Flow divider and fluid conduit system formed therewith

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow divider comprising: an (inner) sleeve (100) having a lumen (100*) which is enclosed by a wall and which extends from a flow opening (100a) located in a sleeve end (100+) both to a flow opening (100b) located in a sleeve end (100#) of said (inner) sleeve (100) and to a flow opening (100c) located in sleeve end (100#) at a distance from said flow opening (100b); and an (outer) sleeve (1000) having a lumen (1000*) which is enclosed by a wall and which extends from a first, in particular circular, sleeve opening (1000a) located in a sleeve end (1000+) of said (outer) sleeve (1000) to a sleeve opening (1000b) located in a sleeve end (1000#) of said (outer) sleeve. The wall of the (inner) sleeve (100) forms, on its outer side facing away from its lumen, an outer cone that tapers towards the sleeve end (100+), and the wall of the (outer) sleeve (1000) forms, on its inner side facing its lumen, an inner cone that tapers towards the sleeve end (1000+). The (inner) sleeve (100) is also inserted into the (outer) sleeve (1000) in such a way that the outer cone and the inner cone are in surface contact with each other. The flow divider according to the invention can also be used to form fluid conduit systems, or measuring transducers or measuring devices.

Description

[0001] Flow divider and fluid line system formed thereby

[0002] The invention relates to a flow divider for connecting fluid lines used to conduct a flowing fluid. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid line system formed with such a flow divider, a corresponding measuring transducer, and a measuring system formed therewith.

[0003] From US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2015 / 0082916, US-B 1 07 05 055, US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 2008 / 024112, WO-A 2015 / 162617, WO-A 2017 / 048235, WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475 a flow divider - occasionally also referred to as a distributor, collector or Y-piece - for connecting pipes used to guide a flowing fluid is known, as well as the use of such a flow divider as a line branch or as a line union of a fluid line system.

[0004] Each of the flow dividers has a lumen enclosed by a wall, which extends from a circular first flow opening located in a first flow divider end, in particular one enclosed by a connecting flange, to a second flow opening located in a second flow divider end, as well as to a third flow opening located laterally spaced from the second flow opening in the same second flow divider end. The walls of the flow divider can be made, for example, of a metal, such as (stainless) stainless steel, duplex steel, or superduplex steel.

[0005] Furthermore, the second and third flow openings of the flow divider can each be circular, but also, as shown for example in WO-A 2017 / 048235 or WO-A 2017 / 198440, oval-shaped or also, as shown for example in WO-A 2017 / 105493, semicircular or circular segment-shaped.

[0006] As further shown in US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2015 / 0082916, US-B 1 07 05 055, US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 2008 / 024112, WO-A 2015 / 162617, WO-A 2017 / 048235, WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475, flow dividers of the type in question can also be, for example, an integral part of a fluid line system, in particular one used to measure at least one physical measured variable of a fluid flowing through a pipeline, for example as a line branch or line connection of a (vibronic) measuring tube having two measuring tubes vibrating during operation. measuring device.Each of the aforementioned fluid line systems comprises at least one (first) flow divider of the aforementioned type and first and second fluid lines, each designed as a rigid, at least partially (circular) cylindrical tube, each with a lumen enclosed by a (metal) wall and extending from a first flow opening, in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, located in an associated first line end, to a second flow opening, in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, located in an associated second line end. The first and second fluid lines are also typically identical in construction and / or are designed in sections in a (circular) arc, for example in such a way that the fluid lines, as u.a in which shown, each have at least one (circular) arc-shaped central sub-segment, to which a straight sub-segment is connected on the inlet and outlet sides, thus the first and second fluid lines are essentially U-shaped and V-shaped, respectively.

[0007] In order to form flow paths that are connected in parallel in terms of flow technology, in the aforementioned fluid line systems, both the first fluid line and the second fluid line are connected by their respective first line ends to the second line end of the at least one (first) flow divider, such that each of the lumens of the first and second fluid lines communicates with the lumen of the same flow divider and that the first flow opening of the first fluid line opens into the second flow opening of the flow divider and the first flow opening of the second fluid line opens into the third flow opening of the flow divider. Typically, the first and second fluid lines are arranged such that the same fluid line or its lumens run parallel to one another at least in sections, in particular predominantly or continuously.

[0008] Each of the aforementioned fluid line systems is also specifically intended or configured to be integrated into the course of the aforementioned pipeline in such a way that a fluid flow supplied to the fluid line system or the measuring transducer formed thereby is divided into two separate fluid flows by means of the flow divider, thus within the fluid line system or measuring transducer.As shown in US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2015 / 0082916, US-B 1 07 05 055, US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 2008 / 024112, WO-A 2015 / 162617, WO-A 2017 / 048235, WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475, fluid line systems of the type in question can further comprise a further second flow divider - typically identical in construction to the first flow divider - and the first and second fluid lines can be connected to the flow divider with their respective second line ends, such that the second flow opening of the first fluid line leads into the second flow opening of the second flow divider and the second The flow opening of the second fluid line flows into the third flow opening of the second flow divider. As described in US-B 1 07 05 055, US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 2015 / 162617,

[0009] As shown in WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475, fluid line systems can also each comprise a support frame, for example, designed as a protective housing or as a component of a protective housing, with a (frame) interior at least partially enclosed by a (metal) wall and extending from a (circular) first frame opening located in a (frontal) first frame end of the support frame to a (circular) second frame opening located (diametrically) away from the first frame end in the longitudinal direction. The support frame can, for example, be at least partially, in particular predominantly, tubular, namely as a (cylindrical or prismatic) hollow body with a larger extension in a longitudinal direction compared to a largest caliber (inner diameter).For example, it can be formed by means of a substantially circular first and second frame openings and / or a monolithic (support) tube. In the aforementioned case where the first and second fluid lines are curved in sections,The respective support frame can, for example, also have first and second (wall) openings formed in the respective wall, and both a sub-segment of the first fluid line connecting the (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the first fluid line to the first flow divider (at least partially straight) and a sub-segment of the second fluid line connecting the (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the second fluid line to the first flow divider (at least partially straight) can be guided through the first (wall) opening, and both a sub-segment of the first fluid line connecting the (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the third fluid line to the second flow divider (at least partially straight) and a sub-segment of the second fluid line connecting the (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the second fluid line to the second flow divider (at least partially straight) can be guided through the second (wall) opening.

[0010] Not least in the aforementioned case that the fluid line system is a component of a measuring transducer or a (vibronic) measuring device formed therewith, the holding frame is typically an (integral) component of a protective housing of the fluid line system or is developed into such a protective housing; this is typically such that a first housing end of the protective housing is formed by means of the first flow divider, a second housing end of the protective housing is formed by means of the second flow divider, if present, and a side wall of the protective housing laterally delimiting the (frame) interior is formed by means of the (metal) wall, wherein the (metal) wall is laterally fixed or connected both to the first flow divider, in particular to its first flow divider end, and to the second flow divider, in particular to its first flow divider end.is integrally connected thereto, and that a cavity of the protective housing is formed by means of the (frame) interior, and that the first and second fluid lines are placed within the cavity of the protective housing in such a way that each of the fluid lines is spaced from the side wall of the protective housing.

