EP2922140A1 - Deflecting device and method for splitting beams - Google Patents

Abstract

A deflection apparatus for an antenna (300) adapted to align a signal in a propagation direction (403) along a signal path (304) comprises a signal dividing means (107) and a holding means (101), the holding means (101) being arranged is to position the signal splitting device (107) in the signal path (304) of the signal and wherein the signal splitting device (107) is arranged to divide the signal such that a first part of the signal moves in the propagation direction and that a second part of the signal moved at a predetermined angle to the propagation direction.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the measurement technology. In particular, the invention relates to a deflection device, an antenna arrangement, a method for beam splitting and the use of a deflection device.

Background of the invention

Antennas typically have only a single main lobe radiating in the main beam direction. For example, level gauges often use such antennas with only a single main beam direction to ensure that echoes can be reliably detected. A reflector is used to steer despite a horizontal installation, for example, because of a small space between ceiling and water surface, a radar pulse towards the water surface.

The document VEGA, "VEGAPULS WL 61, 4 ... 20 mA / HART -two-wire, Operating Instructions, Radar sensor for continuous level measurement of water and wastewater", document number. 38061-EN-121011; available at http://www.vega.com/downloads/BA/38061-en.pdf , describes the horizontal mounting of an antenna by means of a mounting bracket with integrated reflector.

The publication US2007181764 describes a mounting bracket for attaching a field device.

Summary of the invention

However, it may be desirable to detect a multiplicity of measured variables with one measurement. For example, it may be desirable to enable the detection of at least two measured quantities with a structure.

Accordingly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a deflection apparatus, an antenna assembly, a beam splitting method, and the use of a deflection apparatus are described.

The object of the invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are indicated in the subclaims and in the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a deflection apparatus for an antenna is described. The antenna is arranged to align a signal in a propagation direction along a signal path. By aligning a signal by means of the antenna it may be understood that the antenna confers on the signal an antenna characteristic which can be predetermined by the type of antenna. This may mean that the propagation direction substantially coincides with the main beam direction or the main lobe of the antenna characteristic of the associated antenna. The antenna may thus provide a direction for the signal and impart an antenna characteristic to the signal. However, the antenna may have substantially no active components.

The deflection device may have a signal-dividing device and a holding device. The holding device is set up to position the signal-dividing device in the signal path of the signal. In one example, the positioning may be related to a main beam direction of the signal. The signal subdevice or signal subdevice is set up to divide the signal such that a first part of the signal moves substantially further in the direction of propagation after passing through the signal subdevice and that a second part of the signal moves at a prescribable angle to the propagation direction.

In other words, this may mean that a second signal is formed which propagates at a predeterminable angle with respect to the propagation direction of the original signal. The signal subassembly may change the antenna characteristic of the antenna in such a way that, instead of a single main beam direction of the antenna, essentially two main beam directions result.

In other words, this may mean that the signal-dividing device is set up to divide the signal such that a first part of the signal moves substantially further in the original propagation direction and that a second part of the signal is at a predeterminable angle to the original propagation direction moved, ie at a predetermined angle with respect to the propagation direction before passing through the signal sub-device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna assembly having an antenna and the deflection device. The antenna is attached to the deflection device by means of the holding device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of beam splitting is provided which comprises, when receiving a signal traveling in a propagation direction, dividing the signal such that a first portion of the signal moves in the propagation direction and a second part of the signal is moved at a predeterminable angle to the propagation direction. In this context, the term "receive" may refer to the interaction of the signal with the signal subdevice.

In other words, the method may provide for dividing a signal such that a first part of the signal continues to move in the original propagation direction after passing through the signal splitting device and that a second part of the signal moves at a predeterminable angle to the original propagation direction.

In another example, the method may provide for positioning a signal subdevice in the signal path of a signal traveling along a propagation direction and for dividing the signal with the signal subdevice such that a first portion of the signal continues to move in the original propagation direction and a second part of the signal continues to move at a predeterminable angle to the original propagation direction. The original direction of propagation may describe the propagation direction of the signal before passing through the signal subdevice, that is to say the propagation direction, which may be predetermined by the antenna, for example.

The effect of the signal division or the division of the energy of the signal may be achievable in one example by means of a baffle which is arranged in an angular range of 20 ° to 25 ° relative to the propagation direction in the signal path of the signal, in particular which is at an angle of 22 , 5 ° with respect to the propagation direction in the signal path of the signal. The arrangement may be such that essentially the half antenna opening is covered by the baffle when the antenna opening in the signal propagation direction or opposite to the propagation direction is considered. In particular, a projection of the surface of the baffle on the antenna opening may cover half of the antenna opening.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is described the use of the inventive deflection apparatus for level measurement and / or flow measurement with a single antenna and / or with a single sensor, particularly with a single signal source or with only a single RF antenna. Module (high-frequency module). As an alternative or in addition to the flow measurement, the deflection device according to the invention may be used to measure the flow rate of matter whose level is measured. Also, it may be possible to measure the level of a first matter and the flow or flow rate of a second matter, with the first and second matter being independent of each other.

By using the deflection device, an antenna characteristic with only a single main lobe may be converted into an antenna characteristic with at least two main lobes.

