IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,109,153
Granted Patent B2
US 8,109,153 · App. 12/450,984 · Granted Feb 7, 2012

Method for measuring and/or monitoring a flow parameter and corresponding device

Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,109,153
App. No.
12/450,984
Granted
Feb 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, which medium flows through a measuring tube, wherein the measuring tube is contacted by at least two transducer elements, by means of which the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations and by means of which mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable. Each of the at least two transducer elements is applied, offset in time, alternately, for exciting the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and for receiving the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

Claims (42)

1. A method for measuring and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, which medium flows through a measuring tube, wherein at least two transducer elements contact the measuring tube, comprising the steps of:

the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations and by means of which mechanical oscillations tube are receivable, and

each of the at least two transducer elements is applied, offset in time, alternately, for exciting the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and for receiving the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the transducer element is operated, offset in time, or simultaneously, in a test mode and in a measuring mode.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

the transducer element is supplied in the test mode with a test exciter signal and in the measuring mode with a measuring exciter signal.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein:

said test exciter signal and said measuring exciter signal differ from one another, at least as regards frequency.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the measuring tube is excited, through the transducer element in combination with an oscillation driving electronics, to execute mechanical oscillations, and through the transducer element, in combination with oscillation receiving electronics different from the oscillation driving electronics, mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are received.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the measuring tube is excited, through at least two transducer elements, alternately, to execute mechanical oscillations and mechanical oscillations are received from the measuring tube;

in each case, one transducer element excites the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and the other transducer element receives mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

the measuring tube is excited, through at least three transducer elements, individually or, especially, grouped pairwise, alternately, to execute mechanical oscillations and mechanical oscillations are received from the measuring tube; and

in each case, at least one transducer element excites the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and at least one transducer element receives mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:

the measuring tube is excited, in each case, alternately, through one of the three transducer elements, to execute mechanical oscillations, and the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are received by two transducer elements.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:

the measuring tube is excited, in each case, alternately, through, two of the three transducer elements, to execute mechanical oscillations, and the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are received by one transducer element.

10. An apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, which medium flows through a measuring tube, which apparatus comprises:

at least one transducer element, via which the measuring tube is both excitable to execute mechanical oscillations, as well as mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable;

at least one oscillation driving electronics connected to said at least one transducer element; and

one oscillation receiving electronics, wherein:

said oscillation driving electronics and said oscillation receiving electronics are different from one another;

said oscillation driving electronics effects, that said at least one transducer element excites the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations; and

said oscillation receiving electronics effects, that said at least one transducer element receives mechanical oscillations from the measuring tube.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one test control unit, which operates at least said at least one transducer element in a test mode; and

at least one measurement control unit which operates said at least one transducer element in a measuring mode.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein:

at least two transducer elements are provided, via which transducer elements both the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations, as well as mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein:

at least three transducer elements are provided, via which transducer elements both the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations, as well as mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein:

at least two transducer elements are, in each case, connected with said at least one oscillation driving electronics and said oscillation receiving electronics; and

said at least one oscillation driving electronics and said oscillation receiving electronics are, in each case, different from one another.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein:

two transducer elements are placed symmetrically to the third transducer element on the measuring tube.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one control unit, which control unit, via said at least one oscillation driving electronics and the therewith connected transducer element, excites the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and which control unit, via said at least one oscillation receiving electronics and the therewith connected transducer element, receives the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2009
From: KIRST, MICHAEL
To: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
Reel/Frame 023421/0856 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2007 024 275 · May 23, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100101333A1 · Apr 29, 2010