Sensor device including a sensor probe, a sensor housing, and a fluid path connection block - Patents.com

Abstract

A sensor device 1;1';1" configured to be connected in a fluid path of a system for measuring at least one property of a fluid transported through the fluid path. The sensor device comprises a fluid chamber 13 surrounding at least a part of a sensor probe 3 of the sensor device, the fluid chamber 13 being movable along the sensor probe 3 to at least two different positions including a process position in which a sensor element 5 in the sensor probe extends outside the fluid chamber 13 and a maintenance position in which the sensor element 5 is surrounded by the fluid chamber 13. The sensor device further comprises a fluid path connection block 21;21' with an internal fluid path 23 configured for connection to a fluid path of a system in which the sensor device 1;1';1" is to be used. The fluid path connection block 21;21' comprises a fluid chamber closure 27 configured to receive the sensor probe 3 of the sensor device and which, together with the peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13, closes the fluid chamber 13 around the sensor element 5 when the fluid chamber is placed in the maintenance position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor device configured to be connected in a fluid path of a system to measure at least one property of a fluid transported through the fluid path, and a method for calibrating and / or cleaning a sensor element in such a sensor device. [Background technology]

[0002] Measuring properties, such as chemical or physical process variables, of fluids in process systems is performed using different kinds of sensors. Some sensors, for example pH sensors, require periodic cleaning and calibration. One possibility is to remove the sensor from the process system, perform the required service, and then return the sensor to its position in the process system. Retractable sensor assemblies are also provided, which can store a sensor probe in a maintenance chamber in the sensor assembly during maintenance. One such retractable sensor assembly is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,399,433. A problem with such retractable sensor assemblies is that the sensor probe of the sensor assembly requires space outside the process system so that it can be stored. Furthermore, the sensor probe needs to be provided with a plug at the end of the sensor probe, which is arranged to close the inlet to the process fluid container when the sensor is retracted. Such a plug requires space in the process fluid container during sensor measurement and may impede fluid flow if the process fluid container whose property is to be measured is a fluid flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,228,863 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sensor arrangement.

[0005] A further object is to provide a sensor device which is suitable for connection in a fluid flow path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This is achieved by a sensor arrangement and a method according to the independent claims.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a sensor apparatus configured to be connected in a fluid path of a system to measure at least one property of a fluid transported through the fluid path, the sensor apparatus comprising: a rod-shaped sensor probe, the rod-shaped sensor probe comprising a sensor element at an end portion of the sensor probe; - a probe housing connected to the sensor probe such that the sensor probe protrudes through the probe housing; a fluid chamber surrounding at least a portion of the sensor probe, the fluid chamber being positioned with respect to the sensor probe such that the fluid chamber can be moved along the sensor probe to at least two different positions including a process position in which a sensor element in the sensor probe extends outside the fluid chamber and a maintenance position in which the sensor element is surrounded by the fluid chamber; a first port connected to the fluid chamber and configured to be connected to an external fluid providing device and / or an external suction device; a probe housing comprising a second port connected to the fluid chamber and configured to allow air to pass into and out of the fluid chamber; - a fluid pathway connection block having an internal fluid pathway having an inlet and an outlet configured for connection to a fluid pathway of a system in which the sensor device is to be used, the fluid pathway connection block further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a probe housing and a sensor probe such that the sensor element is positioned in the internal fluid pathway of the fluid pathway connection block, the fluid pathway connection block further comprising a fluid chamber closure portion which, together with the surrounding walls of the fluid chamber, closes the fluid chamber around the sensor element when the fluid chamber is placed in a maintenance position.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a probe housing configured for use in a sensor apparatus as described above.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing a maintenance process of a sensor element in a sensor device according to the present invention when said sensor device is connected to a fluid path of a system, said method comprising: a) moving a fluid chamber to a maintenance position; b) providing a maintenance fluid from an external fluid providing device to the fluid chamber via a first port to perform a maintenance process; c) removing the maintenance fluid from the fluid chamber by an external suction device through a first port; d) repeating steps b) and c) during the maintenance process if possible; e) moving the fluid chamber back to the process location.

