MAGNETO-INDUCTIVE FLOW MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A magneto-inductive flow measurement device, comprises a means for producing a magnetic field with a self-inductance, wherein the means for producing the magnetic field comprises a coil arrangement; a means for sensing a measurement voltage induced in the flowable medium; an operating circuit, which is adapted to apply an operating signal on the coil arrangement, wherein the operating signal has operating signal parameters; a measuring circuit, which is adapted to determine a coil electrical current of the coil arrangement; a control circuit, which is adapted so to control at least one of the operating signal parameters that a function dependent on a self-induction value of the self-induction and a coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A magneto-inductive flow measurement device for ascertaining a flow velocity dependent, measured variable of a flowable medium, the magneto-inductive flow measurement device comprising: a means for producing a magnetic field having a self-inductance, wherein the means for producing the magnetic field includes a coil arrangement; a means for sensing a measurement voltage induced in the flowable medium, wherein the means for sensing the measurement voltage includes at least two diametrically arranged measuring electrodes; an operating circuit adapted to apply an operating signal on the coil arrangement , wherein the operating signal has operating signal parameters; a measuring circuit adapted to determine a coil electrical current of the coil arrangement; and a control circuit adapted to control at least one of the operating signal parameters so that a function dependent on a self-induction value of the self-induction and a coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value.

15. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the function depends on a product of the self-induction value and the coil electrical current value.

16. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the operating signal is a voltage curve varying as a function of time, wherein the voltage curve is divided into time intervals, wherein a sign of the voltage curve alternates in successive time intervals, wherein the time intervals include, in each case, a first subinterval in which a first voltage constant over the entire first subinterval is applied on the means for producing the magnetic field.

17. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the measuring circuit is adapted to measure the coil electrical current value during the first subinterval, and wherein the controlled operating signal parameter comprises a function dependent on the first voltage or is the first voltage.

18. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the time intervals have, in each case, a second subinterval in which a second voltage constant over the second subinterval is applied on the means for producing the magnetic field, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage, wherein in the voltage curve the first subinterval follows the second subinterval, and wherein a duration of the second subinterval is shorter than a duration of the first subinterval.

19. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 18, wherein a quotient of the first voltage and the second voltage is constant over the voltage curve, wherein the controlled operating signal parameter comprises the duration of the second subinterval and a function dependent on the first voltage, wherein the duration of the second subinterval is a changeable and controllable variable, wherein the control circuit is adapted so to control the duration of the second subinterval and the function dependent on the first voltage that a control function does not differ from a predetermined, second desired value, and wherein the control function depends on a product of the duration of the second subinterval and the function dependent on the first voltage.

20. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 19, wherein a function dependent on the first voltage is inversely proportional to the duration of the second subinterval.

21. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second voltage is constant during the time intervals, wherein the at least one controlled operating signal parameter includes the duration of the second subinterval and a function dependent on the first voltage, wherein the duration of the second subinterval and the function dependent on the first voltage are so controlled that a control function does not differ from a predetermined, second desired value, and wherein the control function depends on a product of the function dependent on the first voltage and the duration of the second subinterval.

22. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the coil electrical current in the first subinterval assumes a maximum coil electrical current value, and wherein a value of a quotient of the maximum coil electrical current value and a coil electrical current value ascertained during the first subinterval is constant over the operating signal.

23. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the coil electrical current in the first subinterval assumes a maximum coil electrical current value, wherein the at least one controlled operating signal parameter includes the duration of the second subinterval and a function dependent on the first voltage, wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the duration of the second subinterval and the function dependent on the first voltage so that a control function does not differ from a second desired value, wherein the control function depends on a product of the duration of the second subinterval and the function dependent on the first voltage and the maximum coil electrical current value.

24. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: an evaluation circuit is adapted to ascertain an actual value of a function dependent on the self-induction value.

25. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: a measuring tube for conveying the flowable medium, wherein the magneto-inductive flow measurement device is embodied as a magneto-inductive flow measurement apparatus.

26. The magneto-inductive flow measurement device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: a housing embodied to be exposed to the medium, wherein the magneto-inductive flow measurement device is embodied as a magneto-inductive flow measuring probe for introduction into a lateral opening of a pipeline.

Description

[0070] The invention will now be explained in greater detail based on the appended drawing, the figures of which show as follows:

[0071] FIG. 1 an embodiment of the magneto-inductive flow measurement apparatus of the invention;

[0072] FIG. 2 a first embodiment of the voltage curve and the magnetic field correspondingly produced by the coil arrangement;

[0073] FIG. 3 a second embodiment of the voltage curve and the magnetic field correspondingly produced by the coil arrangement; and

[0074] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a partiality sectioned embodiment of a magneto-inductive flow measuring probe of the invention.

