MEASURING TRANSDUCER OF A MEASURING DEVICE, AND MEASURING DEVICE

Abstract

A measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube arrangement having at least one measuring tube for conveying a flowable medium; at least a first exciter component of an oscillation exciter for exciting the at least one measuring tube to execute oscillations; at least a first sensor component of an oscillation sensor for registering oscillations of the at least one measuring tube; a fixing body arrangement, which is connected with the at least one measuring tube and via which a releasable connection with a support apparatus can be made; a connecting apparatus for releasable connecting of the measuring tube arrangement with a process line; and a fastener apparatus for forming a shape-interlocking and/or force-interlocking connection between the connecting apparatus and the fixing body arrangement.

Claims

1-28. (canceled)

29. A measuring transducer of a measuring device for registering mass flow, viscosity, density and/or a variable derived therefrom for a flowable medium, the measuring transducer comprising: a measuring tube arrangement configured to convey the medium, the measuring tube arrangement including at least one measuring tube, wherein the at least one measuring tube includes an inlet section and an outlet section; at least a first exciter component of an oscillation exciter adapted to excite the at least one measuring tube to execute oscillations, wherein the at least one exciter component is arranged on the at least one measuring tube; at least a first sensor component of an oscillation sensor for registering oscillations of the at least one measuring tube, wherein the at least first sensor component is arranged on the at least one measuring tube; a fixing body arrangement connected to the at least one measuring tube in the inlet section and in the outlet section; a connecting apparatus configured to enable a releasable connecting of the measuring tube arrangement with a process line, wherein the connecting apparatus includes measuring tube connection openings, to which the measuring tube arrangement is connected, and wherein the connecting apparatus is connected to the at least one measuring tube in the inlet section and in the outlet section; and a fastener apparatus, wherein via the fastener apparatus a shape-interlocking and/or force-interlocking connection is formed between the connecting apparatus and the fixing body arrangement.

30. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the fixing body arrangement includes a first fixing body arrangement side and a second fixing body arrangement side; the first fixing body arrangement side and the second fixing body arrangement side face away from each other; a fixing body arrangement opening extends from the first fixing body arrangement side to the second fixing body arrangement side; the fastener apparatus extends through the fixing body arrangement opening; the connecting apparatus includes a connecting contact area; the fixing body arrangement includes a fixing body contact area on the first fixing body arrangement side; and the connecting contact area and the fixing body contact area contact one another.

31. The measuring transducer of claim 30, wherein the connecting apparatus exerts a force on the fixing body arrangement via the fastener apparatus with a force component in a direction of the second fixing body arrangement side, and wherein the fastener apparatus is connected to the connecting apparatus by material bonding or is monolithically connected with the connecting apparatus.

32. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the connecting apparatus includes a first connecting apparatus side and a second connecting apparatus side; the first connecting apparatus side and the second connecting apparatus side face away from one another; a connecting apparatus opening extends from the first connecting apparatus side to the second connecting apparatus side; the fastener apparatus extends through the connecting apparatus opening; the fastener apparatus includes a fastener contact area; the connecting apparatus includes a connecting contact area on the first connecting apparatus side; and the fastener contact area and the connecting contact area contact one another.

33. The measuring transducer of claim 32, wherein the measuring tube arrangement exerts via the fastener apparatus a force on the connecting apparatus with a force component in a direction of the second connecting apparatus side, and wherein the fastener apparatus is connected to the fixing body arrangement by material bonding or is connected monolithically with the fixing body arrangement.

34. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the fastener apparatus comprises at least one catch.

35. The measuring transducer of claim 34, wherein the at least one catch of the fastener apparatus comprises at least four catches, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically about a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis extends in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube arrangement.

36. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the connecting apparatus includes a connecting apparatus opening embodied as a first traversing passageway; the fixing body arrangement includes a fixing body arrangement opening embodied as a second traversing passageway; the fastener apparatus includes at least one clamping leg, wherein the at least one clamping leg extends through the fixing body arrangement opening and, at least partially, through the connecting apparatus opening; and the fastener apparatus includes a pin, wherein the pin extends through the fixing body arrangement opening and, at least partially, through the connecting apparatus opening and is adapted to exert a force on the at least one clamping leg radially to a longitudinal axis of the connecting apparatus opening.

37. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the fastener apparatus comprises a non-releasable rivet.

38. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the fastener apparatus includes at least one spreadable leg monolithically connected to the connecting apparatus; the fastener apparatus includes a connecting apparatus opening; the fixing body arrangement includes a fixing body arrangement opening; the at least one spreadable leg extends through the fixing body arrangement opening; and the fastener apparatus includes a pin, wherein the pin is arranged in the connecting apparatus opening and is adapted to exert a radial force on the at least one spreadable leg.

39. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the fastener apparatus comprises at least one Christmas tree clip.

40. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the fixing body arrangement includes a first fixing body arrangement side and a second fixing body arrangement side; the first fixing body arrangement side and the second fixing body arrangement side face away from each other; an elastic seal is disposed between the connecting apparatus and the second fixing body arrangement side; and the seal is clamped between connecting apparatus and fixing body arrangement in a clamped state, wherein the clamped state is maintained via shape interlocking.

41. The measuring transducer of claim 30, wherein the fastener apparatus is deformed by ultrasonic riveting such that an end section of the fastener apparatus has a greater cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of either the fixing body arrangement opening or the connecting apparatus opening.

42. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the fastener apparatus forms a material-bonded connection with the first fixing body arrangement side.

43. The measuring transducer of claim 41, wherein the fastener apparatus has a grooved surface in an end region.

44. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the fastener apparatus includes a fastener apparatus thickness; the connecting apparatus is embodied, at least partially, as a hollow body having a connecting apparatus thickness; and the fastener apparatus thickness is always less than or equal to a maximum of the connecting apparatus thickness.

45. The measuring transducer of claim 44, wherein the fastener apparatus has a fastener apparatus diameter, which greater than or equal to twice the maximum connecting apparatus thickness, and wherein the fastener apparatus includes a blind hole or a traversing passageway, which extends through the fixing body arrangement opening and which limits the fastener apparatus thickness.

46. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the connecting apparatus includes at least one fastener opening, and wherein the fastener apparatus extends through the at least one fastener opening.

47. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the connecting apparatus includes at least two fastener openings; the fastener apparatus includes at least two plugs, wherein the at least two plugs extend through the at least two fastener openings, respectively; and the fastener apparatus includes a connecting bracket element, which connects the at least two plugs relative to each other.

48. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the connecting apparatus includes at least four fastener openings, wherein the fastener apparatus includes at least four plugs, which are connected via at least four bracket elements.

49. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein the connecting apparatus has at least four fastener openings, wherein the fastener apparatus includes at least four plugs, which are connected via a plate-shaped connecting element.

50. The measuring transducer of claim 46, wherein the fastener apparatus includes at least one plug, wherein the at least one plug includes a plug opening, which is embodied such that a plug wall thickness in an end region of the at least one plug is always less than or equal to a maximum plug wall thickness.

51. The measuring transducer of claim 47, wherein the at least two fastener openings and the at least two plugs are arranged symmetrically to a mirror plane of the measuring tube arrangement.

52. The measuring transducer of claim 46, wherein the fastener apparatus includes at least one plug, wherein each of the at least one plugs includes a head, which includes an undercut on a plug side facing the first fixing body arrangement side, which undercut is not in contact with the fixing body arrangement.

53. The measuring transducer of claim 46, wherein the fastener apparatus includes at least one plug, wherein the at least one plug is connected with the connecting apparatus by ultrasonic welding such that a material-bonded connection is formed.

54. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the fastener apparatus includes at least one plug; the at least one measuring tube of the measuring tube arrangement comprises two bent measuring tubes; a separate measuring tube mirror plane extends through each of the two measuring tubes; the at least one plug is disposed within a section bounded by the two measuring tube mirror planes or at least intersects one of the measuring tube mirror planes; two measuring tube planes extending perpendicularly to the two measuring tube mirror planes bound a region in which the at least one plug is disposed; and one of the measuring tube planes intersects the inlet sections of the two measuring tubes, and one of the measuring tube planes intersects the outlet sections of the two measuring tubes.

55. The measuring transducer of claim 29, wherein: the connecting apparatus includes a connecting apparatus body; the connecting apparatus body comprises a plastic, including at least one of: polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketones (PAEK), polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU), polyether sulfone (PESU), polysulfone (PSU), polyarylamide (PARA), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), fluoropolymer and high-density polyethylene (HDPE); the measuring tube arrangement includes a measuring tube arrangement body; and the measuring tube arrangement body comprises a metal.

