Vibronic measuring system
A dual-frequency excitation and sensing mechanism in vibronic measuring systems addresses measurement inaccuracies caused by external vibrations and fluctuations, ensuring precise fluid property measurements by distinguishing between measurement signals and interference.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-19
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Figure EP2025073458_19032026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Vibronial measuring system
[0002] The invention relates to a vibronic measuring system, in particular designed as a (Coriolis) mass flow meter and / or as a volume flow meter and / or as a density meter and / or as a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured quantities, in particular a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, flowing in a (connected to it), in particular as a (pipe) line, in particular a process line.
[0003] Vibronal measuring systems of the type in question have been known for a long time and have proven their worth in industrial applications, not least in the control and monitoring of automated process engineering processes and process plants, or at transfer points in potentially verifiable goods transport. A measured quantity that can be recorded by such a measuring system can, for example, be a time-varying flow parameter, such as a mass flow rate.
[0004] Volume flow rate (volume flow rate) or flow velocity, and / or a time-varying material parameter, for example a density and / or a viscosity, of the respective measured substance and / or a (flow) characteristic number derived from one or more flow and / or material parameters, for example a Reynolds number. Examples of such vibronic measuring systems are found, among others, in US-A 2007 / 0119264, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580, US-A 2014 / 0352454, US-A 2021 / 0140804, US-A 2024 / 0210295, US-A 52 91 792, US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 96 010, the
[0005] US-A 57 96 010, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 59 45 609, US-B 63 11 136, the
[0006] US-B 68 40 109, US-B 70 17 424, US-B 70 77 014, US-B 70 77 014, the
[0007] US-B 74 06 878, US-B 86 71 776, US-B 93 72 107, US-B 1 040 86 52, the
[0008] US-B 1 08 09 109, WO-A 01 / 02816, WO-A 01 / 29519, WO-A 2004 / 072588, the
[0009] WO-A 2005 / 050145, WO-A 2008 / 011587, WO-A 2008 / 109841, WO-A 2011 / 019345, WO-A 2011 / 068500, WO-A 2012 / 170020, WO-A 2013 / 002759, WO-A 2019 / 017891, WO-A 2021 / 154289, WO-A 2023 / 200431, WO-A 2023 / 001534, WO-A 93 / 01472, WO-A 96 / 08697, WO-A 99 / 40394 or also the own (unpublished) German patent applications 102023122903.6 or 102024106483.8 and are also manufactured by the applicant itself and marketed as Coriolis mass flow meters or Coriolis mass flow density meters, for example under the
[0010] The products offered are designated “PROMASS G 100”, “PROMASS O 100”, “PROMASS E 200”, “PROMASS F 300”, “PROMASS X 500”, “CNGmass”, “LPGmass” or “Dosimass” (https: / / www.endress.com / de / search?filter.text=promass). Each of the aforementioned measuring systems comprises an electrical-to-physical-to-electrical transducer that can be connected (fluidically via a flange connection) to the (process) line or inserted into the (process) line. The transducer includes at least one, in particular tubular, vibration element, an excitation arrangement coupled to the at least one vibration element (formed in particular by means of at least one (electrodynamic or piezoelectric) vibration exciter and / or at least one electrical coil), and a [further details to be added].The system comprises a sensor arrangement formed by means of at least one (electrodynamic, optoelectronic, or piezoelectric) vibration sensor coupled to the at least one vibration element, as well as measurement system electronics electrically coupled to the transducer, in particular electrically connected to both the excitation arrangement and the sensor arrangement, and / or formed by means of one or more microprocessors, for determining and outputting (digital) measured values quantifying the at least one measured quantity. In modern measurement systems of the type in question, the measurement system electronics, as described, for example, in the aforementioned US-B 63 11 136, are typically implemented by means of one or more microprocessors and / or one or more digital signal processors.Furthermore, the electronics of a measuring system of the type in question are regularly configured to be electrically connected to a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP), such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a process control system (PCS), an edge computing device, or a cloud computing system, for example, via a (standard) fieldbus. This connection can be made for purposes such as transmitting data collected by the measuring system, remote control, and / or power supply. The electronics can also be configured to communicate wirelessly with the respective data processing system, for example, to transmit data wirelessly to the respective data processing system.To protect the measuring system electronics from environmental influences, they are usually housed within at least one relatively robust (and especially impact-, pressure-, and / or weatherproof) protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can, for example, be located away from the instrument transformer and connected to it only via a flexible cable; however, it can also be located directly on the instrument transformer or a transformer protective enclosure, as shown, for example, in the aforementioned US-A 5796011. Furthermore, as shown, among others, in US-B 9372107 or WO-A 01 / 29519, it is also quite common to use modular electronics, possibly housed in two or more separate enclosure modules, to form measuring systems of the type in question.
[0011] The measuring transducer of each of the aforementioned measuring systems is set up and connected (fluidically) to the pipeline, forming a corresponding (process) measuring point.(Measuring material conductive) to be inserted into the course of the (process) line and comprises at least one (tubular or plate-shaped) vibration element, an electro-mechanical excitation arrangement electrically connected to the respective measuring system electronics for converting electrical power provided by the measuring system electronics into mechanical (measuring) power useful for (actively) exciting and maintaining forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element, and a sensor arrangement also electrically coupled to the measuring system electronics for detecting mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element and for providing sensor signals representing vibration movements of the at least one vibration element, for example a velocity of vibration movements of the at least one vibration element.
[0012] The measuring system electronics are further configured to use, in particular, at least one predefinable and / or an instantaneous (mechanical) resonance frequency of the at least one vibration element or...to feed electrical (excitation) power, conducive to inducing the (useful) oscillations, into the excitation arrangement, in such a way that the driver signal at least temporarily has a useful component, namely a spectral signal component with a predetermined signal frequency (adjustable during operation and / or corresponding to a resonance frequency of the measuring transducer) and a predetermined signal amplitude, for example, also adjustable during operation, and that, as a result, the at least one sensor signal also contains a measurement component during this time, namely a spectral signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to, in particular identical to, the signal frequency of the useful component (the driver signal). In the case of, among other things,In the measuring systems shown in US-B 93 72 107 or US-B 1 040 86 52, the measuring transducer has, for example, two vibration elements, each of which can be (frequency-)selectively excited by means of the excitation arrangement and may also have vibration characteristics or resonance frequencies that differ considerably from each other, and whose mechanical vibrations are detected (frequency-)selectively by means of the sensor arrangement.
[0013] The at least one vibrating element is specifically configured (during operation of the measuring system) to be contacted by the measured medium, in particular by a flow around or through it, and to be vibrated during this time (to produce a measuring effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity), namely to perform at least partially forced mechanical oscillations with at least one useful frequency (corresponding to an instantaneous resonant frequency of the vibrating element or of the transducer formed by it). Typical useful frequencies can, for example, lie in a frequency range between 50 Hz (Hertz) and 5 kHz (KiloHertz). In the aforementioned measuring systems, the at least one vibrating element is, in particular,The (measuring) tube arrangement is designed as a guide for flowing fluid – occasionally also referred to as the (transducer) inner part – such that the at least one vibrating element comprises one or more (measuring) tubes, each of which is at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved. Furthermore, vibrating elements for measuring systems of the type in question, formed by means of (plate- or rod-shaped) immersion bodies, are also known, for example from US-B 1 15 30 967, wherein the immersion body is arranged at least partially within a lumen of a partial segment of the (process) line or within a lumen of a tube of the measuring transducer inserted into the course of the (process) line (serving as a flowable measuring cell).
[0014] To protect against external influences, the vibration element formed by the aforementioned tube arrangement, together with the exciter and sensor arrangement, is housed in a typically metallic transducer casing. In the measuring systems shown in WO-A 96 / 08697 or WO-A 2019 / 017891, the transducer casing and the respective vibration element are specifically detachably connected to one another, for example, to allow subsequent insertion of the vibration element formed by such a tube arrangement or the replacement of a defective or worn vibration element with an (identical) intact vibration element on site. Furthermore, in the case of electrodynamic vibration exciters and / or vibration sensors, their respective (air) coils can be directly fixed to the transducer casing. Alternatively or additionally, the aforementioned electronic casing can be used to form a Coriolis mass flow meter or...A compact Coriolis mass flow density measuring device, for example, can also be mounted directly on the aforementioned converter protective housing, for example, by being releasably fixed to it.
[0015] The aforementioned vibration elements, each designed as a (measuring) tube assembly, are specifically intended to be integrated (directly) into the course of the aforementioned process line (serving to guide the respective measured substance) and each have at least one (measuring) tube – for example, exactly one, exactly two, or exactly four (measuring) tubes – which extends from a first tube end to a second tube end by a certain length and has a lumen enclosed by a – typically metallic – tube wall extending from the first tube end to the second tube end. The (measuring) tubes of commercially available (standard) Coriolis mass flow / density measuring devices typically have at least two mutually orthogonal planes of symmetry and can, for example, have a U- or V-shape, or a rectangular or triangular shape, and less frequently a Q- or helical shape.Furthermore, the wall of each tube typically consists of a steel, for example, a high-grade, duplex, or super-duplex steel, a titanium alloy, a zirconium alloy, for example, Zircaloy, and / or a tantalum alloy. The length of such (measuring) tubes can range from approximately 100 mm to 2000 mm, and the caliber (inner diameter) of such tubes can range from approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 100 mm, typically such that the respective tube has a caliber-to-length ratio that lies between approximately 0.08 and 0.25.
