Modular measuring system

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular measuring system, comprising: - a vibronic module (VM) comprising a measuring tube (31) with a channel for conducting the substance to be measured, said measuring tube (31) having a first measuring tube section (MA1), in which a first channel longitudinal axis (KL1) of the channel lies on a first measuring tube plane (ME1), and a second measuring tube section (MA2), in which a second channel longitudinal axis (KL2) of the channel lies on a second measuring tube plane (ME2), wherein the first measuring tube plane (ME1) is parallel to and spaced from the second measuring tube plane (ME2), and the measuring tube (31) is designed such that the channel transitions from the first measuring tube plane (ME1) to the second measuring tube plane (ME2) in a third measuring tube section (MA3), comprising at least one excitation magnet (22), in particular a cylindrical excitation magnet, said excitation magnet being arranged on the measuring tube (31) and being designed to vibrate the measuring tube (31) when the measuring tube is exposed to a magnetic field, which varies over time, of an excitation coil of a base module (BM), at least one sensor magnet (24), in particular a cylindrical sensor magnet, said sensor magnet being arranged on the measuring tube (31), and a connecting body (50) which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube (31) and via which the measuring tube (31) can be mechanically connected to the base module (BM), and - a base module (BM) for receiving the vibronic module VM, comprising measuring system electronics (ME) and a protective housing (11) with at least one chamber (11*) which is at least partly encased by a housing wall (11+). The base module (M1) is designed to receive the vibronic module (M2), in particular in the chamber (11*), and to be mechanically connected thereto in a secure but nevertheless releasable manner, thereby forming in particular a measuring sensor for the vibration type or a vibronic measuring system and / or such that the vibronic module (VM) is locked in the base module (BM) or cannot be moved therein. The measuring tube (31) is designed such that the third measuring tube section (MA3) is enclosed, in particular in a complete manner, by the housing wall (11+) and the connecting body (50) when the vibronic module (VM) is arranged in the base module (BM), in particular in the chamber (11*) of the base module (BM).

Description

[0001] Modular measuring system

[0002] The invention relates to a modular measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium.

[0003] From WO 2019 / 017891 A1 or WO 2021 / 121867 A2 as well as the German patent applications DE 102021105397, DE 102020133614, DE 102020132685, DE 102020133851, DE 102020133566, DE 102020132986, DE 102020132686, DE 102020132685, DE 102020131452, DE 102020132223, DE 102020127356, DE 102020114519 and DE 102020112154, modular, namely (Modular) vibronic measuring systems are known which are formed by means of a base module, a vibronic module which is mechanically connected to the base module and a measuring system electronics which is electrically connected to the base module and which are used to record at least one measured variable of a fluid measuring medium flowing in a (measuring material) line, namely to determine measured values ​​for one or more measured variables, for example a mass flow, a volume flow, a density and / or a viscosity, of the measuring material.

[0004] The basic module of such a (modular) vibronic measuring system comprises a housing with at least one chamber at least partially enclosed by a housing wall, as well as one or more electrical coils, for example cylindrical and / or designed as air-core coils, which are placed (spaced apart from one another) within the chamber of the housing and are at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall. Each of the coils is also electrically connected to the measuring system electronics. The measuring system electronics can be housed at least partially within the housing and / or at least partially outside the housing, for example, in a separate electronics housing.The base module is also specifically designed to accommodate the vibronic module of the measuring system and to be mechanically connected thereto (forming a vibration-type transducer) in a rigid yet detachable manner, in particular to form the vibronic measuring system itself; this is particularly also done in such a way that the vibronic module is locked in the base module and is not movable.