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the magneto-inductive flow measurement apparatus 1 of the invention. The construction and the measuring principle of a magneto-inductive flow measurement apparatus 1 are basically known. Conveyed through measuring tube 2 is a flowable medium, which has an electrical conductivity. The measuring tube 2 includes a support tube 3, which is usually formed of steel, ceramic, plastic or glass or at least comprises these. A means 5 for producing a magnetic field is then arranged at the support tube 3 such that the magnetic field lines orient essentially perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction defined by a measuring tube axis. The means 5 for producing the magnetic field comprises a saddle coil or a coil 6. Extending through a receptacle 15 of the coil 6 is usually a coil core 14. The term, receptacle, means the volume bounded by the coil wire forming the coil 6. The receptacle 15 of the coil 6 can, thus, be formed by a coil support or the imaginary enclosed volume. The latter case occurs when the coil wire of the coil 6 is wound directly around the coil core 14. The coil core 14 is formed of a magnetically conductive, especially soft magnetic material. The means 5 for producing the magnetic field includes a pole shoe 21, which is arranged on an end of the coil core 14. The pole shoe 21 can be a separate component or monolithically connected with the coil core 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, coil 6 is split into two diametrically arranged coils 6.1, 6.2 having, in each case, a coil core 14.1, 14.2 and a pole shoe 21.1, 21.2. The two coil cores 14.1, 14.2 are connected together via a field guideback 22. The field guideback 22 connects the far ends of the coil cores 14.1, 14.2 with one another. There are, however, also magneto-inductive, flow measurement apparatuses with just one coil and one coil core and lacking a field guideback. Coil 6 is connected with an operating circuit 7, which drives the coil 6 with an operating signal. The operating signal can be a voltage varying as a function of time and is characterized by operating signal parameters, wherein at least one of the operating signal parameters is controllable. The magnetic field formed by the means 5 for producing the magnetic field is produced by a direct current of alternating polarity. The polarity changes are produced by means of the operating circuit 7. This type of operation assures a stable zero point and makes the measuring insensitive to influence by electrochemical effects. The two coils 6.1, 6.2 can be connected separately with the operating circuit 7 or in series, or in parallel, with one another.

[0076] In the case of applied magnetic field, there occurs in the measuring tube 2 a flow dependent potential distribution, which can be registered, for example, in the form of an induced measurement voltage. A means 8 for sensing the induced measurement voltage is arranged on the measuring tube 2. In the shown embodiment, the means 8 for sensing the induced measurement voltage is formed by two oppositely arranged measuring electrodes 17, 18 having galvanic contact with the medium. There are, however, also magneto-inductive, flow measurement apparatuses known, which have measuring electrodes arranged on the exterior of the support tube 3 and not in contact with the medium. As a rule, the measuring electrodes 17, 18 are diametrically arranged and form an electrode axis (or are intersected by a transverse axis), which extends perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines and to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube 2. There are, however, also means 8 for sensing the induced measurement voltage known, which have more than two measuring electrodes. Based on the measured voltage, the flow velocity dependent, measured variable can be determined. The flow velocity dependent, measured variable comprises the flow velocity, the volume flow and/or the mass flow of the medium. A measuring circuit 23 is adapted to register the induced measurement voltage lying between the measuring electrodes 17, 18, and an evaluation circuit 24 is embodied to ascertain the flow velocity dependent, measured variable.

[0077] Support tube 3 is frequently formed of an electrically conductive material, such as e.g. steel. In order to prevent loss of the measurement voltage lying between the first and second measuring electrodes 17, 18 via the support tube 3, its interior is lined with an insulating material, for example, a (plastic-)liner 4.

[0078] Usual magneto-inductive, flow measurement devices have, supplementally to the measuring electrodes 17, 18, two other electrodes 19, 20. On the one hand, a fill level monitoring electrode 19 placed optimally at the highest point in the measuring tube 2 serves to indicate a partial filling of the measuring tube 1, and is adapted to forward this information to the user and/or to take such the fill level into consideration in ascertaining volume flow. Furthermore, a reference electrode 20, which is usually mounted diametrically opposite the fill level monitoring electrode 19, or at the lowest point of the measuring tube cross section, serves to set a controlled, electrical potential in the medium. As a rule, the reference electrode 20 is applied for connecting the flowing medium to a ground, or earth, potential.

[0079] The operating circuit 7, control circuit 10, measuring circuit 23 and evaluation circuit 24 can be part of a single electronic circuit, or form individual circuits.

