Modular Coriolis flowmeter

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular Coriolis flow meter for determining processing variables for a fluid medium, comprising: a measuring tube module for guiding a medium, including a primary excitation component and a primary sensor component arranged in a measuring tube, and a measuring tube module identifier having identification information; a housing in which the measuring tube module can be positioned in a manner in which it can be mechanically fixed and released again at a first or second installation position by a releaseable connection; an electronic device chamber in which an evaluation electronic device for determining processing variables is arranged; a transport module including a secondary excitation component and a secondary sensor component, and an installation position recognition device configured to recognize the measuring tube module identifier in order to determine the identification information and thereby determine the current installation position, wherein the evaluation electronic device is configured to determine the processing variables depending on the recognized current installation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular Coriolis flowmeter for determining process variables of a fluid medium.

[0002] Process measurement technology field devices with vibrating sensors, particularly Coriolis flowmeters, have been known for many years. The basic structure of such measuring devices is described, for example, in EP1807681A1, and this publication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the structure of a general field device in the context of the present invention.

Background Art

[0003] Typically, a Coriolis flowmeter has at least one or more vibrating measuring tubes that can be set to vibrate by a vibrator. These vibrations are transmitted along the length of the tube and vary depending on the type of fluid medium placed in the measuring tube and its flow rate. At another point in the measuring tube, a vibration sensor, or particularly two vibration sensors spaced apart from each other, can record various vibrations in the form of one or more measurement signals. Thereafter, an evaluation unit can determine the overall flow, viscosity, and / or concentration of the medium from the measurement signals.

[0004] Modular Coriolis flowmeters with interchangeable and disposable measurement tube modules are known. Thus, a method for manufacturing a monolithic measuring tube device of a Coriolis flowmeter with a curved measuring tube is taught, for example, in WO2011 / 099989A1, in which the measuring tube body for each measuring tube is first formed as a solid made of a polymer, and then a channel for carrying the fluid medium is machined into the solid by machining. WO2011 / 099989A1, like US10,209,113B2, teaches a connector configured to receive and support an interchangeable measurement tube module with a thin-walled plastic tube. The measurement tube module is fastened within a receiving module having the necessary vibrator and sensors via the connector.

[0005] A key characteristic of disposable measuring devices is repeated commissioning by external operators. This means that the manufacturer's installer is not present during each commissioning, and instead, the commissioning of the measuring tube module is usually performed by a non-expert. One potential problem is the incorrect positioning of the measuring tube module within the transport module.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly Coriolis flow meter.

[0007] This objective is achieved by the modular Coriolis flow meter described in claim 1.

[0008] The modular Coriolis flow meter for determining processing variables for a fluid medium according to the present invention includes: a measuring tube module, which includes a measuring tube, particularly made of metal, for guiding the medium; a primary excitation component disposed in the measuring tube; and a primary sensor component disposed in the measuring tube; and a transport module, which includes a housing, to which the measuring tube module can be disposed or disposed, in a manner that allows it to be mechanically fixed and again disposed (separated) at a first installation position or a second installation position different from the first installation position by a detachable connection; a secondary excitation component that complements the primary excitation component; a secondary sensor component that complements the primary sensor component; and an evaluation electronic device for determining processing variables, wherein the evaluation electronic device is configured to determine (confirm) the current installation position of the measuring tube module in the housing, which is either the first installation position or the second installation position, and the evaluation electronic device is configured to determine processing variables taking into account the detected current installation position.

[0009] The advantage of automatic installation location detection is that it can ensure the correct operation of modular Coriolis flow meters. This has the advantage that if the current installation location is included in the determination of the processing variables (for example, considering the installation location when selecting formulas for determining processing variables or when selecting correction coefficients or signs), the processing variables can be determined more accurately.

[0010] Optionally, the current installation position may be output to the operator in the form of an installation position signal and / or installation position notification from the evaluation electronic device. If the current installation position deviates from the target installation position, a warning message may be issued, for example, audibly or visually on a display device. Optionally, the operability of the Coriolis flow meter may be hindered until the current installation position aligns with the target installation position. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] In one embodiment, the measuring tube module includes a measuring tube module identifier having identification information, and in particular an optically visible measuring tube module identifier, the identification information is included in the determination of the current installation location.

