Removable support for the installation of optical sensors within bulk material silos

Abstract

Removable support (100) for installing an optical sensor (200) within a silo (300), comprising a first flange (102) configured to be positioned on the internal surface (303) of said silo (300) and a second flange (103) configured to be positioned on the external surface (304) of said silo (300) in correspondence with said first flange (102); said first flange (102) and said second flange (103) being equipped with magnetic means configured to generate an attractive force between said first and second flanges (102), (103); said removable support (100) further comprising a support arm (101) employed to support a housing (106) containing said optical sensor (200); said support arm (101) having a first end connected to said first flange (102) by means of a first joint and a second end connected to said housing (106) by means of a second joint. Said removable support (100) being characterized in that said first joint comprises a bearing bush (104) connected to said first flange (102) and configured to minimize rotational friction, and said first joint and second joint are free joints devoid of manual locking means configured to allow said support arm (101) and said housing (106) to assume, by effect of gravity, an equilibrium position in which the support arm (101 ) is oriented vertically and the housing (106) is levelled.

Description

[0001] Removable support for the installation of optical sensors within bulk material silos

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for installing optical sensors within bulk material silos. Said system is preferably but not exclusively employable for implementing systems for remote measurement and detection of bulk materials contained in silos. Said system proves to be advantageously employable to facilitate the installation, calibration, and reliable and precise use of laser sensors used in the processes of detection, measurement, and analysis of the aforementioned bulk materials.

[0004] Background art

[0005] In the field of systems for measuring the content of silos used for bulk materials, one of the most advanced and precise techniques is represented by laser-based measurement systems. These systems primarily consist of three fundamental components: a laser scanner, a data processing unit, and an interface for visualizing results. The laser scanner is the heart of the system. It emits a laser light beam directed toward the surface of the material stored inside the silos. When the light beam hits the surface of the material, it is reflected back toward the sensor of the laser scanner. By detecting the time taken by the light beam to travel to the material and back, the system is able to accurately calculate the distance between the laser scanner and the surface of the material. This process is repeated continuously to create a three-dimensional image of the contents of the silos, thus allowing for the exact determination of the average level and volume of the material present.

[0006] In this type of system, the data processing unit receives signals from the laser scanner and processes them using complex algorithms to convert raw information into useful data. These data can include the volume of the material, the fill level, the distribution of the material within the silos, and other information crucial for content management. The data processing unit is essential for ensuring that information is accurate and useful for operators. The interface for visualizing results is the component that allows operators to monitor and manage the content of the silos in real-time. This interface can be software installed on a computer or a dedicated console. It displays the processed data in a clear and intuitive way, often through graphs, tables, and three-dimensional representations of the silos and their contents. Operators can use this information, which must obviously be precise, to make informed decisions on material management, such as refilling or emptying the silos, and to prevent problems such as overloading or material shortages.

[0007] As for installation, laser-based measurement systems are generally mounted on the upper part of the silo. This positioning is strategically chosen to allow the laser scanner to have a complete view of the silo's contents. Installation requires accurate calibration to ensure that measurements are precise. This calibration can include adjusting the laser emission angle, configuring data processing parameters,and verifying the correct integration of the system with the management software. Furthermore, installation may require connecting the system to power sources and communication networks to ensure that data can be transmitted and monitored continuously and reliably.

[0008] Two significant examples of patents related to silo measurement systems using laser techniques are patent US2004031335A1 and patent US2008309948A1. Patent US2004031335A1 describes a system for measuring the level of material in a container, using a laser distance sensor that precisely determines the position of the material surface. This system improves the accuracy of measurements and provides real-time data for efficient content management. The patent also details sensor calibration methods and technologies for reducing interference caused by dust or other particles present inside the silo. On the other hand, patent US2008309948A1 presents an advanced method for three-dimensional scanning of the contents of a silo, using a laser scanner system capable of generating a detailed map of material distribution. This method allows not only for measuring the volume and level of the material but also for detecting any anomalies or non-homogeneities in the distribution, contributing to the optimization of storage and handling operations. The patent also describes the integration of the system with management software and techniques for automatic sensor calibration.

