Vibronic module of a modular measuring system, and modular measuring system

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibronic module (VM) of a modular measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measurement variable of a fluid substance to be measured, comprising: - at least one measuring tube (31, 32) for conducting the substance to be measured, - at least one excitation magnet (22), in particular a cylindrical excitation magnet, which is arranged on the measuring tube (31, 32) and is designed to vibrate the measuring tube (31, 32) 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, which is arranged on the measuring tube (31, 32) and which is designed to generate a magnetic field, which varies over time, when the measuring tube (31, 32) is vibrated; - a connecting body (50) which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube (31, 32) and via which the measuring tube (31, 32) can be mechanically connected to the base module (BM), said connecting body (50) having a support surface (AF) on which the connecting body (50) rests when the vibronic module (VM) is installed into the base module (BM), wherein the support surface (AF) runs on a support plane (AE), and the connecting body (50) has a front surface (FF), from which the measuring tube (31, 32) exits the connecting body (50), said front surface (FF) running on a front plane (FE). The support plane (AE) is arranged at a minimum distance d min <sb / > to the front plane (FE), said minimum distance d min being greater than 10 mm, in particular greater than 20 mm, preferably greater than 30 mm.

Description

[0001] Vibronic module of a modular measuring system and modular measuring system

[0002] The invention relates to a vibronic module (VM) of a modular measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium and 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 an alternative vibronic module.

[0009] The problem is solved by the vibronic module according to claim 1 and the measuring system according to claim 12.

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

[0011] - at least one measuring tube for conveying the measured material,

[0012] - 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 when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module,

[0013] - at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet, which is arranged on the measuring tube and is designed to generate a time-varying magnetic field when the measuring tube is set into vibration,

[0014] - 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, wherein the connecting body has a support surface on which the connecting body rests in the installed state of the vibronic module in the base module, wherein the support surface runs in a support plane, wherein the connecting body has a front surface from which the measuring tube emerges from the connecting body, wherein the front surface runs in a front plane, wherein the support plane is offset by a minimum distance d min from the front plane, with the minimum distance d min greater than 10 mm, in particular greater than 20 mm, and preferably greater than 30 mm. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] One embodiment provides that [quote subclaims]

[0016] [further details, definitions, advantages]

[0017] One embodiment provides that the connecting body has a U-shaped basic shape at least in sections in a longitudinal section through the vibronic module.

[0018] One embodiment provides that the basic shape of the connecting body comprises two legs, at each end of which there is a collar, wherein the support surface is located on the collar.

[0019] One embodiment provides that the connecting body is monolithic.

[0020] One embodiment provides that the vibronic module has a protective device which is designed to protect the measuring tube when it is inserted into the base module, in particular into a chamber 11* of the base module, wherein the protective device is connected to the connecting body.

[0021] One embodiment provides that the measuring tube begins and / or ends in a space delimited by the support plane and front plane.

[0022] 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 3 mm, wherein the minimum section d minis selected such that a deviation of a resonance frequency of the vibronic module, in particular of the measuring tube, is less than 30%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 10% of a resonance frequency of a comparison vibronic module of the modular measuring system, wherein the comparison vibronic module has a nominal width of greater than 5 mm, in particular greater than 6 mm and preferably greater than 8 mm, wherein a deviation of a distance between a comparison support surface of the comparison vibronic module and a comparison excitation magnet of the comparison vibronic module is less than 25%, in particular less than 15% and preferably less than 10% of a distance between the support surface of the vibronic module and the excitation magnet of the vibronic module, and / or wherein a deviation of a distance between the comparison support surface of the comparison vibronic module and a comparison sensor magnet of the comparison vibronic module is less than 25%,in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 15% of a distance between the support surface of the vibronic module and the sensor magnet of the vibronic module.

[0023] One embodiment provides that the comparison vibronic module has a comparison connecting body which connects a comparison inlet region of a comparison measuring tube to a comparison outlet region of the comparison measuring tube, wherein the comparison connecting body has a comparison support surface on which the comparison connecting body rests in the installed state of the comparison vibronic module in the base module, wherein the comparison support surface runs in a comparison support plane, wherein the comparison connecting body has a comparison front surface from which the comparison measuring tube emerges from the connecting body, wherein the comparison front surface runs in a comparison front plane, wherein the comparison front plane and the comparison support plane are identical.