[0010] This provides a sensor device comprising a fluid path connection block, which allows the sensor device to be conveniently directly connected to a fluid flow path for measuring at least one characteristic of the fluid. The fluid chamber of the sensor device can be placed in a process position and a maintenance position while the sensor probe is kept in a fixed position. This does not require extra space outside the process system. In the process position of the fluid chamber, the sensor element of the sensor probe is placed in the fluid flow and can be measured. In the maintenance position of the fluid chamber, the peripheral wall and the fluid chamber closure together close the fluid chamber around the sensor element, whereby the sensor element can be easily calibrated or cleaned by adding a maintenance fluid to the fluid chamber via the first port. This provides easy and efficient maintenance of the sensor element, thereby achieving a user-friendly and easy-to-handle sensor device. A sensor device suitable for use in a fluid flow path is achieved by using a fluid chamber closure provided in the internal fluid path of the fluid path connection block to seal the fluid chamber around the sensor element together with the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber when the fluid chamber is placed in the maintenance position.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the maintenance process is one or more of a calibration, cleaning or storage process, and the maintenance fluid is one or more of a calibration, cleaning or storage fluid.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid chamber closure comprises a protruding plug in the internal fluid path of the fluid path connection block that mates with and seals with the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber when the fluid chamber is placed in a maintenance position.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the first port is connected to a first end of the fluid chamber, the first end being located at an end of the fluid chamber closest to the sensor element, whereby said first port comprises an extension tube connecting the first end of the fluid chamber with a port connector of the first port, whereby maintenance fluid can be efficiently added to and removed from the fluid chamber via said extension tube.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor element is configured to measure pH.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the internal fluid pathway of the fluid pathway connection block allows fluid to pass between the inlet and outlet of the internal fluid pathway in both the process position and the maintenance position of the fluid chamber. This allows fluid to pass through the internal fluid pathway regardless of the position of the fluid chamber, and therefore allows the internal fluid pathway to be cleaned, for example with sodium hydroxide, when the fluid chamber is in the maintenance position, thereby protecting the sensor element from sodium hydroxide. This allows cleaning of the fluid pathway and the internal fluid pathway of the fluid pathway connection block to be performed without removing the sensor device from the system in such an embodiment.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid chamber seals the internal fluid pathway such that fluid is prevented from passing between the inlet and outlet of the internal fluid pathway of the fluid pathway connection block when the fluid chamber is placed in the process position. In such an embodiment, the number of valves in the system can be limited.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor element can be calibrated, washed and stored in a maintenance fluid provided to the fluid chamber through a first port when the fluid chamber is placed in a maintenance position.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral wall comprises a sealing device configured to seal around the fluid chamber closure in the maintenance position and around the sensor probe in the process position.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the probe housing is at least partially three-dimensional printed.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second port is connected to a second end of the fluid chamber, the second end being opposite to the first end of the fluid chamber, thereby allowing efficient removal of air through the second port.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor probe is removably mounted to a probe housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1a] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a process position. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is the same view of the sensor arrangement as FIG. 1a, but in a perspective view. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same sensor arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b in a maintenance position. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b is the same view of the sensor arrangement as FIG. 2a, but in a perspective view. [Figure 3a] 1 is a perspective view of a sensor apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a maintenance position; [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the sensor arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 3a in a maintenance position. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor device according to another embodiment of the present invention in a maintenance position. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a sensor device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in two different positions. In Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, a process position is illustrated, and in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, a maintenance position is illustrated. In Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, a sensor device 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a maintenance position. Many of the details are the same for both these embodiments, and therefore the same or similar reference numbers are given, and both embodiments will be described together with reference to all the following figures. The difference between these two embodiments is that the fluid path connection block 21; 21' of the sensor device 1; 1' comprises different components. The fluid path connection block 21' of the sensor device 1' of Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b comprises more parts, such as valves and additional flow paths, which can guide the fluid flow through the fluid path connection block 21' in different paths. For example, by control of the valves (not shown) in the fluid path connection block 21', the fluid flow can be guided through the sensor element 5 of the sensor device 1' or can be guided to bypass the sensor element 5.

[0024] The sensor device 1;1' according to both of these embodiments of the invention is configured to be connected in a fluid path in order to measure at least one property of a fluid transported through the fluid path of the system. The system may be or may include a bioprocessing system or a subsystem thereof. The fluid path connection block 21;21' according to both of the embodiments of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1-3 can be easily connected directly in the fluid path of a process system, such as a bioprocessing system (e.g. a chromatography system, a bioreactor system, a fluid mixing system, a filtration system (e.g. with a tangential flow filter (TFF) or the like), a fill-finish system or the like). This allows measuring at least one property of the fluid by means of a sensor element 5 provided in the sensor device 1;1'.