[0016] In measuring transducers with a single vibrating (measuring) tube, this element typically communicates with the aforementioned process line via an essentially straight connecting tube section (of the respective vibrating element) opening into the tube at the inlet side and via an essentially straight connecting tube section (of the respective vibrating element) opening into the tube at the outlet side. Furthermore, the vibrating element of such measuring transducers with a single (measuring) tube comprises at least one one-piece or multi-part, for example, tubular, box-shaped, or plate-shaped, counter-oscillator, which is coupled to the tube at the inlet side, forming a first coupling zone, and to the tube at the outlet side, forming a second coupling zone. During operation, the counter-oscillator is essentially at rest or is allowed to oscillate in opposition to the tube, i.e., at the same frequency and out of phase.A vibrating element formed by a (measuring) tube and counter-oscillator is usually mounted in the respective transducer housing solely by means of the aforementioned two connecting tube sections. In the (standard) transducers with a single, essentially straight (measuring) tube shown, for example, in US-A 52 91 792, US-A 57 96 010, US-A 59 45 609, US-B 70 77 014, US-A 2007 / 0119264, WO-A 01 / 02816, or WO-A 99 / 40394, the latter and the counter-oscillator are, as is quite common in conventional transducers, essentially coaxially aligned with each other. Materials used for such a counter-oscillator, especially when titanium, tantalum, or zirconium are used for the (measuring) tube, are usually relatively inexpensive types of steel, such as structural steel or free-cutting steel. In the case of using two or more (measuring) tubes, these can be, among other things,as also shown in US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 96 011, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580 and WO-A 96 / 08697, respectively, are each connected in parallel by means of inlet- and outlet-side flow dividers, in that a first of the (measuring) tubes with an inlet-side first (measuring) tube end into a first flow opening of a (inlet-side or serving as a line branching) first flow divider and with an outlet-side second (measuring) tube end into a first flow opening of a (outlet-side or serving as a line junction) second flow divider and a second of the (measuring) tubes with an (inlet-side) The first (measuring) tube end opens into a second flow opening of the first flow divider, and a second (outlet-side) (measuring) tube end opens into a second flow opening of the second flow divider. In the case of US-B 1 040 86 52, US-A 2011 / 0146416, US-A 2011 / 0265580, respectively...WO-A 96 / 08697 further specifies that a third of the (measuring) tubes, with an inlet-side first (measuring) tube end, opens into a third flow opening of the first flow divider and, with an outlet-side second (measuring) tube end, opens into a third flow opening of the second flow divider, and a fourth of the (measuring) tubes, with an inlet-side first (measuring) tube end, opens into a fourth flow opening of the first flow divider and, with an outlet-side second (measuring) tube end, opens into a fourth flow opening of the second flow divider. Each of the flow dividers can also have a connection flange with a sealing surface for fluid-tight connection of the measuring transducer to a pipe segment used for supplying or removing medium from the measuring transducer. The flow dividers can, for example, be designed as an integral component of the aforementioned transducer housing. Each of the aforementioned flow dividers orEach of the aforementioned connecting pipe sections of commercially available measuring transducers is typically also equipped with a (standard) connection flange suitable for connection to the respective process line.
[0017] Each of the aforementioned (measuring) tubes forming at least one vibrating element is, as already indicated, also specifically designed to be subjected to a flow direction of the medium being supplied and discharged via a connected process line during (measuring) operation of the measuring system, at least in one direction from the respective first tube end to the respective second tube end, and to be vibrated during this time (driven by at least one vibration exciter of the respective exciter arrangement); this is the case, in the aforementioned instance where the measuring system is designed as a Coriolis mass flow meter and the vibration element as a tube arrangement, typically such that at least the elements excited by means of the at least one vibration exciter are vibrated.The useful vibrations of the vibration element, detected by at least one vibration sensor, are at least partially such lateral bending vibrations of at least one of the (measuring) tubes around its respective static equilibrium position that are suitable to cause Coriolis forces in the measured medium flowing through the same (measuring) tube, which are superimposed on the useful vibrations at the same frequency. In vibration elements of conventional (standard) Coriolis mass flow meters formed by means of a tube arrangement, the at least one vibration exciter is typically designed and arranged such that a time-varying driving force generated thereby acts practically only at a point on the respective tube at a drive point formed by the vibration exciter on the (measuring) tube mechanically connected to it.In the case of a vibration element formed by means of two (measuring) tubes, the at least one vibration exciter is typically designed as a differential exciter, i.e., one that transmits excitation forces into the (measuring) tubes along a common line of action but in opposite directions, and / or the useful vibrations are also typically designed as opposing bending vibrations. In the other case described above, where the (measuring) tube arrangement forming the vibration element has a counter-vibrator, the vibration exciter can be partially attached to it, such that the vibration exciter acts differentially on the (measuring) tube and the counter-vibrator. Alternatively, the vibration exciter can, for example, also be partially attached to the aforementioned transducer housing. Likewise, the vibration sensors can also be designed as differential, i.e., only relative or opposing, vibrations of the (measuring) tubes or...Vibration sensors must be designed to detect the single (measuring) tube and the counter-oscillator.
[0018] Not least in commercially available (standard) Coriolis mass flow meters, the respective excitation arrangements, such as…also shown in US-A 56 02 345, US-A 57 96 010, US-B 68 40 109, US-B 70 77 014 or US-B 70 17 424, US-A 2014 / 0352454, WO-A 93 / 01472, WO-A 2005 / 050145, WO-A 2013 / 002759, WO-A 2011 / 019345, typically also designed such that each of the (measuring) tubes is (partially) connected to exactly one vibration exciter, such that the exciter arrangement has no further vibration exciter connected to the respective (measuring) tube other than the (one) vibration exciter, and / or the vibration exciter is typically from electrodynamic type, namely formed by means of a voice coil, for example in such a way that its magnetic armature is mechanically connected to the at least one (measuring) tube, forming the driving point, and that its air coil, through which the magnetic field of the armature is permeated, is electrically connected to the measuring system electronics and mechanically connected to the other tube orthe counter-oscillator of the tube arrangement or is connected to the converter housing.
[0019] However, vibronic measuring systems are also known, for example from WO-A 2017 / 069749, WO-A 2017 / 019016, WO-A 2006 / 036139, US-A 59 26 096, WO-A 99 / 28708, WO-A 99 / 44018, WO-A 99 / 02945, US-A 2020 / 0132529, US-A 48 31 885, US-B 65 57 422, US-A 60 92 429 or US-A 48 23 614, in which the excitation arrangement has two or more vibration exciters connected to one and the same of the tubes of the respective tube arrangement and / or formed by means of one or more piezo elements.
[0020] To define a free oscillation length for each of the (measuring) tubes and, consequently, to adjust the respective resonance frequency to be excited or the respective useful frequency band (of the measuring system), tube arrangements with two or four tubes serving as vibration elements also typically comprise at least one (inlet-side) first coupler element for forming inlet-side vibration nodes for opposite vibrations, in particular bending vibrations, of both (measuring) tubes, which is fixed to the (measuring) tubes at a distance from both flow dividers, as well as at least one (outlet-side) second coupler element for forming outlet-side vibration nodes for opposite vibrations, in particular opposite bending vibrations, of the (measuring) tubes, which is fixed to the (measuring) tubes at a distance from both flow dividers and from the inlet-side coupler element. The coupling elements can also be used to adjust the vibration quality of the pipe arrangement.The overall (measurement) sensitivity of the transducer may be affected. As mentioned, among others, in US-B 63 11 136 and US-B 1 08 09 109, vibronic measuring systems of the type in question can also exhibit cross-sensitivities to externally excited mechanical vibrations—occasionally also referred to as (process) noise—that is, vibrations not generated by the respective excitation arrangement or solely from outside the measuring system, with a vibration frequency corresponding to one of the aforementioned resonance frequencies of the vibrating element or the transducer formed by it. This can particularly affect the measurement accuracy or functionality of the measuring system as a whole, at least temporarily, for example, by causing the measured values for the mass flow rate to deviate considerably, albeit unpredictably, from the actual mass flow rate.This is also accompanied by a comparatively high degree of variation, or that the measured values exhibit a correspondingly high measurement error or correspondingly low reproducibility. Such sources of interference causing oscillations can therefore be established, in particular, by the flowing fluid itself, such that the fluid flowing through the transducer, depending on its mass flow rate and / or by foreign substances carried in the fluid and / or by (broadband) sound induced downstream in the fluid, excites oscillations of the vibrating element at one or more of its resonant frequencies. Interfering oscillations that have a frequency at least approximately corresponding to the excited operating frequency have proven to be particularly detrimental.
[0021] Consequently, despite adherence to the (process) specifications specified for the respective measuring system and the (process) parameters acting upon it, the measurement accuracy of the mass flow values can occasionally be significantly impaired, such that the measurement accuracy varies considerably depending on one or more (process) parameters, in particular the mass flow rate and / or the density of the measured medium and / or the (operating) pressure, and / or depending on temporal changes of one or more of these (process) parameters. Further investigations of measuring systems of the type in question have also shown that this can occur more frequently in cases where both the [specification] mentioned in US-B 1 08 09 109, in particular, [specification], are not observed.The acoustic resonances occurring in gaseous media, as well as the gas inclusions in liquid media mentioned in US-B 63 11 136, are not present and can therefore be ruled out as potential sources of error; this is especially true because, within various sub-ranges of the measurement range specified for the respective measurement system, value ranges for the aforementioned (process) parameters can occasionally be observed despite (nominally) steady-state or only slightly fluctuating values for these same (process) parameters, with impairments of measurement accuracy sometimes even exceeding 0.5% of the true measured value.Starting from the aforementioned prior art, one object of the invention is to improve ground-based measuring systems in such a way that disturbances based on fluctuations in (process) parameters and / or affecting the measurement accuracy of the mass flow measurements can be detected early and reliably and, if necessary, reported and / or compensated; preferably also with “on-board resources” already available in conventional (standard) measuring systems.