The deflection device according to the invention may make it possible to divide a single signal originating from a single source and moving in a propagation direction so as to produce at least two signals which propagate in different directions. In essence, the antenna in the near field of the antenna may dictate the propagation direction and / or the propagation characteristic of the signal being split. The antenna, which is essentially a passive device, such as a horn antenna, may essentially produce a signal with a single main lobe become. From this signal with only a single main lobe, the deflection device may generate a signal with at least two or with exactly two main lobes. In the near field of the antenna, ie in the immediate vicinity of the antenna, the signal has essentially a single main beam direction, which is caused by the antenna characteristic of the antenna. When viewed in a far field, that is, sufficiently far away from the signal source and especially after passing the deflector, a changed propagation characteristic of the device may result. The signal generated by the deflector may appear in the far field as a signal generated by an antenna having an antenna characteristic having two main lobes. Thus, the far-field signal may appear as two independent signals produced by different signal sources. Consequently, at least two signals can be generated by means of the deflection device, which signals follow the directions of the at least two main lobes of the changed antenna characteristic. Thus, using a baffle, one measurement may be performed with at least two signals or two measurements independently. In other words, this may mean that the signal is still the same signal. However, the signal splits and the two parts propagate in different directions. After reflection on a measurement object and after returning to the receiver, ie to the sensor, the received signals are evaluated in the same receiver. Thus, although the measurements are dependent on each other to the extent that the measurement signals come from the same source. However, the measurements can be considered independent of each other due to different run times. In one example, the transmission signal may be divided into at least two measurement signals which arrive at the receiver after covering different distances and after reflecting on the measurement object or on the plurality of measurement objects. The transmitter can serve as the receiver, but a device separated from the transmitter can also be used.

The deflection device may be formed as a baffle, for example made of stainless steel. The deflector may be installed in a direction of propagation of the original signal generated by the antenna. In other words, the deflection device may be installed in the main lobe of an antenna characteristic of the antenna. The deflector may deflect a portion of the signal impinging on the deflector while allowing another portion to pass substantially unaltered in the propagation direction. The deflector, in one example, may be configured as a reflector or mirror that redirects all of the incident energy in a different direction. Consequently, if only part of a signal hits the deflection device, only that incident part of the signal may be deflected by the deflection device. The portion of the energy of the signal that does not hit the reflector is still emitted in the main radiation direction of the antenna, ie in the direction that the signal had before striking the deflection device.

Such a split signal, in particular the energy of such a split signal, may be recorded as an antenna pattern. This antenna pattern may represent the antenna characteristic of the combined arrangement of the antenna and the deflector. According to the energy contained in a signal which propagates in a certain direction, a particularly large deflection in the associated main beam directions of the divided signal may be detectable in a polar diagram or antenna characteristic diagram. A signal having a correspondingly higher energy in one direction than in other directions may be referred to as an antenna lobe. The deflection device may be such that when the antenna pattern is viewed in a far field, two substantially equal sized antenna lobes are formed. In other words, this may mean that a signal which impinges on the deflection device with a certain transmission energy is divided into at least two signals with essentially the same energy but different propagation direction. The transmission energy may be after the passage of the deflector to be divided substantially equally to two signals.

In one example, the deflection device may be mounted substantially in front of half the antenna surface. By attaching substantially in front of half the antenna surface at a predeterminable angle, for example at an angle of 22.5 °, the part of the signal which is essentially blocked or reflected by the deflection device in the propagation direction may be deflected, so that an antenna lobe arises in a new direction of propagation. The signal component of the transmission signal which is not blocked or influenced by the deflection device substantially in the direction of propagation may travel in the propagation direction substantially unhindered.

The portion of the energy that is radiated past the deflection device, in particular at the baffle, when the resulting signal is displayed in an antenna pattern, essentially causes a lobe at an angle of 0 ° to the longitudinal axis of the antenna. The longitudinal axis of the antenna may, in particular in the case of a Homantenne, correspond to its predeterminable propagation direction for the transmission signal.

The other part of the energy of the transmission signal impinging on the deflection device may be deflected substantially laterally by the deflection device. When the resulting signal is displayed in an antenna diagram, this deflection essentially creates a lobe at an angle of 45 ° to the longitudinal axis of the antenna.

However, in another embodiment, it is also conceivable that a deflection device covers the entire surface of the antenna if it is made of a dielectric material which is substantially semipermeable to the signal, so that an electromagnetic signal is substantially only partially is reflected or blocked by the deflector. Reflecting may result in a redirection of a portion of the signal while other portion of the signal may continue to propagate in the direction of propagation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the deflection device may be a reflector or a baffle which is bent substantially at an angle of 22.5 ° with respect to a propagation direction of the signal. The propagation direction of the signal in the immediate vicinity of the antenna may coincide with an antenna axis. By providing a baffle at an angle of 22.5 ° to the antenna axis, a second antenna lobe may arise at twice the angle to the direction of propagation. This angle may be dictated by the angle of the baffle. The double angle of substantially 22.5 ° is 45 °, so that the second lobe may be generated substantially at 45 ° to the longitudinal axis of the antenna. For alignment of the signal sub-device with respect to the propagation direction, a fastening device and / or an angle adjustment device may be helpful

The deflection device may have a fastening device which may substantially coincide with a fastening device of the antenna. For example, the baffle may be attachable to the existing attachment points of a VEGA plastic antenna

The fastening device may be configured so that a plastic horn antenna of the type DN80 can be attached to the fastening device. Such a plastic horn antenna is used, for example, in the devices VEGAPULS 61, VEGAPULS 67 or VEGAPULS WL 61. The fastening device may comprise a mounting bracket, which in the document US2007181764 A1 is described.