[0012] In one embodiment, the transport module includes an electronic device chamber in which the evaluation electronic device is arranged; a transport module wall, particularly made of metal, that defines the electronic device chamber and the housing and has a through-opening connecting the housing to the electronic device chamber; and an optical sensor, particularly located in the electronic device chamber, which, when the measuring tube module is arranged in the transport module, particularly in the housing, is oriented so that the optical sensor faces the surface of the measuring tube module and the measuring tube module identifier is detectable by the optical sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the measuring tube module includes a connector, in at least a portion thereof, that forms a mechanical connection between the measuring tube module and the transport module, particularly a connector in a planar design, which connects the inlet region of at least one measuring tube to the outlet region of at least one measuring tube, and the measuring tube module identifier is located on the connector, in a Coriolis flow meter.

[0014] In one embodiment, the identification information includes information about the current installation location.

[0015] In one embodiment, the identification information includes a first calibration coefficient assigned to a first installation location, and / or a second calibration coefficient, particularly a second calibration coefficient different from the first calibration coefficient, and a second calibration coefficient assigned to a second installation location, and the current installation location determined in conjunction with the correspondingly assigned calibration coefficients is considered for determining the processing variable.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first and / or second calibration coefficients form a zero-point correction to which a measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable dependent on the provided measured value is added, or the first and / or second calibration coefficients form a prior coefficient to which a measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable dependent on the provided measured value is multiplied.

[0017] In one embodiment, the evaluation electronic device is configured to determine the processing variable using a first calibration coefficient when the measuring tube module identifier is recognized, and to determine the processing variable using a second calibration coefficient when the measuring tube module identifier is not recognized.

[0018] If the optical sensor is not positioned at the location assigned to the target installation location and therefore cannot detect the measuring tube module identifier, the evaluation electronic device can detect this and determine the processing variable using the calibration coefficient assigned to the current installation location, which deviates from the target installation location.

[0019] In one embodiment, the measuring tube module has a predetermined flow direction for the medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a modular Coriolis flow meter. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of another modular Coriolis flow meter. [Figure 3] Four embodiments of the measuring tube module identifier are shown. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the distribution section of a modular Coriolis flow meter. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of an electronic device chamber. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular Coriolis flowmeter for determining the processing variables of a fluid medium. The Coriolis flowmeter 1 includes a measuring tube module M1 having measuring tubes 3a, 3b, particularly metal measuring tubes 3a, 3b, for guiding the medium. Alternatively, the measuring tubes may also be made of plastic, ceramic, and / or glass. In the illustrated embodiment, the measuring tube module M1 has two curved measuring tubes 3a, 3b that are parallel to each other in at least some portion. The two measuring tubes 3a, 3b are connected to each other via four mechanical, plate-like connectors. The illustrated measuring tube module M1 further includes a connector 5, which in this particular case is planar and can or may form a mechanical connection between the measuring tube module M1 and the transport module M2, and causes at least one inlet region of the measuring tubes 3a, 3b to connect to at least one outlet region of the measuring tubes 3a, 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 5 connects the outlet regions of the two measuring tubes 3a and 3b to each other, and also connects them to their respective inlet regions. A distribution unit (see Figure 4) that can connect the measuring tubes 3a and 3b to a processing line can be connected to the connector 5.

[0022] The primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor components 24a and 24b are arranged in the measuring tubes 3a and 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary excitation component 23 and the two primary sensor components 24a and 24b are arranged in each of the measuring tubes 3a and 3b. The primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor components 24a and 24b may each be permanent magnets.

[0023] The measurement tube module identifier 28 is also arranged on the outer surface of one of the measurement tubes 3a, 3b. The measurement tube module identifier 28 is located at a portion of the measurement tube between the connector 5 and the mechanical connection part, but can also be arranged at any other position of the measurement tube. The measurement tube module identifier 28 has identification information. The measurement tube module identifier 28 can be a barcode, a QR code, a data matrix code, an OCR font and / or a visual code. A barcode is a strip-shaped code consisting of black and white bars that can be scanned by a barcode reader to read information such as product numbers, prices, and other items. A QR code is a square code that can be read by a QR code scanner to display information such as URLs, texts, detailed contacts, entries for calendars, and others. A data matrix code can store and transmit information in the same way as a QR code, but is usually a smaller and higher-density two-dimensional code than a QR code. A visual code is one or more optical identifiers consisting of various geometric shapes (e.g., arrows or asymmetric shapes) and colors, including color codes and others. The identification information can be information regarding the current installation position of the measurement tube module M1. Instead of or in addition to this, the identification information can further include a first calibration coefficient assigned to a first installation position and / or, in particular, a second calibration coefficient different from the first calibration coefficient, the second calibration coefficient assigned to a second installation position. Each of the first and / or second calibration coefficients can be a zero-point correction to which a measured value provided by a secondary sensor component or a measured variable depending on the provided measured value is added. In this case, the first and / or second calibration coefficients are offsets by which the measured value measured when the medium is stationary is corrected to zero. Instead of this, the first and / or second calibration coefficients can be prefactors (preliminary coefficients) by which a measured value provided by a secondary sensor component or a measured variable depending on the provided measured value is multiplied.