[0009] Regarding the installation of laser sensors according to these patents, patent US2004031335A1 provides for the positioning of the laser distance sensor in the upper part of the silo, mounted on a structure that allows for adjusting the laser emission angle to cover the entire surface of the material. This positioning allows for accurate measurements regardless of the silo's fill level. The patent also includes details on integrating the sensor with power and communication systems to transmit data in real-time. Patent US2008309948A1, instead, specifies the installation of a three-dimensional laser scanner in the upper part of the silo, mounted on a swivel support that allows for a complete 360-degree scan of the silo's interior. This mounting system allows the laser scanner to collect data across the entire surface of the material, generating a precise three-dimensional map of the silo's content distribution. The patent also describes the necessary connections to power the system and transmit data to the management software for real-time processing and visualization.

[0010] It is also known from the Chinese utility model document CN 209943958 U an articulated support for computer monitors employing a magnetic base. However, such a device is designed to operate in a static office environment and comprises screw and knob locking mechanisms to rigidly fix the orientation of the arm and the monitor in a position chosen by the user. Such locking mechanisms generate high static friction that prevents the free movement of the joints under the sole action of gravity. Consequently, such a device is not suitable for use inside silos, where automatic andcontinuous self-levelling is required to compensate for structural deformations of the roof without manual intervention.

[0011] There are two main methods for installing laser sensors inside silos: under the lid or in the side wall. The first method consists of mounting the laser sensor under the silo lid, a solution adopted by several companies, including Barntools (www.barntools.com). This installation mode offers the advantage of complete coverage of the silo's interior, allowing the sensor to perform a 360-degree scan of the contents and obtain precise measurements of the volume and level of the stored material. Barntools provides laser-based measurement systems that are installed under the silo lid. This method involves mounting the sensor in a position that allows for a complete scan of the silo's interior. The sensor emits a laser light beam that reflects off the material surface, allowing the distance between the sensor and the material to be calculated. The collected data are processed and visualized in real-time, ensuring accurate management of the silo's content.

[0012] The second method involves making a hole in the side wall of the silo, where the sensor is installed. This approach is used by companies such as Lvlogics (www.lvlogics.com), which propose innovative solutions for integrating sensors into the side structures of silos. Installing the sensor in the wall offers advantages in terms of maintenance and accessibility, allowing operators to perform checks and calibrations without having to dismantle the silo lid. Lvlogics develops and provides laser sensors that are installed in the side walls of silos. This method involves drilling the silo wall to insert the sensor. The sensor measures the level and volume of the material through laser reflection, and the collected data are transmitted to the management software for processing and visualization. This positioning facilitates maintenance and reduces interference with the normal operation of the silo, while still ensuring precise and reliable measurements.

[0013] The installation and correct operation of silo content measurement systems, especially when dealing with bulk materials, present several technical challenges. In particular, laser sensors, although offering precise measurements, must face challenges such as the accumulation of dust and other particles that can interfere with the precision of the laser. This requires continuous calibration methods and technologies to reduce the impact of interference. Furthermore, the installation of the sensor must be carefully designed to ensure complete and accurate coverage of the silo's contents. The ideal position of the sensor varies depending on the type of silo and the stored material and can involve difficulties in access for maintenance and periodic calibrations. The integration of the sensor system with management software is essential for real-time processing and visualization of the collected data, thus ensuring efficient and optimized management of the silo's content; however, these advantages are inextricably linked to measurement precision and, consequently, to the correct positioning of thesensor. Since this precision is linked to an optical reflection phenomenon, the levelling and orthogonal orientation of the sensor with respect to the surface of the bulk material is crucial.

