DE2365435A1 - LIQUID METER - Google Patents

Description

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BLUMBACH ■ WESER · BERGEN & KRAM

PATENT LAWYERS IN WIESBADEN AND MUNICH

^ 65435

DlPL-INGP G.BLUMBACH DIPL-PHY? DP. W. WESER-DIP, ING. DR ₁ ] UR. F BERGEN DIPL-ING. R. KRAMER

ο? V, IfSLADtN 8 MÜNCHEN 60, FLOSSMANNSTRAsiTE '

TELEPHONE (089) 883603/883601

73/8707 b

Liquid gauges

The invention relates to a liquid measuring transducer for detection the presence of a certain liquid with a probe made of a material that is to be detected on contact with the Liquid dissolves, and with a signal transmitter, the resolution of the sensor causing a change in the output signal of the The signal generator.

In a petrochemical facility, the tanks and liquid feed pumps are surrounded by dams or barriers around which a keeper ties his bonds to ensure that if the tank is hoisted or if the liquid pumps' vent piping system breaks, there is not too much heavy fuel oil or other hazardous substances Products can flow into sewage, into a river or into a lake. In view of the fact that, for economic reasons, it is desirable to keep the protective wall as small as possible and to dispense with the period between the monitoring rounds as long as possible or, if possible, completely dispense with preventive measures that cause these costs

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-2- 2365A3S

there is a need for a facility for immediate detection and adaptation to various shapes a leakage of petroleum or other chemical solutions, such as those from a pipeline, from a tanker or can escape from an underwater oil tank in order to keep the damage to the fishery as small as possible. -

It is already known to measure the outflow of petroleum in the sea or a river to use a reflectometer, through which the different 'reflection in the presence and the absence of petroleum on the liquid surface is detected. The liquid surface to be monitored is irradiated with a constant radiation source and the reflected radiation is measured. Usually light is used for the irradiation, but this solution is expensive and guaranteed in terms of the installation required insufficient reliability of the intended mechanical monitoring. Namely, it is necessary that Prevent the influence of solar radiation and exposure to other external light sources and it is difficult to to keep the operating characteristics of the optical receiver constant, which is exposed to dirt deposits and splashes, since it is used above the liquid surface. An oil leak in a pipeline can be detected by detecting a change in the The flow rate or the oil pressure within the pipeline can be determined, but this method has the disadvantage that it only responds when there is a large amount of discharge. Besides that

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a gas meter may be used that detects the gas flowing through a storage tank or pipeline Liquid is generated. Because of the dilution of the gas produced by the air, a significant amount of water must also be used here Flow out. "before the gas eats measurably, so that a considerable There is a time delay between the start of the AusfHessens and its detection.

Another suggestion is based on the swelling capacity of a suitable one Material in contact with the liquid to be detected, which is used to actuate an electrical contact or to Blocking an air duct is used. A boiler that based on the principle of swelling, requires a relatively long period of time until the material is swollen and this has a relatively long time Long response time of the measuring device result. Most materials also soften when they swell additional difficulties in ensuring adequate electrical contact or complete blocking of the air duct and this causes poor reliability. The application of this measuring principle is made more difficult because only a limited number of swellable materials and swelling-inducing liquids exist.

It is also already a liquid sensor with an under a mechanical preload standing sensor become known, in which the sensor consists of a material that is in the Contact with the liquid to be detected dissolves and as a result

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The dissolution of the material causes a signal to be sent (DT-PS 185 051). The well-known liquid measuring transducer is used for Showing urination in children and the sick. The feeler consists of a body soluble in urine, such as sugar, bread, Rusks, etc. In this area of application, a high response speed is not important. It doesn't matter whether the liquid sensor immediately, i.e. after a few seconds or only after some time, e.g. of the order of a few Minutes. In fact, the body used as a sensor in the known liquid measuring transducer does not come loose immediately, but a considerable amount of time goes by, which is not acceptable for many other applications of a liquid meter is. The known liquid measuring transducer also lacks the reliability required in many cases, since the Contacts of the signal transmitter are in direct contact with the dissolving body and the liquid to be detected, so that a clean contact is not always guaranteed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid measuring transducer to create the presence of a liquid to be detected with great speed and reliability signals.