[0024] One embodiment provides that the vibronic module has at least two measuring tubes, each with an inlet area and an outlet area.

[0025] One embodiment provides that the connecting body is designed in several parts, wherein the connecting body comprises a planar connecting plate, wherein the connecting plate connects the inlet regions of the measuring tubes and the outlet regions to one another, wherein the connecting body comprises at least one, in particular solid, connecting extension, wherein the connecting extension is connected to the connecting plate and connects the inlet regions of the two measuring tubes to one another.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the connection extension has a groove for each measuring tube in which the corresponding measuring tube is arranged.

[0027] One embodiment provides that the vibronic module comprises a coupler that connects the two measuring tubes, wherein the coupler is arranged in the inlet and / or outlet areas at a distance from the connecting body. One embodiment provides that the minimum distance d min reduced with increasing number of couplers per inlet or outlet area, whereby the minimum distance d min for exactly one coupler per inlet and outlet area is 5 mm, whereby the minimum distance d min for exactly two couplers per inlet and outlet area is 3 mm, with the minimum distance d min for exactly three couplers per inlet and outlet area is 1 mm.

[0028] The modular measuring system according to the invention, in particular a Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium comprises:

[0029] - a vibronic module according to any one of the preceding claims; and

[0030] - a basic module which includes:

[0031] - a measuring system electronics;

[0032] - a protective housing with at least one chamber at least partially enclosed by a housing wall,

[0033] - 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

[0034] - 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 position with regard to an alignment and / or a smallest distance to 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.

[0035] 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 3 mm, wherein the minimum section d minis selected such that a deviation of a resonance frequency of the vibronic module, in particular of the measuring tube, is less than 30%, in particular less than 20%, and preferably less than 10% of a resonance frequency of a comparison vibronic module (WM) of the modular measuring system that is compatible with the base module (BM), wherein the base module (M1) is configured to accommodate the comparison vibronic module (WM), in particular in the chamber (11*), and to be connected thereto in a mechanically fixed yet releasable manner, in particular to form a vibration-type measuring sensor or a vibronic measuring system and / or such that the comparison vibronic module (WM) is locked in the base module (BM) or is not movable, wherein the comparison vibronic module (WM) is configured to be installed in the base module (BM) such that its comparison excitation magnet (V22) is placed within the chamber, nevertheless is spaced from the housing wall (11+),in particular in a position predetermined with regard to an alignment and / or a smallest distance to the excitation coil (12) and / or held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the comparison excitation magnet (V22) and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation coil (12) are aligned with one another or extend parallel to one another, wherein the comparison vibronic module (WM) has a nominal width of greater than 5 mm, in particular greater than 6 mm and preferably greater than 8 mm, wherein a deviation of a distance between a comparison support surface (VAF) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) and the comparison excitation magnet (V22) of the comparison vibronic module is less than 25%, in particular less than 15% and preferably less than 10% of a distance between the support surface (AF) of the vibronic module (VM) and the excitation magnet (22) of the Vibronics module (VM) isand / or wherein a deviation of a distance between the comparison support surface (VAF) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) and a comparison sensor magnet (V24, V26) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) is less than 25%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 15% of a distance between the support surface (AF) of the vibronic module (VM) and the sensor magnet (24, 26) of the vibronic module (VM). One embodiment provides that the comparison vibronic module (WM) has a comparison connecting body (V50) which connects a comparison inlet area (Vln) of a comparison measuring tube (V31, V32) with a comparison outlet area (VOut) of the comparison measuring tube (V31, V32), wherein the comparison connecting body (V50) has a comparison support surface (VAF) on which the comparison connecting body (V50) rests in the installed state of the comparison vibronic module (WM) in the base module (BM),wherein the comparison support surface (VAF) extends in a comparison support plane (VAE), wherein the comparison connecting body (V50) has a comparison front surface (VFF) from which the comparison measuring tube (V31, V32) emerges from the connecting body (V50), wherein the comparison front surface (VFF) extends in a comparison front plane (VFE), wherein the comparison front plane (VFE) and the comparison support plane (VAE) are identical.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 : a perspective view of a vibronic module and a base module;

[0038] Fig. 2a, b: a perspective view of a comparison vibronic module and a base module;

[0039] Fig. 3a, b: a side view and a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vibronic module;

[0040] Fig. 4: a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vibronic module;

[0041] Fig. 5a, b: a side view and a perspective view of a third embodiment of the vibronic module;

[0042] Fig. 6a, b: a side view and a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the vibronic module; and

[0043] Fig. 7a, b: a side view and a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the vibronic module.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vibronic module VM and a basic module BM.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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), which 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), which would otherwise be necessary to electrically connect the temperature sensor to the measuring system electronics ME. 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 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 achieved 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 to one another 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.