The attachment of the antenna to the fastening device can be done with at least three screws on opposite sides. In order to mount a field device to a mounting surface, the fastening device may in one example comprise the mounting bracket. The assembly may comprise a first clip bracket, which is equipped with a first pivot bearing. Furthermore, the mounting bracket may comprise a second clip bracket, which is also provided with a second pivot bearing in this case, said second clip bracket is spaced from the first clip bracket by a distance. The two pivot bearings may, for example, be simple passage openings in the respective clip brackets or corresponding pivot pins which are integrally formed or attached to the two clip brackets. In addition, the mounting bracket comprises a lock, which is movably arranged on one of the two clip brackets in order to prevent unwanted rotation of a mounted on the mounting bracket field device, in particular an antenna. In order to be able to receive a field device, in particular an antenna of a field device or sensor, into the mounting bracket, the two pivot bearings are designed to articulate a field device which can be arranged in the distance between the two clip brackets or its antenna to be articulated on two opposite sides, for which purpose Both clip bracket comprise the field device like a clip or beflanken. The articulated mounting allows a field device to pivot about a imaginary axis extending through the distance between the two clip brackets from a first angular position to a second angular position, so that the field device, the antenna or the longitudinal axis and in particular the propagation direction of the signal are oriented approximately arbitrarily can be. To permanently maintain such a set second angular position, the latch can be used, which is designed to engage with the field device in engagement. When the lock, which in turn is disposed on one of the clamp brackets, engages the field device or the antenna, it can withstand a torque which results from a rotational movement of the field device is called by converting the torque in a pair of forces, which is then removed via one of the pivot bearing and the lock itself on one of the clip bracket, in particular on those clip bracket on which the lock is attached, is removed. The lock may prevent rotation of the field device or the antenna relative to the mounting bracket or vice versa by the mounting bracket with the field device or the antenna via the locking force or positively connected, so that unintentional rotation of the field device or the antenna can be avoided.

The antenna arrangement which comprises the antenna and the deflection device, by their interaction, may form an antenna with a different antenna characteristic than the antenna which originally generated the signal, in particular when the far field of the antenna arrangement is being considered. An antenna formed by means of the antenna arrangement may be referred to as a multi-beam antenna. A multi-beam antenna may generate at least two signals which can be used for the simultaneous measurement of at least two properties of a measurement object.

In this context, the term "simultaneous" may mean not only the simultaneous presence of measurement results or signals at the same time, but also, or alternatively, the parallel and substantially independent measurement of properties of a measurement object. Two properties of a test object can thus be determined independently of each other with only a single signal source, which may be formed by a sensor or by a transmitting device. For example, simultaneously or in parallel with only a single signal source and / or with only a single receiving device, a fill level and the flow rate and / or the flow rate of a measurement object, a matter or a fluid can be determined. The fluid may be, for example, a river or a body of water. Since the signals from the Although they are related to each other in the same signal source, but for example, the different signal propagation time, which receive the shared signals, cause this dependence is substantially resolved. If the signals arrive at the receiver within a predeterminable time window, the time range within the time window may be referred to as a "simultaneity range".

The technology used to transmit the signals may be switchable. In one embodiment, the measurement of level and flow rate of the measurement object may be evaluated with two different sensor technologies. For example, an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar or a pulse radar can be used for distance or level measurement while the flow rate is measured with a Doppler radar. For such a measurement, the transmitter or the RF module may be switched over in time between the FMCW mode or the pulse mode and the Doppler mode. In each mode, the signal would be split and received within the time window. However, only the respective receive signal of interest would be evaluated. In the case of FMCW operation or pulse operation, therefore, only the signal reflected by the product surface of the measurement object would be evaluated. In Doppler operation, only the signal influenced by the movement of the DUT would be evaluated. Despite the time-sequential measurements, this case of technology switching may also be referred to as a simultaneous measurement, since the signals each come from the same signal source but operated in different modes. In addition, the measurements take place in very short time intervals.

The antenna arrangement with the sensor may also be usable as a field device and may thus be usable for level measurement and flow measurement. Alternatively like the antenna arrangement with the sensor for level measurement and be useful for measuring the flow rate. In particular, the sensor may be configured for level measurement and flow measurement, or for level measurement and flow rate measurement.

It should be noted that different aspects of the invention have been described with reference to different items. In particular, some aspects have been described with respect to device claims, while other aspects have been described with reference to method claims. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description and the following description that, unless otherwise stated, in addition to any combination of features belonging to a category of items, any combination of features will be deemed to be disclosed by the text refers to different categories of objects. In particular, a combination between features of device claims and features of method claims and use claims should be disclosed.

Brief description of the figures

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Ablenkvorrichtung für eine Antenne, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine Seitenansicht der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ablenkvorrichtung, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine Antennenanordnung aufweisend eine Ablenkeinrichtung und eine Antenne, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine Seitenansicht einer Antennenanordnung über einem Messobjekt, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Die Fig. 5 zeigt eine Unteransicht der Antennenanordnung aus Fig. 4, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Die Fig. 6 zeigt die Antennenanordnung mit einer Feldberechnung des Fernfeldes, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Die Fig. 7 zeigt eine Antennencharakteristik der in Fig. 6 dargestellten Antennenanordnung, gemäß einem exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

In the following, further exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

• Fig. 1 shows a deflection device for an antenna, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a side view of in Fig. 1 illustrated deflection device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 shows an antenna assembly comprising a deflector and an antenna, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 4 shows a side view of an antenna assembly over a measurement object, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• The Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the antenna assembly Fig. 4 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• The Fig. 6 shows the antenna arrangement with a field calculation of the far field, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• The Fig. 7 shows an antenna characteristic of in Fig. 6 illustrated antenna arrangement, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. In the following description of the Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 the same reference numbers are used for the same or corresponding elements.

