PRESSURE SENSOR, SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING AND DEMOUNTING OF THE PRESSURE SENSOR AND USE OF THE PRESSURE SENSOR
20240192073 ยท 2024-06-13
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01L19/144
PHYSICS
G01L19/003
PHYSICS
International classification
Abstract
A pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a fluid medium includes a mounting device, a sensor device and a sealing element. The mounting device holds the sensor device and is mountable in a mounting bore of a wall. The sensor device includes a diaphragm and a sensor element, which generates a measurement signal for a pressure-dependent deformation of the diaphragm. The sealing element seals the mounting bore and includes a trunnion held by a socket of the sensor device.
Claims
1. A pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a fluid medium confined by a wall that defines a mounting bore configured for mounting the pressure sensor in a manner that disposes the pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the fluid medium, wherein the mounting bore is partially defined by a wall surface, the pressure sensor comprising: a mounting device configured to be mounted in the mounting bore; a sensor device held by the mounting device and including a diaphragm and a sensor element, wherein the sensor device defines a socket that is partially defined by a sensor device surface; wherein the diaphragm is configured and disposed to be in direct contact with the fluid medium when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore; wherein the sensor element is configured so that when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore, the sensor element generates a measurement signal commensurate with a pressure-dependent deformation of the diaphragm; a sealing element that includes a trunnion that is deformable to define a deformed first sealing element surface touching the sensor device surface in a form fitting first sealing that prevents the fluid medium from escaping from the mounting bore; and wherein the sealing element defines a deformable second sealing element surface that is deformed to touch the wall surface of the wall when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore and to form a second sealing that seals the mounting bore against escape of the fluid medium from the mounting bore.
2. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mounting bore defines an internal thread and the mounting device defines an external thread that is configured to produce clamping forces when engaging the internal thread defined by the mounting bore.
3. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to elongate in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis and the trunnion is configured to be inserted into the socket the in axial direction.
4. The pressure sensor according to claim 3, wherein said socket comprises a sensor device installation; wherein said trunnion comprises a sealing element installation; and wherein said sealing element installation and said sensor device installation are guide means when inserting said trunnion into said socket.
5. The pressure sensor according to claim 3, wherein the socket comprises a socket base; wherein the trunnion comprises a trunnion head that is deformable; a trunnion head offset exists between an undeformed trunnion head and the socket base; and wherein the trunnion head offset is configured to be resolved by deformation of the nondeformed trunnion head into the deformed trunnion head that abuts against the socket base in a planar manner and forms the permanent form fit with the socket base.
6. The pressure sensor according to claim 5, wherein the deformed trunnion head is plastically deformed.
7. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element surface is configured so that when inserted into the socket, a first angular offset will exist between an undeformed first sealing element surface and the sensor device surface; and wherein deformation of the first sealing element surface eliminates the first angular offset by a deformation of the first sealing element surface so that a deformed first sealing element surface abuts against the sensor device surface in a planar manner.
8. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second sealing element surface is so that a second angular offset will exist between an undeformed second sealing element surface and the wall surface; and wherein deformation of the second sealing element surface eliminates the second angular offset by a deformation of the second sealing element surface into a deformed second sealing element surface that abuts against the wall surface in a planar manner.
9. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor housing; wherein the diaphragm comprises a joint by which the diaphragm is deformable; wherein the diaphragm comprises a flange that forms a material bond with the sensor housing; and wherein the socket is formed in the flange.
10. The pressure sensor according to claim 9, wherein the diaphragm and the sensor housing are made of metallic material; and wherein the material seal is formed as a weld seam that is arranged on the side of the first seal and the second seal facing away from the mounting bore.
11. The pressure sensor according to claim 9, wherein the flange absorbs clamping forces that are generated when the pressure sensor is mounted in the mounting bore and act from the wall on the sealing element and act on the flange via the trunnion.
