuring high and low consistencies, for example, then differences also in other parts of the measuring apparatus may be required to accommodate the different sensing elements. Disclosure of the Invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for overcoming the above-mentioned problem or at least reducing the problem.

[0009] This is achieved by a sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, the sensing element comprising a body portion configured to be operatively coupled to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, wherein the sensing element comprises at least one blade portion movably coupled to the body portion to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said second position the at least one blade portion extends radially, relative to an axis of rotation of the sensing element, further than in said first position.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing the sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus with one or more blade portions movably coupled to the body portion, so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in its second position, the at least one blade portion extends radially, relative to an axis of rotation of the sensing element, more than in its first position.

[0011] An advantage of the solution of the invention lies in the fact that the diameter of the sensing element can be made variable, and therefore it can be better adapted to different measuring device structures. Therefore, the manufacturing costs of the measuring equipment can be reduced since its different parts require fewer variations.

[0012] Preferred aspects of the proposed sensing element, taken alone or in any possible technical combination, are as follows:

[0013] - the at least one blade portion is pivotally coupled to the blade portion body.

[0014] - the at least one blade portion is slidably coupled to the blade portion body.

[0015] - the sensing element comprises two, three, four, five or more blade parts.

[0016] - the blade portions coupled to the body portion are regularly spaced around of a perimeter of the body part relative to each other.

[0017] - the at least one blade portion is configured to move from its first position to its second position, by a centrifugal force following a rotation of the detection element around the rotation axis of the detection element when a rotation speed of the detection element is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0018] - the at least one blade portion is provided with a configured retraction assembly to move the at least one blade portion from the second position to the first position, when the rotational speed of the detection element is lower than the predetermined threshold value.

[0019] According to the invention, there is also provided a rotary consistency measuring apparatus comprising rotation means configured to rotate a member of detection; and the proposed detection element is operatively coupled to the rotation means.

[0020] Preferred aspects of the proposed rotary consistency measuring apparatus, taken alone or in any possible technical combination, are as follows:

[0021] - the rotary consistency measuring apparatus further comprises a chamber of measuring having a wall provided with an opening for insertion of the sensing element into the measuring chamber, wherein a diameter of the opening is greater than a diameter of the sensing element with the at least one blade portion being in the first position, and wherein the diameter of the opening is less than the diameter of the sensing element with the at least one blade portion being in the second position.

[0022] - the at least one blade portion of the sensing element is configured to pass from the second position to its first position following withdrawal of the detection element from the measuring chamber through the opening. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] In the following part, the invention is described in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig.l] represents an example of a detection element according to one embodiment;

[0025] [Fig.2] represents an example of a detection element according to a mode of realization ;

[0026] [Fig. 3] represents an exploded view of an example of a detection element according to one embodiment;

[0027] [Fig.4] shows an example of a connection of a measuring device of rotary consistency to a pipeline according to one embodiment;

[0028] [Fig.5] shows an example of a connection of a rotary consistency measuring device to a pipeline according to one embodiment;

[0029] [Fig.6] shows an example of a connection of a rotary consistency measuring device to a pipeline according to one embodiment; and

[0030] [Fig.7] shows an example of a connection of a measuring device of rotating consistency to a pipeline according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following embodiments are given for illustrative purposes. Although the description may refer to "a", "an" or "some" embodiment(s) in several places, this does not necessarily mean that each of these references is for the same embodiment(s), or that the feature applies to only one embodiment for example. The individual features of Different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Generally, all terms and expressions used should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate, not limit, the embodiments. The figures represent only the components necessary for understanding the different embodiments. The number and / or configuration of the various elements and generally their implementation, may vary from the examples shown in the figures.