Fig. 1 shows a deflection apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The deflection device 100 has a holding device 101 which is designed to receive an antenna (in FIG Fig. 1 not shown), for example, a Homantenne is formed. In particular, the holding device is designed to receive a waveguide or a shaft of a Homantenne. Alternatively, the holding device 101 is designed to receive a field device. The holding device is designed so that it allows it to align an antenna so that a signal from the antenna impinges on the signal splitter 107 in a desired propagation direction to set a good reflection angle.

The holding device 101 is stunned as a retaining clip or mounting bracket, which has the two flanges 101 a, 101 b. The two flanges 101a, 101b face each other. The retaining flanges 101a, 101b are designed as parallel plates with rounded corners. The holding device 101 has the fastening devices 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b in the flanges 101a, 101b. These fasteners are adapted to engage with corresponding fasteners attached to the antenna located in Fig. 1 not shown, are appropriate. The fastening devices 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b may be a bore and / or a slot. The fastening device can also form a hinge.

The holding device 101 is U-shaped, wherein the U-shape has two opposite passage areas 104, 105 for receiving an antenna. The passbands are arranged so that they lie outside a longitudinal axis of the antenna and substantially do not interfere with signal propagation. The fastening devices 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b are arranged opposite one another. An imaginary connecting line between the passage areas 104, 105 of the U-shaped retaining clip 101 defines a direction which coincides with a propagation direction predetermined by an antenna. In other words, the holding device 101 has two opposite openings 104, 105, which essentially do not block a propagation direction for a signal.

The passage regions 104, 105 have substantially parallel aperture surfaces. Perpendicular to the aperture surfaces 104, 105, a wall mounting device 106 is disposed. The signal subdevice 107 is arranged opposite one of the openings 104, 105. The wall fastening device 106 predetermines a distance of the fastening device 101 and / or the opening 104, 105 from the signal subdevice 107. The signal subdevice 107 is arranged such that it intersects a straight line passing through the two openings 104, 105, for example a longitudinal axis of an antenna, which runs parallel to the wall fastening device 106. The signal-dividing device 107 is arranged at an angle α with respect to a plane defined by the plate-shaped wall fastening device 106. Thus, the signal-dividing device 107 is also arranged at an angle α with respect to a straight line passing through the two passage regions 104, 105 of the holding device 101. In other words, the opening 104 or the opening 105 may describe a surface which may be defined by a normal vector. The normal vector of the opening 104 may be opposite to the normal vector of the opening 105. In the direction of the normal vector of the opening 105, the signal-dividing device 107 may be arranged at the angle α. The wall fastening device can also be a wall surface on which the holding device 101 and the signal-dividing device 107 are arranged. The end 110 of the signal subassembly 107 is at the same distance relative to the wall fixture 106 as the fasteners 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b.

The fastener may also be used to adjust an angle of 22.5 ° between the signal splitter and the longitudinal axis of an antenna when the signal splitter is disposed at an angle other than 22.5 ° to the wall surface.

The wall fastening device 106 has the two fastening holes 108a, 108b with which the wall fastening device 106 can be fastened, for example, to a wall. Also, in the Fig. 1 the folds 109a and 109b show which barriers for the plate-shaped wall fastening means 106 form. These folds 109a, 109b can be provided to increase the stability of the wall fastening device and / or the beam splitting device 107, but can also be omitted.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of in Fig. 1 illustrated deflection apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2 It can be seen that the wall attachment means 106 is plate-shaped and lies in a plane which in Fig. 2 runs perpendicular to the drawing plane. The retaining flange 101 a is arranged perpendicular to the wall fastening device 106. Both the flange 101 a and the flange 101 b, which in Fig. 2 is covered, has a flat structure. Both flanges are located in planes, each standing perpendicular to the plane in which the wall mounting means 106 is located. Opposite the plane formed by the wall fastening device 106, the signal-dividing device 107 is arranged at an angle α. The signal-dividing device 107 may be a part of the wall-holding device 106, which is bent relative to the wall-holding device at an angle α. As a result, the signal-dividing device 107 has a free end 110, which is remote from the plane in which the wall-holding device 106 lies and which is opposite to the opening 105. The free end 110 is defined by the bend α at substantially the same distance D from the wall fastener 106 as the fasteners 102a, 103a and in Figs Fig. 2 Fasteners 102b, 103b, not shown, facing the fasteners 102a, 103a.

The distance of the fasteners 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b from the reference plane defined by the wall fastener 106 may be referred to as D. Since the fasteners 102a, 103a are spaced from the reference plane 106 by the same distance D, the deflector 100 may be made from sheet metal, such as a stainless steel sheet.

For manufacture, the sheet 106 may be provided and a free end 110 of the sheet bent at an angle α until the free end 110 has the same distance D from the reference plane 106 as the fastener 102a, 103a. When using a rectangular sheet, the free end is located on one of the shorter sides of the sheet.

The flanges 101a, 101b may also be made from the same base sheet as the wall fastener 106 by having the sheet at the end opposite the free end 110 parallel to the free end 110 a length slightly longer than the length D, is symmetrically cut and is bent so that the resulting surfaces 101a, 101b are perpendicular to the wall attachment means 106. Since the deflection device 100 can be produced from a metal sheet, the deflection device 100 can also be called a deflection plate 100.

The choice of the distance D is chosen so that due to the bent length L of the signal subdevice 107 and the distance D an angle α, 22.5 ° results. In other words, the ratio of D to L may correspond to the sine of the angle α with respect to a reference plane or to a propagation direction. The distance D is essentially determined by the radius of an antenna opening of the antenna for which the holding device 101 is provided. The distance D is selected so that a longitudinal axis of the antenna to be held by the holding device is at this distance. The distance D substantially corresponds to the radius r of the antenna opening at its widest point. The distance D can also be greater than the radius r of the opening of the antenna. It may apply $$\sin \alpha =\frac{D}{L}$$

By making the baffle 100, a paddle-shaped structure may result.

