Abstract
A measuring device, configured to detect a process variable in a container, is provided, the measuring device including: electronic circuitry with a housing and a sealing abutting the housing, the measuring device being further configured to be arranged in a container opening, and when the measuring device is arranged in the container opening: the sealing is configured to seal the container opening, and the electronic circuitry is arranged below a geometric plane of the sealing. A container including a container opening and the measuring device is also provided.
Claims
1.-13. (canceled)
14. A measuring device, configured to detect a process variable in a container, the measuring device comprising: electronic circuitry with a housing and a sealing abutting the housing, wherein the measuring device is further configured to be arranged in a container opening, and wherein, when the measuring device is arranged in the container opening: the sealing is configured to seal the container opening, and the electronic circuitry is arranged below a geometric plane of the sealing.
15. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a thread configured to screw the measuring device into the container opening.
16. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the housing comprises an internal thread or an external thread.
17. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises: a sensor configured to detect a measurement signal, an energy supply, an antenna connected to the sensor and configured to transmit and to receive the measurement signal, and communication circuitry configured to receive control signals and to provide and transmit measurement data from the measurement signal in accordance with a transmission protocol.
18. The measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the communication circuitry is circuitry configured for wireless communication, and the electronic circuitry is configured to be supplied with electric power by a battery, or wherein the communication circuitry is circuitry configured for wired communication.
19. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a structure configured to receive a tool for mounting from an outside of the container.
20. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein a side of the housing facing a bottom of the container is shaped within the container such that the side has one or more inclinations with respect to a horizontal that are configured for draining liquid or condensate.
21. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the measuring device is flush with the container and/or a lid in one plane on an outside.
22. The measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the housing has a constant diameter cylindrical shape at least between the sealing and the one or more inclinations.
23. The measuring device according to claim 14, further comprising an aeration and deaeration valve.
24. The measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a level detection sensor.
25. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the housing is made of plastic and/or metal.
26. A container, comprising: a container opening; and a measuring device according to claim 14, wherein the measuring device is disposed in the container opening.
Description
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Neither the description nor the figures are intended to be construed as limiting the invention. Hereby shows
[0025] FIG. 1 a measuring device for a container with an electronic unit outside the container,
[0026] FIG. 2 a measuring device for a container and a container according to a first embodiment with an electronic unit below the sealing arrangement,
[0027] FIG. 3 a measuring device for a container and a container according to a second embodiment with an aeration and venting valve,
[0028] FIG. 4 a measuring device for a container and a container according to a third embodiment with a point level sensor according to the capacitive measuring principle,
[0029] FIG. 5 a container lid and a measuring device according to a fourth embodiment,
[0030] FIG. 6 a measuring device for a container and a container according to a fifth embodiment, wherein the top of the measuring device and the top of the container are arranged flush.
[0031] FIG. 7 a measuring device for a container and a container according to a sixth embodiment, wherein the top of the measuring device and the top of the container are also flush.
[0032] The drawings are only schematic and not to scale. In principle, identical or similar parts are provided with the same reference signs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an example of a level sensor 100 in which only the antenna 101 protrudes into the container, while the electronics housing 115 is located outside the container. The antenna 101 transmits signals, for example a radar signal, which is reflected by the liquid 170 in the container and is received back by the antenna 101 for level measurement. The electronics housing 115 has a thread 105 located below the electronics housing, which has a feedthrough in the thread whereby the antenna 101, which extends into the container, can be connected to the sensor 150. In this regard, the external thread 105 of the housing 115 engages the internal thread 110 of the container cover 111. The diameter 120 of the electronics housing 115 may be larger than the diameter 130 of the thread. In the example in FIG. 1, the housing 115 is wider than the opening for the thread 105 so that it is pressed onto the sealing rings 145 when it is screwed in and the arrangement is tight.