[0022] To solve this problem, the invention comprises a vibronic measuring system, for example designed as a (Coriolis) mass flow meter and / or as a volume flow meter and / or as a density meter and / or as a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured quantities, for example a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, which is carried in a (connected to it), for example as a (pipe) line, and which is flowing and / or exhibits pressure oscillations with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar (millibar), and which is guided in a (process) line, for example designed as a (pipe) line, and which exhibits pressure oscillations at least temporarily with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar (millibar). The measuring system comprises:
[0023] • one that can be connected (fluidically) to the (process) line, for example by means of a flange connection.a (electrical-to-physical-to-electrical) measuring transducer that can be inserted into the course of the (process) line, comprising at least one, for example tubular or plate-shaped, vibration element, an excitation arrangement coupled to the at least one vibration element, formed, for example, by means of at least one (electrodynamic or piezoelectric) vibration exciter and / or at least one electrical coil, and a sensor arrangement coupled to the at least one vibration element, formed, for example, by means of at least one (electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric) vibration sensor; and measuring system electronics electrically coupled to the measuring transducer, for example, electrically connected to both the excitation arrangement and the sensor arrangement and / or formed by means of one or more microprocessors;
[0024] • wherein the at least one vibration element is arranged to be contacted by the measured substance (during operation of the measuring system), for example by flowing around or through it, and to be vibrated during this time (to effect a measuring effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity), for example by performing at least partially forced mechanical vibrations with at least one useful frequency (corresponding to an instantaneous resonance frequency of the measuring transducer and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 5 kHz);
[0025] • wherein the excitation arrangement is configured to convert the supplied electrical (excitation) power into mechanical (measuring) power that is useful for producing a measurement effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity (of the at least one vibration element), for example, non-electrical and / or forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element (actively) exciting mechanical (measuring) power;
[0026] • and wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to detect a measurement effect (in the measured material or in the vibration element) that depends on the at least one measured quantity, for example, (measured quantity dependent on) mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, and to convert it into a (first) sensor signal representing the measurement effect, for example, a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element, for example, such that the at least one sensor signal has at least one signal parameter that depends on the measurement effect;
[0027] • wherein the measuring system electronics are electrically connected to the excitation arrangement and configured to feed electrical (excitation) power into the excitation arrangement by means of an electrical driver signal having, for example, at least one predefinable and / or an instantaneous (mechanical) resonance frequency of the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed therewith and / or at least one predefinable signal amplitude, such that both the driver signal (fed into the excitation arrangement) at least temporarily contains a first useful component, namely a spectral signal component with a predefinable signal frequency, for example adjustable during operation and / or corresponding to a (first) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer, and a predefinite signal amplitude, for example adjustable during operation, and the at least one sensor signal during this time contains a first measuring component,namely, a spectral signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to, for example, the signal frequency of the first useful component (the driver signal), and that both the driver signal (fed into the excitation arrangement) contains at least temporarily a second useful component (different from its first useful component), namely a spectral signal component with a predetermined frequency that deviates from the signal frequency of the first useful component by more than one, but not by an integer multiple, for example, adjustable during operation, and / or is not less than 1.1 times the signal frequency (of the first useful component), and / or is not more than 7.a signal frequency corresponding to 9 times the signal frequency (of the first useful component) and / or a (second) resonance frequency of the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed therewith, and a predetermined signal amplitude, for example adjustable during operation and / or not less than 0.5 times and / or not more than 1.5 times the signal amplitude of the first useful component (the driver signal), as well as the at least one (first) sensor signal containing a second measuring component, namely a spectral signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the signal frequency of the second useful component,
[0028] • wherein a signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first and second measurement components, for example, the signal amplitude and / or the signal phase of both the first and second measurement components, depends on the at least one measured quantity; • and wherein the measurement system electronics are electrically connected to the sensor arrangement and configured to receive and evaluate the at least one (first) sensor signal, namely both to determine (digital) measured values for at least one measured quantity using the at least one (first) sensor signal, for example, based on a signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first and second measurement components, and to detect a disturbance of the measurement system using the at least one (first) sensor signal, for example, based on its first and second measurement components, if one of the first and second measurement components,For example, one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measurement components exhibits, at least temporarily, a beat frequency, for example, an impure beat frequency, or such a beat frequency has been detected, for example, in such a way that the signal amplitude and / or phase (of the first or second measurement component) fluctuates periodically at least temporarily with a beat frequency that is more than 0.9 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or deviates from the corresponding signal frequency by more than 1 Hz and / or less than 50 Hz from the corresponding signal frequency.
[0029] Furthermore, the invention also consists in using such a measuring system for measuring one or more measured quantities, for example a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, which is guided in a (connected to it), for example as a (pipe) line, for example flowing and / or exhibiting pressure oscillations with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar, in a (process) line, for example flowing and / or exhibiting pressure oscillations with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar.
[0030] According to a first embodiment, it is provided that the at least one vibration element is arranged (excited by the excitation arrangement) to cause at least one (physical) measuring effect in the measured substance which depends on the at least one measured quantity and can be detected by the sensor arrangement.
[0031] According to a second embodiment, it is provided that the at least one vibration element is arranged to perform (excited by the excitation arrangement) forced mechanical vibrations with at least one, for example, an instantaneous resonance frequency fR of the at least one vibration element or of the measuring transducer (10) formed therewith, corresponding to and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 5 kHz (KiloHertz).
[0032] According to a third embodiment, the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to detect disturbances in the measuring system based on the first and second measuring components. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are also configured to detect disturbances in the measuring system if (exactly) one of the first and second measuring components, for example, (exactly) one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measuring components, exhibits an (impure) beat frequency at least temporarily, and / or the measuring system electronics are configured to detect disturbances in the measuring system if the signal amplitude and / or phase of the first and second measuring components exhibit beat frequencies that differ from each other, for example, by more than 10 Hz, such that exactly one of the first and second measuring components does not exhibit a beat frequency.the signal amplitude and / or phase of exactly one of the first and second measurement components has a beat frequency of zero.
[0033] According to a fourth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to set or maintain the signal frequency of the first useful component at a first (mechanical) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer, and the measuring system electronics are configured to set or maintain the signal frequency of the second useful component at a second (mechanical) resonance frequency of the measuring transducer that differs from the first resonance frequency, for example, such that the signal frequency of the first useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibrating element, and the signal frequency of the second useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a second mechanical (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibrating element that differs from the first (bending) vibration mode.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the signal frequency of the first useful component corresponds to a mechanical resonance frequency of a first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element, for example a first-order (bending) vibration mode in which vibration movements of the vibration element around a static equilibrium position have only two vibration nodes, and that the signal frequency of the second useful component corresponds to a mechanical resonance frequency of a second (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element that differs from the first (bending) vibration mode, for example a third-order (bending) vibration mode in which vibration movements of the vibration element around a static equilibrium position have exactly four vibration nodes.According to a fifth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to detect the disturbance of the measuring system if (exactly) one of the first and second measuring components, for example, (exactly) one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measuring components, exhibits at least a temporary (impure) beat frequency, and if the signal amplitude and / or phase of the other of the first and second measuring components exhibits a lower beat frequency or no beat frequency in comparison.
[0034] According to a sixth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured, in the event of a detected disturbance of the measuring system, to (continue to) feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component does not exhibit a beat frequency, and / or to not (any longer) feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component exhibits a beat frequency.
[0035] According to a seventh embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured, in the event of a detected disturbance of the measuring system, to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity based on that of the first and second measuring components which has a lower beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components, for example, which has no beat (fS2 = 0), and / or not to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity based on that of the first and second measuring components which has the beat or which has a higher beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components.
[0036] According to an eighth embodiment, it is provided that the beat frequency of at least one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components or a corresponding disturbance of the measuring system results from, for example, periodic (pressure) changes of a pressure established in the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer, for example static pressure, exhibiting a amplitude of more than 1 mbar.
[0037] According to a ninth embodiment, in the event of a disturbance of the measuring system, the signal amplitude and / or phase of at least the first measuring component oscillates periodically with a (beat) frequency that is more than 0.9 times the associated signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by more than 1 Hz from the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by less than 50 Hz from the associated signal frequency.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are also configured to determine the beat frequency based on the first measuring component, for example, to determine it and compare it with one or more (beat frequency) threshold values representing a disturbance of the measuring system, and / or the measuring system electronics are configured to digitize the at least one (first) sensor signal with a sampling rate corresponding to more than 5 times, for example more than 10 times, the signal frequency of the second useful component, for example, such that the first and second measuring components are digitized with the same sampling rate (corresponding to more than 5 times the signal frequency of the second useful component).In the event of a disturbance of the measuring system, the signal amplitude and phase of the second measured component may, for example, have a beat frequency that differs from the beat frequency of the first measured component, in particular also such that the beat frequency of the second measured component is smaller than the beat frequency of the first measured component and / or that the second measured component has no beat (fS2 = 0).
[0038] According to a tenth embodiment, the signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first or second measurement components is provided to fluctuate periodically at least temporarily with a (beat) frequency that is more than 0.9 times the associated signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by more than 1 Hz from the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by less than 50 Hz from the associated signal frequency.
[0039] According to an eleventh embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement at least temporarily simultaneously, for example, to provide the first and second useful components at least temporarily simultaneously or to feed them into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measuring components during this time.
[0040] According to a twelfth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to feed the first and second useful components intermittently, for example alternately, into the excitation arrangement, for example, namely to provide the first and second useful components intermittently or to feed them into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measuring components during this time.
[0041] According to a thirteenth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to provide at least one of the first and second useful components in a time-controlled manner or to feed them into the excitation arrangement. According to a fourteenth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to provide the second useful component based on an evaluation of the first measuring component or to feed it into the excitation arrangement.
[0042] According to a fifteenth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are set up to adjust the first useful component (of the driver signal) based on the first measured component (of the sensor signal), for example, to regulate it.
[0043] According to a sixteenth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to adjust the second useful component (of the driver signal) based on the second measured component (of the sensor signal), for example, to regulate it.
[0044] According to a seventeenth embodiment, it is provided that the excitation arrangement has at least one vibration exciter, for example an electrodynamic or piezoelectric one, and that the vibration exciter is configured to convert electrical (excitation) power fed into the excitation arrangement by means of the driver signal into forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position, (actively) exciting mechanical power.
[0045] According to an eighteenth embodiment, the sensor arrangement comprises at least one (first) vibration sensor, for example electrodynamic, piezoelectric, or optoelectric, and at least one (serving to generate a second sensor signal of the sensor arrangement), for example electrodynamic and / or identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or located remotely from the first vibration sensor, wherein the vibration sensor is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static equilibrium position and to convert them into the (first) sensor signal, such that the sensor signal represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, for example, a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element, and wherein the second vibration sensor is configured(Similarly to the first vibration sensor) mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position are detected and converted into the second sensor signal, such that the second sensor signal represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, for example, a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element. Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the second sensor signal includes, at least temporarily, for example, simultaneously with the first sensor signal, a first measurement component corresponding to the first useful component and, at least temporarily, for example, simultaneously with the first sensor signal, a second measurement component corresponding to the second useful component. Advantageously, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to use the first and second sensor signals to...For example, (digital) measured values for at least one measured quantity, such as the mass current, can be determined based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the first measured components of the first sensor signal and the signal phase of the first measured components of the second sensor signal, and / or based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the second measured components of the first sensor signal and the signal phase of the second measured components of the second sensor signal. In the event of a disturbance of the measuring system, the (phase) difference between the signal phases of the first measured components of the first and second sensor signals can also exhibit a beat, especially even if the (phase) difference between the signal phases of the second measured components of the first and second sensor signals does not exhibit a beat.
