THZ MEASUREMENT METHOD AND THZ MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR SURVEYING A MEASUREMENT OBJECT, IN PARTICULAR A PIPE

Abstract

The invention relates to a THz measuring method for measuring a measured object (6), for example, a pipe made of a plastics or rubber, comprising a calibrating step for measuring an empty time of flight of at least one THz transmission beam through an empty path between a first measuring position (MP1) and a second measuring position (MP2) of a measuring region (4) without the measured object (6) and determining the empty path (s0), positioning a measured object (6) in the measuring region (4) between measuring positions (MP1, MP2), carrying out a first THz-measurement from the first measuring position (MP1) using a THz transmission beam (20-1) along a first optical axis (A) while measuring a first exterior time of flight (tL1) up to an exterior surface (6a) of the measured object (6), a first wall time of flight (tR1) through a first wall region of the measured object (6) and an interior time of flight (tL2, tL2_1) through an interior space (6c) of the measured object, carrying out a second THz-measurement from the second measuring position (MP1) along a second optical axis (A) while measuring a second exterior time of flight (tL3) between the second measuring position (MP2) and the exterior surface (6a) of the measured object (6) and a second wall time of flight (tR2) through a second wall region of the measured object (6) determining a total time of flight (tges_R) through the measuring region (4) with the measured object, and determining a first wall thickness (sR1) of the first wall region and a second wall thickness (sR2) of the second wall region from the measured times of flight (St7).

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A THz measuring method for measuring a measured object, for example, a pipe made of a plastics or rubber, the method including preparatory step, providing a THz sensor arrangement for emitting and/or reflecting THz transmission beams from at least one first measuring position of a measuring region and from a second measuring position of the measuring region, the measuring positions being separated by an empty path, calibrating step, measuring of an empty time of flight of at least one THz transmission beam through the empty path without the measured object and determining the empty path, positioning a measured object inside the measuring region between the first measuring position and the second measuring position, carrying out a first THz measurement from the first measuring position using a THz transmission beam along a first optical axis while measuring a first exterior time of flight up to an exterior surface of the measured object, a first wall time of flight through a first wall region of the measured object and an interior time of flight through an interior space of the measured object, carrying out a second THz measurement from the second measuring position along a second optical axis while measuring a second exterior time of flight between the second measuring position and the exterior surface of the measured object and a second wall time of flight through a second wall region of the measured object, determining a total time of flight through the measuring region with the measured object, and determining a first wall thickness of the first wall region and a second wall thickness of the second wall region from the measured times of flight.

29. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the determination of the wall thicknesses is carried out without using a material specific value of the measured object, in particular, without a refraction index or a material specific speed of light.

30. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein subsequently, from the determination of the wall thicknesses and the wall times of flight a material specific optical value of the material of the measured object, in particular, a refraction index of the measured object is determined.

31. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the first THz transmission beam emitted from the first measuring position and the second THz transmission beam emitted from the opposite second measuring position are emitted at different times and/or in different frequency ranges and/or in different polarity, so as to avoid mutual interference of the two THz transmission beams.

32. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the THz sensor arrangement comprises at least two THz sensors arranged around the measuring region at the measuring positions, in particular, statically arranged THz sensors, emitting the at least two THz transmission beams and carrying out the at least two THz measurements.

33. The THz measuring method of claim 32, wherein the THZ sensor arrangement comprises THZ-sensors received pivotably in their measuring positions lying, in an initial position, on a common optical axis and being respectively adjusted from this initial position thereby producing an adjustment angle between their optical axes, where the THZ-sensors are pivoted away from the initial position subsequent to the calibrating step and/or prior to some of the THZ measurements.

34. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the THZ sensor arrangement comprises one or more THz sensors rotating continuously around the measuring region, the sensor or sensors carrying out the THz measurements at the measuring positions during such rotation, in particular continuously during rotation, preferably to create helically circumferential, overlapping measurements at the exterior circumference of the measured object so as to completely measure the measured object.

35. The THz measuring method of claim 34, wherein the THZ sensor arrangement comprises at least two THz sensors distributed around the measuring region and arranged in a manner not opposite one another, and jointly rotating, so as to carry out the THz measurements at different times at opposite measuring positions.

36. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the calibrating step for measuring the empty time of flight a calibrating reflector with reflective surfaces on both sides and a known reference thickness, e.g. a precision sheet, is introduced in-between the opposite measuring positions, from both measuring positions each an empty partial time of flight up to one of the reflective surfaces is measured, and subsequently, from the so determined empty partial times of flight, the known speed of light as well as the known reference thickness the empty time of flight and, preferably, the empty path are determined.

37. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein in the calibrating step for measuring the empty time of flight a calibration object transparent for THz radiation, e.g. a calibration pipe with a known reference thickness and/or layer thicknesses, is introduced in-between the opposite measuring positions, from both measuring positions each an empty partial time of flight up to boundary surfaces of the calibration object is measured, and subsequently, from the so determined empty partial times of flight, the known speed of light as well as the known reference thickness the empty time of flight and, preferably, the empty path are determined.

38. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the THz sensors in the first and second measuring positions lie on a common optical axis.

39. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein from the interior times of flight of the interior space of the measured object measured from opposite measuring positions and/or measured interior times of flight of the calibration object, an averaging is carried out so as to determine an average and/or a comparison to validate the measured interior times of flight.

40. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein in the preparatory step at the first measuring position a first THz sensor and at the second measuring position a measuring reflector is arranged, reflecting the first THz transmission beam, emitted from the first THz sensor and coming in along the first optical axis, back to the first THz sensor, where, as the calibrating step, a direct measurement of the empty time of flight of the empty path is carried out by means of the first THz sensor, and in the measurements upon measuring the measured object all times of flight are measured by the first THz sensor, with and/or without reflection at the measuring reflector.

41. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the determination of the total time of flight through the measuring region is carried out via a summation of the first and second exterior times of flight, the two wall times of flight, and an interior time of flight.

42. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the first and/or second wall thickness are determined according to the following formula:
sR1=tR1*c0*(t0−tL1−tL2−tL3)/(tR1+tR2) and
sR2=tR2*c0*(t0−tL1−tL2−tL3)/(tR1+tR2) with the following variables: sR1: first wall thickness, sR2: second wall thickness, tR1: first wall time of flight, tR2: second wall time of flight, c0: speed of light in a vacuum or gas of the measuring region (4), t0: empty time of flight of the calibration step, tL1: first exterior time of flight, tL3: second exterior time of flight, and tL2: interior time of flight.

43. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the measured object is continuously transported through the measuring region, in particular, perpendicular to the optical axis, and the wall thicknesses are continuously determined, preferably also to refraction indices of the measured object.

44. The THz measuring method of claim 43, wherein the wall thicknesses are continuously temporally acquired and compared to one another, in particular, to determine temporal changes of the wall thicknesses and/or a temporal change of the material composition from a temporal change of the refraction index.

45. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein upon detecting that reflections at the interior surface for measuring the wall times of flight and/or the interior time of flight are not or not accurately determined from the measuring signals, a destructive reflection of the THz transmission beam is inferred, and the wall thicknesses are determined from the total time of flight within the pipe walls with the last determined refraction index.

46. The THz measuring method of claim 28, wherein the at least one THz transmission beam is emitted as terahertz radiation, microwave radiation or radar radiation, in particular, in a frequency range between 5 GHz and 50 THz, in particular 10 GHz and 5 THz, e.g. with direct time of flight measurement, frequency modulation and/or pulsed radiation.

47. A THz measuring device for measuring a measured object, e.g. a pipe made of plastics or rubber, comprising: a THz sensor arrangement including at least one first THz sensor, adapted to carry out at least, one first THz measurement at a first measuring position by emitting a first THz transmission beam and receiving first reflected radiation, and one second THz measurement at a second measuring position by emitting a second THz transmission beam and receiving second reflected radiation, the first and second measuring positions being separated by an empty path, a controller and evaluating device for controlling the sensor arrangement and receiving at least one measuring signal of the sensor arrangement, said controller and evaluating device being configured to determine, from the at least one measuring signal, an empty time of flight measured in a calibration, a first and second exterior time of flight between the measuring positions and an exterior surface of a measured object, wall times of flight of the at least one THz transmission beam in wall regions of the measured object and an interior time of flight in an interior space of the measured object, and from the determined times of flight and the speed of light in the empty measuring region, a first wall thickness of the first wall region and a second wall thickness of the second wall region of the measured object introduced in the measuring region.

48. The THz measuring device of claim 47, wherein the THz sensor arrangement comprises: a first THz sensor statically arranged at the first measuring position for emitting the first THz transmission beams along an optical axis into the measuring region, and a second THz sensor statically arranged at the second measuring position for emitting the a second THz transmission beam along the optical axis into the measuring region.

49. The THz measuring device of claim 47, wherein the THz sensor arrangement comprises: one or more THz sensors and an adjusting means, e.g., a rotational guide of the at east one THz sensor for partially or continuously circling the measuring region and for positioning into at least the first and second measuring position.

50. The THz measuring device of claim 47, wherein the THz sensor arrangement comprises: the first THz sensor arranged at the first measuring position for emitting the first THz transmission beam along an optical axis into the measuring region and a measuring reflector arranges at the opposite second measuring position for reflecting the THz transmission beam, emitted from the first THz sensor along the optical axis, back to the first THz sensor.

51. The THz measuring device of claim 47, wherein the THz measuring device comprises a plurality of THz sensors arranged around the measuring region, statically or rotating, preferably with alignment of their optical axes onto a common center point, e.g., onto a transport axis.