[0048] The base module BM has 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of a comparison vibronic module WM and a basic

[0054] Module BM, which is compatible with the comparison vibronic module WM and the vibronic module VM according to the invention. The comparison vibronic module WM, in particular the comparison measuring tubes V31, V32, has / have a nominal diameter of greater than 5 mm, in particular greater than 6 mm, and preferably greater than 8 mm. Thus, the comparison vibronic module WM has significantly more robust and shock-resistant measuring tubes than the vibronic module VM according to the invention, which has a nominal diameter of less than 5 mm.

[0055] The comparison vibronic module WM has a comparison connecting body V50, which connects a comparison inlet area Vln of the comparison measuring tube V31 or the comparison measuring tubes V31, 32 with a comparison outlet area VOut of the comparison measuring tube V31, V32. The comparison connecting body V50 has a comparison support surface VAF, on which the comparison connecting body V50 rests when the comparison vibronic module WM is installed in the base module BM. The comparison support surface VAF is the surface of the comparison vibronic module WM that is in direct contact with the protective housing 11. The comparison connecting body V50 also has a comparison front surface VFF, from which the comparison measuring tube V31, V32 emerges from the connecting body (V50). The reference support surface VAF runs in a reference support plane VAE and the reference front surface VFF runs in a reference front plane VFE.The reference front plane VFE and the reference support plane VAE are identical. The reference vibronic module WM shown in Figs. 2a and 2b has a planar reference connecting body V50. The reference connecting body V50 rests on a support surface of the protective housing 11, allowing the reference measuring tubes V31, V32 to hang and oscillate freely in the chamber.

[0056] The vibronic module VM according to the invention and the comparison vibronic module WM are both designed such that they can both be used in a base module BM and operated using the base module BM. For this purpose, a deviation of a distance between a comparison support surface VAF of the comparison vibronic module WM and a comparison excitation magnet V22 of the comparison vibronic module is less than 25%, in particular less than 15%, and preferably less than 10% of a distance between the support surface AF of the vibronic module VM and the excitation magnet 22 of the vibronic module VM (see Figs. 3 to 7).

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, a deviation of the distance between the comparison support surface VAF of the comparison vibronic module WM and a comparison sensor magnet V24, V26 of the comparison vibronic module WM is less than 25%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 15% of a distance between the support surface AF of the vibronic module VM and the sensor magnet 24, 26 of the vibronic module VM (see Fig. 3 to 7).

[0058] Fig. 3a, b show a side view and a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vibronic module VM. The vibronic module VM shown is designed to be used in a modular measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid medium. The vibronic module VM comprises at least one measuring tube 31, 32 for guiding the medium. In the embodiment shown, the vibronic module VM has two measuring tubes 31, 32 running essentially parallel to one another, each having a measuring tube section in which they are curved and two further measuring tube sections in which they are straight. The measuring tubes 31, 32 have a nominal diameter of less than 5 mm, in particular less than 4 mm and preferably less than 3 mm and each have an inlet area IN (dotted area) and an outlet area OUT (dash-dotted area).Four couplers K1-4 are mounted at a distance within these, connecting the two measuring tubes 31, 32 to each other. However, any even number of couplers can also be installed on the measuring tube. Two couplers K1, K2 are arranged in the inlet area IN, which are designed to mechanically couple the inlet area IN of the measuring tube 31 with the inlet area IN of the measuring tube 32. Two couplers K3, K4 are arranged in the outlet area OUT, which are designed to mechanically couple the outlet area OUT of the measuring tube 31 with the outlet area OUT of the measuring tube 32.

[0059] The first embodiment of the vibronic module VM is suitable to be arranged and operated in place of the comparison vibronic module WM of Fig. 2 in the basic module BM of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2b.