[0011] Fluid line systems of the aforementioned type can, as already mentioned and, inter alia, in the above-mentioned US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2015 / 0082916, US-A 2019 / 0277683, US-B 10 809 109, US-B 10 705 055, WO-A 2006 / 107297, WO-A 2015 / 162617, WO-A 2017 / 048235,

[0012] WO-A 2017 / 105493, WO-A 2020 / 023056, WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475, respectively, can also be designed as a component of a, for example vibronic, measuring transducer, which serves or is designed to generate at least one measuring signal corresponding to at least one measured variable - for example a mass flow (mass flow rate), a density or a viscosity - of the fluid flowing through it, namely at least one signal parameter dependent on the same measured variable - for example a signal level dependent on the same measured variable and / or a signal frequency dependent on the same measured variable and / or a phase angle dependent on the same measured variable.This measuring transducer, in turn, can be connected to corresponding measuring device electronics to form a (vibronic) measuring device, for example a Coriolis mass flow meter, a vibronic density meter, and / or a vibronic viscosity meter. Accordingly, in fluid line systems of the type in question, the respective fluid lines can in particular also be configured to allow the medium to be measured to flow through them and, during this time, to be caused to vibrate in order to generate at least one measuring signal. The measuring signal typically used is at least one vibration measurement signal representing vibrational movements of the first and / or second fluid lines, with at least one signal frequency dependent on a density of the medium conveyed in the fluid lines and / or a phase angle dependent on a mass flow rate.To maintain mechanical vibrations of the fluid lines, for example, namely, opposing bending vibrations of the first and second fluid lines, such a fluid line system or the measuring transducer formed thereby further comprises at least one electromechanical, for example, electrodynamic, vibration exciter. Furthermore, such a fluid line system or the measuring transducer formed thereby has at least one vibration sensor, for example, attached at least to the first and / or second fluid line and / or at least located in their vicinity, for generating the at least one measurement signal corresponding to the measured variable. This is particularly important in the aforementioned case where the

[0013] If the measuring transducer or the measuring device formed therewith is intended to measure a mass flow or a mass flow of the fluid flowing through it, such a fluid line system can also comprise at least two vibration sensors which are attached to the first and / or second fluid line at a distance from one another and / or at least placed in the vicinity thereof and which may also be of identical construction and which are each set up to generate a measuring signal corresponding to the measured variable, in particular in such a way that a phase difference which is dependent on the mass flow rate is established between the two measuring signals.For the purpose of determining the measured variable, the second and third fluid lines of such vibronic measuring transducers are typically actively excited to oscillate in opposite directions in a drive or useful mode, namely to oscillations at at least one oscillation frequency serving as a useful frequency for the measurement, for example at one or more instantaneous resonance frequencies of natural oscillation modes inherent in the fluid line system and / or by means of an electronic driver circuit provided in the aforementioned measuring device electronics, electrically coupled to the at least one oscillation exciter and also to the at least one oscillation sensor, possibly designed as a phase-locked loop (PLL). Such fluid line systems or vibronic measuring transducers formed therewith, for example serving to generate Coriolis forces dependent on a mass flow of the flowing fluid, are used, among other things,also manufactured by the applicant itself or in conjunction with suitably configured measuring electronics as a Coriolis mass flow meter or as a Coriolis mass flow density meter, for example under the trade name “PROMASS F 200”, “PROMASS G 100”, “PROMASS O 100”, “PROMASS 83E”, “PROMASS 84F”, “CNGmass”, “LPGmass” or “Dosimass”.

[0014] As discussed, among other things, in WO-A 2015 / 162617, fluid line systems of the type in question can be comparatively cost-intensive due to the high material input required. Furthermore, the comparatively complex assembly of the components can represent a significant cost factor in manufacturing; this is especially true in the case where the fluid line system to be manufactured is intended for use in a (vibronic) measuring device, and accordingly, extremely high demands are placed on the precision of the components and their assembly in order to avoid misalignments that reduce the measuring accuracy of the measuring device.

[0015] Based on the aforementioned prior art, one object of the invention is to improve the mechanical design of flow dividers of the type in question, in particular to increase their mechanical stability and reduce the use of expensive materials. Furthermore, increased precision should be achieved (with reasonable effort) in the manufacture of fluid line systems of the aforementioned type. To achieve this object, the invention consists in a flow divider, in particular a flow divider serving as a line branch or line union, for connecting fluid lines serving to convey a flowing fluid. This flow divider comprises:

[0016] • a first (inner) sleeve with a lumen surrounded by a wall, in particular made of a metal, extending from a first flow opening, in particular a circular one, located in a first sleeve end of the first sleeve, in particular a connecting flange, to a second flow opening, in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, located in a second sleeve end of the same (inner) sleeve, as well as to a third flow opening, in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, located in the second sleeve end of the same (inner) sleeve and spaced from the second flow opening;

[0017] • and a second (outer) sleeve, in particular serving as a sub-segment of a holding frame and / or monolithic, with a lumen which is enclosed by a wall, in particular made of a metal, having at least one (wall) opening, and which extends from a first sleeve opening, in particular a circular one, located in a first sleeve end of the same (outer) sleeve, in particular a first sleeve opening held by a connecting flange, to a second sleeve opening, in particular a circular one, located in a second sleeve end of the same (outer) sleeve;

[0018] • wherein the wall of the first sleeve forms, on an outer side facing away from its lumen, an outer cone (of the first sleeve) which tapers towards the first sleeve end of the same (inner) sleeve, in particular which is conical at least in sections;

[0019] • wherein the wall of the second sleeve forms, on an inner side facing the lumen thereof, an inner cone (of the second sleeve) which tapers towards the first sleeve end of the same (outer) sleeve and is in particular conical in shape at least in sections;

[0020] • and wherein the first sleeve is inserted into the second sleeve such that the outer cone (of the first sleeve) and the inner cone (of the second sleeve) contact each other flatly, in particular forming a force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection between the first (inner) sleeve and the second (outer) sleeve. Furthermore, the invention also consists in a fluid line system, comprising:

[0021] • at least one (first) flow divider corresponding to a flow divider according to the invention;

[0022] • a first fluid line, in particular designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube, with a lumen surrounded by a wall, in particular made of a metal, extending from a first line end of the first fluid line to a second line end of the same first fluid line;

[0023] • and at least one second fluid line, in particular designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube and / or structurally identical to the first fluid line, with a lumen surrounded by a wall, in particular made of a metal, extending from a first line end of the second fluid line to a lumen in a second line end of the same second fluid line;

[0024] • wherein both the first fluid line with its first line end and the second fluid line with its first line end are each connected to the first sleeve end of the (inner) sleeve of the flow divider, such that the lumen of the first fluid line communicates with the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider, forming a first flow path leading through the second flow opening of the same (inner) sleeve, and the lumen of the second fluid line communicates with the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider, forming a second flow path leading through the third flow opening of the same (inner) sleeve.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention consists in a measuring transducer, for example a vibronic one, formed by means of such a fluid line system for detecting at least one measured variable of a flowing medium and for generating at least one measurement signal corresponding to the at least one measured variable. Furthermore, the invention also consists in a measuring device formed by means of such a measuring transducer and measuring device electronics electrically connected thereto for processing the at least one measurement signal, or in the use of such a measuring device for determining measured values ​​for at least one measured variable - for example a mass flow rate, a mass flow, a volume flow rate, a volume flow, a density, a viscosity or a temperature - of a fluid medium conveyed in a pipeline, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, in particular.such that the first flow divider is arranged on the inlet side with respect to a flow direction of the medium flowing through the measuring transducer and / or that the medium is allowed to flow in a predetermined flow direction through the pipeline and the measuring transducer integrated in the same pipeline.