[0014] A further open issue concerns the robustness and safeguarding of the sensor itself during silo loading and unloading operations. In the case of silos dedicated to bulk materials such as, byway of example and not limited to, grains and cereals, telescopic machinery is often used for product input which, in addition to introducing the aforementioned dust, can mechanically interfere (impacts, thrusts, vibrations, falling dust) with the installed sensors and cause damage in terms of calibration and / or correct positioning. Said phenomenon is particularly invasive in the case of sensors installed near the lid which, by virtue of said positioning, are reasonably more exposed to this type of problem. In the case of sensors inserted in the side walls, this aspect is less relevant, but the lateral application introduces a further problem, namely the need to drill a hole in the lateral portion of the silos if, as often happens, the silo is not natively equipped with measurement systems. Furthermore, systems that provide for the presence of the laser sensor in a lateral position understandably involve a difficulty in calibration since said operation must be conducted from inside the silos and not near the opening as in the case of sensors positioned superiorly. In these cases, an operator, both in the installation phase and especially in the periodic maintenance and calibration phase, must enter the silo and proceed to the repositioning and re-levelling of the instrument, exposing themselves to understandable risks. Said operation is not only inconvenient and potentially dangerous for operators but is of crucial importance to ensure the efficiency of the measurement system. The correct positioning, and particularly the correct perpendicular orientation of the sensor with respect to the silo, can determine in some cases a loss of accuracy and repeatability of measurements from 95% down to 70%.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] The present patent aims to overcome some of the aforementioned criticalities of the prior art and provide a device employable for the installation of laser measurement systems within silos; said silos being preferably but not necessarily intended to contain bulk materials. Said device is realized in the form of a removable support for a laser sensor, i.e., in the form of a support that does not require invasive fixing interventions (holes, screws, etc.).

[0017] The preeminent purpose of the aforementioned device is to provide a removable fixing device for laser sensors that is self-levelling and guarantees precise, accurate, and stable positioning of the laser sensor, maximizing its performance and reliability over time. A further purpose is to provide a selfcalibrating device that avoids the need for repeated interventions for positioning correction and recalibration of the laser sensor following prolonged and intensive use of the silo and particularly following various loading and unloading operations of bulk materials. A further purpose is to provide aself-cleaning device that allows for limiting the effects of dust and similar factors on the optical performance of the measurement system.

[0018] A further purpose of the proposed patent is to provide a device that allows for a robust and stable installation both on pre-existing silos and on newly constructed silos. Finally, the objective of the proposed patent is to provide a device characterized by extreme ease of assembly, installation, and use and, particularly, a device that for its installation and maintenance minimizes or excludes costly and invasive operations to be conducted inside the silo.

[0019] The aforementioned objectives and other goals that will become clearer below are achieved by the removable support for installing optical sensors within bulk material silos according to the attached main claim 1. Some details and advantageous embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, are represented by the dependent claims.

[0020] In one advantageous embodiment, the removable support according to the proposed invention comprises a support arm that supports a laser sensor and which is to be positioned on the internal wall of the silo; said arm being supported on the wall by means of a magnetic fixing system. Said magnetic fixing is realized by means of a pair of internal and external flanges of the silo, both provided with magnets. The reciprocal attraction between said magnets on opposite sides of the silo wall determines the stable anchoring of the support in the chosen position for fixing. The external flange is connected to an electronic control unit for remote processing and transmission of the data detected through the sensor positioned inside the silo. The internal flange supports the arm and is connected at one of its ends through a joint formed by two elements: a bearing bush and a first pin joint. The second end of the arm is connected by means of a second pin joint with a housing used to contain the laser sensor and all related electronic circuitry. Thanks to the presence of the bearing bush and the two pin joints, the overall structure is therefore characterized by three degrees of freedom (possible rotations) and the sensor contained in the housing at the lower end of the arm assumes, by effect of gravity, a stable equilibrium position with a vertical orientation of the arm and a perfectly vertical position of the sensor with respect to the base of the silo.

[0021] Furthermore, the laser sensor, if subjected to external stresses (impacts, displacements, vibrations, etc.), tends to compensate for any perturbations and return automatically and autonomously by the simple effect of gravity to the vertical position which guarantees maximum measurement efficiency to the sensor. Furthermore, the lower surface of the laser housing / container is provided with means for the surface removal of dust and / or dirt that in current use can deposit on the exposed surface of the sensor, deteriorating its efficiency and precision.

[0022] Finally, to facilitate the installation of the system, the proposed invention provides for the use of a spacer with a removal tab; said spacer being used in the initial positioning phase of the componentsand especially of the flanges acting as a partial magnetic shield. Said spacer is initially arranged under the external flange and adheres to the external surface of the silo to limit magnetic attraction during positioning and preliminary operations for installing the apparatus. The spacer is subsequently removed once the desired system installation configuration is reached, the removal of the spacer determining an increase in the magnetic attraction between the two flanges and the final tightening of the overall system.