52. The THz measuring device of claim 47, wherein the THz measuring device further comprises a conveyor device for continuously guiding and/or transporting the measured object through the measuring region, in particular, along a transport axis perpendicular to the at least one optical axis.

53. The arrangement for manufacturing an extrusion profile, in particular, a pipe profile made of plastics or rubber, including an extruder for putting out an extrusion profile, comprising at least one material feed, designed to feed at least one source material, e.g. as a granulate, powder or shredded goods, to the extruder, and the THz measuring of claim 52 including the conveyor device for conveying the extrusion profile as measured object through the measuring region, the controller and evaluation device being configured to determine temporal changes in a material composition and/or material distribution of the pipe profile and to put out an indicator signal and/or control signal for controlling the extruder and/or its material feed.

54. The arrangement of claim 53, the material feed being adapted to feed to the extruder several different source materials, and the controller and evaluation device being adapted to determine a current material composition of the source materials from a currently determined refraction index of the extrusion profile.

Description

[0047] The invention is illustrated below by means of attached drawings in a few embodiments. It is shown in:

[0048] FIG. 1 a THz measuring device according to a first embodiment;

[0049] FIG. 2 the THz measuring device from FIG. 1 during calibration;

[0050] FIG. 3 the THz measuring device from FIG. 1,2 during subsequent measuring of a single wall pipe as the measured object;

[0051] FIG. 4 a THz measuring device according to a second embodiment during calibration (empty measurement);

[0052] FIG. 5 the THz measuring device from FIG. 4 during subsequent measuring of a measured object;

[0053] FIG. 6 an arrangement for manufacturing and measuring profiles and/or pipes using a THz measuring device in a lateral view;

[0054] FIG. 7 a flow chart of a THz measuring methods according to the two embodiments;

[0055] FIG. 8 a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 in an embodiment involving THZ sensors pivoting in the measuring plane and decentral measured object.

[0056] FIG. 9 the subsequent determination of the partial paths according to FIG. 8, for correcting the inclined position in relation to FIG. 3

[0057] According to the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 through 3, a THz measuring device 3 comprises a first, in this case left, THz sensor 1 and a second, in this case right, THz sensor 2 defining in-between them a measuring region 4 with an empty path (empty distance, reference path) s0 of e.g. between 1 and 2 m. the two THz sensors 1, 2 are designed as THz transceivers, i.e. transmitter and receiver means, in particular, fully electronic with a THz receiver chip. The THz sensors 1, 2 are aligned on a common optical axis A in the measuring region 4; slight deviations from the common optical axis A are not relevant here as long as these settings are not changed subsequently. According to the lateral view of the FIG. 6. the THz-sensors 1, 2 may be received, in particular at a common, e.g., cylindrical housing 5 and aligned towards the measuring region 4 defined in-between them, which is open at the sides, in particular, for measuring continuous measured objects, in particular, pipes 6. Thus, according to FIG. 7, after the start in step St0 this measuring device 3 is formed in a preparatory step St1.

[0058] Subsequently a calibrating step St2 is carried out in which, in this embodiment, the empty path s0, i.e., the distance between the THz sensors 1, 2, and the empty time of flight t0 are calibrated as time of flight of the THz radiation in the empty path s0. To that end, a two-faced calibrating reflector 7 is positioned in the measuring region 4 perpendicular to the optical axis A so that its two lateral surfaces 7a, 7b are perpendicular to the optical axis A. As calibrating reflector 7 e.g., a precision sheet with exactly known thickness, e.g., s7=0.507 mm, can be utilized.

[0059] This is followed by the empty measurement or reference measurement, where the first THz sensor 1 emits a first THz calibrating beam 11 along the optical axis A and detects the THz radiation reflected from the reflector surface 7a, thereby providing a precise determination of the first (left) empty partial time t0-1, i.e. the time of flight across the distance or, respectively, empty path segment s0-1 between the first sensor 1 and the first reflector surface 7a. Accordingly, the second THz sensor 2 emits a second THz calibrating beam 2 along the optical axis A into the measuring region 4 which is reflected from the second reflector surface 7b and again detected by the THz sensor 2 so that, correspondingly, the second empty partial time t0-2 is measured precisely, i.e. the time of flight across the second empty path segment s0-2 between the second sensor 2 and the second reflector surface 7b.

[0060] Hereby, the THz sensors 1, 2 send out THz radiation along the optical axis and detect reflected THz radiation, whereby they measure the corresponding times of flight t. Hereby, direct time of flight measurements may be carried out, in which reflection peaks are detected; accordingly, it is also possible to carry out measurements with frequency modulation, with corresponding evaluation in the frequency domain and conversion to corresponding times of flight.