[0026] According to a first embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the second sleeve consists of a different material than the wall of the first sleeve.

[0027] According to a second embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the first sleeve consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. (material number) 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617 or WNo. 2.4602.

[0028] According to a third embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the second sleeve consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel or a super duplex steel, in particular a steel according to

[0029] AISI (American Iran and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNr. 1.4301, UNS S30400, UNS 31603, WNr. 1.0037, WNr. 1.0038, WNr. 1.0050, ID no. 1.0352, WNr. 1.0460 or WNr. 1.4116.

[0030] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the second sleeve consists of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 316L or WNo. 1 .4301, and that the wall of the first sleeve consists of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) AISI 316L or WNo. 1.4410.

[0031] According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner, in particular by means of a welded connection and / or a (hard) soldered connection. According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are connected to one another in a force-fitting manner, in particular by means of shrinking and / or expanding.

[0032] According to a seventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are positively connected to one another, in particular by means of one or more tongue and groove connections.

[0033] According to an eighth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the outer cone (of the first sleeve) corresponds to a (straight) truncated cone.

[0034] According to a ninth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the inner cone (of the second sleeve) corresponds to a (straight) truncated cone.

[0035] According to a tenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the outer cone of the first sleeve has a diameter, in particular more than 10 mm and / or less than 150 mm 2 (cone) length, a smallest, especially circular and / or more than 500 mm 2 (conical) cross-section and a largest, especially circular and / or more than 600 mm 2has a (conical) cross-section, in particular such that a conicity of the outer cone of the first sleeve (100) is not less than 0.10 (1:10) and / or not greater than 0.50 (1:2). Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the outer cone of the first sleeve has a conicity that is not less than 0.10 (1:10) and / or not greater than 0.50 (1:2), in particular greater than 0.13 and less than 0.35.

[0036] According to an eleventh embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the outer cone has a (cone) opening angle which is not less than 5° and / or not greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°.

[0037] According to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the inner cone has a (cone) opening angle that is not less than 5° and / or not greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°, and / or the same size as a (cone) opening angle of the outer cone. According to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the first sleeve and the second sleeve are connected by means of a weld produced in the region of the first sleeve end of the second sleeve and the (corresponding) first sleeve end of the first sleeve, in particular(front-side) circumferential welded joint are materially connected to one another, for example in such a way that by means of the same welded joint formed (between the first sleeve and the second sleeve) a mechanical (compressive) stress is established in the first sleeve which holds the outer cone of the wall of the first sleeve and the inner cone of the wall of the second sleeve pressed against one another (with the formation of a frictional connection) and / or (axially) in the direction of the first sleeve end of the first sleeve forcing a (holding) force in the first sleeve and / or in the direction of the second sleeve end of the first sleeve or the second sleeve end of the second sleeve (tensile) stress is established in the second sleeve.

[0038] According to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that by means of the welded joint formed (between the first sleeve and the second sleeve), a mechanical (compressive) stress is established in the first sleeve by means of the outer cone of the wall of the first sleeve and the inner cone of the wall of the second sleeve (forming a frictional connection) that holds the outer cone of the wall of the first sleeve and the inner cone of the wall of the second sleeve against each other and / or by means of a (holding) force acting (axially) in the direction of the first sleeve end of the first sleeve and / or by means of a (tensile) stress in the second sleeve acting in the direction of the second sleeve end of the first sleeve or the second sleeve end of the second sleeve, for example such that the (holding) force is not less than 100 N and / or a joint pressure acting on the first fluid line and the first support is more than 0.1 N / mm 2 . Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the wall of the second (outer) sleeve has at least one recess.

[0039] According to a first embodiment of the fluid line system of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the first fluid line consists of the same material as the wall of the second fluid line.

[0040] According to a second embodiment of the fluid line system of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the first fluid line consists of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve.

[0041] According to a third embodiment of the fluid line system of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the second fluid line is made of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve. According to a fourth embodiment of the fluid line system of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the first fluid line is made of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to

[0042] AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNr. (Material number) 1.4404, mat. no. 1 .4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNr. 1.4410, WNr. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNr. 2.4617 or WNr. 2.4602.

[0043] According to a fifth embodiment of the fluid line system of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the second fluid line consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to

[0044] AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNr. (Material number) 1.4404, mat. no. 1 .4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNr. 1.4410, WNr. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNr. 2.4617 or WNr. 2.4602.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the measuring transducer of the invention, it is further provided that the first and second fluid lines are arranged to be flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated during this flow.

[0046] According to a first embodiment of the measuring device of the invention, the measuring device electronics are designed to feed an electrical driver signal into the measuring transducer.

[0047] According to a second embodiment of the measuring device of the invention, the measuring device electronics are electrically coupled to an electromechanical excitation arrangement of the measuring transducer (serving to convert electrical power into mechanical power causing mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines). Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the excitation arrangement is configured to convert electrical power fed in by the measuring device electronics, for example by means of an electrical drive signal, into mechanical power causing mechanical vibrations of at least the first fluid line and / or the second fluid line, and / or the measuring device electronics is configured to feed electrical power into the excitation arrangement by means of an electrical drive signal.

[0048] According to a third embodiment of the measuring device of the invention, the measuring device electronics are electrically coupled to a sensor arrangement of the measuring transducer and configured to process at least one vibration signal from the sensor arrangement, for example, to determine measured values ​​for the at least one measured variable using the at least one vibration signal. According to a first development of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises: an electromechanical excitation arrangement configured to convert electrical power into mechanical power causing mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines.

[0049] According to a second development of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises a sensor arrangement which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines and to provide at least one vibration signal, in particular an electrical one, representing vibrations of at least one of the first and second fluid lines.

[0050] According to a third development of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises a second flow divider according to the invention, for example also of identical construction to the first flow divider, and it is additionally provided that both the first fluid line with its second line end and the fluid line with its second line end are each connected to the first sleeve end of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, such that the lumen of the first fluid line forms a first flow path leading through both the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and through the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, and the lumen of the second fluid line forms a first flow path leading through both the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and through the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider,the second flow path, which is connected in parallel to the first flow path, communicates with both the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider.

[0051] According to a fourth development of the invention, the measuring transducer comprises an electromechanical excitation arrangement which is designed to convert electrical power into mechanical power causing mechanical (useful) vibrations of the first and second fluid lines.