56. A Coriolis flow measuring device, for registering mass flow, viscosity, density and/or a variable derived therefrom for a flowable medium, the measuring device comprising: a support apparatus; a measuring transducer according to claim 29; at least a second exciter component of the oscillation exciter; and at least a second sensor component of the oscillation sensor, wherein: the support apparatus includes a support apparatus body with a seat; the measuring transducer is disposed in the seat and is connectable mechanically releasably with the support apparatus body; the second exciter component is arranged on the support apparatus body; the second sensor component is arranged on the support apparatus body; the oscillation exciter includes an operating circuit in communication with at least one of the first and second exciter components of the oscillation exciter; and the oscillation sensor includes a measuring circuit electrically connected to at least one of the first and second sensor components of the oscillation sensor.

Description

[0123] The invention will now be explained in greater detail based on the appended drawing, the figures of which show as follows:

[0124] FIG. 1 a perspective view of two embodiments of the measuring transducer of the invention;

[0125] FIG. 2 two perspective views of another embodiment of the measuring transducer and the connecting apparatus;

[0126] FIG. 3 a partially sectioned, perspective view of an embodiment of the measuring device;

[0127] FIG. 4 a subsection of a longitudinal section of an embodiment of the measuring transducer of the invention;

[0128] FIG. 5 an exploded view of an embodiment of the measuring transducer of the invention;

[0129] FIG. 6 a subsection of a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the measuring transducer of the invention;

[0130] FIGS. 7 A to D other embodiments of the connecting apparatus;

[0131] FIG. 8 a perspective view of another embodiment of the connecting apparatus;

[0132] FIG. 9 a perspective view of another embodiment of the connecting apparatus of the invention; and

[0133] FIG. 10 an at least partially sectioned view of another embodiment of the connecting apparatus of the invention.

[0134] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of two embodiments of the measuring transducer 69. The first embodiment includes a measuring tube arrangement 4 with an associated fixing body arrangement 5. The measuring tube arrangement 4 has exactly two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2, which are coupled mechanically together via a coupler arrangement 1 comprising two coupling elements 6 in the inlet section 20 and two coupling elements 6 in the outlet section 21. Coupling elements 6 serve to form an oscillator from the two measuring tubes 3 excited individually to execute oscillations. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling elements 6 are plate-shaped with rounded edges. However, also other forms are known. The invention is not limited as regards shape and number of coupling elements 6. For reasons of perspicuity, the oscillation exciter and the oscillation sensors, especially their individual components, are not shown. Between inlet section 20 and outlet section 21, the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 have, in each case, two legs 11 and a bend connecting the two legs 11, such that the measuring tube bodies 13 are U-shaped. A fixing body arrangement 5 is arranged on the ends of the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 and connects the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 of the measuring tube arrangement 4 together. Mechanically connected with the fixing body arrangement 5 is a connecting apparatus 63, which has connection openings 64, to which in a connected state a hose and/or plastic tube system is connected and which can act as process connection. A large number of process connections are known, such as flanges, cutting ring fittings, screw-type hose couplings, connection ports, etc. The connection openings 64 serve as manifolds and have, in each case, a channel 66, 67. In the first embodiment, the inlet channel 66 formed by one of the connection openings 64 splits into two separate channels, which are connected one with each inlet section 20 of the two measuring tubes 3. Similar considerations hold also for the outlet channel 67. The outlet channel 67 has two channels, one for each of the outlet sections 21 of the two measuring tubes 3. The two channels of the outlet channel 67 merge and form the other of the connection openings 64. The nominal diameter of the connection openings 64 and the nominal diameter of the measuring tubes 3 can differ. The flow direction of the medium conveyed through the connection openings 64 differs from the flow direction of the medium in the inlet- and/or outlet section 20, 21.

