Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16T—STEAM TRAPS OR LIKE APPARATUS FOR DRAINING-OFF LIQUIDS FROM ENCLOSURES PREDOMINANTLY CONTAINING GASES OR VAPOURS
  • F16T1/00—Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers
  • F16T1/38—Component parts; Accessories
  • F16T1/48—Monitoring arrangements for inspecting, e.g. flow of steam and steam condensate
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16T—STEAM TRAPS OR LIKE APPARATUS FOR DRAINING-OFF LIQUIDS FROM ENCLOSURES PREDOMINANTLY CONTAINING GASES OR VAPOURS
  • F16T1/00—Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers
  • F16T1/38—Component parts; Accessories
  • F16T1/383—Valve closing members or valve seats

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a condensate drain for draining liquid condensate with a housing having an inlet flange and an outlet flange and a sensor device attached to the housing for monitoring the operating state of the control fitting, the sensor device having a coupling assembly for coupling to the housing.
• Control fittings of the type mentioned, such as condensate drains, are well known. They are used to regulate the flow of fluids in lines, containers, pipe systems or the like.
• steam is used as a heat transfer medium, which is routed through appropriate pipe systems and control valves.
• the water vapor is usually made available centrally at different pressure levels, for example by a steam generator. By performing work through steam, heat losses or the like during the respective applications, some of the steam is condensed due to the release of energy.
• water vapor other media can also be used, which can be present in the vapor phase and/or the liquid phase.
• the liquid phase the condensate
• condensate drains or drains being used in short.
• steam hammer can occur in some processes. In vapor hammer, vapor bubbles suddenly collapse in on themselves in a cooler liquid environment. Also to prevent this and to ensure an effective use of energy, condensate must be removed from the system at an early stage. This is usually done by said condensate drain. Condensate drains are also used when condensate is returned to the system to ensure that only water is present in the return lines, which are still under pressure. Various types of steam traps are known.
• closure elements in common, which is designed to selectively block or open the flow path within the condensate drain and a discharge line for draining condensate.
• Mechanical (float) steam traps use the physical properties of steam and water.
• a spherical float, for example, is used as the closing element, which actuates or opens a valve when the condensation water and thus the float rises.
• Other closure members include bimetals or membranes, which control the opening and closing of the closure member as a function of temperature.
• Sensor devices which, for example, detect vibrations or temperatures in the area of the condensate drain or other control fittings, changes in which allow conclusions to be drawn about leaks or blockages.
• sensor devices react very sensitively to disturbance variables in the operation of the systems, such as fundamental vibrations of the systems or else operational temperature fluctuations. Because of this, such sensor devices are usually very complex in structure in order to minimize the influence of disturbance variables.
• Such a sensor device is disclosed, for example, in WO 2019/003692 A1.
• a probe tip rests against the housing, with the vibrations of the housing exciting relative movement of the probe tip relative to a piezoelectric sensor.
• the disadvantage here is the increased susceptibility to wear and soiling of the moving probe tip, which is in direct contact with the housing.
• Other sensor devices sometimes only provide inaccurate measurement results, since the sensor signals are heavily influenced by disturbance variables.
• the object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the disadvantages known from the prior art.
• the object of the present invention is to increase the reliability and robustness of sensor devices for monitoring the operating state of control fittings and thus to improve the overall safety and operating time of control fittings, in particular condensate drains of the type mentioned at the outset.
• system downtimes on the respective control valves should be minimized and operating states should be monitored.
• the present invention solves the task mentioned in a first aspect by a control fitting with the features according to claim 1 .
• control fitting is a condensate drain with a flow path formed between the inlet flange and the outlet flange, with a closure element being arranged in the flow path, which is designed to selectively block and/or connect the flow path.
• the sensor device is arranged downstream of the closure member and comprises: a sensor for detecting structure-borne noise and/or a sensor for detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing, the sensor device being set up to detect a leak in the condensate drain by detecting the structure-borne noise of the coupling assembly and/or the housing and/or a blockage by detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing of the flow path can be seen.
• the inventors recognized advantageously that in a steam trap downstream of the closure member in the case a leak, the impact on structure-borne noise is greatest, since the intensity of structure-borne noise is greatest in this area, for example due to turbulence.
• the coupling assembly is positively and/or non-positively connected to the sensor and is set up to enter into a detachable, positively and/or non-positively connected connection with the housing in order to direct the structure-borne noise of the housing to the sensor in the assembled state.
• Structure-borne noise is sound that propagates in a solid body.
• a solid can also absorb shear stresses, so that structure-borne noise or structure-borne noise waves can propagate as longitudinal waves and transverse waves.
• the sensor is preferably set up to detect the longitudinal waves and/or transverse waves in the coupling assembly. Maintenance intervals no longer have to be carried out as a matter of routine, but can be carried out as required based on the sensor signals.
• the invention also makes a contribution to preventive maintenance, to process monitoring, to the detection and localization of defects in systems and in their components, such as control fittings in particular. Furthermore, the rapid detection of leaks in particular leads to a higher efficiency of any systems that have the control fitting, since steam losses and thus energy losses can be remedied at an early stage.
• the inventors take advantage of the fact that fluids flowing through the control fitting cause structure-borne noise in a defined frequency range depending on the pressure, the flow rate and the set operating state, in particular the aggregate state and composition of the medium.
• a change in the structure-borne noise of the housing thus reliably indicates a change in the flow or the pressure within the control fitting and allows reliable conclusions to be drawn about the operating state of the control fitting and, in particular, about leaks.
• the coupling assembly according to the invention which is releasably coupled to the housing by a positive and/or non-positive connection, creates a connection that conducts structure-borne noise and that can be released if necessary.
• the sensor Due to the fact that the sensor is not directly connected to the housing, but is only indirectly connected to the housing via the coupling assembly to conduct structure-borne noise, the sensor is particularly thermally shielded.