[0025] The sensor arrangement 1;1' comprises a rod-shaped sensor probe 3, the sensor probe 3 being provided with a sensor element 5 at an end portion 3a of the sensor probe 3. The sensor arrangement 1;1' further comprises a probe housing 11, the probe housing 11 being connected to the sensor probe 3 such that the sensor probe 3 projects therethrough. The probe housing 11 comprises a fluid chamber 13 surrounding at least a portion of the sensor probe 3, the fluid chamber 13 being arranged with respect to the sensor probe 3 such that the fluid chamber 13 can be moved along the sensor probe 3 to at least two different positions including a process position in which the sensor element 5 of the sensor probe 3 extends outside the fluid chamber 13 and a maintenance position in which the sensor element 5 is surrounded by the fluid chamber 13. The probe housing 11 further comprises a first port 15 connected to the fluid chamber 13 and configured to be connected to an external fluid providing device 16a and / or an external suction device 16b. Thereby, a maintenance fluid, such as a calibration fluid, a cleaning fluid or a storage fluid, can be provided to the fluid chamber 13 via the first port 15. The maintenance fluid can then be aspirated from the fluid chamber 13 by an external suction device 16b connected to the first port 15. The probe housing 11 further comprises a second port 17 connected to the fluid chamber 13 and configured to allow air to pass in and out of the fluid chamber 13. Possibly more ports can be provided, so that fluid can for example be provided through one port and aspirated through another port. Also possibly different types of maintenance fluid can be added through different ports. Another possibility is to connect a valve to the first port 15 to allow multiple use of the first port 15.

[0026] The sensor device 1;1' further comprises a fluid path connection block 21;21' as described above. Said fluid path connection block 21;21' comprises an internal fluid path 23 with an inlet 23a and an outlet 23b (only the inlet 23a is visible in FIG. 3a) configured for connection to a fluid path of a system. The fluid path connection block 21;21' further comprises a receiving unit 25 for receiving the probe housing 11 and the sensor probe 3 such that the sensor element 5 is positioned in the internal fluid path 23 of the fluid path connection block 21;21'. The fluid path connection block 21;21' further comprises a fluid chamber closure 27 which, together with the peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13, closes the fluid chamber 13 around the sensor element 5 when the fluid chamber 13 is placed in the maintenance position. This allows a maintenance fluid, such as a calibration fluid, a cleaning fluid or a storage fluid, to be provided to the fluid chamber 13 when the fluid chamber 13 is placed in the maintenance position without leaking into the fluid path of the system to which said sensor device 1;1' is connected.

[0027] In both embodiments as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the fluid chamber closure 27 comprises a protruding plug provided in the internal fluid path 23 of the fluid path connection block 21; 21' into which the peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13 fits and seals when the fluid chamber 13 is placed in the maintenance position.

[0028] In some embodiments of the invention, the sensor element 5 is configured to measure pH, i.e. said sensor element 5 is a pH sensor. A pH sensor needs to be calibrated periodically and between different batches to function properly. It also needs to be cleaned periodically and between different batches / processes. It is often also necessary to store the pH sensor away from the process fluid from time to time when no measurement is required. The invention allows providing both calibration, cleaning and storage within the sensor device 1;1' without the need to remove the sensor probe 3 for processing outside the system. This facilitates handling of the system.

[0029] Preferably, the peripheral wall 14 comprises a sealing device 24 configured to seal around the fluid chamber closure 27 in the maintenance position and around the sensor probe 3 in the process position. The sealing device 24 can be, for example, an O-ring or a gasket. In another embodiment, the sealing device can instead be provided at the end of the peripheral wall 14 and configured to seal against a flat surface in the internal fluid path 23 of the fluid path connection block 21; 21'. In such an embodiment, the fluid chamber closure 27 does not comprise a protruding plug as illustrated in Figures 1a, 2a and 3b, but rather comprises a part of a flat inner wall surface of the internal fluid path 23 of the fluid path connection block 21; 21'. The sealing device is thereby pressed between the end of the peripheral wall 14 and the inner wall surface in such an embodiment, whereby the fluid chamber 13 is closed around the sensor element 5 when the fluid chamber 13 is placed in the maintenance position.

[0030] The first port 15 is connected to the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13 in some embodiments (as shown in Figs. 1-3), the first end 13a being provided at the end of the fluid chamber 13 that is provided closest to the sensor element 5. The first port 15 comprises an extension tube 15a connecting the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13 with a port connector 15b of the first port 15. This allows the port connector 15b of the first port 15 to be positioned at a distance from the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13 and still be directly connected to the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13, suitable for efficiently providing and removing maintenance fluid to and from the fluid chamber. Furthermore, the port connector 15b can be positioned outside the receiving unit 25 of the fluid pathway connection block 21; 21', thereby improving access to the port connector 15b for a user.