[0135] The second embodiment has a measuring tube arrangement 4 identical to that of the first embodiment and differs exclusively in the embodiment of the connecting apparatus 63. The inlet channel 66 is connected with the inlet section 20 of the first measurement tube 3.1. The outlet channel 67 of the connecting apparatus 63 is connected with the outlet section 21 of the second measuring tube 3.2. A connecting channel 65 connects the outlet section 21 of the first measurement tube 3.1 with the inlet section of the second measuring tube 3.2. The measuring tube arrangement 4 has a mirror plane, which extends between the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2, in parallel with the longitudinal axes of the legs 11. The connecting channel 65 has a longitudinal axis, which is inclined relative to the mirror plane of the measuring tube arrangement 4. Arranged on the exterior of the connection channel 65, as near as possible to the conveyed medium, is a temperature sensor 77. The temperature sensor 77 can be, for example, a Pt100 or PT1000 element.

[0136] Connecting apparatus 63 includes a connecting apparatus body, which comprises a plastic and preferably a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU), polyether sulfone (PESU), polysulfone (PSU), polyarylamide (PARA), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), fluoropolymer and/or HIGH-DENSITY polyethylene (HDPE). Additionally, the measuring tube arrangement 4 has a measuring tube arrangement body comprised of steel and formed, especially, of steel.

[0137] Connecting apparatus 63 is connected with the fixing body arrangement 5 via a fastener apparatus at least by shape interlocking. The fastener apparatus is not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Details of an embodiment are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0138] FIG. 2 shows two perspective views of another embodiment of the measuring transducer 69 of the invention, especially the connecting apparatus 63. The measuring tube arrangement 4 is essentially identical with the measuring tube arrangement 4 shown in the embodiments of FIG. 1. Connecting apparatus 63 is solidly and prismatically embodied. The inlet channel 66 and the outlet channel 67 are machined into the connecting apparatus 63 and have, in each case, a bend, or are embodied L-shaped. Inlet channel 66 connects a measuring tube connection opening 68 with a tube connection opening 64. Likewise, the outlet channel 67 connects a measuring tube connection opening 68 with a tube connection opening 64. Inlet channel 66 is connected to the inlet section 20 of the first measurement tube 3.1. The outlet channel 67 is connected to the outlet section 21 of the first measurement tube 3.1. Connecting apparatus 63 includes, additionally, a connecting channel 65, which has a longitudinal axis, which lies in a plane shared with the longitudinal axes of the legs of the second measuring tube 3.2. The inlet section 20 of the second measuring tube 3.2 is connected via the connecting channel 65 with the outlet section 21 of the second measuring tube 3.2. Thus, the medium is conveyed exclusively through the first measurement tube 3.1.

[0139] FIG. 3 shows a partially sectioned, perspective view of an embodiment of the measuring device 2, comprising a measuring transducer 69 connected to a hose and/or plastic tube system 17. As before, the measuring tube arrangement 4 of the measuring transducer 69 is identical with that of the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The measuring transducer 69 is held in a support apparatus 16, in which the measuring- and/or operating circuit 15 is also arranged, which with the oscillation exciter 7 and the two oscillation sensors 8.1, 8.2 are connected. Connecting apparatus 63 is prismatically embodied and includes an inlet channel 66, which splits as a manifold to feed the inlet sections of the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2. The outlet channel 67 extends as a manifold from the outlet sections 21 of the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 to the tube connection opening 68.

[0140] Arranged on the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 are, in each case, an exciter magnet 36 and two sensor magnets 38, which are components of the oscillation exciter 7 and the two oscillation sensors 8.1, 8.2. The oscillation exciter 7 includes an exciter coil 37. The two oscillation sensors 8.1, 8.2 also each have a sensor coil 39. The coils 37, 39 are all arranged in the support apparatus 16, or sunk into a wall of the support apparatus 16. Arranged on the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 are the exciter magnet 36 and sensor magnets 38. The two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 have, in each case, a longitudinal plane, which is at the same time also a mirror plane. These mirror planes divide the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2, in each case, into two sides. In each case, three magnets are arranged on the far sides of the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2. One of the three magnets is an oscillation exciter component, and two of the three magnets are oscillation sensor components.

[0141] The electronic measuring- and/or operating circuit 15 is adapted to ascertain and to provide, for a flowable medium, the mass flow, viscosity and/or density and/or variables derived therefrom. Additionally, the measuring- and/or operating circuit 15 is embodied to send an operating signal to the oscillation exciter 7.