• the structure of the sensor device as a whole can be improved by the coupling assembly, which ensures both the coupling of the sensor device to the housing and the conduction of structure-borne noise to the sensor be simplified.
• the functional integration of the coupling assembly as a means for mechanical coupling and means for conducting the measured variable to be detected simplifies the structure of the sensor device.
• the positive and/or non-positive connection between the coupling assembly and the sensor and the coupling assembly and the housing also ensures a robust construction of the sensor device.
• connection by positive and/or non-positive locking is also suitable for conducting structure-borne noise and enables reversible assembly of the individual components.
• structure-borne noise is conducted to the actual sensor and is not temporarily transformed into a relative movement of components connected in between. This reduces mechanical wear.
• control fitting should be understood to mean a structural unit for conducting fluids, in particular gases and liquids or mixtures thereof, which influences the flows of these fluids. Examples of this are valves, fittings and condensate drains, but also pumps, for example.
• flange is to be understood in such a way that it enables the control fitting to be coupled to adjacent components, in particular pipes; this can be done, for example, by means of several bolts inserted through flange rings, but alternatively also by means of other fasteners or sleeves, including welded joints, which do not use flange rings.
• two sensors can also be used, for example a sensor for detecting structure-borne noise and a further sensor for detecting a further physical variable for monitoring the operating state of the control fitting.
• the coupling assembly preferably extends in a longitudinal direction from the housing to the sensor and the sensor is set up to detect longitudinal waves.
• the coupling assembly includes a thermal isolator configured to reduce heat transfer from the housing to the sensor.
• a thermal insulator is a solid, liquid or gaseous insulating material that inhibits heat transfer and in particular heat transfer. The reduction of heat transfer through a thermal isolator provides additional protection for the sensor or sensors so that the detection of structure-borne noise or the operation of the sensor as a whole is not affected by the temperatures is prevented within the flow path of the control fitting, since sensors for detecting structure-borne noise can often only be operated in defined temperature ranges.
• Heat transfer or heat transport is the transport of energy in the form of heat across at least one thermodynamic system boundary.
• the insulator is preferably set up at least partially via the coupling assembly to reduce the heat conduction from the housing to the sensor. Heat transfer by conduction takes place in the direction of places with lower temperatures through mechanical contact.
• the housing more preferably has a flow path formed at least in sections between the inlet flange and the outlet flange, the sensor device being set up to use the sensor to detect a leak in the flow path by detecting the structure-borne noise of the housing.
• the inventors recognized that a leak in the flow path within the control fitting, but also in adjacent pipe sections of a pipe system, has various effects on the flowing fluid.
• the leakage causes, among other things, a drop in pressure, a change in the flow rate and a change in the state of aggregation and the composition of the medium, which cause a change in the structure-borne noise of the housing of the control valve.
• a leak can thus be reliably detected within the control fitting, but also in a pipe system coupled to the control fitting.
• the senor is a piezoelectric sensor.
• Piezoelectric sensors work with the piezoelectric effect and are suitable, for example, for determining acceleration, voltages or forces. Due to the structure-borne noise-conducting connection of the housing to the sensor by means of the coupling assembly, the sensor is exposed to mechanical vibrations due to structure-borne noise.
• the structure-borne noise causes a mechanical deformation of piezo elements of the piezoelectric sensor and thus in particular a shift in the electrical polarization on the metalized surface of the respective piezo element, resulting in a surface tension or charge that can be used technically as a measurable electrical signal.
• This effect is used in passive piezoelectric sensors, such as acceleration or acoustic emission sensors, among other things to detect structure-borne noise.
• the piezoelectric sensor particularly preferably comprises at least a first piezo element and a second piezo element and preferably a pair of electrodes.
• the measurement accuracy is further increased by the combination of at least two piezo elements.
• the piezoelectric sensor preferably has a seismic mass which is set up to move relative to the first piezo element and/or the second piezo element as a function of the structure-borne noise transmitted by the housing. More preferably, the piezoelectric sensor has a front conductor that is spaced apart from the seismic mass, which is coupled to the coupling assembly and set up to arrange the first piezo element and the second piezo element relative to the seismic mass.
• the coupling assembly has a holding part that is at least indirectly connected to the housing in a manner that conducts structure-borne noise.
• the holding part is preferably set up for positive and/or non-positive connection with the sensor and for at least indirect connection with the coupling part.
• the holding part is set up for the positive and/or non-positive connection of the seismic mass and the front conductor, such that the at least one first piezo element and preferably at least one second piezo element are accommodated between the seismic mass and the front conductor.
• the piezo elements can be arranged with the front conductor and the seismic mass and preferably the electrodes in a biased manner. Since both the seismic mass and the front conductor are connected to the housing in a structure-borne sound-conducting manner by means of the holding part, the one or more piezo elements experience compressive forces and provide a measurable voltage, in particular at their electrodes. The change in this voltage indicates a change in the structure-borne noise of the housing and thus enables the operating status of the control valve to be monitored.
• the seismic mass is movably engaged with the holding part and the coupling assembly further comprises a clamping part coupled to the holding part, which is set up to transmit structure-borne noise to the seismic mass, so that the seismic mass moves relative to the first piezo element and/or the second piezo element.
• the thermal insulator is made of a solid insulating material and is arranged between the sensor and the housing.
• the sensor is effectively thermally shielded from the coupling assembly by the thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material.
• the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material is lower than the thermal conductivity of air, so that the thermal shielding of the sensor is further improved.
• the coupling assembly has a coupling part, which engages with a corresponding coupling interface of the housing, and a holding part, which is set up for coupling to the sensor.
• the coupling assembly preferably has a coupling part which can be brought into detachable engagement with a corresponding coupling interface of the housing and is coupled to the holding part so as to conduct structure-borne noise.
