Measuring device

• US 7,845,238 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US12/219,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20090038409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 7386111-86116
• US Class Current: 73/861.12
• 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 for registering at least one measured variable of a medium, wherein the measuring device comprises:

a solid, biologically 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.

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

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

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is made at least partially of a polysaccharide and/or a carbohydrate selected from a group consisting of;

starch, cellulose, cellulose ester of aliphatic carboxylic acids, hemicellulose, and pectin.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is made at least partially of a carbohydrate selected from a group consisting of;

cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetobutyrate, celluloid, and vulcanized fiber.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured with application of natural fibers.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on amino acids.

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

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

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.

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

the measuring device is selected from a group consisting of;

an in-line measuring device for registering at least one measured variable of a medium flowing in a pipeline and a flow measuring device for registering a flow velocity of a medium flowing in a pipeline.

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

a component of the measuring device contacted by the measured medium during operation of the measuring device comprises said solid, biologically degradable, synthetic material (BDM).

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

said solid, biologically degradable, synthetic material (BDM) is selected from a group consisting of;

photochemically degradable, synthetic material, and bacteriologically degradable, synthetic material, and hydrolytically degradable, synthetic material.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured with application of natural fibers selected from a group consisting of;

cotton fibers, flax fibers, hemp fibers, wood-chips and/or -meal or -flour, animal wool, silk threads.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on amino acids selected from a group consisting of;

natural amino acids, especially asparaginic acid, and glutaminic acid.

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

said synthetic material (BDM) is manufactured based on proteins selected from a group consisting of;

natural proteins, especially proteins containing casein, alanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine, and glycine.

29. Use of a measuring device, which comprises:

a solid, biologically, degradable, synthetic material (BDM) for measuring at least one measured variable, of a medium flowing in a pipeline and being selected from a group consisting of;

water, food, pharmaceutical.