Vibronic Sensor with Piezoelectric Transducers for Multi-Variable Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibronic sensors are limited in their ability to determine and monitor multiple process variables in a container, such as fill-level, density, and viscosity, and require additional field devices for comprehensive process monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising four rod-shaped elements and three piezoelectric elements, where two elements form a vibratable unit for mechanical oscillations and the third element transmits and receives a signal influenced by the medium's properties, allowing for the evaluation of multiple process variables using both vibronic and ultrasonic principles in a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional field devices are integrated to determine multiple process variables, then the number of determinable process variables increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (vibronic measurement for fill-level and ultrasonic measurement for density/viscosity) into a single sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a vibratable unit with piezoelectric elements that can both generate mechanical vibrations and transmit/receive ultrasonic signals, eliminating the need for separate field devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it can determine fill-level through vibronic measurement, density through ultrasonic velocity measurement, and viscosity through ultrasonic attenuation measurement. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating both vibronic and ultrasonic measurement capabilities in one device, allowing a single sensor to replace multiple specialized devices
2Device complexity
If a single device is used to determine multiple process variables, then the device complexity decreases, but the measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a vibratable unit for vibronic measurement with piezoelectric elements, and an ultrasonic transducer for acoustic measurement. Each component is optimized for its specific measurement function, allowing precise measurements to be maintained for both fill-level and density/viscosity parameters despite the integrated design
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 significantly increases the number of determinable process variables, enhancing the sensor's functionality and range of application by enabling independent evaluation of different signals and improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the vibratable unit is excited by means of an excitation signal to create mechanical oscillations
Implementation Method 2
the driving/receiving unit can receive the mechanical vibrations of the mechanically vibratable unit and transduce these into an electrical received signal
Implementation Method 3
transmit a transmitted signal and to receive a second received signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container includes four, rod-shaped elements arranged on a membrane, three piezoelectric elements and an electronics system, wherein one first and one second rod-shaped element are arranged and configured such that they form a mechanically vibratable unit, wherein the device is configured to excite the vibratable unit via an excitation signal to create mechanical oscillations, to receive the mechanical oscillations of the vibratable unit, to convert them into a first received signal, to transmit a transmitted signal, and to receive a second received signal, and wherein the electronics system is configured to determine the at least one process variable based on the first and/or second received signal.