• the coupling part can be formed, for example, from a more temperature-resistant material or, optionally, particularly chemical-resistant due to the direct arrangement on the housing.
• the holding part on the other hand, can be made of a different material for reasons of weight or cost.
• the present invention solves the task mentioned in a second aspect by a condensate drain with the features according to claim 5.
• the invention proposes according to the second aspect, which is at the same time a preferred embodiment according to the first aspect, that the coupling assembly has a or the coupling part, which is set up for detachable connection to the housing, and an adapter, which is set up to connect the sensor to the coupling part in a structure-borne sound-conducting and/or temperature-conducting manner.
• An additional adapter can reduce the complexity of the coupling part.
• the adapter is exposed to lower thermal loads, so that the indirect coupling of the sensor to the coupling part via the adapter protects the sensor.
• the coupling part can preferably be a simple screw which has a head section with a coupling receptacle.
• Such a coupling receptacle can be provided, for example, by a threaded hole or an outer contour, for example an external thread.
• the coupling part can be formed by a simple and robust standard part and the adapter, which is exposed to lower loads, the Functional integration, namely the inclusion of the sensor and connection to the coupling part, take over.
• control fitting according to the first aspect of the invention are also preferred embodiments in relation to the second aspect of the invention and reference is made to the above description of the associated advantages and possible configurations. It should be understood that the condensate drain according to the second aspect can also be a control fitting in general.
• the coupling assembly also has a holding part or the holding part coupled to the sensor, the adapter being set up for positive and/or non-positive connection to the holding part.
• the adapter connects the coupling part and the holding part to each other.
• the holding part can also be designed in a structurally simple manner, for example as a screw.
• the adapter has corresponding assembly interfaces for positive and/or non-positive connection with the holding part and the coupling part.
• the coupling part and the holding part are made of a metallic material and the adapter is made of a non-metallic material, in particular a technical ceramic and/or a polymer, or is made entirely of such a material.
• the holding part and the coupling part can thus be manufactured inexpensively, for example from steel.
• a metallic material offers advantages in terms of heat conduction, particularly in the case of the coupling part. The good heat conduction of metallic materials enables more accurate detection or more accurate conclusions to be drawn about the temperature of the housing by detecting the temperature of the coupling part.
• the adapter, which connects the holding part to the coupling part can be made of an insulating material and, for example, of a polymer, so that a great deal of design freedom is provided in terms of manufacturing technology.
• the adapter can be an injection molded part.
• the holding part extends along a longitudinal axis with a length, wherein the adapter has an adapter mounting interface, in particular a threaded bore or an external thread, which is adapted to be in engagement with the holding part along at least 1/3 of the length of the holding part.
• the holding part is thus sufficiently fixed by the adapter and resonance vibrations of the holding part, which are superimposed on the structure-borne noise, are reduced.
• the coupling part is preferably designed as a first screw with a first shaft section and a first head section. More preferably, the holding part is designed as a second screw with a second shank section and a second head section.
• the adapter is preferably set up to be in engagement with the first head section and the second head section, preferably in a detachable manner.
• the coupling part has a coupling receptacle and the holding part and/or the adapter has a corresponding coupling section, with the coupling receptacle being releasably engageable with the coupling section.
• a coupling receptacle is introduced into the coupling part in a simple manner.
• Such a coupling receptacle can be easily implemented in terms of production technology as an internal thread or threaded bore or as an external thread.
• Other outer contours, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding adapter mounting interface, are also conceivable.
• the adapter has an accommodation space which is set up to accommodate at least one section of the sensor.
• the recorded sensor is preferably a temperature sensor.
• Such a receiving space simplifies the arrangement of the sensor relative to the coupling group.
• the sensor device also has a sensor housing with coupling sections
• the adapter has a corresponding housing interface that is set up for detachable coupling to the coupling sections.
• a higher degree of functional integration is thus achieved in relation to the adapter.
• the housing interface is formed by a wall delimiting the receiving space in the radial direction.
• the adapter preferably extends along one or the longitudinal axis with an adapter length and also has a sensor receptacle, which preferably extends along at least 3/4 of the adapter length.
• the sensor receptacle thus extends into an area of the adapter adjacent to the coupling part.
• the coupling part has a coupling receptacle which is designed to receive a coupling section of the holding part.
• the coupling receptacle can be a threaded bore, for example, and the coupling section of the holding part can preferably be a corresponding external thread. A structure-borne sound-conducting connection of the coupling part and the holding part can thus be realized in a simple manner.
• the front conductor is preferably arranged adjacent to and spaced apart from the coupling part and/or the adapter, so that a cavity is formed between the front conductor and the coupling assembly, which cavity forms the thermal insulator.
• the cavity may contain air or a gas that reduces heat transfer. Air in particular is a cost-effective insulator.
• the front conductor is designed as a sleeve and has a first outer diameter adjacent to the first piezo element and a second outer diameter adjacent to the coupling assembly, in particular the coupling part or the adapter, which is smaller than the first outer diameter and designed to rest on a corresponding contact surface of the coupling part or the adapter.
• the first outside diameter is at least twice as large as the second outside diameter.
• the front conductor thus serves both to preload the piezo elements and to reduce heat transfer. Due to the smaller second outer diameter, the front conductor has only a small contact area with the coupling part and at the same time an enlarged contact area with the ambient air. The ambient air cools the front conductor, while the heat transfer from the coupling part is limited by the small contact area.
• the senor is a first sensor
• the sensor device also has at least one second sensor for detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing, the sensor device being set up to detect a blockage in the flow path by detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing using the second sensor.
• the temperature sensor thus enables the detection of condensate accumulations caused by blockages in the flow path, which cause a temperature change. As a result, water hammer in particular can be reduced. Furthermore, thermal effects, which the measurement result of the first sensor influence, are detected by the second sensor and the measurement accuracy of the first sensor can thus be ensured.