[0060] The vibronic module VM comprises at least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet 22, which is arranged on the measuring tube 31, 32 and is configured to cause the measuring tube 31, 32 to vibrate when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module BM. The first embodiment has one excitation magnet 22, 22* per measuring tube 31, 32, each of which is arranged in the curved measuring tube section. The excitation magnets 22, 22* can be arranged directly on the measuring tube 31, 32 or indirectly via additional fastening means (e.g., a magnetic cup).

[0061] The vibronic module VM comprises at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet 24, 26, 24*, 26*, which is arranged on the measuring tube 31, 32 and is configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field when the measuring tube 31, 32 is set into vibration. The time-varying magnetic field is detected at the fixedly positioned sensor coil of the base module BM. The sensor magnet 24, 26, 24*, 26* itself generates a magnetic field with a substantially temporally constant magnetic field strength. By vibrating the measuring tube 31, 32, a time-varying magnetic field is effectively measured at the sensor coil. The sensor magnets 24, 26, 24*, 26* are arranged in the two measuring tube sections with the straight-shaped measuring tubes 31, 32.

[0062] The vibronic module VM has a connecting body 50, which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube 31, 32 and via which the measuring tube 31, 32 can be mechanically connected to the base module BM. The connecting body 50 has a support surface AF, on which the connecting body 50 rests when the vibronic module VM is installed in the base module BM or in the chamber. The support surface AF rests on a section of the protective housing 11. The connecting body 50 also has a front surface FF, from which the measuring tube 31, 32 or the measuring tubes 31, 32 emerge or emerge from the connecting body 50. The support surface AF runs in a support plane AE and the front surface FF in a front plane FE. The support plane AE is spaced apart by a minimum distance d min from the front plane FE. Both planes AE, FE are parallel to each other in the illustrated configuration. The minimum distance d minis greater than 10 mm, in particular greater than 20 mm and preferably greater than 30 mm. In order for the vibronic module VM according to the invention to be used in a base module BM, which is designed for the comparison vibronic module WM (see Fig. 2a and 2b), the minimum section d min selected so that a deviation of a resonance frequency of the vibronic module, in particular of the measuring tube, is less than 30%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 10% of a resonance frequency of a comparison vibronic module WM of the modular measuring system.

[0063] In a longitudinal section through the vibronic module VM, the monolithically formed connecting body 50 has a U-shaped basic form, at least in sections. This means that the connecting body 50 has a base 51, at the end of which two essentially parallel legs 70 are arranged. A collar 60 is arranged at each end of the two legs 70. The collar 60 serves to hold the vibronic module VM in the chamber; therefore, the support surface AF is located on the collar 60. The ends of the measuring tubes 31, 32 begin and end in a space delimited by the support plane AE and the front plane FE. The ends of the measuring tubes 31, 32 can be connected to a hose system indirectly or separately via a distributor piece 110.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vibronic module VM. The vibronic module VM differs from the first embodiment in that it features an additional protective device designed to protect the measuring tube 31, 32 during insertion into the base module BM, particularly into a chamber 11* of the base module BM.

[0065] Fig. 5a, b show a side view and a perspective view of a third embodiment of the vibronic module VM. Instead of a U-shaped, one-piece connecting body (see Fig. 3a, b), the third embodiment has a connecting body 50 consisting of several individual parts. The connecting body 50 comprises a planar connecting plate 51, which connects the inlet regions of the measuring tubes 31, 32 and the outlet regions. In addition, the connecting body 50 has at least one, in particular solid, connecting extension 52, which serves to stabilize the straight-shaped measuring tube regions in the inlet and / or outlet region. The front surface FF is located on the connecting extension 52 and the support surface on the connecting plate. The connecting extension 52 is connected to the connecting plate 51 such that the longitudinal axis of the connecting extension 52 intersects the support plane perpendicularly.The inlet areas of the two measuring tubes 31, 32 are each connected to one another by the connecting extension 52. The connecting extension 52 can have a flexural rigidity that is greater than the flexural rigidity of the two measuring tubes 31, 32. The embodiment shown has two, in particular, solid, connecting extensions 52, 52*. The connecting extensions 52, 52* each have a groove 80 for each measuring tube 31, 32, in which the corresponding measuring tube 31, 32 is arranged or runs. The measuring tubes 31, 32 are materially connected to the corresponding connecting extension 52, 52* at the location of the groove. The third embodiment has no couplers. Also as in the first embodiment, the minimum section d. minselected so that a deviation of a resonance frequency of the vibronic module, in particular of the measuring tube, is less than 30%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 10% of a resonance frequency of a comparison vibronic module WM (see Fig.2a and 2b) of the modular measuring system.