In an alternative embodiment, the free end may also extend beyond the fasteners 102a, 103a such that the free end extends to a distance of D + 10%, that is 10% farther away from the wall fastener 106 than the fasteners 102a, 103a. If the fasteners 102a, 103a are in the same plane as the longitudinal axis of an antenna, the free end may be located 10% greater distance from the wall mounting device than the distance of the longitudinal axis of the antenna from the wall fastener. If the longitudinal axis of the antenna indicates the center of the antenna, the lobe of a signal along the longitudinal axis will be somewhat reduced compared to the case where the free end is at the distance D and that through the beam splitting device 107 is at an angle of 45 ° radiated oblique club is slightly increased. The reduction or the increase cause that the two radiated lobes after division are substantially equal in terms of their energy distribution. Since the size of the lobes is related to the energy contained in the signal, both signals may have the same energy at a signal subdevice that extends farther than the antenna center.

Fig. 3 shows an antenna assembly 302 comprising the deflector 100 and the antenna 300. The antenna 300 is clamped with the antenna shaft 301 in the retainer 104 so as to be held by the retainer 101. The antenna 300 forms, together with the deflection device 100, a multi-beam antenna 302.

The antenna 300 itself is a Homantenne 300, which is cylindrically shaped in the region of the U-shaped holding device 101 and in the direction of

Deflector 107 widens conically until an antenna opening 303 is formed, which is arranged substantially parallel to the opening 105 of the retaining clip 101. The antenna opening 303 is closed by the process cover 306.

Due to the lateral guidance by the retaining clip 101, the antenna 300 can be displaced parallel to the wall holding device 106 along its longitudinal axis 304 during the assembly process. The flanges 101a and 101b may serve as a guide for the antenna in positioning.

Within the antenna shaft 301 is an in Fig. 3 not shown sensor, an RF module or a transmitting and / or receiving device arranged. This sensor provides for the generation of a signal which propagates along the longitudinal axis 304 of the antenna in the direction of the signal subdevice 107. The radial direction is represented by the radial axis 305 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 304. The emitted signal may be an electromagnetic signal.

For example, the signal may be a radar signal in a frequency range of 26 GHz. The signal can also be selected from the frequency spectrum from 6 to 79 GHz. Often signals with a frequency of 6 GHz, 10 GHz, 24 GHz, 25.3 GHz, 60 GHz, 79 GHz are used.

As fastening devices 102a, 103a and not visible 102b, 103b, two spaced holes are provided, which lie on an imaginary line. This imaginary straight line is parallel to the longitudinal axis 304 of the antenna 300. The fastening devices 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b allow a plane to lie which lies parallel to the propagation direction 403 of the signal. The centers of the holes 102a, 103a lie in the plane.

The antenna 300 is essentially a passive device that provides for the beam shaping of the signal generated by the sensor. This may mean that the antenna provides an antenna characteristic of the propagating signal and defines the propagation direction and the signal path. The antenna 300 may be a plastic antenna with a metallic coating. For protection against penetrating matter inside the hollow antenna body 300, an encapsulation 306 (encapsulation) or a process isolation 306 (process isolation system) is arranged in front of the antenna. The process separation separates the interior of the antenna 300 from the surrounding atmosphere or gases resulting from a chemical process. The encapsulation has a conical shape, which also provides beam shaping and presetting of the signal path of a signal emitted by the antenna 300. The encapsulation is made of a permeable to electromagnetic waves material. Since essentially only a single sensor in the antenna 300 provides for the excitation of the signal, the antenna 300 may also generate substantially only one signal with a single main beam direction directed along the longitudinal axis 304 in the direction of the signal subdevice 107.

In Fig. 3 the angle adjustment device 307 is shown in the transition region from the wall holding device 106 to the signal subdevice 107. This Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307 is adapted to adjust an angular range between the plane of the wall mounting means 106 and the plane formed by the signal subdevice 107 in a range. Consequently, the angle α of the signal dividing device 107 can be adjusted. The Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307 can adjust the angle of 22.5 °. For fine adjustment, the angle can also be adjusted within a range of ± 5 ° by the angle of 22.5 °. Thus, the signal dividing device 107 can be set in a range of 22 ° to 23 °. In another example, a set angle may also be set in a range of ± 10 °, that is, in a range of 21.5 ° to 23.5 °. The angle adjustment can also be used to detect deviations in the length L of the Balance signal subdevice. If the length L of the signal subdevice 107 is adjusted, the angular range can also be greater.

ist, kann die Verteilung der Signalenergie der sich ergebenden Keulen eingestellt werden. Denn je weiter die Signalteileinrichtung 107 die Öffnung der Antenne abdeckt, desto kleiner ist die Energie des Signals, das sich parallel zu der Antenennachse weiterbewegt. Die Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307 erlaubt einen entsprechend wählbaren Winkelbereich bereitzustellen.However, it is also possible with the angle setting device 307 to set the propagation direction and / or the signal energy of the divided signals. In particular, if the length L is greater than $L>\frac{r}{\sin \alpha }$

is, the distribution of the signal energy of the resulting lobes can be adjusted. Because the further the signal subdevice 107 covers the opening of the antenna, the smaller the energy of the signal, which moves parallel to the antenna axis. The Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307 allows to provide a selectable angular range.

