FR3114630A3 - Support for a device for measuring the level of products in a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Support for a product level measuring device in a container Support (1) for a product level measuring device (2) in a container which comprises a tubular base (6); a groove (5), placed inside the tubular base (6); and a housing (4), coupled to an upper end (51) of the throat (5) for housing the level meter so that it can direct a level detection beam through the throat (5) . Means for the mutual coupling (9) of the tubular base (6) and the groove (5) comprise on the outside of the groove a prominence (53) in the form of a body of revolution which rotatably fits with adjustment in the area of an upper mouth (61) of the tubular base (6), of cross-section corresponding to that of the prominence (53), the prominence (53) having two opposite cavities (54), in which are received the distal ends of respective pins (91) which pass through the tubular base (6) and which jointly serve as rotation support or axis (Z) of rotation of the groove (5). Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Holder for a device for measuring the level of products in a container

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a support for a device for measuring the level of products in a container, particularly suitable for measuring levels in silos. The invention also relates to equipment which combines such a support with a level measuring device.

State of the art of the invention

In the field of the storage of cereals or bulk materials in silos for applications in agriculture or livestock, the use of probes capable of generating acoustic (ultrasound), light (laser) or radiofrequency signals is known. (radar), directed from a high location towards the free surface of the product contained inside the silo to know the level of product accumulated inside the silo.

Depending on the nature of the content to be stored in the silo, the choice of one or the other measurement technology may be of interest. In dusty environments, for example, the ultrasonic level gauge cannot have a good measurement result, while the radar level gauge can work well in high frequency in dusty environments. For this reason, it is sometimes interesting to use radar sensors in the measurement of silos for applications in agriculture or animal husbandry.

It is also desirable to protect the rearing facility from this dusty environment existing inside the silo.

It turns out that even when radar gauges provide very accurate level measurements, improper installation of the meter can lead to incorrect measurements. To ensure correct measurements, the measuring beam must be properly aimed at a correct target inside the silo.

The measuring devices are usually placed on the top cover of the silo, in particular outside the cover and in coincidence with an access hole inside the silo through which the measuring beam can be directed to a target optimum in the silo.

It happens that the lids in the silos have a certain inclination, being generally configured in a frustoconical shape if the silos are cylindrical or pyramidal if the silos are of rectangular section. The silos can also have different capacities, the height of the silos being a determining factor in varying their storage capacity since it is preferable to accumulate the product vertically to save space in the installation. The different inclinations that the lids may present and the different height of the silos favor the incorrect installation of the measuring devices, in the sense that these are fixed on the lid in such a way as to direct the measuring beam towards an inappropriate target, for example offset from the bottom of the silo and towards one of the side walls of the silo.

It is for this reason that supports are known for level measuring devices with rotatable capacity, namely that they make it possible to fix the measuring device to the lid of a silo but with the rotatable capacity with respect to to said cover to be able to orient the measurement beam correctly.

The same dusty environment that could affect the accuracy of measurements inside the silo cannot contaminate livestock facilities.

The inventors have realized that mechanical solutions which provide rotation capability to supports such as those described above are highly exposed to the dusty environment of the interior of the silo and also do not prevent dust from exiting the outside. In certain cases of simple articulated connection, the supports are provided with a kind of skirt which, like an umbrella, covers the articulated connection and which hinders the arrival of water inside the silo, but this solution is not prepared to protect the hinged links from the dusty environment inside the silo, which causes long-term malfunction of these links, and, more importantly, does not prevent the dust outlet outside the silo. This skirt also produces mechanical interference which limits the amplitude of rotation between the articulated parts. In other cases, ball and socket couplings are used which allow movable links with more degrees of freedom than a simple swivel joint, but it is necessary to pack a snap ball joint between at least two ball joint supports if the 'we want to guarantee mobility without spaces. These linkages are more complex in assembly and components, more expensive than simple articulated linkages, and the pressure required to encapsulate the ball joint ultimately makes them difficult to maneuver.

An object of the present invention is an improved support for a device for measuring the level of products in a container particularly suitable when the environment inside the container is dusty.

Explanation of the invention

The support which is proposed is a support for a device for measuring the level of products in a container, in particular suitable for measuring levels in silos which contain a dusty environment.

