FASTENING DEVICE FOR A SENSOR

Abstract

A mounting device is provided for a sensor, configured to attach the sensor to a container, including: a first mechanical interface configured to attach the mounting device to a corresponding first mating mechanical interface of the container; and a second mechanical interface configured to attach the mounting device to a corresponding second mating mechanical interface of the container, in which the mounting device is configured to receive the sensor. A container having a mounting device, and a method of attaching a sensor to a container, are also provided.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A mounting device for a sensor, configured to attach the sensor to a container, comprising: a first mechanical interface configured to attach the mounting device to a corresponding first mating mechanical interface of the container; and a second mechanical interface configured to attach the mounting device to a corresponding second mating mechanical interface of the container, wherein the mounting device is configured to receive the sensor.

21. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the first mechanical interface and the second mechanical interface are different mechanical interfaces.

22. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the first mechanical interface and the second mechanical interface are arranged in opposite regions of the mounting device.

23. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the first mechanical interface comprises a first thread, and/or wherein the second mechanical interface comprises a second thread.

24. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the mounting device is further configured for selective attachment to a side wall of the container or to a ceiling of the container, and wherein an orientation of the mounting device is identical when attaching to the side wall and when attaching to the ceiling.

25. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the mounting device includes two, three, four, or more further mechanical interfaces.

26. The mounting device according to claim 25, wherein the mechanical interfaces are arranged in opposing pairs.

27. The mounting device according to claim 20, further comprising a base body configured to hold the sensor and to which the first and the second mechanical interfaces are attached.

28. The mounting device according to claim 27, wherein the base body has a cube-like shape.

29. The mounting device according to claim 27, wherein the base body has a through-hole through which a measurement signal of the sensor is emitted.

30. The mounting device according to claim 27, wherein the base body comprises a spherical bearing, configured to movably support the sensor.

31. The mounting device according to claim 30, wherein the base body comprises a locking element, configured for fixing the sensor in the bearing.

32. The mounting device according to claim 27, wherein the base body comprises an alignment element, configured to align the sensor.

33. The mounting device according to claim 20, further comprising the sensor disposed therein.

34. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the sensor is a level meter, a point level sensor, a pressure sensor, or a flow sensor.

35. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the mounting device is further configured to selectively attach the sensor to a side wall of the container or to a ceiling of the container.

36. A container having a mounting device according to claim 20.

37. A method of attaching a sensor to a container, comprising the steps of: mounting the sensor to or in a mounting device; and selectively attaching the mounting device to a first mating mechanical interface of the container or to a second mating mechanical interface of the container.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of aligning the sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a mounting device with a sensor mounted therein according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a fastening device according to a further embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a fastening device according to a further embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a container with two fastening devices attached thereto according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a process according to an embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a fastening device that has a cube shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a sensor 200 installed in a mounting device 100. The sensor 200 can be screwed into the side of the fastening device or inserted therein and clamped therein, for example.

[0047] The mounting device 100 has four or more mechanical interfaces 101, 102, 103, 104, each of which is disposed on a side of the cube-shaped base body 105 of the fastening device 100. The base body and mechanical interfaces may be made in one piece. However, it may also be provided that one or more of the mechanical interfaces are detachably attached to the base body.

[0048] A plurality of passages 106 are provided through which the sensor 200 can measure. This “universal mounting” for sensors, which provides various mounting options for attachment to a container or other device, can significantly reduce the amount of assembly required, particularly for interchangeable level and limit sensors. The sensors 200 no longer need to be individually manufactured with an appropriate suitable process connection, as the mounting device 100 provides several different process connections for mounting the sensor.

[0049] An integrated seal can ensure that the measuring point is still sealed against the process. For example, each mechanical interface has its own seal.

[0050] The mounting device may be arranged in the manner of a sensor housing so that it protects the sensor 200 from mechanical damage. The mounting device 100 may have mechanical interfaces in the form of internal or external threads, flanges, ceiling brackets, pipe brackets or clamps (so-called clamp connections).

[0051] For example, the mounting device may be configured to allow the sensor 200 to be inserted in the four different orientations or positions (vertical/horizontal and sensor orientation top/bottom, respectively).

[0052] The mechanical interfaces 104, 102 may be used to attach the fastening device to a side wall or an opening in a side wall of the container, or to a ceiling. The mechanical interfaces 101, 103 are used to attach the fastening device internally or externally to a ceiling or ceiling opening of the container. With all four mechanical interfaces, the mounting device can be mounted laterally or from above. The sensor can then always be mounted in the appropriate orientation using the horizontal and vertical inserts.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a mounting device 100 in which the sensor 200 is slidably mounted in the bearing 107, which may be in the form of a round piece. It may be envisaged that the sensor 200 aligns itself via gravity. In the case of FIG. 2, the sensor 200 is a radar sensor with an antenna which radiates the measuring signal (see arrow) vertically downwards in the direction of the product surface.

[0054] The sensor can therefore align itself independently, automatically towards the measuring point.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment that also allows sensor alignment. Here, the sensor 200 is fixed in the round piece 109. The round piece 109 is rotatably mounted in the spherical bearing 107. The sensor 200 can be aligned manually. For this purpose, a lever 110 is provided for alignment, which can be operated from the outside. Furthermore, a locking element 108 in the form of a set screw or as a spring-loaded locking element in the form of a pin is provided to lock the aligned sensor. The term locking element is to be interpreted broadly. Likewise, the term alignment element.

[0056] The sensor 200 can be encapsulated and has, for example, a completely closed plastic housing that cannot be opened non-destructively and only has wireless interfaces to the outside. In particular, the sensor can be a self-sufficient sensor with its own power supply. Self-sufficient sensors can be designed to be medium-tight and pressure-resistant. Thus, the measuring point could be flooded.

[0057] Sealing can be ensured by using a sealing system, e.g. O-ring or flange seal, at the process connection. The thread of the respective mechanical interface can also be designed to be self-sealing.

[0058] The mounting device can be used advantageously for self-sufficient sensors that are to be used temporarily at different measuring points/mounting options.

[0059] An adapter system may also be provided on which various process connections can be mounted, for example in the form of a bayonet fitting on the mounting device on which various threaded connections can be mounted.

[0060] Or different adapter flanges are provided, which can be mounted on the threaded connections that are on the mounting device. It is also possible that on the adapter system the threads / process connections are designed interchangeably to provide an even greater variance.

[0061] The adapter system can be attached via an external or internal thread.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a container 300 in which a filling material 305 is located. The side walls of the container have openings in the form of mechanical mating interfaces 303, 304, as does the top of the container (see interfaces 301, 302).

[0063] A first attachment device 100 is disposed at the mating mechanical interface 303, and a second attachment device 100 is disposed at the mating mechanical interface 301. A sensor is disposed in each. The fastening device can be mounted on the inside or also on the outside of the container.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment. In step 501, a sensor is attached to or in a mounting device. In step 502, the attachment device is attached to a first mating mechanical interface of the container. In step 503, it is removed from this interface and attached to a second mechanical mating interface of the container. In both steps 502, 504, the sensor can be oriented accordingly so that it measures in the same direction in each case, although the housing is in different orientations.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a mounting device 100 which has a cube shape and can have up to six mechanical interfaces 101,102, 103, 104, 120 by means of a door 121 which can be pivoted by means of a scraper 122. Due to the cubic structure of the mounting space, which is located inside the mounting device, it is sufficient that the sensor receptacle has only one mounting position of the sensor 200.

[0066] Supplementally, it should be noted that “comprising” and “having” do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality. It should further be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.