[0031] The second port 17 can be connected to the second end 13b of the fluid chamber 13, the second end 13b being the opposite end to the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13. This allows air to be efficiently discharged through the second port 17 when maintenance fluid is added through the first port 15, and allows air to enter the fluid chamber through the second port 17 when maintenance fluid is sucked out through the first port 15. One or more check valves can possibly be provided at the second port 17 to allow filtering of air and possibly also removal of fluid. For best efficiency, when removing maintenance fluid from the fluid chamber 13, the sensor device 1;1' can be tilted somewhat, for example 5-70° from the vertical, towards the side of the sensor device 1;1' where the extension tube 15a enters the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13. This allows all the maintenance fluid to be efficiently sucked out through the first port 15.

[0032] The peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13 may in some embodiments (as illustrated in Figures 1-3) comprise an end portion 14a having a smaller inner circumference than the rest of the peripheral wall in order to close the fluid chamber 13 at its first end 13a towards the sensor probe 3 in the process position of the fluid chamber 13. The end portion 14a of the peripheral wall 14 may comprise the above-mentioned sealing device 24, whereby the sealing device 24 seals against the outer surface of the sensor probe 3 in the process position of the fluid chamber 13. Alternatively, instead of the end portion 14a of a smaller inner circumference, the sealing device 24 may be larger. Furthermore, the sealing device 24 seals against the fluid chamber closure 27 in the maintenance position as described above. The end portion 14a of the peripheral wall 14 is the end of the peripheral wall 14 closest to the first end 13a of the fluid chamber 13. Thereby, the circumferential shape of the fluid chamber closure 27 corresponds to the circumferential shape of the sensor probe 3 in some embodiments. The circumferential shape is often circular, and the diameter of the fluid chamber closure 27 and the diameter of the sensor probe 3 are thereby correspondingly the same, such that the peripheral wall 14 closes the fluid chamber 13 against the outer surface of the sensor probe 3 in the process position and against the fluid chamber closure 27 in the maintenance position. However, as noted above in alternative embodiments, the fluid chamber closure 27 need not be a protruding plug, but can instead be a flat surface of the inner wall of the internal fluid path.

[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, the internal fluid pathway 23 of the fluid pathway connection block 21;21' allows fluid to pass between the inlet 23a and outlet 23b of the internal fluid pathway 23 in both the process position and the maintenance position of the fluid chamber 13. Thereby, in such an embodiment of the invention, the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13 is smaller in at least some positions than the inner periphery of the internal fluid pathway 23, so that fluid can pass through the fluid chamber 13 in the internal fluid pathway 23 of the fluid pathway connection block 21;21'. This can be seen in an embodiment such as that illustrated in Figure 3b. However, this can also be provided in an embodiment such as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid chamber 13 seals the internal fluid path 23 such that fluid is prevented from passing between the inlet 23a and outlet 23b of the internal fluid path 23 of the fluid path connection block 21;21' when the fluid chamber 13 is placed in the process position. The peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13 is thereby sealed against the inner surface of the internal fluid path 23, possibly via a sealing device.

[0035] In some embodiments of the invention, the probe housing 11 and possibly also the fluid path connection block 21; 21' are 3D printed. Resin-based 3D printing techniques, such as SLA or CLIP, may be advantageous especially for the production of the probe housing. Powder-based 3D printing techniques, such as SLS, are another alternative. An alternative method for the manufacture of the probe housing 11 can be to use diffusion bonding, in which the probe housing in such an example is provided in two halves that can be machined by milling. The two halves are then joined together by diffusion bonding. The design and materials used for the sensor device according to the invention are preferably suitable for sterilization. Furthermore, the sensor device should function properly at pressures up to at least 6 bar or up to 10 bar.

