RU2799036C1 - Measuring device for recording a technological parameter in a container - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: measuring devices.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a measuring device (200) for recording a technological parameter in a container. The device contains an electronic unit (220) with a housing (250) and a sealing device (145) resting on the housing (250), while the measuring device (200) is designed to be screwed into the opening of the container; and at the same time, when the measuring device (200) is in the opening of the container, the sealing device (145) is designed to seal the opening of the container; and the electronic unit (220) is located below the geometric plane of the sealing device (145) and inside the container.

EFFECT: technical result is the creation of a measuring device for a container and a container with a measuring device, which are designed in such a way that the containers can be placed with space savings, and the measuring device, nevertheless, can be easily installed.

13 cl, 7 dwg

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a measuring device for recording a technological parameter in a container and to a container with a container opening and a measuring device located in it.

Prerequisites for the creation of the invention

Sensors that record data or properties of process variables or substances in the vessel are typically mounted on the vessel outside of the vessel, or they are mounted inside the vessel and the vessel is tightly sealed after installation so that the fill fluid cannot escape from the vessel. For this reason, they are installed externally, for example with a screw thread, and the electronic unit is outside the tank, while the sensors (antenna) are inside the tank. There are also measuring devices in which, for example, only one antenna is located inside the tank.

However, measuring devices or sensors located in a sealed container cannot be easily installed or removed. Sensors located outside the container or partially inside the container have the disadvantage that the containers cannot be assembled together to save space, for example stacked on top of each other. In addition, in the case of mobile containers, such as the so-called Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), there is a risk that the sensors may be damaged or even destroyed when the container is moved with a forklift.

Brief summary of the invention

Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a measuring device for a container and a container with a measuring device, which are designed in such a way that the containers can be placed in a space-saving way, and the measuring device can nevertheless be easily installed.

The problem is solved by the objects of independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the following description and the figures.

According to the first aspect, there is provided a measuring device for registering a process parameter in a vessel, having an electronic unit with a housing and a sealing device resting on the housing. The measuring device is installed in the container opening. The sealing device is installed to seal the opening of the container, and the electronic unit is located below the geometric plane of the sealing device when the measuring device is in the opening of the container, that is, when the measuring device is mounted.

A measuring device is understood to mean a device that has a unit for physically recording a process variable, such as a physical sensor or a generator-receiver system, such as for ultrasonic waves or radar, and an electronic unit that provides at least the supply of electricity, and, for example , depending on the use case, the recorded process variable is processed electronically and made available as digital data. Electronic elements that can be used for this, such as, for example, voltage regulators, voltage converters, protection circuits, analog-to-digital converters, filters, amplifiers, microprocessors, memory modules, signal generators, oscillators, emitters, piezoelectric transducers and the like, known to those skilled in the art.

The measuring device can, for example, detect substances or media components, such as liquid or gas, in a container, or detect temperature, pressure or fill level. As mentioned above, the measuring device has an electronic unit for controlling the sensor and providing measurement data, which is installed in the housing. The housing accommodates the electronic unit, the housing protecting it from environmental influences and serving, in particular, for mounting on or inside the container. For this purpose, according to one embodiment, the body has, for example, an external thread, so that it can be screwed into the opening of the container with a corresponding thread, for example, up to a protruding support surface, for example, a circumferential protrusion at the end of the body remaining outside the container. The height of the projection can be chosen, for example, so that it does not exceed a predetermined height of the edge at the top of the container so that the containers can be stacked. A sealing device, such as an o-ring, surrounds a threaded rod at the end of a thread on a contact surface facing the container. Preferably, the part of the rod enclosed in the sealing device may be threadless. When screwing in the measuring device, the sealing ring is pressed against the edge of the opening of the container, so that the container is sealed.

Thus, the sealing device consists, for example, of a sealing ring, which, in the assembled state of the measuring device, extends, for example, along the circular opening of the container and seals the container. In this case, the plane of the sealing device is the circular plane of the sealing ring supported by the circular opening. The term "down" should be considered in the reference system of the measuring device, in which, in the assembled state, the direction "down" is perpendicular to the opening of the container into the container. If the sensor is installed on the lid of the container, this means that the part "below" the geometric plane of the sealing device is located inside the container. If the sensor is mounted on the side, the plane of the side opening of the container is perpendicular to the bottom of the container or the lid of the container, and "below" this level refers to that part of the measuring device that protrudes into the container. This part contains the electronic unit. Thus, it is located in the region of the housing which is surrounded by threads and is inside the container in a screwed state, the "inside" being defined by the plane of the sealing device, for example an O-ring.

