Vibronic Multisensor Integrating Dual Temperature Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibronic sensors face limitations in measurement accuracy and functionality due to varying measuring device accuracies, drift, and aging effects, as well as the difficulty in determining comprehensive process variables beyond density and viscosity, which hampers effective process monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor unit featuring a mechanically oscillatable unit, multiple piezoelectric elements, and dual temperature sensors arranged at different positions to excite and receive mechanical and transmission signals, enabling the determination of multiple process variables, including temperature, with improved accuracy and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple field devices are integrated to determine comprehensive process variables, then the completeness of process information is improved, but the measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to varying device accuracies and drift effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (vibronic measurement, ultrasonic measurement, and temperature measurement) into a single integrated sensor device. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate field devices, thereby avoiding the problems of varying measurement accuracies and drift effects that occur when using multiple independent devices. The integrated design ensures consistent measurement quality across all process variables while maintaining comprehensive process information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing vibronic measurements, ultrasonic measurements, and temperature measurements simultaneously. This universal design allows a single device to provide comprehensive process information (fill level, density, viscosity, temperature) without relying on multiple specialized devices, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while achieving complete process monitoring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional field devices are integrated for comprehensive process monitoring, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple field devices (vibronic sensor, ultrasonic sensor, temperature sensor) into a single integrated sensor device. This consolidation maintains the comprehensive functionality needed for process monitoring while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need to manage, calibrate, and maintain multiple separate devices. The integrated design simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving all measurement capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to account for temperature influences, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places temperature sensors at specific strategic locations within the sensor device to accurately capture temperature influences on the vibronic and ultrasonic measurements. By positioning temperature sensors where they can best monitor the relevant temperature gradients, the design achieves high measurement precision without requiring numerous temperature sensors throughout the entire device, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for precise determination of various process variables, enhanced measurement accuracy, and comprehensive process monitoring by accounting for temperature influences, expanding the application range and reducing the impact of device aging and drift.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one piezoelectric element is configured to excite the mechanically oscillatable unit to mechanical oscillations by means of an excitation signal
Implementation Method 2
to receive the mechanical oscillations of the oscillatable unit and convert them into a first received signal
Implementation Method 3
a first value for a first temperature in an end region of the sensor unit facing the medium is detected by means of the first temperature sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) and to a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable (P) of a medium (M). The device comprises a sensor unit (2) having a mechanically oscillatable unit (4), at least one first piezoelectric element (11a), a unit (13) for determining and/or monitoring a temperature (T) of the medium (M) and an electronic system (6). The device (1) is designed to excite the mechanically oscillatable unit (4) to oscillate mechanically by means of an excitation signal (A) and to receive the mechanical oscillations of the oscillatable unit (4), to convert them into a first receiving signal (EA), to emit a transmission signal (S) and to receive a second receiving signal (ES), wherein the electronic system (6) is designed to determine the at least one process variable (P) based on the first (EA) and/or second receiving signal (ES). According to the invention, the unit (13) for determining and/or monitoring the temperature (T) comprises a first (15a) and a second temperature sensor (15b), which first (15a) and second (15b) temperature sensors are arranged at a distance from one another, and the electronic system (6) is designed to determine the temperature (T) of the medium (M) based on a first and/or second temperature receiving signal, which have been received from the unit, of the first (15a) and/or second temperature sensor (15b).