Probe comprising a sensor device for measuring turbidity of wastewater
The sensor device with a transparent sapphire glass section and bayonet coupling addresses aperture obstruction issues, enabling efficient turbidity measurement in wastewater probes, reducing maintenance and costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHEMITEC SRL
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062411_11062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] PROBE COMPRISING A SENSOR DEVICE FOR MEASURING TURBIDITY OF WASTEWATER * * *
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of probes for measuring the quality of wastewater and, in particular, to the field of probes for measuring its turbidity.
[0003] The currently on the market probes for measuring the turbidity of wastewater (see Figures 1 to 3, illustrating probes of the prior art) comprise a cylindrical body A, having one end B for connection to a support and the other end C that is free and closed by a base D. At said end C, in the cylindrical body A, a photoemitter and a pair of photoreceivers are housed. The photoemitter is configured to emit, in a way that is known in the art, through a special aperture E in the base D of the cylindrical body, an infrared beam of light outside the probe, into the wastewater wherein the probe is immersed, in use. The photoreceivers are configured to receive, in a way known in the art, such an infrared light beam that is "scattered" by the particles in suspension in the wastewater, each at a predetermined angle - one at approximately 90° and the other at approximately 140° to the directrix of the infrared light beam emitted by the photoemitter. This "scattered" infrared light beam is received by each of the two photoreceivers through a respective aperture (F and G in the Figures), which is also located in the base D of the cylindrical probe body A, and is converted into a respective input electrical signal. The through apertures F and G of the two photoreceivers, as seen in Figure 1, are derived opposite to each other, with respect to the aperture E from which the infrared light beam is transmitted by the photoemitter.
[0004] Also included in the cylindrical body A of such a conventional probe for measuring turbidity of wastewater is a control and processing unit, mounted on a board (not shown in the figures) and operatively connected to both the photoemitter and the photoreceivers. This control and processing unit is configured to control, by sending an appropriate control electrical signal to the photoemitter, the emission of the infrared light beam outside the probe, and to receive and process each input electrical signal transmitted by each photoreceiver and convert it into a frequency signal. The control and processing unit is also configured to calculate a corresponding turbidity value, based on each converted frequency signal, which turbidity value is then transmitted outside the probe, in a way known in the industry, to be displayed on an external device screen, such as an operator's handheld device.
[0005] As can be seen, the currently on the market probes for measuring turbidity of wastewater have the apertures E, F and G for emitting the infrared beam and receiving the same "scattered" beam, at a base D of the cylindrical body A (Figure 1), which transversely closes the free end of the probe body (as, for example, taught in the probes described in US applications US 2011 / 0273710 Al and US 2018 / 0143132 Al), and this position can be disadvantageous.
[0006] It is known, in fact, that such probes are configured to be immersed in tanks and canals containing wastewater, either substantially vertically (i.e., with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the wastewater contained in the tank or canal - Figure 2) or substantially horizontally (i.e., with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body arranged substantially parallel to the surface of the wastewater contained in the tank or canal - Figure 3).
[0007] In the first case, when the probe is arranged in a substantially vertical direction, the base D of the cylindrical body A is oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the wastewater, and any suspended particles or material therein present can easily obstruct the through apertures in the base of the probe, thus preventing correct turbidity measurement or forcing frequent maintenance and cleaning of the probe, to ensure correct turbidity measurement, with consequent burdens in terms of time and costs.
[0008] In the second case, when the probe is placed substantially horizontally in the tank or canal and therefore the base D of the cylindrical body A is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the wastewater contained therein, the probability of the through apertures in the base of the probe being obstructed is reduced since, by gravity, the material and suspended particles tend to slide from the probe towards the bottom of the tank or canal. However, it is not always possible to have the turbidity measurement probe oriented substantially horizontally, e.g. due to space limitations in the channels or tanks where the measurement is to be taken.