[0032] Various embodiments and examples may be described below using single units, models and equipment, for example, without limiting the embodiments / examples to such a solution. Therefore, all terms and expressions should be interpreted in their broad sense and are intended to illustrate, not limit, the embodiment in question. The application of the various embodiments described herein is not limited to a specific system, but may be used with respect to other configurations for rotation-based consistency measurement, for example.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus comprises a body portion configured to be operatively coupled to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, and at least one blade portion movably coupled to the body portion to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in its second position, the at least one blade portion extends radially, relative to an axis of rotation of the sensing element, more than in its first position. The axis of rotation of the sensing element generally refers herein to the intended axis of rotation of the sensing element when used relative to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus.

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates an example of a sensing element 10 according to one embodiment. In the figure, the sensing element is shown in four different views a, b, c and d in different directions. The exemplary sensing element 10 comprises a body portion 11 and two blade portions (vane, wing) 12. The number of blade portions 12 may be one or more than two, for example three, four, five or more. The body portion 11 is provided with an opening 13 allowing it to be coupled to a rotating consistency measuring apparatus and to be rotated about the rotation axis 100. The body portion 11 may alternatively or additionally have some other coupling means to allow it to be coupled to a rotating consistency measuring apparatus. In the example, the blade portions 12 are pivotally coupled to the body portion 11 by means of hinge joints 14.Generally, one or more blade portions 12 may be pivotally and / or slidably coupled to . the body portion 11, such that they are movable between the first position and the second position. In the example of [Fig.l], the blade portions 12 are shown in their first position. In the illustrated example, the first position corresponds to a position in which the blade portions 12 are folded. In particular, in the example, the blade portions 12 are completely folded so that the diameter of the sensing element 10 relative to an axis of rotation of the sensing element 10 is minimized.

[0035] [Fig. 2] illustrates an example of a sensing element 10 according to one embodiment. In the figure, the sensing element 10 is shown in four different views a, b, c and d in different directions. The example shown in [Fig. 2] corresponds to that shown in [Fig. 1], except that in [Fig. 2], the blade portions 12 are shown in the second position. In the illustrated example, the second position corresponds to a position in which the blade portions 12 are unfolded. In particular, in the example, the blade portions 12 are completely unfolded, so that the diameter of the sensing element 10 relative to the axis of rotation of the sensing element 10 is maximized. In other words, in the examples of [Fig. 2], the blade portions 12 extend radially, relative to the axis of rotation 100 of the detection element 10, more than in the examples of [Fig. 1].

[0036] [Fig. 3] further shows an exploded view of an example of a sensing element according to an embodiment corresponding to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2. The individual parts of the sensing element 10 may be manufactured from metal, plastic, ceramic and / or other suitable materials or composite materials, for example. The material(s) of the parts of the sensing element 10 may be selected on the basis of the characteristics of the material or substance to be measured, for example. Also the particular shape and / or size of the individual parts of the sensing element 10 may depend on the characteristics of the material or substance to be measured, for example, and may differ from the examples shown in the figures.By way of example, while in the examples shown in the figures the blade portions 12 comprise two main portions 121, 122 connected together at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the blade portion(s) 12 may comprise more of these portions and / or the portions may be connected together at different angles. According to one embodiment, the sensing element 10 or its blade portion(s) 12 may be shaped to produce maximum friction and thus torque for measurement in the second position of the blade portion(s) 12, for example. An advantage of such an embodiment is that a higher torque for measurement may be provided possibly with a lower rotational speed of the sensing element 10. The sensing element 10 may be configured to measure any type of . material or substance, such as pulp, or generally any material or substance relating to manufacturing by processes, for example.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the blade portions 12 coupled to the body portion 11 may be regularly spaced around a perimeter of the body portion relative to one another. Therefore, when a plurality of blade portions 12 are coupled to a single body portion 11, such regularly spaced positioning of the blade portions 12 may be used to minimize or reduce the eccentricity of the resulting sensing element 10 relative to its axis of rotation, for example.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the at least one blade portion 12 may be configured to move from its first position to its second position by centrifugal force following rotation of the sensing element about the rotation axis of the sensing element when a rotational speed of the sensing element is greater than a predetermined threshold value. For example, in the examples of Figures 1 to 3, the exemplary hinge joints 14 may be adjusted to a suitable tightening, for example lower or higher, so that they allow the blade portions 12 to move from the first position to the second position by centrifugal force following rotation of the sensing element 10 about the rotation axis when the rotational speed of the sensing element exceeds a predetermined threshold value.According to one embodiment, the at least one blade portion 12 may be provided with a retraction assembly (not shown in the figures) configured to move the at least one blade portion 12 from the second position to the first position, when the rotational speed of the sensing element is less than the threshold value, for example. According to one embodiment, such a retraction assembly may comprise one or more spring elements and / or one or more magnetic elements, for example.