According to one embodiment, the body may be internally or externally threaded. In the case of an external thread, the body is cylindrical and surrounds the electronics. In the case of an internal thread, the body expands to form a container lid and is screwed onto the container body. The electronic unit can then, for example, be integrally connected to the expanded housing or container lid in the housing part and, in the assembled, i.e. screwed state, protrude downwards towards the bottom of the container. In this case, the sealing device with the above sealing plane is located along the internal thread.

Alternatively, the electronic unit may be screwed into the second housing, as described above, from above or from the outside into the container opening in the container lid, which is formed by the expanded housing, which is internally threaded.

As another alternative, the electronic unit in a separate housing can be screwed into the container lid from below. The separate body may have a second seal at the lower end of the external threads of the separate body. For the definition "below the geometrical plane of the sealing device", the sealing device on the female thread is decisive.

According to one embodiment, the electronic unit has a sensor, an antenna, and a communication unit. The sensor is configured to detect a measurement signal, for example by transmitting a radar signal via an antenna and re-receiving the reflected signal via the antenna, or by measuring temperature or pressure, for example. In addition, it can also contain an evaluation unit, which, for example, processes analog measurement signals and converts them into digital data, stores them temporarily and outputs them. The power supply is designed to power the sensor and possibly the antenna with a suitable voltage, and the communication unit is designed to receive control signals, for example, with which a measurement is initiated, certain data can be called in a certain format or synchronization can be performed, as well as to receive digital measurement data from the sensor, to embed the data in a format that conforms to the transmission protocol, and finally to provide or transmit the measurement data generated from the measurement signal according to the transmission protocol.

According to one embodiment, the communication unit may be a communication unit for wireless communication. The electronic unit is designed for battery power supply, so that no external cables for the measuring device are required, and the housing for the measuring device can be installed anywhere. Alternatively, the communication unit may be a communication unit for wired communication. However, this requires an external interface for connecting wires, which is located, for example, on the side of the housing outside the tank. The advantage of this option is that the current can be supplied through the external interface, which means that there is no need to monitor the battery voltage or maintain the battery.

According to one embodiment, the housing may be structured to receive an assembly tool from the outside of the container. Such a design is, for example, a recess in the top of the meter that fits the shape of a tool, such as a socket wrench or wrench, so that the tool can fit into the recess and support the screwing or unscrewing of the meter.

In accordance with one embodiment, the side of the housing facing the bottom of the container is shaped inside the container so that it has one or more slopes with respect to the horizontal to drain liquid or condensate. The liquid can be, for example, a medium in a container or condensate that has formed on a body in a container. The inclination can be realized, for example, by means of a conical design of the lower part of the body, which according to one embodiment is cylindrical. The liquid can, for example, be discharged along said slope to the top of the conical shape and drip from there.

According to one embodiment, the body, which is cylindrical at least between the sealing device and one or more slopes, preferably has a constant diameter in this region. For example, the diameter is two inches. Thus, a thread, for example a two-inch thread, can be placed in this area, and the entire body can be screwed in and out again, for example, from the outside, up to a corresponding protrusion, if the latter is present.

According to one embodiment, the measuring device on the outside is flush with the container and/or in the same plane with the lid. This is possible if, for example, there is a concavity or depression at the edge of the opening of the container, which corresponds to the height of the projecting protrusion of the measuring device, that is, part of the body above the plane of the sealing device. Alternatively, the protrusion of the body may be omitted, and the sealing device protrudes into a recess in the body, so that the sealing device is pressed laterally, for example, against the top unthreaded edge of the opening of the container.

According to one embodiment, the measuring device also has a vent and bleed valve for pressure equalization in the event of pressure differences that occur, for example, due to evaporation of the medium, removal of the medium, filling of the vessel or due to temperature changes. To do this, appropriate channels for supplying and discharging air or gas are introduced into the housing.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an edge detection sensor. The sensor for detecting boundary states, depending on the embodiment, can also be screwed into the side wall of the container, i.e. the opening of the container in this case is located in the side wall of the container.