[0009] For this reason, there is a need to improve the state of the art in the field of probes for measuring the quality of wastewater and, in particular, in the field of probes for measuring its turbidity and the main object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a sensor device for measuring turbidity of wastewater, which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks set out above and, more particularly, which makes it possible to obtain, in an effective, more practical and more economical way than at present, the precise measurement of turbidity of wastewater, even in the case of limited space available forthe insertion of the measuring probe. A specific object of the invention is a probe for measuring turbidity of wastewater, comprising:
[0010] - a body substantially extending along a longitudinal axis x-x, having one free end; - a printed circuit board housed in the probe body and electrically connected to a plurality of terminals for electrical connection to at least one sensor device;
[0011] - a control and processing unit mounted on the printed circuit board and configured, in use, to output control electrical signals to the terminals and to receive corresponding input electrical signals from the terminals, as well as to calculate, on the basis of the input electrical signals received, a corresponding turbidity value;
[0012] - a sensor device holder, removably mounted on the probe body at the free end thereof and comprising a base, configured to transversely close the free end of the probe body and wherein at least one housing seat is provided for the removable mechanical connection with the at least one sensor device;
[0013] - the at least one sensor device comprising: a hollow housing body substantially extending along a longitudinal axis, having a side wall, comprised between a first end and a second end of the hollow housing body, wherein the side wall has at least one section that is transparent to an infrared light beam; a photoemitter, housed in the hollow housing body and configured to emit an infrared light beam outwards from the hollow housing body, through at least one portion of the section that is transparent to the infrared light beam; at least two photoreceivers, each housed in the hollow housing body and configured to receive from outside the hollow housing body the infrared light beam emitted by the photoemitter and scattered by particles suspended in wastewater, when in use the sensor device is immersed therein, through at least one other respective portion of the section that is transparent to the infrared light beam; at least one electrical connection interface, housed in the hollow housing body at the second end thereof, the electrical connection interface being operatively connected to the photoemitter and the at least two photoreceivers and configured to be also operatively connected to the probe control and processing unit; wherein the second end of the hollow housing body delimits an opening through which the electrical connection interface is accessible from the outside, wherein the second end of the hollow housing body is configured to be mechanically removably connected to said probe so that the longitudinal axis of the hollow housing body of the sensor device is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probe, and wherein the at least one sensor device is mechanically connected to the base of the sensor device holder at the housing seat with its longitudinal axis parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the probe body and electrically connected to the control and processing unit by means of these terminals.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the second end of the hollow housing body of the sensor device may be externally tapered along the longitudinal axis of the hollow housing body and may have an external recess for the mechanical interlocking connection of the sensor device with a respective probe housing seat.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, the removable mechanical connection between the second end of the sensor device body and the probe housing seat can be a bayonet coupling.
[0016] According to an additional aspect of the invention, a through opening may be formed in the side wall of the hollow housing body, and the side wall may also comprise a removable portion configured to close the through opening of the side wall and to be removed in order to make the interior of the hollow housing body accessible, the section that is transparent to the infrared light beam being possibly included in the removable portion of the side wall.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the photoemitter and the at least two photoreceivers may be arranged in the hollow housing body along an axis parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal extension axis of the hollow housing body and may be configured to emit the infrared light beam and receive the scattered infrared light beam, respectively, in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal extension axis of the hollow housing body.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electrical connection interface may be a female socket, housed in the longitudinal opening of the second end of the hollow housing body, and may be configured, when making the mechanical connection of the sensor device with a respective probe housing seat, to accommodate a corresponding male plug of the probe housed in the housing seat.
[0019] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the electrical connection interface may be an electrical wiring harness and the longitudinal opening at the second end of the hollow housing body may be a through opening and may accommodate said electrical wiring harness, so that it may be inserted into the probe housing seat.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the base of the sensor device holder may comprise a male plug housed in the housing seat and configured in a way corresponding to the female socket of the sensor device, and the probe may further comprise an electrical wiring harness between the male plug and the terminals, to implement the electrical connection between the sensor device and the control and processing unit.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, the housing seat can be a through housing seat and configured to receive the electrical wiring harness of the sensor device, and the electrical wiring harness of the sensor device can be in direct electrical connection with the terminals.
[0022] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the sensor device holder may comprise a protection cage extending from the base, at a perimeter portion thereof, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probe body, and when the sensor device is connected to the sensor device holder, the sensor device may be partially surrounded by the protection cage with the side wall not affected by the transparent section of the side wall of the hollow housing body, facing the protection cage.