The support has a tubular base with a connecting flange for fixing the base to the outside of a silo cover in coincidence with a silo access opening; a groove, placed inside the tubular base, with an upper end and a lower end, at least the upper end protruding from the tubular base; and a housing, coupled to the upper end of the throat to house the level meter so that it can direct a level detection beam through the throat and into the silo.

The tubular base and the throat have means for their mutual coupling, which allow the assembly of throat and housing to change its orientation with respect to the tubular base and to be able to point the detection beam at an optimal target in the silo .

The means for mutual coupling of the tubular base and the groove comprise on the outside of the groove a prominence in the form of a body of revolution which rotatably fits with adjustment in the area of an upper mouth of the tubular base , of cross-section corresponding to that of the prominence, the prominence having two opposite cavities, in which are received the distal ends of respective pins which pass through the tubular base and which jointly serve as rotation support or axis (Z) throat rotation.

The shape of the body of revolution around an axis coinciding with the axis (Z) of rotation of the assembly allows the prominence to act like a plug, making it difficult to connect between the interior of the silo, through the groove, and the outside, and vice versa, whatever the relative position between such a groove and the base. Namely, whatever the angular position of the groove with respect to the base, the possible space existing between them does not vary, being able to be reduced to a minimum for all the possible positions of the groove.

Preferably, the respective coupling nuts are placed in the cavities, prevented from rotating; the pins being formed by threaded rods or coupling screws whose distal ends are coupled by thread turn to such coupling nuts. Accordingly, the same elements that provide rotational support can be used to fix the relative position between the groove and the support at the desired angle.

In an interesting embodiment, the groove is one-piece and the prominence is cut symmetrically by two parallel planes, normal to the axis (Z) of rotation, determining two flat areas the upper mouth of the tubular base having flat surfaces d respective support, in correspondence with the flat areas of the prominence, the cavities being formed in such flat areas of the prominence.

Particularly advantageously, in a variant of the invention the prominence is a lightened formation, with cavities open to the outside which determine a series of vertical ribs, namely normal to the axis (Z) of rotation, and a series of horizontal ribs, namely parallel to the axis (Z) of rotation, creating, together with the upper mouth of the tubular base, respective barriers for the passage to the exterior of volatile elements from the interior of the exterior silo. These cavities also cause dust or volatile elements from the interior environment of the silo which reach the prominence to settle inside rather than between the moving parts, for example, between the facing surfaces of the upper mouth. of the base and the prominence of the throat, which helps to protect the correct rotational movement of the throat relative to the base. The lightweight formation also reduces material costs and satisfactorily contains the weight of the support.

The prominence can be, for example, essentially cylindrical or spheroid.

In an interesting variant, the prominence is spheroid; the cavities being diametrically opposed and the axis (Z) of rotation a diametral axis.

According to another characteristic of an embodiment, the tubular base is configured so that the amplitude of the rotation (β) of the groove can be greater than 15° without mechanical interference between the groove and the tubular base occurring. produce; preferably being greater than 25°; being more preferably greater than 50°.

According to another characteristic of one embodiment, the support is provided with a removable outer sleeve, in the manner of a sheath, curved at its lower end around the tubular base and at its upper end around the groove, thus covering the coupling between such a groove and the tubular base, increasing even more if possible the insulation between the inside of the silo and the outside. This situation makes it possible to completely isolate the interior of the silo from the exterior from the water.

According to another characteristic of an embodiment, the housing comprises a bottom part, with a plug-in coupling spout with the upper end of the groove; and an enveloping body, detachably coupleable with adjustment to the bottom portion; one of the bottom part or of the enveloping body comprising an access cover adapted for the introduction of at least one battery or electric cell.

Preferably, an upper roof or cover portion of the enclosing body has a thickness less than that of the rest of the enclosing body so as, for practical purposes, not to interfere with the passage of radio frequency signals therethrough allowing good wireless communication between the measuring device housed in the casing and a control station of the installation equipped with the silo.

The , is an exploded view of a support according to the invention.

The to 4, show support for the with its assembled components:

-On the , in a front view, the support having no sleeve;

-On the , according to section plan AA of the ; and

-On the , in a perspective view.

The is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by label B on the .