• the coupling assembly preferably the coupling part and/or the holding part of the coupling assembly, has a sensor receptacle for the second sensor.
• the second sensor can be coupled to the coupling assembly in a simple manner by being accommodated in the sensor receptacle in order to detect the temperature of the coupling assembly.
• the detection of the temperature of the coupling assembly is particularly preferred, since the coupling assembly is set up for connection to the housing of the control fitting and thus allows conclusions to be drawn about changed temperatures of the flow path within the housing.
• the holding part preferably the tensioning part and/or the holding section of the holding part, has a sensor receptacle for the second sensor.
• the temperature sensor can thus be integrated into the holding part in a simple and space-saving manner.
• the coupling assembly in particular the coupling part, preferably has a thermal conductivity A of less than 100, preferably less than 50, particularly preferably less than 15 m-K.
• the coupling assembly preferably the coupling part, comprises a ceramic material, preferably zirconium oxide.
• Zirconium oxide has a low thermal conductivity of less than 15 ⁇ and is therefore suitable for thermally shielding the sensor from the flow path in the housing.
• zirconium oxide has a high level of hardness and good corrosion resistance, making the material very well suited for control valves.
• the sensor device also includes a sensor housing with coupling sections, wherein the coupling sections are set up for coupling to the coupling assembly and/or the housing.
• the sensor is thus reliably protected against environmental influences, such as moisture and dirt in particular.
• the sensor device has a transmitter which is set up to transmit a sensor signal from the first sensor and preferably from the second sensor to an evaluation unit assigned to the control fitting, in particular by means of a signal connection.
• the signal connection is preferably wireless, with the sensor device also having an energy store.
• the sensor device comprises an energy harvester, such as. B. Thermogenerator.
• the evaluation unit which is assigned to the control fitting or multiple control fittings, is preferably set up to evaluate the sensor signal of the first sensor and preferably of the second sensor in order to monitor the operating state and in particular to detect a blockage and/or leakage.
• the evaluation unit is set up to evaluate a multiplicity of first and second sensors, different from sensor devices, and to detect a blockage based on these sensor signals.
• the evaluation unit can be a processor which is arranged in a stationary or a mobile device and preferably has a data memory.
• the evaluation unit is preferably set up to compare the sensor signals with reference data from the data memory and, based on this comparison, to identify a leak and/or blockage or partial blockage of the flow path.
• the sensor device in particular the sensor housing, has a signal connection for providing a sensor signal or a plurality of sensor signals, it being possible for the signal connection to be coupled to a transmitter and/or an evaluation unit.
• the sensor device includes an energy harvester, such as. B. Thermogenerator.
• an evaluation unit when an evaluation unit is connected, direct and autonomous signal processing is possible.
• the evaluated sensor data is either made available to a central data store, for example a cloud, by means of a sensor or a transmitter coupled to the sensor, or can be optionally connected to mobile devices in order to display a warning message or information regarding the monitored operating status.
• the coupling assembly preferably has a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, for coupling the sensor or sensors to the housing, with the coupling part in particular comprising a magnet.
• a magnet allows im According to the invention in a simple way a non-positive connection by magnetic forces. The assembly time is thus reduced overall and the handling of the sensor device is simplified.
• the present invention solves the task mentioned in a third aspect by a condensate drain with the features according to claim 15.
• the coupling assembly comprises: a or the coupling part, which can be brought into detachable engagement with a corresponding coupling interface of the housing, a or the holding part, which is connected indirectly and body-sound-conducting to the housing and which is set up for a positive and/or non-positive connection with a first sensor and for at least indirect connection with the coupling part, and a sensor receptacle which is assigned to the holding part and set up to accommodate a second sensor for detecting the temperature.
• the coupling part serves solely for coupling to the housing and the holding part holds the first sensor and the second sensor in the sensor receptacle adjacent and spaced apart from the coupling part.
• the first and second sensors are thus protected.
• the measurement results are prevented from being adversely affected by the high temperatures of the housing, which are conducted via the coupling part.
• control fitting according to the first and second aspect of the invention are also preferred embodiments in relation to the third aspect of the invention and reference is made to the above description of the associated advantages and possible configurations. It should be understood that the condensate drain according to the third aspect can also be a control fitting in general.
• the present invention solves the task mentioned in a fourth aspect by a sensor device with the features according to claim 17.
• the invention relates to a sensor device for a control fitting for detecting a blockage and/or leakage of a flow path, in particular for a condensate drain according to the first aspect of the invention.
• the sensor device comprises: a coupling assembly for coupling to the housing, and at least one sensor for detecting structure-borne noise and/or for detecting a Temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing.
• the invention solves the task mentioned at the outset according to the fourth aspect in that the sensor device is set up to be arranged downstream of a closing element of the condensate drain and to detect at least one of the following: a leak in the condensate drain by detecting the structure-borne noise of the coupling assembly and/or the housing, and a blockage of the flow path by detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly and/or the housing.
• the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved in relation to the sensor device in that the coupling assembly has a coupling part, which is set up for detachable connection to the housing, and an adapter, which is set up to connect the sensor to the coupling part in a manner that conducts structure-borne noise and/or temperature.
• the coupling assembly comprises: a coupling part, which can be releasably engaged with a corresponding coupling interface of the housing, a holding part which is connected indirectly and in a structure-borne sound-conducting manner to the housing and which is set up for a positive and/or non-positive connection with a first sensor and for at least indirect connection with the coupling part, and a sensor receptacle which is assigned to the holding part and for accommodating a second Sensor is set up to detect the temperature.
• the sensor device according to the fourth aspect of the invention adopts the advantages described above in relation to the control fitting according to the first to third aspects of the invention with such a sensor device.