[0036] The sensor probe 3 may be removably mounted in the probe housing 11. In both embodiments as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the sensor probe 3 and the probe housing 11 are removably connected by a screw thread, however other alternatives for the connection are possible. This allows the sensor probe 3 to be removed for replacement or external maintenance.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor device 1″ according to another embodiment of the present invention in a maintenance position. The only important difference in this embodiment is that there is a screw mechanism 43 provided to move the fluid chamber 13 between the maintenance position and the process position. The screw mechanism 43 is connected to the peripheral wall 14 of the fluid chamber 13 such that a user of the sensor device 1″ can rotate a cap 45 of the screw mechanism 43 in one direction to move the fluid chamber 13 to the maintenance position and in the other direction to move the fluid chamber 13 to the process position. The fluid pathway connection block 21 in FIG. 4 can be the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, however, in this example the design is slightly different with respect to the two extension flanges. The functions and features important to the present invention are however the same as those illustrated for the fluid pathway connection block 21 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0038] In figure 5 a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated for carrying out a maintenance process of a sensor element 5 in a sensor device 1;1' according to the invention when said sensor device is connected to a fluid path of a system. The method comprises the following steps: a) Moving the fluid chamber 13 to a maintenance position, step 101. When maintenance of the sensor element is required, such as calibration or cleaning, the fluid chamber 13 is moved to the maintenance position as described above, whereby the fluid chamber 13 is closed around the sensor element 5 with the aid of the fluid chamber closure 27. b) providing a maintenance fluid from an external fluid providing device 16a to the fluid chamber 13 via the first port 15 to perform a maintenance process 102. If the maintenance is a calibration, the maintenance fluid is a calibration fluid and the maintenance process is a calibration process. It can also be a cleaning fluid or a storage fluid. c) Step 103 of removing the maintenance fluid from the fluid chamber 13 by an external suction device 16b via the first port 15. Due to the extension tube 15a provided at the first end 13a of the fluid chamber and the tilted position of the sensor device 1;1′ according to the embodiment as illustrated in Figures 1-3, all the maintenance fluid will be efficiently removed from the fluid chamber 13. d) Repeating steps b (102) and c (103) during the maintenance process, if possible, step 104. If possible, the calibration process requires that a separate calibration fluid is provided and possibly also a cleaning fluid before preparation for the calibration process. e) Moving 105 the fluid chamber 13 back to the process position, whereby the measurement of at least one property of the fluid transported through the fluid path in which the sensor device 1;1' is provided can continue.

[0039] In various embodiments, one or more components may be formed from a variety of materials. Such materials may be compatible with bioprocessing and may be readily sterilized without compromising their integrity. For example, the components may be formed using one or more of polymeric and / or reinforced polymeric materials, such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), and / or polyoxymethylene (POM). [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1, 1', 1" sensor device 3 Sensor Probe 3a End part 5 Sensor elements 11 Probe housing 13 Fluid chamber 13a First end 13b Second end 14 Perimeter Wall 14a End part 15 First Port 15a extension tube 15b Port Connector 16a External fluid supply device 16b External suction device 17 Second Port 21, 21′ Fluid path connection block 23 Internal Fluid Path 23a Entrance 23b Exit 24 Sealing device 25 Receiving Units 27 Fluid chamber closure 43 Screw mechanism 45 Cap

Claims

1. A sensor device (1; 1'; 1'') configured to be connected in a fluid path of a system for measuring at least one characteristic of a fluid transported through said fluid path, a rod-shaped sensor probe (3) having a sensor element (5) at an end portion (3a) of the sensor probe (3); a probe housing (11) connected to the sensor probe (3) such that the sensor probe (3) protrudes through the probe housing (11), the sensor probe (3) comprising: a fluid chamber (13) surrounding at least a portion of the sensor probe (3), the fluid chamber (13) being positioned relative to the sensor probe (3) such that the fluid chamber (13) can be moved along the sensor probe (3) to at least two different positions including a process position in which the sensor element (5) of the sensor probe (3) extends outside the fluid chamber (13) and a maintenance position in which the sensor element (5) is surrounded by the fluid chamber (13); a first port (15) connected to the fluid chamber (13), the first port (15) being configured to be connected to an external fluid providing device (16a) and / or an external suction device (16b); a second port (17) connected to the fluid chamber (13), the second port (17) configured to allow air to pass into and out of the fluid chamber (13); The probe housing (11), a fluid pathway connection block (21; 21') with an internal fluid pathway (23) having an inlet (23a) and an outlet (23b) configured to be connected to the fluid pathway of the system in which the sensor device is to be used, the fluid pathway connection block (21; 21') comprising a receiving unit (25) for receiving the probe housing (11) and the sensor probe (3) such that the sensor element (5) is positioned in the internal fluid pathway (23) of the fluid pathway connection block (21; 21'), the fluid pathway connection block (21) comprising a fluid chamber closure (27) for closing the fluid chamber (13) around the sensor element (5) together with a peripheral wall (14) of the fluid chamber (13) when the fluid chamber (13) is placed in the maintenance position; The sensor device (1; 1'; 1'').

