PROCESS MONITORING DEVICE

Abstract

A process monitoring device includes: a measuring tube arrangement including a measuring tube; a receptacle module including a receptacle, wherein the measuring tube module is insertable into the receptacle and releasably mechanically connectable to the receptacle module; and a system for biotechnological applications, wherein the system includes a housing with a wall delimiting an interior, the wall having a cover with an opening, wherein the receptacle extends through the opening into the interior in a receiving direction, wherein the receptacle module is arranged in the opening that the receiving direction has a vector component opposite to the direction of gravity, such that a dead volume in the measuring tube and/or in a distributor piece which is attached to the measuring tube, when the measuring tube module is empty, is less than 20%.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A process monitoring device, comprising: a measuring tube module comprising at least one measuring tube configured to enable a medium to flow therethrough; a receptacle module comprising a receptacle module body, which at least partially delimits a receptacle, wherein the measuring tube module is adapted to be introduced into the receptacle, and wherein the measuring tube module is releasably mechanically connectable to the receptacle module; and a system comprising a housing, wherein the housing includes a housing wall, which is made of sheet metal and delimits a housing interior, wherein the housing wall includes a cover, which includes a cover opening, wherein the receptacle module, in particular the receptacle, extends through the cover opening into the housing interior, wherein the receptacle extends in a receiving direction, wherein the receptacle module is arranged in the cover opening such that the receiving direction includes a vectorial component having a direction opposite to the direction of gravity, wherein the receptacle module is arranged in the cover opening such that a dead volume in the at least one measuring tube and/or in a distributor piece attached to the at least one measuring tube, when the measuring tube module is empty, is less than 20%.

16. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein the dead volume is less than 5%.

17. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein: the receptacle module includes a portion, which is outside the housing interior; the receptacle module, in the portion, includes a circumferential shoulder, which includes a shoulder surface; the cover includes a cover surface; the shoulder surface and the cover surface face each other; an inclination body is secured between the shoulder surface and the cover surface; and the inclination body is wedge-shaped, including an acute angle.

18. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein: the inclination body includes a first lateral surface in which a first lateral surface plane extends; the inclination body includes a second lateral surface in which a second lateral surface plane extends; the first lateral surface plane and the second lateral surface plane are at a first angle of 0.1 to 15.

19. The process monitoring device of claim 18, wherein the first angle is 0.5 to 7.

20. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the inclination body includes an inclination body opening, wherein the receptacle module extends at least partially through the inclination body opening.

21. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the inclination body is configured as a seal to enable sealing the housing interior against external liquids.

22. The process monitoring device of claim 21, wherein the inclination body is made of an EPDM material.

23. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the inclination body includes an inclination body recess configured to accept seal, wherein the seal is disposed in the inclination body recess.

24. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein a disk-shaped seal is disposed between the inclination body and the cover surface.

25. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the inclination body in a longitudinal section assumes a basic shape of a right trapezoid.

26. The process monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the inclination body has a rectangular basic shape, including a rectangular cutout defining the inclination opening.

27. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein: the receptacle module includes a portion, which is outside the housing interior; wherein the receptacle module, in the portion, includes a circumferential shoulder, which includes a shoulder surface; the cover includes a cover surface; the shoulder surface and the cover surface face each other and extend parallel to each other; and a shoulder plane extending along the shoulder surface and an end face plane extending along an end face intersect at a second angle of 0.1 to 15.

28. The process monitoring device of claim 27, wherein the second angle is 0.5 to 7.

29. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein the receptacle module comprises a fastening arrangement, which is disposed in the housing interior, wherein the fastening arrangement is configured to connect the receptacle module to the cover mechanically.

30. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein the system comprises a bioreactor or a subsystem configured for chromatographic purification processes.

31. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein: the measuring tube module includes a first vibration exciting component of at least one vibration exciter, which is configured to excite vibrations in the at least one measuring tube of the measuring tube module; the measuring tube module includes a first vibration sensor component of at least one vibration sensor, which is configured to detect the vibrations of the at least one measuring tube; the receptacle module includes a second vibration exciting component of the at least one vibration exciter; and the receptacle module includes a second vibration sensor component of the at least one vibration sensor.