[0039] According to one embodiment, a rotary consistency measuring apparatus (device, assembly) comprises at least one sensing element 10 according to any of the embodiments described herein and rotation means configured to rotate the sensing element. The sensing element 10 is operatively coupled to the rotation means. An example of such a rotary consistency measuring apparatus is a rotary consistency transmitter. However, generally any apparatus using a rotary sensing element for consistency or viscosity measurement may constitute such a rotary consistency measuring apparatus. According to one embodiment, the rotary consistency measuring apparatus may further comprise a measuring chamber. A wall of the measuring chamber may be provided with an opening for inserting the sensing element into the measuring chamber.According to one embodiment, a diameter of the opening is greater than a diameter of the sensing element with the at least one blade portion in its . first position, and the diameter of the opening is less than the diameter of the detection element with the at least one blade portion in its second position. According to one embodiment, the at least one blade portion 12 of the detection element 10 is configured to move from its second position to its first position, following withdrawal of the detection element 10 from the measurement chamber through the opening.

[0040] Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show examples of a connection of a rotary consistency measuring apparatus to a pipeline according to the embodiments. In the figures, the exemplary rotary consistency measuring apparatus is shown in a simplified manner for the sake of clarity and comprises a main part 20 (not shown in [Fig. 4]), a drive shaft 21 and a sensing element 10 operatively coupled to the drive shaft 21. The main part 20, which may consist of one or more physical units or elements, may comprise a motor for rotating the drive shaft 21 and thus also the sensing element 10 coupled to the drive shaft 21 about the rotation axis 100.The main part 20 may further comprise suitable control equipment configured to control the rotation of the drive shaft 21 and the sensing element 10 and to measure a torque produced by the rotation of the sensing element 10 in order to determine the consistency or viscosity, for example, of the material or substance to be measured. The main part 20 may further comprise suitable wired and / or wireless communication equipment for transmitting the obtained measurement results to the other entities and / or for receiving control data, for example. The general operation of such a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, such as a consistency transmitter, is considered to be known per se and thus does not need to be described in further detail here.

[0041] Figures 4, 5, 6 or 7 further show a measuring chamber 31 formed within a coupling arrangement 30 with which the rotary consistency measuring apparatus can be coupled to a pipeline 40 or another entity, such as a conduit or a container, containing the material or substance to be measured, for example. In the examples of Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the coupling arrangement 30 is coupled to a pipeline 40, so that the material or substance flowing in the pipeline 40 can enter the measuring chamber 31. A wall of the coupling arrangement 30 defining the measuring chamber 31 is provided with an opening 32 allowing the sensing element 10 to be inserted into the measuring chamber 31 to perform the measurement and to be removed from the measuring chamber 31.

[0042] [Fig. 4] shows an example of a situation in which the blade portions 12 of the detection element 10 are in their first position, i.e. folded. Thus, in the example, each of the two blade portions extends radially D2 / 2 relative to the rotation axis 100 of the sensing element 10. In the example, this represents a mounting position of the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10. When the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10 are in their first position, the (maximum) diameter D2 of the sensing element 10 around the rotation axis 100 of the sensing element 10 is smaller than a diameter DI of the opening 32 leading to the measuring chamber 31. Therefore, the sensing element 10 can be inserted into the measuring chamber 31 through the opening 32, as indicated by the arrow in the figure.