[0023] In order to guarantee the removability of the apparatus for any disassembly interventions subsequent to the first installation, the magnetic constraint according to the invention is formed by two pairs of magnets for each flange. Said magnets are positioned in counter-phase. The use of this configuration guarantees easy removability and ease of removal of the apparatus in case of necessary subsequent maintenance. The use of single magnets would in fact be inconvenient due to the difficulties of removal and disassembly. Once the spacer is removed and the stable tightening configuration is reached, it would in fact be extremely inconvenient to release the two flanges again since they are very difficult to separate except by applying an intense traction force. The double magnets according to the invention also guarantee intense tightening when superimposed and aligned but can be easily unhooked without exercising excessive traction but simply by imposing a reciprocal rotation of the flanges with respect to the contact surface. By effect of a simple rotation, a polarity reversal is in fact determined with a consequent repulsive effect and unhooking with immediate release from the tightening position.

[0024] Brief description of the attached drawings

[0025] Further characteristics and advantages of the proposed technical solution will be clearer in the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, represented by way of non-limiting example in the three attached drawing tables, in which:

[0026] — Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the components of the invention and the field of application; — Fig. 2 illustrates the invention in an assembled configuration;

[0027] — Fig. 3, 4, 5, 6 illustrate the portion of the invention internal to the silo in left, right, front, and bottom axonometric views respectively;

[0028] — Fig. 7, 8, 9 illustrate an assembly sequence of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0029] It is specified that the figures attached to the present application illustrate one of the possible embodiments of the proposed system, and particularly an implementation of the removable support for installing optical sensors within bulk material silos; this is to better understand the advantages and characteristics described. Such embodiments are therefore intended for purely illustrative purposes and not as a limitation of the inventive concept, which may reasonably incorporate further variants according to the needs and contexts of installation, particularly as a function of the diverse types ofsensors, including those not necessarily of the optical type, which may be validly integrated and used according to the proposed patent.

[0030] Best mode for carrying out the invention

[0031] With reference to the attached drawing tables and particularly to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the fixing system with removable support (100) for installing an optical sensor (200) according to the proposed invention is illustrated in separately and assembled configurations respectively. The system is depicted in an environment of use represented by a silo (300). Said silo (300) being intended preferably but not exclusively for containing bulk materials and said optical sensor (200) being preferably but not exclusively of the LIDAR laser type and being used for measuring the contents of said silo (300). The results of the content measurement being transmitted and made available remotely and preferably via wireless by means of a control unit (400) capable of acquiring the measurements of the optical sensor (200) and transmitting them at a distance. In the exemplary embodiment provided, said optical sensor (200) is installed internally to the silo (300) and in proximity to its apical portion, i.e., in proximity to its loading and unloading mouth (301) which typically is provided with a lid (302). Nothing prevents, however, the proposed invention from being conveniently and advantageously applied to position the optical sensor (200) in any internal position of the silo (300) as long as it is in adherence to the internal wall of the silo itself.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the removable support (100) for installing optical sensors comprises a support arm (101) of the optical sensor (200) which extends from the internal wall of the silo (300) towards the internal space. Said arm (101) is supported by means of a magnetic fixing system which allows it to be anchored to the internal wall (303) of the silo (300). Said magnetic fixing is realized by means of a pair of flanges provided with magnets: a first internal flange (102) integral with said arm (101) and adhering to said internal surface (303) of the silo (300) and a second external flange (103) applied to the external surface (304) of the silo. The reciprocal attraction between the magnets of said flanges (102) and (103) positioned respectively at the internal (303) and external (304) sides of the silo wall (300) determines the stable anchoring of the removable support (100) in the chosen position for the appropriate fixing of the optical sensor (200). In an advantageous embodiment, the external flange (103) is integral and connected to the aforementioned electronic control unit (400) used for remote processing and transmission of the data detected by the optical sensor (200) positioned inside the silo (300).

[0033] With reference to the attached drawings and particularly to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6, a possible embodiment of the support arm (101) used to anchor to the internal wall (303) of the silo (300) and support the optical sensor (200) in a perfectly vertical position is shown in detail, this guaranteeing theoptimal position for optical detection— with the emitter and receiver of the optical sensor (200) perfectly orthogonal with respect to the hypothetical plane of the underlying bulk materials. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first internal flange (102) adheres to the internal wall (303) of the silo thanks to the magnetic attraction caused by the approach of the magnets of the two flanges (102) and (103) and supports the support arm (101) of the optical sensor (200). The first internal flange (102) is connected to the first end of the support arm (101) through a joint comprising a bearing bush (104) and a pin joint (105). Said first bearing bush (104) is connected to the internal flange (102) and is capable of rotating the arm (101) with respect to the plane tangent to the internal surface (303) of the silo (300). The first pin joint (105) instead connects the end of the support arm (101) with the bearing bush (104) and allows the support arm (101) to rotate in a direction orthogonal to said bearing bush (104), i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the internal surface (303) of the silo (300).