32. The process monitoring device of claim 15, wherein at least the measuring tube module and the receptacle module form a modular Coriolis flow measuring device.

Description

[0070] The invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the following figures. The following are shown:

[0071] FIG. 1: is a process monitoring device according to the invention;

[0072] FIG. 2A-C: are three views of a measuring tube and receptacle module;

[0073] FIG. 3A-B: are a partially cutaway interior view of the process monitoring device, having a first embodiment of the fastening arrangement, and a side view of the first embodiment of the fastening arrangement;

[0074] FIG. 4: is a partially cutaway interior view of the process monitoring device, having a second embodiment of the fastening arrangement;

[0075] FIG. 5: is a side view of the first fastening means of the second embodiment of the fastening arrangement; and

[0076] FIG. 6A-D: are each a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the inclination body.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a process monitoring device according to the invention for pharmaceutical bioprocessing applications in a system for biotechnological applications 74. A measuring tube module 4 and a receptacle module 16 together form a Coriolis flow meter 2. The measuring tube module 4 has at least one measuring tube 3 through which a medium can flow, and is configured as an exchangeable component of the Coriolis flow meter 2. For this purpose, it preferably has no electronic components which have to be supplied with a voltage source via an electrical contact. The measuring tube module 4 has a first vibration exciting component of at least one vibration exciter, designed to excite vibrations in the measuring tube module 4, in particular the at least one measuring tube 3. In addition, the measuring tube module 4 has a first vibration sensor component of at least one vibration sensor, designed to detect the vibrations of the at least one measuring tube 3. The first vibration exciting component and the first vibration sensor component are preferably magnets. Furthermore, the measuring tube module 4 has process connections 30 which are both designed as distributor pieces.

[0078] The receptacle module 16 is a fixed component of the system for biotechnological applications 74, and has the electronic components with which the Coriolis flow meter 2 is operated and the flow-dependent measurement signal is detected. The receptacle module 16 has a receptacle 23 for the measuring tube module 4, into which the measuring tube module 4 can be inserted. In addition, the measuring tube module 4 is mechanically connectable to the receptacle module 16 in a manner allowing release and/or separation, in order to ensure a user-friendly exchange of the measuring tube module 4. When the application is changed, the measuring tube module 4 can be replaced with a new sterilized measuring tube module 4. The receptacle module 16 has a second vibration exciting component of the at least one vibration exciter and a second vibration sensor component of the at least one vibration sensor. These are the excitation coil and the at least one sensor coil, which are each electrically connected to a measuring circuit and are controlled or read, respectively, via the circuit. The receptacle module 16 is not designed to touch the medium; rather, it is designed so that it can be cleaned.

[0079] The system 74 for biotechnological applications has a housing 75 with a housing wall 76 which delimits a housing interior. The housing wall 76 is made of sheet metal. The receptacle module 16 is arranged in a cover opening of the housing wall 76. The receptacle module 16, in particular the receptacle of the receptacle module 16, extends through the cover opening 79 into the housing interior. The receptacle module 16 is fastened through the housing interior (see FIG. 3-6). The receptacle module 23 can be arranged in the cover opening 79 in such a way that the receiving direction, which is defined by the direction of the extension of the receptacle module, has a vectorial portion with a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The system 74 can comprise a bioreactor, a system for chromatographic purification processes, a crossflow system, or the like.

[0080] FIG. 2A-C are an image series of individual assembly steps of a measuring device 2 according to the invention. The measuring tube module 4 comprises two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2, which are mechanically coupled to one another via a coupler arrangement 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupler arrangement 1 comprises six coupler elements 6, which partially encompass the two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2. The measuring tube module 4 is designed as a disposable article, and can be arranged in and fastened to a provided receptacle module 16 in a manner allowing mechanical separation. The two measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 each comprise a measuring tube body, which is formed at least partially from steel. An excitation magnet 36 and two sensor magnets 38.1, 38.2 are attached to each of the measuring tube bodies. The receptacle module 16 has a receptacle 23 which extends from an end face of the receptacle module body 22 in the longitudinal direction thereof. In addition, the receptacle module body 22 of the receptacle module 16 has a mounting surface 26 on which the measuring tube module 4, in particular the fixing body arrangement 35, rests in the installed state, and which is designed such that the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 of the measuring tube module 4 do not touch the wall of the receptacle module 16. The mounting surface 26 surrounds the receptacle 29 in a cross section, so that when the measuring tube module 4 is arranged, an entire edge region of the fixing body arrangement 35 rests on the mounting surface 26. The two excitation coils of the vibration exciter and the four sensor coils of the vibration sensor (not shown) are arranged in an inner peripheral surface of the receptacle module 16, in particular distributed on two diametrically oriented lateral surfaces of the receptacle 23. The excitation coils and vibration coils are preferably embedded in the receptacle module body 22, such that they are not damaged when the measuring tube module 4 is inserted.