12. A pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein only the diaphragm and the sealing element of the pressure sensor mounted in the mounting bore are in direct contact with the fluid medium via the mounting bore.
13. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the fluid medium is located inside a container, which container comprises the wall, and which wall closes the container; wherein the mounting bore comprises an inlet, via which inlet the fluid medium enters the mounting bore from the interior of the container; and wherein the diaphragm of the pressure sensor mounted in the mounting bore is an end of the pressure sensor facing the inlet.
14. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the form fitting first sealing is configured to prevent a fluid medium that contains hydrogen from escaping from the mounting bore.
15. A system for mounting and demounting a pressure sensor, the system comprising: a container having a wall that is configured to enclose an interior of the container in a pressure-tight and gas-tight manner; a fluid medium located in the interior of the container under a pressure; wherein the wall comprises a mounting bore; wherein the pressure sensor is configured to be mounted in the mounting bore of the wall and demountable from the mounting bore; and the pressure sensor comprising: a mounting device configured to be mounted in the mounting bore; a sensor device held by the mounting device and including a diaphragm and a sensor element, wherein the sensor device defines a socket that is partially defined by a sensor device surface; wherein the diaphragm is configured and disposed to be in direct contact with the fluid medium when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore; wherein the sensor element is configured so that when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore, the sensor element generates a measurement signal commensurate with a pressure-dependent deformation of the diaphragm; a sealing element that includes a trunnion that is deformable to define a deformed first sealing element surface touching the sensor device surface in a form fitting first sealing that prevents the fluid medium from escaping from the mounting bore; and wherein the sealing element defines a deformable second sealing element surface that is deformed to touch the wall surface of the wall when the mounting device is mounted in the mounting bore and to form a second sealing that seals the mounting bore against escape of the fluid medium from the mounting bore.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044] Identical elements are marked with the same reference symbols in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0045] The pressure sensor 1 shown in the longitudinal section of
[0046] As schematically shown in
[0047] The pressure sensor 1 and the wall 11 are shown in
[0048] The wall 11 defines a mounting bore 100. The mounting bore 100 is a through hole permitting fluid communication between the interior of the container 10 and the space external to the container 10. The mounting bore 100 defines an inlet 101 through which fluid medium M enters the mounting bore 100 from inside the container 10. The inlet 101 is located in a region of the mounting bore 100 close to the container. The mounting bore 100 has a wall surface 106. The wall surface 106 is also located in the region of the mounting bore 100 that is close to the container. Further spaced apart from the container 10, the wall surface 106 passes into a mounting section 105. In the mounting section 105, the mounting bore 100 defines an internal thread 107. The internal thread 107 is used for mounting the pressure sensor 1 in the mounting bore 100. Thus, the mounting bore 100 extends in an axial direction from the interior of the container 10 to the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100. By mounting the pressure sensor 1 in the mounting bore 100, the mounting bore 100 forms a mounting gap 102 in the region of the mounting section 105. The end of the pressure sensor 1 facing the inlet 101 is exposed to the fluid medium M and the pressure P in the mounting bore 100, and the end of the pressure sensor 1 facing away from the inlet 101 is in an environment 0 of the container 10. Atmospheric pressure prevails in the environment 0 of the container 10. The container 10 and the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100 form a system 1000.
[0049] The pressure sensor 1 comprises a mounting device 2 and a sensor device 3.
[0050] The mounting device 2 is hollow and cylindrical in shape and is made of a resistant metallic material such as a pure metal, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, an iron alloy, etc. The mounting device 2 may be a hollow mounting screw as known from EP1146326A2. The mounting device 2 holds the sensor device 3. Thus, the mounting device 2 may hold the sensor device 3 via a form fit. The mounting device 2 has an external thread 27 for fastening in the internal thread 107. To mount the pressure sensor 1 in the mounting bore 100, the external thread 27 is screwed into the internal thread 107. This produces clamping forces. The mounting of the pressure sensor 1 in the mounting bore 100 is reversible, i.e., the mounted pressure sensor 1 can be demounted by being screwed in reverse rotation out of the internal thread 107 via the external thread 27.