[0024] The Coriolis flowmeter 1 further includes a transport module M2 having a housing 11, to which a measuring tube module M1 can be mechanically fixed and then released (separated) again at a first installation location or a second installation location different from the first installation location, via a detachable connection. This means that the measuring tube module M1 can be replaced with a new measuring tube module M1 after each processing is completed. The two installation locations differ in terms of the orientation of the measuring tube module M1 in the housing 11. At the first installation location, the primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor component 24 face the first side of the housing 11, while at the second installation location, the primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor component 24 face the second side facing the first side. Fastening devices, not shown in Figure 1 (but shown in Figure 2), secure the measuring tube module M1 in an appropriate location within the housing. The housing section 11 is spatially defined in at least part by the transport module wall 31, particularly the metal transport module wall 31. The illustrated embodiment is an opening for a measuring tube module M1, the opening into which the measuring tube module M1 can be inserted into the transport module M2. The measuring tube module M1 is inserted into the housing section 11 through the opening in the assembly direction, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube module M1 itself.

[0025] The transport module further includes an electronic device chamber 30 in which an evaluation electronic device ME (indicated by a dashed line) is placed to determine processing variables. The electronic device chamber 30 is spatially separated from the housing 11 and is spatially defined in at least part by the transport module wall 31. The evaluation electronic device ME includes the electronic components necessary to perform the computational operation. The evaluation electronic device ME may include, for example, a microprocessor and electronic components (e.g., one or more transistors, one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, one or more mixers, one or more logical electronic components, one or more filters, and / or one or more microcontrollers).

[0026] The secondary vibration component 13, which is necessary for vibrating the measurement tubes 3a and 3b and is complementary to the primary vibration component 23, is also part of the transport unit module M2. In the present embodiment, the secondary vibration component 13 is an electric coil configured to generate a magnetic field that changes over time. The magnetic field interacts with a magnet disposed in the measurement tube, that is, the primary vibration component 23, to generate a force on the measurement tubes 3a and 3b. The vibration behavior of the measurement tubes 3a and 3b is recorded via the secondary sensor component 14, which is complementary to the primary sensor component 24. The secondary sensor component 14 can also be a coil configured to detect and measure the magnetic field that changes over time generated by the primary sensor component 24. The secondary sensor component 14 is also part of the transport unit module M2, similar to the secondary vibration component 13. In the illustrated embodiment, a secondary sensor component 14 is assigned to each primary sensor component 24, and a secondary vibration component 13 is assigned to each primary vibration component 23. Thus, the transport unit module M2 has four secondary sensor components 14 and two secondary vibration components 13. The secondary vibration components 13 are each disposed on opposite sides of the housing portion 11. The same applies to the four secondary sensor components 14, with two sensor components 14a and 14b disposed on one side and the other two sensor components (hidden by the wall and not visible) disposed on the opposite side. The secondary sensor component 14 is also part of the transport unit module M2, similar to the secondary vibration component 13. In the illustrated embodiment, a secondary sensor component 14 is assigned to each primary sensor component 24, and a secondary vibration component 13 is assigned to each primary vibration component 23. Thus, the transport unit module M2 has four secondary sensor components 14 and two secondary vibration components 13. The secondary vibration components 13 are each disposed on opposite sides of the housing portion 11. The same applies to the four secondary sensor components 14, with two sensor components 14a and 14b disposed on one side and the other two sensor components (hidden by the wall and not visible) disposed on the opposite side.