[0081] In the installed state, the measuring tube module 4 is arranged in the receptacle 23, and the fixing body arrangement 35 rests on the mounting surface 26. The measuring tube module 4 is now ready to be fastened to the receptacle module 16 by means of the fixing device 34. This is necessary so that a measurement with a stable zero point is possible. For this purpose, the fixing device 34 has a first fixing element 40 and a second fixing element 41, which are each designed to be pivotable and each have a fixing surface 42, 43. The fixing surfaces 42, 43 are each located at a first end of the fixing element 40, 41. The fixing elements 40, 41 each have an elongate fixing element body. In the end portion comprising the first end, the fixing elements 40, 41 are fastened to the receptacle module body 22 in a manner allowing pivoting about an axis of rotation. The fixing elements 40, 41 are designed to press the fixing body arrangement 44 against the mounting surface 26 in order to thus suppress movements of the fixing body arrangement. The first fixing element 40 is connected to a pivotable connecting device 46, which comprises a connecting body 47. The connection between the fixing element 40 and the pivotable connecting device 46 is located at the second end of the first fixing element 40. The connecting body 47 is at least partially cubic, and cylindrical in the end portion. There, a closing device 48 is arranged on the connecting body 47. In the illustrated embodiment, the end portion of the connecting body 47 has an external thread, and the closing device 48 is designed as a screw. Depending on the application and the requirements for measurement performance, the closing device 48 can also be designed as a torque screw, a clamping lever, a clamp lever, a tensioning bracket, a clamp, a tensioning lever, a clamping claw, a hood closure, and/or an eccentric lever. Alternatively (not shown), the closing device 48 can be designed as a clasp, in particular a sleeve clasp, which is arranged on a first fixing element 40 of the two fixing elements 40, 41. Accordingly, a pivot part is arranged on the second fixing element 41. In this case, the pivot part is designed as a sleeve pivot part which has at least one hook, in particular a sleeve hook. In the fixed state, the fixing surfaces 42, 43 of the fixing elements 40, 41 contact the support surfaces 44, 45 of the fixing body arrangement 35. The connecting body 47 of the connecting device 46 has a functional connection to the second fixing element 41that is, the connecting device 46, in particular the connecting body 47, connects the first fixing element 40 to the second fixing element 41. The second fixing element 41 has a guide 51 at the second end for the end portion of the connecting body 47. In the closed state, the connecting body 47 extends along the guide 51 of the second fixing element 41. The closing device 48 contacts the clamping surface 49 of the second fixing element 41. When the closing device 48, in the form of a screw, is tightened, the two fixing elements are brought uniformly together. The closing device 48 presses against the clamping surface 49. Because the two fixing elements 40, 41 are designed to be pivotable about an axis of rotation, when the fixing elements 40, 41 are tightened and accordingly brought together, a force is produced on the fixing body arrangement 35 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube module 4 in the direction of the mounting surface 26. This force ensures a uniform fastening of the measuring tube module 4 to the carrier unit body 22. The measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 each have an inlet longitudinal axis in the inlet portion and an outlet longitudinal axis in the outlet portion, wherein a first longitudinal plane runs through the inlet longitudinal axes of the measuring tubes, wherein a second longitudinal plane runs through the outlet longitudinal axes of the measuring tubes, wherein the fixing body arrangement 35 has a second end face which is oriented opposite to the first end face, wherein the first longitudinal plane and the second longitudinal plane define a first surface on the second end face of the fixing body arrangement 35, wherein the inlet longitudinal axis and the outlet longitudinal axis of the first measuring tube 3.1 extend in a third longitudinal plane, wherein the inlet longitudinal axis and the outlet longitudinal axis of the second measuring tube 3.2 extend in a fourth longitudinal plane, wherein the third longitudinal plane and the fourth longitudinal plane delimit a second surface on the second end face, wherein the fixing surfaces 42, 43 of the fixing elements 40, 41 in particular lie exclusively on the first surface in the fastening state, and lie outside the second surface. Alternatively, the fixing body arrangement 35 can be formed in multiple parts, wherein one part is materially bonded to the at least one measuring tube 3.1, 3.2, and a further part is attached at least with a positive connection. This further part is designed and configured as a process connection for the measuring tubes 3.1, 3.2 to a process line. For this purpose, the further part can have, for example, standardized process connections, such as flanges or threads.