[0052] According to a fifth development of the invention, the transducer comprises a sensor arrangement configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines and to provide at least one vibration signal, in particular an electrical one, representing vibrations of at least one of the second and third fluid lines, in particular at least two vibration signals. According to a sixth development of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises a second flow divider according to the invention, for example, also structurally identical to the first flow divider, as well as a connecting sleeve. It is also provided that both the first fluid line with its second line end and the fluid line with its second line end are each connected to the first sleeve end of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, such thatthat the lumen of the first fluid line communicates with the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and with the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, forming a first flow path leading through both the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, and the lumen of the second fluid line communicates with both the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and the lumen of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, forming a second flow path leading through both the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider and the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider, and fluidically connected in parallel to the first flow path,and that the second (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider is connected by means of its second sleeve end to a first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve, and the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider is connected by means of its second sleeve end to a second sleeve end of the connecting sleeve (distal to the first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve).

[0053] According to a first embodiment of the sixth further development of the invention, it is further provided that by means of the (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider and the (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider, a holding frame is formed which is at least partially, in particular predominantly, tubular, namely designed as a hollow body with a larger extension in a longitudinal direction compared to a largest caliber (inner diameter), in particular.such that a (frontal) first frame end of the holding frame is formed by the first sleeve end of the second (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider and a (frontal) second frame end of the holding frame, which is longitudinally (diametrically) distant from the first frame end, is formed by the first sleeve end of the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider and / or that a central region of the holding frame is formed by means of a connecting sleeve which is integrally connected to the (outer) sleeves of the first and second flow dividers.

[0054] According to a second embodiment of the sixth development of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider consists of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider.

[0055] According to a third embodiment of the sixth further development of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider is made of the same material as the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider. The invention and advantageous embodiments thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing. Identical or equivalent or similarly functioning parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures; if required for clarity or if it otherwise seems expedient, previously mentioned reference numerals are omitted in subsequent figures. Further advantageous embodiments or developments, in particular combinations of partial aspects of the invention initially only explained individually, will become apparent from the figures of the drawing and / or from the claims themselves.

[0056] In detail:

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective side view of an embodiment of a flow divider according to the invention;

[0058] Fig. 2, 3 each schematically show a use of one or more flow dividers according to Fig. 1 in a fluid line system or embodiments for fluid line systems formed by means of one or more flow dividers according to Fig. 1;

[0059] Fig. 4 schematically shows, in a partially sectioned perspective (exploded) view, another embodiment of a fluid line system formed by means of one or more flow dividers according to Fig. 1;

[0060] Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of a variant of a measuring transducer formed by means of a flow divider or fluid line system according to the invention for a measuring device or a corresponding measuring device for measuring at least one physical measured variable of a fluid flowing in a pipeline; and

[0061] Fig. 6 is a side view of a further variant of a measuring transducer formed by means of a flow splitter or fluid line system according to the invention for a measuring device or a corresponding measuring device for measuring at least one physical measured variable of a fluid medium flowing in a pipeline. Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show schematic side views of an embodiment of a flow splitter 10 according to the invention, particularly one useful as a line branch or line connection in a fluid line system, for example a flow splitter for connecting fluid lines useful for guiding a flowing fluid, for example a fluid medium, such as a gas, a liquid or a dispersion.

[0062] The flow divider 10 according to the invention has a first (inner) sleeve 100 with a lumen 100* which is surrounded by a wall, in particular made of a metal, and extends from a first flow opening 100a, in particular a circular one, located in a first sleeve end 100+ of the same (inner) sleeve 100, in particular a connecting flange, both to a second flow opening 100b, for example a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, located in a second sleeve end 100# of the same (inner) sleeve 100, and to a third flow opening 100c, for example a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped one, spaced from the same second flow opening 100b and also located in the sleeve end 100#.In addition, the flow divider has a second (outer) sleeve 1000, which can also be used, for example, as a partial segment of a holding frame and / or is monolithic, with a lumen 1000* which is enclosed by a wall, in particular made of a metal, which has, for example, at least one lateral (wall) opening and extends from a first sleeve opening 1000a, in particular a circular one, located in a first sleeve end 1000+, which is also held, for example, by a connecting flange, to a second sleeve opening 1000b, for example a circular one, located in a second sleeve end 1000# (distal to the sleeve end 1000+). For a simple, yet leak-free connection of the flow divider 10 to a pipeline, the sleeve end 100+ of the (inner) sleeve 100 can, for example, be held by a connection flange, possibly also a standardized one, or can open into a connection piece, possibly also held by such a connection flange.

[0063] The walls of the (inner) sleeve 100 and the (outer) sleeve 1000 can each be made of, or consist of, (stainless) steel, for example, a stainless steel, a duplex steel, or a super duplex steel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the wall of the (inner) sleeve 100 consists of a steel according to AISI 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617, or WNo. 2.4602, or the wall of the inner sleeve 100 is made of such steel. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the wall of the (outer) sleeve 1000 consists of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. 1.4301, UNS S30400, UNS 31603, WNo. 1.0037, WNo. 1.0038, WNo. 1.0050, WNo. 1.0352, WNo. 1.0460 or WNo. 1.4116 or the wall of the outer sleeve 1000 is made of such steel.Advantageously, the wall of the support frame can be made of, for example, a steel according to AISI 316L or WNo. 1 .4301 and the wall of each of the first and fourth fluid lines can each be made of a steel according to AISI AISI 316L or WNo. 1.4410.

[0064] In order to enable a (highly) precise, yet simple joining of the first sleeve with the second sleeve 1000 and / or in order to be able to provide a (highly) strong (long-term) stable mechanical connection of the first and second sleeves, in the fluid line system according to the invention the wall of the sleeve 100 on an outer side facing away from the lumen 100* forms an outer cone that tapers towards the sleeve end 100+, for example, is conical at least in sections, and the wall of the sleeve 1000 on an inner side facing the lumen forms an inner cone (of the second sleeve) that tapers towards the sleeve end 1000+, in particular complementary to the outer cone of the sleeve 100. The outer cone of the fluid line 100 has, as shown in Fig. 1 or as indicated in a synopsis of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a smallest, in particular circular, (cone) cross-section A100+ and a largest, in particularcircular, (conical) cross-section A100# and a (conical) length L100. The outer cone of the first sleeve and the inner cone of the second sleeve can, for example, each correspond to a (straight) truncated cone. The sleeve 100 of the flow divider according to the invention is inserted into the second sleeve such that the outer cone (of the first sleeve) and the inner cone (of the second sleeve) contact one another over a large area, in particular while forming a force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection between the first (inner) sleeve and the second (outer) sleeve.

