Measuring device

• US 20090038409A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Ruchel, Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 7,845,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/861.120
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/58 by electromagnetic flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material

Abstract

A measuring device, embodied, for example, as an in-line measuring device and/or flow measuring device, serves for registering at least one measured variable of a medium, for example a medium flowing in a pipeline, and is made, at least in part, of a solid, biologically degradable, synthetic material (BDM).

Claims

1. A measuring device, especially an in-line measuring device and/or a flow measuring device, for registering at least one measured variable of a medium, especially a medium flowing in a pipeline, wherein the measuring device, especially one of its components contacted by the measured medium during operation of the measuring device, comprises:

a solid, biologically, especially photochemically and/or bacteriologically and/or hydrolytically, degradable, synthetic material (BDM).

2. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a measuring transducer connected with the pipeline, especially a measuring transducer joined into its course, for conveying measured medium and for producing at least one measurement signal corresponding with the registered, measured variable, especially to changes thereof.

3. The measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said measuring transducer, especially at least one of its components contacted by the measured medium during operation of the measuring device, is comprised, at least in part, of said synthetic material (BDM).

4. A measuring device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said measuring transducer comprises at least one measuring tube, through which measured medium flows during operation of the in-line measuring device; and

said measuring tube, especially its inner wall facing its lumen, is comprised, at least in part, of said synthetic material (BDM).

5. The measuring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said measuring tube is formed by means of a support tube, especially a rigid and/or metal support tube, as well as a liner lining such internally.

6. The measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said liner, at least in part, especially predominantly or exclusively, is comprised of said synthetic material (BAW).

7. The measuring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said liner is formed as a loose liner, especially an exchangeable liner or a liner replaceable on-site.

8. The measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said measuring transducer further comprises;

a magnetic circuit arrangement arranged on said measuring tube for producing and conveying a magnetic field inducing in the medium, especially a medium which is at least slightly electrically conductive, an electric field; and

measuring electrodes for tapping electric voltages induced in the flowing medium.

9. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is compostable, at least in granular form.

10. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is decomposable by microorganisms, especially bacteria, molds, yeasts or algae, and/or is at least partially resorbable, especially in association with production of burnable gas.

11. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM), especially in an original, uncontaminated state and/or ground, is applicable as feed and/or feed additive.

12. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is at least biologically degradable in a manner such that it meets European Standard EN 13432;

2000.

13. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is at least biologically degradable in a manner such that it is decomposed, especially under the environmental conditions defined in European Standard EN 14046;

2003, within a time period of less than 12 months, especially within at most 6 months, to an extent of 50%, especially to more than 90%, of a nominal starting mass.

14. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on replenishable raw materials.

15. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on natural latex.

16. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on plant and/or animal fats, especially polyhydroxy fatty acids, lard, tallow or the like.

17. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on carbohydrates, especially polysaccharides.

18. The measuring device as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is made at least partially of starch and/or cellulose and/or cellulose ester of aliphatic carboxylic acids and/or hemicellulose and/or pectin.

19. The measuring device as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is made at least partially of cellulose acetate and/or cellulose propionate and/or cellulose acetobutyrate and/or celluloid and/or vulcanized fiber.

20. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured with application of natural fibers, especially cotton fibers (linters), flax fibers, hemp fibers, wood-chips and/or -meal or -flour, animal wool, silk threads or the like.

21. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on amino acids, especially natural amino acids, especially asparaginic acid, glutaminic acid or the like.

22. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on proteins, especially natural proteins, especially proteins containing casein, alanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine or the like.

23. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on lactic acid.

24. The measuring device as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is made at least partially of polylactides.

25. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on gelatin.

26. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is thermoplastic.

27. The measuring device as claimed in claims 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is thermosetting.

28. The measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said synthetic material (BDM) is an elastomer.

29. Use of a measuring device, especially an in-line measuring device and/or a flow measuring device, for registering at least one measured variable of a medium, especially a medium flowing in a pipeline, wherein the measuring device, especially one of its components contacted by the measured medium during operation of the measuring device, comprises:

a solid, biologically, especially photochemically and/or bacteriologically and/or hydrolytically, degradable, synthetic material (BDM) for measuring at least one measured variable, especially a flow and/or a flow velocity, of water, especially drinking water, flowing in a pipeline, or of a food or pharmaceutical flowing in a pipeline or a raw material serving for its manufacture.