[0005] The vibronic module of the respective measuring system, in turn, is also designed to be replaceable, such that it can be inserted into the chamber, in particular on-site, from outside the housing of the base module or through a (sliding) opening provided in the housing wall of the housing, and that it can be removed from the base module again non-destructively, if necessary even without tools, in particular from outside the housing and / or through the (sliding) opening of the housing, or without the base module itself having to be handled or removed from the (process) system. This also makes it possible, among other things, to subsequently insert a vibronic module on-site, namely into an already installed base module, or to replace a defective or worn vibronic module on-site with a new, intact vibronic module that can be used only once or only for a specified period of time (“disposable”).The vibronic module further comprises one or more, for example cylindrical, permanent magnets and is also designed to be installed in the base module in such a way that each of the permanent magnets is placed within the aforementioned chamber, yet is spaced apart from the housing wall, in particular in such a way that each of the permanent magnets is held in a static installation position predetermined with regard to an orientation and / or a smallest distance from one of the electrical coils of the base module, and that a respective imaginary longitudinal axis of each of the permanent magnets and an imaginary longitudinal axis of at least one of the electrical coils are aligned with one another or extend parallel to one another.

[0006] In the measuring systems in question, each vibronic module further comprises at least one (measuring) tube, for example one that is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, with a tube wall forming an outer surface of the tube, in particular made of a metal or a plastic, and with a lumen enclosed by the same tube wall, in particular two essentially identical parallel (measuring) tubes, and each of the aforementioned permanent magnets is fixed to the outside of the tube wall, in particular to a middle segment of the tube wall extending between a first segment end and a second segment end remote therefrom, in particular to be firmly bonded to the tube wall. In addition, the vibronic module or its at least one (measuring) tube is designed in such a way, if necessary.to be installed into the housing without tools in such a way that the tube is at least partially, in particular completely, placed within the chamber, yet is spaced from the housing wall, and that each of the permanent magnets, in the respective installation position, together with the respective electrical coil, forms a voice coil, particularly useful as an electrodynamic vibration exciter, and / or a plunger coil, particularly useful as an electrodynamic vibration sensor. In the case of a (measuring) tube that is bent at least in sections, the aforementioned segment can, for example, be substantially U-shaped or V-shaped.In such a vibronic measuring system, each of the aforementioned (measuring) tubes is additionally designed to carry a fluid measuring substance flowing within the lumen during operation, in particular with a predeterminable flow direction and / or pointing from the first segment end to the second segment end, and to be vibrated during this time in order to generate measuring effects correlated with one or more measured variables of the measuring substance, in particular in such a way that the middle segment executes oscillating movements about a static rest position and / or that the (measuring) tube is driven by at least one of the aforementioned (energized) moving coils and / or that a (measuring) voltage representing oscillating movements of the at least one tube and thus serving as an oscillation signal is generated by means of the aforementioned moving coils.The measuring system electronics of such a measuring system is in turn set up accordingly to feed electrical power into the at least one electrical coil forming the aforementioned moving coil by means of an electrical driver signal, in particular with an impressed alternating current and / or an impressed (alternating current) frequency substantially corresponding to a resonance frequency of the at least one pipe, and / or to determine measured values ​​for the one or more measured variables to be recorded of the medium flowing through the (measuring) pipe or pipes on the basis of the (measuring) voltage generated by the at least one electrical coil forming the aforementioned moving coil, in the case of a Coriolis mass flow measuring device ora measuring system designed as a Coriolis mass flow / density measuring device, for example, to generate (mass flow) measured values ​​representing the mass flow based on a (measurement) phase difference between two of the aforementioned vibration signals caused by Coriolis forces in the medium flowing through the vibrating pipe and a phase difference to the measured value characteristic function set up in the measuring system electronics. The phase difference to the mass flow measured value characteristic function can, for example, be a (linear) parameter function with a (scale) zero point that corresponds to a (measurement) phase difference between the two vibration signals that is measurable when the medium is at rest or when the mass flow is zero, and with a gradient that corresponds to a (measurement) sensitivity of the measuring system or a change in the (measurement) phase difference related to a change in the mass flow.Since one or more resonance frequencies of the at least one pipe are particularly dependent on the instantaneous density of the respective measuring medium, such a measuring system can be used to directly measure not only the mass flow but also the density of the measuring medium flowing through it based on the (alternating current) frequency of the driver signal and / or a (signal) frequency of at least one of the oscillation signals. Accordingly, the measuring system electronics of measuring systems of the type in question are typically also configured to generate (density) measured values ​​representing the density based on the aforementioned (alternating current) frequency of the driver signal and / or a corresponding signal frequency of at least one of the oscillation signals, for example using a useful frequency to measured value characteristic function set up accordingly in the measuring system electronics.Furthermore, it is also possible to directly measure the viscosity of the flowing medium using vibronic measuring systems of the type in question, for example, based on the excitation energy or excitation power required to maintain the useful vibrations and / or based on the damping of the excited (resonance) vibrations resulting from the dissipation of vibration energy, or using a damping-to-measurement characteristic function configured accordingly in the measuring system electronics. Furthermore, other derived measured variables, such as the Reynolds number, can be readily determined from the aforementioned flow and / or material parameters using such vibronic measuring systems.