In one embodiment, the body is made of plastic (eg, rigid polyethylene, HDPE) and/or metal, such as aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.

According to a second aspect, a container is provided with a container opening and a measuring device located therein, as described above. The container may, for example, be a barrel or canister made of plastic, tinplate, stainless steel or wood. The canister may, for example, have a threaded hole recessed in relation to the externally threaded or internally threaded surface. The wooden drum may, for example, have an opening into which an adapter with a suitable internal thread can be inserted for mounting a measuring device, or the body may have a thread diameter tapering downwards, i.e. into the interior of the drum.

Due to the fact that the measuring device due to its shape can be completely or almost completely screwed into the container and does not protrude or only slightly protrudes upwards, it is ensured that several containers can be placed, for example, on top of each other. Rectangular containers with a side-mounted measuring device can, depending on the exact shape of the container and the design of the body or container, be placed next to each other with little or no spacing.

Brief description of the figures

The following describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Neither the description nor the figures are to be construed as limiting the invention. This shows:

Fig. 1 - measuring device for a tank with an electronic unit outside the tank,

Fig. 2 shows a measuring device for a container and a container according to the first exemplary embodiment with an electronic unit under the sealing device,

Fig. 3 - measuring device for the container and the container according to the second exemplary embodiment with a vent inlet and outlet valve,

Fig. 4 shows a measuring device for a capacitance and a capacitance according to a third exemplary embodiment with a limit state sensor based on the principle of capacitive measurement,

Fig. 5 shows a container lid and a measuring device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 6 shows a measuring device for a container and a container according to the fifth exemplary embodiment, in which the upper side of the measuring device and the upper side of the container are flush,

Fig. 7 shows a container measuring device and a container according to the sixth exemplary embodiment, in which the upper side of the measuring device and the upper side of the container are also flush.

The drawings are schematic and not to scale. In principle, identical or similar parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed description of the figures

As an example, in FIG. 1 shows a level sensor 100 in which only the antenna 101 protrudes into the vessel, while the electronics housing 115 is located outside the vessel. The antenna 101 emits signals, such as a radar signal, which is reflected by the liquid 170 in the tank and again received by the antenna 101 for level measurement. The electronics housing 115 has a thread 105 which is located under the electronics housing and which has a passage in the thread whereby the antenna 101 which protrudes into the container can be connected to the sensor 150. The external thread 105 of the housing 115 engages with the internal thread 110 of the cover 111 containers. The diameter 120 of the housing 115 of the electronics may be larger than the diameter 130 of the thread. In the example in FIG. 1, the body 115 is wider than the thread hole 105 so that it presses against the O-rings 145 when it is screwed in and the structure is sealed.

The electronic unit in housing 115 is located in FIG. 1 above the plane 140 which is defined by the O-ring 145. Because the diameter 120 of the electronics housing 115 is larger than the diameter 130 of the threads 105, the electronics cannot protrude into the container. Thus, the electronics housing 115 protrudes upward from the container, so that the containers cannot be stacked on top of each other.

In FIG. 2 shows a measuring device 200 according to a second exemplary embodiment and a container 111. The measuring device 200 includes an electronics unit 220 with a sensor 221, a communication unit 222, and a power supply unit 223 including an antenna 225. The body 250 of the measuring device 200 also has a thread 205 with which meter 200 can be screwed into a container opening that also has a corresponding thread 110. Meter 200 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the thread, so that meter 200 can be almost completely screwed into container 290, up to the protrusion 280. The protrusion 280 limits screw-in so that meter 200 cannot be screwed through thread 110, and also allows pressure to be applied to O-ring 145 so that body 250 of meter 200 seals container 290. Antenna 225 has a maximum diameter that is less than the diameter of thread 110 or thread 205.

Thus, the electronics is located substantially inside the container in a medium-facing half-space 230, the upper boundary of which is defined by the sealing plane 140 in which the sealing ring 145 is located. an appropriate tool, such as a key for a cork in a barrel. In addition, the tip of the housing has, for example, a conical shape 250, which facilitates the draining of condensate and medium 270.

In FIG. 3 shows a measurement device 300 in another embodiment which, in addition to the features shown in FIG. 2 contains an inlet and outlet vent valve 301, which, through gas channels 310, provides pressure equalization between the inside of the container and the environment, in order to simplify filling and emptying processes.