• Advantages and preferred embodiments according to the first to third aspects are also advantages and preferred embodiments according to the fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa.
• the sensor device according to the invention can also be used to detect a blockage and/or leakage in the flow path of a pipe or another fluid-carrying assembly.
• the present invention solves the task mentioned at the outset in a fifth aspect by a method having the features according to claim 18.
• the method according to the invention embraces the advantages described above in relation to the first, second and third aspects of the invention.
• Advantages and preferred embodiments according to the first, second and third aspects of the invention are also preferred embodiments and advantages in relation to the fifth aspect of the invention and vice versa.
• the method further comprises the steps:
• FIG. 1 shows a control fitting according to a first preferred embodiment in a perspective view
• FIG. 2 shows a control fitting according to a second preferred embodiment in a perspective view
• FIG. 3a shows a sensor device for a control fitting according to FIG. 2 in a side view
• FIG. 3b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 3a in a sectional view
• 4a shows an embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 4b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 4a in a sectional view
• 5a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 5b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 5a in a sectional view
• FIG. 6a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device
• FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of the sensor device according to FIG. 6a;
• FIG. 7a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 7b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 7a in a sectional view
• FIG. 8a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 8b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 8a in a sectional view
• FIG. 9a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 9b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 9a in a sectional view
• FIG. 10a shows a further embodiment of a sensor device in a side view
• FIG. 10b shows the sensor device according to FIG. 10a in a sectional view
• 11 shows a method for detecting a blockage and/or leakage of a
• the steam trap 2 comprises an inlet flange 3 and an outlet flange 5 which can be connected to a pipe system (not shown).
• the respective fluid comprising gaseous components and condensate can enter the condensate drain 2 through the inlet flange 3 , which then discharges condensate via the outlet flange 5 .
• the condensate drain 2 also includes a condensate deflection with a protective screen 7 and a flow path 8 formed in a housing 9 and extending between the inlet flange 3 and the outlet flange 5 .
• a sensor device 10 is connected to the housing 9 so that it conducts structure-borne noise.
• a closure element 11 (not shown) is arranged in the flow path 8 within the housing 9 and is set up to selectively release the flow path 8 .
• This is in particular a bimetal or a membrane, which releases the flow path 8 depending on the temperature, so that condensate can be discharged through the condensate drain 2.
• the sensor device 10 comprises a sensor 12 and a coupling assembly 14 for connecting the sensor device 10 to the housing 9 and in particular to a coupling interface 9a of the housing 9.
• the coupling assembly 14 is positively and/or non-positively connected to the sensor 12 and is set up to enter into a detachable, positively and/or non-positively connected connection with the housing 9 or the coupling interface 9a in order to enter into the body in the assembled state sound of the housing 9 to the sensor 12 to conduct.
• the coupling assembly 14 comprises a coupling part 15 and a holding part 16 that can be releasably connected to the coupling part 15 , the sensor 12 being connected to the housing 9 by means of the coupling assembly 14 so as to conduct structure-borne noise.
• a structure-borne sound-conducting connection is thus formed between the sensor 12 and the housing 9, which enables the sensor 12 to detect the structure-borne sound of the housing 9 and thus allow conclusions to be drawn about the operating state and in particular blockages and/or leaks in the flow path 8.
• the combination of the coupling part 15 and the holding part 16 enables a functional division, with the structure-borne noise to be detected propagating within the coupling part 15 and the holding part 16 .
• the sensor device 10 can also be coupled to the housing 9 at any other desired position, although it is preferably arranged downstream of the closure member 11 .
• FIG. 1 shows the sensor device 10 according to a first embodiment.
• the control fitting 1 according to FIG. 2, which is also designed as a condensate drain 2 differs from the condensate drain 2 previously shown in FIG. 1 by the sensor device 10, which is shown in FIG. 2 in a second preferred embodiment.
• Identical reference numbers have been used for the same or similar components, and reference is made to the above description of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
• the sensor device 10 comprises a sensor housing 18 which is coupled to the coupling assembly 14 and accommodates the first sensor 12 (cf. FIGS. 3a, 3b) and the holding part 16 (cf. FIGS. 3a, 3b).
• the holding part 16 and the sensor 12 are thus securely accommodated within the sensor housing 18 and opposite protected from environmental influences.
• the sensor housing 18 is preferably reversibly coupled to the holding part 16 and/or the sensor 12 and/or the coupling part 15 .
• FIGS. 3a and 3b show the sensor device 10 according to FIG. 2 in detail.
• the coupling assembly 14 comprises a coupling part 15 designed as a connecting screw for coupling to a coupling interface 9a of the housing 9 (cf. FIG. 1), with the sensor housing 18 being arranged adjacent to the coupling part 15 .
• the coupling assembly 14 comprises a holding part 16 which is designed as a screw 17 with a holding section 36 .
• the coupling part 15 designed as a connecting screw comprises a shaft section 21 and a head section 23.
• a coupling receptacle 25 is formed in the head section 23, in which a coupling section 27 designed as the distal end of the holding part 16 is accommodated.
• the sensor 12 is a piezoelectric sensor, which includes a first piezo element 28.1 and a second piezo element 28.2, which in the present case are designed as plates with a cylindrical bore in the center.
• the sensor 12 further includes a pair of electrodes 32 for providing an electrical signal or current.
• the holding part 16 designed as a screw 17 is passed through the hole.
• the sensor 12 includes a front conductor 33.
• the holding member 16 includes a tightening member 34 formed by a head portion of the screw 17.
• the front conductor 33 is designed as a disk which has a central bore with an internal thread and engages with the holding section 36 of the holding part 16 designed as a screw 17 .
• sensor 12 includes a seismic mass 31 which is arranged adjacent to clamping part 34 and which is presently designed as a plate with a cylindrical bore in the center.
• the screw 17 is passed through the hole.