[0046] According to a nineteenth embodiment, the sensor arrangement comprises at least one (first) vibration sensor, for example an electrodynamic, piezoelectric, or optoelectric sensor, and the vibration sensor is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position and to convert them into the (first) sensor signal, such that the sensor signal represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, for example, a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element.
[0047] According to a twentieth embodiment, the sensor arrangement is configured to generate or provide a second sensor signal representing the measurement effect, for example, a velocity of oscillatory movements of the at least one vibration element, for example, in such a way that the second sensor signal has at least one signal parameter dependent on the measurement effect and / or in such a way that the same signal parameters of the first and second sensor signals are dependent on the measurement effect.
[0048] According to a twenty-first embodiment, it is provided that the at least one vibration element has or is formed with at least one (measuring) tube, for example, at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, such that the at least one (measuring) tube is arranged to be flowed through by the measured substance and vibrated during this process, and that the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by means of the at least one vibration exciter or the exciter arrangement formed therewith, or detected by means of the at least one vibration sensor or the sensor arrangement formed therewith, are at least partially bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the at least one vibration element has at least one further (measuring) tube, for example such that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibration element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to each other and / or arranged to be simultaneously flowed through by the medium being measured and vibrated (in opposite directions) during this process. The (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by the excitation arrangement or detected by the sensor arrangement can, for example, be at least partially (in opposite directions) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes.
[0049] According to a twenty-second embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to be controlled by (control) data received externally, containing one or more control commands, for example in such a way that the measuring system electronics feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of at least one control command contained in the (control) data.
[0050] According to a twenty-third embodiment, the measuring system electronics are designed to be controlled by (control) data received externally, containing one or more control commands, such that the measuring system electronics feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of at least one control command contained in the (control) data, for example, feeding the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and evaluating the first and second measuring components or examining them for beat frequency.
[0051] According to a twenty-fourth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to receive and evaluate (process) data generated externally (measuring system), for example, in such a way that the measuring system electronics feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement based on a (process state) message contained in the (process) data that signals an increased risk of a disturbance causing a beat frequency of the first and / or second measuring components.According to a twenty-fifth embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to receive and evaluate (process) data generated externally (measuring system), such that the measuring system electronics, based on a (process state) message contained in the (process) data signaling an increased risk of a disturbance causing a beat frequency of the first and / or second measuring components, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement, for example, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and evaluates the first and second measuring components or examines them for a beat frequency.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the (process state) message indicates that a measuring medium, for example with a predetermined and / or stationary (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow rate, is flowing through the measuring transducer, and / or that the (process state) message indicates that a pump connected to the measuring transducer, for example via a pipeline, is switched on, for example pumping measuring medium through the pipeline or the measuring transducer, and / or that the (process state) message indicates that, for example, at least temporarily periodic (pressure) changes of a (static) pressure (p1) may be or are established in the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer, and / or that the (process state) message indicates that the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer may be two-phase or multi-phase.is, and / or that the (process state) message indicates that foreign substances may be or are carried in the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer, and / or that the (process state) message indicates that the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer may be or is a dispersion.
[0052] According to a twenty-sixth embodiment, it is provided that the measuring system electronics or the measuring system formed therewith is connected, for example by means of a data line and / or by means of a radio connection, to a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) formed, for example by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PLC) and / or an edge (computing) device and / or a cloud (computing) system, for example by means of a signal and data connection to the higher-level electronic data processing system, for example in such a way that the measuring system electronics are set up to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system.Further developing this embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are also equipped to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system, for example by means of a data line and / or a radio connection, for example by sending (measuring and / or operating) data of the measuring system to the higher-level electronic data processing system and / or receiving (measuring system external) control data and / or process data from the higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) that are useful for controlling the measuring system electronics or the measuring system formed therewith.Advantageously, the measuring system electronics can also be configured (via data line and / or radio connection) to transmit measurement and / or operating data of the measuring system, for example (digital) measured values for at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling a fault in the measuring system, to the higher-level electronic data processing system and / or to receive and evaluate process and / or control data (containing digital control commands and / or process state messages signaling one or more process states) from the higher-level electronic data processing system, for example in such a way that the measuring system electronics feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement based on (process and / or control) data received from the higher-level electronic data processing system and evaluate the first and second measured components or check for beat frequency.
[0053] According to a twenty-seventh embodiment, the measuring system electronics are configured to output a signal indicating this, for example, an alarm, in the event of the detection of a beat frequency of at least one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components, for example, a beat frequency of exactly one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components, or a corresponding disturbance of the measuring system, for example, by sending a (warning) message to a higher-level electronic data processing system and / or together with an instruction to change a speed and / or a delivery rate of one or more (conveying) pumps connected to the line and / or a valve position of one or more valves inserted in the line.
[0054] According to a first further development of the invention, the measuring system further comprises: a display element connected to the measuring system electronics via a signal connection, for example, designed as a (combined) display and control element and / or having one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for (local) display of (measurement and / or operating) data of the measuring system, for example, (digital) measured values for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling a malfunction of the measuring system. In addition, the measuring system electronics can further be configured to transmit (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, (digital) measured values for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling malfunctions of the measuring system, to the display element.Alternatively or additionally, the display element can also be configured to display (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, measured values for the at least one measured quantity, numerically, for example, alphanumerically, and / or to display (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, one or more (warning) messages signaling a malfunction of the measuring system, in a color-coded manner. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the measuring system further comprises: a control element connected to the measuring system electronics via a signal connection, for example, designed as a (combined) display and control element, for (local) input of (control) data useful for controlling the measuring system and / or (configuration) data useful for (re)programming the measuring system electronics (20).Furthermore, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to receive (control) data entered via the operating element, for example, to execute control commands contained in the (control) data. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics can also be configured to execute one or more control commands entered via the operating element, for example, to feed the first and second user components into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measurement components or to examine them for beat frequencies.
[0055] The invention and advantageous embodiments thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Further advantageous embodiments or developments, in particular combinations of aspects of the invention initially described only individually, will also become apparent from Fig. 1 and / or from the claims themselves.
[0056] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a vibronic measuring system, designed for example as a (Coriolis) mass flow meter and / or as a volume flow meter and / or as a density meter and / or as a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured quantities, for example a density p, a viscosity rj, a mass flow m and / or a volume flow, of a (process) line L1 (connected to the measuring system), for example as a (pipe) line, in particular flowing at least temporarily and / or at least temporarily
[0057] Pressure oscillations (dpi / dt Ap1 / At ) with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar (millibar) of a fluid measuring substance, for example a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, are shown.
[0058] The measuring system comprises an electrical-to-physical-to-electrical transducer 10, housed, for example, in a (transducer) protective housing, which is designed or configured to be fluidically connected, for example, by means of a (standard) flange connection, namely by forming a flow channel for guiding the measured substance. This flow channel extends through an inlet-side first line segment of the (process) line L1, which is connected to the measuring transducer or the measuring system formed by it, through the measuring transducer, and further through an outlet-side second line segment of the (process) line L1, which is connected to the measuring transducer or the measuring system formed by it. In particular, the measuring transducer 10 is also designed to be at least temporarily subjected to flow by the measured substance, whereby the flow of the measured substance (through the measuring transducer or the measuring system formed by it) is controlled by a flow regulator.The resulting flow channel may, for example, also include the use of a (conveying) pump K1 connected to the (process) line and / or the opening of a valve V1 inserted into the (process) line.
[0059] The measuring transducer 10 has at least one, in particular tubular or plate-shaped, vibration element 111, an excitation arrangement coupled with the at least one vibration element 111 – formed, for example, by means of at least one (electrodynamic or piezoelectric) vibration exciter 41 and / or at least one electrical coil – and a sensor arrangement coupled with the at least one vibration element – formed, for example, by means of at least one (electrodynamic, optoelectronic or piezoelectric) vibration sensor 51.
[0060] The at least one vibration element 111 of the measuring transducer or of the measuring system formed therewith is in particular arranged to be contacted by the measured substance (during operation of the measuring system), in particular to be surrounded or through which the substance flows, and during this time to be vibrated (in order to effect a measuring effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity); this is done in such a way that the vibration element 111 performs at least partially useful vibrations, namely forced mechanical vibrations with at least one useful frequency (fN1 , fN2) (corresponding to an instantaneous resonance frequency fR1 of the measuring transducer 10 and / or not less than 50 Hz and / or not more than 5 kHz).
[0061] The excitation arrangement, in turn, is configured to convert the supplied electrical (excitation) power into mechanical (measuring) power that serves to effect the aforementioned measurement effect (of the at least one vibration element), in particular, non-electrical and / or non-forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element, and the sensor arrangement is configured to detect the aforementioned measurement effect (in the measured substance or in the vibration element), for example, mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element (dependent on the at least one measured quantity), and to convert it into a (first) sensor signal s1 representing the measurement effect, for example, vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element or their velocity; this is done in particular in such a way that the at least one sensor signal s1 contains at least one component of the measurement effect or the vibration element.the at least one measured quantity dependent signal parameter, for example a (signal) amplitude, a (signal) frequency and / or a (signal) phase angle. To generate the at least one sensor signal s1, the sensor arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention has at least one, in particular electrodynamic, piezoelectric or optoelectric, (first) vibration sensor 51, which is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element about a static rest position and to convert the (first) sensor signal s1 such that the sensor signal s1 represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, for example, a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor arrangement is further configured to measure the measurement effect, in particularnamely to generate or provide a second sensor signal s2 representing the velocity of the vibrational movements of at least one vibration element, for example, in such a way that the second sensor signal s2 has at least one signal parameter dependent on the measurement effect and / or in such a way that the same signal parameters of the first and second sensor signals depend on the measurement effect. To generate the second sensor signal, the sensor arrangement further comprises a second vibration sensor, for example, an electrodynamic sensor and / or one that is identical in construction to and / or located at a distance from the aforementioned first vibration sensor.Namely, the second vibration sensor 52 can, for example, be configured (in the same way as the aforementioned first vibration sensor) to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position and to convert them into the sensor signal s2, such that the sensor signal s2 represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, in particular a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element; this is done in particular in such a way that the sensor signal s2 (simultaneously with sensor signal s1) has a first measurement component corresponding to the first useful component and (simultaneously with the first sensor signal) a second measurement component corresponding to the second useful component.