Fig. 4 11 shows a side view of an antenna arrangement 302 above a measurement object 400. The measurement object 400 may be a fluid that moves in a direction 401. With the measuring arrangement 302, which is arranged substantially vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis 304 above the measurement object 400, the level height of the measurement object 400 and the flow velocity of the measurement object 400 in the flow direction 401 can be detected. Instead of the level height and the flow velocity of the same measurement object 400, the level height and the flow velocity of different measurement objects can also be determined. The level height can be determined by a distance measurement and the flow rate by a frequency shift after the Doppler effect. The holding device 101 is set up such that by means of the fastening devices 102a, 103a and by means of the in Fig. 4 unrecognizable fasteners 102b, 103b, the antenna longitudinal axis 304 is kept at the distance D from the wall attachment means 106, so that the longitudinal axis 304 of the antenna 300 is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the wall attachment means 106. The distance D may correspond to the outer radius r of the antenna 300 at its widest widening.

By this arrangement 302, the antenna opening 303 or the aperture 303 of the antenna 300 may extend substantially perpendicular to the wall fastening device 106. The aperture 303 may be disposed parallel to a lower edge 402 of at least one of the support flanges 101a, 101b. The process separation 306 is arranged between the sensor and the measurement object 400.

The antenna 300 generates an antenna signal, which moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 403 direction substantially perpendicular to the measurement object 400. The propagation direction runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis 304. By aligning the antenna opening 303 essentially perpendicular to the wall fastening device 106, the longitudinal axis 304 may specify the extent to which the free end 110 of the signal subassembly 107 is bent. For the fine adjustment of an angle or angular range, the angle adjustment device 307 is provided at the vertex of the angle α. It has been shown that good results can be achieved if the free end extends slightly beyond the longitudinal axis. The addition can be achieved by extending the length L at a fixed angle α and / or by changing the angle α at a fixed length L. For adjustment, a test signal may be sent via the array 302, and during transmission, the pole diagram of the signal lobes, such as in FIG Fig. 7 shown, are considered. An adjustment of the angle α and the length L can then take place until the lobes have the desired shape. The desired shape of the lobes can depend on a specifiable energy profile and / or on a predeterminable orientation of the lobes. For example, a desired result may be that with respect to the antenna length 304, the first sub-signal propagates along the longitudinal axis 304 and the second sub-signal propagates at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis 304 and both signals have the same energy.

Since the longitudinal axis 304 is at the height D or at the distance D which is predetermined by the fastening device 102a, 103a, the height D of the bend may also depend on the position of the fastening device 102a, 103a. However, the bend may not be less than the radius r of the antenna opening. The signal 403 moves substantially in a region from the antenna opening 303 to the free end 110 of the signal subdevice 107 perpendicular to the direction of movement of the measurement object 400. In this near field, the longitudinal axis 304 substantially corresponds to the signal path of the signal.

The signal dividing means 107 is arranged such that the signal which moves from the antenna 300 in a direction of main beam in the direction 403 and impinges on the signal dividing means 107 is divided into at least two parts. Thus, in the region of the free end 110, the only antenna signal which leaves the antenna 300 before impinging on the signal-splitting device 107 may be divided into two parts.

A first part of the signal, which is essentially not influenced, deflected or shadowed by the signal subdevice 107, may continue to move in the propagation direction 403 even after passing the free end 110 of the signal subdevice 107, ie in the far field. However, the energy of this signal may have been substantially halved. The other part of the signal, essentially that part of the signal which leaves the antenna 300 as a single signal and is impeded in its propagation by the signal splitter 107, may be at an angle to the propagation direction 403 and in particular at an angle to the longitudinal axis 304 in the direction of the measuring object 400 move. At a set angle α of 22.5 ° of the signal subdevice 107, the angle at which the second signal travels may amount to substantially 45 °. By the signal subdevice 107, the only antenna signal, which the Antenna 300 leaves, split into two signals with different propagation direction.

Shown in an antenna diagram results in an antenna signal with two main beam directions. The Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the antenna assembly 302 in the direction shown by the letter A of the Fig. 4 , In the bottom view, the rectangular cross section of the signal subdevice 107 can be seen. The bottom view shows a projection of the signal subdevice 107 onto the surface of the antenna opening 303 (in FIG Fig. 5 the process separation 306 is not shown), that is Fig. 5 shows the bottom of the signal subdevice 107. Furthermore, the Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307 can be seen, with the angle α and thus at a fixed length L of the signal subdevice 107 of the signal subunit 107 hidden area of the antenna opening 303 is adjustable. It is in Fig. 5 to recognize that the length D of the covered region D substantially corresponds to the outer radius r of the antenna 300, whereby substantially half of the antenna opening 303 is covered by the signal dividing means 107. Thus, essentially only a signal which is generated by the opening, which is not covered by the signal-dividing device 107, can move substantially freely in the direction of the measurement object 400. In other words, this unblocked signal originates from a semicircular region of the antenna opening. When the antenna longitudinal axis 304 is farther than the length r from the wall fastener 106 or the angle adjuster 307, the signal splitter 107 must be further bent up to the longitudinal axis 304 or beyond and have a corresponding length L.

After the deflection, two signals propagate in the direction of the measurement object 400. A signal which follows the propagation direction 403 or the longitudinal axis 304 and another signal which propagates substantially at an angle of 45 ° to the propagation direction 403. After hitting the signals on the Measurement object 400, the two signals are reflected independently of each other by the measurement object, so that substantially a first signal in the direction 403 opposite direction to the signal subdevice 107 moves and a second signal substantially at an angle of 45 ° to the signal subdevice 107 moved. Both signals in turn meet on the signal subdevice 107 as a reflection signal. After the reflection at the signal-dividing device 107, both signals move in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of signal propagation 403 towards the antenna 300, where these signals can strike the sensor arranged in the antenna 300.