The shows a form of construction provided for the housing of the support, illustrated in combination with a measuring device of the radar type, with associated electronics capable of enabling wireless communication with a command station.

Detailed description of an embodiment

Bracket 1 of the which illustrates the invention essentially comprises a base 6, tubular, prepared to be fixed on the outside of a lid of a silo; a groove 5; and a box 4, intended to house the measuring device and its control electronics. On the , these main components and other complementary elements of the support 1 have been represented in a correlative interlocking position.

The following explanation will refer to the in support of , 3 and 4, which illustrate the same support 1 with all the main components and their complementary elements assembled and/or adjusted, leaving the support 1 in the operational assembly position.

In the operational assembly position, the groove 5 is introduced into the base 6, tubular, and the two unite with the ability to rotate with respect to each other, as will be explained in more detail below. The base 6 has a short spout with an upper mouth 61, with dimensions in line with the part of the throat 5 which fits into said upper mouth 61, and a lower mouth 62 (see ) oblong, which offers a much larger passage section than the area of the groove 5 which passes through it. The aforementioned spout of the base 6 thus has a passage section which increases in the downward direction, namely it widens towards its lower mouth 62, which will allow the amplitude of the rotation (β) (see ) of the groove 5 to be able to be larger than in the known supports without mechanical interference occurring between the groove 5 and the lower mouth 62 of the tubular base 6. In the support 1 which illustrates the invention, the amplitude of rotation (β) is 56°.

The base 6 has a connecting flange 63 for fixing it to a fixed part of a container, such as an upper cover of a silo, which in a conventional way can cooperate with a gasket 63a for better sealing and better safety. of fixing. The connecting flange 63 can be fixed to the fixed part of the silo by means of screws or equivalent elements.

The means for the mutual coupling 9 between the base 6 and the groove 5 are of particular interest.

These means comprise on the outside of the groove 5 a prominence 53 which in the example has the shape of a spheroid body which fits in rotation, with adjustment, in the upper mouth 61 of the tubular base 6, of cross section corresponding to that of the spheroid formation that the prominence 53 of the groove 5 has.

This prominence 53 has two cavities 54 which are diametrically opposed in which are received the distal ends of the respective pins 91 which pass through the tubular base 6 and which together serve as rotation support or axis (Z) of rotation of the groove 5 Note that the space or play between the moving parts will not vary depending on the position of the groove 5 with respect to the base 6.

In the case of the example, the cavities 54 are of polygonal section and the respective coupling nuts 93 are received therein, prevented from rotating and the pins 91 are formed by coupling screws 92 whose distal ends are coupled per thread turn in such coupling nuts 93. The means for the mutual coupling 9 between the base 6 and the groove 5 can be completed (see ) with knurled washers 94, to ensure the fixing between the moving parts, and conventional washers 95 matched to the screws 92 to increase the clamping surface of the head of the coupling screws 92. By tightening screws 92, the relative position between groove 5 and base 6 can be fixed.

This fixing is reversible, being able to be corrected or modified by loosening, adjusting and re-tightening the screws 92 in a simple way at the same time as it secures.

In the support 1 of the example, the groove 5 is in one piece and the prominence 53 is cut symmetrically by two parallel planes, normal to the axis (Z) of rotation of the groove 5 with respect to the tubular base 6, namely for the case a diametral axis of the spheroid body, determining two flat areas 53a. On the other hand, the upper mouth 61 of the tubular base 6 has respective flat bearing surfaces 61a, in correspondence with the flat zones 53a of the prominence 53, the cavities 54 being formed in such flat zones 53a of the prominence 53.

In bracket 1 of the example, prominence 53 is also a lightweight formation, which saves weight and material costs without affecting the sealing of the rotating connection. To this end, there is a series of cavities open to the outside but arranged in a non-capricious, but fully functional way.

It is observed in particular that these cavities open to the outside are configured in such a way that they determine a series of vertical ribs 53c, namely normal to the axis (Z) of rotation, and a series of horizontal ribs 53b, to namely parallel to the axis (Z) of rotation, creating, together with the upper mouth 61 of the tubular base 6, respective barriers for the passage to the outside of volatile elements from inside the silo. The cavities also ensure that dust or volatile elements from the interior environment of the silo which reach the prominence 53 are deposited inside rather than between the moving parts, for example, between the surfaces facing the mouth. upper part of the base and the prominence of the throat, thus reducing its friction. As indicated above, the lightweight formation also reduces material costs and satisfactorily contains the weight of the support.