In the case of a liquid measuring transducer, this task is carried out at the beginning mentioned type according to the invention in that the sensor is normally on a liquid that is to be grasped with the Liquid is not identical and does not dissolve, floating

, 409881/0738

capable and that a member is attached to the probe that after the probe has been disengaged as a result of the occurrence of the one to be detected Liquid is sinking and that the transducer generates an output signal in response to the sinking.

The liquid meter can, for example, be floating on or below the surface of the sea, a lake, a river, a sewer or the like can be arranged in order to determine the liquid to be detected when it enters the area of the probe comes. The liquid meter can also be used within a storage tank for a hazardous Product or a liquid feed pump surrounding protective wall must be attached so that they prevent the dangerous from flowing out Liquid captured. The measuring transducers can be arranged distributed along a pipeline. That way it can The outflow of the liquid can be effectively monitored and the cycle of monitoring by a keeper is extended or become completely superfluous. In addition, the storage volume enclosed by the protective dam can be reduced. Since the liquid sensor signals the process to be recorded, it is possible to take protective measures automatically, like triggering an alarm by the signal or closing off a sewer.

Materials that dissolve in contact with certain liquids are available and are inexpensive to obtain. For example, Table 1 gives a list of materials

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again that can be dissolved in various liquids and can therefore be used as measuring sensors. For any of the liquids mentioned within a group, either any of the materials listed in the appropriate group, alone or in combination with other materials of this group can be used.

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to

liquids

etoff halides

for the K suitable Katerialier ..

Dichlor & th & a, dichlorobenzene, \ polystyrene, 'PoIy-1! Trichlorethylene *

aliphatic IEgxöxu Hupten, octane, Kolilonvaeooir- · flüeoieoe Pereffin, ctoff © ipentan, Atliylen, Propylon

aromatic benzene, Xo3 * $ l Kohlvooeer- * naphthalene, Dodecylbeusol, stofία ethylbenzene styrene

Kotoa "

: Oils

; Acetone, yy cyclohoxane, «ethyli & obutylketoa, ^ cotophonon

_: Pött31, mineral oil APetroleum, Ochv / eröl, Loichtül, kerosene, Be: etc ·)

Höthanol, Ät _t

Propttool, cyclohexanol, iBoüsylelkohol, Ethylcß-IGlycol

y, Dioson, Ieopropyluthcr, IthylphenylUther, ruran j polybutadiene

1 polystyrene, f Plil

jy
■ lat,
• lsrcc
! chloride

Polyvinyl chloride, Pliirl

yy polyvinyl acetate

- Polybutadiene, aiod-31, j artLc ^ olcliUlßrca Poly

Bcnsiiji i iithylcß, üicäriG-I nol ^ sulcoios poly- ! propylene, Sature ^^ : Poly-t-butyletyrene

I polyecetiil,

j polyvinyl alcohol,

tpolyctyrene, j polychloroprene

409881/073

236543S

au erfacöonco -HUeaisitäten- Hetixylforaiiit »Ethyl-
© cot · at, Ethyloeaaoat »
Kotbylpropioaat "
Piitlialßlliireester for the probe;
geöiöC-ete katorialicrn; liitroaethfiuo., Dinsthyl-
iorscaaid, AcrylxiitrJÜ. "
Acotojiitrll, acetone,
Cyanohydrin * iurilltliyliasin-
enilia »i ^ yriain, ·
Kospholia PoXybutßdies 1 nitrogen
links. XblileastoffdisulXid,
Phosphorus Lixir Ester » Polybutadiene,;
^ olyvicTlalhohoi,:
"Polyxsethyltaetliscryl &t; [ Sulfur u
Hioextborver «· Schwofelßäuro,
Hydrochloric acid _t Assi cerieiltiro »
VinegarßHiirö »üciiaooeäuro,
Hienoleclpoter ^ äurö Polygscöton ^ liCiion, i
X ^ oly &erylaxt-ril; ß & uxsa AramordtiBli ^ 'droy ^ rd, Polyvinylpyridine,
Polycsid, ifetoll,;
Pölyaootal, Poly » ^;
butcdiciisiilfon. i Alkalis PolyDothacr ^ lcilurc,;
Polyacrylic acid,
Pyoteiu: water Polyvia ^ lalkoiiol ί