[0007] To simplify the commissioning of a measuring system formed in this way, the vibronic module can further comprise at least one identification element relating to or carrying identifying information about the vibronic module, for example a barcode, QR code or radio label (RFID TAG) attached to at least one pipe, and / or the base module can comprise at least one light-emitting semiconductor element positioned within the housing and connected to the measuring system electronics, for example a light-emitting diode (LED), and / or one or more radio transmitters / receivers (RF transceivers) and / or photosensors, for example one or more CCD photosensors and / or one or more CMOS photosensors, each positioned within the housing and connected to the measuring system electronics.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a robust single-tube variant for a modular measuring system.

[0009] The problem is solved by the modular measuring system according to claim 1.

[0010] The modular measuring system according to the invention, in particular a Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium, comprising:

[0011] - a vibronic module, which includes:

[0012] - a measuring tube with a channel for guiding the measuring substance, wherein the measuring tube has a first measuring tube section in which a first channel longitudinal axis of the channel lies in a first measuring tube plane, wherein the measuring tube has a second measuring tube section in which a second channel longitudinal axis of the channel lies in a second measuring tube plane, wherein the first measuring tube plane is parallel to and spaced from the second measuring tube plane, wherein the measuring tube is designed such that the channel, in a third measuring tube section, transitions from the first measuring tube plane into the second measuring tube plane,

[0013] - at least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet, which is arranged on the measuring tube and is designed to cause the measuring tube to oscillate perpendicular to the first measuring tube plane and / or second measuring tube plane when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module, wherein the at least one excitation magnet is arranged outside the third measuring tube section,

[0014] - at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet, which is arranged on the measuring tube,

[0015] - a connecting body which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube and via which the measuring tube can be mechanically connected to the base module,

[0016] - a basic module which includes: - a measuring system electronics;

[0017] - a protective housing (11) with at least one chamber (11*) at least partially enclosed by a housing wall,

[0018] - at least one excitation coil, in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, placed within the chamber of the protective housing, which is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics, and

[0019] - at least one sensor coil, in particular placed within the chamber of the protective housing, in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the excitation coil, which is in particular positioned away from the excitation coil and is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall, which is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics; wherein the base module is designed to accommodate the vibronic module, in particular in the chamber, and to be mechanically firmly but also detachably connected thereto, in particular to form a vibration-type measuring sensor or a vibronic measuring system and / or in such a way that the vibronic module is locked in the base module or is not movable, wherein the vibronic module is designed to be installed in the base module in such a way that its excitation magnet is placed within the chamber, but is spaced from the housing wall, in particularnamely in a predetermined orientation and / or a smallest distance from the excitation coil and / or is held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation magnet and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation coil are aligned with one another or extend parallel to one another, wherein the measuring tube is designed in such a way that the third measuring tube section is enclosed, in particular completely, by the housing wall and the connecting body in an arranged state of the vibronic module in the base module, in particular in the chamber of the base module.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0021] One embodiment provides for the measuring tube to be constructed in multiple parts, with a first part of the measuring tube located exclusively in the first measuring tube plane, a second part of the measuring tube located exclusively in the second measuring tube plane, and a third part of the measuring tube comprising the third measuring tube section and forming a transition from the first part to the second part of the measuring tube. One embodiment provides for the vibronic module to further comprise:

[0022] - at least one support frame which covers the third measuring tube section at least in sections in the radial direction of the vibronic module, wherein the support frame is connected to the connecting body, wherein the support frame mechanically connects the first measuring tube section to the second measuring tube section of the measuring tube.

[0023] One embodiment provides that the support frame mechanically connects the first part with the second part of the measuring tube.

[0024] One embodiment provides that the support frame is L-shaped at least in sections.

[0025] One embodiment provides that the support frame is designed as a mechanical coupler of the first part and second part of the measuring tube.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the measuring tube has a nominal diameter of less than 5 mm, in particular less than 4 mm and preferably less than 2 mm.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0028] Fig. 1 : a perspective view of a vibronic module VM and a basic module BM;

[0029] Fig. 2: a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vibronic module VM;

[0030] Fig. 3: a side view of the first embodiment of the vibronic module VM; and

[0031] Fig. 4: a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vibronic module VM.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vibronic module VM and a basic module BM.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a vibronic module VM of a modular measuring system and a modular measuring system with a base module BM. The vibronic module VM comprises at least one, in particular metallic, measuring tube 31, 32 for guiding the measuring medium. In Fig. 1, the vibronic module VM has two measuring tubes 31, 32 that run essentially parallel to one another and are bent in sections. The measuring tubes 31, 32 take on the shape of a U or a V. The measuring tubes 31, 32 shown have a nominal diameter of greater than 5 millimeters. Such measuring tubes 31, 32 are extremely stable and do not require any additional protection to prevent collision with the housing or the housing wall 11+ of the base module BM.

[0034] At least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet 22 is arranged on at least one measuring tube 31, 32. This is designed to cause the measuring tube 31, 32 to vibrate when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil 12 of the base module BM. In Fig. 1, both measuring tubes 31, 32 each have an excitation magnet 22 arranged on the outer surface of the corresponding measuring tube 31, 32. The excitation magnet of measuring tube 32 is concealed by the measuring tube 32 itself. Furthermore, at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet 24 is arranged on the measuring tube 31, 32. In the case of vibrating measuring tubes 31, 32, the sensor magnet 24 generates a time-varying magnetic field that depends on the vibration behavior of the measuring tube 31, 32. In Fig.1, the two measuring tubes 31, 32 each have two sensor magnets 24, 26 (partially concealed by measuring tube 32), which are arranged on the outer surface 31+, 32+ of the measuring tubes 31, 32. The excitation magnets 22 and also the sensor magnets 24, 26 can be attached directly to the outer surface 31+, 32+ of the measuring tubes 31, 32, e.g., by means of a material fit, or indirectly via a connecting element which is itself connected to the corresponding measuring tube 31, 32 by means of a material fit, a force fit, and / or a form fit. The connecting element can, for example, be a magnetic cup (see Figs. 2 and 5), which is designed not only to hold the corresponding magnet, but also to protect it.Advantageously, the sensor magnets 24, 26 and the excitation magnets 22 are arranged on the outer surface 31+ of the measuring tube 31, 32 in such a way that a collision with the housing wall 11+ can be avoided when arranging the vibronic module VM in the chamber 11*. The sensor magnets 24, 26 are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube 31, 32. The excitation magnet 22 is always positioned between the two sensor magnets 24, 26 in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube 31, 32. In the illustrated solution, the excitation magnet 22 is arranged in a section of the measuring tube 31, 32 in which the measuring tube 31, 32 is bent.