In the example, the groove 5 is sized to protect the emitting source of the measuring device, which will be housed in the casing 4, from particles in suspension or other elements contained in the atmosphere inside the silo. and to guide a measuring beam. In the assembly position, the two upper 51 and lower 52 ends of the groove 5 protrude from the base 6 and the length of the groove 5 is such that the lower end 52 mentioned will manage to be placed in the silo.

The support 1 which illustrates the invention is provided with a removable outer sleeve 3, in the form of a bellows, curved at its lower end 32 around the tubular base 6 and at its upper end 31 around the groove 5, thus covering the rotary connection between such a groove and the tubular base. The sleeve 3 is an additional barrier that helps to isolate the inside of the silo from the outside while also preventing the entry of external elements inside the silo. In practice, the sleeve protects the inside of the silo from the water inlet and the environment of the installation from dust from inside the silo.

The sleeve 3 will preferably be made of a material, in addition to being flexible, with a certain elasticity and will remain bent by elastic return around the base 6 and the groove 5. It is expected that this base 6, in the vicinity of its upper mouth 61, has a peripheral lip or rim 61b to which the sleeve 3 can be anchored at its lower end 32, which may for this purpose be provided with a peripheral recess or rim or a combination thereof. this.

Similar measures can be implemented at the upper end 31 of the sleeve 3 and in the area of the groove 5 around which the sleeve 3 is bent.

In the support 1 of the example, the sleeve 3 is provided with respective orifices 33 for the passage of the coupling screws 92, which contribute to maintaining the sleeve 3 in its operational position.

The housing 4 of the support 1 is sized to house at least one measuring device 2 and its control electronics 22, as well as a conventional current source also, in the form of a battery 21 or a set of batteries, as shown in .

The housing 4 and the groove 5 can be detachably coupled. This makes it possible, for example, to remove the casing 4 from the support 1 in order to replace, inspect or carry out maintenance operations on the measuring device 2 or any other component housed in the casing 4 in a convenient manner, without these are linked in any way to throat 5. In addition, this allows an operator to be able to look through throat 5 from outside the silo to verify that it is pointing at the desired target in the silo, as if it were a peephole, before coupling case 4 to groove 5.

The shows a detail of a coupling solution between the upper end 51 of the groove 5 and the housing 4, the parts of which are best observed on the .

In this coupling solution, the upper end 51 of the groove 5 can incorporate an annular seal in rubber or the like and a series of recesses or ledges 51a regularly distributed over its outer perimeter designed to cooperate with elastic clips 41a provided for this purpose. in a coupling spout 42 of the case 4, expressly formed in a bottom part 41 of said case 4. To actuate the clips, it will be necessary to first insert the groove 5 into the coupling spout 42 to then proceed to the application of a rotation of one relative to the other around the longitudinal axis of the groove 5 and of the coupling spout 42.

The bottom part 41 of the casing 4 is prepared for its coupling, preferably with the interposition of a gasket, to an enveloping body 43 to determine together the casing of the measuring device 2 and its components or auxiliary elements, such as the aforementioned control electronics 22, schematically illustrated in the , as well as other accessories such as the possible battery 21 or set of batteries. To this end, in the example, the bottom part 41 has an access cover 44 to a compartment of the battery 21, battery or set of electric batteries. Just as between the bottom part 41 and the enveloping body 43, it is envisaged to provide a seal to guarantee the correct sealing of the access cover 44 when the latter adopts its closed position. The mentioned compartment of the battery 21, cell or set of electric cells can be determined by a dividing wall from the enveloping body 43, formed from a single part.

To avoid unnecessary condensation of water vapor inside the housing 4, provision is made to equip the latter with a valve element, of the snap-on vent type, which offers protection against dust, dirt, water, oils and liquids that allow pressure compensation. Suitable valve elements are available on the market, such as the MIV-15 series from the supplier Milvent®.