[0080] Operating circuit 7 is adapted to apply to the coil arrangement a first voltage for a first subinterval and a second voltage fora second subinterval. In such case, the second voltage is greater than the first voltage. Additionally, in a time interval, the first subinterval follows the second subinterval. The duration of the first subinterval is greater than the duration of the second subinterval. The duration of the second subinterval is controllable, as is the first voltage. FIGS. 2 and 3 show possible embodiments of the operating signal.

[0081] According to the invention, control circuit 10 is adapted so to control one of the operating signal parameters of the operating signal that a function dependent on the self-induction value of the self-induction and the coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value. The control circuit 10 is preferably adapted so to control one of the operating signal parameters that a product of the self-induction value and the coil electrical current value does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value. For such purpose, the first voltage and the duration of the second subinterval are so controlled that a variable dependent on the first voltage and the duration of the second subinterval does not differ from a second desired value. If a deviation occurs—because of magnetic disturbance fields or temperature influences—the two control parameters are so adapted, until the deviation is again minimal.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the operating signal and the correspondingly produced magnetic field through the coil. The operating signal comprises according to the invention a voltage having a time variable curve 12, which is divided into time intervals t. The sign of the applied voltage changes in successive time intervals t. The operating signal shown in FIG. 2 includes time intervals t, which have, in each case, a first subinterval t.sub.hold, in which a constant first voltage U.sub.hold is applied on the coil over the entire duration of the first subinterval t.sub.hold. The registered measurement voltage induced for ascertaining the flow velocity dependent, measured variable is ascertained in the first subinterval t.sub.hold. In the first embodiment, the control circuit is adapted so to control the first voltage

[0083] U.sub.hold of a time interval t that a function dependent on a self-induction value of the self-induction L and a coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current I, especially a function dependent on a product of the two values, does not differ from a predetermined, first desired value. The first voltage U.sub.hold according to the invention is time variable and of controllable size. The rise of the coil electrical current is characterized by a time constant, which is ascertainable via a measuring circuit. The first voltage U.sub.hold can be so controlled that a variable dependent on the product of the time constant and the first voltage U.sub.hold does not differ from a predetermined, second desired value.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the operating signal and the magnetic field produced by the means for producing the magnetic field. The operating signal comprises according to the invention a voltage having a time variable curve 12, which is divided into time intervals t. The sign of the applied voltage changes in successive time intervals t. The operating signal shown in FIG. 2 comprises time intervals t, which have, in each case, a first subinterval t.sub.hold, in which a constant first voltage U.sub.hold is applied on the coil over the entire duration of the first subinterval t.sub.hold. The registered measurement voltage induced for ascertaining the flow velocity dependent, measured variable is ascertained in the first subinterval t.sub.hold. Additionally, the time intervals t have, in each case, a second subinterval t.sub.shot, in which a second voltage U.sub.shot, especially one constant over the entire duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot, is applied on the coil. In such case, the second voltage U.sub.shot is greater than the first voltage U.sub.hold. In the voltage curve, the first subinterval t.sub.hold follows the second subinterval t.sub.shot. Additionally, the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot is less than the duration of the first subinterval t.sub.hold. The duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot is time variable and controllable, as is the first voltage U.sub.hold.

[0085] The first voltage U.sub.hold and the second voltage U.sub.shot can be so set that a ratio between the first voltage U.sub.hold and the second voltage U.sub.shot is constant over the total curve 12. This means that by controlling the first voltage U.sub.hold automatically also the second voltage U.sub.shot is adapted proportionally to the change. Alternatively, the second voltage U.sub.shot can have a constant value over the total curve 12. Besides controlling the first voltage U.sub.hold, the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot is so controlled that an ascertained value of a variable dependent on a test quantity assumes a test desired value within the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot. In such case, the variable can be, for example, a sum or an integral of the measured values of the test quantity for a predetermined time section. In such case, the two control parameters are so controlled that a function dependent on the product of the first voltage U.sub.hold and the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot does not differ from a predetermined, second desired value. The function dependent on the first voltage U.sub.hold is inversely proportional to the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot. The test quantity can be a measured value of the coil electrical current, coil electrical current as a function of time and/or a variable dependent thereon.

[0086] The control circuit is adapted in the case of a deviation of a coil test electrical current value or a test quantity dependent on the coil test electrical current value from a desired value in a time interval t.sub.N so to change the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot that the deviation is smaller in a time interval t.sub.N+M following thereon, wherein M≥1. At the same time, the control circuit is adapted, in the case of a deviation of the actual value from a desired value in a time interval t.sub.N, so to change the first voltage U.sub.hold that the deviation from a desired value is smaller in a time interval t.sub.N+M following thereon, wherein M≥1. In such case, however, at least one of the above listed conditions should be fulfilled. The control circuit can additionally be adapted to control other variables and/or functions.

