Device for determining a physical value of a liquid flowing in a pipe

• US 8,485,044 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Delbos, Cecile, Weissenbach, Jean-Louis, Vigna, James, Morrissey, Martin, Reinbigler, Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US13/606,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20130003780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 73700-756
• US Class Current: 73/756
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3641 Pressure isolators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0037 for sensing the heat emitted by liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0887 Integrating cavities mimicking black bodies, wherein the heat propagation between the black body and the measuring element does not occur within a solid; Use of bodies placed inside the fluid stream for measurement of the temperature of gases; Use of the reemission from a surface, e.g. reflective surface; Emissivity enhancement by multiple reflections
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0893 Arrangements to attach devices to a pyrometer, i.e. attaching an optical interface; Spatial relative arrangement of optical elements, e.g. folded beam path G01J5/049 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0023 for flowthrough systems having a flexible pressure transmitting element
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/003 using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/144 with dismountable parts, e.g. for maintenance purposes or for ensuring sterile conditions for detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge G01L19/003

Abstract

A device for determining a physical value of a liquid flowing in a pipe, without contact with said liquid, said device comprising:

• • a sensor (3) for said physical value;
  • a connector (2) to insert into said pipe and comprising:
  • an internal passage (13) extending between two apertures (11, 12),
  • a flexible membrane (6) for a pressure sensor, forming a wall of said internal passage (13); and
  • means (27, 62) for fastening said sensor (3) onto said connector (2);
  • characterized in that said sensor is a temperature sensor (3) fastened to said connector (2) with the sensitive part of said sensor (3) turned towards said membrane (6).

Claims

1. A method for determining the temperature of a liquid flowing in a pipe, without contact with said liquid, said method comprising:

providing a temperature sensor for sensing said physical value, said temperature sensor having a sensitive part;

providing a connector to insert into said pipe and comprising;

an internal passage extending between two apertures,

a flexible membrane adapted to cooperate with a pressure sensor to determine the pressure of said flowing liquid, and also adapted to cooperate with a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of said flowing liquid, said flexible membrane forming a wall of said internal passage; and

fastening said sensor onto said connector;

fastening said temperature sensor to said connector with the sensitive part of said temperature sensor turned towards said membrane;

flowing liquid through said pipe; and

measuring the temperature of said flowing liquid with said temperature sensor.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature probe;

and a sheath enveloping said probe and comprising at one of its longitudinal ends, a stiff plate provided with an aperture;

said plate being disposed between said membrane and said sensitive part to stiffen said membrane.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said temperature sensor comprises an obturating lid formed from an opaque film, said lid covering the face of said plate turned towards said membrane.

4. The method according to claim 3, comprising positioning said sensor relative to said connector in order for said lid to be in contact with a face of said membrane.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said lid has constant emissivity in the temperature range from 4 to 40 degrees Celsius.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said sheath comprises a cup and a cap assembled together by screwing.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said cap comprises a breech of which the back is formed by said stiff plate.

8. The method device according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature probe, and said probe comprises a head accommodating a converging lens.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said connector has a T-shaped profile.