[0142] FIG. 4 shows a subsection of a longitudinal section of the measuring transducer 69 of the invention. Measuring transducer 69 includes a measuring tube arrangement 4 for conveying the flowable medium, a fixing body arrangement 5 and a connecting apparatus 63 for releasable connecting of the measuring tube arrangement 4 with a process line. Fixing body arrangement 5 is connected with at least one measuring tube 3 in the inlet section 20 and/or in the outlet section 21 and includes at least one opening 70. Connecting apparatus 63 includes measuring tube connection openings 68, to which the measuring tube arrangement 4 is connected. Additionally, the connecting apparatus 63 is connected with the at least one measuring tube 3 in the inlet section 20 and/or in the outlet section 21. Connecting apparatus 63 includes at least one fastener apparatus 71, which extends through the opening 70 of the fixing body arrangement 5 and via which the connecting apparatus 63 is connected at least by shape interlocking with the fixing body arrangement 5. Fixing body arrangement 5 includes a first fixing body arrangement side 74 and a second fixing body arrangement side 75, wherein the first fixing body arrangement side 74 and the second fixing body arrangement side 75 face away from one another. Opening 70 extends from the first fixing body arrangement side 74 to the second fixing body arrangement side 75. Connecting apparatus 63 has a contact area 72 and the fixing body arrangement 5 has a contact area 73 on the first fixing body arrangement side 74, wherein the contact area 72 and the contact area 73 contact one another. Fastener apparatus 71 is embodied in such a manner that after the engaging of the fastener apparatus 71 the connecting apparatus 63 exerts via the fastener apparatus 71 a force on the fixing body arrangement 5 with a force component in the direction of the second fixing body arrangement side 75.

[0143] Fastener apparatus 71 includes a catch, which extends through the opening 70 and engages with the second fixing body arrangement side of the fixing body arrangement 5. Fastener apparatus 71 is embodied in such a manner that it elastically deforms to a point when moving through the opening 70 and then snaps into an engagement position, in order, thus, to form the shape-interlocking connection.

[0144] Arranged between connecting apparatus 63 and the second fixing body arrangement side 75 of the fixing body arrangement 5 is an elastic seal 76in the form of a sealing ring. Seal 76 is clamped between connecting apparatus 63 and fixing body arrangement 5 and the clamping is maintained via the shape interlocking.

[0145] Connecting apparatus 63 includes a measuring tube connection opening 68, which is embodied complementary to the inlet section 20 of a measuring tube. Furthermore, the connecting apparatus 63 includes a measuring tube connection opening 68, which is embodied complementary to the outlet section 21 of a measuring tube. In the assembled state, the inlet section 20 and the outlet section 21 of the measuring tube 3 are arranged in their openings.

[0146] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the measuring transducer 69 of the invention. The measuring tube arrangement 4 includes two, mutually parallel measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2, which have, in each case, in the inlet section 20 an inlet with an inlet direction and in the outlet section 21 an outlet with an outlet direction. Additionally, the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 each have exactly one bend between inlet section 20 and outlet section 21. In this way, the inlet direction and the outlet direction are oppositely directed. Fixing body arrangement 5 is connected with the inlet section 20 and the outlet section 21 of each of the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2. Connecting apparatus 63 includes exactly two fastener apparatuses 71.1, 71.2 and the fixing body arrangement 5 includes correspondingly exactly two openings 70.1, 70.2. The fastener apparatuses are embodied as catches. In an assembled state, the two fastener apparatuses 71.1, 71.2 extend through the two openings 70.1, 70.2. In such case, the connecting apparatus 63 effects via the two fastener apparatus 71.1, 71.2, in each case, a force on the fixing body arrangement 5 with a force component in the direction of the second fixing body arrangement side 75.

[0147] FIG. 6 shows a subsection of a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the measuring transducer of the invention. This differs from the embodiment of FIG. 4 in that there is provided instead of a fixing body arrangement opening a connecting apparatus opening 82, which extends from a first connecting apparatus side 78 of the connecting apparatus 63 to a second connecting apparatus side 79 of the connecting apparatus 63, wherein the first connecting apparatus side 78 and the second connecting apparatus side 79 face away from one another. The fastener apparatus 71 extends in the assembled state through the connecting apparatus opening 82 and is resiliently embodied, so that it can deflect upon introduction into the connecting apparatus opening 82. The connecting apparatus opening 82 can be conically formed. A contact area 72 of the fastener apparatus 71 and a contact area 73 of the connecting apparatus 63 located on the first connecting apparatus side 78 contact one another. In order to implement an effective securement, the fastener concept is fashioned in such a manner that the measuring tube arrangement 4 exerts via the apparatus 71 a force on the connecting apparatus 63 with a force component in the direction of the second connecting apparatus side 79. The fastener apparatus 71 is connected monolithically with the fixing body arrangement 5 as one piece. Alternatively, the fastener apparatus 71 can be connected with the fixing body arrangement 5 by material bonding.