[0027] An evaluation electronic device ME, also part of the transport module M2, is configured to recognize the measuring tube module identifier 28, particularly by the optical sensor 12, to determine identification information and to determine (confirm) the current installation position based on this information. The evaluation electronic device ME communicates with the optical sensor. The identification information determined by the optical sensor 12, or the detected current installation position, is included in or considered when determining the processing variables. The identification information may be, for example, readable or interpretable information indicating that the measuring tube module is placed in a first installation position. Alternatively, the identification information may include readable or interpretable information indicating that the measuring tube module is placed in a second installation position. The identification information may also include two different pieces of information, each placed in a different position on the measuring tube module. The positioning of the information may be selected, for example, using the optical sensor, such that the information is read in accordance with the current installation position and considered, or can be considered, together with a stored appropriate installation position.

[0028] If the identification information includes a first calibration coefficient assigned to a first installation location and / or a second calibration coefficient assigned to a second installation location, the evaluation electronic device ME is also configured to read the first calibration coefficient and / or the second calibration coefficient and provide it to the evaluation electronic device ME, which is configured to consider the confirmed current installation location in conjunction with the correspondingly assigned calibration coefficient when determining the processing variables.

[0029] The evaluation electronic device ME may be located in the housing 11 itself or in the electronic device chamber 30. When the evaluation electronic device ME is located in the electronic device chamber 30, the transport module wall 31 has a through-opening 32 that connects the housing 11 to the electronic device chamber 30. If the evaluation electronic device ME is an optical sensor 12, the sensor is located and oriented within the electronic device chamber 30 such that the optical sensor 12 faces the surface of the measuring tube module M1 when the measuring tube module M1 is located in the transport module M2, particularly in the housing 11, so that the measuring tube module identifier 28 is detectable by the optical sensor 12 when the measuring tube module M1 is installed.

[0030] In addition to or instead of the above, the evaluation electronic device ME is configured to determine the current zero points, in particular the current zero points assigned to the first measuring tube and the current zero points assigned to the second measuring tube, when the measuring tube module M1 is in the housing 11 and there is no fluid medium to be observed or the medium is stationary. If the measuring tube module M1 has two measuring tubes 3a and 3b, and the current zero points can be determined independently for both measuring tubes 3a and 3b, the evaluation electronic device ME is configured to determine them for the current arrangement. The evaluation electronic device ME is also configured to consider the current zero points, in particular the current zero points assigned to the first measuring tube 3a and the current zero points assigned to the second measuring tube 3b, and the provided zero points, in particular two provided zero points, when determining the installation position. The provided zero points can be optically read from the measuring tube module identifier 28, or provided by other means (e.g., via RFID, from the cloud, or by being entered by an operator). Furthermore, the evaluation electronic device (ME) may be configured to transmit a signal if the current installation location deviates from the target installation location.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of another modular Coriolis flowmeter 10. The Coriolis flowmeter 10 includes a measuring tube module M1 having measuring tubes 3a, 3b, particularly metal measuring tubes 3a, 3b, for guiding the medium. Alternatively, the measuring tubes may also be made of plastic, ceramic, and / or glass. In the illustrated embodiment, the measuring tube module M1 has two curved measuring tubes 3a, 3b that are parallel to each other in at least some portion. The two measuring tubes 3a, 3b are connected to each other via four mechanical, plate-like connectors. The illustrated measuring tube module M1 further includes a connector 5, which in this particular case is planar and can or may form a mechanical connection between the measuring tube module M1 and the transport module M2, and connects at least one inlet region of the measuring tubes 3a, 3b to at least one outlet region of the measuring tubes 3a, 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 5 connects the outlet regions of the two measuring tubes 3a and 3b to each other, and also connects them to their respective inlet regions. The distribution unit (see Figure 4) can be connected to the connector 5, which can connect the measuring tubes 3a and 3b to the processing line.

[0032] The primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor components 24a and 24b are arranged in the measuring tubes 3a and 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary excitation component 23 and the two primary sensor components 24a and 24b are arranged in each of the measuring tubes 3a and 3b. The primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor components 24a and 24b may each be permanent magnets.