The support 1 is compatible with measuring devices 2 of different nature such as, by way of non-limiting example, of the laser or radar type, including those which use the technology of optical time-of-flight sensors (ToF, for their acronyms Time of Flight, in English).

In any case, provision is made for the upper part of the roof 43a or cover of the enveloping body 43 to be of a thickness substantially less than that of the rest of the enveloping body 43 so as, for practical purposes, not to interfere with the passage of radio frequency signals through it to enable improved wireless communication between the measuring device 2 and a control station of the installation which is equipped with the silo.

Claims (13)

Support (1) for a device (2) for measuring the level of products in a container, in particular suitable for measuring levels in silos which contain a dusty environment, which comprises:
- a tubular base (6) with a connecting flange (63) for fixing the base to the outside of a lid of the silo in line with an access opening to the silo,
- a groove (5), placed inside the tubular base (6), with an upper end (51) and a lower end (52), at least the upper end (51) protruding from the base (6 ) tubular, and
- a housing (4), coupled to the upper end (51) of the groove (5) to house the level measuring device so that it can direct a level detection beam through the groove (5 ) and towards the inside of the silo,
the tubular base (6) and the groove (5) being provided with means for their mutual coupling (9) which allow the groove and housing assembly to change its orientation with respect to the tubular base and to be able to point the beam of detection on an optimal target in the silo,
the support (1) being characterized in that the means for the mutual coupling (9) of the tubular base (6) and the groove (5) comprise outside the groove a prominence (53) in the form of a body of revolution which fits in a rotatable manner with adjustment in the area of an upper mouth (61) of the tubular base (6), of cross-section matching that of the prominence (53); and in that the prominence (53) has two opposite cavities (54), in which are received the distal ends of respective pins (91) which pass through the tubular base (6) and which together serve as rotational support or axis (Z) of rotation of the groove (5). Support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective coupling nuts (93) are placed in the cavities (54), prevented from rotating; the pins (91) being formed by threaded rods or coupling screws (92) the distal ends of which are threadably coupled to such coupling nuts (93). Support (1) according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the groove (5) is in one piece and the prominence (53) is cut symmetrically by two parallel planes, normal to the axis (Z) of rotation, determining two zones plates (53a) the upper mouth (61) of the tubular base (6) having respective flat surfaces (61a) of support, in correspondence with the flat zones of the prominence, the cavities (54) being formed in such flat areas (53a) of the prominence (53). Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the prominence (53) is a lightened formation, with cavities open to the outside which determine a series of vertical ribs (53c), namely normal to the axis (Z) of rotation, and a series of horizontal ribs (53b), namely parallel to the axis (Z) of rotation, creating, together with the upper mouth (61) of the tubular base (6) , respective barriers for the passage to the outside of volatile elements from inside the silo. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the prominence (53) is essentially cylindrical or spheroid. Support (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the prominence (53) is spheroid; the cavities (54) being diametrically opposed and the axis (Z) of rotation a diametral axis. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular base (6) is configured so that the amplitude of the rotation (β) of the groove (5) can be greater than 15° without mechanical interference between the groove (5) and the tubular base (6) occurs. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tubular base (6) is configured so that the amplitude of the rotation (β) of the groove (5) is greater than 25°. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tubular base (6) is configured so that the amplitude of the rotation (β) of the groove (5) is greater than 50°. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable outer sleeve (3), in the manner of a sheath, mounted at a lower end (32) around the tubular base (6) and at an upper end (31) around the groove (5), thus covering the coupling between such groove and the tubular base. Support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (4) comprises a bottom part (41), with a coupling spout (42) which can be plugged into the upper end (51) of the throat (5); and an enveloping body (43), which can be removably coupled with adjustment to the bottom part (41); one of the bottom part (41) or of the enveloping body (43) comprising an access cover (44) adapted for the introduction of at least one battery (21) or electric cell. Support (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an upper roof part (43a) or cover is distinguished in the enveloping body (43), the thickness of the said roof part or cover being less than that of the rest of the enveloping body (43) so as, for practical purposes, not to interfere with the passage of radio frequency signals therethrough. Product level measurement equipment in a container, which combines a support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a level measuring device (2) housed in the casing (4) of the support and so as to emit a detection beam through the throat (5).