JP7489170B2 - Sleeve with sensor connector and method for attaching a sensor to a conduit - Patent application - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sleeve with a sensor connector as claimed in claim 1, a conduit provided with such a sleeve as claimed in claim 6 and a method for attaching a sensor to a conduit as claimed in claim 13.

The fluid flow in a conduit must be monitored by a sensor, for example to check the temperature, the pressure or the composition. For that purpose, according to the prior art, the sensor is brought into at least indirect contact with the fluid flow. The sensor is connected to the conduit via an adapter, which has a hole through which the sensor tip can be guided. The adapter is placed on the conduit so that the sensor tip can come into contact with the fluid, and then a hole is drilled in the conduit through the hole in the adapter, so that the sensor tip can then protrude through the adapter and the two holes in the conduit into the interior of the conduit or into the interior of the fluid guided in the conduit.

However, this creates the problem that chips produced when drilling into the tubes or lines, and any lubricants used during drilling, can reach the lines and cause contamination of the lines and enrichment of the fluid with these impurities. For this reason, sensor connectors of this type cannot be used at all in certain applications requiring high purity, such as hydrogen lines for fuel cells, or can only be used after costly and laborious purification.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a sensor connector for a conduit that can be used in applications requiring high purity, such as hydrogen conduits for fuel cells, without laborious and costly post-treatment, since no cutting debris can reach the inside of the conduit. It is further an object of the present invention to disclose a conduit with a sensor connector suitable for applications requiring high purity. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to disclose a method by which a sensor can be incorporated into the conduit without fouling the conduit.

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a sleeve incorporating a sensor connector having the features of claim 1, a conduit having the features of claim 6 and a method having the features of claim 13.

Preferred embodiments are as defined by the features of the dependent claims.

The sleeve according to the present invention is characterized in that a sensor receiver or a sensor housing receiver is incorporated within the sleeve, and a sleeve hole is incorporated to connect the sensor receiver or the sensor housing receiver to the interior of the sleeve.

A sleeve is a tubular part for the uninterrupted connection of two conduits or conduit elements, which are inserted into the sleeve for connection (fluid communication). The sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle is connected to the interior of the sleeve by a hole. If the conduit is divided into two conduit sections at the sensor assembly point and the conduit sections are connected by the sleeve, there is no risk of the above-mentioned contamination occurring. On the one hand, the hole is already present in the sleeve and therefore no longer has to be produced by a processing method that generates contamination. On the other hand, possible contamination of the conduit sections at the division point can be removed much more easily than chips, etc., that occur when drilling a continuous conduit.

In the following text, no distinction is made anymore between sensor receivers and sensor housing receivers. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the description always relates to both versions (sensor receivers with or without housing).

In the present invention, the conduit is characterized in that the axial extension (longitudinal extension) of the conduit is divided into two conduit sections, and the conduit sections are connected through a sleeve according to the present invention, and the conduit sections are arranged at a distance a from each other within the sleeve.

The method according to the present invention for attaching a sensor to a conduit in order to measure the properties of a fluid guided through the conduit by means of the sensor is characterized in that a) the conduit is divided into two conduit sections or is formed from two divided conduit sections, b) the conduit sections are inserted into a sleeve according to the present invention, maintaining a distance a between the conduit sections, and c) a sensor is inserted into a sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle of the sleeve.

In a first development of the sleeve according to the invention, the sleeve hole may be formed to extend perpendicular to the axial or longitudinal extension of the sleeve in order to bring the sensor into the fluid flow through the sleeve as in the conventional manner.

In the above-described development of the sleeve according to the invention, particularly easy manufacture by drilling is possible if the sensor housing receptacle and the sleeve hole extend perpendicularly and coaxially to the axial extension line of the sleeve.

If the sleeve according to the present invention in the above-described developed aspect has one conduit cross-section narrowing stopper for one of the conduit sections at each end of the opening of the sleeve hole inside the sleeve, the conduit section can be easily assembled without blocking the opening for the sensor by inserting or plugging the conduit section into the sleeve until it reaches the respective stopper.

If, in a further development, the sleeve according to the invention has an inner diameter in the region of the sleeve bore equal to the inner diameter of the conduit section to be inserted, no turbulence occurs at the edge of the conduit section, thereby limiting pressure losses and reinforcing the avoidance of falsified measurement results of the sensor.

For example, if hydrogen or other aggressive media are to be passed through the sleeve and the conduit, nickel-stabilized special steel, preferably of material number 1.4435, is particularly suitable for manufacturing the sleeve and/or the conduit or the conduit section. In this way, it is possible to achieve a particular resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. In addition to material 1.4435, material 1.4404 can also be preferably used.