[0061] The empty time of flight t0 for each of the THz sensors 1, 2, i.e., the time of flight of the THz radiation from each THz sensor 1, 2 via the empty path s0 to the other THz sensor 2, 1 then essentially corresponds to the double of the averaged empty partial time t0-1, t0-2 of both sensor measurement plus a path compensation of the reflector thickness s7, i.e., a path compensation s7/c0.

[0062] Due to the highly precisely known speed of light c0=299.792.458 m/s the empty time of flight t0 in a vacuum and accordingly in the air can be converted with high precision into an empty path s0, i.e., s0=t0*c0.

[0063] Thus, alternatively, the empty path s0 may also be calculated directly from the empty partial time t0-1, t0-2 and the reflector thickness s7, i.e., s0=(t0-1+t0-2)*c0+s7.

[0064] Following such calibration, the calibrating reflector 7 is preferably removed again so that, subsequently measurements of measured objects 6 can be carried out. After this calibration the THz sensors 1, 2 are no longer adjusted, or, respectively, in the event of an adjustment a subsequent calibration is provided. Adjustments of the entire measuring device 1 relative to the measured object 6 do not affect the calibration. In principle, the calibrating reflector may even remain firmly installed.

[0065] Instead of a calibrating reflector 7 (whether temporary or firmly installed) a known and precisely measured calibrating object, e.g. a calibrating pipe with known dimensions, i.e., in particular, known reference thickness and/or layer thickness, e.g., made of plastics or e.g. ceramics, can be introduced in-between the measuring positions or, respectively, in the embodiment involving two THz sensors in-between the two THZ-sensors 1, 2, so that, then, from both measuring positions MP1, MP2 each an empty partial time t0-1, t0-2 up to boundary surfaces of the calibration object is measured, and, subsequently, the empty time of flight t0 and, preferably, the empty path s0 are determined from the so determined empty partial times t0-1, t0-2, the known speed of light c0 as well as the known reference thickness. This shall be described in more detail below. Thereafter, the calibration object can be removed.

[0066] According to FIG. 3, as measured object 6 a single wall pipe made of plastics or rubber is guided through the measuring region 4, in particular, with its transport axis B perpendicular to the optical axis A. Hereby, however, the lateral position of the measured object 6 is generally not specified, whereby the measured object 6 or even the measuring device 3 (without adjusting the sensors 1,2 in relation to one another) can be laterally adjusted in order to center the measured object 6.

[0067] Thus, from the calibration or, respectively, empty path measurement of FIG. 1, 2, the empty time of flight t0 and the empty path s0 are known already, and these are subsequently used for calculations in measuring measured objects 6.

[0068] Thus, in the measuring arrangement according to FIG. 3, subsequently the measured object 6 is transported along the transport axis B through the THz measuring device 1 and continuously measured. Hereby, in a first measuring step St4 again the first THz sensor 1 sends a first THz transmission beam 20-1 along the optical axis A into the measuring region 4, i.e., essentially in the direction of the transport axis B, and detects first THz reflection beams 21-1.

[0069] Thus, the first THz transmission beam 20-1 runs from the first THz sensor 1 through a first exterior space (thus, here, the left exterior space) sL1 up to the exterior surface 6a of the pipe 6, with a measured first exterior time of flight tL1, then the first THz transmission beam 20-1 passes through the exterior surface 6a so that, accordingly, at time tL1 a first measuring peak is generated in the first THz reflection beam 21-1,

[0070] Whereupon the first THz transmission beam 20-1 subsequently passes through the material of the pipe wall 6d with the refraction index n6. Hereby, the first THz transmission beam 20-1 transits the first wall region with a first wall thickness sR1 and, generates, after a first interior time of flight tR1, subsequently again a reflection peak upon passing through the interior surface 6b of the pipe 6;

[0071] then the first THz transmission beam 20-1 runs through the interior space 6c of the pipe 6, i.e. through the interior diameter sL2, until it again reaches the interior surface 6a, whereby a first interior time of flight tL2-1 is measured.

[0072] Thus, in this first measuring step the times of flight tL1, tR1, tL2-1 are measured; however, the refraction index n6 is still unknown so that the first interior time of flight tR1, too, cannot be converted directly into the first wall thickness sR1 initially.

[0073] Accordingly, in a second measuring step St5, the second THz transmission beam 20-2 is emitted from the second THz sensor 2 into the measuring region 4, whereby upon transiting the second (right) exterior space sL3 it puts out a measuring peak and enters the exterior surface 6a of the pipe 6 and, after transiting the second (right) wall region of the pipe 6 with a second wall thickness sR2, upon striking the interior surface 6b again generates a measuring peak as partial reflection which is detected in the second THz reflection beam 20-2 as measuring signal. Here, too, the second wall time of flight tR2 again cannot be converted directly into the second wall thickness sR2 because of the unknown refraction index n6. Subsequently, the second THz transmission beam 20-1, too, enters the interior space 6c, i.e., through a first wall thickness R1 with the time of flight tR1 of the pipe 6 thus putting out a measuring peak after transiting though the interior diameter L2 after the second interior time of flight tL2-2.