[0066] Fig. 6a, b show a side view and a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the vibronic module VM. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the connection extensions 52, 52* are shorter, and a coupler K1, K2 is provided for the inlet and outlet areas, respectively, which couple the measuring tubes 31, 32 to each other. The combination of the two couplers K1, K2 with the shorter connection extension 52, 52* has the same effect as the connection extension 52, 52* in Fig. 5a, b.

[0067] Fig. 7a, b show a side view and a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the vibronic module VM. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the connection extensions 52, 52* are again shorter, and two couplers K1-4 are provided for the inlet and outlet areas, respectively, which couple the measuring tubes 31, 32 to each other.

[0068] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0069] Vibronics module VM Basic module BM Protective housing 11 Housing wall 11 +

[0070] Chamber 11*

[0071] Excitation coil 12

[0072] Sensor coil 14, 16

[0073] Excitation magnet 22

[0074] Sensor magnet 24, 26 Measuring tube 31, 32 Shell surface 31 +

[0075] Fastening device 40 Connecting body 50 Connecting plate 51

[0076] Connection extension 52 Collar 60 Leg 70

[0077] Groove 80

[0078] Electronics housing 100

[0079] Protective device 200 coupler Kn

[0080] Support surface AF Front surface FF Support plane AE

[0081] Front level FE

[0082] Inlet area IN

[0083] Outlet area OUT measuring system electronics ME

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Vibronic module (VM) of a modular measuring system, in particular a modular Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid, comprising: - at least one measuring tube (31, 32) for guiding the measuring material, - at least one, in particular cylindrical, excitation magnet (22) which is arranged on the measuring tube (31, 32) and is designed to cause the measuring tube (31, 32) to oscillate when it is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field of an excitation coil of a base module (BM), - at least one, in particular cylindrical, sensor magnet (24) which is arranged on the measuring tube (31, 32) and is designed to generate a time-varying magnetic field when the measuring tube (31, 32) is set into vibration, - a connecting body (50) which is mechanically connected to the measuring tube (31, 32) and via which the measuring tube (31, 32) can be mechanically connected to the base module (BM), wherein the connecting body (50) has a support surface (AF) on which the connecting body (50) rests in the installed state of the vibronic module (VM) in the base module (BM), wherein the support surface (AF) runs in a support plane (AE), wherein the connecting body (50) has a front surface (FF) from which the measuring tube (31, 32) emerges from the connecting body (50), wherein the front surface (FF) runs in a front plane (FE), wherein the support plane (AE) is offset by a minimum distance d min from the front plane (FE), with the minimum distance d min greater than 10 mm, in particular greater than 20 mm and preferably greater than 30 mm.

2. Vibronic module (VM) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting body (50) has a U-shaped basic shape at least in sections in a longitudinal section through the vibronic module (VM).

3. Vibronic module (VM) according to claim 2, wherein the basic shape of the connecting body (50) comprises two legs (70), at each end of which there is a collar (60), wherein the support surface (AF) is located on the collar (60).

4. Vibronic module (VM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting body (50) is monolithic.

5. Vibronic module (VM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibronic module (VM) has a protective device (200) which is designed to protect the measuring tube (31, 32) when inserted into the base module (BM), in particular into a chamber 11* of the base module (BM), wherein the protective device (200) is connected to the connecting body (50).

6. Vibronic module (VM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tube (31, 32) begins and / or ends in a space delimited by the support plane (AE) and front plane (FE).

7. Vibronic module (VM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibronic module (VM) has at least two measuring tubes (31, 32), each with an inlet area (IN) and an outlet area (OUT).