[0087] In an additional embodiment, a measuring circuit is adapted to ascertain in the first subinterval t.sub.hold a maximum coil electrical current value I.sub.max and the function dependent on the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot and the first voltage U.sub.hold are so controlled that a control function does not differ from a predetermined, second desired value, wherein the control function depends on a product of the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot and the function dependent on the first voltage U.sub.hold and the maximum coil electrical current value I.sub.max.

[0088] Alternatively, the control circuit can be adapted so to control at least one of the operating signal parameters that a value of a quotient of the maximum coil electrical current value I.sub.max and a coil electrical current value I.sub.hold ascertained during the first subinterval t.sub.hold is constant over the operating signal.

[0089] The two curves shown in FIG. 3 are greatly simplified. As a rule, a transient behavior of the magnetic field occurs after the second subinterval.

[0090] Based on the perspective and partiality sectioned view of FIG. 4, firstly, the measuring principle underlying the invention will be explained. The illustrated flow measuring probe 101 has a basically circularly cylindrical housing 102 having a predetermined outer diameter. Such is chosen to fit the diameter of a bore located in a wall of a pipeline (not shown). The flow measuring probe 101 is plugged fluid-tightly into the bore. A medium to be measured flows in the pipeline. The flow measuring probe 101 is immersed basically perpendicularly to the flow direction of the medium shown by the wavy arrow 118. A front end 116 of the housing 102 protruding into the medium is fluid-tightly sealed with a front body 115 of insulating material. By means of a coil arrangement 106 arranged in the housing 102, a magnetic field 109 passing through the end section and into medium can be produced. A coil core 111 at least partially of a soft magnetic material and arranged in the housing 102 ends at or in the vicinity of the end section 116. A field guideback means 114, which surrounds the coil arrangement 106 and the coil core 111, is adapted to bring the magnetic field 109 leaving the end section back into the housing 102. The coil core 111, the pole shoe 112 and the field guideback means 114 are field guiding bodies 110, which together form a field guiding arrangement 105. First and second measuring electrodes 103, 104 forming a galvanic contact with the conveyed medium form the means for registering a measurement voltage induced in the medium and are arranged in the front body 115 and contact the medium like the external walls of the housing. An electrical voltage induced based on Faraday's law of induction and sensed on the measuring electrodes 103, 104 can be can be read by a measuring- and/or evaluation unit. The induced voltage is maximum, when the flow measuring probe 101 is so installed in the pipeline that a plane defined by a straight line intersecting the two measuring electrodes 103, 104 and a longitudinal axis of the flow measuring probe extends perpendicularly to the flow direction 118, or longitudinal axis of the pipeline. An operating circuit 107 is electrically connected with the coil arrangement 106, especially with the coil 113, and is adapted to apply the operating signal on the coil 113, in order to produce the reversing magnetic field 109. The control circuit 120 is adapted so to control at least one of the operating signal parameters of the operating signal that a function dependent on a self-induction value of the self-induction and a coil electrical current value of the coil electrical current does not differ from a predetermined, desired value. For such purpose, according to an embodiment, the function dependent on the first voltage U.sub.hold and the duration of the second subinterval t.sub.shot are so controlled that the two are inversely proportional to one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0091] magneto-inductive flow measurement device 1 [0092] measuring tube 2 [0093] support tube 3 [0094] liner 4 [0095] means 5 for producing a magnetic field [0096] coil 6 [0097] operating circuit 7 [0098] means 8 for sensing an induced measurement voltage [0099] control circuit 10 [0100] operating signal 11 [0101] curve 12 [0102] coil core 14 [0103] receptacle 15 [0104] measuring electrode 17 [0105] measuring electrode 18 [0106] fill level monitoring electrode 19 [0107] reference electrode 20 [0108] pole shoe 21 [0109] field guideback 22 [0110] measuring circuit 23 [0111] evaluation circuit 24 [0112] coil arrangement 25 [0113] magneto-inductive flow measuring probe 101 [0114] housing 102 [0115] measuring electrode 103 [0116] measuring electrode 104 [0117] field guiding arrangement 105 [0118] coil arrangement 106 [0119] operating circuit 107 [0120] magnetic field 109 [0121] field guiding bodies 110 [0122] coil core 111 [0123] pole shoe 112 [0124] coil 113 [0125] field guideback means 114 [0126] front body 115 [0127] end section 116 [0128] flow direction of the medium 118 [0129] control circuit 120