[0074] In FIG. 3, the so determined times of flight are shown, i.e., the first measuring signal SS1 contains the times of flight tL1, tR1 and tL2-1, and, accordingly, the second measuring signal SS2 the times of flight t-L3, tR2 and tL2-2. These measuring signals SS1 and SS2 are received by a controller and evaluation means 100 which can store the calibration values e.g., in an internal or external memory 101.

[0075] Thus, here, advantageously, the interior times of flight tL2-1, tL2-2 are determined by both THz sensors 1, 2 which should be equal provided that the measurements are correct; this can be used to validate the measuring result. In the event of deviations due to measuring inaccuracies it is possible to later preferably use the average as the interior time of flight tL2. However, in principle, it is sufficient to determine the interior time of flight only of one side.

[0076] Subsequently, in step St6, now the total time of flight tges_R is determined according to Equation GL1:

tges_R=tL1+tR1+tL2+tR2+tL3  (GL 1).

[0077] A material time of flight difference Δt compared to the empty time of flight t0 equals:

Δt=tges_R−t0  Equation GL2.

[0078] Thus, subsequently, an equation can be used in which the total time of flight tges_R according to equation GL1 with the pipe 6 to be measured with equivalent times of flight can be expressed, i.e., a first (left) equivalent time of flight tRLA1, and, accordingly, a second equivalent time of flight tRLA2,

[0079] whereby these equivalent times of flight correspond to a pure air path, plus the time of flight difference Δt:

tges_R=tL1+tRLA1+tL2+tRLA2+tL3+Δt  Equation GL3.

[0080] This total time of flight tges_R of Equation GL3 can no be equated with the corresponding value of the total time of flight tges-R from Equation GL1:

tL1+tR1+tL2+tR2+tL3=tL1+tRLA1+tL2+tRLA2+tL3+Δt   Equation GL4.

[0081] after reducing equal summands tL1, tL2, tL3 which ultimately happen in the calibration measurement and the measuring steps always in air and are therefore equal, what follows is

tR1+tR2=tRLA1+tRLA2+Δt  Equation GL4a

[0082] Transposing to tRLA1+tRLA2 results in

tRLA1+tRLA2=tR1+tR2−Δt  Equation GL4b:

and, therewith, summarized, according to the equivalent total air time of flight tRLA1,2 in the pipe wall region, representing the sum of the two equivalent times of flight, i.e., tRLA1,2=tRLA1+tRLA2:

tRLA1,2=tR1+tR2−Δt  Equation GL5

[0083] Thus, the equivalent total air time of flight tRLA1, 2 corresponds to the time of flight of the THz transmission beam 20-1 (or 20-2) in the total pipe wall region 6d or, respectively, as sum of the two pipe walls, provided these share the same refraction index n0=1 or, respectively, the same speed of light c0 as the surrounding medium, i.e., air.

[0084] Th quotient from Equation GL5 and the empty time of flight t0 forms the equivalent path share XL, from which, then with the reference path s0 the equivalent distance sLA can be calculated which is used by the total pipe wall region 6d or, respectively, the two pipe walls together.

xL=tRLA1,2/t0  Equation GL6

sLA=xL*s0  Equation GL7

[0085] Via the distribution of the times of flight, it is calculated from the total distance or, respectively, accumulated path of the first and second wall thicknesses shares xR1 and xR2:

xR1=tR1/(tR1+tR2) and

xR2=tR2/(tR1+tR2)  Equation GL 8

[0086] and, above, as result step St 7, the absolute values for the wall thicknesses sRi

sR1=xR1*sLA and

sR2=xR2*sLA  Equation GL9

[0087] Accordingly, for step St7 also a total equation GL10 can be determined from:

sR1=tR1*c0*(t0−tL1−tL2−tL3)/(tR1+tR2) and

sR2=tR2*c0*(t0−tL1−tL2−tL3)/(tR1+tR2)   Equation GL10 [0088] which directly describes a determination from the measurement values without the aforementioned intermediate steps.

[0089] Thus, according to the invention, determinations of the wall thicknesses sR1, SR2 of the pipe 6 are possible without knowing the refraction index n6.

[0090] Accordingly, subsequently, from the interior times of flight tR1 and tR2 and the so determined wall thicknesses or, respectively, wall thickness refraction values SR1 and SR2, in a step St8, the speed of light C6 in the raw material and therewith also the averaged refraction index n6 can be determined as:

n6=c0/c6=c0*((tR1+tR2)/(sR1+sR2))  Gl11

[0091] and, according to the first and second refraction index n6-1 and n6-2 of the first and second wall thickness sR1, sR2, if these are to be viewed separated, as

n6−1=c0/c6−1=c0*(tR1/sR1)  Gl11a

n6−2=c0/c6−2=c0*(tR2/sR2)  Gl11a

[0092] In this embodiment, instead of a pair or sensors with two THz sensors 1, 2 it is also possible to utilize a single THz sensor 1 and successively adjust it into the two measuring positions MP1, MP2; otherwise, the above remarks apply equally.

