System for manufacturing a modularly structured apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, and standardized components

• US 20040183550A1
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG (Grieshaber Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH)
• Original Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG (Grieshaber Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH)
• Inventors: Fehrenbach, Josef, Griessbaum, Karl, Motzer, Jurgen
• Application Number:
  US10/639,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183550A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/662
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/54 using means specified in two or more of groups G01D5/02, G01D5/12, G01D5/26, G01D5/42, and G01D5/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/296 Acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2967 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/80 Arrangements for signal processing

Abstract

A system for providing different versions of a modularly structured apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, wherein at least two devices to be generated from the system are based on different measuring principles, including a number sensor units (41-48), each sensor unit being designed for detecting a determined physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity into an electrical measuring signal, wherein at least two of the sensor units are distinguished from each other by their underlying measuring principles; at least one evaluation unit (10), adapted to connect to the sensor units, for evaluating and generating a process quantity signal representing the physical process quantity from the measuring signal of a sensor unit; at least one output unit (13) for outputting the process quantity signal; at least one voltage supply unit (16); and at least one housing unit (22-24) configured to accommodate at least the evaluation unit.

Claims

1. A system for manufacturing different versions of a modularly structured apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, wherein at least two devices to be generated from the system are based on different measuring principles, comprising:

a number of sensor units, one sensor unit each being configured for detecting a certain physical measurement quantity and for converting said measurement quantity into an electrical measurement signal, and wherein at least two of said number of sensor units are distinguished from one another by the measuring principle they are based upon;

at least one evaluation unit for evaluating and generating a process quantity signal representing the physical process quantity from the measuring signal of a sensor unit, the evaluation unit being configured and standardized to be connected to one or more of said sensor units;

at least one output unit for outputting the process quantity signal, the output unit being configured and standardized to be connected to one or more of said evaluation units;

at least one voltage supply unit for supplying voltage to the apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, the voltage supply unit being configured and standardized to supply voltage to one or more versions of a modular apparatus;

at least one housing unit configured and standardized to accommodate one or more units from the group of units comprising at least said evaluation unit, said output unit and said voltage supply unit; and

a number of attachment units for attaching the apparatus for determining a physical process quantity at a vessel or wall portion, the attachment units being different depending on conditions on each vessel or wall portion; and

wherein at least one unit from the group of units comprising said evaluation unit, said output unit, said voltage supply unit, said housing unit and said attachment unit is configured and standardized in such a way that it is usable in apparatuses for determining a physical process quantity having different sensor units distinguished by the measuring principle they are based upon.

2. The system according to claim 1,

wherein said system at least further includes one sensor electronics unit for electronically processing the electrical measuring signal of a sensor element to a digital measuring signal, wherein at least one of said sensor electronics units may be configured and standardized in such a way that it may be connected to two differing sensor elements.

3. The system according to claim 2,

wherein said sensor electronics unit and said evaluation unit are integrated in one module.

4. The system according to claim 2,

wherein said sensor electronics unit and said evaluation unit are accommodated on one or more printed circuit boards.

5. The system according to claim 2,

wherein said at least one housing unit is configured and standardized to accommodate at least a plurality of units from the group of units comprising said at least one sensor electronics unit, said evaluation unit, said output unit and said voltage supply unit.

6. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the number of differing sensor units for determining a certain physical measuring quantity comprises at least two differing sensor units each based upon one of the following measuring principles:

delay measurement of freely radiated or guided waves reflected on a filling matter, such as electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves, measurement of a capacitance of a filling matter, measurement of a pressure or of a differential pressure, limit level measurement by means of vibration or in a conductive way, temperature measurement.

7. The system according to claim 1,

wherein a plurality of housing units are present, each individually designed for a specific purpose, but configured and standardized for coupling with a plurality of or all sensor units of the system.

8. The system according to claim 7,

wherein the housing units are distinguished by the material used.

9. The system according to claim 7,

wherein the housing units are distinguished by the connection configurations for remote transmission links.

10. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the individual sensor units of said number of sensor units are individually designed for a specific unique purpose, configured and standardized, however, for coupling with a plurality of or all housing units of the system.

11. The system according to claim 1,

wherein said sensor unit may be selected from the group comprising a plurality of the following components:

a) a horn, rod or patch antenna and associated electronics for transmitting and receiving microwaves,

b) a sound transducer and associated electronics for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves,

c) a cable or rod probe and associated electronics for guiding microwaves,

d) a tuning fork and associated electronics,

e) a capacitive measuring probe and associated electronics,

f) a temperature sensor and associated electronics,

g) a pressure measuring cell and associated electronics,

h) a differential pressure measuring cell and associated electronics for transmitting.

12. The system according to claim 1,

wherein said output unit is configured for digital communication with a bus system.

13. The system according to claim 1,

wherein said output unit is configured for outputting the process quantity using two-wire technology.