[0062] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration element 111 has at least one (measuring) tube, in particular at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, or the at least one vibration element 111 is formed by means of the (measuring) tube, in particular such that the at least one (measuring) tube is arranged to be permeated by the medium being measured and to be vibrated during this time, and that the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by means of the at least one vibration exciter 41 or the exciter arrangement formed therewith or detected by means of the at least one vibration sensor or the sensor arrangement formed therewith are at least partially bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube.The at least one vibrating element can also have at least one further (measuring) tube, for example, such that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibrating element are connected (fluidically) in parallel and / or arranged to be simultaneously flowed through by the fluid and vibrated in opposite directions. The (useful) vibrations of the vibrating element excited by the exciter arrangement or detected by the sensor arrangement can then, for example, also be at least partially (opposite) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes.
[0063] To control the measuring transducer 10 and to process its one or more sensor signals, the measuring system further comprises measuring system electronics 20, which are electrically coupled to the measuring transducer 10 – for example, housed in an (electronic) protective enclosure – and in particular are electrically connected to both the excitation arrangement and the sensor arrangement and / or are formed by means of one or more microprocessors. The measuring system electronics 20 are, among other things, electrically connected to the excitation arrangement and are also configured to use, for example, at least one predefinable and / or an instantaneous (mechanical) resonance frequency fR of the at least one vibration element or sensor arrangement.to feed electrical (excitation) power into the excitation arrangement of the electrical driver signal e1, which has a signal frequency corresponding to the signal frequency and / or at least a predetermined signal amplitude of the measuring transducer 10 formed thereby; this is done in particular also in such a way that both the driver signal e1 (fed into the excitation arrangement) at least temporarily contains a first useful component e1 N1, namely a spectral signal component, in particular an (AC) current component, with a signal frequency and a signal amplitude corresponding to a predetermined ...namely, containing a signal frequency identical to the signal frequency of the first useful component. Advantageously, the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1 can correspond to a mechanical resonance frequency of a (symmetrical) first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibrating element, for example, a first-order (bending) vibration mode in which vibrational movements of the vibrating element around a static equilibrium position have only two nodes. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics 20 are further configured to adjust the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1 to a first (mechanical) resonance frequency fR1 of the measuring transducer.to maintain the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1 at the same resonance frequency fR1, for example, even in the event of a change in the resonance frequency fR1, such as due to a change in the density of the measured substance. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first useful component e1 N1 is specifically selected or set such that the signal amplitude and / or the signal phase of the (resulting) first measured component s1 N1 depends on the at least one measured quantity, for example, such that the first measured component s1 N1 has a (signal) phase angle that depends on a mass flow rate m of the measured substance. According to another embodiment of the invention, the excitation arrangement has at least one, in particular,electrodynamic or piezoelectric vibration exciter 41, which is designed to convert electrical (excitation) power fed into the excitation arrangement by means of the driver signal e1 into forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position, (actively) exciting mechanical power. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics 20 of the measuring system is further configured to generate the excitation signal e1 for feeding, for example, forced mechanical (bending) vibrations of the at least one vibration element 111 around a static rest position into the excitation arrangement, such that the at least one useful component e1 N1 (of the excitation signal) is dependent on, in particular also on a viscosity and / or a density of the measured substance (flowing through the flow channel), (instantaneous orThe first (bending) resonance frequency fR1 of the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed therewith corresponds to an (AC) frequency and a current intensity corresponding to a predetermined (target) oscillation amplitude. The resonance frequency fR1 or a corresponding target value for the (AC) frequency can, for example, lie in a (typical) frequency range between 50 Hz and 2000 Hz in the present measuring system. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one vibration element is again configured (excited by the excitation arrangement) to produce at least one (physical) measuring effect in the measured material, dependent on the at least one measured quantity and detectable by the sensor arrangement, and / or to force mechanical vibrations with at least one, for example, an instantaneous (first or second) resonance frequency of the at least one vibration element.to execute the operating frequency (fN1 , fN2) of the measuring transducer formed thereby, corresponding to and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 5 kHz (KiloHertz).
[0064] The measuring system electronics 20 of the measuring system according to the invention, as schematically shown in Fig. 1, are also electrically connected to the sensor arrangement and are furthermore configured to receive and evaluate the at least one (first) sensor signal s1, in particular to determine (digital) measured values XM for at least one measured quantity using the at least one (first) sensor signal s1, for example, based on a signal amplitude and / or phase of the first measuring components s1 N1. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics 20 are further configured to use the at least one sensor signal s1 to determine one or more values representing the mass flow of the flowing medium, in particular...to determine quantifying and / or digital (mass flow) measurements, for example, based on the (signal) phase angle of the first measurement component s1 N1 of the at least one (first) oscillation signal, and / or one or more (frequency) measurements representing the useful frequency fN1, in particular quantifying measurements. In the aforementioned case where the sensor arrangement also provides the sensor signal s2, the measuring system electronics 20 can advantageously be further configured to generate (digital) measured values XM for at least one measured quantity, in particular, using the first and second sensor signals, for example, based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the first measuring components s1 N1 of the sensor signal s1 and the signal phase of the first measuring components s2N1 of the sensor signal s2 and / or based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the second measuring components s1 N2 of the sensor signal s1 and the signal phase of the second measuring components s2N2 of the sensor signal s2.namely to determine the mass flow rate and / or the volume flow rate.
[0065] For the (on-site) display of (measurement and / or operating) data of the measuring system, for example, (digital) measured values XM for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling a malfunction of the measuring system, the measuring system can further comprise a display element HMI connected to the measuring system electronics via a signal connection, for example, comprising one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). According to a further embodiment of the invention, the display element HMI is configured, in particular, to display (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, measured values XM for the at least one measured quantity, numerically or alphanumerically and / or (measurement and / or operating) data, for example, also one or more (warning) messages signaling malfunctions of the measuring system, in a color-coded manner.Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system can also include a control element (HMI) connected to the measuring system electronics via signal technology, for example, also designed as a (combined) display and control element, for (on-site) input of (control) data useful for controlling the measuring system and / or (configuration) data useful for (re)programming the measuring system electronics. For example, the measuring system electronics can also be configured to receive (control) data entered via the control element, in particular to execute control commands contained in the (control) data. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics orthe measurement system thus formed, for example by means of a data line and / or by means of a radio connection, to a higher-level electronic system formed, for example by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PCS) and / or an edge (computing) device and / or a cloud (computing) system.
[0066] The electronics of the measuring system are connected to a data processing system (EDP), in particular, they are connected to the higher-level electronic data processing system via signal and data technology. Furthermore, the electronics of the measuring system can also be configured to communicate (via data line or radio link) with the higher-level electronic data processing system, for example, to send (measurement and / or operating) data from the measuring system to the higher-level electronic data processing system and / or to receive (external) control data and / or process data from the higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) that are useful for controlling the electronics of the measuring system 20 or the measuring system formed by it.
[0067] As already mentioned, various external disturbances can affect the measuring system during operation, which can significantly impair its measurement accuracy, not least the accuracy with which, for example, the aforementioned mass flow measurement values are determined; this is particularly true in that temporal (pressure) changes dpi / dt of a static pressure p1 (t) in the fluid flowing through the flow channel are caused, which are periodic at least temporarily, in particular for two or more oscillation periods of the aforementioned useful oscillations of the at least one vibrating element, and which also exhibit (for two or more oscillation periods) a (pressure oscillation) frequency fp1 that is a (positive) integer multiple M (MeN) of the useful frequency fN1, or the signal frequency of the first measurement component s1 N 1, in particular.namely, the useful frequency fN1 itself (M = 1) or a double of the useful frequency fN1 (M = 2) deviates by less than 10% of the useful frequency fN1, for example, by less than 1% (fp = M • fN), or lies close to the (positive) integer multiple M of the useful frequency fN1 or the signal frequency of the first measurement component. Such pressure changes or corresponding pressure oscillations can be caused, for example, by one or more pumps and / or valves integrated into the (process) line, for example, by changing the delivery rate of at least one of the pumps and / or the position of at least one of the valves, or as a result of associated changes in the acoustic (flow) impedance of the (process) line.Alternatively or additionally, such pressure changes can also be caused by one or more further vibronic measuring systems (of the same type or construction as the measuring system) integrated into the (process) line and / or by standing (sound) waves established within the flowing medium, for example, in such a way that the aforementioned standing wave is formed at least partially within the partial volume of the medium guided in the transducer. Furthermore, the amplitude of the aforementioned pressure oscillations can easily exceed 1 mbar (millibar), in particular more than 10 mbar.
[0068] As a result of such disturbances caused by pressure fluctuations, the following can occur in the
[0069] The sensor signal s1, possibly in both the sensor signal s1 and the sensor signal s2, may contain a disturbance component dependent on the pressure or its pressure oscillations (essentially the same frequency as the useful frequency fN1), such that, as a result – namely, as a result of a superposition of the aforementioned pressure oscillations with the (useful) oscillation of the at least one vibration element or the corresponding oscillations of the moving measured substance – the first measured component exhibits an (impure) beat frequency, for example, an at least temporarily periodic signal waveform with at least temporarily (low-frequency) periodically increasing and decreasing (signal) amplitude, or such a beat frequency can be determined for the first measured component; this may also be the case, for example, that the signal amplitude and / or phase (of the first measured component) orThe aforementioned (phase) difference between the signal phases of the first measurement components of the first and second sensor signals fluctuates periodically at least temporarily with a (beat) frequency fS1 that is more than 0.9 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or deviates by more than 1 Hz from the corresponding signal frequency and / or deviates by less than 50 Hz from the corresponding signal frequency. The aforementioned (beat) frequency fS1 can, for example, be defined as the magnitude of a (frequency) difference between the useful frequency fN 1 and the (pressure oscillation) frequency fp1 (fS 1 = | fN 1 - fp1 |) orcorrespond to twice the frequency with which an amplitude of a superposition oscillation (envelope) resulting from the aforementioned superposition is modulated.