[0043] [Fig. 5] shows an example of a situation in which the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10 are still in their first position and the sensing element 10 is inside the measuring chamber 31.

[0044] [Fig. 6] shows an example of a situation in which the sensing element 10 is rotated about the rotation axis 100 and consequently the blade parts 12 of the sensing element 10 are moved from their second position, i.e. unfolded, due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the sensing element 10. In the example, this represents an operating position of the blade parts 12 of the sensing element 10. In the example, in the second position, each of the two blade parts 12 extends radially D3 / 2 relative to the rotation axis 100 of the sensing element 10, which is greater than in its first position (D3 > D2). In the second position of the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10, the diameter D3 of the sensing element 10 around the rotation axis 100 of the sensing element 10 exceeds the diameter DI of the opening 32.The blade portions 12 extended in the second position cause a greater torque, as a result of the rotation of the sensing element 10 in the material to be measured, than they would cause in the first position. In such an extended (second) position of the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10, the rotary consistency measuring apparatus can perform the consistency measurement of the material or substance present in the measuring chamber 31.

[0045] [Fig. 7] shows an example of a situation in which the sensing element 10 is removed from the measuring chamber 31 through the opening 32, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Therefore, the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10 move from their second position to their first position after contacting a wall portion of the coupling arrangement 30 around the opening 32, thereby reducing the diameter of the sensing element 10 so that it passes through the opening 32 and can be removed from the measuring chamber 31.

[0046] The example shown in the figures, in which the blade portions 12 of the sensing element 10 are configured to fold into the first position due to their ability to pivot toward the rotation axis 100 when pulled through the opening 32, is purely one possible example of such functionality for changing the diameter of the sensing element 10. As another example, the blade portion(s) 12 may be configured to slide towards the rotation axis 100 when pulled through the opening 32 (inside and / or outside the measuring chamber 31) for example. This may be implemented by a suitable sliding mechanism of the blade portion(s) 12 and with the suitable shape of the blade portion(s) 12, for example.

[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the concept of the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A sensing element for a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, the sensing element (10) comprising: a body portion (11) configured to be operatively coupled to a rotary consistency measuring apparatus, characterized in that the sensing element (10) comprises: at least one blade portion (12) movably coupled to the body portion to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in said second position the at least one blade portion (12) extends radially, relative to an axis of rotation (100) of the sensing element (10), further than in said first position.

2. A sensing element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blade portion (12) is pivotally coupled to the body portion (11).

3. A sensing element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one blade portion (12) is slidably coupled to the body portion (11).

4. A sensing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensing element (10) comprises two, three, four, five or more blade portions (12).

5. A sensing element according to claim 4, wherein the blade portions (12) coupled to the body portion (11) are regularly spaced around a perimeter of the body portion (11) relative to each other.

6. A sensing element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one blade portion (12) is configured to move from said first position to said second position by centrifugal force following a rotation of the sensing element (10) about the rotation axis (100) of the sensing element (10), when a rotation speed of the sensing element (10) is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

7. A sensing element according to claim 6, wherein the at least one blade portion (12) comprises a retraction assembly configured to move the at least one blade portion (12) from said second position to said first position, when the rotational speed of the detection element (10) is less than the predetermined threshold value.

8. A rotary consistency measuring apparatus comprising: rotation means (20, 21) configured to rotate a sensing element (10); and a sensing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, operatively coupled to the rotation means (20, 21).

9. A rotary consistency measuring apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a measuring chamber (31) having a wall with an opening (32) for inserting the sensing element (10) into the measuring chamber (31), wherein a diameter of the opening (32) is greater than a diameter of the sensing element (10) with the at least one blade portion (12) in the first position, and wherein the diameter of the opening (32) is less than the diameter of the sensing element (10) with the at least one blade portion (12) in the second position.

10. A rotary consistency measuring apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one blade portion (12) of the sensing element (10) is configured to move from the second position to the first position upon withdrawal of the sensing element (10) from the measuring chamber (31) through the opening (32).

Images