MEASURING DEVICE WITH A FLANGE, FLANGE AND CONTAINER

Abstract

A measuring device is provided, configured to be mounted on or in an opening of a container, the measuring device including: a flange configured to rest on a top of a wall of the container enclosing the opening of the container; and a clamping or spreading device configured to adjust and apply a clamping or spreading force to an underside of the wall or to an inside of the opening to secure the flange to the opening. A flange configured to be mounted on or in an opening of a container, and a container, are also provided.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A measuring device configured to be mounted on or in an opening of a container, the measuring device comprising: a flange configured to rest on a top of a wall of the container enclosing the opening of the container; and a clamping or spreading device configured to adjust and apply a clamping or spreading force to an underside of the wall or to an inside of the opening to secure the flange to the opening.

14. The measuring device according to claim 13, further comprising: a flange gasket arranged on a flange bottom and configured to be pressed against the top of the wall of the container when the clamping or spreading force is exerted.

15. The measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the clamping or spreading device comprises a clamping screw and a clamping element that can be displaced in a direction of the flange bottom by rotation of the clamping screw to exert the clamping force.

16. The measuring device according to claim 13, further comprising: a frame in which the clamping screw is held, and together with the clamping screw is configured to be displaced along a slot-like recess in the flange.

17. The measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the flange has an internally threaded opening configured for screwing in a measuring device housing to secure the measuring device housing to the flange.

18. The measuring device according to claim 17, further comprising: a screw or a clamping nut, which is attached to an external thread of the measuring device housing, wherein the clamping or spreading device comprises a spreading bracket, and wherein the flange is disposed between the screw or the clamping nut and the spreading bracket so that when the screw or the clamping nut is screwed in, the flange presses against the spreading bracket and spreads the spreading bracket radially outwardly to generate the spreading force.

19. The measuring device according to claim 17, further comprising: an internal circumferential seal disposed between the measuring device housing and the flange.

20. The measuring device according to claim 13, further comprising: a second clamping or spreading device, wherein both clamping or spreading devices are mounted on the flange opposite each other.

21. The measuring device according to claim 13, further comprising: a second and a third clamping or spreading device, wherein all of the clamping or spreading devices are mounted on the flange at a same radial distance from a center point of the flange.

22. A flange configured to be mounted on or in an opening of a container, the flange comprising: an opening configured to receive and hold a measuring device; a flange bottom configured to bear on a top of a wall of the container enclosing the opening of the container; and a clamping or spreading device configured to adjust and apply a clamping or spreading force to an underside of the wall or to an inside of the opening to secure the flange to the opening.

23. A container, comprising: a measuring device attached to the container, the measuring device comprising: a flange configured to rest on a top of a wall of the container enclosing the opening of the container, and a clamping or spreading device configured to adjust and apply a clamping or spreading force to an underside of the wall or to an inside of the opening to secure the flange to the opening; or a flange attached to the container, the flange comprising: an opening configured to receive and hold a measuring device, a flange bottom configured to bear on a top of a wall of the container enclosing the opening of the container, and a clamping or spreading device configured to adjust and apply a clamping or spreading force to an underside of the wall or to an inside of the opening to secure the flange to the opening.

24. The container according to claim 23, wherein the container is a plastic container.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a measuring device according to a first embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a flange.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a clamping device.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a measuring device according to a further embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a measuring device and a container according to a further embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a measuring device according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a measuring device 100 having a flange 115 attached to the wall 112 of a container 106 by means of a clamping or spreading device 110, 116.

[0037] The measuring device 100 has a measuring device housing 127, which has a horn antenna on the side facing the process, with an external thread on its neck. This external thread is screwed into the opening 118 of the flange 115. The flange bottom 120 rests on the top 111 of the vessel wall 112, and a sealing ring 125 may be disposed between the flange bottom 120 and the wall top 111.

[0038] Two horizontally slidable clamping elements 110, 116 are provided which can be slid radially outwardly along the flange until they abut the container opening.

[0039] When the clamping screws 122 of the two clamping devices 110, 116 are actuated (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the clamping connection 116, for example in the form of a clamping plate, is pushed vertically upwards by the clamping screw 122 towards the underside 113 of the container wall 106, as shown in particular in FIG. 3.

[0040] Optionally, a cover 124 may be provided to seal the horizontally adjustable clamping device 110, 116.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the flange of FIG. 1 in an overall view (right) and a detail view (left). The flange 115 has two opposing concentrically arranged clamping devices, each having a clamping screw 122. The clamping screw is horizontally slidable within the slot-like recess 123. As shown in the left half of FIG. 2, the clamping screw 122 is located in a frame 110 in which the clamping screw is held, and which is slidable together with the clamping screw along the slot-like recess 123 in the flange 115.

[0042] Furthermore, a type of tube 134 may be provided in which the clamping screw is located. A recess 126 is provided in the lower base portion of the frame 110, which receives the tip of the clamping screw.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an arrangement with a measuring device mounted below the sealing plane 131, which is screwed into the flange 115 from below.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a measuring device attached to a container 106 in the form of a level radar with an electronics housing 132 and a clamping or spreading device 107.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a detailed sectional view of a clamping or spreading device. The clamping or spreading device may also be referred to as a spreading and clamping unit. The measuring device 100 is inserted manually through a predetermined opening of the container 106. With the aid of the clamping nut 103, which has a shortened contact surface 109, the flange plate 104 with seal 105, 101 and spreader actuator 135 is pressed against the container wall, and in particular against the upper side 111 of the container wall 112. Subsequently, the rotational movement of the nut presses the spreader brackets 107 against the inner surface 114 of the container opening through the spreader actuator 135 and the bracket suspension 117. By a corresponding embodiment of the spreader brackets, the flange plate is pulled towards the upper side 111 of the container wall 112. Thus, an optional seal to the process and a secure attachment can be provided.

[0046] For this purpose, the spreader bars 107 are S-shaped so that the downward compressive force of the spreader actuator 135 on one end of the spreading bracket 107 causes a radially outward movement of the other end with a superimposed upward movement.

[0047] The internal seal 101 moves on a smooth surface (sliding surface) during the clamping process to avoid deformation and thus damage to the seal and to ensure the sealing function.

[0048] Frictional forces are minimized by a reduced contact surface of the clamping nut on the flange plate 104. This prevents twisting of the flange plate during the clamping process.

[0049] For correct assembly, at least two spreader bars 107 are advantageous. However, three, four or more spreader bars may also be provided.

[0050] Due to the spreading and clamping technique at the sensor process connection, universal mounting at openings on or above measuring instruments is possible.

[0051] Due to the individually adjustable clamping technique, sensors can be easily and quickly and safely mounted in thin-walled containers or other measuring arrangements with an opening of any kind.

[0052] Due to the spreading technique, measuring devices can be easily and quickly mounted securely on thick-walled containers with an appropriate bore (or round opening).

[0053] The diameter of the opening in the vessel or at the measuring point must correspond to the spreader on the measuring device. Different versions of the spreader can be used to cover and seal different diameters of the opening.

[0054] It can also be provided that appropriate adapter flanges with standardized sensor connection (for example G ½ inch or NPT connection thread) are offered for both the spreading and the clamping technology. Stocking sensors with different process connections is no longer necessary.

[0055] Supplementally, it should be noted that “having” and “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality. It should further be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.