[0070] As a result of such beat frequency, measured values determined by the measuring system electronics based on the at least one sensor signal may exhibit an increased or unacceptably high measurement error, for example, also in the case of an in-situ (re-)calibration of the measuring system, such as for the purpose of adjusting a zero point of the mass flow measurement realized by the measuring system. In order to be able to detect such disturbances (Err) of the measuring system (attributable to pressure changes or pressure oscillations of the aforementioned type) or, if necessary, to detect them as promptly as possible and take them into account accordingly, the measuring system electronics of the measuring system according to the invention are further configured to at least temporarily combine the driver signal e1 with a second useful component e1 N2 (different from the first useful component e1 N1), namely a spectral signal component with a predetermined frequency (different from the signal frequency fN1 of the first useful component e1 N1), in particular...to feed into the excitation arrangement a signal frequency fN2, adjustable during operation, and a predetermined signal amplitude corresponding to the signal amplitude of the first useful component (the driver signal), in particular an adjustable during operation and / or not less than 0.5 times and / or not more than 1.5 times the signal amplitude of the first useful component (the driver signal), such that the signal frequency fN2 of the second useful component e1 N2 deviates from the signal frequency fN1 of the first useful component e1 N1 by a non-integer multiple of the same signal frequency (of the first useful component e1 N1) that is greater than one, and that the at least one sensor signal contains a second measurement component during this time, namely a spectral signal component with a signal frequency corresponding to the signal frequency of the second useful component; this can also be done, for example, in such a way that the signal amplitude and / or the signal phase of at least the second measurement component s1 N2 depends on the at least one measured quantity.Advantageously, the first and second measurement components (of the driver signal e1) can also be selected or set such that, as a result, the signal amplitude and / or the signal phase of both the first and second measurement components depend on the at least one measured quantity. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measurement system electronics are further configured to digitize the at least one (first) sensor signal s1 with a sampling rate more than five times, in particular more than ten times, the signal frequency fN2 of the second measurement component e1N2, for example, also such that the first and second measurement components are digitized with the same sampling rate (more than five times the signal frequency of the second measurement component).
[0071] The at least one sensor signal s1 can exhibit significant fluctuations, at least temporarily, particularly in the case of a disturbance of the measuring system by pressure changes or pressure oscillations of the aforementioned type, such that the signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first or second measuring components with a (beat) frequency fS1 that is more than 0.9 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or deviates from the corresponding signal frequency by more than 1 Hz and / or less than 50 Hz from the corresponding signal frequency, or that is periodically fluctuating by more than 0.000001 times the corresponding signal amplitude or phase and / or less than 0.00001 times the corresponding signal amplitude or phase; this is especially true if...This can also occur in such a way that, in the event of such a disturbance of the measuring system, the signal amplitude and / or phase of the second measured component exhibits a beat frequency fS2 that differs from the beat frequency fS1 of the first measured component, or the signal amplitude of the first measured component is modulated (with the beat frequency fS1) (amplitude modulation of the first measured component). For example, the beat frequency fS2 of the second measured component can be 10 Hz or more, in particular more than 100 Hz, lower than the beat frequency fS1 of the first measured component, and in particular, it can also be zero (fS2 = 0) even if the second measured component has no beat. In the aforementioned case where the sensor arrangement also provides the sensor signal s2, the first and / or second measured components of the same sensor signal s2 can also exhibit such beat frequencies.
[0072] To detect disturbances of the aforementioned type, possibly also during (re-)calibration of the measuring system on site, the measuring system electronics 20 of the measuring system according to the invention is accordingly further configured to detect a disturbance Err of the measuring system using the at least one sensor signal s1, in particular on the basis of its first and second measuring components, if one of the first and second measuring components exhibits, for example, one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components, at least temporarily a beat frequency, in particular an impure beat frequency characterized by the superposition of oscillations with only a few different (oscillation) frequencies, but nevertheless significant differing (oscillation) amplitudes, or if such a beat frequency (for the same measuring component) has been determined; this is done in particular in the manner or as follows:In the event that the signal amplitude and / or phase (of the first or second measured component) fluctuates periodically at least temporarily with a (beat) frequency fS1 that is more than 0.9 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the corresponding signal frequency and / or deviates from the corresponding signal frequency by more than 1 Hz and / or less than 50 Hz from the corresponding signal frequency, or by more than 0.000001 times the corresponding signal amplitude or phase. The beat frequency of at least one of the first and second measured components, or the corresponding disturbance of the measuring system, can, as already indicated, result in particular from the aforementioned periodic (pressure) changes of the (static) pressure p1 established in the measuring fluid flowing through the transducer.Furthermore, the measurement system electronics 20 can accordingly be configured, for example, to determine the (current) beat frequency fS1 based on the first measurement component and / or the (current) second beat frequency fS2 based on the second measurement component, for example, in order to subsequently compare the first beat frequency fS1 or second beat frequency fS2 with one or more corresponding (beat frequency) threshold values representing a disturbance of the measurement system. A beat of the aforementioned type can be determined, for example, based on a spectral analysis, in particular by means of a (fast) discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and / or a short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and / or by means of (digital) signal filters adjusted for the at least one sensor signal based on the signal frequencies of the first and second useful components.Furthermore, the (pressure oscillation) frequency fp1 can also be calculated based on the determined (beat) frequency fS1 and the associated useful frequency fN1. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are configured to detect the disturbance of the measuring system if (exactly) one of the first and second measuring components, for example, (exactly) one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measuring components, exhibits an (impure) beat, at least temporarily, for example, during a defined observation or test period associated with the disturbance.If the signal amplitude and / or phase of the first and second measurement components (during the aforementioned test period) exhibit beat frequencies that differ from each other, for example by more than 10 Hz, or such that (during the test period) exactly one of the first and second measurement components exhibits no beat frequency or the signal amplitude and / or phase of exactly one of the first and second measurement components exhibits a beat frequency of zero. Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system electronics can be configured to detect the disturbance of the measurement system if (exactly) one of the first and second measurement components, for example, (exactly) one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measurement components, exhibits a beat frequency that is at least temporarily, e.g.during the aforementioned test period, exhibits an (impure) beat frequency, and if the other of the first and second measurement components, for example, the signal amplitude and / or phase of the other of the first and second measurement components, exhibits a lower beat frequency or no beat frequency (during the test period). To signal the aforementioned beat frequency or an associated disturbance of the measurement system accordingly, the measurement system electronics can advantageously be further configured to output at least one corresponding (warning) message XERR, for example, also declared as an alarm, if (based on the aforementioned evaluation of the at least one sensor signal s1) an impairment of the measurement accuracy of the measurement system classified as impermissible is determined, and / or the measurement system electronics 20 can be configured to transmit the at least one (warning) message to the aforementioned display element HMI for local display.
[0073] In order to enable or carry out measurements of the measured quantity even in the presence of the aforementioned disturbance, the measuring system electronics, according to a further embodiment of the invention, are configured, in the event of a detected disturbance of the measuring system, to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity based on that of the first and second measuring components which has a lower beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components, for example, a beat frequency (fS2 = 0) of zero, i.e., which has no beat, and / or to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity not based on that of the first and second measuring components which has the beat or which has a higher beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components.Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured, in the event of a detected disturbance Err of the measuring system, to (continue to) feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component (of the at least one sensor signal generated thereby) has no or only a comparatively minor beat frequency, and / or not (any longer) feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component (of the at least one sensor signal s1 generated thereby) has the beat frequency.
[0074] Particularly in the aforementioned case where the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1 corresponds to a first resonant frequency fR1 of the measuring transducer, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the signal frequency of the second useful component e1 N2 is specifically selected or set such that it corresponds to a (second) resonant frequency fR2 of the at least one vibrating element or of the measuring transducer formed therewith, which differs from the aforementioned first resonant frequency fR1. Alternatively or additionally, the signal frequency of the second useful component e1 N2 can advantageously also be selected or set such that it is not less than 1.1 times the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1 and / or not more than 7.9 times the signal frequency of the first useful component e1 N1.Not least for the aforementioned case where the measuring system electronics 20 are configured to set or maintain the signal frequency of the first useful component to a first (mechanical) resonance frequency fR1 of the measuring transducer, the measuring system electronics are further configured according to a further embodiment of the invention to set the signal frequency of the second useful component to a second (mechanical) resonance frequency fR2 of the measuring transducer that differs from the aforementioned (at least temporarily excited) first resonance frequency fR1.to keep the signal frequency of the second useful component set to the same resonance frequency fR2; for example, also in the event of a change in the resonance frequency fR2, such as due to a change in the density of the measured material, to adjust the signal frequency of the second useful component accordingly; in particular also in such a way that the signal frequency of the first useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a (symmetrical) first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibrating element and the signal frequency of the second useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a (symmetrical) second mechanical (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibrating element, different from the first (bending) vibration mode, for example, a third-order (bending) vibration mode in which vibrational movements of the vibrating element around a static equilibrium position have exactly four nodes.
[0075] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics are configured to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement at least temporarily simultaneously, in particular to provide or feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement at least temporarily simultaneously and to evaluate the first and second measured components during this time. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement intermittently, for example, also alternately, in particular to provide or feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement intermittently and to evaluate the first and second measured components during this time. Furthermore, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured to provide the first useful component (of the driver signal), in particular...whose frequency and / or amplitude, based on the first measurement component (of the sensor signal) and / or the second useful component (of the driver signal), in particular their frequency and / or amplitude, based on the first and / or second measurement component (of the sensor signal), for example, to adjust based on the first measurement component and / or to regulate based on the second measurement component.
