MEASURING ARRANGEMENT FOR RADIOMETRIC DENSITY- OR FILL LEVEL MEASURING OF A MEDIUM IN A MEASURING TUBE

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring arrangement (1) for radiometric density- or fill level measurement of a medium in a measuring tube (2) in the field of automation technology. The measuring arrangement (1) is composed of a radioactive radiation source (3), a detector unit (4) and a clamping apparatus for the radiation source (3) as well as the detector unit (4). The invention is distinguished by features including that the clamping apparatus has blocking elements (7,8,9,10), which make the radiation cone (17) of the radioactive radiation source (3) between the measuring tube (2) and the clamping apparatus laterally inaccessible. In such case, the blocking elements (7,8,9,10) are arranged in such a manner that the measuring arrangement (1) is suitable for different diameters of the measuring tube (2), without the blocking elements (7,8,9,10) losing their protective action.

Claims

1. Measuring arrangement for radiometric density- or fill level measurement of a medium in a measuring tube (2) with a tube axis, wherein the measuring arrangement comprises: a radiation source (3) for emitting radioactive radiation toward the measuring tube (2) with a fixed radiation cone (17) a detector unit (4), which detects radioactive radiation after its passage through the measuring tube (2), a clamping apparatus with a first holding plate (5) for holding the radiation source (3), with a second holding plate (6) for holding the detector unit (4), and with at least one connecting element, which connects the first holding plate (5) and the second holding plate (6) with one another in such a manner that the two holding plates (5,6) are clamped tightly against the measuring tube (2), wherein there are placed on the first holding plate (5) a first blocking element (7) and a second blocking element (8) in such a manner that the radiation cone (17) is inaccessible at least laterally between the measuring tube (2) and the first holding plate (5), and wherein there are placed on the second holding plate (6) a third blocking element (9) and a fourth blocking element (10) in such a manner that the radiation cone (17) is inaccessible at least laterally between the measuring tube (2) and the second holding plate (6).

2. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first blocking element (7) and/or the second blocking element (8) are/is arranged shiftably on the first holding plate (5) tangentially with reference to the measuring tube (2).

3. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third blocking element (9) and/or the fourth blocking element (10) are/is arranged shiftably on the second holding plate (6) tangentially with reference to the measuring tube (2).

4. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first blocking element (7) and/or the second blocking element (8) are/is embodied as a rectangular plate with at least a first edge (11), which extends, for instance, orthogonally to the first holding plate (5).

5. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first edge (11) is angled-over toward the measuring tube (2).

6. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third blocking element (9) and/or the fourth blocking element (10) are/is embodied as a rectangular plate with at least a second edge (12), which extends, for instance, orthogonally to the second holding plate (6).

7. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second edge (12) is angled-over toward toward the measuring tube (2).

8. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the four blocking elements (7,8,9,10) is embodied wedge shaped.

9. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two holding plates (5,6) has a rectangular shape with four corner regions, with at least a third edge (13) extending parallel to the tube axis, with an upper, fourth edge (14) and with a lower, fifth edge (15), which fourth edge (14) and fifth edge (15) extend about tangentially to the measuring tube (2).

10. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein for the case, in which the two holding plates (5,6) are rectangular, the connecting element comprises an arrangement of four threaded rods, which arrangement screw-connects the four corner regions of the first holding plate (5) with the four corner regions of the second holding plate (6) in such a manner that the two holding plates (5,6) are clamped tightly against the measuring tube (2).

11. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fourth edge (14) and/or the fifth edge (15) of at least one of the two holding elements (5,6) are/is angled-over toward the measuring tube (2).

12. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third edge (13) of at least one of the two holding elements (5,6) is angled-over toward the measuring tube (2).

13. Measuring arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fourth edge (14) and the fifth edge (15) have for the case, in which the fourth edge (14) and the fifth edge (15) are angled over, a cutout(16) for adjustment to the measuring tube (2).

Description

[0031] The subject matter of the invention will now be explained in greater detail based on an example of an embodiment in the appended drawing, the figures of which as follows:

[0032] FIG. 1 plan view of the measuring arrangement looking in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tube;

[0033] FIG. 2 oblique view of the clamping apparatus on the measuring tube.

[0034] The two figures show an embodiment of the measuring arrangement 1 of the invention. Measuring arrangement 1 is composed of a measuring tube 2, a radiation source 3, a detector unit 4 and a clamping apparatus. Both figures show the same embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the measuring arrangement 1 of the invention. Measuring arrangement 1 includes a first holding plate 5 with a radiation source 3. Located on the holding plate 5 are two blocking elements 7,8. Placed on a second holding plate 6, which lies opposite the first holding plate 5 on the measuring tube 2, is a detector unit 4. Also placed on the second holding plate 6 are two more blocking elements 9,10. In the present example of an embodiment, the two holding plates 5,6 are clamped tightly against the measuring tube by an arrangement of four threaded rods. The four blocking elements 7,8,9,10 are embodied in the present example as rectangular plates with at least a first edge 11, which, for instance, extends orthogonally to the first holding plate 5, and a second edge 12, which, for instance, extends orthogonally to the second holding plate 6. In such case, the first edge 11 as well as the second edge 12 are at an angle to the measuring tube 2. By positioning the four blocking elements 7,8,9,10 on the first holding plate 5 and the second holding plate 6, the radiation cone 17 of the radiation source 3 is sealed off laterally of the measuring tube 2 and, therewith, inaccessible laterally of the measuring tube 2.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the clamping apparatus in the mounted state on the measuring tube 2. For reasons of perspicuity, the radiation source 3 and the detector unit 4 are not shown in this figure. This view shows the rectangular form of embodiment of the first holding plate 5 as well as the second holding plate 6.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the two holding plates 5,6 are angled over on their edges 13,14,15 for increasing distortion resistance. Likewise the upper, fourth edges 14 as well as the lower, fifth edges 15 of the two holding plates 5,6 are in the illustrated embodiment each provided with a cutout 16. Cutouts 16 avoid a shifting of the holding plates 5,6 tangentially relative to the measuring tube 2. FIG. 2 shows likewise the position of the first blocking element 7 between the measuring tube 2 and the first holding element 5. In the shown form of embodiment, the first blocking element 7 can be bolted to the first holding plate 5 through elongated holes. In such case, elongated holes directed extending tangentially to the measuring tube 2 permit a tangentially variable arrangement of the blocking elements 7,8,9,10, so that they can be fitted to different diameters of the measuring tube 2.

[0038] Of course, the inventive idea is not limited only to measuring arrangements for radiometric determination of density or the fill level, but, instead, includes any radiometric measuring arrangement on pipes.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0039] 1 measuring arrangement

[0040] 2 measuring tube

[0041] 3 radiation source

[0042] 4 detector unit

[0043] 5 first holding plate

[0044] 6 second holding plate

[0045] 7 blocking element

[0046] 8 second blocking element

[0047] 9 third blocking element

[0048] 10 fourth blocking element

[0049] 11 first edge

[0050] 12 second edge

[0051] 13 third edge

[0052] 14 fourth edge

[0053] 15 fifth edge

[0054] 16 cutout

[0055] 17 radiation cone