[0065] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the smallest (conical) cross-section of the (inner) sleeve 100 is more than 500 mm 2 and the largest (conical) cross-sections of the first sleeve more than 600 mm 2 and / or (cone) length L100 is more than 10 mm and / or less than 150 mm 2According to a further embodiment of the invention, the outer cone of the sleeve 100 has a length L100, the smallest (cone) cross-section A100+ and the largest (cone) cross-section A100#, which is determined by a calculation rule:

[0066] IZ-1 nn > 2 (A100#-VA100+)

[0067] K1 UU — ~r~ - -

[0068] VTI L100 corresponding conicity K100, which is advantageously not less than 0.10 (1:10) and / or not greater than 0.50 (1:2), in particular greater than 0.13 and less than 0.35. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the outer cone of the sleeve 100 has a (conical) opening angle α100, which is advantageously not less than 5° and / or not greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°. The (conical) opening angle α100 corresponds to twice an arctangent of the aforementioned conicity K100 or fulfills the calculation rule: α 00 = 2 ■ arctan

[0069] Advantageously, the first inner cone (of the sleeve 1000) also has a (cone) opening angle a1000+ that is equal to a (cone) opening angle of the outer cone (of the sleeve 100). Accordingly, the (cone) opening angle a1000+ can advantageously be selected to be no less than 5° and / or no greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°.

[0070] To produce the mechanical connection between the first and second sleeves, a further embodiment of the invention provides for the sleeve 100 and the sleeve 1000 to be non-positively connected to one another, for example by shrinking and / or stretching. Alternatively or additionally, the sleeve 100 and the sleeve 1000 can be connected to one another, for example by means of a welded connection and / or by means of a (hard) soldered connection, or in each case in a materially bonded manner and / or, for example by means of one or more tongue and groove connections. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sleeve 100 and the sleeve 1000 are connected to one another by means of a connection produced in the region of the sleeve end 100+ of the sleeve 100 and the corresponding sleeve end 1000+ of the sleeve 1000, in particular(frontal) circumferential welded joint S; this is advantageous in such a way that by means of the welded joint S formed between the first and second sleeves, additional mechanical (compressive) stresses are established in the sleeve 100 and / or (tensile) stresses acting in the direction of the sleeve end 100# or the sleeve end 1000# in the sleeve 1000, which hold the outer cone of the wall of the sleeve 100 and the inner cone of the wall of the sleeve 1000 pressed against each other (with the formation of a frictional connection) or enforce (holding) forces acting in the direction of the sleeve end 100+ or ​​the sleeve end 1000+. According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the aforementioned (holding) force acting between the sleeve 100 and the sleeve 1000 is not less than 100 N and / or the aforementioned joint pressure acting on the sleeve 100 and the sleeve 1000+ is more than 0.1 N / mm. 2The flow divider according to the invention can, as already mentioned, be, for example, a component, possibly also an integral component, of a fluid line system to be incorporated into the course of a pipeline for guiding a flowing fluid, for example, namely be used in such a fluid line system as a line branch or as a line union. The fluid line system can in turn be, for example, a component of a measuring transducer used to measure at least one measured variable of a fluid medium conveyed in a pipeline, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, for example a vibronic measuring transducer, for example according to one of the publications US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2015 / 0082916, US-B 1 07 05 055, US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 2015 / 162617, WO-A 2017 / 048235, WO-A 2022 / 100836 or WO-A 2023 / 131475, ora measuring device formed by such a transducer, for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter, a density meter, or a viscosity meter. Alternatively or additionally, the fluid line system can also be part of a transfer point for custody transfer, such as a fuel dispensing station or a transfer point for a fluid. Accordingly, the at least one measured variable can be, for example, a density or viscosity of the fluid.

[0071] The measured variable can also be, for example, a temperature or a flow parameter of the fluid or medium, for example a mass flow, a volume flow or a flow velocity.

[0072] The fluid line system comprises, as also indicated in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 respectively or as is readily apparent from their combination, according to a further embodiment of the invention, in addition to the flow divider 10, a first fluid line 200, for example designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube, with a lumen 200* surrounded by a wall, for example made of a metal, and extending from a first flow opening 200a, for example circular, semicircular or oval-shaped, located in a first line end 200+ of the second fluid line, to a second flow opening 200b, for example circular, semicircular or oval-shaped, located in a second line end 200# of the same fluid line 200, at least one lumen 200*, for example designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube and / or connected to the fluid line 200 identical,second fluid line 300 with a lumen 300*, which is surrounded by a wall, for example made of a metal, and extends from a first flow opening 300a, for example circular, semicircular, or oval-shaped, located in a first line end 300+ of the second fluid line, to a second flow opening 300b, for example circular, semicircular, or oval-shaped, located in a second line end 300# of the same fluid line 300. As schematically shown in Fig. 2 and 3, both the fluid line 200 and the fluid line 300 are connected by their respective first line ends to the sleeve end 100+ of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10, such thatthat the lumen 200* of the fluid line 200 communicates with the lumen 100* of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10, forming a first flow path through the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 100, and the lumen 300* of the fluid line 300 communicates with the lumen 100* of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10, forming a second flow path through the third flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 100. Each of the first and second fluid lines can be designed to be straight, in particular hollow-cylindrical, at least in sections, and / or, as also indicated in Fig. 4, 5 or 6, at least in sections, in particular V-shaped and / or U-shaped and / or circular-arc-shaped, curved, for example also in such a way that each of the first and second fluid lines each has at least one (circular) arc-shaped, in particular central, sub-segment as well as straight sub-segments connecting the first and fourth fluid lines, respectively.

[0073] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second fluid lines are each monolithic, namely formed in one piece, for example, namely a welded (metal) pipe having a single (longitudinal) weld seam or a (continuously cast or extruded) seamless (metal) pipe, or are made from such a (metal) pipe. The walls of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 can advantageously each be made of metal, for example, at least partially, in particular completely, of a stainless steel, such as a stainless steel, a (super) duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy, or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy.Alternatively or additionally, the walls of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 can each be made of the same material, for example, such that the wall of the first sleeve of the flow divider is made of the same material as the wall of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300. According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the wall of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 each be made of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L.