[0076] The aforementioned feeding of the first useful components e1 N1 and / or the second useful components e1 N2 can advantageously be controlled by time and / or (process) events and / or activated by means of externally transmitted control commands. Accordingly, the measuring system electronics 20, according to a further embodiment of the invention, is configured to provide at least one of the first and second useful components in a time-controlled manner or to feed them into the excitation arrangement, and / or to provide the second useful component e1 N2 based on an evaluation of the first measuring component s1 N1 or to feed it into the excitation arrangement.For this purpose, the measuring system electronics 20 can advantageously also be configured to be controlled by (control) data received externally, containing one or more control commands, for example in such a way that the measuring system electronics 20 feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of at least one control command contained in the (control) data, or feeds both the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and also evaluates the first and second measuring components or examines them for a beat frequency.Alternatively or additionally, the measuring system electronics 20 can also be configured to receive and evaluate (process) data generated externally, for example, such that the measuring system electronics 20, based on a (process state) message contained in the (process) data signaling an increased risk of a disturbance Err causing a beat frequency in the first and / or second measured components, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement, in particular, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and evaluates the first and second measured components or checks for a beat frequency. The aforementioned (process state) message can, for example, indicate that a medium, especially with a predefined and / or steady-state (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow rate, is flowing through the measuring transducer. Alternatively or additionally, the (process status) message can also indicate that a, in particular,via pipeline, the pump connected to the measuring transducer is switched on, in particular pumping the measured substance through the pipeline or the measuring transducer, and / or that in the measured substance flowing through the measuring transducer, in particular at least temporarily periodic (pressure) changes of a (static) pressure p1 may be or are established, and / or that the measured substance flowing through the measuring transducer may be or is two-phase or multi-phase, and / or that the measured substance flowing through the measuring transducer may be a dispersion, in particular because foreign substances are carried in the measured substance flowing through the measuring transducer. The aforementioned (process state) message can also indicate, for example, during an in-situ (re-)calibration of the measuring system, that the fluid being measured is (currently) not flowing, thus exhibiting a (reference) mass flow rate of zero, or that the aforementioned pump is not switched on and / or that the aforementioned valve is closed.Particularly in the aforementioned case where the measuring system electronics are configured to receive and evaluate (process and / or control) data from the higher-level electronic data processing system, the measuring system electronics can advantageously also be configured, for example, to receive the (process status) message from the higher-level electronic data processing system, or to feed the first and second user components into the excitation arrangement based on (process and / or control) data received from the higher-level electronic data processing system, and to evaluate the first and second measuring components accordingly based on (process and / or control) data received from the higher-level electronic data processing system, or to examine them for beat frequency. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring system electronics 20 are also configured, in the event of the detection of a beat frequency, to...In the event of a corresponding fault (Err) in the measuring system, a warning message (XERR) signaling this fault is sent to the higher-level electronic data processing system, for example, together with an instruction to change (in order to reduce or eliminate the fault) the temperature of the measured medium, for example by at least 0.5 K (Kelvin), and / or the speed or delivery rate of one or more (conveying) pumps (K1) connected to the line, and / or the valve position of one or more valves (V1) installed in the line. In the aforementioned case, where the measuring system has an operating or display element, the measuring system electronics 20 can advantageously also be configured to execute one or more control commands entered via the operating element, in particular (based on this) to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measured components.to investigate for a beat frequency.
Claims
1. PATENT CLAIMS 1. A vibronic measuring system, in particular a (Coriolis) mass flow meter and / or a volume flow meter and / or a density meter and / or a viscosity meter, for measuring one or more measured quantities, in particular a density, a viscosity, a mass flow and / or a volume flow, of a fluid medium, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, which is carried in a (connected to it), in particular a (pipe) line, in particular a process line, in particular flowing and / or exhibiting at least temporary pressure oscillations with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar (millibar), and which measuring system comprises: - an electrical-to-physical-to-electrical transducer (10) that can be connected (fluidically) to the (process) line, in particular by means of a flange connection, or inserted into the course of the (process) line - with at least one, in particular tubular or plate-shaped, vibrating element (111), - an excitation arrangement formed in particular by means of at least one (electrodynamic or piezoelectric) vibration exciter (41) and / or at least one electrical coil, coupled to the at least one vibration element - and with a sensor arrangement coupled to the at least one vibration element, in particular by means of at least one (electrodynamic, opto-electronic or piezo-electric) vibration sensor (51); - as well as measuring system electronics (20) electrically coupled to the measuring transducer (10), in particular electrically connected to both the excitation arrangement and the sensor arrangement and / or formed by means of one or more microprocessors; - wherein the at least one vibration element (111) is arranged to be contacted by the measured substance (during operation of the measuring system), in particular by flowing around or through it, and during this time to be vibrated (to effect a measuring effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity), in particular by performing at least partially forced mechanical vibrations with at least one useful frequency (corresponding to an instantaneous resonance frequency of the measuring transducer (10) and / or not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 5 kHz); - wherein the excitation arrangement is configured to convert the supplied electrical (excitation) power into mechanical (measuring) power that is useful for producing a measurement effect dependent on the at least one measured quantity (of the at least one vibration element), in particular non-electrical and / or non-forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element; - and wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to detect a measurement effect (in the measured material or in the vibration element) that depends on the at least one measured quantity, in particular (measured quantity dependent) mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, and to convert it into a (first) sensor signal (s1) representing the measurement effect, in particular a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element, in particular such that the at least one sensor signal (s1) has at least one signal parameter that depends on the measurement effect; - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are electrically connected to the excitation arrangement and configured to supply electrical (excitation) power to the excitation arrangement by means of an electrical driver signal (e1) having, in particular, at least one predefinable and / or an instantaneous (mechanical) resonance frequency fR of the at least one vibration element or of the measuring transducer (10) formed therewith, corresponding to at least one predefinable and / or an instantaneous (mechanical) resonance frequency fR of the at least one vibration element or of the measuring transducer (10) formed therewith, such that - that both the driver signal (e1) (injected into the excitation arrangement) at least temporarily contains a first useful component (e1 N1), namely a spectral signal component with - a signal frequency corresponding to a predetermined, in particular adjustable during operation and / or a (first) resonant frequency fR 1 of the measuring transducer - and a predefined signal amplitude, which can be adjusted during operation. - as well as the at least one sensor signal (s1) during which a first measurement component (s1 N 1 ), namely a spectral signal component with a signal frequency fN1 corresponding to the signal frequency of the first useful component (the driver signal), in particular identical to the signal frequency of the first useful component, - and that both the driver signal (e1) (injected into the excitation arrangement) at least temporarily contains a second useful component (e1 N2) (different from its first useful component), namely a spectral signal component with a predetermined signal frequency that deviates from the signal frequency of the first useful component by more than one, but not by an integer multiple, and is adjustable in operation, and / or is not less than 1.1 times the signal frequency (of the first useful component), and / or is not more than 7.9 times the signal frequency (of the first useful component), and / or corresponds to a (second) resonance frequency fR2 of the at least one vibration element or the measuring transducer formed therewith, and a predetermined signal amplitude that is adjustable in operation, and / or is not less than 0.5 times and / or not more than 1.5 times the signal amplitude of the first useful component (the driver signal). - as well as the at least one (first) sensor signal (s1) containing a second measurement component (s1 N2), namely a spectral signal component with a signal frequency fN2 corresponding to the signal frequency of the second useful component, - wherein a signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first and second measurement components, in particular the signal amplitude and / or the signal phase of both the first measurement component and the second measurement component, on which at least one measurement quantity depends; - and wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is electrically connected to the sensor arrangement and configured to receive and evaluate at least one (first) sensor signal (s1), namely - to determine (digital) measured values for at least one measured quantity using at least one (first) sensor signal (s1), in particular based on a signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first and second measurement components - as well as using the at least one (first) sensor signal (s1), in particular based on its first and second measurement components, to detect a disturbance of the measurement system if one of the first and second measurement components, in particular one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measurement components, exhibits a beat, in particular an impure beat, at least temporarily, or if such a beat is determined, in particular in such a way that the signal amplitude and / or phase (of the first or second measurement component) is at least temporarily more than 0.9 times the associated signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the associated signal frequency and / or deviates from the associated signal frequency by more than 1 Hz and / or less than 50 Hz from the associated signal frequency (beat) frequency fS1 by more than 0.000001 times the same signal amplitude or-phase and / or fluctuates periodically by less than 0.00001 times the same signal amplitude or phase.
2. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one vibration element is arranged (excited by the excitation arrangement) to produce at least one (physical) measuring effect in the measured substance which depends on the at least one measured quantity and can be detected by the sensor arrangement; and / or - wherein the at least one vibration element is arranged to perform (excited by the excitation arrangement) forced mechanical vibrations with at least one, in particular an instantaneous resonance frequency fR of the at least one vibration element or of the measuring transducer (10) formed therewith corresponding and / or a useful frequency of not less than 50 Hz (Hertz) and / or not more than 5 kHz (KiloHertz).
3. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to set or maintain the signal frequency of the first useful component to a first (mechanical) resonance frequency fR1 of the measuring transducer, - and wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to adjust or maintain the signal frequency of the second useful component to a second (mechanical) resonance frequency fR2 of the measuring transducer which differs from the first resonance frequency fR 1, in particular such that the signal frequency of the first useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element and the signal frequency of the second useful component corresponds to a resonance frequency of a second mechanical (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element which differs from the first (bending) vibration mode.
4. Measuring system according to claim 3, - wherein the signal frequency of the first useful component corresponds to a mechanical resonance frequency of a first (bending) vibration mode inherent in the at least one vibration element, in particular a first-order (bending) vibration mode in which vibrational movements of the vibration element (111) about a static equilibrium position have only two vibration nodes; - and wherein the signal frequency of the second useful component corresponds to a mechanical resonance frequency of a second (bending) mode of vibration inherent in the at least one vibration element, different from the first (bending) mode of vibration, in particular a third-order (bending) mode of vibration, in which vibrational movements of the vibration element (111) about a static equilibrium position have exactly four nodes of vibration.
5. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to detect the disturbance of the measuring system using the first and second measuring components.
6. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured, - to detect the disturbance of the measuring system if (exactly) one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measuring components exhibits at least a temporary (impure) beat frequency, - and / or to detect the disturbance of the measuring system if the signal amplitude and / or phase of the first and second measuring components differ from each other, especially by more than 10 Hz, in particular such that exactly one of the first and second measuring components has no beat frequency or the signal amplitude and / or phase of exactly one of the first and second measuring components has a beat frequency of zero.
7. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to detect the disturbance of the measuring system, - if (exactly) one of the first and second measurement components, in particular one of the signal amplitudes and / or (exactly) one of the signal phases of the first and second measurement components, exhibits at least a temporary (impure) beat frequency, - and if the signal amplitude and / or phase of the other first and second measurement components exhibits a lower beat frequency or no beat frequency in comparison.
8. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured, in the event of a detected disturbance of the measuring system, to (continue to) feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component does not exhibit a beat frequency, and / or to no longer feed into the excitation arrangement those of the first and second useful components whose associated measuring component exhibits a beat frequency; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured, in the event of a detected disturbance of the measuring system, to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity based on that of the first and second measuring components which has a smaller beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components, in particular which has no beat (fS2 = 0), and / or not to determine measured values for the at least one measured quantity based on that of the first and second measuring components which has the beat or which has a larger beat frequency than the other first and second measuring components.
9. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the beat frequency of at least one of the first and second measuring components or a corresponding disturbance of the measuring system results from, in particular, periodic (pressure) changes of a pressure established in the measuring medium flowing through the measuring transducer, in particular static pressure, exhibiting a amplitude of more than 1 mbar.
10. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal amplitude and / or phase of at least one of the first or second measuring components fluctuates periodically at least temporarily with a (beat) frequency fS1 that is more than 0.9 times the associated signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by more than 1 Hz from the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by less than 50 Hz from the associated signal frequency.
11. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the event of a disturbance of the measuring system the signal amplitude and / or phase of at least the first measuring component fluctuates periodically with a (beat) frequency fS1 that is more than 0.9 times the associated signal frequency and / or less than 1.1 times the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by more than 1 Hz from the associated signal frequency and / or deviates by less than 50 Hz from the associated signal frequency.
12. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to determine the beat frequency fS 1 based on the first measuring component, in particular to determine it and to compare it with one or more (beat frequency) threshold values representing a disturbance of the measuring system; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to digitize the at least one (first) sensor signal with a sampling rate more than 5 times, in particular more than 10 times, the signal frequency of the second useful component, in particular such that the first and second measuring components are digitized with the same sampling rate (more than 5 times the signal frequency of the second useful component); and / or - wherein, in the event of a disturbance of the measuring system, the signal amplitude and phase of the second measuring component exhibits a beat frequency fS2 that differs from the beat frequency fS1 of the first measuring component, in particular such that the beat frequency fS2 of the second measuring component is smaller than the beat frequency fS1 of the first measuring component and / or that the second measuring component exhibits no beat (fS2 = 0).
13. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement at least temporarily simultaneously, in particular to provide the first and second useful components at least temporarily simultaneously or to feed them into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measuring components during this time; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to intermittently, in particular alternately, feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement, in particular to intermittently provide or feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and during this time evaluate the first and second measuring components; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to provide at least one of the first and second useful components in a time-controlled manner or to feed them into the excitation arrangement; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to provide the second useful component based on an evaluation of the first measuring component or to feed it into the excitation arrangement; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) are configured to adjust the first useful component (of the driver signal) based on the first measured component (of the sensor signal), in particular to regulate it; and / or - wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to adjust the second useful component (of the driver signal) based on the second measured component (of the sensor signal), in particular to regulate it.
14. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the excitation arrangement comprises at least one, in particular electrodynamic or piezoelectric, vibration exciter (41); - and wherein the vibration exciter (41) is configured to convert electrical (excitation) power fed into the excitation arrangement by means of the driver signal (e1) into forced mechanical (useful) vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position, (actively) exciting mechanical power.
15. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one, in particular electrodynamic or piezoelectric or optoelectric, (first) vibration sensor (51); - and wherein the vibration sensor (51) is configured to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element about a static rest position and to convert them into the (first) sensor signal (s1) such that sensor signal (s1) represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, in particular a velocity of vibration movements of the at least one vibration element.
16. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to generate or provide a second sensor signal (s2) representing the measuring effect, in particular a velocity of oscillatory movements of the at least one vibration element, in particular such that the second sensor signal (s2) has at least one signal parameter dependent on the measuring effect and / or such that the same signal parameters of the first and second sensor signals are dependent on the measuring effect.
17. Measuring system according to claims 15 and 16, - wherein the sensor arrangement includes at least one second vibration sensor which serves to generate the second sensor signal, in particular an electrodynamic and / or identical in construction to the first vibration sensor and / or located away from the first vibration sensor; - and wherein the second vibration sensor (52) is configured (in the same way as the first vibration sensor) to detect mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element around a static rest position and to convert them into the second sensor signal (s2) such that the second sensor signal (s2) represents mechanical vibrations of the at least one vibration element, in particular a velocity of vibrational movements of the at least one vibration element.
18. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the second sensor signal comprises, at least temporarily, in particular simultaneously with the first sensor signal, a first measuring component corresponding to the first useful component and, at least temporarily, in particular simultaneously with the first sensor signal, a second measuring component corresponding to the second useful component.
19. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to determine (digital) measured values for at least one measured quantity, in particular the mass current, using the first and second sensor signals (s1 , s2), in particular based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the first measured components of the first sensor signal and the signal phase of the first measured components of the second sensor signal and / or based on a (phase) difference between the signal phase of the second measured components of the first sensor signal and the signal phase of the second measured components of the second sensor signal.
20. Measuring system according to the previous claim, wherein (in the event of a disturbance of the measuring system) the (phase) difference between the signal phases of the first measuring components of the first and second sensor signals exhibits a beat, in particular namely the (phase) difference between the signal phases of the second measuring components of the first and second sensor signals does not exhibit a beat.
21. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the at least one vibrating element has or is formed with at least one (measuring) tube, in particular at least partially straight and / or at least partially curved, in particular such that the at least one (measuring) tube is arranged to be flowed through by the medium being measured and to be vibrated during this time, - and wherein the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by means of the at least one vibration exciter or the exciter arrangement formed therewith or detected by means of the at least one vibration sensor or the sensor arrangement formed therewith are at least partially bending vibrations of the at least one (measuring) tube.
22. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one vibrating element has at least one further (measuring) tube, in particular such that the (identical) at least two (measuring) tubes of the vibrating element are connected (fluidically) in parallel to each other and / or arranged to be simultaneously flowed through by the measuring substance and vibrated (in opposite directions) during this time.
23. Measuring system according to the previous claim, wherein the (useful) vibrations of the vibration element excited by means of the exciter arrangement or detected by means of the sensor arrangement are at least partially (opposing) bending vibrations of the at least two (measuring) tubes.
24. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to be controlled by (control) data received externally, containing one or more control commands, in particular such that the measuring system electronics (20) feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of at least one control command contained in the (control) data.
25. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to be controlled by (control) data received externally, containing one or more control commands, such that the measuring system electronics (20) feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of at least one control command contained in the (control) data, in particular, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and evaluates the first and second measuring components or examines them for beat frequency.
26. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to receive and evaluate (process) data generated by the (external) measuring system, in particular such that the measuring system electronics (20) feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement based on a (process state) message contained in the (process) data that signals an increased risk of a disturbance causing a beat frequency of the first and / or second measuring components.
27. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to receive and evaluate (process) data generated by (external) measuring system, such that the measuring system electronics (20) feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement based on a (process state) message contained in the (process) data that signals an increased risk of a disturbance causing a beat frequency of the first and / or second measuring components, in particular, feeds the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and evaluates the first and second measuring components or examines them for a beat frequency.
28. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, - where the (process state) message indicates that a medium, in particular with a predetermined and / or steady-state (reference) volume and / or (reference) mass flow rate, is flowing through the transducer; and / or - where the (process status) message indicates that a pump connected to the measuring transducer, in particular via a pipeline, is switched on, in particular pumping the measuring fluid through the pipeline or the measuring transducer; and / or - where the (process state) message indicates that in the medium flowing through the transducer, at least periodic (pressure) changes of a (static) pressure (p1) may be or are established; and / or - where the (process state) message indicates that the medium flowing through the transducer may be or is two-phase or multi-phase; and / or - where the (process state) message indicates that foreign substances may be or are present in the medium flowing through the transducer; and / or - where the (process state) message indicates that the medium flowing through the transducer may be or is a dispersion.
29. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics or the measuring system formed therewith is connected, in particular by means of a data line and / or by means of a radio connection, to a higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) formed, in particular by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a process control system (PCS) and / or an edge (computing) device and / or a cloud (computing) system, in particular being connected to the higher-level electronic data processing system in terms of signal and data technology, in particular in such a way that the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system.
30. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured, in particular by means of a data line and / or by means of a radio connection, to communicate with the higher-level electronic data processing system, in particular namely to send (measurement and / or operating) data of the measuring system to the higher-level electronic data processing system and / or to receive (measurement system external) control data and / or process data from the higher-level electronic data processing system (EDP) that are useful for controlling the measuring system electronics (20) or the measuring system formed therewith.
31. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured, in particular by means of a data line and / or a radio connection, to transmit (measurement and / or operating) data of the measuring system, in particular (digital) measured values for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling a fault of the measuring system, to the higher-level electronic data processing system and / or, in particular, to receive and evaluate (process and / or control) data from the higher-level electronic data processing system, in particular such that the measuring system electronics feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of (process and / or control) data received from the higher-level electronic data processing system and evaluate the first and second measuring components.examined for a beat frequency.
32. Measuring system according to one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the measuring system electronics are configured to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement on the basis of (process and / or control) data received from the higher-level electronic data processing system and to evaluate the first and second measuring components or to examine them for beat frequency.
33. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to output a signal indicating this, in particular declared as an alarm, in the event of the detection of a beat frequency of at least one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components, in particular a beat frequency of exactly one of the signal amplitudes and / or phases of the first and second measuring components, or a corresponding disturbance of the measuring system, in particular to send a (warning) message indicating this, in particular to send it to a higher-level electronic data processing system and / or together with an instruction to change a speed and / or a delivery rate of one or more (delivery) pumps connected to the line and / or a valve position of one or more valves inserted in the line.
34. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a display element connected to the measuring system electronics (20) via a signal connection, in particular designed as a (combined) display and control element and / or having one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for (local) display of (measurement and / or operating) data of the measuring system, in particular (digital) measured values for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more (warning) messages signaling a fault of the measuring system.
35. Measuring system according to the previous claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to transmit (measuring and / or operating costs, in particular (digital) measured values for the at least one measured quantity and / or one or more disturbances of the measuring system signaling (warning) messages to the display element.
36. Measuring system according to the preceding claim, - wherein the display element is configured to display (measurement and / or operational) data, in particular measured values for at least one measured quantity, numerically, in particular aalphanumerically; and / or - wherein the display element is set up to display (measurement and / or operating) data, in particular one or more (warning) messages signaling a fault in the measuring system, in color coded form.
37. Measuring system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a control element connected to the measuring system electronics (20) via a signal system, in particular designed as a (combined) display and control element, for (local) input of (control) data useful for controlling the measuring system and / or (configuration) data useful for (re-)programming the measuring system electronics (20).
38. Measuring system according to the previous claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to receive (control) data entered via operating element, in particular to execute control commands contained in the (control) data.
39. Measuring system according to the previous claim, wherein the measuring system electronics (20) is configured to execute one or more control commands entered via the operating element, in particular to feed the first and second useful components into the excitation arrangement and to evaluate the first and second measuring components or to examine them for beat frequency.
40. Using a measuring system according to one of the preceding claims for measuring one or more measured quantities, in particular a density, a viscosity, a mass flow rate and / or a volume flow rate, of a fluid medium, in particular a gas, a liquid or a dispersion, which is carried in a (connected to it), in particular a (pipe) line, in particular a (process) line, in particular a flowing and / or which exhibits pressure oscillations with a amplitude of more than 1 mbar at least temporarily.
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