[0148] FIGS. 7 A to D show schematic, longitudinal section views of other embodiments of the connecting apparatus.

[0149] FIG. 7A shows a connecting apparatus 63, which has a connecting apparatus opening 82 embodied as a blind hole, and a fixing body arrangement 5, which has a fixing body arrangement opening 83 embodied as a traversing passageway. The fastener apparatus 71 is an expanding, non-releasable rivet and embodied in such a manner that the leg in the installed state presses against the wall of the blind bore and, thus, provides a force-interlocking connection.

[0150] The embodiment of FIG. 7B differs from the embodiment of FIG. 7A essentially in that the connecting apparatus 63 has a connecting apparatus opening 82 embodied as a traversing passageway and the fastener apparatus 71 has two or more clamping legs 84, which extend through the fixing body arrangement opening 83 and through the connecting apparatus opening 82. Alternatively, the clamping legs 84 can be connected monolithically with the connecting apparatus 63 (see FIG. 7D). The fastener apparatus 71 is composed of at least two parts and includes supplementally a pin 85, which extends through the fixing body arrangement opening 83 and through the connecting apparatus opening 82. The pin 85 is adapted to exert a force on the two clamping legs 84 radially to the longitudinal axis of the connecting apparatus opening 82 The pin 85 is a separate component and is introduced through the corresponding opening, or openings after the at least two clamping legs have been inserted. Pin 85 can be terminally widened, such that the pin 85 pushes against the clamping leg 84 and so provides a non-releasable connection.

[0151] FIG. 7C shows a fastener apparatus 71 embodied as a Christmas tree clip with barbs, which, on the one hand, via friction and shape interlocking impede a releasing of the connection. In such case, it does not matter from which fixing body arrangement side the fastener apparatus 71 is led through the connecting apparatus opening 82 and fixing body arrangement opening 83. The interaction between the barbs and the wall of the opening provides a shape-interlocking connection while the barbs in the end region of the Christmas tree clip also provide a shape-interlocking connection.

[0152] FIG. 7D shows an embodiment, which differs from that in FIG. 7B essentially in that the clamping legs 84 and the connecting apparatus 63 are embodied as one piece. The clamping legs 84 are resiliently embodied, such that in the case of introduction of the pin 85 into the provided opening they spread apart and form a shape-interlocking connection between the fixing body arrangement 5 and the connecting apparatus 63. The fastener apparatus 71 can be made in such a manner that the pin 85 before the securement with the connecting apparatus 63 likewise is connected monolithically via e.g., support structures. Upon securement, the connection with the support structure is, at least partially, released.

[0153] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fastener apparatus 71, which is adapted to be introduced into a fixing body arrangement opening of the fixing body arrangement and to exert a force on the fixing body arrangement with a force component in the direction of the second fixing body arrangement side of the fixing body arrangement. The fastener apparatus 71 is connected monolithically with the connecting apparatus 63 and formed by at least one catch 81, or four catches 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.4. The four catches 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.4 have equal lengths and are rotationally symmetrically arranged about a rotational axis extending in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the measuring tube arrangement (not shown). Additionally, the four catches 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.4 have contact areas, which have the form of a circular ring segment or a cutout of a peeled off lateral surface of a frustum. The fastener apparatus 71 is centrally arranged and can have an opening for a pin, which is adapted to spread the four catches 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.4.

[0154] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the connecting apparatus of the invention, which is deformed by means of ultrasonic riveting in such a manner that an end section of the fastener apparatus 71 has a greater cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of the fixing body arrangement opening or the connecting apparatus opening. In the case of deformation of a section of the fastener apparatus by means of a sonotrode, it is possible by suitable selection of the material of the fastener apparatus 71 to provide a sectional melting of the fastener apparatus 71. This occurs especially in the contact region between fastener apparatus 71 and fixing body arrangement 5. The fastener apparatus 71 forms, thus, a material-bonded connection with the first fixing body arrangement side 74. Furthermore, the fastener apparatus 71 has a grooved surface 87 in an end region. The shown fastener apparatus 71 is rivet shaped, especially embodied as a flat round head rivet according to DIN 674. Furthermore, four fastener apparatuses are used for connection of the fixing body arrangement 5 with the connecting apparatus 63. The four fastener apparatuses form the four corners of a rectangle and are arranged symmetrically to a mirror plane of the measuring tube arrangement.