[0033] The measuring tube module identifier 28 is positioned on the surface of the connecting body 5 facing the connecting portion or the curved portion of the measuring tube. The measuring tube module identifier 28 has identification information. The measuring tube module identifier 28 may be a barcode, a QR code (not shown), a data matrix code, an OCR font, and / or a visual code. A barcode is a strip of black and white bars that can be scanned by a barcode reader to read information such as product number, price, and other items. A QR code is a rectangular code that can be read by a QR code scanner to display information such as URLs, text, detailed contact information, entries for a calendar, and so on. A data matrix code is a two-dimensional code that can store and transmit information similar to a QR code, but is usually smaller and denser than a QR code. A visual code is one or more optical identifiers consisting of various geometric shapes (e.g., arrows or asymmetrical shapes) and colors, including color codes and others. The identification information may be information regarding the current installation location of the measuring tube module M1. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the identification information may further include a first calibration coefficient assigned to the first installation location, and / or a second calibration coefficient, particularly different from the first calibration coefficient, assigned to the second installation location. The first and / or second calibration coefficients may each be zero-point corrections to which a measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable dependent on the provided measured value is added. In this case, the first and / or second calibration coefficients are offsets to which the measured value measured when the medium is stationary is corrected to zero. Alternatively, the first and / or second calibration coefficients may be prior factors to which the measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable dependent on the provided measured value is multiplied.

[0034] The Coriolis flowmeter 1 further includes a transport module M2 having a housing 11 (not shown) to which a measuring tube module M1 can be mechanically fixed and then released (separated) again, by a detachable connection, at a first installation location or a second installation location different from the first installation location. This means that the measuring tube module M1 can be replaced with a new measuring tube module M1 after each processing is completed. The two installation locations differ in terms of the orientation of the measuring tube module M1 in the housing 11. At the first installation location, the primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor component 24 face the first side of the housing 11, and at the second installation location, the primary excitation component 23 and the primary sensor component 24 face the second side facing the first side. The transport module M2 has fastening devices 50 for fixing the measuring tube module M1 in an appropriate location within the housing. The fastening device 50 may include one or more known fasteners, such as screws, clamps, and others. Possible fastening devices are disclosed, for example, in US2022 / 0236092A1, DE102020127356A1 and DE102020114519A1. The housing 11 is spatially defined in at least some part by the transport module wall 31, in particular a metal transport module wall 31. The illustrated embodiment has an opening for a measuring tube module M1 into which the measuring tube module M1 can be inserted into the transport module M2. The measuring tube module M1 is inserted into the housing 11 through the opening in the assembly direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube module M1 itself.

[0035] The transport module further includes an electronic device chamber 30 in which an evaluation electronic device ME (indicated by a dashed line) is placed to determine processing variables. The electronic device chamber 30 is spatially separated from the housing 11 and is spatially defined in at least part by the transport module wall 31. The evaluation electronic device ME includes the electronic components necessary to perform the computational operation. The evaluation electronic device ME may include, for example, a microprocessor and electronic components (e.g., one or more transistors, one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, one or more mixers, one or more logical electronic components, one or more filters, and / or one or more microcontrollers).

[0036] The secondary excitation component 13, necessary for exciting the measurement tubes 3a and 3b, is complementary to the primary excitation component 23 and is also part of the transport module M2. In this embodiment, the secondary excitation component 13 is an electric coil configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with a magnet placed in the measurement tube, i.e., the primary excitation component 23, to generate a force on the measurement tubes 3a and 3b. The vibration behavior of the measurement tubes 3a and 3b is recorded via a secondary sensor component 14, which is complementary to the primary sensor component 24. The secondary sensor component 14 may also be a coil configured to detect and measure the time-varying magnetic field generated by the primary sensor component 24. The secondary sensor component 14, like the secondary excitation component 13, is also part of the transport module M2. In the illustrated embodiment, each primary sensor component 24 is assigned a secondary sensor component 14, and each primary excitation component 23 is assigned a secondary excitation component 13. Therefore, the transport module M2 has four secondary sensor components 14 and two secondary excitation components 13. Each of the secondary excitation components 13 is positioned on an opposing side of the housing 11. The same applies to the four secondary sensor components 14, with two sensor components 14a and 14b positioned on one side and two other sensor components (hidden and not visible by the wall) positioned on the opposing side. Different secondary sensor components 14 are assigned to the primary sensor components 24 depending on the installation position of the measuring tube module in the housing.