[0074] WNo. (material number) 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617 or WNo. 2.4602. Not least for the aforementioned case that the fluid line system is part of a vibronic measuring transducer or a vibronic measuring device formed therewith, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 are also designed to have fluid flowing through them and to be vibrated during this process; This can be achieved, for example, by simultaneously flowing fluid through the two fluid lines 200, 300 and simultaneously vibrating them, in particular in opposite directions. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises a sensor arrangement configured to measure (or detect) at least one measured variable dependent on the fluid flow.to detect (and correlated with) oscillatory movements of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 and to provide at least one measurement signal s1 representing oscillations of the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 and thus also the at least one measured variable, for example an electrical and / or analogue signal; this in particular in such a way that the measurement signal s1 has at least one signal parameter that is dependent on the measured variable, namely that changes in the measured variable are followed by a corresponding change. A signal parameter that is dependent on the measured variable can, in turn, be, for example, a signal level that is dependent on the at least one measured variable, a signal frequency that is dependent on the same measured variable, and / or a phase angle of the measurement signal s1 that is dependent on the same measured variable. The sensor arrangement can, as shown in Fig.5 and 6, respectively, can be placed outside the fluid lines 300, 200 yet in their vicinity, for example, such that the sensor arrangement is attached to at least one of the fluid lines 300, 200. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor arrangement is further configured to detect mechanical vibrations of at least one of the two aforementioned fluid lines 200, 300, for example, namely bending vibrations of the fluid line 300 and / or the fluid line 200 at one or more resonant frequencies inherent in the fluid line system, and to provide at least one vibration signal representing vibrations of at least one of the fluid lines or serving as a measurement signal. For this purpose, the sensor arrangement can, as also indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, for example, have a vibration sensor 51 (which differentially detects electrodynamic and / or vibrational movements of the two fluid lines 300, 200).According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid line system or the measuring transducer formed thereby additionally has an electromechanical excitation arrangement which is configured to convert electrical power into mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines, for example, namely the aforementioned bending vibrations of the fluid line 300 and / or the fluid line 200. This excitation arrangement can, as also indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, be formed, for example, by means of at least one vibration exciter 41 acting electrodynamically and / or differentially on the two fluid lines 300, 200. Last but not least, for the aforementioned case in which the fluid line system is intended to measure a mass flow based on Coriolis forces generated in the flowing fluid, the sensor arrangement or the fluid line system formed thereby, as also indicated in Fig.5 and 6, in addition to the vibration sensor 51, at least one second vibration sensor 52 for generating at least one second vibration measurement signal corresponding to the measured variable - in particular electrical and / or analog - serving as a second measurement signal s2. Said vibration sensor 52 can be identical in construction to the vibration sensor 51 and / or positioned at the same distance as the vibration sensor 51 from the fluid line 300 or the fluid lines 300, 200. Alternatively or additionally, the vibration sensors 51, 52 can be positioned symmetrically with respect to the aforementioned vibration exciter 41. For the purpose of processing or evaluating the at least one measurement signal s1 orof the measurement signals s1, s2, a measuring device formed by means of the aforementioned fluid line system can further comprise measuring device electronics electrically coupled to the sensor arrangement, for example formed by means of at least one microprocessor and / or a digital signal processor (DSP), which in turn can advantageously be accommodated in an electronics housing 5000 that is sufficiently dust- and watertight or impact- and explosion-proof. In particular, such a measuring device electronics can further be configured to process the at least one measurement signal s1 or the measurement signals s1, s2, for example to determine measured values ​​for the at least one measured variable using the measurement signal s1 and / or the measurement signal s2.In the aforementioned case that the fluid line system is equipped with at least one vibration exciter 41, the measuring device electronics can also be electrically coupled to the aforementioned vibration exciter 41 and can also be configured to feed an electrical excitation signal e1 into the aforementioned vibration exciter 41, and the vibration exciter 41 can also be configured to convert electrical power fed in by means of the excitation signal e1 into mechanical power causing (useful) vibrations of both the fluid line 300 and the fluid line 200.

[0075] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid line system further comprises a second flow divider 20, for example, which is identical in construction to the (first) flow divider 10 and / or serves as a line connection. As also schematically shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 or readily apparent from their combination, both the fluid line 200 with its second line end 200# and the fluid line 300 with its second line end 300# are each connected to a first sleeve end 400+ of a first (inner) sleeve 400 of the second flow divider 20, such thatthat the lumen 200* of the fluid line 200 forms a first flow path leading through both the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10 and the flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 400 of the flow divider 20, and the lumen 300* of the fluid line 300 forms a second flow path leading through both the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10 and the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve 400 of the flow divider 20,The second flow path, which is connected in parallel to the first flow path, communicates with both the lumen 100* of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10 and the lumen 400* of the (inner) sleeve 400 of the flow divider 20. According to a further embodiment, the wall of the (inner) sleeve of the flow divider 20 is made of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve 100 of the flow divider 10 and / or the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the flow divider 20 is made of the same material as the wall of the (outer) sleeve 1000 of the flow divider 10.

[0076] The fluid line system can then, for example, be integrated into the aforementioned pipeline in such a way that the flow divider 100, as also indicated in Fig. 3, is arranged on the inlet side with respect to a flow direction of the fluid allowed to flow through the fluid line system or a measuring transducer formed therewith, and the flow divider 400 is arranged on the outlet side with respect to the flow direction and / or that the fluid is allowed to flow in a predetermined flow direction through the pipeline and the fluid line system integrated into the same pipeline.