If the sensor needs to be inserted into a conduit, the sleeve can be assembled into the conduit by splitting the axial extension of the conduit into two conduit sections and connecting them through the sleeve. The conduit sections are arranged such that a constant distance a is maintained between their edges inserted into the sleeve, thus forming a (annular) gap between their edges. The opening of the sleeve hole will have to be located in this gap. Preferably, the distance between the two conduit sections is at least as large as the diameter of the sleeve hole, and the conduit sections preferably terminate at both ends of the sleeve hole in the sleeve by abutting a (particularly the same) cross-sectional narrowing stopper each.

The sensor housing receptacle can be coupled to a sensor or blind plug for sealing. Preferably, the sensor housing receptacle has an internal thread into which the sensor (sensor housing) is or can be screwed.

To ensure a reliable connection between the conduit section and the sleeve, it may further be provided that the conduit section is connected to the sleeve by a materially integral joint, preferably by a respective welded seam, most preferably produced by WIG welding with the welding material 1.4430.

During the manufacturing, a hole for the sensor housing receptacle and a sleeve hole connecting the sensor housing receptacle with the interior of the sleeve are provided in the sleeve. If the sleeve hole is drilled first and then the sensor housing receptacle is formed, a coaxial manufacturing is easily ensured. It is also worth considering manufacturing the sleeve by 3D printing.

Next, the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Each figure shows the following:

FIG. 1 shows a sensor connector attached to a conduit according to the prior art. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a sleeve according to the invention connected to a two-part conduit. FIG. 3 shows the complete conduit shown in FIG. 2 with a sleeve according to the invention; FIG. 4 is another view of the conduit shown in FIG. 3.

1 shows a prior art pipe or conduit 1 with a separate sensor adapter 2 mounted thereon, which is adapted to be attached in a complementary manner to the conduit 1 and can be joined to the conduit 1 (by a material-integral joint). In the sensor adapter 2, a sensor housing receptacle 3 is located, which is formed as a blind hole with an internal thread 4. A hole 5 is coaxial with the sensor housing receptacle 3 and passes through the sensor adapter 2. When the sensor adapter 2 is joined to the conduit 1, the hole 5 opens into the conduit 1 on the side opposite the sensor adapter 2. Here, according to the prior art, during this type of joining, a conduit hole 6 is drilled in the conduit 1, preferably via the hole 5 provided in the sensor adapter 2, so that a subsequently mounted sensor can come into contact with the fluid in the conduit 1. However, in this case, chips and other impurities can reach the conduit 1.

2 shows a cross section of a sleeve 7 according to the invention connected to a two-part conduit 1. The conduit 1 is composed of two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2. The two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 are connected by a sleeve 7, with the respective ends of the two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 inserted into the sleeve 7 being arranged at a distance a from each other. A sensor housing receptacle 3 is located in the sleeve 7 perpendicular to the insertion direction of the conduit sections 1.1, 1.2. The sensor housing receptacle consists of a blind hole and an internal thread 4 for screwing in a sensor or a sensor housing (not shown in the figure). A sleeve hole 5 extends coaxially with the sensor housing receptacle 3 and connects the interior of the sleeve 7 into which the conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 are inserted with the sensor receptacle or the sensor housing receptacle 3. The distance a between the two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 is preferably at least as large as the diameter of the sleeve hole 5 so that the sensor head can contact the fluid in the conduit 1. It is therefore also essential that both conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 terminate in the sleeve 7 at both ends of the sleeve hole 5 as shown.

Optionally, but not shown, stops may therefore be provided in the sleeve 7 at both ends of the opening of the sleeve bore 5, narrowing the conduit cross section. The stop(s) may result in the interior of the sleeve only in the outer region having a diameter that allows the reception of the conduit sections 1.1, 1.2, while the diameter in the region of the sleeve bore 5 is smaller. If the diameter in the region of the sleeve bore 5 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the conduit sections 1.1, 1.2, no disturbances of the fluid flow occur, which would occur in the case of irregularities due to the expansion and contraction of the edges. The sleeve 7 may be a plug-in sleeve, a glued sleeve, a pressed sleeve or a threaded sleeve.

3 and 4 show a sleeve 7 according to the invention in a curved conduit 1, in particular of the type of hydrogen conduit for fuel cells. They clearly show the difficulties that would arise according to the prior art. If the conduit 1 were to be perforated at the sensor receiving point, considerable costs would have to be incurred to clean the chips and lubricant from the conduit 1 again. The sleeve 7 according to the invention can be sufficiently cleaned before the installation, so that there is no risk of dirt getting into the conduit 1. The same applies to the edges of the conduit sections 1.1, 1.2, insofar as these result from the division of an originally connected conduit, as is possible in a manner suitable within the scope of the invention.