• the clamping part 34 rests against the seismic mass 31 at least temporarily.
• the sensor 12, comprising at least a first piezo element 28.1 and a second piezo element 28.2, can be arranged and fixed securely between the front conductor 33 and the clamping part 34, wherein the seismic mass 31 is movable relative to the first piezo element 28.1 and second piezo element 28.2 with the screw 17 and in particular the holding section 36 in engagement.
• the front conductor 33 is spaced apart and arranged adjacent to the coupling assembly 14 , in particular the head portion 23 of the coupling part 15 .
• a cavity 37 is formed between the front conductor 33 and the head portion 23 of the coupling part 15, which forms the thermal insulator.
• the cavity 37 describes the space which extends in the radial direction around the holding section 36 and is limited in particular by the radial extent of the head section 23 and the front conductor 33 .
• the cavity 37 increases the thermal insulation of the sensor 12 from the coupling assembly 14 and thus the housing 9 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2).
• the seismic mass 31 is connected to the sensor housing 18 via a coupling section 20 of the housing 18 .
• a non-positive and/or frictional connection that conducts structure-borne noise is preferably formed between the seismic mass 31 and the coupling section 20 .
• the coupling section 20 preferably has a contact surface 20a facing the seismic mass 31 with a friction-promoting surface coating, in particular a polymer coating.
• the contact surface 20a of the coupling section 20 is preferably rubberized.
• FIGS. 4a and 4b A further exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. Identical reference numbers have been used for the same or similar components, and reference is made to the above description of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
• the embodiment shown differs from the embodiment previously shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b in that the sensor device 10 has no sensor housing 18 (cf. FIGS. 3a and 3b).
• This sensor housing 18 can optionally be added to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.
• the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b differs from the above exemplary embodiment by a thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material 29, which is arranged between the front conductor 33 and the head section 23 of the coupling assembly 14.
• the thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material 29 has a central bore for the holding section 36 to pass through.
• the thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material 29 is formed here by the coupling section 27 of the holding part 16 designed as a screw 17 , which coupling section 27 is accommodated in the coupling receptacle 25 .
• 5a and 5b show a further exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention. Identical reference numbers have been used for the same or similar components and reference is made to the above description of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b as well as 4a and 4b.
• the sensor device 10 comprises, in a known manner, a sensor 12, which is here a first sensor, a coupling assembly 14, with a coupling part 15 and a holding part 16, which is detachably coupled to the coupling part 15.
• the holding part 16 is designed as a screw 17 and has a holding section 36 and a clamping part 34 .
• the holding portion 36 is engaged with the front conductor 33 with the head portion of the screw 17 forming a tightening part 34 .
• the coupling assembly 14 also has a connecting part 35, which is a sleeve in the present case, for the detachable coupling of the coupling part 15 and the holding part 16.
• the sleeve 35 preferably comprises a first cylindrical section 35a, with which the sleeve 35 bears against an outer circumference of the front conductor 33, and a second cylindrical section 35b, with which the sleeve 35 bears against the head section 23 of the coupling part 15, which in the present case is designed as a connecting screw. Furthermore, the sleeve 35 comprises a transition area 35c that tapers from the second cylindrical area 35b to the first cylindrical area 35a. The sleeve 35 is preferably coupled in a non-positive manner to the front conductor 33 and the head section 23 of the connecting screw 15 .
• the sleeve 35 is designed to produce a structure-borne sound-conducting connection between the coupling assembly 14 and in particular the head section 23 and the holding part 16 and in particular the seismic mass 31 .
• the structure-borne sound-conducting connection to the seismic mass 31 is made indirectly through the front conductor 33 and the holding part 16.
• the sensor 12 is designed in a known manner as a piezoelectric sensor and preferably comprises a first piezo element 28.1 and a second piezo element 28.2.
• the sensor 12 further includes a pair of electrodes 32 for providing an electrical signal or current. The structure-borne noise is thus transmitted via the sleeve 35 and the holding part 16 to the first piezo element 28.1 and the second piezo element 28.2.
• the cavity 37 is formed between the head portion 23 and the front conductor 33 .
• the cavity 37 is delimited in the radial direction by the sleeve 35 and in the axial direction by the head section 23 and the front conductor 33.
• the cavity 37 thus ensures that the holding part 16 and in particular the front conductor 33 are insulated from the coupling part 15 or the housing 9 (see FIG. 1).
• the heat conduction is further reduced and the sensor 12 is protected from the high temperatures of the housing 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
• the sensor device 10 also includes a second sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly 14.
• the second sensor 39 is therefore designed as a temperature sensor.
• the temperature sensor 39 is accommodated in a sensor receptacle 40 which is preferably formed in the head section 23 of the coupling part 15 .
• the exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b differs from the exemplary embodiment previously shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b in that, in addition to the first sensor 12, a second sensor 39 is also provided.
• Identical reference numbers have been used for the same or similar components, and reference is made to the above description of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
• the first sensor 12 is designed in a known manner as a piezoelectric sensor and includes a first piezo element 28.1 and a second piezo element 28.2.
• the sensor 12 further includes a pair of electrodes 32 for providing an electrical signal or current.
• the second sensor 39 is a temperature sensor which is accommodated in a sensor receptacle 40 .
• the second sensor 39 is set up to indicate a blockage of the flow path 8 by detecting a temperature change.
• the sensor receptacle 40 is formed in the head section 23 of the coupling part 15 .
• the sensor receptacle can also be arranged in the holding part 16 .
• the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b differs from the exemplary embodiment shown above in FIGS. 6a and 6b or 3a and 3b in that the sensor device 10 has a second sensor 39 in addition to the first sensor 12, which is preferably designed as a temperature sensor.
• the sensor device 10 has a second sensor 39 in addition to the first sensor 12, which is preferably designed as a temperature sensor.