[0034] The second end of the support arm (101) supports a housing (106) used as a protective container for the optical sensor (200). Said housing (106) and said second end of the support arm (101) are connected by means of a second pin joint (107); said pin joint (107) allowing said housing (106) containing the optical sensor (200) to rotate with respect to the support arm (101) in a perpendicular direction with respect to the end of the arm (101) itself. The optical sensor (200) is inserted in said housing (106) and is configured to emit and detect light radiation downwards from the lower surface of said housing (106). Said lower surface being opposite to that of connection with the second pin joint (107).

[0035] Thanks to the presence of the bearing bush (104) used for the connection to the internal surface (303) and thanks to the two pin joints positioned at the two opposite ends of the support arm (101), the overall structure is therefore characterized by three degrees of freedom. Said three degrees of freedom are associated with the three rotations respectively of the bearing bush in the plane of the silo's internal surface and the two rotations of the two pin joints (105), (107) in the plane orthogonal to said internal surface (303) of the silo (300). By effect of the combined action of these three rotation joints and as a consequence of gravity, the optical sensor (200) contained in the housing (106) positioned at the lower end of the support arm (101) assumes autonomously and by gravity a stable equilibrium position characterized by a perfectly vertical and orthogonal orientation of the support arm (101) with respect to the horizontal plane of the silo (300). In this configuration, the radiant and reflecting surface of the optical sensor (200) is conveniently levelled and disposed horizontally and parallel to the surface of the material in the silo (300) to be scanned optically, maximizing the performance of the measurement system and ensuring maximum precision of the acquired data.

[0036] It should be noted that the described configuration is a dynamically stable and reversible equilibrium configuration. In fact, the position and orientation of the optical sensor (200), should any part of thesupport arm system (101), optical sensor (200), or housing (106) be subjected to undesired external stresses such as impacts, displacements, vibrations, etc., the equilibrium conditions are restored automatically. By effect of gravity and the joints and rotating pins interposed between the constituent elements, the system automatically compensates for any perturbations, returning the support arm (101) to the vertical position and similarly the optical sensor (200) to the horizontal and levelled position, said configuration ensuring maximum efficiency of the measurement system.

[0037] In one advantageous embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the lower surface of the housing (106) containing the optical sensor (200) is provided with means (109) for clean ing / superfi ci al removal of dust and / or dirt that in the current use of the measurement system may deposit on the exposed surface of the radiant and receiving elements of the optical sensor (200), compromising its effectiveness and precision. In the specific case shown, said means are depicted in the form of wipers used to clean the lower surface of the sensors.

[0038] With reference to the attached drawings and particularly to Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9, an assembly sequence of the fixing system with removable support (100) according to the proposed invention is illustrated. The installation of the system takes place by positioning the optical sensor (200) in the desired position and bringing the internal flange (102) close to the internal surface (303) of the silo (300). Subsequently, by bringing the external flange (103) close to the external surface (304) of the silo, the magnetic attraction generated by the reciprocal coupling between the opposite magnets allows the system to be tightened in a permanent and stable manner. Once said external (103) and internal (102) flanges are coupled, the support arm (101) automatically positions itself vertically by gravity and the sensor (200) contained in the housing (106) at the lower end of the support arm (101) positions itself in a levelled and stable equilibrium position. Since the stability and reliability of the tightening depends on the intensity of the attraction provided by the magnets of the flanges (102) and (103), said magnets will preferably but not exclusively be made of neodymium.