2. 2. The sensor device (1;1';1'') of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber closure (27) comprises a protruding plug provided in the internal fluid path (23) of the fluid path connection block (21;21'), and wherein when the fluid chamber (13) is placed in the maintenance position, the peripheral wall (14) of the fluid chamber (13) fits around and seals the internal fluid path (23) of the fluid path connection block (21;21').

3. 3. The sensor device (1;1';1") of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first port (15) is connected to a first end (13a) of the fluid chamber (13), the first end (13a) being located at an end of the fluid chamber (13) located closest to the sensor element (5), and the first port (15) is provided with an extension tube (15a) connecting the first end (13a) of the fluid chamber (13) with a port connector (15b) of the first port (15).

4. 4. The sensor arrangement (1;1';1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor element is adapted to measure pH.

5. 5. The sensor device (1;1';1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the internal fluid path (23) of the fluid path connection block (21') allows fluid to pass between the inlet (23a) and the outlet (23b) of the internal fluid path (23) both in the process position and in the maintenance position of the fluid chamber (13).

6. 5. The sensor device (1;1';1") of claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber (13) seals the internal fluid path (23) of the fluid path connection block (21) such that fluid is prevented from passing between the inlet (23a) and the outlet (23b) of the internal fluid path (23) when the fluid chamber (13) is placed in the process position.

7. 7. A sensor device (1;1';1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the maintenance position of the fluid chamber (13), the sensor element (5) can be calibrated, cleaned and stored in a maintenance fluid provided to the fluid chamber (13) via the first port (15).

8. 8. The sensor device (1;1';1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral wall (14) is provided with a sealing device (24) configured to seal around the fluid chamber closure (27) in the maintenance position and around the sensor probe (3) in the process position.

9. The sensor arrangement (1;1';1'') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the probe housing (11) is at least partially three-dimensionally printed.

10. 10. A sensor device (1;1';1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second port (17) is connected to a second end (13b) of the fluid chamber (13), the second end (13b) being an end opposite to the first end (13a) of the fluid chamber (13).

11. Sensor arrangement (1; 1'; 1'') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor probe (3) is removably mounted in the probe housing (11).

12. 12. The sensor device (1;1';1") according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one part of the sensor device (1;1';1") comprises a polymeric material and / or a reinforced polymeric material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and / or polyoxymethylene (POM) and / or is sterilized.

13. The sensor device (1;1';1'') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is a bioprocessing system.

14. A probe housing (11) adapted for use in a sensor device (1; 1'; 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the probe housing being adapted to be connected to a sensor probe (3) of the sensor device such that the sensor probe (3) protrudes through the probe housing (11), the probe housing (11) comprising: a fluid chamber (13) surrounding at least a portion of the sensor probe (3), the fluid chamber (13) being positioned relative to the sensor probe (3) such that the fluid chamber (13) can be moved along the sensor probe (3) to at least two different positions including a process position in which the sensor element (5) of the sensor probe (3) extends outside the fluid chamber (13) and a maintenance position in which the sensor element (5) is surrounded by the fluid chamber (13); a first port (15) connected to the fluid chamber (13) and configured to be connected to an external fluid providing device (16a) and / or an external suction device (16b); a second port (17) connected to the fluid chamber (13) and configured to allow air to pass into and out of the fluid chamber (13); It is equipped with The probe housing (11) is configured to be received in the receiving unit (25) of the fluid pathway connection block (21; 21') such that the sensor element (5) of the sensor probe (3) is positioned in the internal fluid pathway (23) of the fluid pathway connection block (21; 21') of the sensor device (1; 1'; 1''), and a peripheral wall (14) of the fluid chamber (13) is configured to close the fluid chamber (13) around the sensor element, together with the fluid chamber closure portion (27) of the fluid pathway connection block (21) when the fluid chamber (13) is placed in the maintenance position.

15. A method for carrying out a maintenance process of a sensor element (5) in a sensor device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, when said sensor device is connected to a fluid path of a system, comprising: a) moving (101) the fluid chamber (13) to the maintenance position; b) providing a maintenance fluid from an external fluid providing device (16a) through the first port (15) to the fluid chamber (13) to perform the maintenance process (102); c) removing (103) the maintenance fluid from the fluid chamber (13) by an external suction device (16b) through the first port (15); d) repeating steps b) and c) if possible during said maintenance process (104); e) moving (105) the fluid chamber (13) back to the process location; A method comprising:

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the maintenance process is one or more of a calibration, cleaning or storage process, and the maintenance fluid is one or more of a calibration, cleaning or storage fluid.

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