[0037] An evaluation electronic device ME, configured to recognize the measuring tube module identifier 28, determine identification information, and confirm the current installation position based on this information, is also part of the transport module M2. The evaluation electronic device ME may be an optical sensor. The identification information or detected current installation position thus determined is included in the determination of the processing variables. If the identification information includes a first calibration coefficient and / or a second calibration coefficient, the evaluation electronic device ME is also configured to read the first calibration coefficient and / or the second calibration coefficient and provide it to the evaluation electronic device ME, which is configured to consider the determined current installation position together with the correspondingly assigned calibration coefficient when determining the processing variables.

[0038] The evaluation electronic device ME may be located in the housing 11 itself or in the electronic device chamber 30. When the evaluation electronic device ME is located in the electronic device chamber 30, the transport module wall 31 has a through-opening 32 that connects the housing 11 to the electronic device chamber 30. If the evaluation electronic device ME is an optical sensor 12, the sensor is located and oriented within the electronic device chamber 30 such that the optical sensor 12 faces the surface of the measuring tube module M1 when the measuring tube module M1 is located in the transport module M2, particularly in the housing 11, so that the measuring tube module identifier 28 is detectable to the optical sensor 12 when the measuring tube module M1 is installed.

[0039] Figure 3 shows four embodiments of an optically detectable measurement tube module identifier 28 on the surface of the connector 5 facing the receiving part. Instead, the measurement tube module identifier 28 can always be arranged at the mechanical connection part. The measurement tube module identifier 28 has two codes in all embodiments. The QR code 28* is always arranged at the center of the connector. However, it is not necessary to always use two codes. The installation position can be determined using only one code or more than two codes. The QR code 28* can include information such as the manufacturing number, batch number, and others regarding the measurement tube module M1. The surface on which the QR code 28* is arranged can face the receiving part when the measurement tube module is arranged on the transport module, or may not face the receiving part.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the measurement tube module identifier 28 has a further QR code 28' which is positioned offset from the QR code 28*. The QR code 28' can be used to identify the exact installation position of the measurement tube module. For this purpose, information regarding the installation position is stored behind (in a form associated with / through which it can be obtained from) the QR code 28', or the evaluation electronic device is configured to extract the installation position as a function of the QR code 28'. This means that the information regarding the installation position does not necessarily have to be clearly stored behind the QR code 28'.

[0041] In the second embodiment (to the right of the first embodiment), there is a font code next to the QR code 28*. The font code can be arbitrarily selected, but it must be interpretable by the evaluation electronic device. In this example, the characters "flow" are selected as the font code. The optical sensor reads the font code, and the evaluation electronic device interprets the font code and extracts the installation position therefrom.

[0042] In the third embodiment (shown below the first embodiment), there is a symbol code 28+ next to the QR code 28*. The symbol code 28+ is an arrow. Alternatively, other geometric shapes, such as a triangle, may be selected. However, the symbol code 28+ must be interpretable by the evaluation electronic device.

[0043] In the fourth embodiment (shown below the second embodiment), a barcode 28- is located next to the QR code 28*. The barcode 28- is an array of parallel black bars placed side by side and separated by whitespace. The number of black bars and the distance between them encode the content behind the barcode 28-. The barcode 28 or its content must be interpretable by the evaluation electronic device.

[0044] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the distribution unit 40 of the modular Coriolis flow meter M1. The distribution unit 40 is part of the measuring tube module M1 and is connected to the connector 5. The distribution unit 40 itself has a code 51 in the form of an arrow indicating a predetermined flow direction to which the medium should be guided. Therefore, the integration of the measuring tube module M1 into the processing line needs to be carried out so that the medium that is frequently injected and flowing enters the measuring tube module M1 through the inlet (indicated by the beginning of the arrow) and exits the measuring tube module M1 again through the outlet (indicated by the tip of the arrow).

[0045] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the electronic device chamber 30 in which the evaluation electronic device ME and optical sensor 12 are located. The electronic device chamber 30 is separated from the housing by the transport module wall 31. This prevents the spilled medium from entering and coming into contact with the electronic components, thus protecting the components within the electronic device chamber 30. The transport module wall 31 has a through-opening with a transparent window positioned in a way that does not allow the medium to pass through. The optical sensor 12 is positioned in the electronic device chamber 30 so that it can detect and read the measuring tube module identifier 28 through the window. The evaluation electronic device ME has a microprocessor MP, a temperature sensor TS, and a connection unit 111. Through the connection unit 111, the evaluation electronic device ME can communicate with external devices, and the Coriolis flow meter receives power through the connection unit 111.