[0082] FIGS. 3A and B show a partially cutaway interior view of the process monitoring device, with a first embodiment of the fastening arrangement 84 for fastening the receptacle module 16 to the housing wall, in particular to the cover 78, and a side view of the first embodiment of the fastening arrangement 84. An opening 79 in which the receptacle module 16 is arranged is incorporated in the cover 78. The receptacle module 16, in particular the receptacle 23, extends through the opening 79 into the housing interior 77 of the housing. In addition to the receptacle module 16, pumps, fans, cables, hoses, electronic components, and containers for the medium can be located in the housing interior 77. Furthermore, in the receiving portion 80, the receptacle module 16 has a particularly circumferential shoulder 81 with a shoulder surface 83. A cover surface 82 of the cover 78 and the shoulder surface 83 face one another and lie on one another in the installed state. The shoulder is shown schematically and is generally significantly thicker than the cover 78. The fastening is realized by means of a fastening arrangement 84 which is arranged in the housing interior 77. The fastening arrangement 84 is designed to mechanically connect the receptacle module 16 to the cover 78. For this purpose, it has a first fastening means 85 and a second fastening means 86. The first fastening means 85 is connected to the receptacle module 16 and the second fastening means 86 is connected to the first fastening means 85, such that they functionally connected to one another. The rear side 88 of the cover 78 is in contact with the second fastening means 86, which is designed to bend the first fastening means 85 at least partially, preferably opposite the rear side 88. For this purpose, the first fastening means 85 has a first leg 89 and a second leg 90, which extend substantially parallel to one another and are spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the second fastening means 86 comprises a screw which extends between the first leg 89 and the second leg 90 in a threaded opening. According to the embodiment shown, the first fastening means 85 is fastened to the receptacle module body 22 by means of a screw. As an alternative to the two legs, a single plate with a blind hole and a threading can also be provided. The receptacle module body 22 preferably comprises steel.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a partially cutaway interior view of the process monitoring device, with a second embodiment of the fastening arrangement 84. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment substantially by the additional guide 87 which is incorporated in the receptacle module body 22. The shape of the first fastening means 85 allows the fastening arrangement 84 to be arranged in a movable way in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle module 16. The guide 87 is designed as a T-shaped groove, and the body of the first fastening means 85 is designed to be complementary in sections thereto (see FIG. 5). The first fastening means 85 can likewise be connected to the receptacle module body 22 with a positive and/or non-positive connection via a screw. In this case, no openings with threads need be provided in the receptacle module body 22. Instead, the first fastening means 85 can be clamped in the guide by clamping the base body.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first fastening means 85 of the second embodiment of the fastening arrangement 84. In a cross section, the first fastening means 85 has a T-shaped basic shape, at least in one end portion. This is designed to be complementary to the shape of the guide. The base body of the first fastening means 85 preferably comprises steel.