14. The system according to claim 1,

wherein said output unit is configured for signalling the process quantity using a relay.

15. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the system comprises a plurality of voltage supply units, individually designed using two-wire technology, four-wire technology or for coupling with a bus system, the different voltage supply units having standardized dimensions in one of the versions of modular apparatuses.

16. The system according to claim 1,

wherein one of the voltage supply units is designed such that units connected in series with it may be supplied with a voltage of 3V or 5V.

17. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the system further comprises a display and operating module able to be detachably mounted on at least a plurality of different housing units and is suitably configured and standardized for this purpose.

18. The system according to claim 17,

wherein said display and operating module comprises an attachment means and an electrical connection means, said attachment means being able to be coupled with a standardized receiving means at said housing units, and said electrical connection means being able to be paired with a corresponding electrical connection means on said housing units.

19. The system according to claim 17,

wherein said display and operating module may be detachably mounted in different positions or orientations on said housing units.

20. The system according to claim 1,

wherein one or more software modules for operating one of said units from the group of units comprising at least said sensor electronics unit, said evaluation unit, said output unit and said voltage supply unit is standardized for use in at least two different versions of said modularly structured apparatuses for determining a physical process quantity.

21. An apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, comprising:

a sensor unit having a sensor element for detecting a physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity into an electrical measuring signal,

an evaluation unit for evaluating and generating a process quantity signal representing a physical process quantity from the electrical measuring signal of said sensor unit,

an output unit for outputting said process quantity signal,

a voltage supply unit for supplying voltage to said apparatus for determining said physical process quantity,

a housing unit configured for accommodating at least a plurality of units from the group of units comprising said evaluation unit, said output unit and said voltage supply unit, and

an attachment unit for mounting said apparatus for determining said physical process quantity to a vessel or wall portion,

wherein at least one unit from the group of units comprising said evaluation unit, said output unit, said voltage supply unit, said housing unit and said attachment unit is configured and standardized in such a way that it is usable in apparatuses for determining a physical process quantity having different sensor units that differ in the measuring principle they are based upon.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein a sensor electronics unit for electronically processing said electronic measuring signal of said sensor element into a digital measuring signal is connected between the sensor unit and the evaluation unit.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein the standardization of the units comprises the mechanical connections of the units among each other.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein the standardization of the units comprises the electrical interconnections of the units among each other.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein said voltage supply unit can be selected from a group of standardized voltage supply units, the group of standardized voltage supply units comprising at least one voltage supply unit for connection using two-wire technology, a voltage supply unit for connection using four-wire technology and a voltage supply unit for connection to a bus system, and said different voltage supply units having standardized dimensions for connection in one of the versions of said modular apparatuses.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein said housing unit comprises a receiving portion having electrical and mechanical connections in which a display and operating module may be detachably mounted.

27. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein said evaluation unit is configured and standardized in such a way that it is operable with sensor units working on the basis of different measuring principles.

28. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein said output unit is configured and standardized in such a way that it is operable with sensor units working on the basis of different measuring principles.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein the output unit includes at least one IIC bus interface, to which a display and operating unit or a computer is connectable.

30. The apparatus according to claim 21,

wherein the sensor units are based on different measuring principles from the group of measuring principles consisting of delay measurement of freely radiated or guided waves reflected on a filling matter, such as electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves, capacitance measurement of a filling matter, measurement of a pressure, measurement of a differential pressure, limit level measurement by means of vibration, limit level measurement in a conductive way, limit level measurement by means of vibration or in a conductive way, and temperature measurement.

31. A housing unit of an apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, the housing unit being configured and standardized in such a way that it may be coupled to either of a first sensor unit or a second sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a first measuring principle, and the second sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a second measuring principle distinguished from the first measuring principle.

32. The housing unit according to claim 31,

wherein said housing unit accommodates at least a plurality of units from the group of units comprising at least an evaluation unit, an output unit and a voltage supply unit.

33. The housing unit according to claim 31,

wherein said housing unit includes a receiving means for detachably mounting a display and operating module.

34. The housing unit according to claim 33,

wherein said receiving means is configured in such a way that said display and operating module can be detachably mounted in different positions on the housing unit.

35. An evaluation unit for an apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, the evaluation unit being configured and standardized in such a way that it may be coupled to either of a first sensor unit or a second sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a first measuring principle, and the second sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a second measuring principle.

36. An output unit for an apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, the output unit being configured and standardized in such a way that it may be coupled to either of a first sensor unit or a second sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a first measuring principle, and the second sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a second measuring principle.

37. A voltage supply unit for an apparatus for determining a physical process quantity, the voltage supply unit being configured and standardized in such a way that it may be coupled to either of a first sensor unit or a second sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a first measuring principle, and the second sensor unit for detecting a certain physical measuring quantity and for converting said measuring quantity to an electrical measuring signal is based on a second measuring principle.