[0155] FIG. 10 shows an at least partially sectioned view of another embodiment of the connecting apparatus 63 of the invention, which is embodied as a hollow body and has a connecting apparatus thickness. The shown fastener apparatus 71 has a fastener apparatus thickness, which is always less than or equal to a maximum connecting apparatus thickness of the connecting apparatus 63. Furthermore, the fastener apparatus 71 has at least sectionally a fastener apparatus diameter, which is greater than or equal to twice the maximum connecting apparatus thickness. In this section, the fastener apparatus 71 has a blind hole (alternatively also a traversing passageway could be provided), which extends through the fixing body arrangement opening 70 and which bounds the fastener apparatus thickness. The shown connecting apparatus 63 includes, additionally, at least one opening 88in the illustrated case there are exactly four openings. The two shown fastener apparatuses 71 comprise, in each case, two plugs, which extend through the four openings. The two plugs 89, in each case, together forming a fastener apparatus 71, are connected via a connecting element. In such case, the connecting element is embodied as a bracket element, which connects the at least two plugs with one another. Alternatively, the fastener apparatus 71 has at least four plugs, which are connected together via an especially plate-shaped connecting element. Shown are two fastener apparatuses; alternatively, also only one fastener apparatus can be provided comprising exactly one or exactly two plugs. In an embodiment with four plugs, these can be connected via four bracket elements, wherein the four bracket elements form a quadrilateral, especially a rectangle. In the illustration, the plugs have, in each case, a plug opening 90, which is embodied in such a manner that a plug wall thickness in an end region of the plug 89 is always less than or equal to a maximum plug wall thickness. Furthermore, the openings 88 and plug 89 are arranged symmetrically to a mirror plane of the measuring tube arrangement 4. This assures that the zero-point error of the flow measurement signal is reduced. The plugs have, in each case, a head, which has on a plug side facing the first fixing body arrangement side 74 an undercut 91, such that the plug in this subsection is not in contact with the metal fixing body arrangement 5. The fastener apparatus 71, especially the plugs, are connected with the connecting apparatus 63 by means of ultrasonic welding in such a manner that a material-bonded connection is formed.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0156] coupler arrangement 1 [0157] measuring device 2 [0158] measuring tube 3 [0159] measuring tube arrangement 4 [0160] fixing body arrangement 5 [0161] coupling element 6 [0162] oscillation exciter 7 [0163] oscillation sensor 8 [0164] leg 11 [0165] measuring tube body 13 [0166] measuring- and/or operating circuit 15 [0167] support apparatus 16 [0168] hose and/or plastic tube system 17 [0169] inlet section 20 [0170] outlet section 21 [0171] seat 29 [0172] exciter magnet 36 [0173] exciter coil 37 [0174] sensor magnet 38 [0175] sensor coil 39 [0176] evaluation circuit 53 [0177] connecting apparatus 63 [0178] connection opening 64 [0179] connecting channel 65 [0180] inlet channel 66 [0181] outlet channel 67 [0182] measuring tube connection openings 68 [0183] measuring transducer 69 [0184] opening 70 [0185] fastener apparatus 71 [0186] contact area 72 [0187] contact area 73 [0188] first fixing body arrangement side 74 [0189] second fixing body arrangement side 75 [0190] seal 76 [0191] temperature sensor 77 [0192] first connecting apparatus side 78 [0193] second connecting apparatus side 79 [0194] catch 81 [0195] connecting apparatus opening 82 [0196] fixing body arrangement opening 83 [0197] clamping leg 84 [0198] pin 85 [0199] spreading leg 86 [0200] grooved surface 87 [0201] opening 88 [0202] plug 89 [0203] plug opening 90 [0204] undercut 91 [0205] bracket element 92 [0206] measuring tube mirror plane A [0207] measuring tube mirror plane B [0208] measuring tube plane C [0209] measuring tube plane D