[0039] To facilitate installation and precise positioning of the external flange (103) and ensure easy removability of the system, the proposed invention provides during the installation phase for the use of a gasket in the form of a removable spacer (108) used to provide partial magnetic shielding. Said gasket / spacer (108) is characterized by a removal tab to facilitate its extraction. The spacer (108) is preferably positioned under the external flange (103) to adhere near the external surface (304) of the silo (300) acting as a spacer. The interposition of the spacer (108) allows for limiting magnetic attraction during the positioning and preliminary installation operations of the overall system; said removal tab facilitates the removal of the spacer once the desired and final installation position is reached. The further approach of the magnets determined by the removal of the spacer causes an increase inmagnetic attraction between the internal and external flanges (102) and (103) and the final tightening of the overall system in the required configuration.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment and in order to guarantee the removability of the apparatus for any disassembly interventions subsequent to the first installation and tightening, the system provides for the use as a magnet of at least one pair of magnets (110), (111) in counter-phase installed on each of the two flanges (102) and (103). Said pairs of magnets are positioned to operate with opposite magnetic fields. The use of this configuration guarantees easy removability and ease of removal of the apparatus in case of necessary subsequent maintenance. The use of single magnets would in fact be inconvenient due to the difficulties of removal and disassembly. Once the spacer (108) is removed and the stable tightening configuration is reached, it would in fact be extremely inconvenient to release the two flanges (102) and (103) again since they are very difficult to separate except by applying an intense traction and separation force. The double counter-phase magnets (110), (111) according to the invention also guarantee intense tightening when superimposed and aligned but can be easily unhooked without exercising excessive traction but simply by imposing a reciprocal rotation of the flanges (102), (103) with respect to the respective surfaces (303), (304). By effect of said rotation, a polarity reversal is determined with a consequent repulsive magnetic effect and unhooking with release of the flanges (102), (103) from the tightening position.

[0041] Industrial Applicability and Further Alternative Embodiments

[0042] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail in the previously illustrated embodiment example. It must be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, it intends to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. The use of "for example," "etc.," "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated. The use of "includes" means "includes, but is not limited to" unless otherwise indicated. In particular, the invention may be realized with technical equivalents, with materials or supplementary measures suitable for the purpose and the field of application. The conformation and sizing of the constituent parts and the products realized may vary in a suitable manner, but consistent with the proposed solution. Any modifications to the proposed embodiment example, including adjustments and sizing appropriate to specific and further applications, will be easily deducible by a person skilled in the art who is adequately trained and without departing from the scope of protection of the claimed patent. This without affecting or eluding the inventive core of the invention and its application to any type of field and operational context even different from that presented in the embodiment example described above.

Claims

Claims1. A removable support (100) for installing an optical sensor (200) within a silo (300), comprising:— a first flange (102) configured to be positioned on the internal surface (303) of said silo (300) and a second flange (103) configured to be positioned on the external surface (304) of said silo (300) in correspondence with said first flange (102);— said first flange (102) and said second flange (103) being equipped with magnetic means configured to generate an attractive force between said first and second flanges (102), (103); — a support arm (101) employed to support a housing (106) containing said optical sensor (200);— said support arm (101) having a first end connected to said first flange (102) by means of a first joint and a second end connected to said housing (106) by means of a second joint; characterized in that:said first joint comprises a bearing bush (104) connected to said first flange (102) and configured to minimize rotational friction, and said first joint and second joint are free joints devoid of manual locking means configured to allow said support arm (101) andsaid housing (106) to assume, by effect of gravity, an equilibrium position in which the support arm (101) is oriented vertically and the housing (106) is levelled.

2. Removable support (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said second joint comprises a pivot joint (107) connected between said second end of the support arm (101) and said housing (106).

3. Removable support (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic means comprise at least one magnet housed within said first flange (102) and at least one magnet housed within said second flange (103).

4. Removable support (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic means comprise at least one pair of magnets (110), (111) configured in counter-phase and housed within said flanges (102), (103).

5. Removable support (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a spacer (108) configured to be positioned between said second flange (103) and said external surface (304) of the silo (300).

6. Removable support (100) according to claim 5, wherein said spacer (108) is provided with a removal tab.

7. Removable support (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (106) is equipped with cleaning means (109); said means (109) being employed to clean the surface of the optical sensor (200).

8. Removable support (100) according to claim 7, wherein said cleaning means (109) are selected from air blowers and wiper systems.

9. Removable support (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second flange (103) is configured to be housed within a control unit (400) employed to acquire and remotely transmit measurements from the optical sensor (200).

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