Measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads

{
  "publication_number": "US9581477B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads",
  "abstract": "A measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow measuring heads includes a guide element for receiving at least one measuring head protective housing for at least one measuring head and includes at least one clamping unit connected to the guide element, and thereto connected clamping device for detachably fastening the guide element to the measuring tube, wherein the guide element is non-positively or positively connected to at least one apparatus for centering and clamping the same on the measuring tube, so that the guide element is oriented and fastened parallel and with a defined distance to the apex of the measuring tube irrespective of the tube diameter.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads, comprising a guide element for receiving at least one measuring head protective housing for at least one measuring head, at least two clamping units connected to the guide element, the at least two clamping units each including a clamping device for detachably fastening the guide element to a measuring tube, wherein the guide element is connected to at least one apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element on the measuring tube, so that the guide element is oriented and fastened parallel and with a defined distance to an apex of the measuring tube irrespective of the tube diameter, wherein the apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element comprises a centering element, a spacing element and one of the at least two clamping units, which are connected to one another via a connecting element, wherein the guide element is fixedly connected to the spacing element and the centering element is movably connected to the guide element, and wherein the connecting element is pivotably connected to the centering element and is pivotably connected to the spacing element.",
    "2. A measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads, comprising a guide element for receiving at least one measuring head protective housing for at least one measuring head, at least two clamping units connected to the guide element, the at least two clamping units each including a clamping device for detachably fastening the guide element to a measuring tube, wherein the guide element is connected to at least one apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element on the measuring tube, so that the guide element is oriented and fastened parallel and with a defined distance to an apex of the measuring tube irrespective of the tube diameter, wherein the apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element comprises a centering element, a spacing element and one of the at least two clamping units, which are connected to one another via a connecting element, wherein the guide element is fixedly connected to the spacing element and the centering element is movably connected to the guide element, wherein the spacing element comprises first and second mutually parallel functional surfaces which are a predetermined distance apart, wherein the first functional surface contains a free-moving pivot joint which is arranged opposite the measuring tube and forms an interface for reception of the connecting element, and the second functional surface rests on the measuring tube, and wherein the spacing element is directly connected to the guide element by a fixed, immovable connection.",
    "3. A measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads, comprising a guide element for receiving at least one measuring head protective housing for at least one measuring head, at least two clamping units connected to the guide element, the at least two clamping units each including a clamping device for detachably fastening the guide element to a measuring tube, wherein the guide element is connected to at least one apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element on the measuring tube, so that the guide element is oriented and fastened parallel and with a defined distance to an apex of the measuring tube irrespective of the tube diameter, wherein the apparatus for centering and clamping the guide element comprises a centering element, a spacing element and one of the at least two clamping units, which are connected to one another via a connecting element, wherein the guide element is fixedly connected to the spacing element and the centering element is movably connected to the guide element, wherein the centering element comprises a rectangularly shaped part and is provided at its distal end with a free-moving pivot joint which is arranged opposite the measuring tube and forms an interface for reception of the connecting element, and wherein, at an end of the centering element facing towards the measuring tube, the centering element has in a middle thereof a cutout symmetrical to the apex of the measuring tube, which cutout serves as a functional surface in order to orient the guide element parallel to a straight surface line of the measuring tube on a surface of the measuring tube.",
    "4. The measuring head clamp-on device according to claim 3, wherein the centring element is disposed in a sliding mounting and is movable relative to the measuring tube solely in a radial direction.",
    "5. The measuring head clamp-on device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is configured as a rocker, which at opposing ends rests on a respective displaceable spherical bearing, and wherein the spherical bearings are embodied as pivot joints of the spacing element and the centering element.",
    "6. The measuring head clamp-on device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring head protective housing is connected to an energy store and the energy store is operatively connected to the guide element."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The inventive solution for a measuring head clamp-on device for ultrasonic flow-measuring heads lies within the technical field of ultrasonic flow measuring technology. A pair of ultrasonic measuring heads is placed onto the outside of a tubing. By means of a measuring transducer, an ultrasonic pulse is generated alternately in both measuring heads and, after having passed through the tube wall and the medium in the tube, is received by the respectively other measuring head. Via the measured transit time difference (with or counter to the flow of the medium), the tube parameters and the flow profile, the flow quantity is calculated in the measuring transducer. A precondition for these measurements is a secure transmission of the ultrasonic pulses from the measuring head into the tube wall. This is achieved by a suitable coupling means, the aligned orientation of the measuring heads, along the tube axis relative to one another, and by the contact pressing of the measuring heads onto the tube wall. The orientation of the measuring heads and the contact pressing are the functions of a measuring head clamp-on device.\n\nThe ultrasonic measuring heads are currently generally fitted by means of rail-like fastening systems, these being fastened to the tube with metallic band clamps or chains. In addition to the rail-like systems for receiving one or more measuring head pairs, there are also fastening systems having receiving fixtures for receiving a single measuring head.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01F 1/662",
    "F16B 2/08",
    "G01F 15/18"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 2/08",
    "F16M 13/00",
    "G01F 1/66",
    "G01F 15/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "FLEXIM Flexible lndustriemesstechnik GmbH",
    "FLEXIM FLEXIBLE IND GMBH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "SCHARNITZKY JAN FREDERIK"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-07-10",
  "publication_date": "2017-02-28",
  "grant_date": "2017-02-28",
  "priority_date": "2014-07-11",
  "application_number": "US-201514796226-A",
  "family_id": "53483739",
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}