[0077] To reduce forces and / or moments acting through the pipeline on the first and second fluid lines, the fluid line system can further comprise a (torsion- and bending-resistant) support frame, for example, also designed as a protective housing or serving as a component of a protective housing. According to a further embodiment of the invention, said support frame is at least partially, in particular predominantly, tubular, namely as a hollow body with a greater extension in a longitudinal direction compared to a largest caliber (inner diameter), and the support frame is formed by means of the (outer) sleeve of the first and second flow dividers; this, for example, in such a way that, as also shown in Fig.3, 4, 5 and 6 are each shown schematically, the sleeve end 1000+ of the (outer) sleeve 1000 of the first flow splitter forms a (front-side) first frame end of the holding frame, and the first sleeve end of the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow splitter forms a (front-side) second frame end of the holding frame, which is longitudinally (diametrically) distant from the first frame end. Alternatively, the outer sleeve of the flow splitter 10 and the outer sleeve of the flow splitter 20 can also be connected to one another only indirectly to form the holding frame, for example by forming a central region of the holding frame by means of a (tubular and / or monolithic) connecting sleeve that is integrally connected to the outer sleeves.Accordingly, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid line system for forming the aforementioned holding frame further comprises a connecting sleeve that is integrally connected to the (outer) sleeves of the first and second flow dividers. The (outer) sleeve 1000 of the flow divider 10 is, as also schematically shown in Fig. 3, connected by means of its second sleeve end to a first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve, while the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider is integrally connected by means of its second sleeve end to a second sleeve end of the connecting sleeve (distal to the first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve). A very simple, yet very precise assembly of the fluid line system having the holding frame can be achieved, for example, by first (integrally) connecting the first and second fluid lines to the first and second flow dividers in the manner described above.an assembly comprising the first and second flow dividers as well as the first and second fluid lines connected thereto is produced, and that the outer sleeves (already connected to the first and second fluid lines) are subsequently connected to one another or to the aforementioned connecting sleeve (materially bonded), for example by means of a welded connection. Not least for the aforementioned case in which the first and second fluid lines 200, 300 are curved pipes, corresponding (wall) openings (1000c, 1000d) for the passage of the two fluid lines 200, 300 can be provided in the wall of the holding frame. For this purpose, the wall of the (outer) sleeve 1000 and the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the flow divider 20 have, according to a further embodiment of the invention, as also schematically shown in Fig. 3, 4, 5 or 6.from their combined view, each has a recess serving to form the first and second (wall) opening 1000c and at least one second (wall) opening 1000b.The first and second fluid lines can also be positioned in the support frame in such a way that both a (straight) sub-segment of the fluid line 200 connecting the aforementioned (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the fluid line 200 with the flow divider 10 and a (straight) sub-segment of the fluid line 300 connecting the aforementioned (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the fluid line 300 with the flow divider 10 are guided through the first (wall) opening 1000c and that both a (straight) sub-segment of the fluid line 200 connecting the aforementioned (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the fluid line 200 with the second flow divider 20 and a (straight) sub-segment of the fluid line 300 connecting the aforementioned (circular) arc-shaped sub-segment of the fluid line 300 with the second flow divider 20 are guided through the second (Wall) opening 1000d.To form a (wall) opening of the holding frame, the wall of at least the (outer) sleeve 1000 of the flow divider 10 has at least one recess. Furthermore, the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the flow divider 20 can also have at least one recess serving to form a (wall) opening of the holding frame. As indicated in Fig. 5 and 6, the fluid line system can further comprise an (impact- and / or pressure-resistant) protective housing for the fluid lines 300, 200, not least when used in a measuring transducer or measuring device. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the holding frame formed by means of the (outer) sleeve of the first and second flow dividers is designed as a component of the same protective housing; this in particularin such a way that a cavity of the protective housing is formed by means of the holding frame, and that a first housing end 1000+ of the protective housing is formed by means of the first flow divider 10 and a second housing end 1000# of the converter protective housing is formed by means of the flow divider 20. The protective housing also has a side wall which at least partially laterally delimits the aforementioned cavity and is formed, for example, by the (outer) sleeves of the first and second flow dividers or their walls, which side wall (spaced from the first and second fluid lines) is fixed laterally both to the (outer) sleeves of the flow divider 10, for example, namely its sleeve end 100+, and to the (outer) sleeves of the flow divider 20, for example, namely its first sleeve end, or is materially connected thereto, in particular.such that the first and second flow dividers are each an integral part of the protective housing and / or that the first and second fluid lines are placed within the cavity of the protective housing, however each of the first and second fluid lines is spaced from the side wall of the protective housing.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Flow divider, in particular a flow divider serving as a line branch or line union, for connecting fluid lines serving to guide a flowing fluid, which flow divider comprises: - a first (inner) sleeve (100) with a wall, in particular made of a metal, encased, extending from a first sleeve end (100+) of the first sleeve (100), in particular a connecting flange, located, in particular, a circular, first flow opening (100a) both to a second flow opening (100b) located in a second sleeve end (100#) of the same (inner) sleeve (100), in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped second flow opening (100b) and to a third flow opening (100c) located in the second sleeve end (100#) of the same (inner) sleeve (100) at a distance from the second flow opening (100b), in particular a circular, semicircular or oval-shaped third flow opening Lumens (100 *); - and a second (outer) sleeve (1000), in particular serving as a sub-segment of a holding frame and / or monolithic, with a lumen (1000 *) enclosed by a wall, in particular made of a metal, having at least one (wall) opening, and extending from a first sleeve opening (1000a), in particular a circular one, located in a first sleeve end (1000+) of the same (outer) sleeve, in particular a first sleeve opening held by a connecting flange, to a second sleeve opening (1000b), in particular a circular one, located in a second sleeve end (1000#) of the same (outer) sleeve; - wherein the wall of the first sleeve (100) forms, on an outer side facing away from its lumen, an outer cone (of the first sleeve) which tapers towards the first sleeve end (100+) of the same (inner) sleeve (100), in particular which is conical at least in sections; - wherein the wall of the second sleeve forms, on an inner side facing its lumen, an inner cone (of the second sleeve) which tapers towards the first sleeve end (1000+) of the same (outer) sleeve and is in particular conical in shape at least in sections; - and wherein the first sleeve is inserted into the second sleeve in such a way that the outer cone (of the first sleeve) and the inner cone (of the second sleeve) contact each other over their surface, in particular forming a force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection between the first (inner) sleeve and the second (outer) sleeve.

2. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the wall of the second sleeve consists of a different material than the wall of the first sleeve (100); and / or - wherein the wall of the first sleeve consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. (material number) 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617 or WNo. 2.4602; and / or - wherein the wall of the second sleeve consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel or a super duplex steel, in particular a steel according to AISI (American Iran and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNr. 1.4301, UNS S30400, UNS 31603, WNr. 1.0037, WNr. 1.0038, WNr. 1.0050, ID no. 1.0352, WNr. 1.0460 or WNr. 1.4116.

3. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the wall of the second sleeve is made of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 316L or WNo. 1.4301, - and wherein the wall of the first sleeve is made of a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) AISI 316L or WNo. 1.4410.

4. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are integrally connected to one another, in particular by means of a welded connection and / or by means of a (hard) soldered connection; and / or - wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are connected to each other in a force-locking manner, in particular by means of shrinking and / or stretching; and / or - wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are positively connected to one another, in particular by means of one or more tongue and groove connections.

5. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the outer cone (of the first sleeve) corresponds to a (straight) truncated cone; and / or - where the inner cone (of the second sleeve) corresponds to a (straight) truncated cone.

6. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer cone of the first sleeve (100) has a diameter, in particular more than 10 mm and / or less than 150 mm 2 (cone) length L100, a smallest, especially circular and / or more than 500 mm 2 (conical) cross-section A100+ and a largest, especially circular and / or more than 600 mm 2 amounting to (conical) cross-section A100#, in particular such that a calculation rule: corresponding conicity K100 of the outer cone of the first sleeve (100) is not less than 0.10 (1:10) and / or not greater than 0.50 (1:2).

7. Flow divider according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer cone of the first sleeve (100) has a calculation rule: 2 ( A100# - VA100 +) Kl 00 = - ■ - — — - TT L100 has a corresponding conicity K100 which is not less than 0.10 (1 :10) and / or not greater than 0.50 (1 :2), in particular greater than 0.13 and less than 0.

35.

8. Flow divider according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer cone of the first sleeve (100) has a (cone) opening angle a.100, which corresponds to twice an arctangent of the conicity K100 of the same outer cone or the calculation rule: al 00 = 2 ■ arctan fulfilled.

9. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the outer cone has a (cone) opening angle a.100 which is not less than 5° and / or not greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°; and / or - wherein the inner cone has a (cone) opening angle a1000+ which is not less than 5° and / or not greater than 30°, in particular less than 20°, and / or equal to a (cone) opening angle of the outer cone.

10. Flow divider according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sleeve (100) and the second sleeve (1000) are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner by means of a welded connection produced in the region of the first sleeve end (1000+) of the second sleeve (1000) and the (corresponding) first sleeve end (100+) of the first sleeve (100), in particular a welded connection running circumferentially (on the front side), in particular such that by means of the welded connection formed (between the first sleeve and the second sleeve), a mechanical (compressive) stress is generated in the first sleeve (100) and / or in the direction of the second sleeve end, which holds the outer cone of the wall of the first sleeve (100) and the inner cone of the wall of the second sleeve (forming a frictional connection) against one another and / or forces a (holding) force acting (axially) in the direction of the first sleeve end (100+) of the first sleeve. (100#) of the first sleeve (100) orof the second sleeve end of the second sleeve acting (tensile) stresses are established in the second sleeve (1000).

11. Flow divider according to the preceding claim, wherein by means of the welded joint formed (between the first sleeve and the second sleeve) a mechanical (compressive) stress is established in the first sleeve (100) which holds the outer cone of the wall of the first sleeve (100) and the inner cone of the wall of the second sleeve (forming a frictional connection) against each other and / or a (holding) force acting (axially) in the direction of the first sleeve end (100+) of the first sleeve and / or (tensile) stresses acting in the direction of the second sleeve end (100#) of the first sleeve (100) or the second sleeve end of the second sleeve in the second sleeve (1000), in particular such that the (holding) force is not less than 100 N and / or a joint pressure acting on the first fluid line and the first support (1000+) is more than 0.1 N / mm 2amounts.