[0023] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting illustrative examples, according to preferred embodiments thereof, with particular reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0024] Figure 1 shows a probe for measuring turbidity in wastewater according to the prior art;
[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an essentially vertical arrangement of the probe in Figure 1, inside a wastewater collection tank;
[0026] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an essentially horizontal arrangement of the probe in Figure 1 inside a wastewater collection tank;
[0027] Figure 4 depicts a sensor device, according to the present invention, mounted on a probe, according to the present invention, for measuring turbidity and other parameters in wastewater;
[0028] Figure 4a is a block representation of the main electrical / electronic components of the sensor device of the present invention connected to a probe, according to the present invention;
[0029] Figure 5 illustrates a detail of the sensor device of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a component of the probe of the present invention, on which the sensor device of the present invention is mounted;
[0031] Figure 7 depicts a perspective view of a probe for measuring the quality of wastewater of the present invention wherein the sensor device of the invention is mounted on a sensor device holder. The probe of Figure 7 is open and, within its body, a printed circuit board is visible with terminals for connection between the probe control and data processing unit (not visible in the Figure), mounted on the printed circuit board, and the sensor device of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 8 is a perspective representation of part of the internal contents of the body of the probe of the invention, wherein the printed circuit board of the probe is visible, housed in a respective board holder mounted on side slides; and
[0033] Figures 9 and 10 show, respectively, perspective views in longitudinal section of the probe body, wherein the board holder is in a retracted and a forward position, respectively.
[0034] With particular reference to the accompanying Figures, it will be noted that the sensor device for measuring turbidity of wastewater, employed in the probe 100 according to the present invention, is generally referred to in the Figures by the reference numeral 1 and is configured to be mounted on a probe 100, substantially extending along a longitudinal axis x-x.
[0035] The sensor device 1 comprises a hollow housing body 2, substantially extending along a longitudinal axis y-y, having a side wall 3 between a first end 21, shown closed in Figure 4, and a second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2. The side wall 3 features at least one section 33 that is transparent to an infrared light beam made of scratch- and abrasion-resistant sapphire glass.
[0036] Such a transparent section 33 may be delimited by a through opening in the side wall 3, sealed by a layer of the infrared-transparent material, or, according to a variant of the present invention depicted in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, a through opening 34 may be provided in the side wall 3 of the hollow housing body 2, and the side wall 3 further comprises a removable portion 35 configured to close the through opening 34, and to be removed in order to make the interior of the hollow housing body 2 conveniently accessible. In this case, the section 33 that is transparent to the infrared light beam is formed in the removable portion 35 of the side wall 3.
[0037] The sensor device 1 of the present invention also comprises a photoemitter 6 (see Figure 4a), housed in the hollow housing body 2 and configured to emit an infrared light beam outwards from the hollow housing body 2, through at least one portion 330 of the section 33 that is transparent to the infrared light beam, in response to the reception of a control electrical signal sc(t) as will be further explained below.
[0038] The sensor device 1 of the present invention further comprises at least two photoreceivers, shown in Figure 4a with references 4 and 5, each housed in the hollow housing body 2 and configured to receive from outside the hollow housing body 2, in a way known in the art, the infrared light beam emitted by the photoemitter 6 and scattered by the particles suspended in the wastewater (when in use the sensor device 1 is immersed therein), through at least one other respective portion (331 and 332) of the section 33 that is transparent to the infrared light beam. The two photoreceivers 4 and 5, as will be evident below, are also configured to convert the received infrared light beam into an input electrical signal Si(t).
[0039] Advantageously, the photoemitter 6 and the photoreceivers 4 and 5 are housed in the hollow housing body 2 along an axis parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal development axis y-y thereof and configured to emit the infrared light beam and receive the scattered infrared light beam, respectively, according to a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal development axis y-y of the housing body 2.
[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device 1 of the present invention also comprises an electrical connection interface 7 housed in the hollow housing body 2 at its second end 22, and the electrical connection interface 7 is electrically connected to both the photoemitter 6 and the at least two photoreceivers 4 and 5, and is configured to be electrically connected to a control and processing unit 110 of the probe 100, as will be seen below, to receive the control electrical signal sc(t) to be transmitted to the photoemitter, and to transmit thereto, the input electrical signal Si(t) received from each photoreceiver.
