NL1041244A

NL1041244A - Modular measurement system with exchangeable sensorcartridges.

Info

Publication number: NL1041244A
Application number: NL1041244A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Pascal Ferdinand Antonius Maria Van Putten Ir; Maarten Kornet Ir; Arend-Jan Van Lent Ir; Sander De Knegt Ing; Job Kneppers Ir
Original assignee: Van Putten Instr B V
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2015-03-25
Publication date: 2016-03-08
Also published as: NL1041244B1

Description

Modular measurement system with exchangeable sensorcartridges Introduction

Servicing and recalibration of field measurement equipment devices, for example insertion flow meters is in general a cumbersome job. The entire device needs to be uninstalled and sent back to the manufacturer for recalibration.

In this invention, we describe a modular measurement system, in which one or more sensors are packaged in a cartridge-shaped probe, hereinafter referred to as "sensorcartride". The sensorcartridge can be easily and safely exchanged by a new one, so calibration is not an issue anymore.

An aspect of the invention provides a safety mechanism, consisting of an adjustable safety line.

According to an embodiment the sensorcartridge communicates with a data display unit, using a digital serial protocol.

According to an embodiment the probe cartridge can be rotated to facilitate readout of the data display unit.

According to an embodiment the sensorcartridge may include a silicon mass flow sensor.

According to an embodiment, the sensorcartridge contains multiple sensors for measuring fluid consumption, pressure, temperature and humidity Also, for example, the sensorcartridge may contain a gas flow or liquid flow sensor.

According to an embodiment, the sensorcartridge contains sensor elements in which one or more parameters for flow, pressure, temperature and humidity are combined.

The sensorcartridge includes a sensing structure, e.g. a flow sensor element, capable of, or configured for measuring changes in a defined physical parameter. The sensorcartridge is configured to process these physical parameters into electrical digital signals.

The modular measurement system is not limited to the internal sensor technologies, nor to the parameters to be sensed. It can be applied on all possible applications.

The modular measurement system is also not limited to the physical shape of the probe cartridges. As preferred embodiment, we describe a system where the sensorcartridge is mounted using a fixation ring.

The invention will now be described, referring to the drawings which show a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 depicts a 3D exploded side view of the entire system with the sensorcartridge and the digital data display unit.

Figure 2 depicts a 3D view of the sensorcartridge and the digital data display unit.

An exploded view of a non-limiting example of the invention is described in Figure. 1 and 2. The data processing unit (1), in this example manufactured out of aluminum and plastic, has a sensorcartridge reception hole, where the sensorcartridge (2) is mounted, using a fixation ring (3) which accommodates a safety mechanism. In this example, the safety ring has internal thread, but it may also be implemented with a bayonet fitting or a combination between thread, push/pull and bayonet fitting mechanisms. The housing accommodates an electronics board. This board provides the required field output signals and digitally communicates with the sensorcartridge. The sensorcartridge is equipped with circular contacts. The electrical connection between the sensorcartridge and the data processing unit is established using gold-plated spring loaded ball contacts and circular electric conduits (9). These ball contacts can be on either side, this means they can be on the main board or on the sensorcartridge. The sensorcartridge(2) in this example is made of aluminum and injection molded plastic. Various sensors are mounted inside the sensorcartridge(2). The probe (7) and sensors(8)of the sensorcartridge are sealed with potting with polyurethane or epoxy.

To prevent the sensorcartridge from shooting out of a pressurized environment, one or two safety lines(4) can be mounted onto the sensorcartridge. The fixation ring (3) prevents accidental removal of the safety lines. The safety lines are retained using an auto brake system (5) and an end stop (6)

Applications of the invention are gas and liquid flow, pressure, temperature, oil content and dew point measurement of any medium.

The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments nor the parameters to be measured.

The skilled person will appreciate that the probe cartridges can have various shapes, colors and dimensions. Particularly, a sensorcartridge may have a unique shape to prevent mis-mounting thereof.

Claims

1. Modulaire meetinrichting voor een of meerdere parameters waarbij gebruik wordt gemaakt van een of meerdere verwisselbare sensorcartridges.A modular measuring device for one or more parameters wherein use is made of one or more exchangeable sensor cartridges.

2. Modulaire meetinrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de sensorcartridges een of meerdere sensoren bevatten voor flow, druk, temperatuur, luchtvochtigheid en of luchtkwaliteit.Modular measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cartridges contain one or more sensors for flow, pressure, temperature, humidity and or air quality.

3. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de sensorcartridge een unieke vorm heeft om misplaatsing van de cartridge te voorkomen.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor cartridge has a unique shape to prevent misplacement of the cartridge.

4. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de sensorcartridge een beveiligingsinrichting heeft ten behoeve van het veilig uitwisselen bij een systeem dat eventueel onder druk staat.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor cartridge has a security device for the purpose of safe exchange in a system that may be under pressure.

5. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij er een automatisch druk-aflaatmechanisme is voorzien.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an automatic pressure releasing mechanism is provided.

6. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de flowsensor een massaflowsensor is welke ook geconfigureerd is voor het meten van druk en temperatuur.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the flow sensor is a mass flow sensor, which is also configured to measure pressure and temperature.

7. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de flowsensor een verschildruksensor is.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the flow sensor is a differential pressure sensor.

8. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waar een van de sensorcartridge een luchtvochtigheidssensor bevat.A method, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, where one of the sensor cartridge contains an air humidity sensor.

9. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een van de sensorcartridge minimaal één koolwaterstofsensor bevat.The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the sensor cartridge contains at least one hydrocarbon sensor.

10. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de sensorcartridge via een serieel digitaal protocol communiceren.The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor cartridge communicates via a serial digital protocol.

11. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de sensorcartridge een ingebouwd algoritme voor zelfdiagnose heeft.The method, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor cartridge has a built-in self-diagnosis algorithm.

12. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies waarbij de sensorcartridge met behulp van springveercontacten vrij roteerbare verbinding maakt met de uitleeseenheid.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the sensor cartridge makes freely rotatable connection to the read-out unit with the aid of spring contacts.

13. Methode, volgens een of meerdere van voorgaande conclusies waarbij de sensorcartridge met behulp van springveercontacten verbinding maakt met de uitleeseenheid.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor cartridge connects to the read-out unit with the aid of spring contacts.