[0093] In the embodiment involving a calibrating pipe, in the above-described calibration corresponding equations can be used for the calibration measurement: thus, e.g., at an exterior diameter OD_Messrohr of the calibrating pipe, the following can be applied:

s.sub.0=OD.sub.Messrohr+c.sub.0(t.sub.L1+t.sub.L2)  Gl 12

s.sub.0=c.sub.0(t.sub.L1+t.sub.L2+t.sub.L3)+c.sub.R(t.sub.R1+t.sub.R2)  Gl 13

[0094] or, respectively, the empty time of flight to as:

t.sub.0=s.sub.0/c.sub.0 with the above s.sub.0-equations  Gl 14

[0095] FIG. 4, 5 shows a THz measuring device 103 according to a second embodiment. Here, at the second measuring position MP2, instead of the second THz sensors 2 a measuring reflector 102 is provided which is aligned perpendicular to the optical axis A of the first THz sensor 1 and, accordingly, reflects back the first THz transmission beam 20-1.

[0096] Accordingly, in the calibrating step St1 according to FIG. 4, the use of a measuring reflector 7 is no longer required, but the total time of flight or, respectively, empty time of flight t0 can be determined directly from the measuring signal SS1 of the first THz sensor 1, from which in turn the empty path s0 can be determined from the known speed of light c0.

[0097] Thus, in this embodiment, the THz measuring device 103 is already calibrated by virtue of this empty path measurement or, respectively, empty measurement so that, again, subsequently a measured object, in this case the pipe 6, can be measured.

[0098] Thus, in this embodiment, the first THz transmission beam 20-1 is used when passing through the entire pipe 6 with the corresponding times of flight tL1, tR1, tL2, tR2 and tL3, which can be read out directly in the common measuring signal of the reflected beam; thus, there will be no double measurements or, respectively, averaged calculation of the interior diameter sL2. Thus, the measuring steps St4, St5 can be carried out in a single measurement or, respectively, in a combined manner. In principle, the second measuring step St5 may be carried out using the directly emitted first THz beam 20-1, or in the beam reflected on the reflector 102, therewith in the THz beam running leftwards in FIG. 5.

[0099] The subsequent determination according to step St6, St7 again happens according to the above equations GL1 through GL11a,b.

[0100] Below is an exemplary calculation with measured values when measuring a pipe 6 made of polyethylene according to the first or second embodiment:

[0101] Provisional configuration of the measuring values

TABLE-US-00001 c0 299792458 [m/s] s0 1 [m] t0 3.33564E−09 [s] n6 1.59 [—]

TABLE-US-00002 wall thicknesses/ distances t.sub.i.sub.—.sub.Luft [s] t.sub.i.sub.—.sub.pipe [s] sL1 0.200 6.67128E−10 6.67128E−10 sR1 0.061 2.03474E−10 3.23524E−10 sL2 0.390  1.3009E−09  1.3009E−09 sR2 0.049 1.63446E−10  2.5988E−10 sL3 0.300 1.00069E−09 1.00069E−09 sum 3.33564E−09 3.55212E−09

TABLE-US-00003 Δt 2.16483E−10 [s] t.sub.Rges 3.55212E−09 [s]

[0102] recalculation—evaluation via evaluated time-of-flight information ti_pipe, t0, s0:

[0103] time of flight in the pipe segment as if it were air (equivalent time of flight in the entire pipe wall region 6d)

TABLE-US-00004 tRA1,2 3.66921E−10 [s] air share related to the time of flight xL 0.110 [—] equivalent air path sLA 0.110 [m] pipe segment shares x.sub.R1    0.554545455 [—] x.sub.R2    0.445454545 [—] pipe wall thicknesses s.sub.R1 0.061 [m] s.sub.R2 0.049 [m]

[0104] FIG. 6 shows an arrangement for manufacturing and measuring a pipe 6 or, respectively, pipe profile by means of an extruder 110, to which at least one granulate 111 is fed as source material, a measuring device 3 or 103, and a conveyor device 120 for transporting the pipe 6 along the transport axis B. Hereby, the granulate 111 may contain various components, or a plurality of source materials 111 may be fed e.g., by a plurality of material feeds, e.g., screw conveyors, which are thereby jointly processed by the extruder.

[0105] For all embodiments, further determinations may be carried out:

[0106] Because the pipe 6 is continuously transported along its transport axis B through the THz measuring device 3, 103, these values can be continuously calculated. Hereby, changes in the wall thicknesses can be detected; changes of the exterior distances sL1, sL3 may be used for compensation by the conveyor device 120, i.e., the pipe 6 may be adjusted towards the left or the right, or the measuring device 3, 103 may be adjusted relative to the pipe 6.