409881/0738

If the liquid measuring transducers are arranged distributed along a pipeline, in order to avoid a sensor disintegrating as a result leakage of the pipeline in the area concerned is an electrical one Generate on or off signal, then the location of the leak due to the generated electrical signal in the Observation station can be located. A variety of the invention Liquid gauges can be distributed and jointly monitored in different ways, based on the Establishing the specific case of electrical signals sent out. Instead of joint or concentrated monitoring the liquid meter can also be equipped with a memory to store the occurrence of a signal, so that the occurrence of the liquid to be detected in the affected area is retained even if the signal sent by the encoder has collapsed. . on the other hand an encoder can be used in which the occurrence of the signal remains hidden from the outside and only the The guard is able to read whether a signal has been given or not by means of a special reader. To the The measuring transducer can also be assigned a sampling device which is actuated by a signal generated when the measuring transducer responds, in order to remove from part of the detected liquid take a sample that is kept within the facility for later collection and analysis.

While the materials listed in Table 1 for the sensor can be used individually, it is also possible add other components. So it is with a synthetic resin

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"known that this is softened by adding a plasticizer can be so that the pour point is lowered to allow "deformation" at low temperature. This fact can be used to advantage where the liquid to be detected has an affinity for an oil, such as paraffin, Naphthalene or an aromatic oil, in general is used as a plasticizer for synthetic rubber, as is a liquid of the same family as the above mentioned, as a plasticizer serving oil, is the case. Such a synthetic rubber can be used for comparison to a synthetic rubber not containing the plasticizer to increase the response speed. There in the same way mineral oil is used as a plasticizer for polystyrene, the dissolution of the plasticizer containing it will Polystyrene is promoted by a liquid of the same family (paraffin) as that of mineral oil and the Polystyrene containing plasticizer can thus be used as a probe for the latter liquid, albeit Polystyrene can hardly be solved by this alone. A resin made from polystyrene with the addition of particles of synthetic Contains rubber can be used as a probe for a liquid belonging to the benzene and hexane families. A copolymer from more than one component, such as polytertiary butylstyrene or a styrene block copolymer, can be used as Material used for the probe for more than one liquid, such as butyl and styrene. A copolymer from more than one ingredient can be formed in a similar manner

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to serve as a probe for more than one liquid.

IM to prevent the probe from being rat or due to the action of bacteria or seaweed sticking to it when immersed in the water becomes inoperable or to prevent that a similar external cause is a disturbance such as a failure of the display of the presence of the to be detected Liquid or the generation of an erroneous signal in the absence of the liquid in question, the A material preventing the disturbance can be admixed or added to the measuring sensor. The transducer is often in a state is used in which it is immersed in water, so it is desirable to provide a protective housing in which the Measuring transducer is housed and the flow to. capturing Liquid allowed into the housing. This can prevent seaweed or seaweed from sticking or an impairment of the transducer can be prevented by ultraviolet radiation.

The liquid measuring transducer according to the invention normally floats on a liquid that is not identical to the liquid to be detected. Not to be recorded until this occurs Liquid, the sensor of the liquid meter comes loose on what results in the falling of a limb connected to the antennae. The signal generator generates in response on the fall of this member an output signal. There

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409881/0738

the feeler-itself; floating on a liquid is suitable the invention is particularly good for use in a drain.

Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the Fig. · It. demonstrate:

FIG. 6 shows a front view, partially in section, of an embodiment of a liquid measuring transducer according to the invention, and FIG

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned front view of a further according to the invention Embodiment.

In the figures, and in particular initially in FIG. 1, a hollow cylindrical measuring sensor 1 is shown, for example from foamed polystyrene. One half of a cylindrical body 2 is concentric within the measuring sensor 1 and has a flange 3 in the middle part on the TMfang one end of which abuts against an end face of the measuring sensor 1. An end face of the cylindrical body 2 is with the second end face of the probe 1 is flush and has a cylindrical cutout 4 which is formed in the center. A groove runs into the inner peripheral surface of this cutout 5 · A holding plate 6 has on one side in the middle a cylindrical extension 7> which is inserted into the cutout 4 is. The approach 7 has an insertion groove at the IMfang, which shows the recess 5 is aligned in the cutout 4 in order to receive a rubber ring 8 fitted into the annular groove, whereby