[0035] According to the invention, the vibronic module VM does not have any coils, i.e., neither the excitation coil nor the sensor coil are part of the vibronic module VM. Thus, the vibronic module VM also does not have any electrical conductors (e.g., cables) that would otherwise be necessary to electrically connect the coils to the measuring system electronics ME. Furthermore, no temperature sensor is arranged on one of the measuring tubes 31, 32. Thus, the vibronic module VM also does not have any electrical conductors (e.g., cables) that would otherwise be necessary to electrically connect the temperature sensor to the measuring system electronics ME.

[0036] A core feature of the vibronic module VM is the connecting body 50, which is mechanically connected to the at least one measuring tube 31, 32 (e.g. via a material-to-material connection) and via which the at least one measuring tube 31, 32 can be mechanically connected to the base module BM. The connecting body 50 connects the two ends of the at least one measuring tube 31, 32 to one another. In Fig. 1, the connecting body 50 is planar. Furthermore, it connects the ends of the measuring tube 31 to one another and the ends of the measuring tube 32 to one another. The measuring tubes 31, 32 extend through openings in the connecting body 50. The fixing of the connecting body 50 to the measuring tubes 31, 32 is realized via a material-to-material connection (welded or soldered connection). The vibronic module VM shown also has four couplers 110i, which are designed to mechanically couple the two measuring tubes 31, 32 in the coupling area.The two couplers 110a, 110b couple the two measuring tubes 31, 32 in the inlet area and the remaining two couplers couple the two measuring tubes 31, 32 in the outlet area.

[0037] The base module BM comprises a measuring system electronics ME and a housing 11 with at least one chamber 11* at least partially enclosed by a housing wall 11+. The measuring system electronics ME is arranged separately in a measuring system electronics housing. Alternatively, the housing can have a measuring system electronics chamber in which the measuring system electronics ME is arranged, separate from the chamber 11*. The measuring system electronics ME comprises electrical components (e.g., active components, passive components, discrete components, and integrated components) that are arranged on at least one printed circuit board and interact with one another in such a way that they are suitable for operating the base module BM. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics ME can comprise at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0038] Within the chamber 11* is at least one cylindrical and / or air-core coil excitation coil 12, which is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall 11+ and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics ME. The excitation coil 12 can be arranged in an opening in the housing wall 11+, as shown, or can be positioned separated from the chamber 11* by the housing wall 11+. Alternatively, the excitation coil 12 can also be placed on the front surface of the housing wall 11+ facing the chamber 11*. In Fig. 1, the base module BM has one excitation coil 12 for each measuring tube 31, 32 (i.e., a total of two excitation coils), which are arranged opposite one another on an excitation coil axis that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber 11*.The measuring system electronics ME is configured to operate the excitation coil 12 with an operating signal which is designed such that the excitation coil 12 generates a time-varying magnetic field.

[0039] Furthermore, a sensor coil 14, 16 is arranged within the chamber 11* of the housing 11, which is in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air-core coil and / or structurally identical to the excitation coil 12. The sensor coil 14, 16 is positioned, in particular, remote from the excitation coil 12 and is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall 11+, which is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics ME. The sensor coil 14, 16 can be arranged, as shown, in an opening in the housing wall 11+, or can be positioned separated from the chamber 11* by the housing wall 11+. Alternatively, the sensor coil 14, 16 can also be placed on the front surface of the housing wall 11+ facing the chamber 11*. In Fig. 1, the base module BM has two sensor coils 14, 16 for each measuring tube 31, 32 (i.e., a total of four sensor coils). Two of the four sensor coils 14, 16 are arranged on one side of the chamber 11, opposite the other two sensor coils.The measuring system electronics ME is designed to read the voltages induced at the sensor coils 14, 16 and to determine a phase shift between the measurement signals provided at the individual sensor coils 14, 16.