• the first sensor 12 which is preferably designed as a temperature sensor.
• the first sensor 12 is preferably, in a known manner, a piezoelectric sensor with a first piezo element 28.1 and a second piezo element 28.2.
• the sensor 12 also includes a pair of electrodes 32 for providing an electrical signal or a current, which changes as a function of the structure-borne noise in the housing 9 (cf. FIG. 1).
• the second sensor 39 is accommodated in a sensor mount 40 .
• the sensor receptacle 40 is formed in the holding part 16 .
• the second sensor 39 is designed to detect the temperature of the holding part 16 in order to detect a blockage in the condensate drain 2 .
• the holding part 16 is designed as a screw 17 with a head section, which forms a clamping part 34 and a holding section 36, with the sensor receptacle 40 extending from the clamping part 34 through the holding section 36 to the coupling section 27, which in a known manner engages with a corresponding coupling receptacle 25 of the coupling part 15.
• the second sensor 39 Due to the extension of the second sensor 39 into the coupling section 27, in addition to detecting the temperature of the holding part 16, it is also possible to quickly detect temperature differences between the coupling part 15 and the housing 9 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2).
• the second sensor 39 thus also indirectly detects temperature fluctuations in the coupling part 15 through the at least partially accommodating of the coupling section 27 in the head section 23.
• FIGS. 8a and 8b show a further exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention.
• the exemplary embodiment shown differs from the exemplary embodiment shown above in FIGS. 4a and 4b in that the control fitting is a pipe section 43 and the design of the coupling assembly 14. Identical reference numbers were used for identical or similar components and reference is made to the above description of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.
• the coupling assembly 14 is designed in two parts and includes a coupling part 15, which is designed as a connecting screw, and a holding part 41, which is designed as a pipe clamp.
• the coupling part 15 is releasably engaged with a receptacle, preferably a threaded bore 42 of the pipe clamp 41, so that a Structure-borne sound-conducting connection between the second holding part designed as a pipe clamp 41 and the coupling part designed as a connecting screw 15 is ensured.
• the sensor device 10 is set up in a known manner by means of the coupling assembly 14 to enter into a structure-borne sound-conducting connection with a control fitting and in particular a pipe section 43 .
• the sensor device 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown is set up for structure-borne noise-conducting connection with any pipeline of a pipeline system in order to monitor the operating state and to detect a leak.
• a corresponding design of the coupling assembly 14 can be combined with all of the embodiment variants shown in FIGS.
• the sensor device 10 comprises a coupling assembly 14 for coupling to the housing 9 (cf. FIG. 1). Furthermore, the sensor device 10 includes a first sensor 12 for detecting structure-borne noise and a second sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of the coupling assembly 14 and/or the housing 9 (cf. FIG. 1).
• the coupling assembly 14 is positively connected to the first sensor 12 and set up to enter into a detachable, positive connection with the housing 9 (see FIG. 1) in order to conduct the structure-borne noise of the housing 9 to the sensor 12 in the assembled state.
• the sensor 12 is a piezoelectric sensor, reference being made to the description of the preceding exemplary embodiments.
• the coupling assembly 14 comprises a coupling part 15 which can be brought into detachable engagement with the corresponding coupling interface 9a (cf. FIG. 1) of the housing 9 . Furthermore, the coupling assembly 14 includes a holding part 16 which is indirectly connected to the housing 9 and conducts structure-borne noise and which in the present case engages in a form-fitting manner with the first sensor 12 .
• the coupling part 15 is designed as a first screw 15 with a first shank portion 21 and a first head portion 23 .
• the holding part 16 is as a second Screw 17 having a second head portion 34 and a second shank portion 36 is formed.
• the second head section 34 forms a tensioning part for pretensioning the first sensor 12 and the second shaft section 36 forms a holding section which is designed to engage with an adapter 60 of the coupling assembly 14 .
• the adapter 60 includes a mounting interface 62 which is designed as a threaded hole 63 .
• the second shank section 36 designed as a holding section is set up to engage with the threaded bore 63 .
• the threaded bore 63 extends along a longitudinal axis LA and preferably runs coaxially to the coupling receptacle 25 of the coupling part 15.
• the holding part 16 has a first length L1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA.
• the adapter assembly interface 62 in particular the threaded bore 63, has at least 1/3 of the length L1 of the holding part 16.
• the threaded bore 63 of the adapter 60 is adapted to engage the retainer 16 along at least 1/3 of the length L1 of the retainer 16 . A sufficient transmission of force between the holding part 16 and the adapter 60 is thus ensured.
• the adapter 60 has a contact surface 60a which extends in a radial direction R.
• the front conductor 33 of the first sensor 12 is designed as a sleeve 38 with a first diameter D1, which borders on the first piezo element 28.1, and a second diameter D2, which borders on the contact surface 60a.
• the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 each relate to the outer diameter of the sleeve 38.
• the diameter D2 is larger than the diameter of the threaded bore 63, so that the front conductor 33 rests on the contact surface 60a, with the holding part 16 designed as a second screw 17 having the holding section 36 in threaded engagement with the threaded bore 63.
• the first and the second piezo element 28.1, 28.2 are firmly clamped between the screw head 34 and the front conductor 33.
• the adapter 60 also has a coupling section 64 which is designed to engage with the coupling receptacle 25 of the coupling part 15 .
• the coupling section 64 is preferably designed to come into engagement with the coupling receptacle 25 by means of a screwing movement, with the coupling section 64 being plastically deformed.
• the adapter 60 has a tool attachment 65 which is designed to engage with a corresponding tool in such a way that the adapter 60 engages the coupling section 64 with the coupling receptacle 25 by rotating about the longitudinal axis LA.
• the adapter 60 has a receiving space 66 which is formed by the contact surface 60a extending in the radial direction R and a wall 67 surrounding it in the radial direction R.