For example, nickel-stabilized special steels with material numbers 1.4435 or 1.4404 are particularly suitable for the manufacture of sleeves 7 in connection with their use in hydrogen lines for fuel cell systems.

For production, a blind hole is drilled from the outside, preferably perpendicular to the insertion direction of the conduit parts 1.1, 1.2, into the cast and/or turned sleeve 7. A small-diameter sleeve hole 5 is drilled centrally through the sleeve 7 via the blind hole. The drilling can also be carried out in the reverse order. An internal thread 4 is cut into the blind hole. The sleeve 7 is then cleaned of chips and lubricant.

The two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 are inserted into the sleeve 7 from both ends, with the sleeve bore 5 not blocked. The two conduit sections 1.1, 1.2 are then preferably soldered or welded to the sleeve 7 at the axially outer corners of the sleeve 7, see weld seam 8 shown in FIG. 2. In this case, it is possible to apply the WIG welding method with the material 1.4430 as the welding material. A sensor (housing) with an external thread can then be screwed into the internal thread 4. In the case of a temperature sensor, the sensor head can be pushed through the sleeve bore 5 into the interior of the sleeve 7. In the case of a pressure sensor, it is sufficient that the interior of the sleeve communicates with the sensor housing receptacle 3 through the sleeve bore 5.

Optionally, the sensor housing receptacle 3 and the sleeve bore 5 may not run coaxially and/or parallel. In particular, a wide variety of geometries can be produced by 3D printing. A further advantage of 3D printing is that no chips are produced and no drilling means are required, making the cleaning step unnecessary.

1 Conduit 1.1 Conduit section 1.2 Conduit section 2 Sensor adapter 3 Sensor housing receptacle 4 Female thread 5 Sleeve hole 6 Conduit hole 7 Sleeve 8 Weld seam a Spacing

Claims (15)

A sleeve (7) for connecting two conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) arranged at a distance from each other, the axial extension of which is divided by the conduit (1) ,
A sensor receiver or sensor housing receiver (3) and a sleeve hole (5) connecting the sensor receiver or sensor housing receiver (3) to the interior of the sleeve (7) are incorporated in the sleeve (7),
The sleeve hole (5) is smaller than the sensor receiver or sensor housing receiver (3),
The sleeve (7) is configured to be connected to a conduit (1) such that both conduit portions (1.1, 1.2) terminate at opposite ends of the sleeve bore (5). 2. Sleeve (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve bore (5) extends perpendicular to the axial extension line of the sleeve (5). 3. Sleeve (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeve bore (5) and the sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle (3) extend parallel to one another. 3. Sleeve (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeve bore (5) and the sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle (3) extend coaxially with respect to one another. The sleeve (7) has the sleeve hole (5) in the inside of the sleeve (7).
5. A sleeve (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a stopper for each of the conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) at both ends of the opening of the sleeve (7) which narrows the cross section of the conduit.
). 6. Sleeve (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve (7) consists of nickel-stabilized special steel. 6. The sleeve (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of nickel-stabilized special steel with the material number 1.4435 or 1.4404.
7). the sleeve (7) has a reduced inner diameter in the region of the sleeve bore (5);
the inner diameter is essentially equal to the inner diameter of the conduit section (1.1, 1.2),
A conduit (1) equipped with a sleeve (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A sensor is connected to the sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle (3),
The sensor housing receiver (3) has a female thread (4) into which the sensor is screwed or into which the sensor can be screwed.
9. The conduit (1) according to claim 8 , characterized in that it has a The conduit (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the conduit (1) is a hydrogen conduit for a fuel cell. 11. The conduit ( 1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) are each materially connected to the sleeve (7) by means of a circumferential weld seam (8). 11. The conduit (1) according to claim 8 , wherein the conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) are each integrally joined to the sleeve (7) by WIG welding with the welding material 1.4430. A hole for the sensor receiver or sensor housing receiver (3) in the sleeve (7);
a sleeve hole (5) is drilled connecting the sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle (3) with the corresponding interior of the sleeve (7); or
A method for manufacturing a sensor connector with a sleeve (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sleeve is manufactured by 3D printing. A method for attaching a sensor to a conduit (1) for measuring by means of the sensor a property of a fluid guided in said conduit (1), comprising:
a) the conduit (1) is divided into two conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) or is formed from two divided conduit sections (1.1, 1.2),
b) the conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) are inserted into a sleeve (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in such a way that a gap (a) is left between the conduit sections (1.1, 1.2),
c) A method, characterized in that a sensor is inserted into the sensor receptacle or sensor housing receptacle (3) of the sleeve (7). The conduit sections (1.1, 1.2) and the sleeve (7) are joined by circumferential welded seams (8).
15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the parts are joined together by a material-integral process.

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