Claims

1. A modular Coriolis flow meter (1) for determining the processing variables of a fluid medium, The measuring tube module (M1) is, Measuring tubes (3a, 3b) for guiding the aforementioned medium, The primary excitation component (23) is arranged in the measuring tubes (3a, 3b), The measurement tubes (3a, 3b) include primary sensor components (24a, 24b) arranged therein. The aforementioned measuring tube module (M1), The transport module (M2) is, The measuring tube module (M1) is configured to be positioned in a manner that allows it to be mechanically fixed and released again at a first installation position or a second installation position different from the first installation position, by a releaseable connection, and includes a housing (11). A secondary excitation component (13) is complementary to the primary excitation component (23), A secondary sensor component (14) that is complementary to the primary sensor component (24), Includes an evaluation electronic device (ME) for determining the processing variables, The transport module (M2) and, Includes, The evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to determine the current installation position of the measuring tube module (M1) in the housing section (11), The current installation location corresponds to the first installation location or the second installation location. The aforementioned evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to determine the processing variables taking into account the detected current installation position. The aforementioned modular Coriolis flow meter (1).

2. The Coriolis flow meter (1) according to claim 1, The measuring tube module (M1) includes a measuring tube module identifier (28) that has identification information, and in particular an optically visible measuring tube module identifier (28), The aforementioned identification information is included in the determination of the current installation location. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

3. The Coriolis flow meter (1) according to claim 2, The transport module (M2) further comprises: The electronic device chamber (30) in which the aforementioned evaluation electronic device (ME) is located, A transport module wall (31) that defines the electronic device chamber (30) and the housing section (11), and has a through-opening (32) that connects the housing section (11) to the electronic device chamber (30), particularly a transport module wall (31) made of metal, An optical sensor (12) disposed in the electronic device chamber (30), wherein when the measuring tube module (M1) is disposed in the transport module (M2), particularly in the housing (11), the optical sensor (12) is oriented toward the surface of the measuring tube module (M1) so that the measuring tube module identifier (28) is detectable by the optical sensor (12), The Coriolis flow meter (1) includes the above.

4. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to claim 2 or 3, The measuring tube module (M1) includes a connecting body (5) that forms a mechanical connection between the measuring tube module (M1) and the transport module (M2), particularly a planar connecting body (5) that connects the inlet region of the at least one measuring tube (3a, 3b) to the outlet region of the at least one measuring tube (3a, 3b), The measuring tube module identifier (28) is located on the connector (5). The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

5. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The identification information includes information regarding the current installation location. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

6. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The aforementioned identification information is The first calibration coefficient assigned to the first installation position, and / or A second calibration coefficient, in particular a second calibration coefficient different from the first calibration coefficient, wherein the second calibration coefficient is assigned to the second installation position. Includes, The determined current installation location, along with the correspondingly assigned calibration coefficients, is considered to determine the processing variables. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

7. The Coriolis flow meter (1) according to claim 6, The first and / or second calibration coefficients form a zero-point correction to which the measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable dependent on the provided measured value is added, or The first and / or second calibration coefficients form a prior coefficient multiplied by a measured value provided by the secondary sensor component or a measured variable that depends on the provided measured value. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

8. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to claim 6 or 7, The evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to determine the processing variable using the first calibration coefficient when the measuring tube module identifier (28) is recognized, and is also configured to determine the processing variable using the second calibration coefficient when the measuring tube module identifier (28) is not recognized. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

9. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to determine the current zero point values, in particular the current zero point values ​​assigned to the first measuring tube and the current zero point values ​​assigned to the second measuring tube, when the measuring tube module (M1) is present in the housing (11) and when there is no fluid medium to be observed or the medium is stationary. The evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to take into account, when determining the installation position, the current zero point values, in particular the current zero point values ​​assigned to the first measuring tube and the current zero point values ​​assigned to the second measuring tube, and the provided zero point values, in particular the provided zero point values ​​having two provided zero point values. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

10. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The measuring tube module (M1) has a predetermined flow direction for the medium. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

11. A Coriolis flow meter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The aforementioned evaluation electronic device (ME) is configured to transmit a signal if the current installation position deviates from the target installation position. The aforementioned Coriolis flow meter (1).

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