• This receiving space 66 is preferably set up to receive the second sensor 39 at least in sections.
• a housing interface 68 which is configured to engage with a corresponding mounting interface 18A of the sensor housing 18 .
• An upper section of the second sensor 39 extends into the receiving space 66 and is thus surrounded by the sensor housing 18 .
• the second sensor 39 is protected and can be connected to a transmitter 45 within the sensor housing 18 .
• FIGS. 9a and 9b show a further embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention. Reference is made to the description of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, with the same or similar components having identical reference symbols. To avoid repetition, only the differences between the two embodiments will be discussed.
• the adapter 60 extends along the longitudinal axis LA with an adapter length L2.
• the adapter 60 has a sensor receptacle 69, which preferably extends along at least 3/4 of the adapter length L2.
• the sensor receptacle 69 thus extends to an area adjoining the head section 23 of the coupling part 15 .
• the sensor mount 69 is set up to accommodate a second sensor 39, which in the present case is designed as a temperature sensor.
• the sensor device 10 also has a transmitter 45 in the present case, which is set up to transmit a sensor signal from the first sensor 12 and/or the second sensor 39 to an evaluation unit 50 assigned to the steam trap 2 (cf. Fig. 11) by means of a signal connection 47 (cf. Fig. 11).
• 11 shows a control fitting 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a condensate drain 2 .
• the condensate drain 2 comprises, in a known manner, an inlet flange 3 , an outlet flange 5 , a condensate deflection with a protective screen 7 and a flow path 8 for fluid which is formed between the inlet flange 3 and the outlet flange 5 and which extends in a housing 9 .
• closure element 11 which is not shown in detail and which is set up to selectively block or open the flow path 8 .
• the sensor device 10 comprises a sensor 12 and a coupling assembly 14 for connecting the sensor device 10 to the housing 9 and in particular to a coupling interface 9a of the housing 9.
• the coupling assembly 14 is positively and/or non-positively connected to the sensor 12 and is set up to enter into a detachable, positively and/or non-positively connected connection with the housing 9 or the coupling interface 9a in order to enter into the body in the assembled state sound of the housing 9 to the sensor 12 to conduct.
• a sensor device 10 is connected to the housing 9 in a structure-borne sound-conducting manner (see FIGS. 2a to 10b).
• the sensor device 10 comprises a sensor housing 18.
• a transmitter 45 is formed on the sensor housing 18 and is connected to the first sensor 12 and preferably to an existing second sensor 39 in a signal-conducting manner.
• the second sensor 39 can be designed to detect a temperature and be thermally conductively connected to the housing 9 in the manner described above.
• a transmitter 45 for signal transmission instead of a transmitter 45 for signal transmission, a cable-carrying connection can also be provided (not shown).
• a plug or a socket for a transmitter or an evaluation unit can also be formed on the sensor housing 18 (not shown).
• the transmitter 45 is set up to transmit sensor signals to an evaluation unit 50 by means of a presently wireless signal connection 47 .
• the evaluation unit 50 is assigned to the respective control fitting 1 .
• An energy store 49 is provided to supply energy to the transmitter 45 and preferably to one or both of the sensors 12, 39. Instead of an energy store 49, for self-sufficient operation According to the invention, sensor device 10 can also be provided with an electrical line to a supplier.
• the evaluation unit 50 can be an evaluation unit for controlling a system to which the control fitting 1 is assigned.
• the evaluation unit 50 can be an evaluation unit of the respective control fitting 1 . This can preferably be arranged at a distance from the control fitting 1, or be assigned to the housing 9 of the control fitting 1.
• alarm means can also be provided on housing 9, which are set up to provide an alarm signal, which is optical and/or acoustic, depending on the sensor signals evaluated by evaluation unit 50 and the detection of a blockage and/or leakage.
• a blockage and/or leakage in the flow path 8 can be detected, in particular during operation, by a method for detecting a blockage, which comprises the steps:
• step S2 at least one sensor signal by the first sensor 12,
• step S3 Sending 130 in step S3 the sensor signal to an evaluation unit 50 by means of a transmitter 45, and
• step S4 of the sensor signal of the first sensor 12 by means of the evaluation unit 50 In step S4 of the sensor signal of the first sensor 12 by means of the evaluation unit 50.
• step S2 a sensor signal of the second sensor 39, which is a temperature signal, is also provided and that this sensor signal is evaluated in step S4 together with the sensor signal of the first sensor 12 in order to monitor the operating state and in particular to detect a blockage and/or leakage.
• thermal insulator made of a solid insulating material

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
• Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
• Indication Of The Valve Opening Or Closing Status (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Related Child Applications (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=85076459

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (12)

Family Cites Families (25)

• 2022
  • 2022-01-24 DE DE102022101585.8A patent/DE102022101585A1/de active Pending
• 2023
  • 2023-01-24 JP JP2024565249A patent/JP2025505048A/ja active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 US US18/832,043 patent/US20250180164A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 MX MX2024009066A patent/MX2024009066A/es unknown
  • 2023-01-24 CA CA3248142A patent/CA3248142A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 WO PCT/EP2023/051651 patent/WO2023139279A2/de not_active Ceased
  • 2023-01-24 EP EP23701935.1A patent/EP4469713A2/de active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 KR KR1020247028039A patent/KR20240135003A/ko active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 EP EP25153181.0A patent/EP4517151A3/de active Pending
  • 2023-01-24 IL IL314408A patent/IL314408A/he unknown
  • 2023-01-24 AU AU2023209591A patent/AU2023209591B2/en active Active
  • 2023-01-24 CN CN202380018581.9A patent/CN118891467A/zh active Pending
• 2024
  • 2024-07-22 CL CL2024002206A patent/CL2024002206A1/es unknown

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events