[0107] In particular, the refraction index n6 may also be viewed as a function of time, i.e. n6 (t), and the temporal consistency of the so determined refraction index n6 may be checked as to whether it lies within corresponding threshold values GW1, GW2 corresponding to the measuring accuracy and calculating accuracy, to validate that the material batch has not changed and the material mx is homogenous which is of advantage, in particular, when measuring after an extrusion with various components.

[0108] In the event that, upon acquiring the measuring values, due to high degrees of deformation and therewith destructive reflection of the measuring signal, a clean evaluation of the time of flight for the internal diameter (compare tL2-1 and tL2-2 in FIG. 3 or, respectively, tL2 in FIG. 5) should be impossible, then the wall thickness sR1, sR2 can be determined solely by means of the times of flight tR1, tR2 within the pipe walls with the last determined refraction index n6. This is based on the assumption that the material composition remains unchanged within short periods of time.

[0109] If, e.g., material accumulations should be present only in one wall, the temperature may differ between the left and the right wall. This leads to a change of the first refraction index n6-1 and/or the second refraction index n6-2 as material specific property. This can be put out as additional information to the operator of the installation because the measurement may be not unambiguously valid. All established methods previously assumed in a simplified manner that the refraction index within a cross-section made of a homogenous material is constant.

[0110] As described above, a first THz sensor 1 and an opposite measuring mirror 102 or a second THz sensor 2 may be provided.

[0111] Furthermore, embodiments are possible including:

[0112] An n-fold arrangement of sensors (odd number of sensors, in particular to attain 100% coverage of the circumference or, respectively, the exterior surface 6a of the pipe 6, where two approximately opposite sensors are used for evaluation. To this end, e.g., a mathematically vectorial adaptation of the measuring values in relation to an axis may be carried out. Hereby, the sensors, depending on its angle of inclination deviating from 180°, will determine progressively deviating measuring values for the time of flight t.sub.L2_1/2, because, due to the geometric marginal conditions at the pipe, the time of flight or, respectively, the internal diameter may vary. This can serve as comparison for the validity of this measurement.

[0113] An n-fold arrangement of two opposite sensors (even number of sensors), where each sensor itself is mounted rotationally, and the central position of the pipe is compensated by means of angular adjustment utilizing the measured values. Hereby, it should be observed, in particular, that both sensors may determine progressively deviating measuring values for the time of flight T.sub.L2_1/2 depending on their angle of inclination deviating from 180°, because, due to the geometric marginal conditions at the pipe, the time of flight or, respectively, the internal diameter may vary. This can serve as comparison for the validity of this measurement.

[0114] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment with sensors 1, 2 that pivot in the shown measuring plane E, i.e., the drawing plane. This measuring plane E lies perpendicular to the transport axis B of FIG. 3, whereby, subsequently, the transport axis B corresponds to the center M of the pipe 6. Thus, the measuring plane E is defined by the common optical axis A and a second direction, here, the vertical direction V.

[0115] The initial position of the sensors 1, 2 is again the alignment on the common optical axis A, where the sensors 1, 2 can pivot from this initial position in the measuring plane E each by a first adjustment angle α1 and, accordingly, a second adjustment angle α2.

[0116] By aligning the two sensors 1 and 2 in the initial position, i.e., on the common optical axis A, according to FIG. 3, again, like in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, the empty path S0 can be measured in the calibrating step.

[0117] Thereafter, the pipe 6 is introduced as measured object the center M of which will generally not lie on the common optical axis A.

[0118] In an alignment step, the sensors are swiveled in their measuring positions MP1 and MP2 so that their optical axes A1 and A2 lie perpendicular to the exterior surface 6a of the pipe 6. This can be carried out, e.g., using the method of DE 10 2015 122 105 A1, according to which the sensors 1 and 2 are pivoted in both directions and maximum values of the reflection peaks at the exterior surface 6a indicate the perpendicular alignment.

[0119] Thus, according to this representation, it is generally valid for the distances of the measuring positions MP1, MP2 and the center M, with

[0120] s0 as empty path between MP1 and MP2 as well as

x′=path MP1−M, and y′=path MP2−M

s0≠x′+y′

[0121] If x designates the projection of x′ on the optical axis A, i.e., therewith on the empty path s0, and, accordingly,

[0122] y designates the projection of y′ on the optical axis A, it can be determined:

x=x′*sin α1 and y=y′*sin α2  Equation Gl15

[0123] Hereby, in principle, the wall paths sR1 and sR2 remain unchanged compared to FIG. 3 because the sensors 1 and 2 have been aligned perpendicular to the exterior surface of the pipe 6. Also, in principle, the half interior paths (sL2-1)/2 and (sL2-2)/2, whose double value is directly measured by the sensors 1 and 2, can be used as valid provided there is an ideal round 6.