[0041] Advantageously, the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 delimits an opening 23 through which the electrical connection interface 7 is accessible from the outside. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such an opening 23 is substantially recessed along the longitudinal axis y-y (see Figure 5) and is configured to allow the electrical connection between the electrical connection interface 7 and the control and processing unit 110 of the probe 100, as will be better described below. Furthermore, the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 of the sensor device 1 of the invention is configured to be mechanically removably attachable to the probe 100, so that the longitudinal axis y-y of the hollow housing body 2 of the sensor device 1 is parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x of the probe (as illustrated in Figure 4).
[0042] With reference to the mechanical connection between sensor device 1 and probe 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 of the sensor device 1 is externally tapered along the longitudinal axis y-y and has an external recess 24, for the mechanically interlocking connection of the sensor device 1 with a corresponding housing seat 120 present in the probe 100. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the removable mechanical connection between the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 and the housing seat 120 of the probe 100 is a bayonet coupling. In any event, a person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in understanding how other forms of removable mechanical connection may be contemplated by the present invention, for example of the threaded type, provided that once such a mechanical connection has been made, the longitudinal axis y-y of the hollow housing body 2 of the sensor device 1 is parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x of the probe 100.
[0043] With regard to the electrical connection between the electrical connection interface 7 of the sensor device 1 of the present invention and the probe 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection interface 7 comprises a female socket, housed in the longitudinal opening 23 of the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2. The female socket, when making the mechanical connection of sensor device 1 with a respective housing seat 120 of the probe 100 is configured to accommodate a corresponding male plug 130 of the probe, housed in the housing seat 120 of the probe 100. It therefore appears quite clear that, with this configuration of the electrical connection interface 7, when the mechanical connection between the sensor device 1 of the invention and the housing 120 of the probe 100 is made, the corresponding electrical connection is also made at the same time.
[0044] According to a variant of the present invention, the electrical connection interface 7 comprises an electrical wiring harness and the longitudinal opening 23 at the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 is through and configured to accommodate said electrical wiring harness, so that it can be inserted into the housing seat 120 of the probe 100 to make the electrical connection with it, as will be better described below.
[0045] As mentioned above, the sensor device 1 of the present invention is advantageously connectable to a probe 100, which is also subject matter of the present invention. Such a probe 100 for measuring turbidity of wastewater comprises a body 140 substantially extending along a longitudinal axis x-x and having a free end 141. This probe 100 also comprises a printed circuit board 150 housed in the body 140 and electrically connected to a plurality of terminals 160, provided for electrical connection with a sensor device 1 described above.
[0046] The probe 100 further comprises a control and processing unit 110 (see Figure 4a) mounted on the printed circuit board 150 and configured, in use, to output the electrical control sc(t) signals to the terminals 160 and to receive from the terminals 160 corresponding electrical input Si(t) signals, and for calculating, on the basis of the received input electrical signals Si(t), a corresponding turbidity value to be transmitted in a known way externally, for example to an operator's handheld device, for viewing. The probe 100 also comprises a sensor-device holder 170 removably mounted on the probe body 140 at the free end thereof 141, which includes a base 171, configured to transversely close the free end 141 of the body 140 of the probe 100 and wherein at least housing seat 120 is formed for mechanical and electrical connection with a sensor device 1 of the invention.
[0047] The probe 100 of the invention comprises at least one sensor device 1 as described above, mechanically connected to the base 171 of the sensor device holder 170 at said housing seat 120, which has its longitudinal axis y-y parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis x- x of the probe body, and is electrically connected to the control and processing unit 110 via the terminals 160.
[0048] In this regard, when the sensor device 1 has the electrical connection interface 7 comprising the female socket housed in the opening 23 of its hollow housing body 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base 171 of the sensor device holder 171 comprises a male plug housed in the housing seat 120 and configured in a way corresponding to the female socket of the sensor device 1, and the probe 100 further comprises an electrical wiring harness (not shown in the Figures) between the male plug and the terminals 160, whereby when the sensor device 1 is mechanically connected to the probe 100 as described above, an electrical connection between the sensor device 1 and the probe control and processing unit 110 is made in addition to the mechanical connection.
[0049] Alternatively, when the sensor device 1 has the electrical connection interface 7 comprising the electrical wiring harness, the housing seat 120 on the base 171 of the sensor device holder 170 is also through, and the electrical connection between the sensor device 1 and the probe control and processing unit 110 is obtained by passing said electrical wiring harness through the housing seat 120 and directly connecting said electrical wiring harness with the terminals 160.