Due to the different angles of the propagation directions of the signals to the longitudinal axis 304, different durations of the signals result, so that both signals from the same source, i. the sensor, but are received independently and substantially at different times due to the different paths traveled. Nevertheless, both signals may be referred to as simultaneous signals pertaining to simultaneous measurements, since the measurements are substantially parallel and independent of each other. However, the signals come from the same signal source and are thus detected in the same measurement cycle. There may also be a separate sensor for transmitting the signal and receiving the signal.

The cost of signal evaluation can be high when using an FMCW method, the distance of the object to be measured is detected by the 0 ° radiated signal and at the same time the Doppler shift of the radiated in 45 ° FMCW signal is to be detected.

To reduce the effort for signal evaluation, the sensor can be an RF module that can be used in one measurement cycle in FMCW mode for distance measurement and in another measurement cycle in CW (Continouse Wave) mode operated for Doppler evaluation. In other words, this may mean that, although the signals originate from the same source, this source uses different transmission methods at different measuring cycles, for example switching between an FMCW transmission method and a CW transmission method. When using the FMCW method, only the signal moving along the longitudinal axis is evaluated and, when using the CW method, only the signal part which is radiated and reflected at an angle is taken into account. The transmitter of the sensor is designed accordingly to differentiate the different signals. Consequently, both measurements take place one after the other. However, there are always both split signal components. Due to the formation of the signal processing, however, the superfluous signal component is discarded. In the FMCW measurement, the signal component received at the angle is discarded, and in the CW measurement, the signal component which propagates along the longitudinal axis 304 is discarded. Nevertheless, the measurement may be referred to as a simultaneous measurement of distance and flow rate.

The sensor, which is located within the antenna 300, and / or an associated evaluation device may be able to process these signals arriving at different times.

The Fig. 6 Figure 11 shows the antenna array 302 with a field calculation of the far field 600 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the Fig. 6 For example, the energy distribution of a field generated by antenna array 302 is shown in dB (decibels) or dBi. The field 600 represents the energy distribution in the respective signals. Before passing through the signal dividing device 107, the shape of the signal 603 is determined by the antenna characteristic of the antenna 300. This directly from the antenna signal 603 has only one main lobe. Only after passing through the signal dividing means, the divided signal 600 has substantially two Main lobes 601, 602 on. The Fig. 6 It can be seen that the far field 600, that is to say the field after the reflection at the signal subdevice 107, has the two main lobes 601 and 602. The main lobes have been generated essentially by reflections on the signal subdevice 107. The first signal 601 propagates substantially further unhindered along the longitudinal axis 304. The second signal 602, which is caused by a reflection and deflection at the signal subdevice 107, propagates at an angle of approximately 45 ° relative to the longitudinal axis 304. The energy of the original signal 603 is split between the two signals 601, 602. The division ratio of the energy can be adjusted by how far the signal subdevice 107 extends beyond the longitudinal axis 304.

The Fig. 7 shows an antenna characteristic of in Fig. 6 illustrated antenna assembly 302 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a far field of the antenna arrangement 302 is shown. The antenna characteristic 600 is registered in the polar coordinate system 700. The polar coordinate system 700 indicates in the radial direction the energy curve of an antenna signal. Fig. 7 shows the directional characteristic of the antenna system with the deflection device 100. From the directional characteristic of the radiation angle of the two lobes is visible. The two lobes essentially have an angle of 45 ° to each other. It can be seen on the basis of the registered scaling in the radial direction that the two lobes are essentially the same size, that is to say have substantially the same energy. In the radial direction of the polar coordinate system 700, ie from inside to outside, the absolute antenna gain is given in the unit "dBi", which ranges from -15dBi in the middle of the diagram to +25 dBi at the outer edge of the diagram. Also, in the polar coordinate system 700, the two main lobes 601 and 602 of the deflected signal can be seen.

In the antenna diagram of the Fig. 7 an orientation of the longitudinal axis 304 is assumed to be parallel to the axis lying at 0 °. It can be seen that the first main lobe 601 forms substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 304, while the second main lobe forms at an angle of substantially 45 ° to the longitudinal axis 304.

The fastener 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b is configured to fix the antenna 300 and to specify a propagation direction of the signal of the antenna. In essence, the longitudinal axis 304 of the antenna can be adjusted by the arrangement of the fastener 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b.

The material from which the signal-dividing device 107 is made may be a reflective material and / or a dielectric material. When using a reflective material, such as stainless steel, a reflector can be formed when the material is adjusted to the frequency range of the antenna signal used so that it reflects the signal well in this frequency range.

It is also possible to fabricate the signal subdevice 107 from a dielectric material which substantially transmits a transmission signal substantially. In this case, the antenna opening 303 could be substantially completely covered by the signal splitting device 107, wherein then the free end 110 may extend to twice the radius 2r or the diameter of the antenna opening 303. Also, the use of the dielectric material provides beam splitting and formation of two main lobes substantially in the 0 ° and 45 ° directions. As the dielectric material, a material having a dielectric constant of ε in the range of 2 to 10, especially 2 to 3 can be selected. For example, Teflon, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or PEEK (polyether ether ketone) may be used as the dielectric material for the signal splitter 107.

By means of the angle adjusting device 307, an angular range, for example a range of 20 ° to 30 °, based on the propagation direction 403 or the longitudinal axis 304 of the signal can be specified. In the figures Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 is assumed by an angle α of 22.5 ° with respect to the propagation direction 304, 403 of the signal. With the Winkeleinstelleinrichtung 307, the angle of the signal subdevice 107 or the reflector 107 can be adjusted with respect to the propagation direction of the signal.