12. Flow divider according to the preceding claim, wherein the wall of the second (outer) sleeve has at least one recess.

13. A fluid line system comprising: - at least one (first) flow divider (10) corresponding to a flow divider according to one of the preceding claims; - a first fluid line (200), in particular designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube, with a lumen (100*) surrounded by a wall, in particular made of a metal, extending from a first line end (200+) of the first fluid line to a second line end (200#) of the same first fluid line (200); - and at least one second fluid line (300), in particular designed as a rigid and / or at least partially circular-cylindrical tube and / or identical in construction to the first fluid line, with a wall, in particular made of a metal, extending from a first Line end (300+) of the second fluid line up to a lumen (300*) extending in a second line end (300#) of the second fluid line (300); - wherein both the first fluid line (200) with its first line end (200+) and the second fluid line (300) with its first line end (300+) are each connected to the first sleeve end (100+) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the flow divider (10), such that the lumen (100*) of the first fluid line (200) communicates with the lumen (100*) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the first flow divider (10) to form a first flow path leading through the second flow opening of the same (inner) sleeve (100), and the lumen (300*) of the second fluid line (300) communicates with the lumen (100*) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the first flow divider (10) to form a second flow path leading through the third flow opening of the same (inner) sleeve (100).

14. Fluid line system according to the preceding claim, - wherein the wall of the first fluid line (100) consists of the same material as the wall of the second fluid line (200); and / or - wherein the wall of the first fluid line (100) consists of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve (100); and / or - wherein the wall of the second fluid line (200) consists of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve (100); and / or - wherein the wall of the first fluid line consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. (material number) 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617 or WNo. 2.4602; and / or - wherein the wall of the second fluid line consists of a (stainless) steel, in particular a stainless steel, a duplex steel, a super duplex steel, a nickel-molybdenum alloy or a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, in particular a steel according to AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 304, AISI 304L, AISI 316L, WNo. (material number) 1.4404, WNo. 1.4435, UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) S31603, S32750, WNo. 1.4410, WNo. 1.4501, UNS 32750, UNS 32760, WNo. 2.4617 or WNo. 2.4602.

15. Fluid line system according to one of claims 13 to 14, further comprising: - an electro-mechanical excitation arrangement which is designed to convert electrical power into mechanical power causing mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines; and / or - a sensor arrangement configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines and to provide at least one vibration signal, in particular an electrical one, representing vibrations of at least one of the first and second fluid lines.

16. Fluid line system according to one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising: - a second flow divider (20) corresponding to a flow divider according to one of claims 1 to 12, in particular identical in construction to the first flow divider (10); - wherein both the first fluid line (200) with its second line end (200#) and the fluid line (300) with its second line end (300#) are each connected to the first sleeve end (100+) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the second flow divider (20), such that the lumen (200*) of the first fluid line (200) forms a first flow path leading through both the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the first flow divider (10) and the first flow opening of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the second flow divider (20), and the lumen (300*) of the second fluid line (300) forms a first flow path leading through both the second flow opening of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the first flow divider (20) and the second Flow opening of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the second flow divider (20),communicate with the lumen (10*) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the first flow divider (10) as well as with the lumen (20*) of the (inner) sleeve (100) of the second flow divider (20) of the first flow path, which is connected in parallel to the first flow path.

17. Fluid line system according to the preceding claim, further comprising: - a connecting sleeve, - wherein the second (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider is connected by means of its second sleeve end to a first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve and the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider is connected by means of its second sleeve end to a second sleeve end of the connecting sleeve (distal to the first sleeve end of the connecting sleeve).

18. Fluid line system according to one of claims 16 to 17, - wherein by means of the (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider and the (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider, a holding frame is formed which is at least partially, in particular predominantly, tubular, namely designed as a hollow body with a larger extension in a longitudinal direction compared to a largest caliber (inner diameter), in particular such that a (frontal) first frame end of the holding frame is formed by the first sleeve end (1000+) of the second (outer) sleeve (1000) of the first flow divider and a (frontal) second frame end of the holding frame, which is longitudinally (diametrically) distant from the first frame end, is formed by the first sleeve end of the second (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider and / or that a central region of the holding frame is formed by means of a with the (outer) sleeves of the first and second Flow divider is formed by a materially bonded connecting sleeve; and / or - wherein the wall of the (inner) sleeve of the first flow divider is made of the same material as the wall of the (inner) sleeve of the second flow divider; and / or - wherein the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the first flow divider is made of the same material as the wall of the (outer) sleeve of the second flow divider.

19. A measuring transducer, in particular a vibronic measuring transducer, for detecting at least one measured variable of a flowing medium and for generating at least one measuring signal (s1, s2) corresponding to the at least one measured variable, which measuring transducer comprises: a fluid line system according to one of claims 13 to 18.

20. A measuring transducer according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and second Fluid lines (200, 300) are arranged to be flowed through by the measuring substance and to be vibrated during this process.

21. A measuring transducer according to any one of claims 19 to 20, further comprising: an electromechanical excitation arrangement configured to convert electrical power into mechanical power causing (useful) vibrations of the first and second fluid lines.

22. A measuring transducer according to any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising: a sensor arrangement configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the first and second fluid lines and to provide at least one vibration signal, in particular electrical, representing vibrations of at least one of the second and third fluid lines, in particular at least two vibration signals.

23. Measuring instrument, comprising: - a transducer according to one of claims 19 to 22, - and a measuring device electronics electrically connected to the measuring transducer and used to process the at least one measuring signal (s1, s2).

24. A measuring device according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring device electronics are arranged to feed an electrical drive signal into the measuring transducer.

25. Measuring device according to the preceding claim, comprising a measuring transducer according to claim 21, - wherein the measuring device electronics (20) is electrically coupled to the excitation arrangement, in particular in order to feed electrical power into the excitation arrangement by means of an electrical drive signal; and / or - wherein the excitation arrangement is designed to convert electrical power fed in by the measuring device electronics, in particular by means of an electrical driver signal (e1), into mechanical power causing mechanical vibrations of at least the first fluid line, in particular both the first fluid line and a second fluid line.

26. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a measuring transducer according to claim 22, wherein the measuring device electronics (20) is electrically coupled to the sensor arrangement and is configured to process the at least one vibration signal, in particular to determine measured values for the at least one measured variable by means of the at least one vibration signal.

27. Use of a measuring device according to one of the preceding claims for determining measured values for at least one measured variable - in particular a mass flow rate, a mass flow, a volume flow rate, a volume flow, a density, a viscosity or a temperature - of a fluid medium carried in a pipeline, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, in particular in such a way that the first flow divider is arranged on the inlet side with respect to a flow direction of the medium allowed to flow through the measuring transducer and / or that the medium is allowed to flow in a predetermined flow direction through the pipeline and the measuring transducer integrated in the same pipeline.

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