[0050] With both of the aforementioned configurations of the probe 100, it appears quite clear that the wastewater turbidity measurement can occur by sending, by the control and processing unit 110, a corresponding control electrical signal sc(t) from the photoemitter 6 of the sensor device 1 connected to the sensor device holder 170, via the terminals 160 and the reception, via the same terminals, of input electrical signals si(t) transmitted by the photoreceivers 4 and 5, as well as the subsequent processing, in a way known in the art, by the control and processing unit 110 of the signals thus received. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to facilitate the electrical connection between the sensor device 1 and the probe 100, a slide 180 sliding along special longitudinal guides 190 mounted on the inner wall of the probe body 140 or recessed therein is housed in the probe body 140. The slide supports the printed circuit board 150 so that it is movable between a retracted position, wherein it is completely inside the probe body 140, and a forward position, wherein the board 150 is moved towards the free end 141 of the probe body 140 and, when the sensor device holder 170 is disconnected from the probe body 140, at least the terminals 160 are protruding from the probe body 140 and therefore easily accessible, in order to make the electrical connection with the sensor device 1.
[0051] According to a variant of the present invention, the sensor device holder 170 comprises a protection cage 172 extending from the base 171, at a perimeter portion thereof, parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x of the probe body 140, and when the sensor device 1 is connected to the sensor device holder 170, the sensor device 1 is partially surrounded by the protection cage 172 with the portion of the side wall 3 not affected by the section 33 that is transparent to the infrared light beam, facing the protection cage 172. In this regard, the correct positioning between the sensor device 1 and the sensor device holder 170 is ensured by the particular configuration of the second end 22 of the hollow housing body 2 and the housing 120 on the base 171 of the sensor device holder 170.
[0052] With such a configuration, the protective cage 172 of the sensor-device holder 170 protects in use the sensor device 1 of the invention (and possibly also other sensor devices mounted, in a way known in the art, on the base 171 of the sensor-device holder 170 and shown in the Figures with references SI and S2) from dangerous impacts, without limiting its use and without hindering the emission of the infrared light beam as well as the reception thereof by the photoreceivers, "scattered" due to the presence of particles present in suspension in the wastewater.
[0053] From the above, it is abundantly clear that the sensor device 1 and probe 100 of the invention comprising said sensor device 1 solve all the drawbacks set forth in the introduction. In fact, the sensor device 1 of the invention can be easily mounted on a probe with its longitudinal axis y-y parallel to or coincident with the probe's longitudinal axis x-x. In this way, the sensor device 1 remains within the cross-sectional footprint of the probe and can easily be submerged with the probe vertically in a tank or channel have reduced plan dimensions containing wastewater. Furthermore, since the section 33 that istransparent to the infrared light beam of the side wall 3 of the device is, in use, arranged vertically, the likelihood of this portion being obstructed by material and particles suspended in the wastewater wherein the probe is immersed is reduced, and the need for frequent maintenance and cleaning of the probe is also reduced, in order to ensure correct turbidity measurement, thus saving time and costs. In the foregoing, preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art may make modifications and changes without departing from the scope of protection, as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Probe (100) for measuring the turbidity of wastewater, comprising:- a body (140) substantially extending along a longitudinal axis (x-x), the body having a free end (141);- a printed circuit board (150) housed in the body (140) of the probe (100) and electrically connected to a plurality of terminals (160), which are intended for electrical connection to at least one sensor device (1);- a control and processing unit (110) mounted on the printed circuit board (150) and configured, in use, to output control electrical signals (sc(t)) to the terminals (160) and to receive corresponding input electrical signals (si(t)) from the terminals, as well as to calculate, based on the input electrical signals (si(t)) received, a corresponding turbidity value;- a sensor device holder (170), removably mounted on the probe body (140) at the free end (141) thereof and comprising a base (171), configured to transversely close the free end (141) of the body (140) of the probe (100) and wherein at least one housing seat (120) is provided for the removable mechanical connection with the at least one sensor device (1);- the at least one sensor device (1) comprising: a hollow housing body (2) substantially extending along a longitudinal axis (y-y), having a side wall (3) comprised between a first end (21) and a second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2), wherein the side wall (3) has at least one section (33) that is transparent to an infrared light beam; a photoemitter (6), housed in the hollow housing body (2) and configured to emit an infrared light beam outwards from the hollow housing body (2), through at least one portion (330) of the section (33) that is transparent to the infrared light beam; at least two photoreceivers (4, 5), each accommodated in the hollow housing body (2) and configured to receive, from outside the hollow housing body (2), the infrared light beam emitted by the photoemitter (6) and scattered by particles suspended in wastewater, when in use the sensor device (1) is immersed therein, through at least one other respective portion (331, 332) of the section (33) that is transparent to the infrared light beam; at least one electrical connection interface (7), housed in the hollow housing body (2) at the second end (22) thereof, the electrical connection interface (7) being operativelyconnected to the photoemitter (6) and the at least two photoreceivers (4, 5) and configured to be also operatively connected to the control and processing unit (110) of the probe (100); wherein the second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2) delimits an opening (23) through which the electrical connection interface (7) is accessible from the outside, wherein the second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2) is configured to be mechanically removably connectable to said probe (100) so that the longitudinal axis (y-y) of the hollow housing body (2) of the sensor device (1) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the probe, and wherein the at least one sensor device (1) is mechanically connected to the base of the sensor device holder (170) at the housing seat (120) with its longitudinal axis (y-y) parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the body (140) of the probe (100) and electrically connected to the control and processing unit (110) via said terminals (160).
2. Probe (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2) of the sensor device (1) is externally tapered along the longitudinal axis (y-y) of the hollow housing body (2) and has an external recess (24) for the mechanical interlocking connection of the sensor device (1) with a respective housing seat (120) of the probe (100).
3. Probe (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the removable mechanical connection between the second end (22) of the body (2) of the sensor device (1) and the housing seat (120) of the probe (120) is a bayonet coupling.
4. Probe (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the side wall (3) of the hollow housing body (2) is formed with a through opening (34), and the side wall (3) further comprises a removable portion (35), configured to close the through opening (34) of the side wall (3) and to be removed in order to make the interior of the hollow housing body (2) accessible, and wherein section (33) that is transparent to the infrared light beam is comprised in the removable portion (35) of the side wall (3).
5. Probe (100) according to any previous claim, wherein the photoemitter (6) and the at least two photoreceivers (4, 5) are arranged in the hollow housing body (2) along an axis parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal development axis (y-y) of the hollow housing body (2) and are configured to emit the infrared light beam and receive the scattered infrared light beam, respectively, in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal development axis (y-y) of the hollow housing body (2).
6. Probe (100) according to any claim 2 to 5, wherein the electrical connection interface (7)is a female socket, housed in the longitudinal opening (23) of the second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2) and is configured, when making the mechanical connection of the sensor device (1) with a respective housing seat (120) of the probe (100), to accommodate a corresponding male plug of the probe (100), housed in the housing seat (120).
7. Probe (100) according to any claim 2 to 5, wherein the electrical connection interface (7) is an electrical wiring harness and the longitudinal opening (23) in the second end (22) of the hollow housing body (2) is a through opening and accommodates said electrical wiring harness, so that it can be inserted into the housing seat (120) of the probe (100).
8. Probe (100) according to claim 6, wherein the base (171) of the sensor device holder (170) comprises a male plug housed in the housing seat (120) and configured to match the female socket of the sensor device (1), and the probe (100) further comprises an electrical wiring harness between the male plug and the terminals (160), to implement the electrical connection between the sensor device (1) and the control and processing unit (110).
9. Probe (100) according to claim 7, wherein the housing (120) is a through housing and configured to receive the electrical wiring harness of the sensor device (1), and wherein the electrical wiring harness of the sensor device (1) is in direct electrical connection with the terminals (160).
10. Probe (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sensor device holder (170) comprises a protection cage (172) extending from the base (171), at a perimeter portion thereof, parallel to the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the probe body (140), and when the sensor device (1) is connected to the sensor device holder (170), the sensor device (1) is partially surrounded by the protection cage (172) with the side wall (3) not having the transparent section (33) of the side wall (3) of the hollow housing body (2) facing the protection cage (172).