As an electromagnetic signal signal, such as a radar signal and / or a microwave signal can be used. Accordingly, the signal subdevice 107 can be made of a material which reflects the electromagnetic signal and / or the microwave signal well.

The sensor that generates and / or receives the signal may be configured as a two-wire system so that power is supplied to the sensor via only two wires. These two lines can be used for communication and exchange of information. The sensor can also be designed as a four-conductor system, in which the communication and the energy exchange takes place via separate pairs of lines.

By the fastening device 102a, 103a, 102b, 103b, a plane can be set, which is parallel to the propagation direction of the signal 304, 403. In the Fig. 4 For example, it can be seen that a plane which would be laid through the attachment openings 102a, 103a would coincide with the longitudinal axis 304. The antenna 300 has an antenna opening 303, wherein the signal subdevice 107 or the reflector 107 covers substantially half the antenna opening 303. In other words, a cross section of the reflector 107 covers half the area of the antenna opening.

The reflector 107 may be formed as a plate or sheet and be made of at least partially reflective material. The width B of the plate 107 may be greater than or equal to twice the radius r of the antenna opening 303. The length L of the plate 107 has a length corresponding to the radius r of the antenna opening 303 divided by the sine of the angle α in which the reflector 107 is disposed with respect to the propagation direction 403 or the longitudinal axis 304.

The range around the angular range 22.5 ° may have the special property that a single antenna signal, which impinges on a signal subdevice 107 bent at the corresponding angle, splits into two signals which propagate in different directions. These two signals may be generated with only a single signal source. The emission angle may essentially correspond to the angle of incidence on the measurement object 400. A beam angle of 45 ° is a good compromise between reflective properties of a moving surface and the resulting Doppler effect. However, other deflection angles selected from the range of 30 ° to 60 ° are also suitable. α between 15 ° and 30 °. At beam angles smaller than 30 °, the Doppler frequency can be reduced too much, making evaluation difficult. At angles greater than 60 °, the reception amplitude can be greatly reduced, so that an evaluation is difficult due to the level conditions.

The signal divider 107 of the diverter 100 may be further configured to receive and redirect a reflection signal of the first part 601 of the signal and a reflection signal of the second part 602 of the signal such that both the reflection signal of the first part of the signal and the reflection signal of the second one To move part of the signal after the deflection in a direction opposite to the propagation direction to the antenna. In this reflection, the reflection signal may arise due to a reflection on the measurement object. The deflection may refer to the reflection at the signal subdevice.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" and "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude. It should also be appreciated that features or steps 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 considered as limiting.

Claims (15)

A deflection apparatus (100) for an antenna (300), wherein the antenna (300) is adapted to align a signal in a propagation direction (403) along a signal path (304), the deflection apparatus (100) comprising: a signal dividing device (107); a holding device (101); wherein the holding means (101) is arranged to position the signal dividing means (107) in the signal path (304) of the signal; wherein the signal dividing means (107) is arranged to divide the signal such that a first part (601) of the signal moves in the propagation direction and that a second part (602) of the signal moves at a predeterminable angle to the propagation direction. The deflection apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the signal dividing means (107) is further arranged to receive and deflect a reflection signal of the first part (601) of the signal and a reflection signal of the second part (602) of the signal so that both the reflection signal the first part of the signal as well as the reflection signal of the second part of the signal after the deflection in a direction opposite to the propagation direction move. A deflection apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said holding means (101) comprises attachment means (102a, 103a, 102b, 103b), said attachment means (102a, 103a, 102b, 103b) for fixing said antenna (300) and said antenna Predetermining a propagation direction of the signal of the antenna is set up. A deflection apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal dividing means (107) comprises a reflector and / or a plate of dielectric Material has. A deflection apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein the reflector (107) and / or a plate (107) of dielectric material is arranged in an angular range of 20 ° to 30 ° with respect to the propagation direction of the signal. A deflection apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein the reflector (107) and / or a plate (107) of dielectric material is disposed at an angle of 22.5 ° with respect to the propagation direction of the signal. A deflection apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the reflector (107) and / or a plate (107) of dielectric material comprises an angle adjusting means (307) with which the angle of the reflector (107) and / or the plate (107) is adjustable from dielectric material with respect to the propagation direction of the signal. A deflection apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the reflector is arranged to reflect an electromagnetic signal. A deflection apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the antenna (300) has an antenna aperture (303);
wherein the reflector (107) is arranged to cover substantially half the antenna opening (303). A deflection apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the antenna aperture (303) has a radius (r);
wherein the reflector (107) is a plate of at least partially reflective material;
the plate having a width (B) greater than or equal to twice the radius of the antenna aperture;
wherein the plate has a length (L) corresponding to the radius (r) of the antenna opening divided by the sine of the angle (α) in which the reflector (107) is arranged with respect to the propagation direction. Antenna arrangement (302) comprising: an antenna (300); a deflection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; wherein the antenna (300) with the deflection device (100) is attached to the holding device (101). The antenna assembly of claim 11, the antenna further comprising: a sensor; wherein the sensor is adapted for level measurement and flow measurement. An antenna arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, the antenna further comprising: a sensor; wherein the sensor is adapted for level measurement and for measuring a flow rate. Method for beam splitting comprising: Positioning a signal subdevice in the signal path of a signal propagating along a propagation direction; Splitting the signal with the signal splitting device such that a first part of the signal moves in the propagation direction and that a second part of the signal moves at a predeterminable angle to the propagation direction. Use of a deflection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10 or an antenna arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 13 for level measurement and flow measurement or for level measurement and for measuring the flow rate with only a single antenna and / or with only a single sensor.

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