[0051] The sensor device 3 comprises a diaphragm 31 and a sensor housing 35. The sensor housing 35 is hollow and desirably cylindrical in shape. The diaphragm 31 desirably is disc-shaped. The diaphragm 31 and the sensor housing 35 desirably are made of a resistant metallic material such as a pure metal, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, an iron alloy, etc. Preferably, the diaphragm 31 and the sensor housing 35 are joined together by a material bond. In the longitudinal section of
[0052] The diaphragm 31 of the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100 is the end of the pressure sensor 1 facing the inlet 101. Thus, the diaphragm 31 is configured and disposed to be in direct contact with the fluid medium M of the mounting bore 100.
[0053] The side of the diaphragm 31 facing the inlet 101 is located in the transverse plane 104. The transverse plane 104 confines the sensor device 3 of the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100 in the direction towards the inlet 101. In the longitudinal section of
[0054] The side of the diaphragm 31 facing the inlet 101 is located in the transverse plane 104. The transverse plane 104 confines the sensor device 3 of the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100 in the direction towards the inlet 101. In the longitudinal section of
[0055] The sensor device 3 comprises a sensor element 33. The sensor element 33 serves to generate a measurement signal for the pressure P to be measured. The sensor element 33 is arranged in the recess 30. The sensor element 33 may be a piezoelectric sensor element or a piezoresistive sensor element.
[0056] The pressure P acts on the sensor element 33 via the diaphragm 31. The diaphragm 31 is thin in certain areas and deformable. The diaphragm 31 comprises a punch 36, a joint 39 and a flange 40 as shown in
[0057] The sensor element 33 is arranged on the side of the diaphragm 31 facing away from the inlet 101 on the longitudinal axis 103 on the punch 36. Under the effect of the pressure P, the diaphragm 31 deforms in the area of the joint 39, thereby the punch 36 presses in the axial direction on the sensor element 33. During this deformation, the joint 39 is supported on the sensor housing 35 via the flange 40.
[0058] The sensor element 33 is configured to generate a measurement signal for a pressure-dependent deformation of the diaphragm 31. The measurement signal is proportional to the acting pressure P. The piezoelectric sensor element generates an electric charge quantity as the measurement signal. The piezoresistive sensor element generates an electrical voltage as the measurement signal.
[0059] The pressure sensor 1 comprises a hollow cylindrical sealing element 5. The sealing element 5 of the pressure sensor 1 mounted in the mounting bore 100 serves to prevent fluid medium M from escaping from the container 10 into the environment 0 of the container 10 via the mounting bore 100. The sealing element 5 is arranged on the side of the diaphragm 31 facing the inlet 101 on the longitudinal axis 103 between the sensor device 3 and the wall 11. As shown in
[0060] The sensor device 3 permanently holds the sealing element 5 by form fit. For this purpose, the sensor device 3 comprises a socket 34 and the sealing element 5 comprises a trunnion 54. The trunnion 54 confines the sealing element 5 in the direction of the sensor device 3. The trunnion 54 is inserted into the socket 34 in the axial direction.
[0061] Preferably, said socket 34 is formed in the flange 40. In the radial direction, the socket 34 is formed in the flange 40 outside of the punch 36. In the axial direction, the socket 34 is formed below the transverse plane 104. Said socket 34 is arranged in the flange 40 at a constant radial distance from the longitudinal axis 103 and extends 360? around the diaphragm 31 at this radial distance.