[0034] In FIG. 1, the electronics unit in the housing 115 is above the plane 140 formed by the sealing ring 145. Because the diameter 120 of the electronics housing 115 is larger than the diameter 130 of the thread 105, the electronics unit cannot protrude into the container. Thus, the electronics housing 115 protrudes upwardly from the container so that the container is not stackable.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a measuring device 200 according to a second embodiment and a container 111. The measuring device 200 includes an electronic unit 220 with a sensor 221, a communication unit 222 and a power supply unit 223 including an antenna 225. The housing 250 of the measuring device 200 further includes a thread 205 with which the measuring device 200 can be screwed into an opening of the container, which also includes a corresponding thread 110. The gauge 200 has a diameter corresponding to the thread diameter, such that the gauge 200 can be screwed into the container 290 almost completely, except for an overhanging protrusion 280. The overhanging protrusion 280 limits screwing in so that the gauge 200 cannot be screwed through the threads 110, and also allows pressure to be applied to the sealing ring 145 so that the housing 250 of the gauge 200 tightly seals the container 290. Antenna 225 has a maximum diameter which is smaller than that of thread 110 or thread 205.
[0036] The electronic unit is thus located substantially inside the container in the half-space 230 facing the medium, the upper boundary of which is defined by the sealing plane 140 in which the sealing ring 145 is located. In this regard, the housing shape on the outside of the container has a geometry 260 which facilitates screwing in with an appropriate tool, for example a bunghole wrench. Furthermore, the tip of the housing has a geometry 250, for example conical, which facilitates the dripping of condensate and medium 270.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a measuring device 300 in a further embodiment which, in addition to the features shown in FIG. 2, has an aeration and deaeration valve 301 which enables pressure equalisation between the inside of the container and the environment via the gas channels 310 in order to facilitate filling or emptying processes.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a measuring device 400 in a further embodiment, wherein the sensor 401 is a point level sensor 401 which functions, for example, according to the capacitive measuring principle. 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 point level sensor 401. Also in this embodiment example, the complete electronic unit comprising the communication unit 402, the power supply unit 403 and the point level sensor 401 is arranged completely below the sealing plane 140. Only the upper protrusion 280 protrudes from the container. Depending on the measuring principle used, the geometry of the housing part facing the medium can be designed according to the physical requirement of the measuring principle.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a container lid 530 and a measuring device 500 integrally formed with the container lid 530, in another embodiment. The container lid 530 has an internal thread 505 so that it can be screwed onto the container. The container lid may, for example, be of size DN 150 with NW 150-internal thread S165×7 or of size DN 225 with NW 225-internal thread S245×6, and may have one or more optional threaded connections 510 each with an optional container opening 520 for screwing in, for example, a measuring device or for inserting a suction nozzle. According to the embodiments, the container lid 530 may also comprise either only the integrally integrated measuring device 500, that is without further container opening 520 and thread 510. Furthermore, the container lid 530 may comprise only the opening 520 with thread 510 without measuring device 500, into which a measuring device explained above may be screwed. The sealing plane of the measuring device is also above the electronic unit 220 in these embodiments. Furthermore, the lid may also comprise a vent valve.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a measuring device for a container and a container according to a fifth embodiment in which the upper side of the measuring device 601 and the upper side of the container 111 are flush, i.e. planar, when mounted. The sealing ring 145 is pressed laterally against the container opening during or after screwing-in. Preferably, the wall of the container opening does not have a thread at the upper part, so that the sealing ring can slide down this part of the wall when it is screwed in.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows a gauge for a container and a container with a thread 110 according to a sixth embodiment in which the gauge top 701 and the container top 111 are also arranged flush. In this example, the wall of the container opening is divided into a first portion 711 having the thread 110 and a second portion 712 without threads, which is arranged outwardly offset from the first portion. The housing 250 has a circumferential projection 710 on its upper part, which presses the sealing ring 145 onto the upper surface of the first part 711 when the housing 250 is screwed into the container opening, thus achieving the sealing effect.
[0042] Also in the embodiment examples according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the electronic unit 220 is in each case located below the plane 140 formed by the sealing ring, so that the containers with the mounted measuring devices have an outer shape which allows the containers to be set up or stacked even in space-critical locations, and the measuring devices can nevertheless be removed or used flexibly.