[0085] FIGS. 6A to D each show a cross section through a process monitoring device, in particular a longitudinal section of the inclination body 116 according to the invention. FIG. 6A shows a process monitoring device which is preferably suitable for pharmaceutical bioprocessing applications, and a measuring tube module (not shown) with at least one measuring tube through which a medium can flow, and a receptacle module 16 with a receptacle module body 22 which at least partially delimits a receptacle 23 for the at least one measuring tube of the measuring tube module and of a system. The measuring tube module 4 can be inserted into the receptacle 23 and is mechanically separable, i.e., can be connected in a positive or non-positive manner. The system which is particularly suitable for biotechnological applications has a housing with a housing wall, which is formed in particular from sheet metal and delimits a housing interior 77. Furthermore, the housing wall has a cover 78 with a continuous cover opening 79. The receptacle module 16 is arranged in this cover opening 79 such that a subregion of the receptacle module, in particular the receptacle 23, extends into the housing interior 77. The receptacle has a receiving longitudinal direction and a receiving direction into which the receptacle 23 extends, and which describes the orientation of the receptacle 23 and/or the receptacle module 16 in the system. The receiving direction points into the housing interior 77. The receptacle module 16 is arranged in the cover opening 79 in such a way that the receiving direction 115 has a vectorial portion with a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the receptacle module 16 is arranged in the cover opening 79 in such a way that a dead volume in the at least one measuring tube 3 and/or in a distributor piece attached to the at least one measuring tube 3 when the measuring tube module 4 is emptied is less than 20%, in particular less than 10% and preferably less than 5%. In addition, the receptacle module 16 has a portion outside the housing interior 77 in which it has an in particular circumferential shoulder 81. The cover 78 has a cover surface 82 and the shoulder 81 has a shoulder surface 83. Both surfaces face one another, and an inclination body 116 is clamped between the shoulder surface 83 and the cover surface 82. It is wedge-shaped, and in particular acute-angled. According to the embodiment shown, the inclination body 116 in a longitudinal section assumes a basic shape of a particularly-rectangular trapezoid. The inclination body 116 also has a first lateral surface 117 in which a first lateral surface plane runs and a second lateral surface 118 in which a second lateral surface plane runs. Both lateral surface planes intersect at an angle of 0.1 to 15, in particular 0.2 to 10 and preferably 0.5 to 7. The inclination body 116 has an inclination body opening 119, the basic shape of which corresponds substantially to the outer basic shape of the receptacle module body 22through which the receptacle module 116 extends at least partially in the installed state. The inclination body 116 is also designed as a sealing means for sealing the housing interior 77 against liquids. For this purpose, it can be formed from a plurality of sealing means which are suitable for use as a sealing means in bioprocessing applications. An advantageous sealing means is an EPDM building material.

[0086] The embodiment of FIG. 6B differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6A in that the inclination body 116 has an inclination body receptacle for a sealing means 120, which is arranged in the inclination body receptacle. In this case, the inclination body 116 is not designed as a sealing means. For example, an O-ring can be used as the sealing ring 120.

[0087] The embodiment of FIG. 6C differs substantially from the embodiment of FIG. 6B in that a disk-shaped sealing means 120 is arranged between the inclination body 116 and the cover surface 82. In this case, an inclination body receptacle is not absolutely necessary.

[0088] The embodiment of FIG. 6D substantially differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6A in that the shoulder surface 83 and the cover surface 82 face one another and run parallel to one another. In this case, a shoulder plane running on the shoulder surface 83 and an end face plane running on an end face 121 intersect at an angle of 0.1 to 15, in particular 0.2 to 10 and preferably 0.5 to 7. The inclination body and the shoulder can be formed as a single piece or can be materially-bonded to one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0089] Coupler arrangement 1 [0090] Measuring device 2 [0091] Measuring tube 3 [0092] Measuring tube module 4 [0093] Fixing body arrangement 5 [0094] Coupler element 6 [0095] Vibration exciter 7 [0096] Vibration sensor 8 [0097] Magnet arrangement 9 [0098] Magnet 10 [0099] Leg 11 [0100] Measuring tube body 13 [0101] Measuring and/or operating circuit 15 [0102] Receptacle module 16 [0103] Receptacle module body 22 [0104] Receptacle 23 [0105] Lateral surface 24 [0106] Mounting surface 26 [0107] Guide 28 [0108] Excitation magnet 36 [0109] Excitation coil 37 [0110] Sensor magnet 38 [0111] Sensor coil 39 [0112] System for biotechnological applications 74 [0113] Housing 75 [0114] Housing wall 76 [0115] Housing interior 77 [0116] Cover 78 [0117] Cover opening 79 [0118] Receptacle portion 80 [0119] Shoulder 81 [0120] Cover surface 82 [0121] Shoulder surface 83 [0122] Receiving direction 115 [0123] Inclination body 116 [0124] First lateral surface 117 [0125] Second lateral surface 118 [0126] Inclination body opening 119 [0127] Sealing means 120 [0128] End face 121