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409881/0738

the holding plate 6 is attached to the cylindrical body 2 and the measuring sensor 1 is clamped together with the cylindrical body 2 will. On the remaining half of the cylindrical body 2, a cap 9 is attached, which has a thread 10 inside, which is in engagement with an external thread 11 formed on the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 2. The cap 9 has a projection 12 with an external thread for a locking nut 13. Per cylindrical body 2, the holding plate 6, the cap 9 and the locking nut 13 are made of chemically resistant Material, e.g. made of polystyrene.

An electrical switch 14 is housed as a signal transmitter within the cylindrical body 2. With the one shown Example is a mercury switch with a mercury body 15 and two contacts 16 and 17 »with the Mercury bodies can be brought into contact. Through central bores 19 and 20 in the shoulder 12 or in the closing nut 13, a cable 18 is led to the outside, which is connected to the relevant Contains lead wires connected to contacts. An elastic clamping ring 21 made of rubber, for example encloses the cable 18 and is located between the connection. set 12 and the locking nut 13- For fastening and sealing of the cable, the clamping ring is compressed and its diameter is reduced as a result. IM providing a seal is between the cylindrical body 2 and the cap 9, a sealing ring 22 is arranged. An insulating insert 23, such as made of epoxy resin, fills the interior of the cylindrical body 2 to

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the mercury switch 14 and its connection to the cable 18 to be localized and protected. If necessary, can within the cylindrical body 2 along the inner diameter for weight adjustment, a metal cylinder 24 is attached will.

The liquid measuring transducer constructed in this way can, by virtue of its buoyancy of the sensor 1, at a liquid level 25 »to Example on sea water, where an outflow of a liquid 27 to be detected is expected to be kept in suspension. As FIG. 1 shows, in the example, the weight of the entire device is set so that that adjacent to the cap 9 The end of the device is immersed in the liquid 25 until it is about half the height of the measuring sensor 1 is. The free end of the cable 18 is anchored at the point 26 on the bank that the device described Position can take. When the liquid to be detected 27 such as benzene, styrene or the like is on the liquid level 25 drives, the probe 1 formed from styrene is dissolved. As a result, the cylindrical body 2, which is kept in the floating state due to the buoyancy of the measuring sensor 1, sinks now descends into the liquid 25 and, since it is anchored by the cable, turns around, as shown in dash-dotted lines Lines is shown, wherein the locking nut comes up and the retaining plate 6 comes to lie down. Of the Mercury switch is reversed and the mercury body 15

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no longer bridges contacts 16 and 17 · The electrical connection between the two contacts is thus interrupted. In the example, the probe 1 was made of bead-foamed polystyrene with a foaming multiplication factor of about 15 and had a thickness of 35 mm, an outside diameter of 60 mm and an inner diameter of 22 mm. The liquid 27 on the water 25 at a temperature of 20 ° G was a 5 mm strong layer formed from liquid styrene. According to FIG. 1, the measuring transducer was kept in the floating state, ■ that about half of the probe 1 was submerged. The switch 14 was operated 35 seconds after immersion.

An arrangement can be provided in which a release of the sensor results in an immediate movement of an actuating element triggers by which the signal transmitter is actuated. Fig.2 shows such a possibility. A block-shaped body 2 has a central Bodenöffxmng, in which one end of a longitudinal. borrowed cylindrical guide part 29, for example made of stainless Steel that is inserted and glued on. On the guide part 29 sits loosely formed from polyethylene cylindrical Holding part 30, on which a cylindrical measuring sensor 1 connects. An annular permanent magnet 31 is embedded in the holding part 30. At the free end of the guide part 29 is a stop 32 is attached, which prevents the holding part 30 from slipping out of the area of the guide part 29 and which also seals the interior of the guide part. The body 2 has a through opening that communicates with the interior of the guide part 29

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409881/0738

236543S

is in connection, in the outer end of the body 2 is a Extension 12 integrally formed with an opening through which a cable is introduced into the interior of the guide part 29. As before a locking nut 13 with the shoulder in a threaded connection and the cable is clamped by means of a clamping ring 21, which at the same time constitutes a seal.