[0040] The base module M1 is designed to accommodate the vibronic module VM, in particular in the chamber 11*, and to be mechanically connected thereto in a secure yet detachable manner, in particular to form a vibration-type measuring sensor or a vibronic measuring system and / or such that the vibronic module VM is locked or immobilized in the base module BM. For this purpose, the base module M1 can have fastening means or a fastening device (not shown)—as disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2020 114 519 A1.The vibronic module VM is designed to be installed in the base module BM in such a way that its excitation magnet 22 is placed within the chamber, but is nevertheless spaced from the housing wall 11+, in particular in a predetermined orientation and / or a smallest distance from the excitation coil 12 and / or is held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation magnet 22 and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation coil 12 are aligned with one another or extend parallel to one another.Furthermore, the vibronic module VM is designed to be installed in the base module BM in such a way that its sensor magnet 24, 26 is placed within the chamber, but is nevertheless spaced from the housing wall 11+, in particular in a predetermined position with regard to an orientation and / or a smallest distance from the sensor coil 14, 16 and / or is held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the sensor magnet 24, 26 and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the sensor coil 14, 16 are aligned with one another or run parallel to one another in an extension.

[0041] Fig. 1 discloses a modular measuring system in which the vibronic module VM is inserted into and removed from the chamber 11* in a direction perpendicular to its own longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the housing 11 can also be designed such that the vibronic module VM is inserted into the chamber 11* in the direction of its own longitudinal axis, as taught, for example, in DE 10 2020 133 851 A1.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vibronic module VM. Fig. 3 shows a side view of the same embodiment of the vibronic module VM.

[0043] The vibronic module VM comprises a measuring tube 31 with a channel for guiding the medium to be measured. The channel is defined by the measuring tube wall and has a channel inlet through which the medium can enter and a channel outlet through which the medium can exit. The measuring tube 31 is connected either directly to a pipeline, e.g. in the form of a hose system, or indirectly via a process connection. The measuring tube 31 has a first measuring tube section MA1, in which a first longitudinal axis KL1 of the channel lies in a first measuring tube plane ME1, and a second measuring tube section MA2, in which a second longitudinal axis KL2 of the channel lies in a second measuring tube plane ME2. The two measuring tube planes ME1, ME2 are parallel and spaced from one another. According to the invention, the measuring tube 31 is designed such that the channel, in a third measuring tube section MA3, transitions from the first measuring tube plane ME1 into the second measuring tube plane ME2.The measuring tube 31 shown is constructed in one piece; that is, it is bent from a single tube and not composed of several individual tubes joined together. According to one embodiment, this results in the medium entering the channel through the channel inlet. There, it flows through a straight section of the measuring tube 31 before entering a section of the measuring tube 31 that is bent in the measuring tube plane ME1. It then flows through another straight section – the first measuring tube section MA1 – before entering a bent section – the third measuring tube section MA3. The third measuring tube section MA3 is bent and extends from the first measuring tube plane ME1 to the second measuring tube plane ME2. In the second measuring tube plane ME2, the measuring tube 31 has a second measuring tube section MA2, in which the medium follows the straight course of the tube 31.After the second measuring tube section MA2, the medium flows through a bend in the second measuring tube plane ME2, before entering a final straight section of the measuring tube 31. This straight section then ends at the channel outlet.

[0044] The basic idea of ​​the invention is that the measuring tube 31 is designed such that the third measuring tube section MA3 is enclosed, in particular completely, by the housing wall 11+ and the connecting body 50 when the vibronic module VM is arranged in the base module BM, in particular in the chamber 11* of the base module BM (see Fig. 1). This ensures that (all) the bent areas are protected, in particular completely, by the protective housing during operation of the measuring system. Securing the measuring tube 31 is extremely important, especially for a measuring tube nominal diameter of less than 5 mm and preferably less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0045] Arranged on the outer surface is at least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet 22, which is designed to cause the measuring tube 31 to oscillate perpendicular to the first and / or second measuring tube plane ME1, ME2 when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module BM (see Fig. 1). The excitation magnet 22 is either attached directly to the measuring tube 31 or indirectly via a magnet holder (e.g. a magnetic cup). The first embodiment has two excitation magnets 22a, 22b, which are arranged opposite one another in different, curved regions of the measuring tube 31. The two excitation magnets 22a, 22b are each located outside the third measuring tube section MA3.

