METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING A TUBULAR STRAND

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for measuring a tubular strand exiting from an extrusion device, wherein electromagnetic radiation is directed from at least one radiation source within a frequency range of 1 GHz to 6000 GHz from the inside to the inner side of the tubular strand, wherein electromagnetic radiation reflected by the tubular strand is received by at least one radiation receiver, and wherein the diameter, and/or the wall thickness, and/or deviations in shape of the tubular strand are ascertained from the received electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, the invention relates to a corresponding device.

Claims

1. A method for measuring a tubular strand (16, 116, 216) exiting from an extrusion device (10, 110, 210), characterized in that electromagnetic radiation from at least one radiation source within a frequency range of 1 GHz to 6000 GHz is directed from the inside to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), electromagnetic radiation reflected by the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is received by at least one radiation receiver, and the diameter, and/or the wall thickness, and/or deviations in shape of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) are ascertained from the received electromagnetic radiation.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) can be controlled and/or regulated on the basis of the ascertained values for the diameter, and/or wall thickness, and/or deviations in shape.

3. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver is arranged in the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver is supplied with electrical energy, data and/or with a coolant through at least one supply line (248) running out of an extruder head (20, 120, 220) of the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) to the at least one radiation source, and/or at least one radiation receiver.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver is arranged outside of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source is directed through at least one radiation conductor into the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and the radiation reflected by the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is directed through at least one radiation conductor out of the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) to the at least one radiation receiver.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one radiation conductor is directed out of an extruder head (20, 120, 220) of the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) into the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

7. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is directed to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) starting from the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

8. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is directed to several measuring regions of the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) distributed over the inner circumference of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is directed to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) by at least one radiation transmitter arranged in the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one radiation transmitter is the at least one radiation source.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one radiation transmitter is at least one mirror (26, 226) irradiated by the at least one radiation source and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

12. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that electromagnetic radiation within a frequency range of 10 GHz to 3000 GHz, preferably within a frequency range of 20 GHz to 1000 GHz is used as the electromagnetic radiation.

13. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the measured part of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is located in a calibration device (22, 122, 222) following the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) during measurement.

14. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one radiation reflector is provided outside of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) that reflects electromagnetic radiation directed from the at least one radiation source to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and the refractive index of the strand material is determined from this reflected radiation.

15. The method according to claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the at least one radiation reflector is formed by a metal calibration sleeve (24, 124, 224) of the calibration device (22, 122, 222).

16. The method according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a plurality of radiation transmitters arranged laterally offset, and/or a plurality of radiation receivers arranged laterally offset are used.

17. A device for measuring a tubular strand (16, 116, 216) exiting from an extrusion device (10, 110, 210), characterized in that at least one radiation source is provided for electromagnetic radiation within a frequency range of 1 GHz to 6000 GHz that is arranged such that electromagnetic radiation that it emits from the inside is directed toward the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), furthermore at least one radiation receiver is provided for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected by the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and an evaluation apparatus (44, 144, 244) is provided which is designed to ascertain the diameter, and/or the wall thickness, and/or deviations in shape of the tubular strand from the received electromagnetic radiation.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that a control and/or regulation device (44, 144, 244) is also provided that controls and/or regulates the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) on the basis of the ascertained values for the diameter, and/or wall thickness, and/or deviations in shape.

19. The device according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver is arranged in the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one supply line (248) running out of an extruder head (20, 120, 220) of the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) to the at least one radiation source, and/or at the least one radiation receiver is provided to supply the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver with electrical energy, data and/or with a coolant.

21. The device according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the at least one radiation source and/or the at least one radiation receiver is arranged outside of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and at least one radiation conductor is provided that directs radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source into the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and the radiation reflected by the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is directed out of the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) to the at least one radiation receiver.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the at least one radiation conductor is directed out of an extruder head (20, 120, 220) of the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) into the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

23. The device according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the at least one radiation source is arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation is directed to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) starting from the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand, and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand.

24. The device according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that the at least one radiation source is arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation is directed to several measuring regions of the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) distributed over the inner circumference of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that at least one radiation transmitter arranged in the interior of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is provided to direct the electromagnetic radiation to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the at least one radiation transmitter is the at least one radiation source.

27. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the at least one radiation transmitter is a mirror (26, 226) irradiated by the at least one radiation source and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216).

28. The device according to one of claims 18 to 27, characterized in that the at least one radiation source emits electromagnetic radiation within a frequency range of 10 GHz to 3000 GHz, preferably within a frequency range of 20 GHz to 1000 GHz.

29. The device according to one of claims 18 to 28, characterized in that the device is arranged such that the measured part of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) is located in a calibration device (22, 122, 222) following the extrusion device (10, 110, 210) during measurement.

30. The device according to one of claims 18 to 29, characterized in that at least one radiation reflector is provided outside of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216) that reflects electromagnetic radiation directed from the radiation source to the inner side (36) of the tubular strand (16, 116, 216), and the evaluation apparatus (44, 144, 244) is designed to determine the refractive index of the strand material from this reflected radiation.

31. The device according to claims 29 and 30, characterized in that the at least one radiation reflector is formed by a metal calibration sleeve (24, 124, 224) of the calibration device (22, 122, 222).

32. The device according to one of claims 18 to 31, characterized in that a plurality of radiation transmitters arranged laterally offset, and/or a plurality of radiation receivers arranged laterally offset are provided.