8. Vibronic module (VM) according to claim 7, wherein the connecting body (50) is formed in several parts, wherein the connecting body (50) comprises a planar connecting plate (51), wherein the connecting plate (51) connects the inlet regions (IN) of the measuring tubes (31, 32) and the outlet regions (OUT) to one another, wherein the connecting body (50) comprises at least one, in particular solid, connection extension (52), wherein the connection extension (52) is connected to the connecting plate (51) and connects the inlet regions of the two measuring tubes (31, 32) to one another.

9. Vibronic module (VM) according to claim 8, wherein the connection extension for each measuring tube (31, 32) has a groove (80) in which the corresponding measuring tube (31, 32) is arranged.

10. Vibronic module (VM) according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the vibronic module (VM) comprises a coupler (K1) which connects the two measuring tubes (31, 32) to one another, wherein the coupler (K1) is arranged in the inlet region (IN) and / or outlet region (OUT) at a distance from the connecting body (50).

11. Vibronic module (VM) according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the minimum distance d min with increasing number of couplers per inlet or outlet area (IN, OUT), whereby the minimum distance d min for exactly one coupler per inlet and outlet area is 5 mm, whereby the minimum distance d min for exactly two couplers per inlet and outlet area is 3 mm, with the minimum distance d min for exactly three couplers per inlet and outlet area is 1 mm.

12. Modular measuring system, in particular a Coriolis mass flow meter, for measuring a measured variable of a fluid, comprising: - a vibronic module (VM) according to one of the preceding claims; and - 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 cylindrical and / or designed as an air coil, placed within the chamber (11*) of the protective housing (11), 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 positioned, in particular, 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.

13. Modular measuring system according to claim 12, wherein the measuring tube has a nominal diameter of less than 5 mm, in particular less than 4 mm and preferably less than 3 mm, where the minimum section d minis selected such that a deviation of a resonance frequency of the vibronic module, in particular of the measuring tube, is less than 30%, in particular less than 20%, and preferably less than 10% of a resonance frequency of a comparison vibronic module (WM) of the modular measuring system that is compatible with the base module (BM), wherein the base module (M1) is configured to accommodate the comparison vibronic module (WM), in particular in the chamber (11*), and to be connected thereto in a mechanically fixed yet releasable manner, in particular to form a vibration-type measuring sensor or a vibronic measuring system and / or such that the comparison vibronic module (WM) is locked in the base module (BM) or is not movable, wherein the comparison vibronic module (WM) is configured to be installed in the base module (BM) such that its comparison excitation magnet (V22) is placed within the chamber, nevertheless is spaced from the housing wall (11+),in particular in a position predetermined with regard to an alignment and / or a smallest distance to the excitation coil (12) and / or held with the static installation position and / or in such a way that an imaginary longitudinal axis of the comparison excitation magnet (V22) and an imaginary longitudinal axis of the excitation coil (12) are aligned with one another or extend parallel to one another, wherein the comparison vibronic module (WM) has a nominal width of greater than 5 mm, in particular greater than 6 mm and preferably greater than 8 mm, wherein a deviation of a distance between a comparison support surface (VAF) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) and the comparison excitation magnet (V22) of the comparison vibronic module is less than 25%, in particular less than 15% and preferably less than 10% of a distance between the support surface (AF) of the vibronic module (VM) and the excitation magnet (22) of the Vibronics module (VM) isand / or wherein a deviation of a distance between the comparison support surface (VAF) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) and a comparison sensor magnet (V24, V26) of the comparison vibronic module (WM) is less than 25%, in particular less than 20% and preferably less than 15% of a distance between the support surface (AF) of the vibronic module (VM) and the sensor magnet (24, 26) of the vibronic module (VM).

14. Modular measuring system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the comparison vibronic module (WM) has a comparison connecting body (V50) which connects a comparison inlet region (Vln) of a comparison measuring tube (V31, V32) with a comparison outlet region (VOut) of the comparison measuring tube (V31, V32), wherein the comparison connecting body (V50) has a comparison support surface (VAF) on which the comparison connecting body (V50) rests in the installed state of the comparison vibronic module (WM) in the base module (BM), wherein the comparison support surface (VAF) runs in a comparison support plane (VAE), wherein the comparison connecting body (V50) has a comparison front surface (VFF) from which the comparison measuring tube (V31, V32) emerges from the connecting body (V50), wherein the comparison front surface (VFF) runs in a comparison front plane (VFE), wherein the comparison front plane (VFE) and the comparison support plane (VAE) are identical.

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