[0046] Furthermore, at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet 24 is arranged on the measuring tube 31. Like the at least one excitation magnet 22, this can also be connected directly, for example, by a material bond, or indirectly via a magnet holder to the outer surface of the measuring tube 31. In the figure, the vibronic module VM has four sensor magnets 22a, b and 24a, b, each arranged offset in the flow direction of the medium. The measuring system electronics ME of the base module BM (see Fig. 1) is configured to determine a phase difference or a measured value dependent on the phase difference, wherein the determined phase difference is present between the measurement signals generated by the sensor magnets 22a and 24a or 22b and 24b in the corresponding sensor coils of the base module BM.

[0047] The vibronic module VM further comprises a connecting body 50, which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube 31 - that is, for example, materially, positively and / or non-positively - and via which the measuring tube 31 can be mechanically connected to the base module BM. While the measuring tube 31 itself does not come into contact with the housing wall 11+ of the protective housing 11 in the installed state, the connecting body 50 rests, for example, on a support surface of the housing wall 11+. The first embodiment of the vibronic module VM further comprises at least one support frame 10, which at least partially conceals the third measuring tube section MA3 in the radial direction of the vibronic module VM. The support frame 10 is connected to the connecting body 50, that is, in mechanical contact. The fastening between the connecting body 50 and the support frame 10 can be achieved via a material, non-positively and / or positively locking connection.The support frame 10 is designed such that the support frame 10 mechanically connects the first measuring tube section MA1 to the second measuring tube section MA2 of the measuring tube 31. An exemplary embodiment is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The illustrated support frame 10 has an L-shape, at least in sections. This means that the support frame 10 has at least one base 41 and a leg 40 running essentially perpendicular thereto. A longitudinal axis of the leg 40 runs parallel to the first and second channel longitudinal axes KL1, 2, while a longitudinal axis of the base 41 intersects the first and second measuring tube planes ME1, 2 perpendicularly.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vibronic module VM. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the measuring tube 31 is made up of several parts. The measuring tube 31 can be made up of two parts, three parts, or several parts. The two or at least three parts are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner (e.g. via a soldered or welded connection). In the embodiment shown, a first part MT1 of the measuring tube 31 lies exclusively in the first measuring tube plane ME1. This means that the first part MT1 is intersected by the first measuring tube plane ME1, but not by the second measuring tube plane ME2. The same applies accordingly to the second part MT2. The second part MT2 of the measuring tube 31 lies exclusively in the second measuring tube plane ME2.The first part MT1 is designed as a U-shaped tube part, in which a first leg of the two legs, which are connected to each other by an arc, is shorter than the second leg. The same applies to the second part MT2. This is also U-shaped with two legs of different lengths. The second embodiment has a third part MT3 of the measuring tube, which lies in the third measuring tube section MA3 and forms a transition from the first part MT1 to the second part MT2 of the measuring tube 31. The third part MT3 is curved or designed as a bend.