Description

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail below based on figures. Schematically:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement with a device according to the invention in a sectional view according to a first exemplary embodiment,

[0038] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement with a device according to the invention in a sectional view according to a second exemplary embodiment,

[0039] FIG. 3 shows an arrangement with a device according to the invention in a sectional view according to a third exemplary embodiment,

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0041] The same reference numbers refer to the same objects in the figures unless indicated otherwise.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an extrusion device 10 for extruding a tubular strand. In a manner known per se, the extrusion device 10 possesses a supply 12 for supplying the plastic material to be processed. The plasticized plastic material is extruded by an extruder screw 12 out of an annular gap 14 into a tubular strand 16. A rotationally driven central shaft 18 runs within the extruder screw 12. In the shown example, a calibration device 22 directly adjoins the extruder head 20 and has a metal calibration sleeve 24 against which the extruded strand 16 is pressed by means of a vacuum. A cooling tube 25 of a cooling section adjoins the calibration sleeve.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a mirror 26 is arranged in the interior of the extruded strand 16 and substantially directly after the extruder head 20 and thus in the calibration device 22. The mirror 26 is connected to the shaft 18 that in turn is rotatably driven by a motor 28. Consequently, the mirror 26 is also rotated about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand 16. Moreover, a hollow conductor 30 also runs in the shaft 18 and directs electromagnetic radiation emitted by a transceiver 32 which in the shown example comprises a radiation source and a radiation receiver, preferably terahertz radiation within a frequency range of 10 GHz to 3000 GHz, more preferably within a frequency range of 20 GHz to 1000 GHz, to the mirror 26 that deflects this radiation by 90° to the inner surface of the strand 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the reference number 34. On the one hand, the electromagnetic radiation is directed by the inner surface 36 of the extruded strand back to the mirror 26, and therefrom via the hollow conductor 30 back to the transceiver 32. An additional radiation component enters into the extruded strand 16 and is reflected by the boundary surface between the outer side 38 of the strand 16 and inner surface 40 of the calibration sleeve 24, and is directed by the mirror 26 and the hollow conductor 30 back to the transceiver 32.

[0044] The measured values received by the transceiver 32 are transmitted through a line 42 to an evaluation apparatus 44. The evaluation apparatus 44 ascertains the outer diameter, and/or the wall thickness, and/or any deviations in shape of the extruded strand 16, for example on the basis of runtime measurements from the measured values. Moreover, the refractive index of the strand material can also be determined in the above-explained manner using the radiation reflected back at the boundary surface to the metal calibration sleeve 24. Given the rotation of the mirror 26, the explained measurement can be distributed over the circumference of the tubular strand 16 for a plurality of measuring regions. On the basis of the ascertained measured values, the evaluation apparatus 44 that can thus also simultaneously represent a control and/or regulating apparatus, can control and/or regulate the extrusion device.

[0045] Another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 that largely corresponds to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, an extrusion device 110 is shown in FIG. 2 that possesses two extruder screws 112 running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the annular gap 114. The extruder screws 112 are each rotatably driven by a motor 128. The supplied material is in turn discharged through the annular gap 114 to form the tubular strand 116. Directly after the extrusion device 110, a calibration device 122 is then provided with a metal calibration sleeve 124. A cooling tube 125 of a cooling section is also shown. The extruded tubular strand 116 in FIG. 2 can possess a greater diameter than the tubular strand 16 shown in FIG. 1. Correspondingly, there is more space in the interior of the strand 116 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. Consequently, a transceiver 132 is arranged in the interior of the strand in this exemplary embodiment. By means of another motor 128 as indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow 146, the transceiver 132 is rotatably driven by a shaft 118 guided through the extruder head 120. The transceiver 132 can for example be connected by slip ring contacts to an external electrical supply, not shown in greater detail. Through these slip ring contacts, the measured values of the transceiver 132 can if desired also be transmitted to the evaluation apparatus 144 as illustrated by the dashed line 142.

[0046] The rotating transceiver 132 records measured values in principle in the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 1 so that the evaluation apparatus 144 can on this basis determine in particular the outer diameter, the wall thickness, and any deviations in shape of the tubular strand 116. In turn, the extrusion device 110 can be regulated and/or controlled on this basis. It would also be conceivable in principle to likewise arrange the rotary drive in the interior of the tubular strand 116. FIG. 4 illustrates the radiation emitted by the transceiver 132 and reflected back with reference number 134. The center of rotation 148 and the circular path 150 of the transceiver are also shown in FIG. 4. A housing of the measuring head with the transceiver 132 is illustrated with reference number 152.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment that again largely corresponds to the above-explained exemplary embodiments. The extrusion device 210 shown in FIG. 3 in turn discharges plasticized plastic material supplied by extruder screws (not shown in greater detail) through an annular gap 214 into a tubular strand 216. In turn, a calibration device 222 with a metal calibration sleeve 224 substantially directly adjoins the extruder head 220, and the strand 216 is for example pressed against it with a vacuum. Reference number 225 indicates a cooling tube of a cooling section.

[0048] In the shown example in the interior of the strand, a mirror 226 is in turn located within the calibration device 222 that deflects electromagnetic radiation by 90° to the inner surface of the strand 216 that is emitted by a transceiver 232 arranged in the extruder head 220 as illustrated at 234. By a motor shown in FIG. 3 at reference number 228, the transceiver 232 is rotated together with the mirror 226 about the longitudinal axis of the tubular strand 216 as illustrated by the arrow 246. A supply line 248 serves to electrically supply the transceiver, and to supply with a coolant such as a cooling liquid.

[0049] Moreover, measured values recorded by the transceiver 232 can be supplied via the supply line 248 via a line 242 to an evaluation apparatus 244. The recording of the measured values, the evaluation by the evaluation apparatus 244, and the controlling and/or regulating of the extrusion device 210 based thereupon corresponds in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 to the aforementioned exemplary embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the mirror 226 and the transceiver 232 are located within a housing 250 that can be used for measuring as a plug-in in the extruder head 220. By removing the housing 250, the measuring device can be removed easily if desired.