[0124] However, the exterior paths sL1 and sL3 drawn in FIG. 9 cannot be measured directly, but they can be determined from the measured exterior times of flight or, respectively, upon multiplication with the speed of light, the corresponding measurement values (sL1)′ or, respectively, (sL3)′ of FIG. 9 and the adjustment angles α1 and α2, as

sL1=(sL1)′*sin α1 and sL3=(sL3)′*sin α2  Equation Gl16

[0125] Thus, based on this alone, a calculation corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be carried out, i.e. with the Equations 1 through 11a, because the values of sL1, sR1, sR2, sL3 can already be determined this way, whereby, preferably, the value (sL2-1)/2+(sL2-2)/2, i.e. the averaging of the first and second measurement, can be used as internal diameter.

[0126] A more precise calculation takes into consideration that, in particular in the presence of ovalities, another calculation leads to a better determination of the internal diameter:

[0127] sL1 and sL3 are calculated using Equation Gl16.

[0128] Further, the paths x and y in FIG. 8 are composed of

x=sL1+sR1+(sL2-1)/2

y=sL3+sR2+(sL2-2)/2  Equation GL17

[0129] Further, it is stated

x′=x+Δx

y′=y+Δy  Equation Gl18

[0130] Hereby, x′ and y′ can be calculated by means of the sine theorem from the measured empty path s0 and the adjustment angles α1 and α2 because these three values in FIG. 8 unambiguously define the triangle MP1, MP2, M.

[0131] The results from GI 17 and GI 18 are

x′=sL1+sR1+(sL2-1)/2+Δx

y′=sL3+sR2+(sL2-2)/2+Δy  Equation 19

[0132] Thus, this can be used to calculate Δx and Δy.

[0133] Thus, in that the refraction index n is determined, it is also possible to deduce a ratio of the material composition of the source materials 111, where a plurality of source materials 111 are used, so that a regulation of the composition can be carried out by measuring the refraction index n and controlling the material feed 112, without e.g., having exact knowledge of the individual feed rates of the material feed 112.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0134] 1 THz sensor [0135] 2 THz sensor [0136] 3, 103 THz measuring device [0137] 4 measuring region, i.e. region between the THz sensors 1, 2 or, respectively, the first THz sensor 1 and the measuring reflector 102 [0138] 5 housing [0139] 6 measured object, pipe [0140] 6a exterior surface [0141] 6b interior surface [0142] 6c interior space of the pipe 6 [0143] 6d pipe wall [0144] 7 calibrating reflector, e.g. precision sheet [0145] 11, 12 first, second calibration radiation [0146] 20-1 first THz transmission beam [0147] 20-2 second THz transmission beam [0148] 21-1 first THz reflection beam [0149] 21-2 second THz reflection beam [0150] 100 controller and evaluation device [0151] 101 storage for calibration values [0152] 102 measuring reflector in FIG. 4, 5 [0153] 111 source material, e.g., granulate [0154] 112 material feed, e.g. hopper or one or more screw conveyors [0155] A optical axis [0156] B transport axis [0157] c0 speed of light in air/vacuum [0158] c6 material specific speed of light [0159] M center point [0160] MP1 measuring position 1 [0161] MP2 measuring position 2 [0162] n6 refraction index of the material of the pipe wall [0163] SS1 first measuring signal [0164] SS2 second measuring signal [0165] t0 empty time of flight [0166] s0 empty path [0167] t0-1, t0-2 empty path partial times in FIG. 2 [0168] tR1 first exterior time of flight (measured) [0169] tL1 first wall time of flight (measured) [0170] sL1 first wall thickness (calculated) [0171] tL2-1 first interior time of flight through the interior space 6c (measured) [0172] tL2-2 second interior time of flight through the interior space 6c (measured) [0173] tL2 interior time of flight (averaged measured value) through the interior space 6c [0174] tL3 second exterior time of flight from the second sensor 2 to the right exterior surface 6a (measured) [0175] tR2 second wall time of flight, here, through the right pipe wall region (measured) [0176] tges_R total time of flight, i.e., sum of the times of flight of the THZ radiation across the distance s0 in a measurement of the measured object 6 [0177] Δt material-time of flight difference or, respectively, material specific time of flight difference [0178] tRLA1 first (left) equivalent time of flight, describing the theoretical time of flight of the radiation through the first wall region (first wall thickness sR1) in the medium air or surrounding medium respectively [0179] tRLA2 second (right) equivalent time of flight, describing the theoretical time of flight of the radiation through the second wall region (second wall thickness sR2) in the medium air or surrounding medium respectively [0180] tRLA1,2 equivalent total time of flight in the pipe wall region, i.e., the theoretical time of flight of the radiation through both wall regions in the medium air or surrounding medium respectively