[0049] The support frame 10 mechanically connects the first part MT1 to the second part MT2 of the measuring tube 31 and serves as a mechanical coupler between the two parts MT1, MT2. The base 41 of the support frame 10 forms a planar plate coupler that mechanically couples the two parts MT1, MT2.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Modular measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid, comprising: - a vibronic module (VM), which includes: - a measuring tube (31) with a channel for guiding the measuring substance, wherein the measuring tube (31) has a first measuring tube section (MA1) in which a first channel longitudinal axis (KL1) of the channel lies in a first measuring tube plane (ME1), wherein the measuring tube (31) has a second measuring tube section (MA2) in which a second channel longitudinal axis (KL2) of the channel lies in a second measuring tube plane (ME2), wherein the first measuring tube plane (ME1) is parallel to and spaced from the second measuring tube plane (ME2), wherein the measuring tube (31) is designed such that the channel, in a third measuring tube section (MA3), transitions from the first measuring tube plane (ME1) into the second measuring tube plane (ME2), - at least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet (22) which is arranged on the measuring tube (31) and is designed to cause the measuring tube (31) to oscillate perpendicular to the first measuring tube plane (ME1) and / or to the second measuring tube plane (ME2) when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module (BM), wherein the at least one excitation magnet (22) is arranged outside the third measuring tube section (MA3), - at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet (24) which is arranged on the measuring tube (31), - a connecting body (50) which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube (31) and via which the measuring tube (31) can be mechanically connected to the base module (BM), - a basic module (BM), which includes: - a measuring system electronics (ME); - a protective housing (11) with at least one chamber (11*) at least partially enclosed by a housing wall (11+), - at least one excitation coil (12), in particular placed within the chamber (11*) of the protective housing, in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, which is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+) and electrically connected to the measuring system electronics (ME), and - at least one sensor coil (14), in particular placed within the chamber (11*) of the protective housing (11), in particular cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil and / or structurally identical to the excitation coil (12), which is in particular positioned away from the excitation coil (12) and is at least indirectly mechanically connected to the housing wall (11+), which is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics (ME); wherein the base module (M1) is designed to accommodate the vibronic module (M2), in particular in the chamber (11*), and to be mechanically firmly yet detachably connected thereto, in particular to form a vibration-type measuring sensor or a vibronic measuring system and / or in such a way that the vibronic module (VM) is locked in the base module (BM).is not movable, wherein the vibronic module (VM) is designed to be installed in the base module (BM) in such a way that its excitation magnet (22) is placed within the chamber, but is nevertheless spaced from the housing wall (11+), in particular in a predetermined position with regard to an orientation and / or a smallest distance from the excitation coil (12) and / or is held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation magnet and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation coil (12) are aligned with one another or run parallel to one another in an extension, wherein the measuring tube (31) is designed in such a way that the third measuring tube section (MA3) is enclosed, in particular completely, by the housing wall (11+) and the connecting body (50) when the vibronic module (VM) is arranged in the base module (BM), in particular in the chamber (11*) of the base module (BM).

2. Modular measuring system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring tube (31) is designed in several parts, wherein a first part (MT1) of the measuring tube (31) lies exclusively in the first measuring tube level (ME1), wherein a second part (MT2) of the measuring tube (31) lies exclusively in the second measuring tube level (ME2), wherein a third part (MT3) of the measuring tube has the third measuring tube section (MA3) and forms a transition of the first part (MT1) into the second part (MT2) of the measuring tube (31).

3. Modular measuring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibronic module (VM) further comprises: - at least one support frame (10) which covers the third measuring tube section (MA3) at least in sections in the radial direction of the vibronic module (VM), wherein the support frame (10) is connected to the connecting body (50), wherein the support frame (10) mechanically connects the first measuring tube section (MA1) to the second measuring tube section (MA2) of the measuring tube (31).

4. Modular measuring system according to claim 3, wherein the support frame (10) mechanically connects the first part (MT1) to the second part (MT2) of the measuring tube (31).

5. Modular measuring system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the support frame (10) is at least partially L-shaped.

6. Modular measuring system according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the support frame (10) is designed as a mechanical coupler of the first part (MT1) and second part (MT2) of the measuring tube (31).

7. Modular measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tube (31) has a nominal diameter of less than 5 mm, in particular less than 4 mm and preferably less than 2 mm.

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