[0062] Preferably, socket 34 is groove-shaped, comprising a sensor device installation 37, a socket base 38, and a sensor device surface 32. The socket base 38 is formed outside of the sensor device installation 37 in the radial direction, and said sensor device surface 32 is formed outside of the socket base 38 in the radial direction. In the longitudinal section of
[0063] The trunnion 54 is formed on the sealing element 5 in the radial direction outside of the feed 50. Said trunnion 54 is arranged at a constant radial distance from the longitudinal axis 103 and preferably extends 360? around the feed 50 at this radial distance.
[0064] The trunnion 54 preferably comprises a sealing element installation 57, a trunnion head 58, and a first sealing element surface 52. The trunnion head 58 is formed outside of the sealing element installation 57 in the radial direction, and the first sealing element surface 52 is formed outside of the trunnion head 58 in the radial direction. In the longitudinal section of
[0065] The sealing element installation 57 and the sensor device installation 37 serve as guide means during insertion of the trunnion 54 into the socket 34. For this purpose, the sealing element installation 57 and the sensor device installation 37 abut against each other in a planar manner in the longitudinal section of
[0066] Compared to the material of the diaphragm 31, the material of the sealing element 5 has a lower compressive strength, which means that the material tends to be less resistant to compressive forces. Also, the geometries of the interacting components of the sealing element 5 and the diaphragm 31 are selected in such manner that the geometry of the trunnion head 58 resists deformation less than the geometry of the socket base 38 and that the geometry of the first sealing element surface 52 resists deformation less than the geometry of the sensor device surface 32.
[0067] Thus, said trunnion head 58 is deformable. In the longitudinal section of
[0068] The first sealing element surface 52 and the sensor device surface 32 form a first seal 5 of the mounting bore 100 with respect to the mounting gap 102, to prevent fluid medium M from escaping from the mounting bore 100 through the feed line 50 to the mounting gap 102 into the environment 0 of the container 10. The first sealing element surface 52 is also deformable. In the longitudinal section of
[0069] The sealing element 5 comprises a second sealing element surface 56. The second sealing element surface 56 confines the sealing element 5 in a direction towards the wall 11. The second sealing element surface 56 cooperates with the wall surface 106. The second sealing element surface 56 and the wall surface 106 are conical. The second sealing element surface 56 and the wall surface 106 form a second seal 5 of the mounting bore 100 with respect to the mounting gap 102, to prevent fluid medium M from escaping from the mounting bore 100 to the mounting gap 102 into the environment 0 of the container 10.
[0070] The second sealing element surface 56 is also deformable. In the longitudinal section of
[0071] The flange 40 also absorbs clamping forces K, which clamping forces K are generated when the pressure sensor 1 is mounted in the mounting bore 100 and which clamping forces K act on the flange 40 via the trunnion 54 as schematically shown in
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0072] 0 environment [0073] 1 pressure sensor [0074] 2 mounting device [0075] 27 external thread [0076] 3 sensor device [0077] 30 recess [0078] 31 diaphragm [0079] 32 sensor device surface [0080] 33 sensor element [0081] 34 socket [0082] 35 sensor housing [0083] 36 punch [0084] 37 sensor device installation [0085] 38 socket base [0086] 39 joint [0087] 40 flange [0088] 41 weld seam [0089] 5 sealing element [0090] 5 first seal [0091] 5 second seal [0092] 50 feed [0093] 51 trunnion head offset [0094] 52 undeformed first sealing element surface [0095] 52 deformed first sealing element surface [0096] 53 first angular offset [0097] 54 trunnion [0098] 55 second angular offset [0099] 56 undeformed second sealing element surface [0100] 56 deformed second sealing element surface [0101] 57 sealing element installation [0102] 58 undeformed trunnion head [0103] 58 deformed trunnion head [0104] 10 container [0105] 11 wall [0106] 100 mounting bore [0107] 101 inlet [0108] 102 mounting gap [0109] 103 longitudinal axis [0110] 104 transverse plane [0111] 105 mounting section [0112] 106 wall surface [0113] 107 internal thread [0114] 1000 system [0115] K clamping forces [0116] M fluid medium [0117] P pressure