On the stop 32 in the inner end of the cable 18 there is a bottom contact 14, which is connected to two lead wires The protective cover 33 is made of a material that is resistant both to the liquid in which the measuring transducer is inserted, such as water, and to the liquid to be detected, and has small openings 3 ² S in a distributed arrangement - that allow the liquids to pass through.

The liquid sensor described is attached to the end of the cable upwards and the guide part 29 in the upright position in a liquid 25 installed · Due to the buoyancy in the liquid passing through the protective sheath 33, the Sensor 1 lifted and normally moved away from Eeed contact 14 When the liquid to be detected reaches the sensor, then the sensor 1 is dissolved and loses its buoyancy. The probe falls along the guide part 29 until it is stopped by the stop 32 »Located in this iage

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the permanent magnet 31, close enough to the reed contact 14 to turn it on and generate a signal

In one specific case, a ring was made from bead-foamed polystyrene formed with a foaming multiplication factor of 15, which had an outside diameter of 60 mm, an inside diameter of 35 mm and a diameter of 35 mm and in which a Permanent magnet 31 was embedded. Was on water of 20 ° 0 a 5 mm thick styrene layer was formed and it became the encoder brought to the water. The switch 14 was actuated after about 46 seconds.

The protective cover 33 prevents an accumulation of algae or seaweed on the measuring sensor 1, on the guide part 29 or on other parts inside, even if the sensor is immersed in water for a long time and thus also guarantees reliable operation for a longer period of time. The protective cover can be made from a less expensive vinyl chloride resin manufactured even though it is less chemically resistant. than polyethylene. It can be the entire holding part 30 by the Permanent magnets 31 may be formed.

409881/0738

Claims (6)

73/8707 b claims 1.jLiquid meter to determine the presence of a specific Liquid with a sensor made of a material that dissolves on contact with the liquid to be detected, and with a signal transmitter, whereby the resolution of the sensor results in a change in the output signal of the signal transmitter, characterized in that the sensor (1) usually buoyant on a liquid that is not identical to the liquid to be detected and does not dissolve it is and that a member (2, 31) is attached to the sensor (1), which after dissolution of the sensor as a result of the occurrence of liquid to be detected drops, and that the signal generator generates an output signal in response to the drop. 2. Liquid measuring transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that that the link consists of a body (2) which houses the signal transmitter (14) inside, that the probe (1) is attached to one end of the body, at the other end of which a cable (18) is inserted, which with the signal generator (14 ·) on the one hand and one outside the Liquid sensor located stationary point (26) on the other hand is connected, the one in the sensor (1) not dissolving liquid floating liquid gauges after - 2 409881/0738 Dissolution of the sensor (1) as a result of the occurrence of the Liquid tips over into a second position in which the signal transmitter generates an output signal. 3. Liquid level sensor after. Claim. 1, characterized that the sensor (1) is held by a body (2) that the signal transmitter (14-) is inside the Body is arranged and that after dissolving the sensor (1) the body tips over by 180 ° in order to generate an output signal .. 4. Liquid measuring transducer according to one of claims 2 or 3) thereby characterized in that the signal transmitter (14) is a position-dependent operated mercury switch. 5 · Liquid measuring transducer according to claim 1, characterized that the sensor (1) holds a member (31) which is part of the signal transmitter (14), and that the Link (31) drops to the signal transmitter after the sensor (1) has been dissolved (14) to be actuated. 6. liquid measuring transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that that the sensor (1) is inside a cylindrical protective cover provided with small openings (34) (33) is arranged coaxially to this protective cover and a guide part (29) rigidly connected to it, that on a first point within the guide part a magnetic - 3 -409881/0738 actuated signal transmitter (14) is provided that with the sensor a magnet (31) is connected that the sensor (1) is normally in a first, non-dissolving, through the openings (34) entering liquid floats in a second position in which the signal transmitter (14-) is not influenced by the magnet (31), and that the magnet (31) sinks into the first position after the sensor (1) has been released when the liquid to be detected occurs and actuates the signal transmitter (14). 7 · liquid measuring transducer according to one of claims 5 or 6, d a through marked that the signal transmitter (14) is an eeed contact. 409881/0738 Blank page