In FIG. 4 shows the measuring device 400 in another embodiment, wherein the sensor 401 is an edge sensor 401 which functions, for example, according to the principle of capacitive measurement. That is, compared to the arrangement in FIG. 2, the antenna 225 is missing, and the communication unit 402 and the power supply unit 403 are located above the edge sensor 401. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the complete electronic unit, consisting of the communication unit 402, the power supply unit 403, and the boundary state sensor 401, is completely below the sealing plane 140. Only the top ledge 280 protrudes from the container. Depending on the measuring principle used, the geometry of the part of the body facing the medium can be designed according to the physical requirements of the measuring principle.

In FIG. 5 shows a container lid 530 and a measuring device 500 that is integrally integrated into the container lid 530 in another embodiment. The cap 530 of the container is internally threaded 505 so that it can be screwed onto the container. The container lid can be made, for example, in size DN 150 with NW 150 - female thread S165×7 or size DN 225 with NW 225 - female thread S245×6, as well as with one or more additional threaded connections 510 each with an additional hole 520 a container for screwing in, for example, a measuring device or for inserting a suction pipe. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, container lid 530 may also have only one integral meter 500, i.e., without additional container opening 520 and threads 510. In addition, container lid 530 may have only threaded hole 520 510, without meter 500 into which the measuring device described above can be screwed. The sealing plane of the meter in this embodiment is also above the electronics 220. In addition, the lid may have an inlet and outlet vent valve.

In FIG. 6 shows a container meter and a container according to a fifth exemplary embodiment, in which the meter top 601 and the container top 111 are flush, that is, flat when assembled. The sealing ring 145 is pressed laterally against the opening of the container during or after screwing in. The wall of the opening of the container is preferably not threaded on the upper part, so that the O-ring, when screwed in, can slide down this part of the wall.

In FIG. 7 shows a container meter and a threaded container 110 according to a sixth exemplary embodiment, in which also the meter top 701 and the container top 111 are flush. In this example, the container opening wall is subdivided into a first threaded portion 711 110 and a second unthreaded portion 712 which is offset outward from the first portion. In its upper part, the housing 250 has a circumferential protrusion 710, which, when the housing 250 is screwed into the opening of the container, presses the O-ring 145 against the upper side of the first part 711, and thus a sealing effect is achieved.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 6 and 7, the electronic unit 220 is also in each case below the plane 140 formed by the O-ring, so that the container with the installed measuring devices has an external shape that allows the container to be placed in places with limited space or stacked, while the measuring devices can still be easily remove or use.

Claims (22)

1. Measuring device (200) for recording a technological parameter in a vessel, containing an electronic unit (220) with a housing (250) and a sealing device (145) resting on the housing (250), while measuring device (200) is made with the possibility of screwing into the opening of the container; and at the same time, when the measuring device (200) is in the opening of the container, the sealing device (145) is made to seal the opening of the container; A the electronic unit (220) is located below the geometric plane of the sealing device (145) and inside the container. 2. Measuring device (200) according to claim 1, in which the housing (250) has a thread (205) for screwing the measuring device (200) into the opening of the container. 3. Measuring device (200) according to claim 2, in which the body (250) has an internal or external thread. 4. Measuring device (200) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the electronic unit (220) contains: a sensor (221) for registering the measurement signal; power supply unit (223); an antenna (225) connected to the sensor (221) for transmitting and receiving a measurement signal; and a communication unit (222) for receiving control signals, as well as for providing and transmitting measurement data from the measurement signal in accordance with the transmission protocol. 5. Measuring device (200) according to claim 4, in which the communication unit (222) is a communication unit for wireless communication, and the electronic unit (220) is configured to be powered by a battery; or the communication unit (222) is a communication unit for wired communication. 6. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (250) has a structure (260) for receiving a tool for installation outside the container. 7. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the side of the housing (250) directed towards the bottom of the container is shaped inside the container so that it has one or more slopes relative to the horizontal to drain liquid or condensate. 8. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device (200) is externally flush with the container and/or in the same plane as the lid of the container. 9. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the body (250) at least between the sealing device (145) and said one or more slopes has a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter. 10. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device (200) further comprises an inlet and outlet vent valve (301). 11. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (221) is a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a boundary state sensor. 12. Measuring device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (250) is made of plastic and/or metal. 13. A container with a container opening and a measuring device (200) located in it according to any one of claims 1-12.

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